TODAY’S MOMENT OF HAPPINESS DESPITE THE NEWS

In this collection of Facebook posts, a writer shares her daily moments of joy. 

A couple of days after the 2016 election, Giorgio (In Grace’s Time, 2017, etc.) was walking her dogs when a man in a “Make America Great Again” hat tried to kick her pets. The author intervened, and he kicked her instead—then shoved her off the sidewalk. When she discussed the assault on Facebook, many people were supportive, but others accused her of lying. Giorgio writes that she even received death threats. Overwhelmed by the political climate, the author began searching for positivity by posting “Today’s Moment of Happiness Despite the News” on Facebook. After her initial entry, she vowed to post a moment of joy every day for a year. The result is this compilation of her Facebook posts, beginning on Jan. 30, 2017. Sometimes the posts are tender, as when she describes her autistic daughter’s talent with the violin. Other times, she has to struggle to find cheer because the year proved to be extremely difficult: Giorgio was diagnosed with breast cancer; her husband lost two jobs; and her daughter was severely bullied at school. Nevertheless, the author did have some good days; for example, her novel was published, and she beat breast cancer due to early detection. Though her breezy, conversational prose is easy to read, Giorgio includes several eye-glazing rants, like the day she forgot her purse and had difficulty installing a printer cartridge. But other posts are thoughtful—when she conducts a book club for female prisoners, her compassion is memorable. While not a lot of political talk is included here, the tone becomes vitriolic when it is—the author calls President Donald Trump “the Orange Asshat” and maintains that “our ‘leader’ is intent on destroying anything his little orange hands can touch.”

Journallike entries that sometimes deliver poignant moments.