Finding comfort in favorite books

When times are tough, many of us seek comfort in the familiar. Our librarians share what they’re reading — or re-reading — to unwind.
By Kate Pritchard, MS/HS Librarian

Mary Buxton, Library Director:
Some books just take you back, not to a place but to a feeling. One book that does that for me is “The Cat Who Went to Paris” by Peter Gethers, the true tale of a man and his beloved Scottish fold cat, Norton. Their unique relationship was anything but singular; it embraced people from all over the world. Re-reading this story always brings me comfort remembering that my mom introduced me to it; that love is universal; that our relationships with animals are unconditional and life-affirming; and that embracing one another is life's greatest comfort.

Kristin Frank, Library Assistant:
Right now, I am turning to one of my childhood heroines for comfort. Nancy Drew has everything I need during this pandemic:
  1. Autonomy. Nancy is free to come and go as she pleases — in stylish clothes and a spiffy roadster, no less.
  2. Confidence. Rarely does she question her own decisions and she never doubts her intelligence or beauty.
  3. Exciting adventures. By the time each mystery is solved, there is already another one in the works.
  4. A strong support system. Carson Drew supports his daughter in all her sleuthing with only an occasional admonition to be cautious. And pals George and Bess are ever ready to tag along.
  5. A happy ending. The villain is always apprehended and justice is served.
Here’s hoping for a happy ending to social distancing — I’m ready to get back to the library.

Catherine Lemaire Lozier, Library Assistant:
Two books that I recommend as a comforting escape are “The Night Circus” and “The Starless Sea,” both by Erin Morgenstern. These books are romantic, magical, and beautifully descriptive. They will transport you to another world and keep you turning the pages.

Kate Pritchard, MS/HS Librarian:
As soon we left USN on March 12, I went home and began re-reading a favorite book of mine: “Doomsday Book,” by Connie Willis. It’s about a young woman, Kivrin Engle, a student at Oxford in 2054, who is sent back in time to the 14th century to study medieval English society. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say that the book felt eerily relevant to our current moment, and yet it was also a welcome reminder of our essential humanity and connection to one another.

Emily Theobald, LS Librarian:
Reading is usually my go-to escape when I need a break. However, during the last few weeks, I’ve found it hard to focus my attention on any book. Instead, I have found myself reading back issues of magazines that have piled up over the last several weeks and months. I've been drawn to the Smithsonian magazine that my father-in-law sends us but I rarely get around to reading. I'm also spending time flipping through National Geographic issues, sometimes reading the articles, other times absorbing the photographs. And I am slowly making my way through Michelle Obama's memoir, “Becoming.” She is such an inspiration.

Jenny Winston, Archivist:
For comforting reads, I tend to turn to poetry or short story/essay collections. These offer quick, bite-sized reads in those times when life makes it hard to dive into an engrossing novel. A few books that never seem to gather dust on my shelves are Maya Angelou's “And Still I Rise;” Ada Limon's “The Carrying;” Oliver Sacks's “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat;” and my most recently beloved, “Late Migrations" by Nashville treasure Margaret Renkl.
 
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School News

List of 3 news stories.

  • 'They're creepy, they're kooky,' they're on stage at USN

    USN Peabody Players present "The Addams Family: School Edition" on Thursday, November 19 through Sunday, November 22 in Durnan Auditorium. Click here for tickets. This musical is appropriate for K-12 audiences.
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  • Music Night REMIX tickets on sale

    Join USNA on Saturday, January 30, for all the nostalgia, none of the teenage drama. This adult-only concert will feature USN's faculty house band, The K-12 Situation, with proceeds benefiting the school. Click here for tickets.
    Read More

  • Diplomacy wins for USN at Model UN

    High School students traveled to Murfreesboro last weekend for the Model UN conference last weekend, which provided opportunities for leadership and collaboration across grade levels. They had the highest number of resolutions per capita in the General Assembly, had the highest-ranking resolution presented to any committee, and earned awards for Outstanding Statesperson & Outstanding Resolution.
    Read More
Archive

Athletics News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Mountain Bike Team Takes on “Electric" State Champs Trails, Dehner Snags Overall Podium Medal

    Steve Smail & MTB Team Coaches
    With trail names like Megawatt, Electric Avenue, High Voltage and Livewire, the mountain bike team knew it was time to pedal out some extra watts for their NICA/TICL State Championships at Raccoon Mountain, and survive the technical trails above Chattanooga full of boulder gardens, rock drops and sandy rubble.
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  • Mountain Bike Team Takes on Winged Deer Trails, HS Makes Podium Appearance

    Steve Smail
    Winged Deer Park and trails in Johnson City hosted our 4th race on Sunday October 11th, and despite a bit of hurricane outwash winds and showers - and reduced team numbers due to fall break and distance from Nashville - our racers utilized all available skills and speed which helped “wing" Sophomore Claire Dehner to a 4th place podium spot, our first podium appearance and medal for the season.
     
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  • HS athletics recaps for September 11-17

    Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.
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Contact

Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

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USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.