The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey, is on my current favorites list. You can check another source for a more complete summary, but here's mine: A childless couple lives in Alaska and wants a child. They build a snow child out of snow and then they see a real child flitting in and out of the woods. Is she real? Is she for them? And so the story goes . . .

It's more fairy tale than fiction as far as genre goes. It is itself, and it is lovely.

I checked it out of the library, and I felt like Ivey sent me my own beautiful gift. It is kind, it is gentle, it's about hope and love and losing and finding.

It's lovely.

I think Santa is going to bring me a copy. I will put it next to the other books I use as literary comfort food, warm and filling.

Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery

Grandma Gatewood's Walk is about this really amazing lady who, at age 67, walked the Appalachian Trail. She wasn't wealthy, she wasn't well-equipped, she wasn't in amazing physical shape, she was just plain stubborn.

The story is great, the writing approachable, the character unforgettable. I'd recommend it. 

Go Granny, Go. 

Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance

JD Vance's Hillbilly Elegy has gained rapid popularity and notoriety. I see his name referenced in New York Times articles (the latest one about his interview with Betsy De Vos), and hear his name tossed around on literary blogs.

I was beginning to feel like I'd been in the room where he was introduced and I wasn't paying attention:

I was starting to ask, "Should I know him? Have we met?" when I was seeing all the references.

So I read the book, for no other reason that to know what the chatter was. That usually doesn't motivate me (Ahem, because those books usually aren't reading. No comment, of course not, on certain way-popular books that worry me about how far our society has fallen).

But this time the chatter was for a GOOD reason, not a bad one.

JD Vance grew up, in what he calls, a hillbilly culture, and eventually goes to Harvard. It's a great narrative about the importance of family, how family/town/regional culture can be anti-education, and about how Vance's grandma encouraged him despite all the circumstances against him.

There's swearing. There's adult content, some.

But I thought it was a fascinating read. Especially from a cultural study standpoint.

Currently, I live in an area of the US, and sub-area of that area, where education is highly valued. Kids are expected to attend universities someday, and emphasis is on being prepared for prestigious ones. My sons and my daughter are surrounded by teachers, peers, and role models who re-inforce this. Furthermore, education is seen as career preparatory---no "*in case" degree expectations here. My community values education and resources are put towards good public and private schools. After-school programs and educational enrichment opportunities abound.

But I know we live in a bubble. This isn't the case everywhere in my state, and certainly not in our country. I've lived in some of these areas. Been there.

Vance's narrative is a valuable reminder of these regional and cultural differences. I'm glad he's being talked about, and glad he's being read. He adds great insight into the discussion of education in the US. That's a rather sweeping statement, but Hillbilly Elegy is compelling because it gives a face and a story to very real issues.

I'd say put it on your list if it interests you.

*As in, to a female: "You need your education---in case you don't get married." That's what I mean. There's none of that here.
None.
Of.
That.
Here.