Leigh Kramer

What I'm Into (December 2015 Edition)

Where did 2015 go? I swear it just started. Then again, I've managed to cram a ton of earth-shattering change into this year so maybe I can believe the end of December draws near. 2016 is bound to be filled with more change and I can say with great confidence: I'm ready.

 

 

Read and Reading

Neverwhere (Gaiman) was a thoroughly enjoyable journey start to finish. I would love to understand how Gaiman came up with the story and created such a fascinating world. The character development is top notch and I was sad when the book ended.

Cutting For Stone (Verghese) is an epic story of two brothers and their unusual entry into the world kept me captivated. I loved learning more about Ethiopia and the healthcare developments that came about in the 60s up to the present. Verghese's characters offer unusual insights about faith, family, community, and fate. There were a few aspects that were very "this was written by a male author" but I forgave him for those because of the beautiful plot and moving resolution. (I may or may not have been crying on the plane.)  

Understanding the Enneagram (Riso and Hudson) is such a good resource for those wanting to delve deeper into the Enneagram and how it works. The chapters on type misidentifications and practical tips for each type are outstanding. I wouldn't recommend this as the first people read on the Enneagram but it's a great next step after reading The Wisdom of the Enneagram.

We're reading The Irrational Season by Madeleine L'Engle next month on The Red Couch. My introductory post will be up next week!

 

You can see all the books I've read at Goodreads. My fiction and nonfiction recommendations, comprised of books with 4 or 5 star ratings, are on Pinterest.

Currently reading: Embracing the Body (Owen), The Complete Enneagram (Chestnut), The Art of Memoir (Karr), The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness (Alexander), Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices For Personal Renewal (Yamasaki), Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) In Song (Bareilles), Goodness and Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas (editor Leach), Winter (Meyer)

(I read 9 books this month. I read 141 books this year.)

 

TV:

Must-see TV: Real Housewives of Orange County, Once Upon A Time, Jane the Virgin, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Top Chef

I did some more housesitting this month, which meant I got to watch more Hallmark Christmas movies! They may be cheesy but they make me happy. (Check out Addie's Hallmark Christmas Bingo printables so you can play along. Because those movies are still on!)

I made it to season 7 of West Wing. I've lost steam but it's still such a good show.

Anyone else excited for the return of Downton Abbey and the Sherlock special? 

 

Music:

I listened to all my Christmas favorites: Bebo Norman, Over The Rhine, Sufjan.  

Listen to the What I'm Into 2015 playlist.

 

Podcasts:

I am in love with Off Camera with Sam Jones. He has such an impressive guest list but the conversations are what set it apart. I could listen to him talk to Joseph Gordon-Levitt or Connie Britton all day.

The new season of Start Up has been SO GOOD. Diversity Report was ballsy.

Who's listening to the new season of Serial? When I heard Bowe Bergdahl was going to be the subject, I was ambivalent. But now that I see how Sarah Koenig is going about it, I am all in. She's taking on the US military, a sprawling mess of a system, and interviewing members of the Taliban. Holy buckets.

I loved hearing Martin Sheen opine on faith and activism on On Being with Krista Tippett. 

 

Things I Love:

• I went to Baker Beach with Micha, Brooksie, and Ace to admire the view of the Golden Gate Bridge and take my Christmas card photo. The beach is gorgeous!
• Lunch with Micha and Laura at Sunset Reservoir Brewing Company- be sure to try the Autumn Bier!
• I had a great time catching up with my friend Julie on the phone. Do you have friends who affirm qualities you didn't even know you possessed? Julie is one of those for me. What a gift.

• We had an amazing staff Christmas party! I got all gussied up in a new dress. The food was beyond amazing, as was the wine. It was fun to hang out with everyone in a place other than where we work!

• My cousin Nick, his girlfriend Erin, and I had a lovely morning exploring one of my favorite places: Sutro Baths. The ocean was especially angry that day and I could not stop watching the waves. We did a short hike and then walked through part of the Golden Gate Park, before eating lunch at Beach Chalet. It was just nice enough to sit on the patio. I really love getting to hang out with Nick! It's such a treat to live near each other.

• I had dinner at Nopalito with two friends from high school who live in SF. It took a few months for our schedules to finally behave but it was so fun catching up with them and talking about where life has taken us since we cheered for the Falcons. It's hard to believe our 20 year reunion is only a couple years away. 
• We had our last 1-4-2 Enneagram group. I loved getting to know the people in my group and learning more about our types and how they intersect. It even led to a breakthrough! Highly recommended.
• The place I housesat at this month had so many cute details, including diner-style seating in the kitchen and turquoise subway tile in the bathroom. Swoon!
• Compass Books in SFO. If your flight is delayed by a few hours, you might as well browse at a fantastic independent bookstore that's filled with staff recommendations. 
• Seeing the Hancock Building and Sears Tower as the plane circled Chicago and brought me home for Christmas.
• My parents took me to lunch at Portillo's the first day so I could get a hot dog and fries. I dream about those fries, I tell you. It was nice getting to spend part of the day with them. I've missed them so much.

• My best friend Erin and I went to Little Goat for our annual Christmas dinner. We sat at the counter this time, which was a fun change. I devoured the Korean Burger, which had kimchi, bacon, and a fried egg on it. We were stuffed afterward but the real highlight was the conversation. Laughter, tears, shoulder jabs, and all.
• The next day Erin, her kids, and I went to Prairie Path Books, a darling newish bookstore in my hometown. I could not stop exploring their selection. And because it's important to support your local bookstore, I bought Trigger Warning. I'm going to be on a Neil Gaiman kick for a while. 
• Next we got tea at SereneTeaz and then we headed to her house for lunch. We watched the new season of Top Chef and then we all opened Christmas presents. My gifts were a big hit! My niece-in-love and nephew-in-love asked me to read the books I gave them. Victory!

• My old roomie Donna and I closed out Starbucks and then she kept an eye on traffic while I stood in traffic to capture the perfect Christmas lights. (Picture at the top of this post.) That's friendship.
• My friend Jill and I gabbed away at a different Starbucks the next morning. The new Joy tea is amazing- so much better than the one Starbucks used to offer.
• My mom and I got a quick thrift store jaunt in and I hit the jackpot. I found a Christian Dior blazer and a Tory Burch coat, in addition to a cute blouse, sweater, and pair of jeans. I mean. 
• My brother, sister-in-law, and most importantly, my niece came home for Christmas. She let me hold her right away, even though it was past her bedtime. She is the best and I loved every second together, especially the way she "communicates." The cutest "oohs" and "dadas" you've ever heard.
• We hosted my dad's side of the family Christmas Eve. My second cousin Lewellyn brought Christmas poppers with her that had wind-up reindeer we could race and different whistles which could be conducted into playing Christmas carols. It was hilarious!

• Alli didn't quite know what to make of her first Christmas but we sure got a kick out of her. My brother would start opening the present for her and then she might rip a piece or get the present out or she might play with a hanger instead. 
• We spent the rest of Christmas day with my mom's side of the family. It was so good being with everyone. We ate a ton and mostly talked the day away. One of my cousin's daughters wanted to snuggle with me, which is quite the accomplishment because she's definitely not a toddler anymore. 
• The day after Christmas I met up with my pal Annie at Blackberry Market. I adore their tea selection. Annie and I have known each other since freshman year of high school and there's such comfort in talking things through with her because of the shorthand we've developed and all that we still have in common. She's a good egg.
• On the way out of Blackberry Market, I got to say hi to my friends Karin and Kim who were both in town. It was so fun to see them and get quick updates!

• My friend Megan drove all the way out from Huntley to pick me up. I took her to lunch at Egglectic, then introduced her to the marvels of SereneTeaz, before we headed back to her house. I love hanging out with her family. Plus, her house is the coziest. We enjoyed cocktails by the fire, cuddled with her cat Leo, and had a kitchen dance party. The next day was low-key hang out time, including waffles her daughter made with her new waffle maker. They spoil me!
• My friend Laura and I went to Graham's 318 in Geneva, which has changed a bit since my last time there but is still as great as always. Our time together goes way too fast but we still did our best to solve the world's problems. I am always amazed by Laura's memory and her ability to quote people, books, and lyrics verbatim. It's a true skill.
• Mom made me a few comfort food dinners while I was in town: Chicken Wild Rice Soup, Beef Stew, and Steak and Mashed Potatoes. She also made a nut-free coffee cake just for me. She loves me so well. (Dad does too- he manned the grill.)
• My flight made it out of Chicago in the knick of time! The winter weather advisory was no joke but I made it back to San Francisco safe and sound.
• Micha picked me up from the airport and the boys gave me a warm welcome home. Baby Ace and I had a lot of catching up to do and he was happy to show me his newest tricks.
• My coworker Katie and I had breakfast at Jane, where I ordered $4 toast. Proof I really do live in SF. (In my defense, it was slathered in peanut butter, honey, banana, and chia seeds.)
• Today I'm headed to the LA area to see my friend JJ and then I'll meet up with my friend Sharone to go to the Rose Parade. I'm so excited! Happy New Year, everyone!

 

In the Blogosphere:

Here are the weekly-ish posts of this month's favorite Internet finds but you can find even more of what I've been reading at Storify.

The Perusables v. 11

The Perusables v. 12

The Perusables v. 13

 

 

Favorite Instagram:

Y'all, I really live here! #TheYearOfLeigh

(If you want to follow me on Instagram, my user name is leighkramer.)

 

 

On The Blog:

I worked long and hard on Tired Of Waiting and it proved cathartic. I'm so moved hearing from people with whom it resonated.

On the Leigh Kramer FB page, I offered up a holiday PSA and we talked about our favorite Christmas movies. 

(The best way to see updates in your newsfeed is by liking and commenting on my posts regularly.)

 

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What I'm Into Link Up Guidelines:

1. Today’s link-up will stay open for one week. The next What I'm Into link up will be Monday February 1.  

2. Link the unique URL of your post, not your blog's home page. Readers peruse link ups months after the fact and you want to make it easy for them to find your What I'm Into post.

3. Please include the What I'm Into button or mention you're linking up with What I'm Into at Leigh Kramer.

4. Visit at least 2 other posts in the linkup!

 

An InLinkz Link-up

 

 

What have you been into this month? 

Disclosure : Affiliate links included in this post.  If you click through, any purchase you make supports this site.

Tired Of Waiting (On Advent and Singleness)

I wrote this for a publication who ended up not running it after all. Advent may have ended but I worked hard on this piece. Since there are 12 days of Christmas, I thought I'd publish it anyway. I'm still looking for the light in this season. Maybe you are, too.

 

As a child, I loved everything about Christmas. The carols, decorating the tree, the candlelight Christmas Eve services, and even the snow. The ultimate anticipation lay with what we might find beneath the tree. It was always worth the wait, even if I didn’t get everything on my Christmas list.

I believed waiting for something always ended with a resolution. You wait. You receive that which you’re waiting for.

Then I grew up and realized that’s not how life works. At least, not for most of us.

I check ring fingers reflexively. The guy reading a book while on MUNI, the musician at church, the man in front of me at a coffee shop. My eyes slip to his left hand before zeroing in on the ring finger. He is sorted, whether or not we ever actually interact.

A few months ago I sat in a room full of dear friends and told them falling in love seemed impossible. I cried as I confessed my deepest fear about the dream I’ve held since childhood: I’ll never get married.

I thought I’d marry straight out of college and have my first child in my mid-20s. Instead, it’s been a few years since my last promising date. No matter where I’ve lived, intriguing single men have proven hard to come by and I am left aching to share my life with someone.

Next month I’ll turn 36. I have an otherwise good life. Though I have plenty of years before me, falling in love no longer feels likely. There have been too many false starts. Too many years leaving me no closer to a long-term relationship. How on earth could it possibly happen now?

I’ve thought a lot about what it means to expectantly wait for a dream when there is no guarantee. I feel my singleness more keenly during the holidays. Advent reminds us we are waiting but I don’t need that particular reminder.

I am tired of waiting.

With Advent, we remember how long the world waited for a Savior. We read in Luke about Simeon who was promised he would not die before he had seen Christ and about Anna the Prophetess who “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Luke doesn’t say how old Simeon was when he finally beheld the infant Jesus at the temple. I was taught he was a very old man. Anna is described as very old, a widow who was married only 7 years before her husband died. Sunday School lessons emphasized how blessed Simeon and Anna were. What amazing faith they had. They waited and they received.

For centuries the Israelites looked forward to a day when the Messiah would come at last and set them free. Centuries of waiting. How many Israelites died without seeing that dream realized?

They waited but they did not receive.

Did they give up hope? Did they have days like me where their dream seemed impossible? How did they resolve the tension between now and not yet in their lifetime?

Why were Simeon and Anna worthy while so many were not?

Waiting is not meant to be a passive activity. We choose how we will wait: with expectancy, bitterness, resignation, hope, excitement, boredom. Whatever it is I’m waiting for, I try to anticipate the goodness that might be around the bend. Emphasis on the word try.

Some years I’ve fared better than others. I’ve watched other dreams come to fruition. I’ve felt alive with the possibility: love could find me at any moment. It could all change in an instant. It’s still true but the possibility feels more and more distant. The dream of marriage is slipping through my fingers.

Even though I was raised in non-denominational Christian churches, I’ve never been good about memorizing scripture. There is one exception: Psalm 27:14. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

I stumbled onto it my junior year of college. Wait for the Lord. I’ve lassoed the edge of this verse in seasons of loss, stress, and frustration. It carried me through unemployment and underemployment, the death of loved ones, matters of social justice, and my conflicted feelings about still being single. It reassured me God was at work, some way, somehow, even if I couldn’t see it.

The longer I’ve been single, the more difficult it is to see how he is at work. There is no reason why I’m not married, other than not having met the right guy. In my lowest moments, I look at people who I deem less than me in some way and wonder why they have a spouse and I don’t. But there is simply no rhyme or reason.

This is the tension I must live with: the not knowing, the wait stretching year after year, the dream deferred.

I haven’t known how to approach the holiday season the last several years. On a day to day basis, I don’t often think about being single until something happens to remind me. Advent is a constant reminder of what I hope for and what I doubt I’ll receive.

Everything is geared around families, especially at church. Places of worship are no longer sources of refuge. They are a reminder of what I don’t have. It has become harder to darken a sanctuary door, even for those candlelight Christmas services I adored as a child.

Whereas I used to marvel over Simeon and Anna’s eleventh hour miracle, I feel more kinship with the Israelites who wandered and waited and never received.

On the first Sunday of Advent, I pulled out a book of readings. It will be my daily practice in the coming weeks as I strain to see the light. My God, how I need to see the light this season.

Christmas is tinged bittersweet, it’s true, but there is respite from the ache. I listen to Bing Crosby crooning White Christmas and watch Buddy the Elf run through a revolving door. My breath catches at the sight of Christmas trees aglow with white lights and handmade ornaments. I can’t wait until my family has toasted with eggnog.

I look at my loved ones who do not allow me to carry this burden alone. All of this reminds me God is the giver of all good gifts, even if I never receive the gift I want most.

I’m tired of waiting but Advent is here, helping me wait one more year.

One Day

Every year my friend Laura of Hollywood Housewife encourages us to take the every day ordinary pictures on one day in particular and share them on Instagram. On Tuesday November 10, I did just that. I love looking back at these pictures and the ones I've taken for previous #OneDayHH's.  (The hashtag exploded this past year, which meant the trolls caught wind and started adding it to non-One Day photos. But it's still worth scrolling through and seeing what everyone's One Day looked like.)

 

One Day 2014

One Day 2013

 

Annual bedhead picture- it must be time for #OneDayHH!

 

Caught the express bus with a few seconds to spare. And if that wasn't enough, a few of my favorite places to sit were open. A few! Enjoying my perch and diving back into my #busbook. I've been slogging through Gabriel Garcia Marquez for over a month- and if you know how fast I read, that's saying something.

 

Here's my desk, which wraps around the corner. Lots of space to spread out, which is good for the amount of laminating and collating I do each week. 

Not too much by way of decor since most of my belongings are in storage but I do have #usedenvelopewisdom from @alexandrawrote and a darling picture of my niece.

 

Time to send out our winter newsletter! I haven't figured out a way to train the mailing seals to adhere themselves without my assistance. Yet.

 

A couple of weeks ago, I made a big batch of @moneysavingmom's freezer burritos. I take one out in the morning and by the time I'm ready to eat lunch, it's ready for a quick spin in the microwave. Genius!

I did change the recipe in two ways. I added black olives. I omitted the cheese. I've been 99% dairy-free for 2 years now to keep my eczema under control. It has made a world of difference, though I miss it greatly.

 

Mid-day hot toddies! What a wonderful surprise to behold in the kitchen.

 

Working hard with @lkoturner.

 

Tuesday is meeting day. We're the revolutionary Welcome Team!

 

The sun is already setting but I didn't get a chance to post this one this morning. I have an 11 or 12 block walk to my bus stop. It's a great way to start and cap off the work day. Plus, the people watching can't be beat.

 

Enjoying Another Round on the bus ride home. #podcasttime 

 

Sometimes I get home and #ACEface asks to snuggle with me. Then we have really deep and meaningful conversations until it's dinner time. #roommateperk

 

Family dinner at its finest! Did you know I've been living with @michaboyett and @hohorst? It started out as housesitting, then transitioned to roommatehood while I continue to look for an apartment.

Living with this crew has been one of the greatest gifts of living in San Francisco. Truly. I love getting to be a part of their day-to-day routine. They are fantastic parents and amazing friends and I love those boys of theirs.

 

Working on the class I'm teaching for @influencenet on Monday. Ezra the Cat is more interested in sleeping than helping me. The nerve.

 

I'm not an essential oil evangelist but I use these two every day without fail. I've been recovering from a cold and OnGuard has made everything better. Literally.

 

It's been another great #OneDayHH! Now it's time to read until I turn off the light. I really want to keep reading Six of Crows on my Nook but reading fiction at this time of night is like saying I don't feel like sleeping. Decisions, decisions... #LeighReads #selfcare 

The Perusables v. 13

This is the best dairy-free egg nog I've tried. The flavors are spot on!

Tomorrow afternoon I'll get on a plane aimed toward my hometown so basically I am Buddy the Elf. Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

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My favorite reads on the Internet this week:

I worked in a video store for 25 years. Here's what I learned as my industry died. I have fond memories of video stores and really have mourned their loss. 

I read The Royal We a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love almost anything involving the royal family and the authors' take was refreshing. I loved hearing more about their writing process and how they created a fake royal lineage in this interview.

So good and timely for the holidays: A Simple Phrase That Can Prevent Arguments & Resentment

There's a cult in Nashville. I vaguely remember hearing the name but I didn't know anything about it until reading this incredible piece of journalism delving into the ins and outs of Wayne Jolley and the Gathering. What a terrible man.

3 Ways To Stand Up For Your Muslim Neighbors

Christena Cleveland is blogging again and The Privilege of Hopelessness was more than worth the wait. There's some powerful imagery in there.

Preston Yancey started a cocktail blog! The results are dreamy. 

The best thing I read this week: What Would Cool Jesus Do? Exploring Hillsong's NYC church and the hip pastors who run it, the author's blend of journalism and vulnerability hooked me in. I related so much to her internal exploration of faith and I still have no idea what to make of that church.

Favorite Nonfiction of 2015

 

Here are the best nonfiction books I read in 2015. There's a little something for everyone- memoir, history, essays, religion. It was so hard to narrow this category down. These books challenged, encouraged, and taught me. Some moved me to tears, while others made me laugh out loud. I hope they'll resonate with you as well. 

To see the other books meriting a 4 or 5 star review from me, head over to my Pinterest board.

 

Favorite Nonfiction of 2014

Favorite Nonfiction of 2013

 

Birmingham Revolution: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Epic Challenge To The Church- Edward Gilbreath

Well written and thought provoking, Gilbreath takes us behind the scenes of the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham. I loved learning more about the leaders and the influences on Martin Luther King Jr.'s rise. I also appreciate how Gilbreath doesn't leave it at that. There is so much for us to learn from this movement, especially the church today.

(When I scheduled this, the paperback was listed on Amazon for only $4.72- cheaper than the Kindle version! Jump on that.) 

 

 

 

Wild in the Hollow: On Chasing Desire And Finding The Broken Way Home- Amber Haines

This book is everything. You should read it for chapters 14 and 15 alone. Wild in the Hollow is a holy benediction, a glimpse of what the Church could and should be. Amber's prose is fully her own: her voice is a gift to us all.

(If you like audiobooks, I imagine you'll love hearing Amber read her book. Her Southern accent is like nothing else.) 

 

 

 

Out of Sorts: Making Peace With An Evolving Faith- Sarah Bessey

I don't have the words for how much I loved this one. I wish I'd read it in my early 20s or even college when my faith crumbled and I began the process of rebuilding it. Sarah's wisdom and insights resonate even now as I continue to explore my relationship with God and church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire Shut Up In My Bones- Charles M. Blow

This breathtakingly beautiful and brave memoir is a must-read. I hope Blow plans to continue writing in this vein.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orchard House: How A Neglected Garden Taught One Family To Grow- Tara Austen Weaver

I would like anything Tara Austen Weaver writes but Orchard House especially blew me away. It's a beautifully rendered exploration of how gardens grow and families learn to connect. (The imagery alone!) Though our stories are different, this memoir resonated in a powerful way, especially her reflections on community and friendship. 

 

 

 

 

 

Strong Inside: Perry Wallace And The Collision Of Race And Sports In The South- Andrew Maraniss

You don't need to know anything about basketball or the SEC to enjoy this book. College sports are generally a mystery to me! I didn't know about Perry Wallace until The Tennessean ran a story about him a couple of years ago but I was thoroughly intrigued by what I discovered. Wallace was the first black athlete at Vanderbilt, thereby integrating the SEC. Maraniss lays out the dynamics of the 60s and the Civil Rights Movement, while sharing Wallace's role. While Vanderbilt is to be commended for integrating, it was disheartening to read about the lack of support black students received once on campus. Integration is not enough to build understanding and relationships and this becomes especially clear when Wallace played at more overtly racist schools and his coaches and team did little to acknowledge what was happening or, in some cases, protect him. I really enjoyed learning about Wallace's life in the years leading up to his decision to go to Vanderbilt and all he's accomplished since then. Such a remarkable man!

 

The Boys In The Boat: Nine Americans And Their Epic Quest For Gold At The 1936 Berlin Olympics- Daniel James Brown

I was on the crew team for a couple of years in college so I was positively enthralled by this story, not only for its historical value but going down rowing memory lane. Even those without crew experience should find this story interesting. Written in the vein of Unbroken, The Boys in the Boat takes us back to the Depression era and the years leading up to WWII, all the more notable because of where the 1936 Olympics took place. The book centers on Joe Rantz, which is a wise choice in that the narrative keeps moving and provides the book its heart. We still learn about his fellow rowers in the process and see how they become a true team and where that eventually led them.

 

 

 

 

Missoula: Rape And The Justice System In A College Town- Jon Krakauer

This is not an easy read but I do believe it's one of the most important books I've read this year. Krakauer's exploration of date rape on a college campus often made me angry. It was horrifying to see the ways the victims were marginalized, dismissed, not believed, and then on top of that, had their characters misrepresented and smeared, especially when their rapists were football players. I know that this goes on. I've heard too many stories. But seeing it laid out in such a stark manner made me rage. When will women be valued and respected more than the men who rape them? Krakauer's approach in writing this is excellent. The book is powerful. It exposes the secrets of our justice system, college sports, and power dynamics. It should be required reading. Maybe then things would start to change.

 

 

 

Intern: A Doctor's Initiation- Sandeep Jahaur

An inside look at medical residency and the world inside hospitals. I was a medical social worker for several years so I was not surprised by much of what Jauhar encountered, although some improvements have been made since he completed residency. There's still much to be done! The book might have been stronger had Jauhar not waffled so much about his chosen career and calling but still, I'm glad he decided to lower the veil for those who do not work as doctors or nurses.

 

 

 

 

 

Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice On Life And Love From Dear Sugar- Cheryl Strayed

More essay than advice column, Strayed transcends the normal rules of giving advice and therein lies the genius and soul of her response. Absolutely moving.

If you don't listen to the Dear Sugar podcast, you should start. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life In Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina- Misty Copeland

I didn't know much about Misty Copeland before she was a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance last summer but I was quickly intrigued. She offered fantastic critiques of the dancers, for one. Reading her memoir made me even more of a fan. She's had quite the life but her determination and dedication are what's most notable. I'm glad she chose to address the racism she's encountered in the dance world and even more glad she's broken the barriers she has, hopefully making it easier for other People of Color to follow in her footsteps. 

 

 

 

 

Stories I Only Tell My Friends- Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe is so delightful, even when depicting some of the less delightful aspects of his past. Kind of a perfect "tell-all."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kitchen Counter Cooking School- Kathleen Flinn

I adored Flinn's approach to all things cooking, food consumption, and kitchen. It's relatable and inspiring. I found my knife skills improving as I read and it also gave me more ideas for what and how to cook- and I'm already someone who likes to cook. This should be a must-read for people who never darken their oven doors and for the rest of us as well.

 

 

 

 

 

Just Mercy: A Story Of Justice And Redemption- Bryan Stevenson

I commend Stevenson for the good work he's done through the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit legal practice dedicated to serving the poor, the marginalized, the downtrodden. And I commend him for the good work he's given us here. The book is part memoir, part treatise on the state of the legal system. We follow the story of Walter, a man on Alabama's Death Row who proclaims his innocence, and meet Stevenson's other clients as he built his practice in the 1980s and the subsequent areas of injustice they've battled to this day, including death penalty sentences for children and the treatment of the mentally ill. This book is a game changer, a must-read.

 

 

 

 

The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, And The Heart Of The Middle East- Sandy Tolan

How does one begin to talk about something as complex as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Journalist Sandy Tolan introduces us to Bashir, Dalia, and the beloved lemon tree. Dalia, a Bulgarian Jew whose parents immigrated to Israel when she was a baby, lives in the house Bashir’s Palestinian family was forced to abandon in 1948. They are irrevocably united, in spite of their differences. We learn their respective stories, as well as the history of the conflict. We get the Big Picture, as well as the on-the-ground reality.

Both Israelis and Palestinians have legitimate grievances and needs spanning decades. There aren’t any easy solutions. Bashir and Dalia’s story shows us it’s possible to agree to disagree. We don’t have to have the same opinions to love one another.

 

 

What are your favorite non-fiction reads of 2015?

Disclosure : Amazon Affiliate links included in this post.  If you click through to Amazon, any purchase you make supports this site.