The Color of Water - James McBride

 Sub-title: A Black Man's Tribute to his White Mother

I'd read the recent book by McBride, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store - James McBride and that led me to this most well-known of his stories.  He tells of his Orthodox Jewish mother's experience of the lost of her two husbands, raising 12 children and seeing those children all get through college and successful careers.  He goes back and forth between his own story of growing up and his mother's recollections of her own life, a story he did not discover until he pursued her history. 

The book became a classic and award winner.  A wonderful read, a touching tribute from a son to his mother.

Published:  .... Read: October 2025  Genre: Memoir

How to Know A Person - David Brooks

Sub-title: the art of seeing others deeply and being deeply seen

I learned so much from this book I think I'll buy my own copy to re-read and reinforce its lessons.  In 3 parts, titled "I See You", "I See Your Struggles" and "I See Your Strengths", Brooks takes us through learning to listen, connect, and empathize with others.   The author uses his own personal growth experience and admits the further ongoing work needed to practice what he learns.  A lot to ponder and apply.

Quotes:

p. 7 "Wise people don't just possess information, they possess a compassionate understanding of other people"

p. 51 [the art of accompaniment] "...how important it is to honor another person's ability to make choices"

p.  "...being curious about your friend's experience is more important than being right".

p. 91 [asking questions] "...why is that a problem for you?"

p. 100  [Book recommendation: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma 2014 by Bessel van der Kolk] ..."knowing that we are seen and heard...can keep us calm and safe".

p. 156 [RULER principle] "Recognize, Understand, Label, Express and Regulate emotions."

p. 167 [questions to help people see more deeply into their own childhood] " Ask people to fill in the blank 'the one thing we must never do in my family is _______' and 'the one thing you must do above all else in my family is _______'".

p. 179 [five core personality traits (instead of Myers-Briggs)] "...extroversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism, agreeableness and openness.

p. 263 "Wisdom is a social skill practiced within a relationship or a system of relationships."

p.264 "A community of truth is when people are genuinely interested in seeing and exploring together. They do not immediately judge. ...they pause to consider what the meaning of the statement is to the person who just uttered it."

Books recommended about how to have a hard conversation:

p. 112 - High Conflict - Amanda Ripley, I Never Thought of it that Way - Monica Guzman, Crucial Conversations - Kerry Paterson, et. al.

Published: 2023  Read: October 2025 Genre: Sociology

A Few of the Girls - Maeve Binchy

 

This was a group of short stories about people and their relationships in families, marriages, work and friendships.  I like Maeve's writing style and the way she has her characters learn and grow from their interactions.  Overall, a gentle read revealing how we humans, if we let things be, can be happier and appreciate those around us more.

Published: 2015  Read: October 2025  Genre: Fiction, Short Story

The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin

 

I had a friend mention that she was reading all the Newbery Award winners.  The Newbery Medal is awarded by the American Library Association (ALA) for the "most distinguished" American children's book published in the preceding year.  Since it started in 1921, that's over 100 books to read!  She's up to this one, that won the award in 1979.  It sounded interesting - a children's book that has a clever mystery tale.

It was a light read with a clever list of clues to solve the mystery.  I enjoyed the cast of characters and their interaction as they competed in teams to solve the mystery that would lead to one team winning the estate worth millions of Mr. Westing.  

Published: 1978  Read: October 2025  Genre: YA Mystery