books

A warm day with a cool breeze.  Strawberries, lemonade, and barbecue.  Dear friends I hadn't seen in ages.  (Robin, Vicki and Leah) And a passionate conversation about books.  Close to a perfect afternoon!  Robin had some personal growth titles he knew I'd be interested in, like When The Past is Present.  I brought Vicki and Leah Second Wind: One Woman's Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents.  We all love stories about women adventuring to find themselves.  And for Robin Foreskin's Lament - since he enjoys the "escaping a troubled religious past" genre.  Oh yeah, it's summer.


There is something about summer that promises me new books.  Longer days, fewer tv shows, two sunny beach weeks.  It's time.   Most of the year I read a lot of hospice and spiritual books as part of my work.  But summer gives me permission to branch out, time to explore, and even indulge in a little junk food reading.  For the last few months I have been stockpiling books in my Amazon cart.  I've purchased books I couldn't resist after wandering around in Barnes and Noble.  I have collected other people's favorites.  And now my stack has grown to intimidating heights.


My sister-in-law tells me I've got an addiction.  "Just go to the library."  She is one to talk!  She just keeps her book pile neatly hidden on her Kindle.  But if I needed any validation that I'm not the only one who loves to be surrounded by books, I was introduced to this awesome site.  BookShelfPorn.  If these pictures don't make you want to read, I don't know what will.


And one final piece of advice from the above site, to make us book worms feel desirable.
"Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve."   A Girl You Should Date via @brainpicker


As of today here is my stack.  Here are the stories that will hopefully challenge, inspire, entertain and enrich me in through the summer.

Two novels -
The Expats, by Chris Pavone.  "Smart, clever suspense, skillfully plotted" says John Grisham.  I bought this for Steve because of the title and promise of suspense.  Then read the front flap and knew I would have to read it first.
And Jennifer Weiner's latest Then Came You.  I bought this for my mother-in-law's beach reading, and am sneaking a read through first.


Two "life changers" - To The Last Breath.  A story of bucket lists and going to extremes by Francis Slakey.
And Wild. From lost to found on the pacific crest trail by Cheryl Strayed.  Recommended and lent to me by my mom, who knows a book I'd love when she sees it.


Some history - Lady on the Hill.  How Biltmore Estate became an American Icon.  I peeked at this at a patient's house and  was intrigued to learn more about my neighborhood.


A memoir - This Is Not The Story You Think It Is... A season of unlikely happiness by Laura Munson.  It caught my eye...


A travel guide (of sorts) An Idiot Abroad, the travel diaries of Karl Pilkington.  I bought this for my brother after he got us turned on to the show.  But again, am compelled to read it before I gift it....


Two food books -  Wheat Belly and Beat Sugar Addiction Now.  Because they just seem to hit the nail on the head.


Then two inspirational-
Love Does, discover a secretly incredible life in an ordinary world. by Bob Goff.  A fascinating Christian whose stories have already captivated me.  Jake is going to read this book with me.
And Seven Sacred Pauses, living mindfully through the hours of the day. By Macrina Wiederkehr.  I got introduced to this book through the book 7, and realized I had to read the whole thing.


If you are still reading this, I know you have some book suggestions for me.  Though you know I really shouldn't buy another book until 2013....but oh well.  Tempt me...