Cathlamet Public Library: Reader's Fave

Recently I interviewed Paula Marx Rush of Cathlamet for our second installment of Reader's Fave. Reader's Fave is simply a short interview each week with someone in our community sharing their favorite book.

Even though the discussion was quite personal and serious, the interview was wonderful, positive, and very uplifting.

Paula was quite clear and to the point. Her favorite book is "A Human Being Died That Night" by Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela. This is a non-fiction book about a South African woman and her struggles with the legacy of apartheid, perpetrators of crimes against humanity, what it means to forgive, and what really makes us human.

As we talked, Paula shared she had read it in college for a humanities class and had no previous idea about the book. She said simply and pointedly, "The book changed my life." She was very direct and open in sharing how it helped her in dealing with a previous perpetrator in her own life, which had affected her for over 13 years.

But it was this book that provided her insight and empowered Paula to state with clear gratitude to simply move on with her life.

Thank you so much, Paula for allowing me to interview you, for your reflections, and for being so open. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

And a thank you to the readers out there for reading these Reader's Fave articles. They may come in a whole variety of reflections, emotions, and thoughts. Some might be serious, some might be light-hearted, and others might simply be whatever people wish to share. Whatever it is, my hope is, if asked, "What's your favorite book," the answer comes however you wish to share it.