Change: The Only Constant by Franco Vitella Buddhism, other Eastern philosophies and religions, and even some Western philosophies, tap into the only thing you can ever truly rely on: everything changes. Each of us changes as people, we die, we go through pandemics even if we don’t want to, our favorite things in life come and go, the seasons change…I could go on forever. In a world that is ever changing, there is one thing that has been going strong in the face of all of it: libraries. From origins in the United States as mercantile and subscription libraries, to Toledo’s own public library founded in 1838, we basically have all the books through thick and thin. OK, maybe not ALL the books. But a lot of them. Anyway, here are some that you might find useful as you confront change. The Unwinding of the Miracle by Julie Yip-Williams Author Julie Yip-Williams had an improbable and amazing life. She was born blind in Vietnam, was nearly euthanized, fled the country in the late 1970s, and had her sight partially restored after arriving in the United States. She had a thriving career as a lawyer and a family she loved. But at the age of 37, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She died in 2018 at the age of 42. This book is a chronicle of the final 4 years of her life and untangles the miracle of being alive that we all experience. Letters to a Dead Friend About Zen by Brad Warner Brad Warner is a Zen teacher and author of multiple books on Zen, but this book carries a personal touch as a series of letter written to a deceased friend that serves as a discussion on core Zen concepts. The River at Night by Kevin Huizenga Kevin Huizenga’s graphic novel opus deconstructs time itself, beginning with an insignificant conversation and a late night cup of coffee between main character Glenn and his wife Wendy. This unfolds into a night of fitful sleep, dreams, an exploration into the nature of reality, and how time bends, folds, and ultimately causes change. The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis by Christina Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac You only have to look at the news to see the impact of climate change: wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, extreme heat, melting glaciers, and more. Figueres and Rivett-Carnac present a sensible argument for the urgent action humanity must take to combat the climate crisis. They describe what life on Earth might look like in 2050 (just 30 years away!), what we’ll need to do to be carbon neutral, and how amidst all the doom and gloom there is still hope. Page 10 We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders Children might have a lot of questions about what has happened during 2020, especially in context of the Black Lives Matter protests. This book, a collection of quotes from notable leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Gwendolyn Brooks, and presented in an accessible picture book format is a great conversation starter for kids and their adults to have a sincere discussion about civil rights.
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