In a March post, I discussed the four books I had hoped to read while in this pause as the world deals with social distancing. As it’s now been a month since that post, let’s revisit. 

I had said I was planning to read: 

• Recursion Blake Crouch 
• Braving the Wilderness Brene Brown
• Rat Bastards: A Memoir John “Red” Shea
• In a Dark, Dark Wood Ruth Ware

To date, I’ve read the first two on this list and audibled to read others that I was in more of a mood for at the time. The morning of this writing, I completed She Said by Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey and previously this week I completed When Things Fall Apart by Pemo Chodron. You’ve already heard me pontificate in separate posts about the awesomeness of Brene Brown and Pema Chodron, these were clearly books I enjoyed. Let’s briefly discuss the two I haven’t filled you in on.

Recursion by Blake Crouch

Well, this one. Overall I genuinely enjoyed this book. However, it did touch on some triggering subjects for me that had me stepping away from the book for periods of time to deal with those. As you most likely know, I’m active with the Alzheimer’s Association after it has struck multiple members of my extended family, but specifically my Grandpa. A good third of this book deals with one woman’s striving to reactivate memories in her mom’s Alzheimer’s-ridden brain. It was touching and important and I got very angry with the book’s turn of events for robbing her of this opportunity. 

A second trigger from this book was a result of the vivid description of one of the experiment’s test subjects. An addicted white male covered in tattoos and track marks being potentially sacrificed to science, allured with a mountain of money. As someone who loves people who are addicted to drugs, simply put, I wanted to kick his character’s ass for preying on such a vulnerable population. 

Both of these things make it a bit difficult for me to recommend this book. However, it had a captivating story line that I was eager to see through to its fruition. 

She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey

As a journalist, I loved the details that these reporters could provide. The inside-peak at the processes they battled in bringing women’s stories to the pages of the New York Times were thrilling. Having lived through and watched most of these events unfold, I had vivid memories to provide the context as well. Overall, it’s a powerful book that any and every woman should read. And I thank Kantor and Twohey for their courageous efforts to ensure women have a voice. 

So, on to the next book! What is that for you? How are you doing at achieving your goal? 

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