Increasingly I have found that I LIVE for the weekends. I love my two days of relaxation and no responsibility. The English major within resurfaces on Saturdays and Sundays when I actually have time to escape into a book. So in the spirit of literature and letters, here are some of our favorite books we’re currently reading:
Jen: I cannot read one book at a time, I like to alternate between a couple. My self improvement selection is The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety. My tricky little brain likes to run away to hypothetical land so these books help me keep perspective. I’m also reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies which is hilarious! It’s basically the Pride and Prejudice we all know and love, improved by a zombie plot (the zombies are known tastefully as the “unmentionables”). Lastly, I’m reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I heard about this book in Time Magazine and was sold when the main character was described as a “ghetto nerd.” This book won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction – totally deserved…but not for the faint of heart. I also want to start reading the True Blood books because season two is starting up! I need my vampire fix until the next Twilight!
Julia: I love books by Phillipa Gregory. I’ve read her series (I especially loved The Other Boleyn Girl!!!).Her books just suck me in and I can’t put them down. This weekend I’m going to start reading her earlier work, the Wildeacre Trilogy.
Kim: I’m into biographies right now. Loved the Patti Boyd biography, I’m just starting Barbara Walters and also want to read the new Sydney Poitier biography. There was an excerpt in Vanity Fair in which Barbara Walters talked about the blatant sexism that she had to overcome to achieve success – and she didn’t even know it! Fascinating stuff that shows maybe we haven’t come as far as we think.
What are you reading?
Astrology & Numerology
Career & Work
Deceased Loved Ones
Destiny / Life Path
Dreams
Love & Relationships
Mind, Body & Spirit
Pets and Animals
Jen,
If you are into bios right now and loved Phillipa Gregory, then you should read Alison Weir’s books about Henry VIII, his wives and his children. They are great reads. My favorite was The Six Wives of Henry VIII.
Hi, Jen!
I have a Master’s in Teaching, too! I teach English to international students who want to study at the university, but their language skills are not high enough. I teach mostly writing and reading, but I’ve also taught speaking and listening a few times.
I’ve heard of Reading Lolita in Tehran, and I’d love to read it. I have a lot of female students from the middle east, and it is difficult to get many of them to talk about things. I try to get their perspective on things, but most of them are very reluctant to talk openly even if it is just one-on-one. The few who are outspoken are looked down upon by some of the others.
Portland is definitely a great place to visit–lots of interesting stuff here. It’s also a great place to eat!!! If you get to visit, check out as many McMenamin’s pubs as possible and take a walking tour of the Portland Underground (also known as the Shanghai tunnels). The tunnels were used for human trafficking and I guess it’s really creepy! I have lived in Oregon my whole life, and I’ve never gone but I really want to! I did something similar when I visited Edinburgh, Scotland, and it was great!
Thanks, Jen!
Hi Lise!
I can’t wait to read the book and another one you may be interested in is called Reading Lolita in Tehran. It too is a memoir and its about an Iranian woman who was a professor during the revolution. Very poignant for what is going on right now.
I’m so excited to hear that! What do you teach? I’m actually getting a Masters in Teaching right now and hope to one day be a professor
I hear Portland is beautiful, its definitely on my list of places to visit
Hi, Jen!
So far, so good–I’m really enjoying it. It is interesting and well-written. Even though I am only four chapters into it, I can already say I would definitely recommend it. Because I am reading it for a book group, I am only reading the ‘assigned’ chapters. It’s been hard to stop, so it must be a good read!
One reason I find it so appealing is because I teach international students at a university. One of the many things I have learned from my students is what a gift education is to them and everyone around the world. The fact that Greg Mortenson has committed his life to ensuring that so many receive that gift is such an inspiration. I’m considering using this book in one of my classes in the fall.
David Relin, the journalist who did the writing, is from Portland, OR, which is near where I am. I think that makes me like it even more.
Hi Lise,
I’ve been meaning to read that! It looks amazing! Please let me know how you like it.
I am just getting ready to start reading Three Cups of Tea–has anyone read it? It’s for a book group, which is a first for me. I’m looking forward to reading something that isn’t a text book or picture book!
If I can make it through this one, I’ll come back to look at the other suggestions posted here. Wish me luck!!!
Hello Everyone,
I have just came across the series ringing cedars, I love them, I have learned a lot about connecting with the plants and animals, lots of ideas and different techniques for strengthening psychic abilities, If any of you get a chance to read them do they are the best….
Lots of great book to catch up on, Thanks for the great ideas!
Jacqueline x9472
Sure Verbena! It’s really hilarious and basically verbatim from Pride and Prejudice, so you’re reading along to a classic work of literature then all of a sudden he starts speaking about zombies…i love stuff like that. when i saw it at the bookstore i knew it must be mine!
hey guys!
autobiographies for me.
James Earl Jones who overcame stuttering and being mute,.and Richard Pryor,.with all KINDS of adversity
to overcome.
Hi…. Being such a hermit…I’m an avid reader and a TRUE BLOOD fan big time !!!!…
Thank you for the suggestions….I’ll check them out !!!!!
Blessed Be )O(….Gina Rose ext.9500