Thanks to those of you who have left such sweet messages under Comments. They’ve meant a great deal to me.
Annie Proulx: Brokeback Mountain
The spare, beautiful short story the movie came from.
Zadie Smith: On Beauty
She makes it look easy. It's a page turning novel of ideas and character.
Charles Baxter: Saul and Patsy
A deep, serious, funny novel by a writer who should be better known outside of literary circles.
Karen Armstrong: The Spiral Staircase : My Climb Out of Darkness (Armstrong, Karen)
Articulate and deeply insightful.
Anne Lamott: Bird by Bird : Some Instructions on Writing and Life
A book that truly encourages you to write, understands you, makes you laugh and cry as you read it.
Rollo May: The Courage to Create
To go deeper into the creative process and yourself.
Twyla Tharp: The Creative Habit: Learn it and Use It for Life
Full of inspiration and really practical advice and exercises.
Anne Lamott: Bird by Bird : Some Instructions on Writing and Life
This is my favorite of favorites. Encouragement and humor.
Brenda Ueland: If You Want to Write : A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit
Her 12 things you should know/do as a writer are timeless.
Carolyn See: Making a Literary Life
Such good advice, and so hilarious.
Deena Metzger: Writing for Your Life : Discovering the Story of Your Life's Journey
An exploration of creativity, story and spiritual practice through writing.
Dorothea Brande: Becoming a Writer
Her "artistic coma" is what we're all looking for.
Naomi Epel: Writers Dreaming: 26 Writers Talk About Their Dreams and the Creative Process
Writers reveal all their weird and wise working quirks.
Natalie Goldberg: Writing down the bones
Zen bits of advice, inspiration and wisdom.
Ralph Keyes: The Courage to Write : How Writers Transcend Fear
Like having a funny, smart, articulate friend holding your hand when you start.
Stephen King: On Writing
My copy flutters with Post-its. He writes of the true magic of writing.
Annie Dillard: The Writing Life
“A work in progress quickly becomes ferel,” she writes, and you nod yes, yes.
Donald Hall: Life Work
A poet at work, and living life with poet Jane Kenyon.
John Steinbeck: Journal of a Novel
His daily warm-up letters to his editor while writing East of Eden.
Naomi Epel: Writers Dreaming: 26 Writers Talk About Their Dreams and the Creative Process
Weird and wise ways of writers working as well as dreaming.
Stephen King: On Writing
How it all started, with smart advice for other writers.
Anne Fadiman: Ex Libris : Confessions of a Common Reader
Elegantly written essays about loving books.
Phillip Lopate: The Art of the Personal Essay : An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present
Great introduction and selection of 400 years of personal essays.
Anne Lamott: Traveling Mercies : Some Thoughts on Faith
From her heart and soul, both funny and honest.
Natalia Ginzberg: The Little Virtues
Brilliant essays to learn from and live by.
Ellen Gilchrist: Falling Through Space: The Journals of Ellen Gilchrist (Banner Books)
Actually from her broadcast NPR pieces. A portrait of a writer in family and work roles.
Andre Dubus: Broken Vessels
Includes elegant pieces full of courage written after his horrific accident.
Joan Didion: The White Album
She's a master of the contemporary essay.
Billy Collins: Sailing Alone Around the Room
Read "Introduction to Poetry". Funny, accessible, and also serious poetry.
Jane Kenyon: Otherwise : New & Selected Poems
Read the title poem first. A poem to live by.
Mary Oliver: New and Selected Poems : Volume One
Read "The Summer Day" and "The Journey" - more poems to live by.
Raymond Carver: Ultramarine
He makes it look easy. It isn't.
Joan Didion: The Year of Magical Thinking
Pure Art. I read it in one sitting.
Ulla-Carin Lindquist: Rowing without oars
Lean and illuminating prose as the author faces her own death. To be published in the U.S. in April ’06.
Carole Radziwill: What Remains
A beautifully written memoir that transcends its celebrity frame of the Kennedys.
Donald Hall: The Best Day the Worst Day
The story of the death of his wife, Jane Kenyon.
Samantha Dunn: Faith in Carlos Gomez, A Memoir of Salsa, Sex and Salvation
The title alone should make you want to read it.
Carolyn See: Dreaming, Hard Luck and Good Times in America
Witty, as well as poignant - and written with abundant generosity.
Genevieve Jurgensen: The Disappearance
The most heart-breaking memoir I've read, written as letters to a friend.
James McBride: The Color of Water
The amazing story of his white Jewish mother who had twelve black kids, all of whom grew up to earn graduate degrees.
Judy Blunt: Breaking clean
Her story of fleeing rural Montana and her family to become a writer.
Katharine Butler Hathaway: The Little Locksmith
Like finding a friend who has a deep and inspiring inner life that she'll share with you.
Kathleen Norris: Dakota
A book not only about her life and spiritual growth, but also the meaning of community and place.
Kathryn Harrison: The Kiss
The true version of her novel, "Thicker Than Water".
Mark Doty: Firebirds
Growing up gay in suburbia - funny, deeply moving, eloquent.
Mark Doty: Heaven's Coast
Some of the best writing on grief I've ever read - both spiritual and literary.
Mary Karr: The Liar's Club
The book that started the current popularity of memoir.
Maureen Murdock: Unreliable Truth
Exploration of memory and why and how one should write a memoir.
Vivian Gornick: The Situation and the Story, the Art of Personal Narrative
A writer's writer takes a deep and illuminating look at the genre.
I remember when our cats did this, so I do think it's pretty common. Poor little kitty...
Posted by: elizabeth | December 09, 2009 at 05:28 PM
I have been through this too many times, I suggest talking with her - this may sound strange but she needs to know it is ok to be sad and grieve. She knows she is loved but may need some reminders - I am a bit of a crazy cat lady but I have found this works. When my dad died, I sat on the floor and has a long talk with his beloved cat, long story short it worked. Much love to you and dear Charlotte!
Posted by: Jill Marshall Larson | December 09, 2009 at 10:40 PM
I'm thinking about you and yours and sending love.
Posted by: Barbara L. | December 09, 2009 at 11:03 PM
It's amazing how animals do grieve, and need extra TLC at the time. I had an absolutely wonderful golden retriever, Oso. After he died, I went to visit a friend who has a shelty. I would always bring Oso and they would play. The first time I came without Oso, she kept circling around me and going to look at the door. We told her Oso had died and wouldn't be coming back. When I went to the car, she came out to check and jumped in the car to make sure he wasn't there, and my friend said her dog was quiet for about a week. I can't imagine when the two were living together, even if they weren't the best of friends-they were companions. Thoughts of love and healing to you all.
Posted by: Barbara Force | December 10, 2009 at 04:14 AM
So far the diagnosis is grief and a urinary tract infection. The comments are amazing. My guinea pig chickpea stopped eating for a week after her sister Peaches died.
Posted by: Bob G. | December 10, 2009 at 07:33 AM
And what a wonderful diagnosis, dear Dr. G! Thanks for the incredible care of S and C! And thanks Barbara L., Barb,Jill and Elizabeth for your comments.
Posted by: Barbara | December 10, 2009 at 08:22 AM
Interesting how our animals teach us to love unconditionally and now, how to grieve. Isn't this what we do when someone we love dies? Walk in circles, (if we can walk at all), stop eating, get sick...and all this even if we didn't get along with that person. I say join your kitty in her grief and let her help you and you her. This is what she came to do.
Posted by: lisa delong | December 10, 2009 at 08:28 AM
Oh Barbara, I'm so sorry...and sorry for Charlotte's sorrow too. I lost my 17 year old Westie a year ago, and for three weeks, his younger companion, Kramer, lay under the deck all day in the spot where Winston had chosen to die.
Take care,
Sharon Bray
Posted by: Sharon Bray | December 10, 2009 at 09:03 AM
Poor you and poor Charlotte. Pets inspire so much of our writing, it isn't surprising that with connections like that you and Charlotte both need some TLC.
Posted by: SueBE | December 10, 2009 at 09:04 AM
I am so sorry for your family's loss of a member and friend. The reader who told you to speak to your animal is correct; speak to the cat every chance you can, as you would a person (even in non-grief). Give her loads of extra attention and time, and she'll rebound much sooner.
Posted by: Matthew | December 10, 2009 at 09:23 AM
Barbara, I'm so sorry to hear the news. Be assured that with time, the emptiness due to the loss of Stuart will be filled with the love and memories left behind. But for now, let the tears flow freely.
Rossana
Posted by: Rossana D'Antonio | December 10, 2009 at 04:05 PM
Sharon, Sue, Matthew and Rossana -thank you all for your comments.
Posted by: Barbara | December 13, 2009 at 03:12 PM
Awww... I would turn to stone if my mother got a gpsmlie at my blog. I feel guilty for writing about her without her permission and for being what she would call an exhibitionist. She probably wouldn't understand that urge to share with the Internet what cannot be spoken out loud. But then again I keep thinking, it would be an unpleasant experience, but she's my mother and she loves me and this too will pass, right? So, I don't know... it might actually be a blessing and a huge relief if your mum showed up here and read this letter. Cause nothing in this world feels better than truth and honesty, believe me.
Posted by: Elismaia | June 22, 2012 at 08:57 AM