Yesterday, a walk through a local bookstore renewed a sense of pride and hope — indeed, optimism. The shelves — filled with wisdom, thinking, ideas, direction.
As I entered the store, looking for a light summer read, I picked up Neil de Grass Tyson’s recent Starry Messenger. With a few sentences, he engaged me into his reflection on our planet and humanity through the power of science and logic. I held onto it until checkout.
I wander the shelves as my mind considers the practical results of overturning Chevron — ironically, more expensive litigation and the need for more facts, research. Perhaps fewer rules, but perhaps more powerful ones based on demonstrating connections carefully. Connecting facts to the law. Science. I noticed Justice Breyer’s book. And more — books on philosophy, law, business — pointing the way.
I wander more, my mind goes over the arguments about the threats to democracy, freedom, the Constitution. And there’s Doris Kerns Goodwin. John Meecham. Washington, Hamilton, Lincoln. Average Americans during WWII; Japanese camps. The American Revolution in New York — hundreds of pages.
On the lives of other humans from every corner of the world. Understanding the Middle East conflict. Vietnam. The Great War. Holocausts. Survival. Philosophy. Jane Austen, Mark Twain. The Millionaire Next Door. A Walk in the Woods. Queen Elizabeth — yes, both I and II. Fascination with the Tudors. George R.R. Martin — the entire world that he created, with its own maps, history, and even languages. Greek mythology — as originally told and reinvented by modern women writers. 1619. Hunter and Hillary. One of the Bush daughters. Cooking with Air Fryers, making pasta, and kids in the kitchen.
So many books. The shelves are full. And the freedom to read. We still have the first amendment. It’s a gift. Novel questions need strong research and understanding of the fundamentals. And here it is for all of us.
Finally, I found the summer read that I came in for, historical fiction on Marjorie Post, the daughter of C.W. Post, who made a fortune inventing breakfast cereals. (Admittedly, a lighter read than, say, the rise of the Nazis or ). I enjoy the writing style of Allison Pataki — hmmm, daughter of our former Republican NY Governor George Pataki — clearly and vividly immersing her reader in times past — down to the scents, fashions, and vistas. Her description of Post’s wedding gown reminded me of the film Titanic. I am wondering, connecting on why Americans are still fascinated with the Titanic disaster. Is it, perhaps the notions around class: through arrogance and ignorance and dismissals of dangers, many of the top 1% and those who cater them can go down with the ship together into the freezing Atlantic.
While I marveled a bookstore and headed to the checkout, I realized that not everyone can shell out $40 for a book or two. Yet one doesn’t need to pay, as we still have libraries. Book swaps. Flea markets and garage sales. Amazon sales and mark-down sections. So much wisdom — available for very low cost or free.
So if you’re like me and need a sanity break from the state of our world today, my suggestion: turn of the tv, find a quiet couch, park bench, beach, or cafe. And bring a book. Hold it in your hand, page by page, and hear the frailties, wisdom, and courage of fellow humans throughout history (and even history of the future) through the written word. Simply, read.
Need ideas on your next read? I’m sure members of our community have some wonderful suggestions...