Introducing Ballasts for the Mind
Books are meant to be read and shared. That is the purpose of the publication Ballasts for the Mind.
A few years ago I started a monthly Tiny Letter where I shared with my friends the books and other media that I enjoy, however the platform doesn’t allow interaction between my subscribers. Medium allows for the back and forth to commence.
His money went largely toward books, which to him were like sacred objects, providing ballast for his mind.
-Michelle Obama
The inspiration of the publication title comes from former First Lady Michelle Obama’s bestselling memoir Becoming.* In Chapter 9, Michelle chronicles her courtship with Barack. In one line she describes him this way: “His money went largely toward books, which to him were like sacred objects, providing ballast for his mind.”
That line struck me for two reasons. First, I felt like I could relate to Michelle’s description of Barack. I have over 15 books that I bought this year sitting on my nightstand, some of you undoubtedly have more. The second reason, deals with the second half of the line. She says, books “were like sacred objects, providing ballast for his mind”. I can understand “sacred objects” but “ballast for his mind”? I’ll be honest I had to look up the word ballast but after I did I instantly understood what she meant. Webster defines ballast as “a heavy substance (such as rocks or water) placed in such a way as to improve stability and control (as of the draft of a ship or the buoyancy of a balloon or submarine)”.
In so many words, I can’t live without books.
Books have been sacred objects and ballasts for my mind for years. I remember the excitement, when I was younger, of going to the Scholastic Book Fairs, used book sales, and Barnes and Noble (I even had the local store’s phone number memorized). Books were a form of escapism as well as some of my closest friends when I didn’t have many my age. As I’ve gotten older, books have made me laugh, cry, and sometimes mad. They have inspired me, taught me life lessons, and provided me wisdom. In so many words, I can’t live without books.
The purpose of this publication is to provide reviews of books to those who are interested in reading them. I tend to read more nonfiction books such as those that focus on historical and political topics or events. Every book that I write about here will be on books that I really liked. No need to waste my energy and your precious time on books that I thought were mediocre or bad.
This publication is mainly about books but occasionally I’ll write about other forms of media such as podcasts, films, and television.
Now it's time for me to get back to reading.
*Thanks to Khalil Williams and Christina Finch for helping me decide on the title and subtitle of this publication.
