Thursday, June 30, 2011

In the Summertime

Although I have been carrying around the paperback for those snatched moments to read, this week has really been more about music than books for me. Maybe it's the upcoming concert, maybe it's the holiday, maybe I'd rather just close my eyes to listen and feel the weather. Old albums, new albums, and obscure albums have all found their way to my playlist, and with ipod on "shuffle", I have not skipped a song.

If you need a little musical inspiration this week, this is a great place to start. And if you are looking for eclectic playlist, I could recommend a few titles.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Tea by Two (Hot or Sweet)

The next GBC read is Saving the Queen by William F Buckley Jr. While a physical book copy in the GBC area seems to be difficult to procure, Amazon will again come to my rescue with its Kindle edition. Amazon also offers the read in seven 1.5 hour cassettes for those of you who still have a player and are well-grounded in the 80s.

If you find the Brits to be too far afield, Huntsville local press has assembled this list of ten novels by Alabama writers for a Southern bent to your summer reading.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Heart of Glass

I am stepping out of electronic media to read The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. I picked up this dog-eared copy on the recommendation of the book shop staff during April's visit to Mobile. The note from the press indicates this book was printed "with new plates" and that "NOT ONE WORD HAS BEEN OMITTED." All caps. Printer from 1983, you have my attention.

The paperback feels the more appropriate choice for near the pool reading and since clumsiness is an occasional characteristic, it seems a little less risky.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Water Water Everywhere



I did not meet a mariner, new or ancient.

I did see an amazing skyline.

- Seattle, June 2011



Enjoy your weekend and take in a skyline.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Rhymes with Blossom

Receiving two books yesterday to officially round out an eight day Birthday Hanukkah = awesome.

I am a lucky gal.

Last evening I arrived home to find The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha in my post box. Reading through a few pages, I was reminded of things I really did define as awesome (or at a minimum pretty neat) including flipping your pillow in the middle of the night, knowing the right combination of digits to press to skip through an automated menu, and discovering how the hotel shower works [ah, first visit to Finland how you will not be forgotten]. The succinct imaginative author also has a blog of 1000 Awesome Things which today will remind you that the perfect amount of sunblock is indeed worthy of a mention, particularly for those of us with pale skin.


Monday, June 20, 2011

Give Me Give Me Shock Treatment

Life, the Universe, and Everything is almost over.

You have a few short days to complete Cutting for Stone before this week's meeting. (No pressure GBC K1m.)

If you have read the book and need something short to occupy your time, consider the "Tennis in Literature" quiz from The Guardian. Best enjoyed with a side of strawberries and cream; try not to make a racket.

Because it's Monday and I like odd items, here'a a link to NYT's "I'm O.K., You're a Psychopath" a review of The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry. (Links to the book and a former review also included. Ramones album optional.)

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Rage Against the Machine

My dear friend J@ck13 introduced me to the tradition of the Birthday Hanukkah, an eight day celebration of the event of one's birth. These extended celebrations are not the result of a keen fondness for birthdays but rather the unintended outcome of scheduling conflicts, friends who do not play well with others, timing, and well, really an excuse to have more reading water.

And so it is that tonight marks the end of my very own (first) Birthday Hanukkah. As GBC Paige and I worked to prepare tonight's meal, I was introduced to the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. While the books were originally geared to a slightly younger audience than the two of us, the novels seem to be picking up steam with a more experienced generation. Here's a link to a review from the NYT if you (like me) missed out on the debut of this trilogy.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Coming Down Is the Hardest Thing

Life, the Universe and Everything became my transition book after Cutting for Stone. Lighter and with a bit of whimsy; Douglas Adams fit the bill. After all, who could resist the notion of learning to fly?


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Not Your Surgeon General

"The world turns on our every action, and our every omission, whether we know it or not." - Cutting for Stone

I finished the novel as I have many others, sitting near a busy airport gate waiting for a flight. I was so engaged in the story that the surrounding din was not a distraction, but rather support for the last days main character Marion spent in NYC. The story took at least two unexpected turns, and the many edits/re-writes the author mentions in the acknowledgements served a positive purpose for the reader. Survival and loss are continual threads in the book with all the main segments covered: love, life, home, and hope. The title is definitely worthy of a hearty GBC discussion next week.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Coffee, a Wombat, and a Needle

Talking with kids usually provides a unique view on life and last night caused me to become a bit introspective. While celebrating a PhD milestone with a very talented and dear friend, I aided a six-year old girl in her quest to create a present.

The medium: A paper plate
The tools: Two pens and clear tape
The message: "Find the treasure"

The treasures? For this young lass, they included a soft plastic pen/pencil cover (to make it easier to write), silly bands (these were in the shape of very small animals) and the drawing of a tree. The notable thing about this creation is that the treasures were always visible but she still seemed compelled to start with the word "find." How many times are the treasures within arm's reach but we do not pay attention to the subtle clues? For me, occasionally more than I have appreciated.

I have had four days of spectacular skyline views, quiet moments for reading, celebrations and lots of laughter. Weekend treasures.

Friday, June 10, 2011

The Rain in Spain is Mostly the Same


I have always enjoyed walking in the rain.

It is rather difficult to hold an umbrella, a purse, and a camera at the same time, particularly when trying to avoid automobiles.

May showers in Firenze.

June showers in Seattle.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

He's Got a Nice Grill

For a period of years, I was fortunate to live in a household where a man did most of the cooking. This coincided with a time where work and school hit a frenzied crescendo, so there was little better than sitting down to a beautifully plated meal (he was very particular about plating) at the end of the day, especially after having received a glass of reading water upon entry to the house.

I am fairly certain it was this experience which led to me to pause on this NYT review of Man with a Pan by John Donohue. The authors list, including Wesley Stace (John Wesley Harding), Paul Greenberg and Steven King (?!), alone has me intrigued. Reading about what it is like to cook for a woman and/or a family? This book has definitely made my list.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Free-Falling

I felt as if someone should give me a high five when I crossed the half-way mark to Cutting for Stone. The read has been worth it but it has seemed rather long, which brings me to...

Incognito: What is Hiding in the Unconscious Mind by David Eagleman and this transcript from Fresh Air with Terry Gross. The interview mentions an experiment relating time to memory during a scary situation like a fall. The scarier something may be, the longer it may seem in memory. My first thought was re-evaluating the 52 seconds of free fall last Sunday. It did not seem particularly long, however I went into the situation knowing that I would be at the mercy of 9.91 m/s2 for a minute. Perhaps there was something in the knowing? Not always, I would venture.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Saturdaze

It's Saturday.

Be adventurous.

Be nice.

Be carefree.

Start a new book.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Two of a Kind

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese is a book that makes me grateful for an electronic reader. I have spent hours moving through the pages and though at Chapter 19, I am only 35% into the novel. With a traditional text (at a 1.9 pound shipping weight), I may have become discouraged though biceps healthier for the read.

The story of twins Shiva and Marion is an appropriate read for a Gemini month. With an untraditional beginning in Addis Ababa, Marion is our narrator sharing the story of their birth and as much of their parents' lives as he can piece together. At this juncture, it is difficult to know how the story will move forward. Obstetrician Hema plays a significant part in early pages and her question, "Wasn't that the definition of home? Not where you are from, but where you are wanted?" has stayed with me.

Lets see if I wrap this up before we move into Cancer.