Just read the 50 Shades trilogy. I enjoyed them.

Mixing it up:
 

Late night studies...
 

I've been restless lately with the books I've been reading. I found myself turning from text to text in search of a particular 'manna' (if you will), hoping I would come across ideas to counter-challenge beliefs and values that, seriously, I try to rid myself of - but not because I seek a culture of perfection. It's quite the opposite for me, really.

I wanted to leave this post earlier and because I spent the day communing with nature, naturally I didn't remember. But I think the book I am reading might be of interest to a few of you here. It's very interesting to me and when I am deeply involved with the authors logic, the argument he presents, I find myself wanting to read more or shall I say it this way, I'd like to hear this man present a lecture or seminar or workshop, based upon the materials presented in his book (I miss participating in arguments - classroom discussions). In short: I'm keeping this book.

Here's the title, author and date of publication:

De Botton, Alain. (March, 2012). Religion for Atheists: A Non-believer's Guide to the Uses of Religion. New York: Pantheon Books.



Two Links (WorldCat + New York Times Sunday Review):

http://www.worldcat.org/title/religi...oclc/727610621

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/bo...pagewanted=all

Strategic Relocation by Joe Skousen

The hunger game trilogies. It would be neat if they made a movie about books two & three.

I tried getting into Charles Dicken's "A Tale of Two Cities" but can't get through the beginning enough to stay interested. It doesn't help this is my "night" reading - I have to have something on the kindle incase I am restless.

and other stuff...
 

.

Just finished the first book in the MacKayla Lane series, Dark Fever. Wasn't impressed with the first half. And the character's Barbie-esque attitude was irritating at first. But by the end of the book she was growing on me. And the story actually started to get (a little) deeper than just "avenge the dead sister"... So, I think I'll read book 2 and hope that the characters get a little more 3-dimensional and that the plot becomes a little less predictable. (It could happen.) ;) ...

The other day when I was out and about,
I brought home a bunch of free papers to read.

I brought home a current quarterly edition for Breitenbush Hotsprings (they have a bunch of new workshops on their retreat menu for fall). Also, Willamette Weekly (love reading the editorial and the horoscope section). And.... Oregon Beer Grower, a Sunset magazine, and a Water Utility Report for the northwest region (Ore/Wa area, I believe).

Here's what Free Will Astrology said for my sign (Gemini):

"Dear Doctor of Love: My heart is itchy. I'm totally serious. I'm not talking about some phantom tingle on the skin of my chest. What I mean is that the prickling sensation originates in the throbbing organ inside of me. Is this even possible? Have you heard of such a thing? Could it be some astrological phenomenon? What should I do?"
-- Itchy Hearted Gemini.

"Dear Gemini: I suspect that it's not just you, but many Gemini's, who are experiencing symptoms like yours. From what I can tell, you have a lot of trapped feelings in your heart that need to be identified, liberated and dealt with."

I also brought the Willamette Weekly paper home because I saw an article in it that looks interesting to read on Art Culture. The title of the article is:



Excerpt from article:

There's only a thin and jagged line separating find and popular art, though, and context is important. The Washington Post demonstrated this in 2007. In Gene Weingarten's Pulitzer Prize-winning feature story "Pearls Before Breakfast," he took world-class violinist Joshua Bell busking at a subway station. Bureaucratic drones buzzed right past Bell -- as he played a $3.5 million Stradivarius. Only one woman recognized she was watching one of the world's best classical musicians (WW, p. 15).

****************

The Tiger's Wife
Téa Obreht


Only 1/3 in, but I'm mesmerized by her writing style. A true artist with words.

An Officer and a Lady: The WW II letters of Lt. Col. Betty Bandel, Womens Army Corps


Her letters give detail about the WAC's war effort, and insight into the lives of the first large non-nurse contingent of American women.

just finished the 19th wife by david ebershoff, and it was amazing. i think it doesn't present a full picture of mormon polygamy (it's historical fiction and it's very negative on the subject) but it is really beautifully crafted and i couldn't put it down.

currently reading:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Open-Mind-Heart-Contemplative-Dimension/dp/0826406963"]open mind, open heart[/ame] by thomas keating
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Francis-Assisi-Revolutionary-Adrian-House/dp/1587680270/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347898481&sr=1-1&keywords=francis+of+assisi%3A+a+revolutionary+li fe"]francis of assisi: a revolutionary life[/ame] by adrian house

just picked up a bunch of books on poetry from the library so they'll be next. i'm especially excited to finally read june jordan's [ame="http://www.amazon.com/June-Jordans-Poetry-People-Revolutionary/dp/0415911680/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347898545&sr=1-1&keywords=poetry+for+the+people"]poetry for the people[/ame].

Although I have seven books lined up, I can say the only thing I am reading right now are posts from threads and entire threads right here on our very own Planet. Thanks!
:glasses:

*Well...*,

I have had a change of heart about keeping the de Botton's book, Religion for Atheists. I decided to create some highly developed field notes by citing several examples of passages for future reference material as a way to illustrate why it's a good thing to read particular books like this.

Instead, what I am going to do today is take a stack of books I am not keeping and go down to Powell's bookstore before work and wander the stacks in search of something to read. I may end up with a fictional account. It's been awhile since I've given fiction a chance to occupy my mind.

Which reminds me, Tawse? what have you been reading lately? You said once that you like all your 'trauma' to happen in the world of fiction. I've never forgotten what you said; you said that so perfectly. :)

Nikola Tesla predicts the future:"When woman is Boss"
 

Well, let's see. I did read the 50 Shades of Grey series and I freaking loved the entire trilogy. It is amazing. I am now reading the Mortal Instruments series. I just finished the first one, City of Bones, and..wow. Currently reading the second book, City Of Ashes. I am loving the Mortal Instruments so far.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/The-Missionary-Position-Practice-ebook/dp/B007EDZ20O/ref=sr_1_10?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1348447301&sr=1-10"]The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice: Christopher Hitchens,Thomas Mallon: Amazon.com: Kindle Store[/ame]

and still reading this.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/The-Emperor-All-Maladies-ebook/dp/B003UYUP58/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1348447453&sr=1-1&keywords=emperor+of+all+maladies"]The Emperor of All Maladies: Siddhartha Mukherjee: Amazon.com: Kindle Store[/ame]



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"Lovely Bones," "Red Dragon," and "The Perfect Storm"
and my general magazines; Newsweek, RollingStone, et al.