Nonfiction Review: The Lines That Make Us: Stories from Nathan’s Bus by Nathan Vass

Posted on May 7, 2020 at 9:48 am by Gene Ambaum

The Lines That Make Us: Stories from Nathan’s Bus by Nathan Vass. Introduction by Paul Constant. Tome Press, 2018. 9781732764101. 213pp.

Vass drives a Metro bus in Seattle. He loves the tough neighborhoods he drives through and their residents. He’s not just friendly with them, he’s friends with them, and remembers their names. He’s not simply compassionate, he’s real and open and, I think, very still and easy to talk to. His stories show the difference a moment of kindness and the absence of judgement can make in others’ lives, and how important it is for all of us to make genuine human connections no matter what work we do. I’m going to try to follow his example, especially when I’m working a library.

The chapters are all entries from Vass’ blog (and the photos throughout likely are as well). Here are two to check out:
Fecal and Philosophical Matters
I’M A LIGHT-SKINNED BLACK WOMAN!

Vass has an entry for those new to his blog and there are highlights listed in a column on the right. Not all of the entries are in the book, but everything I’ve read on his blog so far has been great, too.