Grace Notes, by Brian Doyle

These days Im turning to books not so much for escape as for courage and comfort. I welcome anything that might help replenish my stores of both. For me, that often means returning to one of my favorite authors. In addition to writing unforgettable stories and essays, Brian Doyle, who died much too young in 2017, was a teacher, magazine editor, husband, father.

In this collection of short essaysa form he excelled inDoyle reminds us of what is good in the world. At the same time, he doesnt...