All Seasons, Really: A Review of Cicada Summers by Jordan Graffis

"Cry if you must. And buckle up. Because sometimes, throughout this journey, all you're surviving on is Mountain Dew and Jesus"-Cicada Summers.

The above quote isn't the most insightful one in Cicada Summers, or even the best crafted one, but it is the best at highlighting the true strengths that Graffis brings to the table with her writing: with both humor and faith, she is navigating motherhood in an honest and devoted way. It might not always be pretty (motherhood, not the writing, which is very pretty), but it's real and it's raw.

In Cicada Summers, Jordan Graffis has set up an interesting format: she is a 60 year old mother to an adult young man and she is writing to him about her wishes and prayers for his life as he enters parenthood. The form works well, I think, because it allows Graffis to take on a very reflective tone that, for the vast most part, feels extremely authentic. Each chapter blends a message on parenting with an anecdote from Graffis's own life that highlights the lesson she wants her son to learn.

Because of this form, I will say that I suspect Graffis's work lacks an audience outside mothers, but that's not a bad thing at all. In fact, it's definitely a strength. this book is not only geared towards mothers, but honest about motherhood and the struggles that come with it in a way that needs to be normalized. With refreshing candor, Graffis writes about days when her son wants to go to school in just underwear, days when poo trails through her house, and the many days she spends battling Postpartum depression. These are such necessary stories to be told, especially with such humor and joy. I think that, as a mother and a reader, that was my biggest takeaway: the joy of motherhood is so much greater than the struggles, so while we all get bogged down by the struggles, we shouldn't forget about the joy.

I think I should mention that there is another audience: full of scripture and references to faith, this book is definitely Christian literature. Now, I am a Christian, but I'm not a super devoted, church attending one and I found this book incredibly relatable. There is not one single lesson that couldn't be just as relevant to someone of another faith or with no religion at all. The major themes (overcoming huge obstacles, living life passionately and with zest) completely transcend the limits of religion, so I would have no qualms about recommending this to anyone of any faith. that said, if you are a person who would be put off by multiple references to faith and Christianity, then this isn't the book for you. However, if you are a mother and have had days where you "surviving on Mountain Dew" (or in my case, coffee), then I think you should at least give it a go. It's sweet, funny, and very uplifting, and I think we could all use a little more of that in our lives.

4/5: Definitely Recommend.