I’m totally guilty of lack of blogging. I’ve been taking some time to relax and enjoy the summer. But, I’m back because I miss writing, posting and connecting with all of you. Many of the upcoming posts are going to be shorter and not so project focused due to the fact that we are basically living amongst 60 boxes, 15 plastic bins, empty bookshelves and bare walls… the joys of moving. Hey, the way I look at it, in about 4 weeks my mind is going to be exploding with thoughts and ideas for our new space, so there will be lots of projects to come. Oh Al, don’t hide your excitement, you know you can’t wait either.
On to summer things. I love to read but I’ve really scaled back the amount I have read in the past few years, really for no good reason. There are so many books on my “to read” list though, so I decided to start chipping away at it this summer. The thing is, so many good books continue to come out! I thought I’d share what I’m reading, what I’ve read and what I’m going to read this summer. And we all know how much I love the earth so I try to get my books at the library and when I can’t I’ll buy them used. You can save lots of cash money by using the library or buying used.
If you couldn’t already pick up the fact that I have about 1 trillion different interests you’re about to find out. Not one of the books I’m reading is similar to another!
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle– By: Barbara Kingsolver
A fabulous book about a family who chooses to only eat food that they’ve grown themselves or that they are able to get locally from their community. Definitely makes you think about where your food comes from, how it gets to you and if you really need strawberries in the dead of winter.
29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life – By: Cami Walker
Amazing, amazing, amazing. I felt like this book changed my life by the third page. It’s written by a woman who suffers from severe Multiple Sclerosis … a cause very close to my heart. She decides to give away a gift everyday and see how she feels after wards. During the 29 days she slowly begins to see positive changes in her MS.
Socialnomics – By: Erik Qualman
An unbelievable outlook on how social media is changing the world in so many different ways. He really dissects social media and explains how to use it properly to benefit from it. It’s amazing, reading this, how social media has really changed the world in everything from the way we do business, to connect with family and friends, to fund-raise for events and find jobs. I’m about 30 pages from finishing it and can’t wait to see how it wraps up.
The Hand That First Held Mine – By: Maggie O’Farrell
This is next on my list, I’ll probably start it this weekend. You can read an overview about it right on Amazon. I’ll be sure to report back on how it was once I finish it.
So, that’s my list thus far. Are you reading anything intriguing? Have you read any of these? Do share. I’d love to hear other suggestions for great books out there.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve been reading quite a bit this summer, too. Mostly cheesy chic-lit, but there’s a few you might enjoy.
Half the Sky, by Nicolas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn–My friend recommended this book, as it had a great affect on her. It’s about the oppression of women in the developing world. It took me forever to get through it because the content can be dispiriting and difficult to read at times, but it enlightens the view of the struggles that millions of women in different parts of the world are experiencing.
Girl in Translation, by Jean Kwok–This is an easy read. It’s a story about a young Chinese girl who emigrates to NYC with her mother, only to face extreme poverty and struggle. There’s a little love story thrown in there too!
The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls–Didn’t read this one this summer, but love, love, love this memoir! Just read it. That’s all.
Laur- thank YOU for all these suggestions! I also LOVED the Glass Castle. I read that last summer, I think, by recommendation of my Mom. It was so fabulous. No, it was two summers ago because I also shared it with Al’s mom. I’m going to add the other two to my “to read” list. Thanks!