The Common Good; The Start of Nonfiction November; and Two Birthdays

 

Last week was actually (yes, even in the midst of all the storms around us) a lovely week. Fall is really just a prolonged summer here along the Gulf Coast of Texas, but we got a cool front and temperatures dropped into the 60s. Nice. Crisp. We turned off our air conditioner. For a bit.

You know that feeling we readers get sometimes when we read a book that's so wonderful you have to tell everyone you know about it? That's the way I felt in reading The Common Good by Robert B. Reich last week. 

I heard Robert B. Reich speak in Houston virtually a few months ago, and he wowed me with his knowledge about our American political system, his intelligence, and his ethics. I immediately set out to read something he's written, and I was happy to find this book at my local library.

Wow---everyone needs to read this book. Reich opens the book by relating how he heard President John F. Kennedy's famous line, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," when he was a teen. Reich is saddened by how much the overall attitude of our country has changed over the years since then to "What's in it for me?" He goes on to look at the idea of the common good and how that has developed through history, and then he examines the key events of the past that have torn the fabric of the common good from government as well as business. He concludes by proposing several ways (thank goodness!) we can all nurture the idea of the common good in America today.

An exceptional book that could change our country. I want to buy multiple copies and hand them out to everyone I know.

If you are feeling bleak about America, I urge you to read this book and act in ways that will work for the common good. I intend to try.

Nonfiction November officially begins on November 2, but I've already posted a list of my favorite nonfiction reads of the year. Now I'm gathering nonfiction reads for November. The stack I've accumulated is pictured above and listed below. 

Dreams of El Dorado: A History of the American West by H. W. Brands

Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen by Mary Norris

Plotted: A Literary Atlas by Andrew Graff

Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill

You've Got to Read This Book! 55 People Tell the Story of the Book that Changed Their Life

The Guardians of Liberty: Freedom of the Press and the Nature of News

Half Empty by David Rakoff

Seven Thousand Ways to Listen: Staying Close to What is Sacred by Mark Nepo

Humans by Brandon Stanton

One More Warbler: A Life With Birds by Victor Emanuel

Anything look promising?

Good Thing #1: Last week was the birthday of my granddaughter, Annie. She's five. I painted her name on a toy box for her. 

Good Thing #2: We are leaving on a trip to Arizona late this week. We're planning to spend ten days hiking around Sedona. A little nervous about getting there, with two days of driving each way, but very excited about doing some traveling.

Good Thing #3: November 1st is my birthday. I've always loved celebrating my birthday on the day after Halloween; Halloween has always felt like everyone is throwing me a huge party. Plus it's cool to be born on All Saints' Day. 

I'm happy you found your way to the Sunday Salon. Sunday Salon is a place for us to link up and to share what we have been doing during the week. It's a great way to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

Some of the things we often talk about at the Sunday Salon:

• What was your week like?
• Read any good books? Tell us about them.
• What other bookish things did you do? 
• What else is going on in your life?

Other places where you may like to link up over the weekend are below. Click on the picture to visit the site.

My linkup for Sunday Salon is below.