What We Were Reading 2024
What are our contributors reading?
September – October
Misty Milioto
“Brother Odd” by Dean Koontz. It’s a mix of supernatural and thriller genres, and the writing is superb. I just love how Koontz can turn a phrase to create the most interesting metaphors.
Jeffrey Roedel
“Dream Work” by Mary Oliver. As a poet, Oliver is acutely present and aware of her surroundings, taking her observations of daily life and nature and connecting those to the soul in her really strong way.
John Kemp
“An Unfinished Love Story” by Doris Kearns Goodwin is a memoir about her late husband Richard “Dick” Goodwin, a White House insider and the brilliance behind important foreign and domestic policies and speeches made during Kennedy’s New Frontier and LBJ’s Great Society.
July – August
David Joshua Jennings
“Horizon” by Barry Lopez. It’s a series of meditations on the relationship between humans and the natural world across an array of different landscapes and cultures.
Laura McKnight
“Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism” by Amanda Montell. I love words and am very interested in how people use language for various purposes; plus, the book highlights stories of cult survivors, so it’s intriguing and educational.
Cynthea Corfah
“Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good” by adrienne maree brown. I love this book because you can pop in and out of it, read whatever essay or poem resonates with you the most and receive an inspiring, liberating and affirming message within a short read.
May – June
Kevin Rabalais
“The Great River: The Making and Unmaking of the Mississippi” by James Beard Award-winning journalist Boyce Upholt. The book, which will be published in June 2024, gives us a riveting history of the Mississippi and provides urgent insight into what ongoing attempts to tame it mean for the future of our region.
Danley Romero
“Dark Star: An Oral Biography of Jerry Garcia.” Garcia is one of my favorite guitarists and was a smart guy with interesting thoughts on many subjects. The book is a great read, especially if you’re a fan of his music.
Jeffrey Roedel
“The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin. It’s been my favorite book the past year. I’m on my second read through it, although I’m skipping around on my second time. .”Rubin’s meditations are so deeply thought-provoking and gently instructional on how to stay open to inspiration, flexible with your artistic flow, and motivated to express yourself in meaningful ways.”
March – April
Liz Williams
“The President’s Table: Two Hundred Years of Dining and Diplomacy” by Alex Prud’homme. It’s all about food, food policy and food personality of various presidents in the White House from George Washington to Joe Biden.
Eugenia Uhl
“Growing Up Getty” by James Reginato. An old friend told me he was the private chef for J. Paul Getty, III—my friend’s career path inspired me to learn more about the Gettys and get the real story.
Christopher Louis Romaguera
“The Fetishist” by Katherine Min. I am loving this book that intertwines the stories of three characters. Equal parts funny and emotionally resonant, Min’s novel doesn’t let you put it down.
