Play Book Tag discussion

Most people who know my reading tastes even a little know that this would not normally a book I would remotely pick up. Everything about it is what I would avoid. Murder, kidnapping, abuse of children. I simply try to avoid these topics. I work hard to avoid them. What had me reading this? Well, a woman in a Chinese Restaurant in late October, told me that this was my next book club book. She said, I promise you, you will all love it. Pick it - you will not go wrong.

Its never easy to be the one picking for book club, because you can't preview it if you haven't read it either. I am always choosing blind. And lately, I haven't had a really good idea for a pick for us, so when this one landed in my lap....

Two of the women said they started it and said they would rather skip. I honestly couldn't blame them. A third woman who cannot come thought it was beautiful. A fourth woman wrote me and said she was halfway through and wasn't loving it. A fifth said there was a lot of grist for the mill. A sixth friend, not coming to Sunday night's group, but landing at my home tonight, said she couldn't wait to talk about it, I plowed my way through it - looking for the redemption that seemed to be promised by the abundant raves. And there was indeed some redemption and beauty to it. There are merits in the raves. And there is indeed a lot to talk about. There will indeed be a rich discussion. But I am left wondering. Was it worth the price?

This has been a tough week. As a psychologist who listens to trauma every day and sees the unfairness of the world, of circumstances, of courts, and families, sometimes the world is a hard place. Watching the cruelty of the world unfold through the new administration, and knowing more bad is yet to come, is just not easy. And I have been watching Season 6 of the Crown and the heartbreak of Princess Diana's death and its aftermath. The question I have been asking for months now, weeks, and in this latest week and hours, what is the price of redemption?

Light. I have been saying over and over again. Choose light, look for light, follow light, create light, be a light, find light, nurture light. Believe in light. Ours and others. Choose hope and strength and community and love. When everything is at its darkest, one light pierces through. Be that light, remember light, allow light to light others. Light begets light. Light grows and warms. Light is the antidote to dark. Was there light and love and beauty and goodness in this book? Absolutely. Was there color and nuance and questions about the shades of good and evil, and the role of trauma and abuse? Yes there was. But was it worth it? Honestly, I am not sure. Will it be a fabulous discussion, yes it will. But do I need to make sure I am taking good care of myself these days? Striking the balance between neither putting my head in the sand, nor living in la la land and glossing over? I am trying to. But tipping the balance towards the worst of humanity is never a good idea right now. I think we have to be careful about how we are living these days. What we are consuming, and how we are metabolizing it. We have to choose light, but also joy, love, and laughter. So the book got there, right to where it was promised to be, it pulled it together and pulled it out. But I ask again. Was the redemption worth it? I don't think there is an answer there, because this is where we are all living right now. Right in that tension. Perhaps, perhaps not. But here is where we are - the cards we are dealt.

So my only answer is the same chorus. Love a little harder these days. Laugh a little louder. Sing loudly and often. Go see Wicked a few hundred times. Find something or someone to love. Hug your dog. Give your kids some hope along with the truth. Play a game. Sing kareoke. Lose yourself in a book or a series. Stay alive. And don't forget to follow the light.

Thanks for this timely message! Fran spoke about the need for bravery today as well.

Thanks, Amy!

A couple of book clubs I have been in had a rule that you could only choose a book you had already read. So at least the person picking it thinks it is worthwhile.

I can't watch news anymore. I read an actual print newspaper and see headlines online and that's enough. Last night my husband had news shows on for hours and I knew he would be disappointed if I went to another room. I was reading but I could still hear things, so I put my ear plugs in and my husband never realized it!

Amy, I have avoided this book for the same reasons that you have. I almost didn't read your review since I don't intend to read the book, but something pulled me to it.

I share your feelings. As a social worker, I've listened to so many people in pain and dealing with trauma. This has of course, affected my choices of what to read.

The news these days is upsetting and we are in the dark, cold days of winter, which doesn't help.

I'm depressing myself just writing this, and I don't mean to. For me, PBT is a bright spot in my day. Just reading reviews and talking about books is soothing.

We've got to look for and treasure the bright spots of light!!