The Fall: A Father's Memoir in 424 Steps

This translated memoir by Diogo Mainardi is a sweet book but really too focused on fatherhood for me to relate to all that well. Diogo delivers the story of his son's botched birth and the beautiful way he embraces his son and his struggles with cerebral palsy.

Even though the parenting focus is not my thing, there are many beautiful passages, and one of the morals of this story I can relate to: be careful of what you flippantly wish for yourself and others. 

"I went on to say that my wish — and I quote word for word — was to have “a turtle child, and whenever he became too agitated, I would just have to roll him onto his back and he would lie there, silently waving his little arms.” I got my turtle child."

"Knowing how to fall is much more valuable than knowing how to walk."

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