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Searoad Book Review

Ursula K. Le Guin
I'm a sucker for a story where the place itself becomes a character. Le Guin's collection of short stories traces the contours of history, relationships, and interconnected lives of the residents of Klatsand, shifting like the sand dunes that mark its beach. My favourite aspect of this book is the one-two punch of "In and Out" followed by "Bill Weisler", where we see some of the same scenes play out from different perspectives.

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Educated Book Review

Tara Westover
Westover's harrowing memoir tells of growing up in a fundamentalist family that put her in danger time and again, justified by paranoia and a loyalty to family that could contort itself to accept incredible levels of abuse. Her journey toward self-actualization meant confronting something more difficult than a junkyard injury or riding out illness without the help of medicine. It meant overcoming her belief that she could fix things if only she tried harder or was faithful enough. Blaming one's self can feel easier than questioning the entire foundation of one's life. This tendency comes from a deep-seated empathy, an empathy that allowed Westover to break out of her family's narrow worldview.

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Kin: The Future of Family Book Review

Sophie Lucido Johnson
A truly mind-expanding read that knits together new approaches for defining and nurturing relationships, handling the loneliness epidemic, communicating needs and boundaries, co-parenting, and living well in multi-generational neighbourhoods. It underscores how building a life of abundance can happen when we trust others and take risks.

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Animal Farm Book Review

George Orwell
The most compelling part of Orwell's satire on tyranny is how easily the animals are made to forget what they've learned, deny what they've seen with their own eyes, and follow someone who always has a tidy explanation ready — no matter how ridiculous. This story teaches us to resist distraction and question authority, especially when that authority is co-opting your movement with exactly the type of language you want to hear.

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