Welcome to Litsy!

This was very interesting and gave me much to think about, but I think I only comprehended a fraction of it because I was listening to the audiobook. I will need to read it again in print so that I can really ponder things.

Finally finished the last few talks/essays in here. Robinson is such a brilliant writer and her philosophies about life, God, the universe and everything (particularly in relation to this political moment) are clearly and beautifully articulated. 5 stars. #nonfiction #essays

Intermission reading during On a Clear Day You Can See Forever #nyc #offbroadway #theater and OMG I'm so distressed that this is a library copy because I'm wanting to highlight quotes on every. single. page. Robinson is one of our country's most talented writers and this book of #essays is POWERFUL.

A watercolor of a heron I saw yesterday on my walk and a quote from Marilynne Robinson‘s lecture - the titular one from this book (reposted to correct typo).

Some new, some used, some brick and mortar, some online, all #recentlypurchased. #bookstack #readersgonnaread #readallthebooks #nosuchthingastoomanybooks 📚📚

I‘d recommend this book to hardcore Marilynne Robinson fans. It‘s deep and can run dry at times. She is clearly a brilliant mind and it‘s on display as she tries to parse American politics and religion. To her credit, she finds fault on all sides and points out hypocrisy, but I was also left feeling like I just read an eternal circle with no end and no answer. Maybe that is her point. Pick this up if you love to be engaged in very deep thoughts.

This is not a lightweight read, as Robinson is an academic first, one who happens to write novels. Most of these are speeches given at universities, and discuss theology and Calvinism, focusing on thinkers like Jonathan Edwards and Tocqueville.
My favorite was "A Proof, a Test, an Instruction," about the successes of Obama's presidency and humanity. I read that one on President's Day. This book came out today! A pick but not for everyone.

Spent a little time this morning with a wise book, a silly mug (I don't have a 🐶), and a deep desire to just stay home and read while enjoying an endless supply of ☕️. But alas, it's not quite the weekend yet.