A Collection of Wednesdays

Amy Gaither Hayes's new book, A Collection of Wednesdays (Creating a Whole from the Parts), is a beautiful book. Not only in its design, but also in its content.

In many ways, the book is a memoir, a reflection of a thoughtful woman's life. But not exactly. She weaves together anecdotes, poems, and memories on what could seem random subjects: Passion. Calling. Sand. Rest. Church. Books. Music. Wisdom. And more. In the hands of some writers, these topics could be unrelated, boring, even irrelevant. But Hayes turns her thoughts and experience of these things into an enjoyable journey. She does fulfill the promise of the subtitle, creating a whole from the parts.

And some of those parts sing. Some of them soar. As a bibliophile, I loved her chapter on books, and plan to follow up on many of her recommendations. As a father and grandfather (and music lover), I enjoyed her account of being pressed into a late-night recording session on one of her father's signature children's songs. And I was deeply moved (and challenged) by the part late in the book (in the "Wisdom" chapter) about a daughter's friend who at the age of two begged for "More Christ! More Christ!" You have to read it. It's wonderful.

A Collection of Wednesdays is not a book to read in a hurry, though. It is one to be read slowly, and to savor.

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(Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”)