Dear Great Book Guru, While preparing with friends for Sea Cliff’s many celebrations of the country’s 250th birthday, I heard about a new book by a favorite author, Elizabeth Strout. Everyone was singing its praises - your thoughts? Fan of the Fourth..................................................... Dear Fan of the Fourth, THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY by Elizabeth Strout is indeed a wonderful book and a perfect read for any time of year. Just 208 pages, this beautifully crafted book captures so much of the mysteries of human existence. Art Dam is a 57-year-old high school history teacher. His best friend has just moved across the country, his adult son seems coldly distant, his wife is preoccupied, and the gatherings he attends are filled with superficial chatter. A highly esteemed teacher and respected by everyone, he expands the minds of his students, prevents classroom cruelties, and has a kind word for all he meets. Despite all this, he is extraordinarily lonely and when the book opens, he is in a state of great despair. How can we know so little about one another - even those closest to us, is every man an island - he asks. Throughout the book, we meet ever so briefly characters that he impacts and impact him. Small kindnesses are shown to have tremendous repercussions so that at the end we realize Strout has given us, in Art, a guide to living a good life, Highly recommended!