A Good Read This Winter
This post is a little different, you might say, an uncommon post, only vaguely related to urban homesteading, but with winter fast approaching, I want to use this space to share a good read for this winter, a gem of a book I just read, with you. The winter solstice is a a time of stillness, rest, and good books.
Winter
I normally don’t like winter at all, but this one is hitting a little different. I am loving all the festive winter activities, fresh cold air, and winter light magic. It’s been a busy few years, and I am looking forward to easing into rest and relaxation.
Today I write to you on the shortest day of the year where I live. I’ve always loved the idea of solstice, and it’s on my list to start doing more to celebrate it one of these years. Solstice means standing still, and I think that’s good for all of us.
I have to admit summer solstice is a crowd favorite, a summer day that never seems to end. But I’m excited for the short day today, too. Time to burrow under a blanket, have some tea from the garden, and gaze deeply into my fake fireplace (someday I’ll have a real one! 🤣).
Because these winter days are about to slow us down, I thought it would be a good time to share a wonderful book with you.
The Library
Books for me have always been like little time machines taking us wherever we want to go.
I know I had a library card when I was a kid. I remember the black plastic, and the sweet little kid handwriting with the letters all spaced too far apart.
But I vividly remember really discovering the library one day after high school while I was walking to work. I was dazzled by what was available to me: the science of Earth, poems by Langston Hughes, a gorgeous well worn copy of Travels with Charley, a book that would change me forever.
“A Kind Of A Telephone Line Through Time”
Books are so incredible in the way that the author doesn’t know the reader, and the reader doesn’t know the author, and yet, through their words, a connection is made that can separately transform both.
Emily Sailers talked about this. Her mom was a librarian, and when she gave her a book about Virginia Woolf, The Indigo Girls wrote this beautiful song about it.
“They published your diary
And that’s how I got to know you
The key to the room of your own and a mind without end
And here’s a young girl
On a kind of a telephone line through time
And the voice at the other end comes like a long lost friend
So I know I’m all right
Life will come and life will go
Still I feel it’s all right
Cause I just got a letter to my soul
And when my whole life is on the tip of my tongue
Empty pages for the no longer young
The apathy of time laughs in my face
You say “each life has its place”
Growing up in a small town, I had trouble finding people that resonated with me. I always felt different and disconnected.
The library became a place that was like a magical portal to connect me with other people and ideas all throughout time and space. The world opened for me, and I found friends in people I would never meet in real life.
Books Are Magical
I love to learn from nonfiction books, and occasionally lose myself in a fluffy fiction book, too, but I think my favorites are biographies—autobiographies—learning about people’s lives through their own eyes.
The book I recently read and share with you today is a true example of this. The author for me sank straight into my soul and I found the connection of an older sister, or perhaps even an older, wiser, more seasoned version of myself. This book gave me the friend I was always looking for back in my hometown.
What Is It That Propels Some Of Us Towards Greatness?
I like to study the moment people’s lives change forever, how they start out in one way, and then end up completely in another. What is it that sparks that transformation and changes them? Is it an inner strength and knowing? A fluke? Hard work? A unique pre planned destiny? Just the way they were born? Whatever it is, I never tire of learning about it. The thing that makes that person different.
How did Elvis find his way to Sun Records? How did Aretha Franklin break free into the Queen of Soul? How did Oprah or Dolly Parton know they would do something so different than where they started? Where did Robert Johnson actually learn how to play guitar? I find it all endlessly fascinating.
A Jewel
And this book is one of the best examples of this that I’ve seen. Someone born so powerful and humble to a family of unique and strong characters that could build you up or break you down, depending on the day.
This book starts in rural Alaska, and we meet her family, and see her lineage, with their trials and tribulations that are both ugly and beautiful.
We hear firsthand what it is like to live on an Alaskan homestead with water straight from the creek, and cold, cold mornings with a harsh and beautiful nature right outside the window. The author lets us in to her relationship with nature, and all the things it taught her.
She takes us through incredible hardships and quirky opportunities, and we see the whole time what a strong and beautiful soul she is—so eloquent, so brave, so wise beyond her years. Someone who notices the shiny little details on people. We get to join her on her wild adventures.
But What’s It Called?!
The book is great for people who like nature and homesteads, so I recommend it to you for those reasons, but it’s her story that will really get you. Her story and her ideas of how to change our thoughts and ourselves to be our greatest versions.
Have you guessed who wrote this masterpiece yet? The book is by Jewel Kilcher, and it is called Never Broken. She always seemed wise to me, but I had no idea how much. For me this book was like years of free therapy. Jewel also has a non-profit program that focuses on mental health.
I just read this book and it instantly became one of the top 5 favorite books I’ve ever read. The paper version is great, but I also really highly recommend the audio version. This link can even get you the audio book free with a free trial of audible.
You can get both versions here, or if you’re lucky enough to have a phenomenal library like I do, you can even drop in and listen or read for free. Here’s a link for Clark County friends! Everyone else needs to check your own town.
Do yourself a favor and get this book!
More Winter Things…
If, in addition to reading good books this winter, you’re looking for a nice bowl of soup, or are interested in planning next year’s garden, get our course and cookbook both together right here.
To make your own soup base for free, check this out.
Wishing everyone a beautiful and magical solstice, and a moment of peace with the sun standing still. In closing I want to share this quote from the book:
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” Joseph Campbell
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Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, and The Little Green Shoot may earn from qualifying purchases.
