This month’s reading list had a theme even though I didn’t intend for that to happen. It’s just a natural result of my curiosity about current events.

Almost everything this month was notable save for the Mary Higgins Clark. I solved the mystery when the character was first introduced. Sigh.

The Night The Lights Went Out by Karen White is also a mystery that I figured out kind of quick. I never did decide if that was an intentional decision by the author to influence the reader’s opinion of the main character or if it was just poor planning on her part. It doesn’t matter because I enjoyed the story and many of the characters. It was a good palette cleanser between some other books that were less easy to stomach.

White Fragility by Robin Diangelo is a New York Times bestseller that I sincerely believe every American, regardless of race, should read. The title is likely off-putting to some but this is a frank discussion of race that is written by a white woman with years of experience in the field. One thing I really appreciate about this book is how she talks about several ways that white people tend to be racist, even when we think we’re not. More than that, she discusses why it’s important. She doesn’t villainize so much as she challenges the reader to take a hard look at their own beliefs, reactions and interactions with others. If you read nothing else from this list, choose this one.

Tuskegee’s Heroes is a beautiful little volume of art and photos that tells stories of some of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. This history and aviation buff was enthralled by the meaningful impact that this group of men had on the war and in race relations on the homefront.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee sticks with the theme of racism in America. If you haven’t read this classic, put it on your list because every American should read this one too. Much has been written about this book and I can’t do it justice in a paragraph but just know that it tackles issues of prejudice through a child’s eyes. The town of Maycomb where it is set reminds me a lot of my own hometown and the issues tackled here sound awfully familiar sixty years later.

And just so you know, I named my cat after the main character Scout, not after the car as some people have suggested.

Spencer’s Mountain by Earl Hamner Jr. was the basis for the classic television show The Waltons. For a short time, I hoped to visit Earl Hamner Jr’s home place on my July vacation and reread the book to help me prepare. I hate to say it but I like the characters and stories of the tv show better but this book is still a classic good read and a throwback to a simpler time. It was a much needed break from protests, Covid and politics.

The John Muir book at the top of the pile is a selection of writings by Muir. Short, sweet and the type of book you might pick up and read a chapter from whenever you need a little connection to nature.

In all, it was a good reading month that consisted of some things to make me think as well as a few escapism pieces. I will say it once more for everyone in the cheap seats. If you have any interest in what all the protesting is about, pick up White Fragility. Your local library should have it but a paperback copy costs about ten bucks. I’m guessing you will learn something about yourself and your world that you had never even thought about.

What are you reading these days?