02 January 2011

Good Books! Good Books!

I have been really grooving with the nonfiction this last month or so. And this weekend I found another blog that I'm really excited about!  Fellow book geeks, please come over and join me at Juli's Journey to check out her January book pick: A Course in Weight Loss by Marianne Williamson. I'll be adding it to my <3 Kindle <3 later today!

I have often wished to have some sort of online book club where I could read and learn from what other people read and share from books. Slowly, slowly, I am building up a community of fellow book geeks and with my new best friend Kindle at my side, it can only get better!

So, here are the books I've read lately that really made me think:



Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
This is one hilarious book. I found myself quickly wishing that I had a dad just like Justin's. I appreciate the directness and honesty with the way he expresses himself. Never unkind at the core, but not sugar coating it either, Justin's dad says what is on his mind.

This is Not the Story You Think It Is by Laura Munson
This is one of those must-own books. At the beginning, Laura is [like myself] a collector of other people's wisdom. She talks about the stack of books at her bedside and how she looks to them for inspiration for eing her best self. Armed with this wisdom, she faces the possiblility of the end of her marriage. Acceptance and letting go of controlling others is what it's all about. I highly recommend reading it and finding out for yourself how it's done.

The Shack by William P. Young
This is the only work of fiction on my list but it is FABULOUS! I resisted reading it knowing it was Chritian-based and I thought it would be a big ol' Bible thumpin' extravaganza. Not to say that it isn't centered around the teachings of the Bible. It is. There's a lot to learn and this is an awesome summation of some of the most important *IMO* parts of its teachings. I learned so much about compassion, forgiveness, and love in this book that I will henceforth recommend to everybody - regardless of religion or lack thereof.
Lies I Told My Kids by Karen McQuestion
I'm still in the process of reading this one but it's  a real gem. I haven't read her fiction yet, but I've downloaded lots. It's less than $2 on Kindle. I can't believe I haven't ever heard of her before. Clever and funny, she describes a laundry list of things we all tend to think we won't do - like lie to our children - but when reality hits the fan, it happens.

The Craggy Hole in My Heart and the Cat Who Fixed It by Geneen Roth

I thought this would be a book about grieving, and in part it is. But the real lessons in this book revolve more around seeing people as who they really are - limitations and all - rather than who we need them to be. Especially with our parents, we tend to construct certain chariciatures of them when we are children that aren't especially realistic. When we have to face that reality, it can bring on a lot of pain. Working through that pain and disappointment is the only way to work through it.


I decided not to link directly to each out of laziness, but if they are all available on Amazon or you can see them easily on my "Shelfari" link in my sidebar.  Please, let me know your opinions of any of these books, or other books  you think I might enjoy.

15 comments:

  1. I love to read too. I'm trying to read at least 1 book a month. So far I've already read my first book for January!!

    Keep focused on your health and fitness journey!!

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  2. I'm certain the Marianne Williamson book would be excellent. I love listening to her on the Oprah channel on Sirius XM.

    I read mainly non-fiction. It somehow seems more productive. If I'm going to read fiction, it's usually classics.

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  3. Whenever anyone asks about what book to read, I always reply with, 'Have you read The Help?' That book is by far, one of the best books I've ever read and is fiction. It's one of those books that you actually drag out because you don't want it to end.

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  4. I think I need a Kindle. My sis loves hers, you love yours, I could love one too.

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  5. Hey, I'm a new Kindle nut. I ordered the marianne Williamson book, I'm reading Dr. Drew Pinsky's book "Cracked" and I just wish he treated food addictions..I relate and am learning a lot. I've downloaded a bunch of samples/reference books, have a growing wish lists/ free books. I'm a nut for the Kindle.. Too bad , I have a job and exercise regularly and have a husband and pets so I can't spend all my time reading.

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  6. I am also a book geek. I just got my kindle for Christmas....i never thought I would like to read a book from a electronic device but I was wrong!

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  7. I've been looking forward to this post. I can't wait to read The Shack.

    I love this - "...seeing people as who they really are - limitations and all - rather than who we need them to be."

    Guess it's pretty cheeky of us to want people to be what WE want them to be, isn't it? That is why when people change - lose weight, get divorced - it freaks people out because suddenly you are not in that little pigeon-hold that they had you in. Who they need you to be. Gonna have to read this one. Thanks for taking the time to summarize these books. I could read about books all day.

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  8. For some unexplainable reason I love Russell Brand & I just finished his newest book, "Booky Wook 2." I loved it!

    Mimi

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  9. Joy - what book did you read?

    I have "The Help" on loan from my mom. Maybe I'll read that next!

    I just added the Pinsky book to my wish list. Sounds great and Lord knows I need guidance in that area. One of my besties has a son who has been in and out of treatments.

    I have no idea who Russell Brand is, but I'll check him out!

    Dawn, I hear ya! Isn't it AMAZING?

    Pam, I don't think you'll regret it if you buy one! And thanks for commenting. :)

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  10. I love to read, too. So, thanks for sharing all of those picks.

    Sounds like you are really enjoying the Kindle. DO you miss the feel, smell or texture of a book?

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  11. I am enjoying the Kindle immensely. Tonight I had my first "technical difficulty" with it - I think because i was working it a little too hard downloading and organizing a ton of free classic literature. But, I checked the Amazon website and found the fix. Now I'm not a computer genius but I'm smart enough to know the difference between an ISP and an IP addy - so I think most people could've solved it.

    I thought I would miss the feeling of the book in my hands, but I really don't because I got a cover with it and the weight is about right. Plus, I get fewer paper cuts :)

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  12. LOVE Marianne Williamson!
    will have to keep that book in mind...got a stack to read right now

    books
    food for the soul!

    love and light

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  13. thanks for the recommendations!
    have you read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years??

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  14. Thanks Miz! I put that on my wish list as well. Blue Like Jazz also sounds good!

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  15. Love the Course In Miracles - and have been reading it and studying it for many many years now.... need to read this one, too!

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