The Stack: Summer '17
That awkward moment when it's definitely already very fall. Sometimes I forget to post things, okay? With that said, here are a few books I read this summer!
The New American Roadtrip Mixtape, Brendan Leonard. A post-breakup, months-long-road-trip memoir. This book is raw — vulnerable and funny and relatable to everyone on some level. It wrestles with some big questions. I definitely approach those questions differently based on my beliefs and worldview, but it was insightful to get an inside look at the emotion and thought process of someone who doesn't share those. (Beware of language!)
The War of Art, Steven Pressfield. It's a cult classic for a reason (and not just because it gets a little voodoo, which it does). Super practical and motivating. Makes you want to figuratively light things on fire and go make all the things.
Make It Till You Make It, Brendan Leonard again! And similar in theme to The War of Art. Short, sweet, and also incredibly practical. Full of no-nonsense advice and butt-kicking on the realities of making it as a creative. Especially relatable for writers since, you know, he is one.
Bear Town, Fredrick Backman. I opened this book and three sentences in started laughing, out loud, out of pure amazement, over the way a sentence was worded. I actually got teary. I had to compose myself before I continued. I'm still in awe. I will never write something this beautiful in my whole life. Backman spins words into a masterpiece. The story is heart-wrenching and important and will suck you in and make you feel every emotion (especially if you love hockey, like I do); but as a writer, I never could get over his level of craftsmanship and artistry. If you love reading, read the book; but if you love writing, READ THE BOOK.
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Jim Cymbala. One of those staple books that every Christian should read. A call from one of the greatest leaders of our time to return to the basic of faith — prayer. Since, you know, that's how we talk to God. It's fine, it's no big deal.
Voices in the Ocean, Susan Casey. I've told you guys how I feel about Susan Casey before, which is that she could publish a book or piece on anything, and I will read it. She's an elite journalist. However, I'm admitting to you now that I only skimmed this one; and that's because — this is going to sound really terrible, but it's honest — there are just already a lot of crappy things happening in the world and I got a few chapters in and I thought, you know what? I can't be angry about dolphins, too. I would like to up my game in local conservation knowledge/involvement, but I can't specifically take up the dolphin banner right now, and this book was going to make me feel the need to do that, and I just didn't want to, so I skimmed it and kind of just hoped for the best for the dolphins, and I know that is unrealistic, and you can leave your angry comments below, and sorry dolphins, and yeah.
There you have it — most of what I read this summer! Any favorites you have from the last few months, lemme know and I'll put it on the (eternal) list.
