JUNE 2025 READING LIST
Paul Huet. Woodland Stream, c. 1840. National Gallery of Art
UPSTREAM: SELECTED ESSAYS BY MARY OLIVER
Poet Mary Oliver expresses her deep awe and admiration for nature and the craft of writing. She shares her joy in her creative work, the comfort and safety she finds in the woods, and the lively sound of flapping wings. Oliver openly discusses her personal insights, boundless curiosity, and passion for the beauty of the world around us.
Upstream appeared on my list once I saw the cover of her book. A beautiful photo of nature, such as a stream in the forest, captivated my imagination. Then I started reading and poring over Oliver’s words, and I enjoyed the strange, free, tranquility of nature. Oliver’s thoughtful meditations focused on observations, inspiration from Ralph Waldo Emerson, and an immeasurable curiosity about the world.
This first quote reminded me of the purpose of discovering oneself. As it often happens after marriage, having children, and experiencing some loss in life, one might have to venture out again to rediscover their identity, one that has grown in the background of existence.
“In the beginning, I was so young and such a stranger to myself that I hardly existed. I had to go out into the world and see it and hear it and react to it, before I knew at all who I was, what I was, what I wanted to be.”
I have written a lot about solitude lately, and perhaps it is the universe reminding me of the importance of withdrawing from society in a tranquil manner. It also seems that solitude provides me with the fuel I need to work. I try to write when my kids are around, but I find myself distracted and without focus. How differently I see the world after an hour to myself without the noise of everything and everyone!
“For me, it was important to be alone; solitude was a prerequisite to being openly and joyfully susceptible and responsive to the world of leaves, light, birdsong, flowers, flowing water.”
Finally, Oliver’s words on creativity were a balm. Sometimes, I feel surrounded by people who are driven more by trends, bandwagons, and viral sensations than by those who are genuinely trying to leave a legacy, driven by the possibilities of the future.
“In creative work — creative work of all kinds — those who are the world’s working artists are not trying to help the world go around, but forward.”
4/5 Stars
Felice Giani. Self-Portrait Writing with a Companion, 1780/1786. National Gallery of Art
ON WRITING (AND WRITERS) BY C.S. LEWIS
This collection features over one hundred excerpts—from short passages to full essays—sourced from C. S. Lewis's letters, books, and essays. It highlights his thoughts on the importance, impact, and joy of a life devoted to writing. Writers and avid readers alike will find his insights valuable and inspiring
As soon as I learned that there was a book on writing by C.S. Lewis by @emilyreadsclassics, I rushed out to buy a copy. The preface immediately captured my attention, and I was excited to gain wisdom and further develop my practice. I found the selections interesting, although not as profound as I had hoped. The book was not what I had hoped for as a guide on writing, akin to something by Willa Cather, Stephen King, or Annie Dillard. The insights were gathered from Lewis’s many works and letters, in which he responded to people who asked him to critique their ideas. Two notable quotes caught my attention:
Shifting my views on attempting to be original:
The Paradox of Originality
“No man who values originality will ever be original. But try to tell the truth as you see it, try to do any bit of work as well as it can be done for the work’s sake, and what men call originality will come unsought.”
A man who appreciates Jane Austen is noble indeed:
Jane Austen
“Her books have only two faults, and both are damnable. They are too few and too short.”
4/5 Stars
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. Woman Reading in the Studio, c. 1868. National Gallery of Art
READ LIKE A WRITER BY FRANCINE PROSE
I found Prose’s book at a library sale, and by the title, I thought it would be a fitting read as I continue learning to become a better writer. Although the beginning was intriguing and the Prose made some fine points, the complete dissection of language was overwhelming. The author cleverly broke down writing into chapters, paragraphs, sentences, and word choice. Even so, I found myself becoming weary of the tremendous amount of detail.
The continual dissection of the written word drained me more than providing a resource. I am sure that the more meticulous person who wants to delve deeply into the meaning behind every word, sentence, and paragraph could absolutely benefit from the dissection. I firmly believe I have a lot to learn about writing and crafting a novel that can inspire others. However, the academic approach is not my style. I have to write what I see in my mind, how I feel, and the vision I have. The particulars and details will be sorted out later. Is this the best way to write a book? Perhaps not, but it is what I can do.
2.25/5 Stars
Gustaf Hagemann. Lapland Father and Son, 1935. Harvard Art Museums/Busch-Reisinger Museum
GILEAD BY MARILYNNE ROBINSON
A reflective letter from John Ames, an aging preacher in 1956 Iowa, addressed to his young son. Gilead explores themes of faith, memory, father-son relationships, and grace, as Ames shares family history and seeks reconciliation with his friend's troubled son.
The book began slowly for me, but as the story progressed, I sank into the mellow yet urgent message of a father to his son. A story of three generations and a narrator, the father, in ill health, hopes to guide his son after he is gone. He recounts spiritual battles, family history, and thoughts on the human condition.
I was incredibly moved by John Ames and his thoughts on theology. There was a personable nature to the writing that made me feel I was reading more of a memoir than a fictional book. There were many areas of the book that I marked about God, faith, family, grace, and forgiveness. With so many truths and commentary on society and human behavior, I became increasingly enthralled. Robinson wrote a beautiful story that touched on spirituality without preaching, called out society without pushing an agenda, and portrayed the life of a man on his way out without being melancholy.
Here are just a few out of at least two dozen quotes that spoke to me as I was reading Gilead:
“There are two occasions when the sacred beauty of Creation becomes dazzlingly apparent, and they occur together. One is when we feel our mortal insufficiency to the world, and the other is when we feel the world’s mortal insufficiency to us.”
“Christianity is a life, not a doctrine . . . I’m not saying never doubt or question. The Lord gave you a mind so that you would make honest use of it. I’m saying you must be sure that the doubts and questions are your own.”
“So to be forgiven is only half the gift. The other half is that we can also forgive, restore, and liberate, and therefore can feel the will of God enacted through us, which is the great restoration of ourselves to ourselves.”
4.24/5 Stars
Is there a book or a reading that stood out to you in the early days of summer?