read because

This contribution to the Double Down blog is generously provided in kind by Jen Nails. The Double Down blog is also supported by Nevada Humanities’ donors.


read because 
by Jen Nails
 

read because 
insurmountable doesn’t mean 
what you think it means 

because
the North Atlantic Ocean 
nearly swallowed two girls 
holding their overturned Lifeboat for 24 hours 

because 
after rape 
girls stand up and 
the Reckoning begins 

because 
each of the 
100 Spaghetti Strings 
is a childhood memory 
woven around your heart 

read because 
insurmountable doesn’t mean 
what you think it means 

read because 
your wild-hearted 
fierce 
unwavering 
love 
for all living creatures 
is put through the Wringer 
every day 

because 
Wolves Wander 
out of National Parks 

because 
you 
are the wounded 
the blind 
the unexpected visitor in 
The Horse 

read because 
books are post-its 
direct from authors:
“forgive yourself” 
“listen better” 
insurmountable doesn’t mean 
what you think it means” 

read because 
you stand 
divided 
at Borders 
and wait 
and watch 
every day 

because 
the Red Bird Danced 
to honor 
missing and murdered indigenous women 

because 
rising over the din 
we hear Sharice’s Big Voice, 
shout that 
a Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman 

read 
to meet 
who you could be 
who you’ll never be 
who you are 

read because 
This 4th-grader 
is alive and her friend is 
Not so she smeared 
a little of her friend’s blood on her shirt which the 
Drill did not mention 

because 
after 
the second casket 
is lowered 
Things in Nature Merely Grow 

because 
death’s 
cold kiss 
comes, so 
You Better Be Lightning 

read because 
disappear 
read because 
empathy 
read because 
everything you’re looking for 
on your phone 
you’ll find 
between the pages 

read because 
insurmountable doesn’t mean 
what you think it means



Jen Nails is a librarian with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and loves football, yoga, writing, and spending time with her friends and family. Her podcast Revisions: How Our Favorite Books Change Us features conversations about pivotal books that shape young readers into their grown-up selves. Jen is honored that her middle grade novel One Hundred Spaghetti Strings was chosen to represent Nevada at the 2025 National Book Festival in Washington D.C. @jennailsit19

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