I was deeply impressed by Delia Owen’s novel, Where the Crawdads Sing. Her words struck full of painful beauty. Her characters were real. The book teaches critical lessons that I explore in my essay “The Upside of Suicide.” Read them both. Somewhat related was this interesting podcast from father and son Eric and Zev Weinstein. Baffling how … More Get Lit With Kit – Best of July 2020
I’m going to begin today’s list with a selection from Malcolm Gladwell, Talking to Strangers. This was a timely audiobook that explores how and why people misunderstand each other, and the way those misreadings can lead to tragedy. Gladwell skillfully exploited the audiobook format to include the actual recordings of interviews that are woven through … More Get Lit With Kit – Best of June
I don’t know about you, but for me, the weeks seem to fly by. Here’s how I’ve been keeping busy: Books: Volume Control by David Owen is a fascinating read that delves into the history of deafness and hearing loss. As an educator, there were several passages that caught my attention (one in particular relates to deaf … More Get Lit With Kit – Best of May
I do hope this month’s post finds you well. There have been many losses during the past few weeks, but also some moments to celebrate. I’d love to know how you are coping and if there is anything I can do to support you during this tumultuous time. To unwind from the heavy reality we … More Get Lit With Kit – April 2020
Happy holiday season! I read M Scott Peck’s The Road Less Travelled. In it, he challenges the reader to explore what it means to live and love. The book pushed me to examine my habits, and now I wonder: Why do I repeat behaviors that I know are unhealthy? Chances are, you fall into certain … More Get Lit with Kit – December 2019
Books Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks fed my thirst for science. The intricately crafted plot touches on issues of epigenetics, morality, and humanity as the two protagonists delve into the world of medicine in an effort to discover the source and ease the suffering of the mentally insane. What fascinated me was the vastly different social … More Get Lit with Kit – August 2019
This month has been on FIRE! Books: Vincent and Theo was a revealing look at the younger years of the esteemed artist. I learned so much about the role religion played, the extent of his mental distress, and the unfailing support of his younger brother, Theo. Deborah Heiligman did her due diligence while researching this fabulous … More Get Lit with Kit – July 2019
Summer is officially underway. Here are my recommendations to get it started right. If you need some beach reading I highly recommend The Complete Stories of Truman Capote. Provocative and humorous, Capote’s short fiction is captivating and perfectly suited for reading between dips in the pool The Power was a more substantial work and a complete mind … More Get Lit with Kit – June 2019
Marshall Goldsmith wrote about daily questions that can help you dominate your life’s circumstances. It requires reflection and daily practice, but if you root yourself in the present and follow through, the impact will be undeniable. Something else that will hopefully spark your introspection is Six Questions of Socrates. In it, Christopher Phillips explores pivotal questions of … More Get Lit with Kit – May 2019
I read a great article on Negotiation Styles. What particularly struck me was the idea of purpose – contract or relationship. Identifying the intent can help us move forward, especially if it allows us to reframe the situation and understand that taking a step back, can actually be progress. With that in mind, I loved (and … More Get Lit With Kit – April 2019
Find the balance. 