Oh my word, I was SO AGITATED to see Brooks in the Atlantic with that piece. For the same reasons you describe (I'd just left a searing note on one of his NYT pieces, asking him to live up to the principles he was taught at Radnor High School, where I was one year ahead of him). So thank you, thank you, thank you for this. And I love that you have Jessica's book here. A reminder of a book (and person) I adore.
Four great books to read. Thanks for sharing. I would add Anxious People and Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance as recent reads that could fit that list. In terms of characters, I think Zeno in Cloud Cuckoo Land is an example of a good person who’s fundamentally good to others.
I really appreciate your perspective here, and your willingness to share it: the idea of intentionally curbing your information diet can itself tend to trigger "aggravation", as if it's one's moral responsibility to stay continuously up to date on every possible frustration, injustice, or just general item of ridiculousness.
Does a steady diet of these items make us better citizens? Community members? People? Certainly not compared to the opportunity cost of replacing these shallow items with great literature. (Or, at least, solid Substacks 😉)
Yes, it's important to stay up to date "enough". But that still leaves a great deal of time for more spiritually and intellectually rewarding reading.
What became clear to me is that my diet of daily outrages was definitely not doing anything for my psyche and I couldn't see how it was helping anyone else, either. Aggravation seems like one of the animating emotions of the MAGA movement. I don't want to mirror that in my day-to-day life.
Thank you, once again, for your thoughtful words. When we are living in a world of “circuses” with no “bread” we become a nation of silliness with no gravitas. I just reserved all of your book recommendations at the library and look forward to reading all of them. And I really loved both All Fours and Safe Keep. Best,
A Man Called Ove which lost something in translation to the movie when the name changed to Otto, along with another book by Backman, My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry. Both books are lovely, well-written, and worlds I could live in filled with decent human beings.
I often find the idea that we're living in a simulation to be comforting. Because you can then explain away much of the world's madness -- as well as David Brooks being taken seriously as an intellectual -- as the consequences of a couple teenage alien hackers messing with us. Well done, Zorloff and X1236ZQ!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on not getting sucked into the Trump spectacle. When I turned 50, I vowed to make the best use of my remaining time which led me to read far less news than I used to. Eight years later, I'm doubling down on that. Other than scanning the headlines to be aware, I haven't read a single article about his idiotic plans.
The challenge is that so many of my friends are wrapped up in it and are disappointed when I don't join in their outrage. This relates back to your thoughtful recent piece on consumerism -- bucking that trend also alienates me from many of the people around me. I have some dear friends who are with me on this, thankfully, but it's a strange feeling to feel disconnected from so many of the educated liberals around me.
I've had some very similar experiences where my desire to affirmatively choose to not pay as much attention - to the point of obsession - is looked at as some kind of betrayal of a collective mission. What I know is that it didn't help anyone or anything last time around. I'm not burying my head in the sand. I could probably name everyone Trump has nominated and tell you why they're terrible, but I'm not going to read commentary after commentary about why they're horrible. If I can read something that helps me better understand what's going on, great. But most news is about marinating in stuff we already know.
I think one lesson of Trump 1.0 is that pointing and shouting, "Look! He did something terrible right there!" and expecting that this, somehow, will be the straw that finally breaks his hold on his supporters-- it just doesn't work. Better this time around to focus on standing up for what is good and sheltering it from the storm.
Indeed. Starting with the lies about the inaugural crowd size and going on endlessly from there. I read a news story today interviewing his supporters about the parade of freaks and weirdos he's nominating to his cabinet and they couldn't be more thrilled because he's "shaking things up." I don't need to let myself be shaken into full agitation by these things.
Thank you for introducing me to Allison Espach who writes about people wanting and trying to be nice to one another, and often succeeding despite themselves. And now some new authors to try. My mother died on Nov. 8th at 93. Every Monday at 8pm I called her and we talked books, baseball, politics (less and less), and books. She loved to read. She let her kids read everything and anything. In the last year she learned to listen to books when it became too hard to read. She did it because there were too many books on her list and she didn't want to miss out. Thank you for creating a space for loving books.
The calamities of the next administration will break my soul if I pay attention too continuously. I won't do anyone any good if I am a broken husk by the end of the first year.
My book reading is mostly SFF these days. I aspire to be as hard-working, kind, and hopeful as Ouloo in The Galaxy and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers. And I would wish for our world to have a leader with the integrity of Maia in The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison.
1. Rarely have I been so happy to read the work of someone who understands that aggravate is not a synonym for annoy.
2. On good people being decent to each other (at least most of the time and to the best of their abilities), I’ll nominate the works of Laurie Colwin. Happy All the Time is an obvious choice. Goodbye Without Leaving is my particular favorite.
I'm glad to hear I'm not alone on the distinction between irritate and aggravate mountain. Laurie Colwin is another favorite of mine. I must gravitate to these books.
Amen to Rules for Visiting. I loved that book and recommend it all the time. Another book that fits this list: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Lately I have gone in another direction with my reading, finally reading Thomas Mann’s Doctor Faustus. I suddenly have an intense fascination with people who sell their souls to the devil.
As for favorite books where someone is being kind to another: Of Mice and Men would be hard to beat. George’s kindness to Lennie is heartbreaking, particularly at the soul crushing ending.
I am currently reading The Searcher by Tana French based on your recommendation in an earlier posting. Cal’s kindess to young Trey in very touching. From agreeing to find out what happened to Trey’s brother to teaching him manners and morals. A good read. I am glad you recommended it.
Oh my word, I was SO AGITATED to see Brooks in the Atlantic with that piece. For the same reasons you describe (I'd just left a searing note on one of his NYT pieces, asking him to live up to the principles he was taught at Radnor High School, where I was one year ahead of him). So thank you, thank you, thank you for this. And I love that you have Jessica's book here. A reminder of a book (and person) I adore.
Four great books to read. Thanks for sharing. I would add Anxious People and Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance as recent reads that could fit that list. In terms of characters, I think Zeno in Cloud Cuckoo Land is an example of a good person who’s fundamentally good to others.
I really appreciate your perspective here, and your willingness to share it: the idea of intentionally curbing your information diet can itself tend to trigger "aggravation", as if it's one's moral responsibility to stay continuously up to date on every possible frustration, injustice, or just general item of ridiculousness.
Does a steady diet of these items make us better citizens? Community members? People? Certainly not compared to the opportunity cost of replacing these shallow items with great literature. (Or, at least, solid Substacks 😉)
Yes, it's important to stay up to date "enough". But that still leaves a great deal of time for more spiritually and intellectually rewarding reading.
What became clear to me is that my diet of daily outrages was definitely not doing anything for my psyche and I couldn't see how it was helping anyone else, either. Aggravation seems like one of the animating emotions of the MAGA movement. I don't want to mirror that in my day-to-day life.
This is Happiness by Niall Williams.
I haven't read it, but lots of people have recommended it to me. I should probably get on that.
He has a new book coming out later this month. It takes place in the same Irish village. Very much looking forward to it.
Thank you, once again, for your thoughtful words. When we are living in a world of “circuses” with no “bread” we become a nation of silliness with no gravitas. I just reserved all of your book recommendations at the library and look forward to reading all of them. And I really loved both All Fours and Safe Keep. Best,
Sheri Goldstein
A Man Called Ove which lost something in translation to the movie when the name changed to Otto, along with another book by Backman, My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry. Both books are lovely, well-written, and worlds I could live in filled with decent human beings.
I was going to recommend Ove also. Loved the book, the movie was fine.
I often find the idea that we're living in a simulation to be comforting. Because you can then explain away much of the world's madness -- as well as David Brooks being taken seriously as an intellectual -- as the consequences of a couple teenage alien hackers messing with us. Well done, Zorloff and X1236ZQ!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on not getting sucked into the Trump spectacle. When I turned 50, I vowed to make the best use of my remaining time which led me to read far less news than I used to. Eight years later, I'm doubling down on that. Other than scanning the headlines to be aware, I haven't read a single article about his idiotic plans.
The challenge is that so many of my friends are wrapped up in it and are disappointed when I don't join in their outrage. This relates back to your thoughtful recent piece on consumerism -- bucking that trend also alienates me from many of the people around me. I have some dear friends who are with me on this, thankfully, but it's a strange feeling to feel disconnected from so many of the educated liberals around me.
I've had some very similar experiences where my desire to affirmatively choose to not pay as much attention - to the point of obsession - is looked at as some kind of betrayal of a collective mission. What I know is that it didn't help anyone or anything last time around. I'm not burying my head in the sand. I could probably name everyone Trump has nominated and tell you why they're terrible, but I'm not going to read commentary after commentary about why they're horrible. If I can read something that helps me better understand what's going on, great. But most news is about marinating in stuff we already know.
I think one lesson of Trump 1.0 is that pointing and shouting, "Look! He did something terrible right there!" and expecting that this, somehow, will be the straw that finally breaks his hold on his supporters-- it just doesn't work. Better this time around to focus on standing up for what is good and sheltering it from the storm.
Indeed. Starting with the lies about the inaugural crowd size and going on endlessly from there. I read a news story today interviewing his supporters about the parade of freaks and weirdos he's nominating to his cabinet and they couldn't be more thrilled because he's "shaking things up." I don't need to let myself be shaken into full agitation by these things.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston. What I call a feel good book.
On the book talk you beat me on Times List - read 4. To read 5
I have read 3 on Vulture's list and zero on Kirkus's list
Also love your reco of The Lager Queen of Minnesota. My favorite book by Stradal
Sold me on the Drury! Thanks!
Thank you for introducing me to Allison Espach who writes about people wanting and trying to be nice to one another, and often succeeding despite themselves. And now some new authors to try. My mother died on Nov. 8th at 93. Every Monday at 8pm I called her and we talked books, baseball, politics (less and less), and books. She loved to read. She let her kids read everything and anything. In the last year she learned to listen to books when it became too hard to read. She did it because there were too many books on her list and she didn't want to miss out. Thank you for creating a space for loving books.
My condolences on your mother's passing, but how great to have her in your life like that. I hope these memories are a blessing.
I’ve recently read two books that I think answer your call, although one is about a good-hearted robot. I Cheerfully Refuse and Klara and the Sun.
I put I Cheerfully Refuse on my holds list, although I sure hope it has a happier ending than Klara and the Sun!
The calamities of the next administration will break my soul if I pay attention too continuously. I won't do anyone any good if I am a broken husk by the end of the first year.
My book reading is mostly SFF these days. I aspire to be as hard-working, kind, and hopeful as Ouloo in The Galaxy and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers. And I would wish for our world to have a leader with the integrity of Maia in The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison.
1. Rarely have I been so happy to read the work of someone who understands that aggravate is not a synonym for annoy.
2. On good people being decent to each other (at least most of the time and to the best of their abilities), I’ll nominate the works of Laurie Colwin. Happy All the Time is an obvious choice. Goodbye Without Leaving is my particular favorite.
I'm glad to hear I'm not alone on the distinction between irritate and aggravate mountain. Laurie Colwin is another favorite of mine. I must gravitate to these books.
Amen to Rules for Visiting. I loved that book and recommend it all the time. Another book that fits this list: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Lately I have gone in another direction with my reading, finally reading Thomas Mann’s Doctor Faustus. I suddenly have an intense fascination with people who sell their souls to the devil.
As for favorite books where someone is being kind to another: Of Mice and Men would be hard to beat. George’s kindness to Lennie is heartbreaking, particularly at the soul crushing ending.
I am currently reading The Searcher by Tana French based on your recommendation in an earlier posting. Cal’s kindess to young Trey in very touching. From agreeing to find out what happened to Trey’s brother to teaching him manners and morals. A good read. I am glad you recommended it.
Both excellent examples, though Of Mice and Men's ending really is a heart render.