Mother, Nature: A 5,000-Mile Journey to Discover if a Mother and Son Can Survive Their Differences | 
pickI loved this memoir. Jedidiah and his mom drive from Louisiana to Oregon to retrace the route she walked in the 70‘s. They have fundamentally different beliefs but their love for each other and their willingness to keep talking is inspirational and hopeful, especially at this particular moment in time. #NFN
pickBeautifully written memoir about a mother and son traveling across the country. So much love between them.
Jed‘s mom and dad walked across the country together in the 70s and wrote bestsellers about it. Following an acrimonious divorce, Jed mainly stays with his mom. Later, her Christian beliefs clash greatly with his homosexuality. They follow his parents‘ path to bond, and he wants to convince her it is possible to live a happy life gay.
It was a great reading month! These are all the books I read or listened to in May (except for the ebooks). I enjoyed so many of them including Herc, The Guncle Abroad, The Bandit Queens, Red River Girl, Funny Story, Black Chameleon and, of course, my re-read of Romancing Mr. Bridgerton.
pickThis was a delightful surprise! I loved Jenkins‘ authentic history, perspective, & voice. Getting to know him as he navigates his relationship with his loving mom who struggles with his identity as a gay man & her strict Christian faith. Jenkins‘ parents had a moment of fame in the 70s as they walked from Louisiana to Oregon, capturing national attention, & he & his Mom are retracing their steps and examining their relationship. #BookspinBingo
pickBag #7 the hallway. I loved listening to this book about Jed and his mom recreating the cross country walk she did with Jed‘s father in the 70‘s. Jed and his mom drive the route and she references her journals along the way. But it breaks my heart that she is so entrenched in her religion that despite her love for Jed, she thinks he‘s choosing homosexuality and she will never accept it
Bag #6 brings Janice and the chicken to the apartment while Dr Drake Ramoray is on the tv
As always, Kerri Miller conducts amazing interviews. I am generally not a memoir reader, but I just placed a hold on this one at the library.
Can listen here: https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2023/12/22/jediah-jenkins-mother-nature-5000-mil...
