88, Ra

There's plenty of time to read in a quarantine.  It is difficult to select a book.  I oscillated between genres, authors, and languages like my metronome, finally breaking the rhythm using the library's list of newly available titles.  I chose the first book that was available and on my reading list.

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore accompanied me from requested social distancing and quarantine to the mandatory lockdown which arrived Friday morning.  In this read, Moore takes us through the elation and empowerment of new jobs though the crescendo of suffering these women endured at the hands of radium.  Moore uses their own words to highlight their hope and spirit in the fight against the corporations and the difficulty it was to effect change in their industry.  It was challenging for these women to find answers to their unusual ailments and then after receiving news of their fate, it was another mark of courage to launch a years' long battle for justice.

Their small stone in the pond caused ripples touching other industries and lives for years to come.  Several times in reading, I was moved to tears.  I marveled at their grace and perseverance, and I lamented that greed and power still push industries today to value ROI over their human investments.  I'd definitely recommend this title for your list.

In the face of uncertainty, I hope we too can find the strength to do the right and courageous thing.

Good luck with your reading lists and quarantines around the world.