Never in a Hurry: Essays on People and  Places by Naomi Shihab Nye

You think you know all about Texas, but here is another perspective .

“Never in a Hurry” is not a new book – it was publlished in 1996 – but it is one of the new acquisitions the library has been receiving this summer. It is a book that not many people probably have heard of, but you’ll be delighted once you give it a try.

Ms Nye was born in 1952 and grew up in St Louis, the child of immigrant Palestinian-Americans who ran a hotel gift shop. Now she lives in San Antonio, in a Mexican-American neighborhood, with her photographer husband.

Her short essays describe the people and places of her childhood,  her visits with her relatives in the old country of Palestine,  her travels around the world  with her husband,  and the everyday people doing everyday things in her own neighborhood.

The writing style is refreshing and accessible, and the stories engaging as well as insightful.  She has a unique perspective and a knack for getting involved with odd characters.