Tiffany Painter

I just finished reading two books that, together, sum up life. The first one was Wellness by Nathan Hill. This book has a lot of great reviews and everyone loved it. It even had Oprah’s stamp of approval. But I had to force myself to read it at times. It had stories of depressing childhoods, family drama, marriage struggles, social media wars, and even scientific studies. It basically covered most elements of life. The writing was good and the plots were creative in the way they came together, but it was a tad heavy. The second book, She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke was a lighthearted rom-com, murder mystery. It was funny and punny in the most delightful way. I loved curling up with a blanket and my cats during the dark days of January to escape into the ridiculousness of this story. I don’t see Oprah slapping her sticker on this one. The lack of sticker is what got me thinking. Why is it that the heavier the topic the more awards something gets, books or movies? Isn’t life stressful enough? Don’t we all crave laughter, fun, and happiness? I read across genres and age categories. I get a solid mix between heaviness and lightness. I must confess, I enjoy the feeling I get from reading fun books more. I will still read the thought-provoking ones, but I don’t want to have to hide my love for what’s fun. Society seems to look down on beach reads, comedies, and rom-coms in favor of the “more meaningful” books, but after the January we just had, I’m tired of deep thinking. I’m off to find another book to make me laugh.

1/19

winter bites my nose
exposed between scarf and hat
alone on the trail

1/29

streaks of warm color
breaks up all the winter white
heats us from above

1/31

month of frigid days
another January
ready for new month

2/1

a lot to be said
for staying indoors, but please
less talking right now