If you aren’t going to make it to the beach this summer, read this little book. You’ll feel as if you’ve been there collecting shells and insights right along with Anne Morrow Lindberg. Of course, Gift from the Sea was written the year I was born. It isn’t a new revelation. Instead, it is timeless beauty.
The author escapes her busy life with a famous husband and five children for a few days at a beach cottage all alone. While there, she examines the seasons of life, love, and relationships. All from the shape of sea shells.
When I first started reading it at a hospital bedside, I felt the worry and the weight fall away. Something in the cadence of her writing simply felt like waves against the shore. I’m not even a big fan of the beach. I’ve not been there enough times to know whether or not I even enjoy it.
But I love the idea of a retreat. Of simplicity. And of looking at life from a fresh perspective every now and then.
Don’t you?
I love Gift from the Sea. (Also loved Melanie Benjamin’s new novel, The Aviator’s Wife, narrated by Anne.)
I’ll check into that one, Katie. Thanks!
I first read Gift from the Sea during Evan’s first year in the midst of pediatric cardiologist visits & heart surgery. It was my little moment of peace every time I opened that book.
I love this, Lori
I loved it, too. You’re right about the cadence for one thing. I felt like she was ahead of her time when it comes to the simplicity movement – or has that been around forever? It definitely, DEFINITELY made me want to spend a couple weeks at a beach house alone (or alone-ish anyway). But even without that, I’m definitely taking to heart her advice that we should have quiet and space at least once a day and once a week and once a year.
Yes! Quiet and space. I crave those sometimes. I plan to add this to my “read at least once a year” list.