Noticing by Richard Louv

NOTICING by Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods, Vitamin N and more) is subtitled “Intimate Encounters with the Natural World” and once again Louv, a journalist and nature advocate, offers insight regarding our relationship with wildlife and the environment. He includes over two dozen chapters, loosely grouped into categories like the Neuroscience of Noticing or the Art and Music of Nature or Our Human-Nature Spirit. NOTICING is full of gentle observations, it feels almost cleansing, and frequently prompts images of one’s own childhood. There are many comments about children as when Louv writes, “Being new to the world and closer to the ground, children notice such details and create stories about them, or they paint or draw them.” He shares perspective from others, too, (like a soon to be forest therapy guide or a PhD student in marine biology) and intersperses some of his own photos of animals and trees. Several final pages list Suggested Readings and numerous Notes are also included. Overall, there is a sense of curiosity and awe.

The Big Unlock by Laura L. Rubin

THE BIG UNLOCK by Laura L. Rubin is subtitled “Liberate Your Creativity Through Mindful Journaling.” Rubin, creative coach and founder of mindful writing company AllSwell Creative, provides tons of prompts and encouragement. She divides her book into four (increasingly deeper) sections: Living Unlocked; Make Yourself Comfortable; Having a Blast; and Digging In; within these sections, “each chapter can stand on its own.” Examples of specific prompts include: “Make a list of songs on your life soundtrack. What's on your personal playlist? What memories do you associate with each song? Why did you choose them?” OR “When was the time you didn't follow the rules … and the outcome was beneficial?” OR “Try writing a letter from your loved one to you. Use your imagination to tune into their voice. What do you think they’d like to communicate?” Throughout she advocates for personalizing each suggestion like her 4x4x4 plan (write for four minutes a day for four days a week for four weeks) which can adjust to 6x6x6 or 5x3x5 or 9x3x8, and so forth.  Rubin says, “Essentially, write into any resistance. … All of this is an experiment, an exploration. Just bring your attention back to the page and keep going.” That is wonderful advice, and I would echo her call to “let yourself be curious. … “dog-ear, underline, annotate. But, most of all, enjoy.”

Big Time by Laura Vanderkam

BIG TIME by Laura Vanderkam is subtitled “A Simple Path to Time Abundance” and compliments the other texts (e.g., Tranquility by Tuesday or Juliet's School of Possibilities) that she has written regarding time management. In this case, Vanderkam asks readers to take more of a big picture approach and to think in terms of 8,760 hours (an entire year).  Her first chapter discusses the benefits of time tracking – learning about patterns of how one’s time is spent. From there, she advocates for readers to “become the ringmaster,” balancing career, relationships, and self. For example, she describes the Better Workday Challenge where she advocates for people to pursue three strategies: find meaning by spending an extra hour per week on the work you like best; increase belonging by giving fifteen more minutes to deepening a work friendship; and reinforce a feeling of autonomy by taking two, short intentional breaks per day. Subsequent chapters are labeled “Embrace Your Golden Hours” and “Be Open to Serendipity” and contain ideas for evening hours, weekends and vacations. Throughout, Vanderkam points to examples from her own life or the survey research which has conducted with others who tracked their time. The text is written in an accessible manner and concludes with a brief case study. Publishers Weekly describes BIG TIME as an “upbeat guide” that “will resonate most with readers juggling family and career demands.”

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen

CHANGE OF PLANS by Sarah Dessen (Lock & Key; Just Listen; The Truth about Forever and more) is her first novel in seven years and offers the chance for new readers to sample Dessen’s expressive writing. Booklist says, “Dessen’s greatest strength is her creation of vivid atmosphere, which enhances both her characters' personalities and their conflicts.” Here, the award-winning young adult author introduces readers to Finley, a graduating high school senior who lives with her stepmom, dad, and their young family. Finley has a strong, two-year relationship with Colin, but must decline his family’s invite to a cruise because her career-oriented and distant mother, Catherine (Cat) has plans for the two of them to travel together. Quite a bit does change when Colin meets another girl on the cruise and Finley’s Mom chauffeurs Finley to The Woods, a family home on a rural lake, instead of heading to New York City. Finley meets new friends (Clark, Ben, and Lana) and aunts (Liz and Kasey) as she begins to learn more about her Mom – and herself. CHANGE OF PLANS received starred reviews from Kirkus (“she discovers strength, independence, and the transformative power of being fully present …. A sweet, nuanced, and reflective coming-of-age love story filled with moments of true beauty between family and friends”) and Publishers Weekly (“delightfully layered, bighearted novel”). As Clark says, “Everything changes. You have a choice: make it hard or make it work. And there's enough hard shit already.”

Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer

GOOD JOY, BAD JOY by Mikki Brammer (The Collected Regrets of Clover) introduces readers to Joy Bridport, someone who at first seems truly too good to be true. Joy invariably looks on the bright side, gives others the benefit of the doubt, and sacrifices her own needs to help others. Her life, however, gets turned upside down (look at that cover!) when she learns that her best friend of eighty years, Hazel, has terminal cancer. Brammer shares Joy’s innermost thoughts about her parents’ values, her troubled relationship with her own daughter (Elizabeth) and grandson Finn, as well as a new friendship with Rowan, a neighbor recently released from jail. Joy starts to take some risks, and the lack of consequences will have readers nodding in agreement about how older women often are invisible. GOOD JOY, BAD JOY is a rather sad story and while Joy grows, it can be a difficult read emotionally. Like “good” Joy, Booklist describes this novel more positively as “a heartwarming, poignant story of self-discovery and hope.” Book groups will find much to discuss.

A Course Called Home by Tom Coyne

A COURSE CALLED HOME by Tom Coyne is a series of wonderful “Adventures of an Accidental Golf Course Owner.” After entertaining us with travels to golf courses across America and Europe, Coyne will have readers enthralled by the efforts to save an almost 100 year old nine-hole golf course, Sullivan County Golf & Country Club in upstate New York. The amount of work required to run one’s own business, especially one that requires the physical upkeep of a golf course, plus concerns over finances are shared in an entertaining, relatable way. Coyne is extremely fortunate in the employees like Shane, chief groundskeeper, or the trio of pro shop retailers: Gary, Jimmy, and John; even the local high schooler Henry and other part-timers seem to form a family of sorts. And, Coyne’s connections in the golf world make their own (often surprising) contributions whether it’s equipment, supplies, rental golf carts, or financial support. Even Bill Murray, Jason Kelce and Mike Madden make appearances. Best-selling author Coyne weaves in reflections about his own family and the beauty of the Catskills where they now live for part of the year. Truly enjoyable and highly recommended.

Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg

LIFE: A LOVE STORY by Elizabeth Berg (The Story of Arthur Truluv and others) has a beautiful cover and expresses some truly wonderful and universal sentiments. Berg introduces readers to Flo, a widow in her nineties. Flo has received a terminal diagnosis and in an effort to wrap up her affairs she crafts a lengthy letter to Ruthie, the now grown woman who, as a young child, was her neighbor and almost a daughter. Flo tells Ruthie “You can do with my things whatever you like but I just think you should know why they are not just objects, but pieces of my life that point to something bigger than my life. I'll tell you what, a rubber band is not just a rubber band, as you will come to see.” Filled with wisdom, this letter includes many memories and meaningful stories (“an autobiography in things”), particularly about Flo’s marriage to Terrence (“She never would have predicted that he would be taking care of her long after he was gone. Yet he is.”), and one which might provide some guidance for Ruthie’s own troubled relationship. Even though this novel is almost a monologue from Flo, it is engaging and thought-provoking, totally enjoyable. I also liked the references to older books and songs (e.g., Mrs. Mike and Jesse) and a comment from Flo’s new friend, Teresa, who says, “You know, I had a patient once tell me that the best index he had to his mental health was whether or not he looked up at the sky every day.” LIFE: A LOVE STORY is a March 2026 LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection and received a starred review from Booklist (“The prolific Berg has a huge following, and this is the author at her heartwarming best.”). Highly recommended.

Confident by Choice by Juan Bendaña

CONFIDENT BY CHOICE by Juan Bendaña is a very energizing text. Bendaña writes with verve and enthusiasm. His main message centers around the idea that confidence can be built. He starts out by noting four confidence myths regarding being an extrovert; absence of insecurity; having the “right” genetics; and needing competence first. I particularly liked his point that “1. You're going to fail. 2. But that's OK because failure is the path to success.” At the end of each chapter, Bendaña suggests an action item, a micro-step, often designed to help his readers further clarify their goals. Many of his ideas (“change your posture, skip around, do a little dance”) are small actions which can really have a big impact as they help improve attitude and overcome fears.  CONFIDENT BY CHOICE, published in August 2025, made me think of earlier titles like Be Fearless by Jean Case or Resilient by Rick Hanson.

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page

THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU by Libby Page came to my attention because of being a LibraryReads pick for February and I am SO glad it did. In contention for my favorite book of the year, the heartwarming story centers on Matilda (Tilly) Nightingale whose husband, Joe, has recently died. While battling a fatal diagnosis, Joe arranged with the local bookstore owner, Alfie, to give Tilly a book a month after his death. Each title prompts Tilly to take a step forward and, to me, Libby Page was “spot on” in her characterization of the feelings of grief and loss: “There's a darkness to her that wasn't there before, that sometimes feels like a fog and others like a stone lodged in her chest. She carries the darkness with her everywhere, all the time, even if on the surface she might look the same as before.” A new friend who is further along in her grief journey says, “My grief is un regalo -- a gift. He gave it to me. it is our memories. Our love. I don't want to put it down. I carry it gently.” Described as a “love letter to bookstores,” THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU is truly a joy to read, featuring friendship, sisterhood, a sense of wonder, romance, and, importantly, growth by several characters. Plus, it reinforces the power of reading to transform us (“‘But isn't that one of the great things about fiction?’ he says. ‘It's an escape. Somewhere to go when you don't want to be where you are.’”) and this story is full of ideas for other books to read, including monthly themes and recommendations from Alfie’s bookstore.

THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU received starred reviews from Kirkus (“The perfect cozy read for book lovers, sure to break and heal hearts.”), Library Journal (“Readers of all kinds will be captivated by this tender exploration of loss, healing, and the enduring connections that books create”), and Publishers Weekly (“Page crafts a taut plot and makes her characters achingly real”). ENJOY!!

Best Laid Plans by Sarah Hart-Unger

BEST LAID PLANS by Sarah Hart-Unger offers “A Simple Planning System for Living a Life That You Love.” Hart-Unger is a pediatric endocrinologist and podcaster (Best Laid Plans) and seems to be a very high energy person with tons of enthusiasm, particularly regarding time management (“more proactivity means less reactivity”). She begins by suggesting three fundamental tools: an accurate and complete calendar system, nested goal-making, and airtight task management. Those comments (developed in subsequent chapters) are all very helpful and rather inspiring. I would like to see a print copy of this book to get a sense of whether there are diagrams, charts, and/or bullet point summaries, all of which I think could be beneficial. I also wonder to what extent follow-through could be an issue as this process definitely seemed like something to share with a friend (Hart-Unger encourages planning with others) so that you could try to hold each other accountable. One advantage which the author has - and may not fully appreciate in the planning context - is that she works three days a week as a doctor and has two other weekdays to pursue her business and creative interests. Having control over one’s schedule, along with big blocks of time to devote to specific tasks, would lead to a sense of accomplishment, further reinforcing the planning habit. Hart-Unger is wise enough to realize that we can all feel overwhelmed and devotes a chapter to feeling stuck, “Burnout, Overload, Big Project Intimidation, and Procrastination;” another chapter focuses on challenges (e.g., learning curve, perfectionism, and time sucks). These are followed by a final chapter filled with examples of the specifics used by a variety of “peaceful planners.” BEST LAID PLANS has ideas for everyone from truly disorganized to the frequent list-maker. I hope she sets a goal to adapt (further simplify) her text for high school and/or college students – they could benefit from practicing and establishing these habits early in life.

The Last Man by Thomas Goodman

Selected this month for our local book group, THE LAST MAN by Thomas Goodman has won the 2024 Will Rogers Medallion Award and the 2024 Western Writers of America Spur Award. While fictional, this is based on real events surrounding the Santa Claus Bank Robbery of 1927 in Cisco, Texas. As the publisher says, “One bandit dies in the getaway. One is executed in the electric chair. One swings from a rope in a mob lynching. The last man finds a life he always hoped for … if only he can keep it.” This is a fascinating look at attitudes towards crime and prisoners in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. In fact, during the 1920s, “an average of four banks were hit each day in Texas.” That resulted in massive awards ($5000 which is $85,000 today) for dead bank robbers and “not a penny” for the capture of a live one. And when the attempted robbery goes violently wrong, with the death of lawmen and kidnapping, emotions run high. Library Journal says, "A captivating and creatively told true-crime novel, perfect for patrons who enjoy stories where truth is stranger than fiction." I especially liked Goodman’s reflection on the individuals and factors that impact our life and on second chances. He writes about the role of our fathers (or father figures) and about how we can each be there for someone else, concluding “All their joys and sorrows were precious scenes woven together in a tapestry far larger than any one solitary life.”

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

YEAR OF YES by Shonda Rhimes (whose credits include Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder) was originally published a decade ago and the new 10th anniversary edition offers extra chapters and insight from an extremely talented writer. Rhimes was challenges by her sister about her tendency to say “no” and she chose to battle her introvert tendencies (“This is who I am. Silent. Quiet. Interior. More comfortable with books than new situations. Content to live within my imagination.”) and to begin to say “yes.” That meant she found a way to combat her fear and go on Jimmy Kimmel’s show as one example.  In addition, she gave a commencement speech at Dartmouth which is an amazing chapter – well worth the time to read. Rhimes is inspirational and informative (e.g., sharing studies about standing like Wonder Woman).  This is a book to which readers can return again and again. It’s exciting to think of the transformation which she achieved: “I do often say no. I can't do everything. But I am no longer saying no out of fear. The reflexive, knee-jerk, panic-induced ‘absolutely not’ that used to be my default setting has been rewired.”

Writing Creativity and Soul by Sue Monk Kidd

WRITING CREATIVITY AND SOUL by Sue Monk Kidd is, according to the author, “Part memoir, part guidebook, and part reflection on the writing life.” She begins by quoting Maya Angelou about “Three things you need in order to write. First, you need something to say. Second, you need the ability to say it. Finally, you need the courage to say it at all.” Later sections of the book talk about playing with images, possible beginnings of a story, and references a Zen adage: “In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; In the expert's mind there are few.” I also liked the chapter where Monk Kidd wrote about character development (“Love them, empathize with them, participate deeply in their inner lives.”) and four questions that she asks: Who is my Character? (followed by many sub-questions about her relationships, likes and dislikes, emotions). What does my Character want? Who and what thwarts my Character? How will my Character be different in the end? As Monk Kidd develops these ideas, she gives examples from her writing, such as Lily from The Secret Life of Bees or Ana from The Book of Longings; readers will have a richer experience if they have read her other works. I agree with her assessment that this text is more memoir and reflection than it is a manual for new writers, but it is interesting to share in her comments about the writing process which she has honed over decades.

Every Day I Read by Hwang Bo-reum

EVERY DAY I READ by Hwang Bo-reum contains a series of essays which describe “53 Ways to Get Closer to Books.” There is room for disagreement (the author even advocates both Read Bestsellers and Read Beyond Bestsellers). Throughout, there are many, many suggestions of book titles and authors and I found myself highlighting several to consider, although some are not as readily available here as they would be in Asia. I also highlighted and starred several passages; here are just a few: “by insisting on finishing a book you no longer want to read, you're taking time away from the books you're truly interested in.” OR “We change as we read books. We just don't realize it. And this change may have an impact on the course of our lives.” Publishers Weekly reviewed EVERY DAY I READ and concluded, “Dedicated bibliophiles and casual readers alike will adore this.” I concur. So do the voters at LibraryReads: EVERY DAY I READ was a December 2025 selection.

As a related aside, The New York Times just published an article called, “Kids Rarely Read Whole Books Anymore. Even in English Class.” It refers to a forthcoming study by Jonna Perrillo and Andrew Newman; Uncensored will be published in March, 2026.

100 Rules for Living to 100 by Dick Van Dyke

100 RULES FOR LIVING TO 100 by Dick Van Dyke is subtitled “An Optimist's Guide to a Happy Life.” I particularly enjoyed listening to the audiobook where narrator Tom Bergeron does an excellent job of channeling Van Dyke. The tone is reflective and friendly, and Van Dyke readily admits that there may not be exactly 100 rules, but he offers many funny stories and valuable insight. These tales span eight or nine decades and center on family members as well as acting and musical colleagues. I truly enjoyed and would definitely recommend. In fact, I plan to listen a second time!

What Matters Most by Diane Button

WHAT MATTERS MOST by Diane Button probes “Lessons the Dying Teach Us About Living.” I have a very kind friend interested in becoming a death doula and I think that is probably why I originally requested this text. However, a dear aunt was just diagnosed with cancer last week and is already in hospice, so this book feels even more poignant as I watch the grace and stoicism with which she is approaching death. Button has been acting as a death doula for a couple of decades and each chapter in WHAT MATTERS MOST shares a story of one of her patients. near the end, she provides a list of six questions designed to help take steps towards a meaningful life: (1) Who matters most? (2) What matters most? (3) What worries you most when lying awake in bed at night? (4) What brings you joy when you are awake in the daytime? (5) What is left unsaid? And (6) What is left undone? Readers will clearly be moved by the readings and by the reflection on a meaningful life which this compelling book prompts. Each chapter end a with a “lesson” like “Don’t forget to count your joys” or “There is power in an intentional pause or “We don’t Have to wait for a special moment to celebrate. Find the moment in the present.”  This is a beautiful book.

Twice by Mitch Albom

TWICE by Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie and The Stranger in the Lifeboat) is his latest take on the choices we make. This story asks, “what if you got to do everything in your life – again?” The main character, Alfie Logan, has the inherited ability to transport himself back in time and therefore change most future events. It is a tempting proposition and one which takes time and development of some self-restraint to use wisely. Overall, the story opened quite slowly as readers are introduced to the concept and learn more about its nuances. These happenings are contrasted with a police investigation of a possible casino swindle which is not resolved until the final pages. Despite his unique abilities, Alfie is not a particularly likeable character and he has many regrets, especially regarding the woman he loves. He says, “The truth is, you never do as much good as you could.” She says, “I figure every little thing that happens is part of life or fate or God or whatever leading me to where I'm supposed to be.” Albom will once again have readers examining their own life decisions. TWICE received a starred review from Booklist who recommended it for “fans of Matt Haig and Nikki Erlick.”

The Disengaged Teen by Anderson and Winthrop

THE DISENGAGED TEEN is a newly released work by Jenny Anderson, an award-winning journalist who reports on the science of learning, and Rebecca Winthrop, the director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. Their book is directed to both parents and educators and is subtitled “Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better.” We all know that especially since COVID students have had a more difficult time re-acclimating to a school setting and staying motivated and engaged. The authors also observed this situation in their own families and conducted extensive research – both qualitative and quantitative - prior to writing this text. Part I describes the four patterns of behavior they found: Passenger (tending to coast along); Achiever (focusing on grades and other external rewards, perfectionist); Resister (refusing to do participate); and Explorer (following interests and building necessary skills). Anderson and Winthrop caution against applying these labels to individual students, arguing instead that the behaviors are fluid. Part II of the book is an “engagement toolkit” with stories, exercises, and ideas so that adults can help to spark student learning and to make the distance between school and life be seen as less of a “chasm.” The authors point out that “resilient learners are not strong; they are flexible.” Anderson and Winthrop recently contributed a guest essay to The New York Times where they note: “Many recent graduates aren’t able to set targets, take initiative, figure things out and deal with setbacks — because in school and at home they were too rarely afforded any agency.” I also attended a recent one hour Family Action Network session where Charles Duhigg (Supercommunicators) posed some excellent questions while interviewing these authors about THE DISENGAGED TEEN. Due to the emotions involved, this may be a difficult book for parents to digest, but it is likely to be thought-provoking and worthwhile. 

Rental House by Weike Wang

RENTAL HOUSE by Weike Wang (Chemistry and Joan is Okay) is another introspective and reflective look at the experiences of a young woman, Keru who generally felt, “these were her duties. To assimilate, work nonstop, make money, and provide.” She and her husband, Nate who is an academic, offer separate times at their Cape Cod rental house to their parents and that proves an instructive contrast between their families and even their worldviews; for example: “Expats left wealthy nations to humble themselves at the altar of the world, immigrants escaped poorer nations to be the work force of the rich. For Nate, the word immigrant sat closer to migrant or refugee, and though an expat did move overseas for work opportunities, much like immigrants, the term also seemed to imply vacation and adventure…” The couple clearly struggles to meet the expectations of their own parents and to form connections with their in-laws in the first part of the book. In the second, they are more established in their own careers and patterns, but something is still lacking as evidenced by the uncomfortable relationship with neighbors at a second vacation home in the Catskills. “They were co-dependent, she and Nate. Without her, he lost grounding, but without him, she could be relentless and too focused.” Despite the affection they show for their dog, Mantou, neither is prepared to have children, another aspect that feeds feelings of inadequacy.  Like Wang’s other novels, book groups would have much to discuss, including gender roles, white privilege, misogyny, and xenophobia. RENTAL HOUSE received starred reviews from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly as well as praise from book reviewers at The New York Times (perceptively noting, “Even as you flee a family, you carry it along with you, in memories of how and who you learned to be in the past.”) and The Washington Post (“As in any good novel, the answers are few, but the questions multiply.”).

The Heartbeat Library by Laura Imai Messina

THE HEARTBEAT LIBRARY by Laura Imai Messina (The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World) is a quiet, reflective novel set in Japan. Much of the story centers around the title library “where the heartbeats of visitors from all around the world are collected” on the Teshima island.  Key characters include Shuichi, a 40-year-old illustrator, and a young elementary school student named Kenta, both of whom are mourning Shuichi’s mother. They gradually build a trust and affection for each other and widen their circle to include Sayaka, a love interest for Shuichi. In its starred review Booklist describes THE HEARTBEAT LIBRARY as “a beautiful meditation on grief and healing.”  The story moves slowly, but there is much to contemplate:

“Life is a succession of shipwrecks. … Because upon arrival on the beach, whatever the existence that preceded it was like, it is now memory. No matter how much pain we have accumulated, life begins again.”

“He smiled. He realized this was how you know you care about someone: when you see them where they aren't.”

“…love is never alone fear is always right beside it.”

As an aside, this book called to mind another favorite book with heartbeat in the title: The Art of Hearing Heartbeats; look for it and others by Jan-Philipp Sendker.