THE WAY OUT
Devon O’Neil
Journalist Devon O’Neil ’01, known for longform narratives at the intersections of adventure, psychology, and resilience, has brought all his journalistic experience to bear in The Way Out: A True Story of Survival in the Heart of the Rockies. In this nonfiction account of an outdoor adventure gone tragically wrong, he tells the story of three fathers and four teenagers who head into the Colorado backcountry to get away and bond. When one of the adults and one of the teens decide to take a quick ski run in perfect powder, the trip suddenly takes a harrowing turn as an unexpected blizzard moves in. O’Neil unfolds the heartbreaking alpine tragedy that follows and explores how the effects play out on the families and members of the tight-knit community who must deal with the aftermath. He delves into themes of survival, family bonds, grief and healing, and a community in crisis that must find a way to recover from the devastating event. A natural storyteller, he narrates his tale with empathy, thoughtfulness, and gripping detail that keeps you enthralled to the end.
CENTERED
Tina Henderson
Writing Centered: Seven Practices to Build Self-Awareness, Renew Confidence, and Discover Inner Peace was a labor of love for Tina Gluck Henderson ’82. Her intention was to soothe and inspire people who are navigating life’s challenges. Through the sections of Give, Care, Grow, Connect, Talk, Engage, and Trust, she writes simple, heartfelt messages that are reminders of the very essence of being human and how to take care of yourself while dealing with the vagaries of life. While developing the idea for the book as a response to her work with adolescent girls, Henderson wanted to provide intentional, meaningful practices for young girls that could help them unlock deeper self-awareness and step into their own strength to find their center. Along the way, Henderson realized that this message was not just for young girls but could be for everyone. Her feeling is that the practices she offers can guide anyone, at any stage of life, back to themselves.
RIVERS ALWAYS REACH THE SEA
Monte Burke
Author Monte Burke ’94 is back with another extraordinary book, this time about fly-fishing: Rivers Always Reach the Sea: Angling Stories. The 31 essays and profiles he includes take the reader from the rainforests of Chile to the windswept tundra of Russia and the basins of Florida’s Everglades, as well as to many other fishing spots in between. With humor and humility, Burke tells his stories with compelling, clean prose and propels the reader to think not so much about how to fly-fish, but about why one should embrace the sport of angling. His obvious love for his subject matter shines through each well-written piece, creating a testament to a recreational pleasure that delights people all over the world. Glossy photos of seasoned anglers and interesting places to enjoy fishing add a visual dimension to this not-to-be-missed book.
CROSSING THE STREET TO PARADIS
Myra Shapiro
What happens when an accomplished poet and memoirist in her ninth decade of life decides to reflect on love and loss, and age and vitality, as well as New York streets and Southern roots? The result is a triumphant and luminous collection of poems all encompassed in Crossing the Street to Paradis by Myra Shapiro, MA English ’73. Every line of every poem sparkles with wit, resilience, and grace as she writes of marriage, motherhood, rooftop gardens, or celebrating Passover during COVID. Her wealth of life experiences underpins her authority to express her unique views on the commonality we share in being human. Anyone reading her remarkable poems can feel the truth of her words and embrace them.
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