HEART OF A STRANGER BY ANGELA BUCHDAHL

 

Angela Buchdahl was born in Korea and grew up in Tacoma, Washington, the daughter of a Korean Buddhist mother and Jewish American father. Profoundly spiritual from a young age, Angela Buchdahl felt a connection to God when only a child and felt the first stirrings to become a rabbi at age sixteen. Despite the naysayers and periods of self-doubt—would a mixed-race woman ever be seen as authentically Jewish and entitled to lead a congregation—she stayed the course, which took her first to Yale, then to rabbinical school, cantorial school, and finally to the pulpit of one of the largest, most influential congregations in the world.

Today, Angela Buchdahl is revered by Jews and non-Jews alike for her invigorating, joyful approach to worship, and her belief in the power of faith, gratitude, and responsibility for each other, regardless of religion. She does not shy away from challenging topics, be it racism within the Jewish community to sexism she confronted when she aspired to the top job. Buchdahl has also been a sought-after leader and voice through some of the most challenging moments in recent history, from the murder of George Floyd to the hostage standoff in Colleyville, Texas to the horrors of October 7th.  Buchdahl's consistent message is that it is up to us to strive for a world of more humanity, especially in today’s challenging times. 

Angela Buchdahl has gone from outsider to officiant, from feeling estranged to feeling embraced—and she's emerged with a deep feeling of being bound to a larger whole and mission.  Here, she has written a book that is both a memoir and a spiritual guide for everyday living, which is exactly what so many of us crave right now.

THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED BY MARK FROST

 

The Greatest Game Ever Played by Mark Frost is a 2002 book about the 1913 U.S. Open, focusing on the unlikely victory of amateur Francis Ouimet over British champions Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, a pivotal moment that helped popularize golf in America. The book details the dramatic tournament at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, contrasting the working-class Ouimet with the established professionals, and explores the cultural significance of the event, which challenged British dominance in the sport. It was later adapted into a Disney film. 

Key aspects of the book:

• Subject: The 1913 U.S. Open golf championship. 
• Main Characters: Francis Ouimet (American amateur), Harry Vardon (British professional), and Ted Ray (British professional). 
• Central Conflict: The clash between the established, aristocratic British golf scene and the upstart American amateur, symbolizing a shift in the sport's power structure. 
• Themes: The "birth of modern golf," class struggle, and the American Dream. 
• Author: Mark Frost, who also wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation. 
• Significance: The event is considered a landmark moment that brought golf into the mainstream in the United States. 

THE STORY OF THE SHAKERS BY FLO MORSE

 

The story of the Shakers

Book by Flo Morse

The Story of the Shakers by Flo Morse is a 1986 book that provides an accessible overview of the Shaker religious movement, covering their beliefs, communal lifestyle, and history, including the teachings of founder Mother Ann Lee. The book, published by The Countryman Press, is known for its graceful summary and compassionate look at the group, featuring black-and-white illustrations and photographs. It serves as an introduction to the "Shaking Quakers," who originated in England and established communities in America, emphasizing their core tenets like celibacy and communal living. 

Key aspects of the book:

• Content: 

  Explores Shaker beliefs, their communal way of life, and the influence of their founder, Mother Ann Lee, who taught that the Millennium had begun. 
• Author: 

  Flo Morse, a former New York Herald Tribune writer, is described as a "caring spokesperson" for the Shakers. 
• Style: 

  A "stimulating, graceful summary" that functions as an introduction to the faith, often sold in museum gift shops. 
• Format: 

  A relatively short book (around 112-128 pages) with black-and-white illustrations and photographs. 

JIMMY BRESLIN: THE MAN WHO TOLD THE TRUTH BY RICHARD ESPOSITO

 

Focus: 

Explores Breslin's unique storytelling, which centered on the "human stories beyond the front page," giving a voice to the voiceless. 

Content: 

Covers his reporting on major events, from the JFK assassination (profiling the gravedigger) to the Son of Sam case (receiving letters from the killer). 

Author's perspective: 

Esposito, a CBS News contributor, was inspired by Breslin's personality and work ethic, and the book draws on his personal interviews and extensive research. 

Significance: 

It's the first biography of Breslin, revealing lesser-known gems from his thousands of columns and articles. 

JIMMY BRESLIN: THE MAN WHO TOLD THE TRUTH BY RICHARD ESPOSITO

 

Jimmy Breslin: The Man Who Told the Truth

Book by Richard Esposito

Jimmy Breslin: The Man Who Told the Truth by Richard Esposito is the first biography of the legendary New York journalist, published in October 2024, that chronicles Breslin's career covering major events like the JFK assassination and Son of Sam killings through the eyes of ordinary people, highlighting his blunt, truth-telling style and impact on 20th-century American journalism. Esposito, a former colleague, conducted interviews with Breslin before his death and spent years researching his extensive, scattered work to capture his unique voice and influence. 

THE BOYS OF RIVERSIDE BY THOMAS FULLER

 

The Boys of Riverside by Thomas Fuller is a non-fiction sports story about the California School for the Deaf (CSDR) Riverside football team's historic, underdog quest for glory in their 2021 and 2022 seasons, exploring Deaf culture, resilience, and brotherhood through the eyes of dynamic players and their deaf coach, Keith Adams, as they smash stereotypes and achieve incredible success. 

THE ISLAND OF MISSING TREES BY ELIF SHAFAK

 AI Overview

The Island of Missing Trees is a novel by Elif Shafak that follows the story of a forbidden love between Kostas, a Greek Cypriot, and Defne, a Turkish Cypriot, in 1970s Cyprus. Their secret relationship unfolds in a taverna under a fig tree, but is tragically disrupted by the ethnic conflict and political turmoil on the island.Decades later, their daughter Ada, who lives in London, struggles with her identity and the unresolved family secrets, using a fig tree from Cyprus in her garden as a link to her past. The story is told through interwoven human and tree perspectives, exploring themes of love, loss, generational trauma, displacement, and the enduring power of nature.  

Love and separation: 
The novel centers on the love story of Kostas and Defne, whose forbidden relationship is fractured by the division of Cyprus. 
Generational trauma: 
Their daughter, Ada, born in London, is deeply affected by the unresolved trauma and silence surrounding her parents' past, which she tries to understand and come to terms with. 
Narrative structure: 
The story is told through multiple viewpoints, including the perspectives of the human characters and a magical fig tree that witnesses their story and acts as a silent observer. 
Themes: 
Key themes include the impact of political conflict and division, cultural identity, displacement, and the connection between nature and healing. 
Connection to nature: 
A fig tree acts as a central symbol, bridging the past and present and representing memory, connection, and the resilience of the human spirit. 

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