I am a voracious reader and every week I come across either a book, online piece or website I want to share with others. I’ve decided to curate these gems and highlight them on Friday. I hope you find these faves as insightful as I do.
- I love Benjamin Hardy’s advice in his piece, 50 Ways Happier, Healthier and More Successful People Live On Their Terms on Medium. Some of the gems in his essay that resonated with me: 1) Read one book per week; 2) Write in your journal at least 5 minutes a day; and 3) Fast from the internet 24 hours once per week.
- I love Estelle Erasmus’s essay, I was determined to be a great mother and a loving daughter: This was easier said than done on Salon. She poignantly describes navigating the middle – as the common denominator between her young daughter and her aging parents. So many lines resonated in this piece, but the one I adored the most: “Real love, which stands despite time and distance, is not based on dependence or need— but connection.” Estelle is a gifted writer and editor. I encourage you to visit her website to peruse all of her work.
- When Dani Shapiro posts a piece on her website, I immediately read her work. Her essay, On What People Think, is quite simply, wisdom. She asks these poignant questions which are worth contemplating: “Isn’t it all any of us really want? To understand and to be understood? To bear witness to all of it – the good, the bad and the ugly? The real?”
- New York Times Modern Love posts insightful essay on love. This week Alisha Gorder discusses how flowers play a crucial part in our lives through joy and sadness. One Bouquet of Fleeting Beauty, Please is beautiful and comforting.
What pieces made an impact on you this week?
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
I loved that Modern Love essay too. One of my absolute favorites. And I’m clicking over to read the Dani Shapiro post now.
Christine,
Hope you enjoyed the Dani Shapiro essay. She nails it every time.
I loved that Modern Love piece. And, coincidentally, I am finishing up a short story where the protagonist works in a flower shop–it’s been through a few rounds of my critique group, and now that ML piece makes me feel glad that I saw the story through and put the time into it. Have a great weekend!
I cannot wait to read your story, Kristen.
very excited to see what gems you share on Fridays! Nice idea!
Glad you like it, Kristi. Thanks!
The Modern Love one was a really big read for me.
Dani Shapiro is next!
Adored that Modern Love column, especially since my father dealt with florists in his business. It offered such a unique perspective. Hope you enjoy Dani Shapiro’s essay.
I read everything of Dani’s too. Wise woman.
Yes. Agree 100 %.
I loved Dani’s essay. She is wise and kind.
I had the pleasure of meeting her in person and yes, I agree, she is wise, kind and down to earth. xo