This year, I’d like to post more detailed blogs about some of the books I have read and rated 5 out of 5 stars. Here is the first one.
Book: “A Bit Much: Poems” by Lyndsay Rush
About the author: comedy writer and the poet behind the popular Instagram account @maryoliversdrunkcousin
When I read this book: January 2025
Quotes that stood out to me:
From “Make Like a Tree and Love“: “Scientists have a hunch that trees can become dear friends linking roots to swap resources, bending branches back to share sunlight, shielding each other from the wind. Most of what I know about love boils down to this simple distinction: who stays, and who leaves.”
From “Code Red“: “A great philosopher once said I saw the sign, and it opened up my eyes (I saw the sign). But when you see the world through rose-colored glasses, it can be hard to recognize a red flag. So, what I have learned is this: If they’re mean to the waiter, they’ll be mean to you. If they never follow through, they will never show up. If it hurts your stomach, it will hurt your heart. You can’t temper a storm, but you can sure as hell evacuate the beach.”
From “I’m Giving up for Lent“: “What would it feel like to give up self-improvement for forty days? Would the tightness in our chests, throat, shoulders, and hips ease as we contentedly took the easy way out? Would capitalism crumble if we deleted our wish lists and framed the before photo? Sounds holy, if you ask me, to be sold on life as-is, to just exist with only this, only us, only what these two arms can hold.”
From “It’s Amateur Hour Somewhere“: “Starting something new is like a one-man show for a one-man audience; the only applause worth seeking is your own. Don’t rob yourself of that while you wait for approval from somewhere else. Sometimes winning yourself over is the greatest show on earth.”
From “Almond Joys“: “Sometimes all it takes to let joy in is a little reframing. Don’t believe me? Just watch. It’s not a vending machine; it’s an arcade game you always win.”
From “I Am Not Afraid to Be Seen Trying“: “Or changing my mind. Or getting it wrong. Or freestyling instead of learning the routine. I’m not afraid of self-promotion or making a big deal out of it . . . I’m not afraid of low like counts or pissing off the algorithm of content that flops. And I’m not afraid to be cringe, or extra, or A Bit Much. Sure, there are things I’m scared of – like sharks and blond beards and talking to strangers on the phone – but of all the monsters under my bed, the only thing I truly fear is letting fear get in between me and anything I really want.”
“Reassurances to Save for a Rainy Day“: “If cauliflower can be pasta, you can be whatever you want.”
From “Top Down, Cruising in My Own Lane“: “I slip the Do Not Disturb sign onto the doorknob of my life. I’ve got important work to do: minding my own business accommodating my whims. Guarding my joy: nose buried in the story only I can tell.”
From “Wild Goose Chase“: “When your surroundings begin to feel cold and uninhabitable and your environment no longer offers the support or sustenance you need, I hope you migrate. I hope, as you make your way south, that you find other silly geese to fly with too – in such a tight-knit formation that Wikipedia would refer to your crew as plump. And I hope that no matter how long the journey takes you, the wind is always at your back; nudging you closer to home.”
There are many other essays I really enjoyed that I did not quote here. I highly recommend this book to anyone!
5 out of 5 stars
I look forward to reading, learning, and sharing more with you soon!
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