This is an eclectic collection of essays published in major publications that somewhat vary in quality. Some of the highlights here for me were crushing "Apparent" by Beth Nguyen about meeting her estranged mother after their life so cruelly set them apart and "Witness and Respair" by Jesmyn Ward on the loss of her husband and the grief that followed. Jesmyn Ward's piece is probably the strongest of the selection.

Some of these essays were insightful and interesting, if not as personal, like "Kitchen is closed" by Gabrielle Hamilton about dealing with the pandemics as a restaurant owner and "Acceptance Parenting" by Agnes Callard about modern parenting.

Some were ok, but just not for me (Barry Lopez, who I normally admire). I also liked "In Orbit" by D. Suarez a lot, but it was so unnecessarily apologetic I felt bad for the author.
( )