Maureen Devlin: Book Talk

 As a mother, educator, daughter, sibling, aunt, great-aunt, cousin, friend, neighbor and community member, I will tell you that every time a life is lost to senseless violence, I ache. Accidental deaths are often beyond our control, but purposeful death or deaths due to negligence are not beyond our control. Too many of us express frustration, worry, sadness and anger when these deaths occur, but too few of us act in ways that promote positive change.  That is why I chose Shannon Watts' book, Fight Like a Mother , to read. I want to hear the story of how one woman moved from frustration to action. I want to find ways to follow her lead because to idly sit back and hear day after day about the senseless death of innocents to gun violence is a poor response to a situaiton we can change.  As I read the book, I'll enter Watts' world, consider her thoughts and actions and make some decisions about next steps. My first book of 2022 was Randall Kennedy's, Say it Loud , which

 I had the chance to meet and talk with Randall Kennedy one fall Saturday as we watched our sons play football at a small Northeastern liberal arts college. Of course, I was honored to meet a Harvard Law School professor and curious about his perspectives. It was the fall of 2016. Kennedy predicted a Trump win. I was shocked to hear that, but later, as we all know, Trump was proclaimed the winner of the election.  After that meeting, I took note of Kennedy's work when it appeared in the newspaper or via conversation with others. I saw one of his books on display at a Minneapolis art installation and used his personal story of success to inspire my young elementary school students.  Recently when Kennedy's book, Say it Loud,  was published, I made a commitment to read it. The book sat on my bedstand for a few months, then I finally picked it up and started reading. While some of the book is difficult to grasp given the fact that I was not a law student, don't work in higher

 I'm starting my first book of 2022. It's Say it Loud  by Randall Kennedy .  Why am I reading this book? First, I've met Randall and his children. I am impressed and intrigued by their collective story and accomplishments. I respect Kennedy's investment in reading, writing, learning, advocating, lawyering, teaching and parenting. I want to learn from him in ways that open my eyes, broaden my perspective and prompt good effort going forward.  What do I expect? I'm not sure what to expect. Because of this, I listened to a recent NPR interview with Kennedy. The interview made me want to read the book more. How will I read the book? I'll take it chapter by chapter. I'm not sure if I'll power through many chapters at once or if I'll take it one chapter at a time. I'm not sure how much background research I'll have to do as I read the book, so I'll have my computer handy to look up words, facts, stories that he may refer to in his book that I d