Greetings Treat-A-Weekers,

So this recommendation comes from and is dedicated to one of my college besties, Susan.  Susan and I haven’t seen each other for over 22 years but despite that, our friendship still shines bright in my mind and my heart.  Why, you ask?  Well in the sea of interesting, passionate, purpose-filled people who were my college peers, she and I, two gals who had very little obviously in common (she earned a spot in a professional ballet company prior to college, I was never an athlete or a dancer, let alone both; she was from the South, I was from the Midwest; she was bold and full of adventurous spirit – a born risk-taker, and my state at rest was towing the line and diverging only exceptionally; she became a doctor, I became a lawyer) were inexplicably drawn to be friends.  For two-and-a-half years of our college days we could be found hanging out “24/7” as a guy friend of hers once noticed.  We both had other great friends in our respective years (I was a year older in school than her) and made from particular extracurricular activities we participated in that we did not share, but we always made time for each other.  This many years later, I still remember so fondly going to parties and sushi dinners and dining hall meals and Mexico together, confiding secrets and vulnerabilities to each other and borrowing her awesome dresses for college events (Susan, I will never forget the gold, peace-signed, sequined dress!!!) I remember cramming for tests and exams together, catching up and gossiping about the week’s events and laughing our heads off together.  In short, I remember having the time of my life with Susan – feeling alive and young, brave and spirited – free.

Susan and I have been in closer touch of late in part because she has been reading my blog!  I am so thrilled that she reads it and takes me up on some of my recommendations.  The other day she emailed me with one of her own … The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller.  Unsurprisingly, this book was not something I would have picked out on my own to read. It follows the story of Greek demigod, Achilles and his awkward friend Prince Patroclus as they travel through youth, young adulthood, and the Trojan War together to become heroes.  Patroclus narrates the entire tale which is set forth in vivid, lush, exciting prose such that one almost feels as if she were reading about this classic historical event and these characters for the first time.  I loved the author’s descriptive language and the fact that the novel was fast-paced, suspenseful and full of insight on the nature of love, youth, ego, bravery, empathy and character.  I was surprised by the ending and was left feeling a little bereft when the book was over.  I will give you the heads up that this book is not my typical recommendation — it falls firmly in the “read if you are in the mood for something different/escapist category.” I am really glad I did because like my time with Susan, this book brought something unique to my life that I savored at the time and that stayed with me well after the golden hour was over.

Until next week, I remain, very truly yours,

M