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