January Reads

I picked this one up for $5.99 in the sale section of my local bookstore.  I was amazed by Ausubel’s creativity, originality and the simplicity with which she speaks the truth about what it means to be human: to live, to love, to die.  A Guide to Being Born is a collection of short stories which artistically weave together the human experience.  Though Ausubel’s stories are disguised fantastically (such as a pregnant teen who believes all kinds of animals are developing inside her belly and a man who grows a “chest” of drawers) they speak the truth about life, love, loss, change and growth.  One of my favorite stories is about hundreds of grandmothers on a ship in the middle of the ocean.  During the journey, one grandmother in particular is able to give meaning to the life she lived and look back on those she loved with forgiveness and gratitude.  The point of view then shifts to a hospital room, where a family is holding hands and preparing for the extubation and imminent death of their beloved grandmother.  As they let her go, she is set free on her journey to the next world.  A Guide to Being Born is a wonderful book that invites the reader to ponder and enjoy life’s surprisingly beautiful transitions.

This book immediately caught my attention as both information and inspirational.  Why Write? creatively and humorously explains how being a writer (if you really work at it) can lead to personal growth.  Though most of us may never be famous or published, Edmundson believes writing is important for both the young and the old, in order to learn, grow and connect with others.  With examples from the lives of some of the greatest writers and his own personal experiences, Edmundson teaches us why writing matters and how it can change us.

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