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“When was the last time you cried? Was it because you were sad? Or happy? Overwhelmed, or frustrated? Maybe from relief or from pride? Was it in public or in private? Did you feel better afterwards, or worse? The reasons that we cry—and the circumstances in which we shed a tear—are often surprising and beautiful. Sad Happens is a collective, multi-faceted archive of tears that captures the complexity and variety of these circumstances.”

Not only is this book right up my alley as a Hospice Bereavement Counselor, but I am humbled to say that I have a piece included in this wonderful compilation alongside some really cool people like Hanif Abdurraqib, Matt Berninger, Phoebe Bridgers, Helado Negro, and Claire Rousay.

“Sad Happens is a collective, multi-faceted archive of tears that captures the complexity and variety of sadness, joy, love, a sense of community, and a host of other emotions. Available 11/14/23.”

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Well, The only thing from 2020 that I read this year was the fun Grateful Dead Origins graphic novel and Ken Layne’s Desert Oracle (both of which appear here). But that doesn’t mean I didn’t try to do my fair share of reading. It just means that I’m not very good at keeping up with the newest books.

So, here are a few of the books/authors that kept my attention or made an impact on me this year.

Grateful Dead Origins Graphic Novel by Chris Miskiewicz

If you’ve read some of the fuller book-length treatments of the Grateful Dead, there won’t be much “new” material here for you. But that doesn’t make the graphic novel treatment any less enjoyable. Well worth your time if you have any interest in the Dead.

Purchase Grateful Dead Origins by Chris Miskiewicz at Amazon

The Overstory by Richard Powers:

Published in 2018, this beautifully written story collects the stories of seemingly random characters, intertwines them with the story of trees, and leaves us moved. Highly recommended.

Visit Richard Powers’ official website
Purchase The Overstory at Amazon

The Anatomy Of Peace by The Arbinger Institute

I was assigned this book during my second unit of CPE. I don’t often do this with assigned reading materials, but I asked my wife to read it as well. It was that impactful for me. Telling the story of a 60-day teen AZ desert recovery camp, the authors force us to examine whether our hearts are at war or at peace. This book has been tremendously helpful for my own personal emotional health. Highly recommended.

Purchase The Anatomy of Peace at Amazon

Haruki Murakami

Though I’ve heard of Murakami for years, I had not actually read anything by him until this year. And, I have been captivated. First of all, any novelist who lists Kurt Vonnegut as one of their main influences already has my attention. Couple that with an author who has over 10,000 LPs, most of them jazz records?! I mean, come on, what has taken me so long to read this guy?! Kafka On The Shore was my entry point, and then a friend sent me A Wild Sheep Chase. But after that I decided to work my way through everything else in chronological order. I just started my sixth Murakami book, so that should tell you that I connect.

Visit Haruki Murakami’s official website
Follow Haruki Murakami at Facebook
Purchase Haruki Murakami’s books at Amazon

Desert Oracle Volume 01 by Ken Layne

A collection of tales from the Zine. Layne takes us exploring through the sunbaked Southwest where we meet UFO’s, doomed hikers, gamblers, unknown creatures, and the resiliency of human life. Even in the desert; we can find life.

Visit the Desert Oracle website
Visit Ken Layne’s official website
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Purchase Volume 01 at Amazon

Sad Happens: A Celebration of Tears

2020 Year-End Books and Reading