Recent Reads: When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams

What the book's about: When Women Were Birds is about finding your voice. Rather than simply write an instructional book, Williams teaches her readers how to find their voice by sharing the story of how she found hers. To do this, Williams recounts stories that illustrate her relationship with her mother. In particular, she focuses on how the discovery of her mother's journals taught her about voice. 

Why I read this book: I read this book as part of an online writing class I'm currently taking, Story 101, taught by Elora Rameriz.

My favorite quotes from the book:

- "To withhold words is power. But to share our words with others openly an honestly is also power."

- "Word by word, the language of women so often begins with a whisper." 

- "In times of war, survival depends on listening to the suffering." 

- "Finding one's voice is a process of finding one's passion."

- "In a voiced community, we all flourish." 

Thumbs up or thumbs down? Thumbs up. 

Who I'd recommend this book for: This book will resonate with those who enjoy memoir and in particular, with those interested in learning more about the craft of writing or exploring environmentalism and faith.