Thanks Ross,

That’s a few more to add to my list I’m big on audio books at the moment, finding myself short on reading time!

Fi B - 17 May 2007 04:43 AM

I’m big on audio books at the moment, finding myself short on reading time!

Hey there, Fi:

With the school year and being a Dad and husband, I’m short on reading time, too.  It’s usually summer or Christmas when I have the chance to ‘sit down’ and read.  These days, like you, I’m working with audio-books and pod casts; it’s great for allowing me to listen, learn and grow ... while I’m moving.

What kind of audio books are you listening to?

Books! Books! Oh, I couldn’t let this topic by.

Both the books which started this thread are excellent - in particular The Poisonwood Bible.

I also very much enjoy Prodigal Summer, also by Barbara Kingsolver, though it is too “preachy” about the environment for some.
Wallace Stegner’s Crossing to Safety was amazing. I read it a long time ago and so can’t remember much, but I know it had a huge impact on everyone I know who read it.
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay - it sounds cheesy but it’s really, really good.

I can’t wait to read all the other suggestions!

A few books that I’ve returned to again and again for wisdom, encouragement, and good old fashioned calming reassurance:

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert Pirsig. I’ve read it so many times that I’ve practically got it memorized. Lila: An Inquiry into Values, Pirsig’s second book, is nearly as excellent, and is seasoned with the author’s life wisdom (as in, he’s gotten older), and different types of philosophical questions than Zen.

The Snow Leopard, by Peter Matthiesson. I can’t describe it, really—it’s a man’s journal of a long, remote journey in Nepal (before Nepal became a big tourist spot), and it’s a journal of a soul journey. That summary does it little justice. I can just say read it. You won’t be sorry.

A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush, by Eric Newby. Another travelogue. Hilarious, if you like self-effacing British-style humor. And by the way, much of the action takes place in Afghanistan—50 years ago.

Jeff

Hey there, Jeff:

Good on you for picking up this weigh-laid thread.  You’re commending two books I’ve eyed for a while – Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (since University) and more recently, The Snow Leopard. You’re providing more, though.  ‘Lila: An Inquiry into Values,’ seems to be topical especially within the context of this forum and Motivation to Move. And, I wonder if Katie Melua’s song, ‘Half-way up the Hindu Kush,’ grew from her reading of Eric Newby’s book?

Man’s Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankl - With so much of my year with students devoted to heroism as it has been found within this last century, the book seemed to follow well from ‘Anne Frank Remembered,’ ‘ The Freedom Writers’ Diaries,’ ‘Schindler’s List,’ and ‘The Giver,’ Frankl’s book seemed ripe for the reading. I was especially struck by the interplay between possessing meaning and psychosomatic illness.

Other books that have hit home include ‘The Essential Kamasutra,’ by Wendy Doniger.  It precedes her recent translation of the original Kamasutra; the one Richard Burton translated was delineated with Victorian bias and reveals less of the actual practical and pragmatic encouragement than was intended.

Audrey Niffenegger’s ‘The Time Traveller’s Wife,’ is another book that buoys up a healthy, perhaps pragmatic, romantic ideal.  A chrono-impaired man lives in time displacement alongside the woman he marries at all ages of her life.  It is a romance, vividly narrated … sort of D.H. Lawrence meets H.G. Wells as told through Ms. Niffenegger.  Good, good schtuff.

P.S. I’ll be in hospital for surgery soon and will be in need of book recommendations during convalescence.

Here are a couple of books I’ve been enjoying:

The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by by Rosamund Stone Zander , Benjamin Zander - Its a light read that really made me think about how I viewed situations...especially when it comes to teaching the arts.  I think it could apply to anyone’s life though.

The Unmistakable Touch of Grace: How to Recognize and Respond to the Spiritual Signposts in Your Life by Cheryl Richardson- I love being reminded to allow your life to unfold in the way its suppose to happen.

Have fun reading!

I recently finished the book “Harmonic Wealth” by James Arthur Ray who you may remember from the movie “The Secret”. His line to fame was “Your Wish Is My Command"… His book offers a no-nonsense approach for increasing your wealth in all areas of your life - not just the material ones. I found his straight forward “tell it as he sees it” approach to be eye-opening and confronting but still all together transformative. This book is not just about the money - but walking the talk in all areas of your life including the financial, physical, relational, mental & spiritual pillars that hold you up - as he puts it. I especially loved his line that “balance is bogus” and suggests that you should strive to reach a sense of harmony in the dynamic flow of energies that surround your life rather than bring them to a balance. The more you balance - the more things stay the same. Life afterall is change! Keep Moving.

Be Good! ZR

So many good suggestions, I can’t wait to start reading! I only have one for the time being:

- Life as we knew it, by Susan Pfeffer

This is really a children’s book, but it’s so well written and insightful that I think everyone should read it. I didn’t think boys would want to read it, but my boyfriend was hooked straight away and is now telling everyone to read it too. It really makes you appreciate your life and your family and friends, and will make you want to phone your parents as soon as you’ve finished it!