“Here’s to Hindsight: Letters to my Former Self” is a revealing look into the heart of a creative, strong and relatively unselfish woman who writes and performs songs for a living, traveling all over the country in her little Toyota Camry, singing for her supper. Which makes her sound a bit like a musical Johnny Appleseed, but Tara Leigh Cobble’s strength lies in her ability to NOT present herself or her story with heroic overtones. She simply shares her heart in a bold, straightforward manner, very Anne Lamott-like, with a winsome combination of humor and humility.
Cobble shares stories of her upbringing in a loving but extremely sheltered household, and its effect on her spiritual journey, including a fairly uproarious confession of slooooowly stealing, piece by piece over a period of a year, a complete entertainment center from her warehouse job. It is dichotomies like these that she explores throughout “Here’s to Hindsight,” offering the reader, in the process, a look at one very honest person’s journey of faith. Cobble speaks unabashedly of her propensity to try to create romance out of friendships, and vice-versa, and the confusion of dating relationships in general, a discussion I found very relatable and helpful. She also offers an authentic glimpse into the life of an indie musician, equally entertaining and encouraging to the reader. There is much to like about the writing of Tara Leigh Cobble, both off and on vinyl. If you’re looking for a book rich with truth and heart, pick up “Here’s to Hindsight.”
