Mark Warren's Blog: Mark Warren Blog - Posts Tagged "best-of-2023"
My Favorite Reads From 2023
Recently, I was asked "What are your favorite reads of 2023 and why?" Do you have a favorite read of 2023? I'd love to hear about it!
My favorite read in 2023…
Pastoral Song: A Farmer's Journey
By James Rebanks
Why did I love this book?
I wish this book could become required reading for all the world. But most especially for all Americans.
It addresses a relationship between humans and Earth that is steadily slipping away from the public’s consciousness: Mankind and how he treats the land upon which he lives. This story of farm life in England reminds us of our relationships to foods, whether plants or animals.
The author, who inherits the agricultural legacy of his father and grandfather, discovers the ultimate futility and destruction of large-scale industrial farming and digs back into his grandfather’s methods of living with the soil. The audio version of this book is excellent due to the perfect-choice reader, which is always a critical ingredient for a spoken text.
But the real gift here is Rebanks’s experience and dedication. His willingness to change the course of his farm management reveals a story that gives us hope.
My 2nd favorite read in 2023…
The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History
By Joseph M. Marshall
Why did I love this book?
First of all, let it be known that I believe Crazy Horse to be one of the greatest persons to have lived on the North American continent. Naturally, I am drawn to any book about him.
Marshall, who is Lakota, has given us a very intimate look into Crazy Horse’s day-to-day life and his part as a humble member of his tribe.
He is not supernatural. Like all of us, he is a flawed human being, which makes his transcendence into heroism and glory all the more appealing. He was a man of duty and principle, yet he stole another man’s wife.
Anyone wishing to judge that transgression must first immerse him/herself into Crazy Horse’s time and situation. a near-impossible task. But to hear one Lakota (Marshall) talk about those times and that place and those individuals reminds us that we can never really know the full story of what goes on in the minds of the players.
I feel I know Crazy Horse better now. If there is a place across the river where we all will meet, I hope that I can sit down with this man and talk of things that matter.
My 3rd favorite read in 2023…
Blue Highways
By William Least Heat-Moon
Why did I love this book?
I happened to see the author on a documentary about Lewis and Clark, and I was drawn to his quiet and thoughtful manner. This made me pick up his book, and I am glad I did.
The author embarks on a journey across America to discover what is truly at the core of the quintessential American.
Shunning the interstates and major highways, he travels the backroads that are marked in blue in his Atlas. Along these routes, he seeks out the average person and engages them in conversation or activity so that he can get a sense of what drives these people to get up every day and continue to compose a life.
The author’s frankness, friendliness, and honesty jump off the page. I looked forward to each and every vignette.
I am posting this because I thought it might be guidance for others in finding good books. Maybe you would like to do the same? What are your three favorite reads from this year?Mark Warren
My favorite read in 2023…
Pastoral Song: A Farmer's Journey
By James Rebanks
Why did I love this book?
I wish this book could become required reading for all the world. But most especially for all Americans.
It addresses a relationship between humans and Earth that is steadily slipping away from the public’s consciousness: Mankind and how he treats the land upon which he lives. This story of farm life in England reminds us of our relationships to foods, whether plants or animals.
The author, who inherits the agricultural legacy of his father and grandfather, discovers the ultimate futility and destruction of large-scale industrial farming and digs back into his grandfather’s methods of living with the soil. The audio version of this book is excellent due to the perfect-choice reader, which is always a critical ingredient for a spoken text.
But the real gift here is Rebanks’s experience and dedication. His willingness to change the course of his farm management reveals a story that gives us hope.
My 2nd favorite read in 2023…
The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History
By Joseph M. Marshall
Why did I love this book?
First of all, let it be known that I believe Crazy Horse to be one of the greatest persons to have lived on the North American continent. Naturally, I am drawn to any book about him.
Marshall, who is Lakota, has given us a very intimate look into Crazy Horse’s day-to-day life and his part as a humble member of his tribe.
He is not supernatural. Like all of us, he is a flawed human being, which makes his transcendence into heroism and glory all the more appealing. He was a man of duty and principle, yet he stole another man’s wife.
Anyone wishing to judge that transgression must first immerse him/herself into Crazy Horse’s time and situation. a near-impossible task. But to hear one Lakota (Marshall) talk about those times and that place and those individuals reminds us that we can never really know the full story of what goes on in the minds of the players.
I feel I know Crazy Horse better now. If there is a place across the river where we all will meet, I hope that I can sit down with this man and talk of things that matter.
My 3rd favorite read in 2023…
Blue Highways
By William Least Heat-Moon
Why did I love this book?
I happened to see the author on a documentary about Lewis and Clark, and I was drawn to his quiet and thoughtful manner. This made me pick up his book, and I am glad I did.
The author embarks on a journey across America to discover what is truly at the core of the quintessential American.
Shunning the interstates and major highways, he travels the backroads that are marked in blue in his Atlas. Along these routes, he seeks out the average person and engages them in conversation or activity so that he can get a sense of what drives these people to get up every day and continue to compose a life.
The author’s frankness, friendliness, and honesty jump off the page. I looked forward to each and every vignette.
I am posting this because I thought it might be guidance for others in finding good books. Maybe you would like to do the same? What are your three favorite reads from this year?Mark Warren
Mark Warren Blog
Every so often I write a blog about whatever might inspire me. They may pertain to my wilderness teachings, my books, or my personal experiences. I hope you enjoy reading them, and I look forward to y
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