In case you missed the news, Jenna Bush Hager, the new co-host of the final hour of the Today Show with Hoda Kotb has launched a book club! Her second pick, following the absolutely riveting THE LAST ROMANTICS by Tara Conklin, is THE UNWINDING OF THE MIRACLE by Julie Yip-Williams.
Yip-Williams posthumously published memoir explores the end of her life as she comes to terms with a terminal diagnosis, yet is frequently described as “hopeful.”
“It’s a beautiful story about what it means to live,” Jenna told TODAY. “So, it’s sad in some ways. But also, for us still living, it’s a great reminder that life is precious, and it’s a gift — and to live every single day like it’s our last.”
As someone who not only LOVES a book club but also wants to make a concerted effort to read more in 2019, I am publicly announcing that I will be one of the many members of Jenna’s new club. #ReadWithJenna is a great way to get people talking about books and picking up titles that may not have been on their radar.
I thoroughly enjoyed THE LAST ROMANTICS (full review to come) and am looking forward to diving into Yip-Williams heartbreaking…and hopeful story.
There are lots of ways to follow along with Jenna but the best way is to search #readwithjenna in Instagram and Facebook.
“Everything worth understanding and holding on to is in this book. . . . A miracle indeed.”—Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author of The Middle Place and Tell Me More
I cried after reading this excerpt so I can only imagine what kind of journey this book will take me on.
My sweet babies, I do not have the answer to the question of why, at least not now and not in this life. But I do know that there is incredible value in pain and suffering. If you allow yourself to experience it, to cry, to feel sorrow and grief, to hurt. Walk through the fire and you will emerge on the other end, whole and stronger. I promise. You will ultimately find truth and beauty and wisdom and peace. You will understand that nothing lasts forever, not pain, or joy. You will understand that joy cannot exist without sadness. Relief cannot exist without pain. Compassion cannot exist without cruelty. Courage cannot exist without fear. Hope cannot exist without despair. Wisdom cannot exist without suffering. Gratitude cannot exist without deprivation. Paradoxes abound in this life. Living is an exercise in navigating within them.
I was deprived of sight. And yet, that single unfortunate physical condition changed me for the better. Instead of leaving me wallowing in self-pity, it made me more ambitious. It made me more resourceful. It made me smarter. It taught me to ask for help, to not be ashamed of my physical shortcoming. It forced me to be honest with myself and my limitations, and eventually, to be honest with others. It taught me strength and resilience.
