I believe I suggested earlier not to read a book about a pandemic during a pandemic. If you must, this work of non-fiction is a worthy exception and I'm glad I was not only ask to read it, but to interview the author as well.
Dr. Kari Nixon is a humanities professor in Spokane where I live. She's a great Twitter follow and a great TV interview! She also has a really interesting way of looking at COVID-19, as someone who studies 19th Century life and medicine from the humanities perspective.
I'd heard from a co-worker that this book made her feel hopeful somehow about the times in which we're currently living. Then, Dr. Nixon asked me to host a book discussion through our local indie bookstore. That was the push I needed to begin
Dr. Nixon calls herself a "disease lover" - she's fascinated by how close we're all connected when it comes to infectious disease. Her book not only discusses how society has thus far adapted to the pandemic, but also how it mirrors pandemics and diseases of the past.
This was a fascinating read about how, against so many odds, humanity has survived plagues and smallpox and HIV and beyond. It's about trusting our gut, listening to voices that wouldn't always be listened to, and remaining hopeful right now. When you're able to look at other pandemics from the past, it really does make you more hopeful about the future.
I loved this book and Dr. Nixon's writing. I loved chatting with her and getting to ask all the questions I had when reading it. And, I loved being a know-it-all about past diseases and viruses after I read it.
I highly recommend it, even after this pandemic is (mercifully) over.
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