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Wintering

The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

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Wintering

Written by: Katherine May
Narrated by: Rebecca Lee
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About this listen

THE RUNAWAY NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“Katherine May opens up exactly what I and so many need to hear but haven't known how to name.” —Krista Tippett, On Being

“Every bit as beautiful and healing as the season itself. . . . This is truly a beautiful book.” —Elizabeth Gilbert

"Proves that there is grace in letting go, stepping back and giving yourself time to repair in the dark...May is a clear-eyed observer and her language is steady, honest and accurate—capturing the sense, the beauty and the latent power of our resting landscapes." —Wall Street Journal

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age, this is an intimate, revelatory exploration of the ways we can care for and repair ourselves when life knocks us down.

Sometimes you slip through the cracks: unforeseen circumstances like an abrupt illness, the death of a loved one, a break up, or a job loss can derail a life. These periods of dislocation can be lonely and unexpected. For May, her husband fell ill, her son stopped attending school, and her own medical issues led her to leave a demanding job. Wintering explores how she not only endured this painful time, but embraced the singular opportunities it offered.

A moving personal narrative shot through with lessons from literature, mythology, and the natural world, May's story offers instruction on the transformative power of rest and retreat. Illumination emerges from many sources: solstice celebrations and dormice hibernation, C.S. Lewis and Sylvia Plath, swimming in icy waters and sailing arctic seas.

Ultimately Wintering invites us to change how we relate to our own fallow times. May models an active acceptance of sadness and finds nourishment in deep retreat, joy in the hushed beauty of winter, and encouragement in understanding life as cyclical, not linear. A secular mystic, May forms a guiding philosophy for transforming the hardships that arise before the ushering in of a new season.
Mental Health Awareness Personal Development Personal Success Women Heartfelt Difficult Memoirs

What the critics say

PRAISE FOR WINTERING

“A beautiful, meditative book…It feels like Katherine May opens up exactly what I and so many need to hear but haven’t known how to name.” – Krista Tippett, On Being

“There is power and clarity and wisdom to be gained from accepting these difficult times. Wintering offered me empathy, acceptance and perspective that will stay with me long after the pandemic.” – New York Times

“Honest and deeply sympathetic...proves that there is grace in letting go, stepping back and giving yourself time to repair in the dark...May is a clear-eyed observer and her language is steady, honest and accurate—capturing the sense, the beauty and the latent power of our resting landscapes.” Wall Street Journal

“Wintering succeeds in delivering a powerful, realtime account of what it is to experience life's inevitable winters — both literal and metaphorical — and come out on the other side. I can think of no more valuable voice to have in your ear as we stumble our way out of a pandemic and emerge from a collective wintering.” – Popsugar

“May writes beautifully….A contemplative, hopeful, consoling book.” NPR

“Lovely...May is an astute observer of life’s emotional discouragements.” New York Times

“A gorgeous book, a generous book, a layered book of uncommon sensitivity and substance…A splendid and soul-salving read.” Maria Popova, Brain Pickings

“Drawing on her own life’s difficult periods, May offers a guide to leaning into fallow times and savoring the lessons of hardship.” – People Magazine
All stars
Most Relevant
Beautiful performance. I loved listening… like a long song! And a self help book disguised in a story. Real and raw but also pleasurable to just enjoy!

Beautiful Book

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a book about depression that doesn’t feel like its about depression. whether you struggle with mental illness or not, we all have winter seasons. this is a beautiful book to listen to during a winter season, helpful, warm, and familiar.

beautiful!!!

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Very enjoyable. First listened last season and and again now that we have snow. I’ll probably listen to it every winter.

Enjoyable.

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This book is a beautiful meandering meditation that reminds the reader that you are a human being...not a human doing. Real, raw, beautiful, and greatly appreciated.

A Book We All Need

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I enjoyed this book so much and it will definitely be among the titles I will 100% be re-listening to. It was a relevant book for the time of year and the times we are living in.
Beautifully written with just the right mix of entertainment and information. I found myself on multiple occasions bringing up this book in conversations with family and friends.
The narration was wonderful, I felt like I was wrapped in a warm blanket every time I played this book!
Nothing but good things to say about this one!

Exactly what I needed!

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