Whatcha reading?

[Swamp Dog]

that's not ski related. I was wondering if anyone else is reading "A New Earth" by Eckert Tolle.

It's not the kind of book one can plow right through. I find myself reading chunks of it and then waiting for it to digest before I pick it up again. When really surprises me is that I GET what he's saying. I understand it, digest it, and try to live it.

I was really thrown for a loop one day when I was subbing for a science teacher and we watched a Nat Geo film on apes. My thoughts turned to 'hey, isn't that how we'd be if not for ego, expecations, and the pain body?

I had to put it down for a bit after that.

So yeah, I was wondering if anyone else is reading it too. I really am looking for my place in the world. I left well-paying job that I hated in 2002 to go back to school. I've since graduated, my oldest child is out on her own, and my youngest goes away to college next fall. And now that I have my teaching certification, I don't want to teach. That seems like a daily unwinable battle that would be much better of without me.

SO yeah, I'm reading it to find out what my life's purpose is. Can't be skiing....I only got 5 days in so far :(

anyone else with me?

 

[Jilly]

When I read, I like to escape. So its mostly fluff!! But I did pick up a ski related book - No Limits by Byron Rempel. Its a biography of Rhona and Rhoda Wurtele. These ladies were Canada's first Olympic skiers. They grew up in Montreal. I skied with Rhoda Eves last year at a CSIA convention. She's over 80 and still going strong. Can't wait to get into it, but the fluff stuff is winning.

 

[Swamp Dog]

yeah, I read escape novels too, although I don't think I got very far with the last Jodi Picoult book I choose. Nineteen Minutes, set in a high school, where I work every day. So much for escape.

I don't know, ever since leaving my job, finishing school, and STILL having no sense of direction, I keep trying to make sense of it all and it just refuses to add up correctly.

 

[vanhoskier]

SnoQueen -

Your book sounds very interesting; I'll have to pick up a copy. I think there are a lot of people (and a lot of women) who don't know what their purpose in life is. Heck, I still don't know!

I am a teacher, and I can identify with your frustrations. My DH always tells me how I am such a natural at it, and in some ways I guess I am, but I still feel like there is something else out there I'm supposed to do.

What book am I reading? I'm reading Ski Diva's DH's book, Finn. Very well written, interesting story about Huckleberry Finn's father.

I always have to have a book to read. I feel lost without one.

 

[Severine]

When I read, I like to escape. So its mostly fluff!!

Me, too. I have enough serious stuff going on to last a lifetime.

I think there are a lot of people (and a lot of women) who don't know what their purpose in life is. Heck, I still don't know!

I agree! I'm stuck in that phase myself at the moment. Didn't finish college because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I did take all the core classes so I'd be ready. Decided I wanted to be a teacher at one point, but I totally disagree with No Child Left Behind so I have since decided that is not the right career for me. Then reconsidered because my SIL teaches at a private school and I learned they're exempt... changed my mind again. I'm supposed to return to school this fall to finish up the 16 classes I'm missing in my B.A. English and I have no clue what I'll do with that degree. For the time being, I'm enjoying (for the most part ) being a SAHM.

Back to the topic, I'm currently reading Piece of Work by Laura Zigman. It's about a celebrity publicist-turned stay at home mom who finds herself returning to the work force after a 3 year hiatus because her husband loses his job. I find that I can relate to a lot of this book, which probably makes it more interesting.

I have at least 4 books lined up to read next, including Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and Baby Proof by Emily Giffin. Finn is also on my list, though it may be a while til I get to it.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

 

[Kiragirl]

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

love his stuff.

I'm reading "Merle's Door" by Ted Kerasote, I love it, it's about this very outdoorsly guy who gets acquired by a dog and how the do everything together. It also includes some scientific information about the development of dogs and dog and human relationships.

 

[SkiNurse]

Currently: The Intellectual Devitional

It's own description states: 365 daily lessons from the seven fields of knowledge. Revive you mind, complete your educations & roam confidently with the cultured class.

The seven knowledge fields that it covers are: history, literature, visual arts, science, music philosophy & religion.

My "fun" book: Duma Key by Stephen King. Can't tell you what it is about yet...cuz I'm only 1/4 of the way through. And if your are a Stephen King fan, you know that anything I think I know about the story will change by the end!

 

[hoodgirl]

I am reading Eckhart Tolle's older book The Power of Now. I am waiting until I finish that to read A New Earth.
I am also reading Dangerous Admissions by Jane O'Connor, definitely fluff but what a hoot!

 

[mollmeister]

Yes-- there are a lot of books below. I like to have more than one book in my arsenal at any given time. And the first three I am reading in bits and pieces.

My non-fluff books of the moment:
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
Diet for a Small Planet

I think food-- how we produce it and eat it, particularly in first-world countries-- is having a HUGE impact on our health, environment, and economies. So I am getting myself *all worked up* by re-reading Diet for a Small Planet. And REALLY enjoying Michael Pollan's approach to a similar topic in the Omnivore's Dilemma. Good reads, both of them! My sister is very involved with the Slow Food movement and local small farmers, so this topic also has a strong personal resonance for me.


Winter's Tale

Re-reading one of my all-time favorite books, in bits and pieces. This is do-able because it's as much about the gorgeous prose as it is the overall story. LOVE, love, love Mark Helprin.


Fluff (gotta have fluff when you are raising small kids):
Re-reading lots of Guy Gavriel Kay-- sort of fantasy, sort of alternative history, sort of a disguised-as-somewhat-escapist-but-serious look at how (changes in and loss of) religion and faith and mystery and belief in magic affected people and altered the world at key moments in history.
The Lions of al-Rassan
The Sarantine Mosaic
Last Light of the Sun

 

[ski diva]

LOVE, love, love Mark Helprin.

I agree -- he's great. Ever read Memoir from Ant-Proof Case? One of my all-time favorites.

 

[mollmeister]

I agree -- he's great. Ever read Memoir from Ant-Proof Case? One of my all-time favorites.

That's my other favorite of his books. I feel like Winter's Tale is about the gorgeous prose for me and Memoir from Ant-Proof Case is more about the story (also written beautifully, of course).

Memoir from Ant-Proof Case reminds me of the magical realism of writers like Garcia Marquez-- just suspend disbelief and come along for a spectacularly fun, over-the-top, magical ride.

 

[Solincia]

Just a recommendation for all of you diva's out there who enjoy reading....

My favourite author is Margaret Atwood... she is a Canadian woman who writes books about woman, from a womans perspective.
If you haven't heard of her, or read any of her books... trust me, you will not be disappointed.

FWIW, my fav book of hers to date is Cat's Eye.

 

[ski diva]

Memoir from Ant-Proof Case reminds me of the magical realism of writers like Garcia Marquez-- just suspend disbelief and come along for a spectacularly fun, over-the-top, magical ride.

Love Marquez, too! One Hundred Years of Solitude!!!!

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Currently: The Intellectual Devotional

Looks like my kind of book! I just ordered it from Amazon...AND the American History version! I'm excited! Thanks for telling me about this!

 

[beckt]

I read "merles door" too --- excellent read --- had me in tears as I am also the owner of an aging dog....

 

[Jenny]

Just finished The Nine, which is behind the scenes of the Supreme Court. Very interesting and you get profiles of all the justices and what they're like.

Now reading When She Was White, a true story of a girl growing up in South Africa during apartheid. Her family was white, she was first classed as white, then got reassigned as "coloured", and later declared white again when the law changed.

I guess I'm in a nonfiction phase at the moment, because the other three I picked up are all true stories, too.

Overall, I probably read more fiction though.

 

[geargrrl]

I am reading Eckhart Tolle's older book The Power of Now. I am waiting until I finish that to read A New Earth.
I am also reading Dangerous Admissions by Jane O'Connor, definitely fluff but what a hoot!

Power of Now is on my stack, my MD recommended to help with my anxiety.

In the non serious dept, I'm working my way through the series that started with Kushiels' Dart ( Jacquelin Carey) and will be packing #4 with me on the plane next week. I'm surprised how well I've enjoyed this. The reviews sort of play up the sexual nature of part of the books but they miss the point of how it relates to the theology of the alternate Europe that is the site of the tale.

I just finished Empire Of Ivory, the latest in the Temeraire series, fun stuff sort of like Patrick O Brien but with really cool dragons.

gg

 

[ride_ski]

I just finished the new Grisham book- The Appeal. It was a typical Grisham, light read. I have 2 that are next in line. Another Grisham- Playing for Pizza. DH got it for Christmas and said it was very well written. And I went out today and bought Finn. I think I'll read that one first as I indirectly "know" the author.

 

[Sheena]

I am reading "Devil In The White City" by Erik Larson

quite good so far. I have a whole stack of books waiting for me after this one.