Thank you, you always say things so beautifully and make me feel optimistic. Iām feeling fortunate that I can read and have books and a good local library, counting blessings is part of balancing the ghastliness of current events. Now to the list of things I need for my newly allocated war shelves. Please keep writing.
Thankyou. Needed this. "Reading gives us the language to think difficult things". And "We can do nothing if we are powerless and demoralised. If our minds are under fire day and night from the heavy artillery of cruelty and lies.
Think of reading as a shield. Think of reading as medicine." YES!!! Thankyou.
Yes, always read in all circumstances, and attend concerts and plays if possible. It helps my soul but does nothing to erase the guilt I feel as an American. Sorry, world. Cheers from Texas.
I'm equally glad to not be an American, but also sad that I will probably not go back to the US for a holiday in the future, unless it is Hawaai, because it no longer seems like the wonderful hospitable country I have enjoyed exploring many times in the past.
Stay home and safe. But speaking as a Brit living over in the US, there are plenty of people who are wonderful and hospitable still. Please do not think that weāre all in support of what the current president is doing - weāre not.
I wholeheartedly agree. And books are an important part of my War Cupboard. For feeding the soul, for mental clarity, for perspective and connection across time.
Very beautiful, thank you. I am always sure that the arts are a good thing, a panacea in times of trouble, but I'm never sure of how to articulate it convincingly. You do it so well!
"Reading is resistance training" - brilliant insight. Thanks for mentioning the birds - that is what keeps me delighted every morning, a good way to start the day.
Nice post, Jeanette. I am a big reader. I'm currently reading 2 books plus a box full of letters that were written to my parents by family and friends over a period of about 70 years, as I decide which ones to keep, and which ones, other than myself, nobody will want to read in the future. Some are fascinating and take me to a different time. For example in the 60s and 70s when letters and telegrams were the main way of communicating between Europe and New Zealand, where we lived. The stories are fascinating, not just from the perspective of what was going on in my family, but also we built a family ketch which my parents lived on for 15 years, and many of the stories I'm reading now are from fellow yachties telling about their journeys around the world.
But sometimes the books can get too close to home. I bought the Robert McCammon book Swan Song, which, while it has fantasy/magical elements to it, is pretty much about the world after the major powers hit the red buttons and fired nuclear warheads at each other, and right now it feels a little bit close to home. Over the last decades, I have often felt like I am living in a SciFi book written in the 60s and 70s. And now, I'm not going to get political here, but Joseph Chamberlain said in 1898: "I think that you will all agree that we are living in most interesting times", or something along those lines (apparently it was not a Chinese curse), and it doesn't get much more "interesting" than march 2026.
Even though the book feels a little close to home, it is still an escape from reality. It's also a lot cheaper than buying petrol, especially being a Kindle book.
So great and wise! - this is how I think too -great agreement - my tactics: we (B and I), only watch chosen TV in the evening -often one of us stays/goes reading a book (chosen already, one weāre engaged in) weāve different passions eg I love cooking and gardening and he loves news and football. (Approx Here) but you get the idea - when itās time for bed, the book can come too or substituted with lighter reading) get to sleep. I only watch the News headlines unless one of them matches one of my current concerns. I thus try to keep abreast while knowing there is little I can do especially as Iām over seventy now. I do watch some of the football too, especially if Liverpool, Arsenal or Brighton are involved (change of focus driven by our changing home location). I was born and bred further North, then started my career in North London, and finally down here on SE coast. Thanks - you cleared my head -must go to bed myself, itās late.
Yes, reading and walking in nature restore my equilibrium, despite the sh** show. Barbaric yarps - Dead Poets Society which I revisited last night. Love your articles.
Thank you, you always say things so beautifully and make me feel optimistic. Iām feeling fortunate that I can read and have books and a good local library, counting blessings is part of balancing the ghastliness of current events. Now to the list of things I need for my newly allocated war shelves. Please keep writing.
Thankyou. Needed this. "Reading gives us the language to think difficult things". And "We can do nothing if we are powerless and demoralised. If our minds are under fire day and night from the heavy artillery of cruelty and lies.
Think of reading as a shield. Think of reading as medicine." YES!!! Thankyou.
That was like a medicinal night cap, like a fine whiskey š„ š feeling warmer now, soul enriched
Yes, always read in all circumstances, and attend concerts and plays if possible. It helps my soul but does nothing to erase the guilt I feel as an American. Sorry, world. Cheers from Texas.
I'm equally glad to not be an American, but also sad that I will probably not go back to the US for a holiday in the future, unless it is Hawaai, because it no longer seems like the wonderful hospitable country I have enjoyed exploring many times in the past.
Stay home and safe. But speaking as a Brit living over in the US, there are plenty of people who are wonderful and hospitable still. Please do not think that weāre all in support of what the current president is doing - weāre not.
I get that. I hope things will change, and soon :)
Yes this! and also my cat who needs me to remain sane in this insane world.
And art. And the beauty of things.
I wholeheartedly agree. And books are an important part of my War Cupboard. For feeding the soul, for mental clarity, for perspective and connection across time.
I discovered David Constantine's 'Another Country' today, for example, and I agree with everything you say.
Very beautiful, thank you. I am always sure that the arts are a good thing, a panacea in times of trouble, but I'm never sure of how to articulate it convincingly. You do it so well!
Oh yes, yes, yes, absolutely!
"Reading is resistance training" - brilliant insight. Thanks for mentioning the birds - that is what keeps me delighted every morning, a good way to start the day.
I see libraries changing form and bookshops closing down and I want to open one. I hope I can find the means to do so.
Indeed. And that most definitely includes reading you.
Nice post, Jeanette. I am a big reader. I'm currently reading 2 books plus a box full of letters that were written to my parents by family and friends over a period of about 70 years, as I decide which ones to keep, and which ones, other than myself, nobody will want to read in the future. Some are fascinating and take me to a different time. For example in the 60s and 70s when letters and telegrams were the main way of communicating between Europe and New Zealand, where we lived. The stories are fascinating, not just from the perspective of what was going on in my family, but also we built a family ketch which my parents lived on for 15 years, and many of the stories I'm reading now are from fellow yachties telling about their journeys around the world.
But sometimes the books can get too close to home. I bought the Robert McCammon book Swan Song, which, while it has fantasy/magical elements to it, is pretty much about the world after the major powers hit the red buttons and fired nuclear warheads at each other, and right now it feels a little bit close to home. Over the last decades, I have often felt like I am living in a SciFi book written in the 60s and 70s. And now, I'm not going to get political here, but Joseph Chamberlain said in 1898: "I think that you will all agree that we are living in most interesting times", or something along those lines (apparently it was not a Chinese curse), and it doesn't get much more "interesting" than march 2026.
Even though the book feels a little close to home, it is still an escape from reality. It's also a lot cheaper than buying petrol, especially being a Kindle book.
So great and wise! - this is how I think too -great agreement - my tactics: we (B and I), only watch chosen TV in the evening -often one of us stays/goes reading a book (chosen already, one weāre engaged in) weāve different passions eg I love cooking and gardening and he loves news and football. (Approx Here) but you get the idea - when itās time for bed, the book can come too or substituted with lighter reading) get to sleep. I only watch the News headlines unless one of them matches one of my current concerns. I thus try to keep abreast while knowing there is little I can do especially as Iām over seventy now. I do watch some of the football too, especially if Liverpool, Arsenal or Brighton are involved (change of focus driven by our changing home location). I was born and bred further North, then started my career in North London, and finally down here on SE coast. Thanks - you cleared my head -must go to bed myself, itās late.
Yes, reading and walking in nature restore my equilibrium, despite the sh** show. Barbaric yarps - Dead Poets Society which I revisited last night. Love your articles.