THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024 - SUMMER READING

 THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024 - READING

Okay, what are you reading this summer?

I just finished another Kristen Hannah book, “Fly Away.” I like Kristen Hannah as an author. 

I’ve read four of her books. Four Winds was amazing. It is set in the 1930s when a family from far northwest Texas moves to California during the Dust Bowl. (The character takes offense that she is called an “Okie”—as she is almost from Oklahoma.) I highly recommend Four Winds.

There are several of her books that I’ve been avoiding. 

I’ve avoided the Great Alone - the description says it is about a family who moves to Alaska.  I haven’t been to Alaska (and have a cousin there), but I’m not sure I can handle being a family in the wilderness of that great state.  

I’ve also avoided The Nightingale, a story about two sisters in France during World War II and their work in the resistance. I can imagine the story.

Home Front is an interesting story of two ladies (families) in the National Guard and called up to go to the Iraqi war.  It hits on PTSD (Post Trauma Stress Disorder) that even though they weren’t on the front lines (were their ‘front lines’), Their helicopters got shot down, and the nightmares and problems they faced after coming home - wounded - both in their bodies and in their minds.

****

The most recent book (as an audiobook) was Fly Away”. Two ladies have been best friends “forever”.  One gets cancer - and ultimately dies.  The remaining one quits her very lucrative job and goes off the deep end in terms of alcohol, drugs, and life.  Meanwhile, the family of the dead woman becomes dysfunctional when the guiding light of “Mom” disappears- with the teenage daughter dropping out of society and also on drugs and making poor choices.

There were times I wanted to skip material.  (I was doing this as an audiobook).  The story of the surviver - and her sad past (also with a dysfunctional family).  The topics of abuse (the lady’s father abused her sexually), alcohol, drugs (to cope with life), depression, working through relationships - and the family are heartbreaking - but seem so real.  I sense that many people are hurting - and afraid to show it. 

As one of my friends recently posted on Facebook: “The 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕤𝕥 Part About Being 𝕊𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕘 Is Nobody 𝕂𝕟𝕠𝕨𝕤 When You’re ℍ𝕦𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘”.  

We all have problems - some of them self-made.  Many folks are depressed and hurting.  The physical aliments get attention, but the deep-set mental issues are still there.  I have read that there aren’t enough mental health experts available.  (I asked to have a counselor in February, but the first opening was in August, so I’m on the list.)

****’

I have a couple of additional comments. Kristen Hannah is somewhat of a “Pollyanna,” although there are deaths in all of her books I have read. (In The Four Winds, the heroine dies—both tragic and inspiring.)  

The sections on drugs and alcohol I wanted to skip.  I know that happens, yet I want to ignore it and live my comfortable suburban life.  I can only do so much (ohh - that sounds like placating myself). 

I read “Demon Copperhead” last spring - and likewise, a tale of woe as opioids and illegal drugs permeated the book. 

As a Pollyanna, I want the books to say something like: “The next 21 pages are filled with drug and alcohol abuse.  If you want to skip this, go to page 214.” But the problems are there.

(Aside - from the New York Times - “Last year, a major meta-analysis that re-examined 107 studies over 40 years concluded that no amount of alcohol improves health; and in 2022, a well-designed study found that consuming even a small amount brought some risk to heart health.”)

*****

The Fly Away book - is like tearing a bandage off a sore - eeyowl.  But, even though I didn’t want to be enlightened into the depths of hell (as occurs in drugs and alcohol abuse) it was good for me.  

*****

I don’t want to preach - but I have to say, “LOVE WINS”.  “God is Love”, Love Transforms Us.

Point your compass to “true north” - to pure agape LOVE!!

Karen Anne White, July 11, 2024