Category: Read

Discussing fasting with Kathleen…

flunking sainthoodYou never know what other people truly find important until you find a way to ask. Kathleen M. and I found we have a common interest in the benefits that come from “doing without” because we have so much.  She is a cool librarian and recommends these reads:

Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor by Jana Riess (Nov 1, 2011) (Kindle ready)

The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle (Sep 19, 2006)

The Rule of St. Benedict by St. Benedict, PlanetMonk Books and Boniface Verheyen (Apr 30, 2011) (Kindle .99)

So read, eat – (or not), and it may lead to whatever you call prayer.

Just finished…Treasure Island

Enjoyed reading my first Robert Lewis Stevenson novel, Treasure Island. What a bright, lively story! Nothing overworked or old-fashioned- which I confess I half expected. The classics are classics for a reason.  I was hooked immediately when old sea captain, Billy Bones mysteriously takes up residence in the seaside inn  Jim Hawkin’s family runs. He rants, he raves, he drinks rum, and he’s gripped with fear of The Black Spot! The pirating and adventures soon move out to sea! Long John Silver is alive – and both terrible and irresistible to young Jim Hawkins.  A fine, fantastic yarn, “And you may lay to that!”, as Long John would say!  Do I like it even more because it is a story with a map? Of course!

Steve and Dee – San Diego dreamin’

[slideshow]So, yes keeping current with eat,pray,read is a challenge. That’s because life involves all of that and more! Let’s go back to February for today…the past is still with us, and to be cherished.

Visiting Steve and Dee at their home in Carlsbad California was the finale to our wonderful Cali vacation.

Steve challenged me the other day by reminding me that I had neglected to post highlights of the visit – despite the fact that we talked about books and ate wonderful meals, and walked the beautiful, peaceful beaches!

Some of the books:

The Wave, In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean, by Susan Casey

The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga

Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes

Ahab’s Wife, by Sena Jeter Naslund

We went whale watching in San Diego harbor. Hence Ahab’s Wife was mentioned. Steve was reading The White Tiger on cd while in his car on the lovely drive down the coast to the San Diego Salt Mines called his office.   The Wave is another recommendation from my ‘still surfin’ cousin. And Matterhorn, which is sounding like a man-book being read by a guy who likes man-books as well as great food, wine, and family time!  Wonderful people. Wonderful place! Timeless!

Just finished….the curios incident

After finishing the curious incident of the dog in the night-time, I had one of those experiences where you suddenly encounter a topic everywhere you turn! Friends Lori and Janet both told me of their experiences with autistic students and family, and I it was as if this book had opened my eyes to what they were saying. You’ve got to love reading when it carries into your own everyday world! The author, Mark Haddon writes as if a 16 year old autistic boy named Christopher was writing the story. Fascinating perspective of what the world is like to someone who can’t relate to the expression on the human face, but can solve quadratic equations in his head. It’s a smart, quick read!