In this week’s episode of Books That Changed My Life, we sit down with platinum-selling Canadian singer-songwriter Ruth B. She opens up about her whirlwind journey in the music industry, overcoming intense introversion, and how a short Japanese novel reframed her entire outlook on love, loss, and the art of letting go. Ruth’s perspective on celebrating fleeting moments rather than trying to possess them mirrors themes from our previous deep dives into soul-stirring literature, such as our feature on Tori Kelly on The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.
About the Guest: Ruth B
Ruth B is an acclaimed vocalist and songwriter originally from Edmonton, Alberta. Her career exploded overnight at age 21 when her hit song “Dandelions” blew up, shifting her instantly from a college student working at Marshalls to a globally touring recording artist. As a naturally shy, first-generation Canadian whose parents immigrated from Ethiopia, Ruth uses her music as a raw, journal-like outlet to process her deepest emotions.
About the Book: The Guest Cat
Written by Japanese poet and author Takashi Hiraide, The Guest Cat is a deeply emotional, quiet novel centered on a couple living a routine, somewhat dreary life in Tokyo. Their world shifts when a stray cat named Chibi begins making regular visits to their home, weaving a quiet light and joy into their relationship. The book beautifully captures the bittersweet reality of loving something you do not own, exploring the heavy emotional landscape of sudden loss and the absence of closure.
For more insights on finding stability and internal solace through unexpected journeys, revisit our feature on Andrew East on The Gap and the Gain.
Finding Stillness in the Fast Lane
Ruth stumbled across The Guest Cat in a dusty, hole-in-the-wall bookstore in New York City during a highly transitional, overwhelming period of her early career. The book immediately became a gentle “slow down button” in her life.
- Love Without Possession: Ruth explains that people often want to control the good things in their lives. However, The Guest Cat helped her see love differently. A connection can be temporary and still be beautiful.
- The Silver Lining of Grief: Ruth now sees grief as proof of deep love. Whether the loss comes from death or friendship, mourning shows how much she cared.
- The Magic in the In-Between: Inspired by Hiraide’s focus on quiet details, Ruth now values small moments. As a result, her songwriting highlights everyday beauty over loud milestones.
Out Now: Peace to Make
Ruth joins us to celebrate the release of her third studio album, Peace to Make. She spent three years writing the project in Los Angeles.
The album serves as an honest diary of her life. In particular, it reflects on the end of a four-year relationship and her first experiences with independence.
Rather than relying on pop glamour, the record focuses on emotional healing. As a result, many songs explore the search for stability, comfort, and peace.
Some tracks capture the joy of spending time with friends. Others reveal the vulnerability that follows difficult moments. Ultimately, Ruth found a sense of peace through the process of creating the album itself.
FAQ
- Why did Ruth B choose The Guest Cat? The book found her at a time when her life was moving too fast, serving as a powerful reminder to slow down and find comfort in stillness and small moments.
- What does the cat symbolize to Ruth? Chibi symbolizes the beautiful, temporary elements of life that we cannot possess or keep forever, teaching us to accept things exactly as they are.
- What is the meaning behind her new album title? Peace to Make represents her raw search for stability and emotional resolution following a major relationship breakup.
- Where can I purchase Ruth B’s new music? Peace to Make is officially out now and available across all major digital streaming storefronts.
Final Thoughts
Takashi Hiraide’s elegant prose reminded Ruth B that the most profound shifts in our lives rarely happen during big, dramatic events; they happen in the quiet spaces leading up to them. The Guest Cat gave her the freedom to stop trying to control the uncontrollable and instead approach life with a sense of pure gratitude. With Peace to Make, Ruth translates that exact emotional maturity into her most triumphant body of work yet, proving that true peace isn’t something you catch, it’s something you create.
