Congratulations, the Best Is Over!: Essays

Thomas (Here for It) delivers a thoughtful collection of essays blending intimate situations with astute observations of the world. Returning to his childhood hometown of Baltimore for his husband’s new job means finding a new community in a familiar place. With grace and sincerity, Thomas delves into themes of hope, resilience, loss, grief, survival, and the weight of anxiety. As the world undergoes seismic shifts with the advent of COVID, he skillfully captures the nuances of transitioning from physical to virtual connections. Candidly sharing his struggles with depression, he bears witness to a world in flux, from the throes of a pandemic to the Black Lives Matter movement and the January 6 insurrection. His ability to articulate precise emotions in each moment is a rare gift and will leave listeners spellbound. A natural-born storyteller, he takes the reins as a narrator, infusing each essay with an authenticity that lingers long after the last word.