Wintering

Despite the clearly summer days we are having that can warm the soul and lather it in luscious vitamin D, I was still drawn into this book, long on my list of books to read but only just now coming to me.

May writes with a mixture of memoir and journalism that makes it easy for her to bring you into the narrative. She explores how other creatures, cultures, and customs prepare for and embrace winter, the times in our lives we need to pull in and brace the storm. She sugar coats nothing about what it takes to endure life’s hardships (financial, emotional, and physical—closest to my heart), but lets you reflect on what you can learn from bees, wolves, cold water plunges, and life at the Poles. She’s a megaphone for the GRIT + GRACE ethos.

I highly recommend this to anyone who questions why they might be feeling out of tune with their life or community, or want to prepare for or connect with past selves who’ve gone through winters past.

If you read it, I would love to hear your own reflections on it!