In recent times, the news has been stressful, and it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. But amidst all the uncertainty, there are some things that can provide comfort and perspective. For many of us, one of those things is reading. Specifically, finding a good book to escape into can be a lifesaver. Recently, Traci Thomas, the host and creator of the popular “The Stacks” podcast, has been finding solace in reading during difficult times. Traci Thomas’s Book Recommendations
* “Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems, 1988-2000” by Lucille Clifton
* “Goodness and the Literary Imagination: Harvard’s 95th Ingersoll Lecture with Essays on Morrison’s Moral and Religious Vision” by Toni Morrison, David Carrasco (editor), Stephanie Paulsell (editor), and Mara Willard (editor)
* “The Hunger Games” series by Suzanne Collins
* “James” by Percival Everett
* “Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbard
* “All Fours” by Miranda July
As Thomas notes, these books offer a unique combination of thought-provoking ideas and engaging storytelling, making them perfect for getting lost in during stressful times. Lucille Clifton’s poetry collection, for instance, reminds us that the world has faced similar challenges before, and that there is always hope for a better future. Toni Morrison’s Influence
Toni Morrison once gave a speech about goodness and altruism at Harvard’s Divinity School. The speech is featured in the book “Goodness and the Literary Imagination” along with other academics writing about Morrison’s work and an interview with Morrison. Thomas finds solace in reading Morrison’s work and then reading other people talk about her work, who are much smarter than her, and then going back and listening and reading her talking about the original thing. “Getting to read her work and then read other people talk about her work, who are much smarter than me, and then go back and listen and read her talking about the original thing was really soothing and interesting,” Thomas says. “And made me think so much about what goodness looks like and what it can look like and how I can be working towards that myself even when I feel like times are hard.”
The Appeal of Contemporary Fiction
This year, Thomas has been rereading “The Hunger Games” series – and she’s obsessed. Collins released the fifth book in the series in March. The books are well-written and relevant to current events, a combo that keeps Thomas engaged and off her phone. She notes that there are just so many questions that Suzanne Collins is getting at in these books that feel connected to what she’s dealing with in the world. “but not so connected that I can’t escape into them, which for me is important,” Thomas says. “There are just all these questions that Suzanne Collins is getting at in these books that feel connected to what I’m dealing with in the world. But not so connected that I can’t escape into them, which for me is important.”
Escapism through Popular Culture
Another way to escape into the literary world is to engross yourself in a book that everyone is talking about. Thomas notes that last year, “James” by Percival Everett, “Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbard, and “All Fours” by Miranda July were all the title on everyone’s mind. This year, it feels like television shows like “The White Lotus” and “The Last of Us” are bringing people together. But Thomas is keeping an eye out for this year’s literary hit. She’s finding comfort in the knowledge that there are many other people out there who are also finding solace in reading during difficult times. Conclusion
As we navigate the complexities of the world, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. But reading can be a powerful tool for escaping and finding perspective. By finding a good book to get lost in, we can take a break from the stresses of the world and find comfort in the stories and ideas of others. For Traci Thomas and many others, reading is a lifeline that provides solace and inspiration during difficult times.
