Coretta Scott King wrote this biography with the help of a friend, Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds, who had begun taking notes on their conversations long before the two became serious about the work. This was a review for me, as well as a source of insights. Much of Dr. King’s work occurred before or during my self-absorbed adolescence, when current events were not a high priority for me. I had no idea Mrs. King had been so involved in the work and carried it forward; the King Center was her vision. She gives her side of the story, which in many cases she’d kept quiet about, striving for unity and Beloved Community. In many cases, however, the male leaders of the movement dismissed her efforts and/or were envious of what she could accomplish. I came away with a new appreciation for the sacrifices the entire King family offered.
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In the spirit of Valentine's Day, let me recommend Jennifer Crusie, who, as I’ve probably mentioned, is my go-to for contemporary romance writing. I have trouble choosing a favorite novel, but Bet Me, The Cinderella Deal, and Faking It are in the top three. Part of the fun for me is that Crusie grew up in Wapakoneta, attended Wright State and Ohio State, and taught in Beavercreek. She alludes to places I know—Yellow Springs and German Village and Victorian Village in Columbus. For snappy dialogues and great one-liners, Jenny is superb. For example, “[H]e couldn’t see Mark as the brains of a drug ring. Actually, he couldn’t see Mark as the brains of a Jello ring.” From Charlie All Night. If you need something light-hearted, with a definite happy ending (and usually a dog in the plot somewhere), pick up a Crusie novel. Oh, and she's collaborated with Bob Mayer on several books if you want more action and murderous plots. (Bob brings his experience as a Green Beret to his writing.) Twyla Tharp is best known as a modern dancer and choreographer, but she is also a writer. I stumbled on this 2019 book and devoured it. I love her no-nonsense, get-over-yourself attitude toward keeping the body in shape. She mixes warm-up exercises and name-dropping beautifully. Sample: at lunch one day with Baryshnikov, she noticed he seemed down. Asked what was the matter, he replied, “We will soon be old.” He was at the time 27, and yes, that’s getting old for a dancer. She was 76 when she wrote the book. A great encouragement! Bonus: a brief video with Tharp talking about continuing to move as one ages. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJ4JHKs60E I've not read anything new--too much brain freeze/fog--so let me recommend one of my favorite mystery writers. For characters, plot, and humor, no one does it better than Dorothy Sayers, who was also a theological writer of plays and essays. Dorothy Leigh Sayers’ Lord Peter mysteries are filled with memorable characters and intricate plotting. In 1987 a ten-episode TV series brought amateur sleuth Lord Peter, his manservant Bunter, and the detective novelist Harriet Vane to life. The books are better, imho. Sayers is a scholar; her chapter head-quotes are from poets such as John Donne and Sir Philip Sidney, and some of her characters' letters and lyrics are in French. (She may have thereby been escaping censorship laws of the 1930s and 40s.) I’ve just re-read Gaudy Night and Busman’s Honeymoon, the conclusion of the series. Especially in winter, it's a good time to revisit old friends. |
What I’m ReadingI began working in libraries as a seventh grader, courtesy of scoliosis. My orthopedic surgeon wrote me a pass to miss gym class, so I began working in the school library to feed my love of reading. Even after my surgery to correct the curvature, I kept getting out of gym to work in my high school library and then in my college library (for pay, at last!).
So began my eventual career as a college reference librarian—after a detour into teaching high school English. Later I worked for an educational publisher before going back to libraries.
I have a reading and writing life now. I devour both fiction and nonfiction, and will tell you about some of my favorite reads, both old friends and new discoveries.
Here's some library-themed music to get you in the mood.
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