If you’ve been following me for a while you know that I do not make New Year’s Resolutions.
I’ve never cared for the word resolve and, from what I hear, the follow-through rate on resolutions is abysmal.
I do, however, like the “pick a word or phrase you can live into” idea.
My word for 2014 is spaciousness. Yes, AGAIN.
My PHRASE for 2014 is: Seek pleasure.
I have a little collision going on at the moment because right now I’m seeking a lot of pleasure in books and that’s wreaking havoc on the spaciousness I’m trying to create in my study.
I just can’t seem to part with . . . pages that turn. Reading on a ‘device’ is very difficult for me and I want reading to be all about PLEASURE.
Here are a few of the books I’ve enjoyed recently. . .
Brain on Fire. I loved this book. Not only is it a compelling read, I believe EVERY human being who may some day be faced with the care of a loved one, who can no longer speak his/her mind, needs to witness the tenacity with which Susannah’s estranged parents stayed by her side and fought for her recovery.
And her beloved. Oh, her beloved.
EXQUISITE display of steadfast love, even in the face of so much adversity. I bow.
There is ALWAYS a book on my nightstand that takes me into the kitchen of chefs, bakers, writers, bloggers, artists or artisans. My greatest fear in this health conscious world of ours, is that we are moving further and further away from the “food as love” experience. There is so much pleasure and delight in breaking bread with friends and family. The Kinfolk Table, Recipes for Intimate Gatherings, is a beautiful display of food as celebration. Simple meals, participatory cooking, and the wonderfully imperfect dinner party. And, needless to say, I was enamored with the whiskey-hazelnut chocolate cake!
I love Facebook. Whenever I need a suggestion about a medical procedure, restaurant, chocolate recommendation, or my next read, that’s where I go first. I am completely indebted to Jen Louden for suggesting this book be the next one on my pleasure list. Where’d You Go, Bernadette is brilliantly written and just what the doctor ordered to lift me out of the winter doldrums that sometimes emerge when the shorter days rob me of the much-needed sunshine I need in order to thrive.
And, if you’re looking for a few more book suggestions, we’ll probably do a little “book talk” in our next conversation:
Leaning into the Life of a Well-Nourished Woman with Jennifer Louden and Sue Ann Gleason on January 14th. Will you join us?
Meanwhile, tell us what YOU’RE reading. And why.
10 thoughts on “What’s She Reading & Why?”
Brain on Fire… what a title… I think I might have to read that. I wrote about my mother’s death… one day to be a book… I know about fighting for someone’s recovery… but have not seen a book about it… thanks for posting this. Lovin’ “book talk” 🙂
Right now, I’m rereading Pride & Prejudice, just for the pleasure…and because I’m about to read Longbourn with my book club. From what I hear, it makes for a good winter snuggle-up-&-read choice.
I, too, got a real kick out of Bernadette. Especially that scene with the choldren’s concert in the house…laughed out loud on the bus!
Will definitely put my feelers out for The Kinfolk Table. I’m all about intimate gatherings & imperfect dinner parties!
Thanks for sharing!
I have used words in the past, but this year decided to set intentions, which felt very good to me.
And since you’re the second person to recommend the Bernadette book, I think that might need to be my next read – thank for the suggestion!
I feel your pain on the book overload situation. I have been seriously considering hitting up the library again like I used to before I could “afford” books, because I feel like I can’t afford the space that they are consuming in my life…sigh. I love books.
Thank you for these suggestions Sue Ann. I’m currently on a pilgrimage slowly making my way through Marcel Proust’s “Swann’s Way”…it’s proving a little heavy for the festive atmosphere, although an interesting read. I intend to give myself more pleasure time for reading light books this year, as last year was all about business. Happy reading.
i will definitely have to check out these books, sue ann. and i relate so completely to your words. books captivate and enrapture me. i am just about to complete my newly remodeled studio/library, a place i have desired for years. i’ve moved many many times and have hauled around over a hundred boxes of books with me each time. i have finally unpacked them all, said hello again to my lifelong friends, shed tears at rediscovering their pages, and lovingly placed them together – at long last – in one room. yes, pleasure in books.
Seek Pleasure…how perfect! I love to get swept away in a good book and Bernadette was one of those for me too! It was a book club read for me and now we are about to set sail, I mean read, Transatlantic by Colum McCann. If I don’t like it …then I will put it down and give myself space for another.
Oooh, I have been wanting to read Brain on Fire! Thanks for the reminder!
I am currently reading Tara Brach’s Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha. I, too, am committed to reading more for pleasure this year–in fact, doing lots of things just for the pleasure (and joy) of it!
Once upon a time I was an avid reader, but that faded a bit when I had a child…y free time is about work and my time with her is about her. But I am leaning back in and reading on the iPad while she sleeps, so thank you for these suggestions. Next up: The Kinfolk Table.
Sue, I love when you post what you are reading. I just finished Brain on Fire after reading about it here and I loved it. I also read History of Love because of a previous post and I loved that as well. I’ve been needing to nourish myself with more reading after letting myself get away from books during a career change. Your recommendations are helping me get my love of books back.
Thank you so much for this feedback, Lisa. I love sharing what I’m reading with others and I, too, am reclaiming reading as nourishment. My husband is laughing at me because the UPS man has been here a LOT this winter. I tell him it could be worse. Some women shop online for clothing. I shop online for books. I suspect I’m spending far less and oh the places I travel!