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REVIEWS ®

heart of autumn or winter, we can still expe- this cheery formulation of a simple method tion to detail, and talent for choosing the
rience spring.” Exploring topics such as how for compassionate living. Schroeder sees life perfect noun or verb,” but she offers little
familial relationships deepen as one nears as a “dance of differentiation and attach- insight into the individual articles or how
death, the American national character, and ment, autonomy and interdependence,” and they relate to the work of women journalists
how people learn about themselves through views the building of a collaborative human at large. The articles are entertaining but
celebrations, holidays, and other remem- community as “the great human task.” To the selection is narrow and there’s no clear
brances, the collection packs a cumulative accomplish this task, he provides six prac- message about women or their role in jour-
punch of good cheer. Rock also offers a few tices: compassionate seeing, heartfelt lis- nalism or as journalists.
tips on how to soak up life’s goodness by tening, intentional welcoming, joyful
prodding readers to “ask yourself questions, sharing, grateful receiving, and cooperative Walking Through Sunflowers:
listen to your words, listen to your body, building. For each chapter, Schroeder Through Deepest France on the
read, network, and hibernate” in order to explains a teaching, provides a story from Road to Compostela
find happiness and success. Though aging his own life that demonstrates an early lack Denise Fainberg. Lulu.com, $20.99 e-book
can bring its demands, the author shows of understanding, presents a mantra to (282p) ISBN 978-1-312-97197-4
how the journey can be exciting and invigo- center oneself into the practice, and ends Dehydration, sunburn, exhaustion, and
rating in this wide-ranging collection of with an example of the practice working monster blisters populate Fainberg’s emo-
winsome short-takes. successfully. Although he doesn’t probe too tionless account of the Camino de Santiago
deeply into the philosophical underpin- pilgrimage through France and Spain. After
A Pocketful of Seeds nings of his steps, he does ruminate on the Fainberg and her husband, Patrick, spent
Debbie Johnson. Deep River, $16.99 trade universality of his principles—particularly over a month walking 300 miles of the
paper (335p) ISBN 978-1-9402-6999-3 clear are the parallels between Christian Camino de Santiago pilgrim route across
A simple premise guides this graceful prayer and Buddhist meditation as forms of Spain to the shrine of St. James the apostle
book from social worker Johnson: every heartfelt listening. Never veering into ego- in 2002, they returned in 2003 to walk 500
person has been given a pocket full of seeds tism, this gentle, grateful, and relatable miles of the French Le Puy branch from
to plant for positive change. The “seeds” are book will serve any readers looking for prac- Haute-Loire to the Spanish border, a two-
practical ways of reaching out on a daily tical steps toward spiritual fulfillment. month journey. Fainberg dryly recounts
basis, and Johnson provides prompts tai- their journey, for which they are ill-pre-
lored to every day of the year. General topics The Stories We Tell: pared, lacking proper footwear and food for
are offered in alphabetical order. The daily Classic True Tales by America’s their vegetarian diet. Fainberg and Patrick
seed challenge follows some thoughts by Greatest Women Journalists walk at different paces, which sparks a
the author (Scripture is used minimally). Edited by Patsy Sims. Sager Group, $26.95 debate: is the pilgrimage the walk itself,
Though well-intentioned, some of the daily trade paper (390p) ISBN 978-0-9980793-1-8 carried out in quiet prayer, or is it visiting
seeds aren’t very specific in their inspira- Editor Sims (Can Somebody Shout Amen!) all the holy sites along the way? A sur-
tion: “Show compassion to someone today,” assembles the work of 20 writers in this prising dearth of emotional insight leaves
“Get creative in crossing borders,” “Extend broad anthology of long-form journalism only a straightforward diary account of sites
a hand.” Others, such as “What are your by women. It provides a who’s who of maga- seen and people met, with little spiritual
community’s needs?” or “How can you pro- zine journalism over the past half century contemplation. Fainberg, who frequently
tect the young and vulnerable in your with plenty of famous names but few sur- takes short cuts on the journey that cut out
world?”, seem a bit daunting in their scope prises. The anthology includes Joan certain shrines, only briefly explains at the
and might require more than a day’s devo- Didion’s seminal essay “Some Dreamers of end that “the act of walking, though, itself
tional time to tackle. Spread among the the Golden Dream,” about a woman in becomes a form of devotion. Not because
devotions are thoughts that will inspire California convicted of killing her husband, it’s painful... but just because.” Fainberg’s
readers to make a difference on a daily basis, originally published in 1966, as well as enjoyable research into the heritage of the
such as considering where a donation could Gerri Hirshey’s 1998 profile of blues legend region is the sole saving grace of this poorly
be made, hugging a loved one, or posting a B.B. King for Rolling Stone and Susan organized book.
note to make someone smile. This well- Orlean’s 2004 profile of Spanish bullfighter
meaning book will uplift any reader book skews heavily toward works published Children’s/YA
Cristina Sánchez for Outside magazine. The
searching for daily inspirations.
in the New Yorker, including Melissa Fay
Practice Makes Purpose Greene’s “Wonder Dog,” Suzannah The Many Ways to Say I Love You
C. Paul Schroeder. Hexad, $13.95 trade paper Lessard’s “The Split,” and a handful of Kristy Kurjan, illus. by Tyler Parker. KPO
(212p) ISBN 978-0-692-83087-1 Lillian Ross’s “Talk of the Town” pieces Creative, $7.95 board book (16p) ISBN 978-0-
Schroeder, formerly a Greek Orthodox from over the years. In the introduction 9860750-3-2
priest, takes inspiration from “the great Sims praises all 20 writers for their “meticu- An alligator parent and child serve as
spiritual masters of the Egyptian desert” in lous research and reporting, careful atten- guides to different ways to demonstrate

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