Before Cheryl Strayed became a household name from the tremendous success of her memoir, "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail," she was the anonymous advice columnist, "Dear Sugar," on TheRumpus.net. "Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar" is a published collection from this celebrated column which offers brave, sincere and uncensored guidance on life, love and finding your truth.
When I first picked up this book on the recommendation of a friend, I was slightly reluctant to engage. The cynic in me scoffed at the mere mention of "advice column" and expected stale, slightly reinvented platitudes. My expectations were quickly blown out of the water within a few pages, and I was surprisingly moved.
It became clear Strayed labored and intensely contemplated each word of advice given. I didn't think it was possible to achieve something so raw, honest and unrelenting while simultaneously compassionate. She delves into her own personal struggles and triumphs as a means of perspective - and not (as many authors do) as life experience which has rendered her superior to the reader.
"Dear Sugar" acknowledges we are all thrown into the messy jumble of joy and suffering that is life - and while we alone can decide what that means, we are not alone in the process. The piece of advice I believe I cherished the most was the idea of owning the life you have been given: "Whatever happens to you belongs to you. Make it yours. Feed it to yourself even if it feels impossible to swallow. Let it nurture you, because it will."
"Tiny Beautiful Things" is a book I know I will come back to again and again throughout my life. I want to share it with others as it was shared with me and put it in the highly recommended file (unless you are sensitive to language and unfiltered hard truths, in which case, this book may not be for you). This book was also a great introduction to the website, The Rumpus, which features a variety of fantastic articles and pieces from emerging writers.
"Tiny Beautiful Things" is available to check out in regular print as well as eBook format from Missouri River Regional Library.
Noelle Parker is the Osage Branch manager for Missouri River Regional Library.