"Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott

("Some Instructions on Writing and Life")

Anne Lamott has an incredibly engaging style

and a simple descriptive narrative that truly

feels conversational, like you're right there in

the room witnessing her insights yourself.

"Bird by Bird" is about stories from her life,

from teaching, from others, as she explores

what makes a good story (and what the process

of writing entails to actually produce a good story.)

It isn't all sunshine and roses, but it's always refreshing

and honest and necessary. It's an intervention when

seeing things as they are may not be what you're after.

She's clever and incisive without being preachy or smug,

and plenty self-deprecating (not, as some imagine, a

trait all writers share...and certainly not one they

reveal to others!)

This is a great read whether you're a writer, a lover of books,

curious about the creative process, or simply enjoy life stories.

****

"Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

Many of us have notions about what makes a success

that are long held and possibly outdated (or just plain wrong.)

Others give no conscious thought to what pushes some

people to succeed while others languish.

The studies incorporated in this book reinforce some old

adages, shatter others, and present some new spins on

things that have been revolutionary.

Have you considered the importance of the time of year you

were born in determining your potential success?

What about your family of origin?

Your geographic location?

The number of hours you work at something?
(Well, okay, that last one is sort of a given...although

perhaps not so much in today's instant-success media

flukes.)

The entire book is fascinating and compelling in its exploration of 

the reasons behind success, but one bit stood out for me in particular.

As a child of the South, Chapter Six in the book (dealing with Legacy,)

and in particular the whole "culture of honor" that is outlined,

was remarkably revealing.

The intensity behind generational imprints, decades-long feuds,

anger at the drop of a hat, and much of the south's insanity

is explained in a gripping way. I was unfamiliar with this

particular aspect of our history, though I have been

unfortunately well-apprised of the end results.

The point of this book is not to deduce that you

don't have a shot based on statistics or studies,

but rather to understand the prevailing factors and

learn how to achieve and accomplish in spite of

the odds. Persistence is, after all, at the heart of

most every success story, no matter the history or

resources available.



***

"Beautiful Boy" by David Sheff

("A Father's Journey Through His Son's Meth Addiction")

"Beautiful Boy" is a riveting and unapologetic true story

about David Sheff and his son, Nic, and their years of struggle

and heartache dealing with Nic's methamphetamine addiction.

It is also the story of Daisy and Jasper and Karen and Vicki,

and all the other loved ones affected and abused by Nic's

choices in active addiction.

It is a story of lives, before, during, and after addiction,

and how quickly things change. During the course of his own

personal path of worry and fear and chaos, David seeks

balance to keep his own life going, and deals with an

avalanche of questions and guilt.

This story grabbed me on several levels; from the exquisite portrait

of a loving and affluent family (a life unknown to me,) to the

intimately detailed particulars of a young man's downward

spiral in his progressive illness (all too often witnessed by me

and millions more,) to the honest sharing of a father's journey

through guilt, resentment, and

soul-wrenching love.

Whereas Sheff has a very different view of some matters (like 12

Step programs) than I do, his convictions are well spoken,

and--again with that exception--well researched and well documented.

(He does explore the disease model of

addiction, but unfortunately comes out with a

perspective I don't share.)

Equal time seems given to all sides and all persons,

and he does a good job of showcasing just how cruel

drug use and addiction are, as well as how unique every

manifestation of it can be.

A gripping exploration of addiction, meth, a man,

his family, and the tenuous nature of life.

And thankfully, a lot of hope and learning.

***