Textbook of an Ordinary Life

is a collection of poetry and prose that examines ordinary life with extraordinary curiosity, wisdom, and insight. With grace and eloquence, poet Rachel Toalson examines the pleasures of reading, the meaning of measured silences, weather, the masks we wear, the unexpected delight of running, art criticism, the soul of music, wandering, regret, love, and many other wonders of ordinary life. The poetry in is divided into subjects like English, History, Science, Math, Social Studies, Art, Music, Geography, and Philosophy. is Rachel’s fourth book of poetry and her most introspective, honest collection yet.