The Body Keeps The Score

Does reading only two chapters for upcoming professional development count? I was dreading reading The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, MD because I was warned it would be a difficult read.

Trauma IS a tough topic and this book is a very dense compilation of stories about trauma. The challenge is magnified by the fact that it was really just assigned to us as busywork, never to be discussed or implemented at our school. Thus, I resent that this task is preventing me from grading papers and planning lessons. In silent protest, I read only the required chapters, by candlelight as the power is out, while stuffing my face with Cheez-Its on Saturday, January 29, 2022.

EDIT to add that currently in December 2024, I am discussing this book with my dear friend Sue who is reading it for pleasure! I came home to search for my copy, only to discover it was a tragic victim of Dumpster Week 2024. Damn. Now that I’m retired, I actually wanted to give it another go.