While we are immersed in the Thanksgiving weekend and heading into the December holiday season, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite books from the past six months. I found myself reading with even more purpose after the murder of George Floyd earlier this year. I was looking for ways to both survive the pandemic and address our endemic structural racism. Rather than despair over these dual ills that are making us so sick, I want to build a better future. These books are helping me to push through the end of 2020 and prepare for 2021’s challenges and opportunities.
Two books that gave me a better understanding of our country’s structural racism, the harm it causes, and the path forward:
Books that provide stories of grit and survival (some based on true events). These books engendered “radical empathy” by opening my eyes to incredibly challenging experiences that were different from my own. They also illustrated our common humanity in the face of brutal situations. And they inspired me to persevere:
- The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
- We Were the Lucky Ones, by Georgia Hunter
- The Last Train to London, by Meg Waite Clayton
- American Dirt, Jeanine Cummins
And finally, this book has helped me, day by day, to find sources of renewal, both spiritual and practical. I received it as a gift from a dear friend and it has truly helped me to get through this challenging year:
I hope these books help you as much as they’ve helped me. In the meantime, have a safe and happy holiday season!
Rosemarie
P.S. You can find additional and future book recommendations by following my Goodreads bookshelf here or my Instagram. And just so it’s handy, here’s a link to my summer reading list, in case you missed it.
P.P.S. I’d also like to thank all readers who continue to support and promote Marching Toward Coverage. Each review, e-mail, and social media post helps propel my message about the fight for universal healthcare forward. If you post something related to Marching Toward Coverage, please be sure to tag me on Twitter at @Rosemarie_Day1 and on Instagram at @RosemarieDay_author and I will happily cross-post. Thank you!