Books for the Road

Next weekend I will be packing my bags for a research trip to Reliance, Tennessee.  My friend Jennie and I are heading into the mountains with a playlist of mountain music and no itinerary.  I like to think we're like Truman Capote and Harper Lee.

I've been reading a lot to prepare for this trip.  Several months ago, I began reading Our Southern Highlanders by Horace Kephart and The United States of Appalachia by Jeff Biggers.  I'm now adding Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier, and everything by Ron Rash to the list.

But I've also been reading books with voices that are new to me, and books by some of my favorites.  Here's what I've finished recently, and what I'm currently reading:

Recently Finished:

The Hate U Give by Angie Brown: What a powerful book.  Written through the point of view of an African-American teenager who watches as her best friend is shot by a police officer, this novel looks society's stereotypes in the face and scoffs.  I honestly learned so much from this book.  It presented me with complex views on situations and lifestyles that I had grossly oversimplified.  THIS BOOK IS IMPORTANT.  Read it.

Ugly by Robert Hoge:  When my daughter finished reading this book, I heard her slam it shut and then the sound of her running feet in the hallway.  She came into my room, thrust the book into my hands, and insisted I read it immediately.  Fans of Wonder will like this book as well, a nonfiction account of a man who was born with a tumor on his face, and his quest to reclaim the word "ugly".

Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine: I have never read extensive works of prose poetry, and now I think I've spoiled myself with this one.  What a powerful testament to what it means to be a citizen of color in the United States.  Bold, creative, heartbreaking, strong.  We need this story now.

Letter to My Daughter (and Amazing Peace) by Maya Angelou: I've been on an Angelou kick recently.  Her words bring me comfort and hope, but also make me uncomfortable when they should.  Letter to My Daughter is a handbook for life.  I need to purchase a copy for myself and every man or woman raising a daughter.  I'll even make it a package deal with Enough by Kate Conner (which I was reading at this time last year).

Reading Now:

On Living by Kerry Egan: Nonfiction collection of stories by a hospice chaplain.  Just over halfway through and I have already made positive changes to my life and my perspective. When's the last time I considered how amazing my hands are?  And in case you think this book would be a downer, you're wrong.  It's inspiring.

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward: I'm struggling here.  I know, I know.  This book is right up my alley.  It won the National Book Award.  I don't get it either.  But I'm not giving up!

The Play of Death by Oliver Potzsch: I absolutely adore The Hangman's Daughter series.  Historical, mysterious, funny, and full of characters I enjoy spending time with.

What I'm Teaching Now:
A Streetcar Named Desire: And not only so I can justify showing the movie every year.  This play is spectacular.
Modern Poetry: Have I mentioned yet how much I adore ee cummings?
LaLa Land: One of the great joys of teaching a film class is watching as half of the class is singing along while the other half looks as if they're slowly dying every time someone bursts into song.

As you can see, I have so many words in my life.  It's the way I love to live.  Actually, perhaps it's the way I have to live.  And I love it.