One of my favorite poems is Mary Ruefle’s “Short Lecture on the Nature of Things,”:

"(Turn vase into a hat and wear it) / You think the vase has become a hat; it has not. / My body has become an upside-down flower."

This whole book echoes this poem over and over. Leach reflects on her Seventh Day Adventist upbringing with grace, perspective, and lots of humor. A book of whimsy, a theology of joy! An affirmation of what I know from my own experience - that growing away from the smallness of dogma towards the infinity of unknowing is much fuller of gathering than loss.

Minus one star because it started to get slightly repetitive, and there were some metaphors that caused some discomfort. Her unwavering silliness and optimism started to grow tiring, though that may be more a reflection of myself than a critique of the book. However, these flaws did not distract from the thesis - that The Point of us as people is to always be as people-y as possible, to give in to the music, because, to quote Leach quoting Eliot, “You are the music / While the music lasts” (Loc 1366).

. . .for the overchurched among us. . .

Having been a "born and raised" member of a very rule-y religion, this book reached out to me from the bookshelf, drew me close and wrapped its metaphorical hands around my real neck and stage whispered in an academic accent (provide your preference here) "she's talking to you - read me!" - and I did. The minute this is in print, I'm getting a copy for me and friends.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not looking to leap out of my religious choices (imposed 67% by life choices of generations past, parents devout, and personal alliances seasonally and pendulum affected). I have been very conscientious, I have been wholly lapsed, and I have been comfortably ambiguous. This author brilliantly gets me. She gets my children - most of who have jumped entirely out of religion's grasp (for now) - because of the rule-yness, the in-or-out mindset and the untimeliness of some of the culture concerns in religious organizations of today - particularly the one with which we are affected.

On the other hand - and Amy Leach does The Other Hand so brilliantly! - she doesn't discount a whit the joys, delights and blessings of regularly exercised faith, hope and charity. In fact, she adds to it with frilly giggles, lacey delights and heart-y guffaws. There are hilarious aspects of religious life - especially those in which ones are anxiously engaged from age 0 to 130 - if - IF - one can see the funny, and not punish those enjoying or providing the mirror and its uber-truth view.

No one "shoulds" on others as thoroughly as Religious Folk, especially of the Christian brand (but maybe all brands could be included here). I read this book as Amy Leach's Great Big Grand statement: Don't Should On ME! She gazes out to her readership with raised eyebrows - 'You with me?' - I'm shout-replying: Yep! Me, too.

Other bonuses: MUSIC! Lots of musical considerations, along with animal and botanical love, and an obsession with language that provided many paths down which to travel on philosophical bends.

A delightful read - truly a smorgasbook, can be done in bits and pieces, over time (I recommend the Sabbath (however you do that), after services. Get out of your serious suit, have supper, do the dishes, and carve your place out on the couch and check it out.

*A sincere thank you to Amy Leach, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* 52:50

Salt of the universe is witty, intelligent and also silly at times. I initially went into this thinking it was a straightforward memoir and so found the flow of writing hard to engage with. But when I wrapped my head around that it was more a series of essays, it because easier to digest.

I did feel a little disconnected with it at time as I am an agnostic Australia that was brought up largely without religion, however I still enjoy learning about people’s religious upbringings.

I think I am probably not the target audience for this book and so do not want to overly criticise the content. However, I did find the writing witty and very stream of consciousness, which is a style I often enjoy.

Thank you net galley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review

"The Salt of the Universe" is wildly witty with its essays on a multitude of things such as Shakespeare, greenbriers, mockingbirds, and willow trees. Leach poses playful arguments against the limits of fundamentalisms. This is a highly intelligent, philosophical read, one that is perfect for lovers of language and fans of Diane Ackerman, Annie Dillard and Lewis Carroll. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

What a wonderful time to be spent in the charming, clever and fierce company of Amy Leach ! Any extract is an added value to any teaching, so, I will recommend the full book to my students ! It is very interesting and it can be read in chuncks, so anyone can read and absorbe the wonderful messages of the book, with no need to excuse oneself with the standard I cannot read for a long time. A book to cherish and save in your library to transmit to your grand children !
All opinions are mine, thank you to the author and Netgalley.