“In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.” – Pirkei Avoth 2:6 Rashi’s Daughters: Book 1: Jocheved is a beacon of light in a time of darkness. The story unfurls the magical beauty of marriage as it’s preserved through Judaic law and extols the value of appreciation between the sexes. … More Be A Man
“Ring a ring o’ roses, A pocket full of posies, Ashes, ashes, We all fall down.” -Nursery Rhyme Camaraderie. Courage. Coping. A fractured society raises broken children and traumatized adults. Without a sense of connection, we humans fumble into the future, uprooted, unguided, and unstable. In his book Tribe, acclaimed journalist Sebastian Junger explores the … More The Circle Dance
Aliya* has had a difficult term. Her study habits are an area of extreme weakness; she is often unorganized and struggles to stay focused. There are times when instead of attending to class discussions, she engages in side conversations. Other times, she will miss key information and not copy notes into her notebook. Aliya has … More Victim to Victor: Overcoming Adversity and Owning Your Future
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
Heya. This month was full of goodness. Below are the offerings… Books: I finally read Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, and connected deeply to her need for the journey. The memoir also piqued my interest in the Pacific Trail. I’m figuring out how to orchestrate a hike of 100 miles on the northern portion of California/Oregon. Want to … More Get Lit with Kit – March 2019
I am enchanted by Sayed Kashua’s books. He is a journalist, but also writes stunning fiction. His first novel, Dancing Arabs, was fabulous and drew me to read his next work, Exposure. Kashua weaves nuanced plots with complex characters who explore their Arab identity in Israel. I subsequently started learning Arabic. Also noteworthy, is Why Jesus? by Ravi Zacharias. … More Get Lit with Kit – February 2019
Find the balance. 