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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
needed the optimism from this even if it felt bleak knowing we are reliving all of these emotions 4 years later
trying to remember that hope is an act of rebellion & courage these days & these letters really helped in that endeavor
trying to remember that hope is an act of rebellion & courage these days & these letters really helped in that endeavor
Series of letters written shortly after the election of Donald Trump to help convey the love and courage needed to navigate the coming time.
A mixed bag but overall a good collection of short letters. I feared it would be outdated but the ones that really address the big issues rather than the horror of the election are as encouraging now as they would have been then a few short years ago.
I enjoyed just picking it up and reading a page or two here and there.
One of the letters I liked best was by Viet Thanh Nguyen whose book The Sympathizer I hated. Hmm, go figure
I enjoyed just picking it up and reading a page or two here and there.
One of the letters I liked best was by Viet Thanh Nguyen whose book The Sympathizer I hated. Hmm, go figure
An uplifting read by some of the most prominent progressive writers in the Bay Area.
This has become my new favorite book. The only reason why I'm not giving exceptional rating is because I listened to the audio book which only had two readers. I think I would have LOVED this if the original authors read their respective letters instead. Still a much needed salve in a time of distress. So so so many quotable sections. I now want to go out and get this as gifts for so many distraught and tired friends. Radical Hope is a book for the time of now. A book to engage in and receive nourishment. Some of my favorite authors and thinkers write letters of hope following the election of the corrupt 45. Wonderful.
I started this book but didn't finish it before it expired on my kindle. I was enjoying it, so I plan to check it out again sometime. I got about halfway through.
If you need some radical hope, read this book.
What can you DO (especially if you're white)? Read Kate Schatz's essay, "What I Mean", in this book. Educate yourself. Don't waste time feeling bad - just learn, and take action in your personal life.
Where do you find the energy to keep fighting the same battles you thought were won? Read Karen Joy Fowler's essay, "While You Are Standing," in this book, especially the last couple of pages of it. The struggles of 500 years are still not over. Find joy and laughter, and keep fighting.
Are you struggling with what you feel, what you've read and heard about "old Democrats" being pitched against "new Progressives", about factionalism within the center, left, and center/left? Read Aya De Leon's essay "Dear Millennials". I had many "yes!" moments while reading this one. Love her paraphrase of Audre Lord: "In the midst of dismantling the master's house, we must be careful not to bring those sharp tools into our own house." And note that if the title of the essay makes you wonder, this is not an indictment of millennials.
Looking for some pure hope? Read Jeff Chang's essay, "The Fear and the Resistance". WE ARE NOT ALONE.
Do you need some literary inspiration? Read Claire Messud's "A Letter To My Daughter".
Seeking a reminder of how far we've already come, and of what individual people have overcome in their lives to be free, to be who they are? Read Meredith Russo's "The Most Important Act of Resistance". "Every moment our fears and anxieties hold dominion over us is a moment that those who hate have stolen from us, and we must give them nothing."
And just because it's brilliant, read Katie Kitamura's essay, "Language Is How You Will Make Yourself".
This is a book you can turn to for sustenance.
What can you DO (especially if you're white)? Read Kate Schatz's essay, "What I Mean", in this book. Educate yourself. Don't waste time feeling bad - just learn, and take action in your personal life.
Where do you find the energy to keep fighting the same battles you thought were won? Read Karen Joy Fowler's essay, "While You Are Standing," in this book, especially the last couple of pages of it. The struggles of 500 years are still not over. Find joy and laughter, and keep fighting.
Are you struggling with what you feel, what you've read and heard about "old Democrats" being pitched against "new Progressives", about factionalism within the center, left, and center/left? Read Aya De Leon's essay "Dear Millennials". I had many "yes!" moments while reading this one. Love her paraphrase of Audre Lord: "In the midst of dismantling the master's house, we must be careful not to bring those sharp tools into our own house." And note that if the title of the essay makes you wonder, this is not an indictment of millennials.
Looking for some pure hope? Read Jeff Chang's essay, "The Fear and the Resistance". WE ARE NOT ALONE.
Do you need some literary inspiration? Read Claire Messud's "A Letter To My Daughter".
Seeking a reminder of how far we've already come, and of what individual people have overcome in their lives to be free, to be who they are? Read Meredith Russo's "The Most Important Act of Resistance". "Every moment our fears and anxieties hold dominion over us is a moment that those who hate have stolen from us, and we must give them nothing."
And just because it's brilliant, read Katie Kitamura's essay, "Language Is How You Will Make Yourself".
This is a book you can turn to for sustenance.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Viet Thanh Nguyen’s letter was my favorite. Seeing Ursula K LeGuin quoted was a pleasant surprise
There were definitely some standout essays but overall not what I'd hoped it'd be. Then again, there's a chance that my hope for the book was a bit unrealistic (I felt only marginally and temporarily better about the current state of affairs)