the one that makes me scared for the kids.

I just finished Deep Economy by Bill McKibben.  This book brought about many realizations.  It also reaffirmed that what I really want is to own a cheese farm in Vermont and live amidst what seems to be a utopia of creative and independent thinking folk. 

Deep Economy brings together the ideas of the environmentalists and foodies and nutritionists and politicians that have scared the beejeezus out of us lately talking about our dismal future.  McKibben plants seed of hopefulness and I was rather intrigued to hear about ideas that are working round the globe in getting people to think smaller and think local.  I loved the year of eating seasonally and locally section and it made me want to re-read Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle book.

I'm wishing that my husband would read this book but know that I owe him a read off his bookshelf first.

I wish I could say more.  It was a profound book but perhaps a little too profound for a pregnant lady just trying to beat the heat in August.   Go to http://www.350.org/ if you want to hear more about 10/10/10 - a day set aside to fight against global warming and save our precious Earth.  

Eager for the book club discussion.

the smart one about cancer.

This book got me. 
Eating Pomegranates : A Memoir of Mothers, Daughters, and the BRCA gene.

Lest you think I only read books about food and babies, I devoured something with a bit more depth and purpose.  The author of this book, Sarah Gabriel, was on Kerri Miller's Midmorning show a few weeks back.  She is brutally honest, literary and informative about her experience with breast cancer.  Her mother died of breast cancer at the early age of 44.  Given the significant family history, Sarah decided to embrace genetic counseling and have several proactive surgeries to mitigate her risk.  And yet . . .

What I enjoyed most about this book is how candidly she discusses the family disease.  She discusses the origins of the disease and the first ever mastectomy in 1802.  You learn about the statistics and current developments in treatment through Sarah's eyes.  Although the cancer word is not as dreaded as it once was, people still shy away from it.  They yearn for you to speak positively about the experience and fill them with hope.  It's not what one discusses at the grocery store or at the neighborhood barbecue.

This is a tough book to talk about. It made me think about my legacy, my future and my decisions.  

I can't find the words but luckily Sarah Gabriel does quite well.

another one by a foodie.

I quickly read Ruth Reichl's Not Becoming My Mother the other day.  I mean QUICK.  This memoir is 110 short pages long. 

This is Ruth Reichl.

I'm intrigued by Ms. Reichl.  She was restaurant critic for the New York Times and editor in chief for the now defunct Gourmet magazine.  BUT this book is a memoir of her mother and how she experienced limiting choices for her career and life happiness in the 1940s and 1950s. 

think January Jones in Mad Men - if that is a reference for you.  A heartfelt understanding on how the role of women in our society has transformed.

Ruth doesn't think she is all that beautiful.  Her mother grew up feeling ugly too.

My favorite quote:
"You'll see.  Once you find out who you are, you will find your beauty.  You have to grow into your face.  But I promise you this: you will."

There is something about growing old and truly understanding your mother that just appeals.

the one . . . make that three . . . books about babies.

I just finished three books about newborns.  None made me cry OR feel anxious, irritated and overwhelmed.  Would highly recommend.

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by the notorious Ina May

Healthy Child, Healthy World by Christopher Gavigan
Heading Home with your Newborn by Jana and Shu

I decided that I would take baby steps (hah!) on being green AND start just with the food chapter in Healthy Child.  Meaning: organic milk & meat, staying away from the dirty dozen, obtaining fruit at farms or markets, stripping plastic from my kitchen and cutting out preservatives, corn syrup and trans fat.  Some of these efforts I have already made but am now re-energized and committed to the task.

My favorite quote was from Ina May and I plan to use it as my mantra for the next six weeks.

 Remember this, for it is as true as true gets: YOUR BODY IS NOT A LEMON. 

You are not a machine. 
The Creator is not a careless mechanic. 
Human female bodies have the same potential to give birth well as aardvarks, lions, rhinoceri, elephants, moose and water buffalo. 
Even if it has not been your habit throughout your life so far, I recommend that you learn to think positively about your body.

True enough.

one really big announcement.

Kerri Miller just announced the Fall 2010 Talking Volumes season.  I just love the Fitz and SO enjoyed attending these author talks a few years ago.  Tickets have gone up in price and become a lot harder to get your hands on.  If life were not so unpredictable this fall and if literary companions were in abundance, I would be attending each and every one of these events.

Jonathan Franzen - September 21st
Nicole Krauss - October 28th
Nora Ephron - November 17th
Anita Shreve - December 8th

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/ongoing/talking_volumes/

Now doesn't that look fun?

the one with very short chapters.

I just finished the follow-up to The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.  This novel is a great book for those with lots on their plate and not much time to breathe.  The chapters are two pages - tops. 

Half Broke Horses is the true life "novel" (read: not memoir but fiction) about Jeannette's grandmother; a women who pulled out her dentures and let 'em have it.  Lily Casey Smith was a one room schoolhouse teacher and sold bootlegged liquor.  I've heard this book called "Little House" for adults.  Maybe, maybe not.

Please don't have overly high expectations of this book.  It was a good summer read and worth checking out but nowhere near as riveting and rocking as The Glass Castle.

I do LOVE the feeling of finishing a book and putting it on my shelf.  Such satisfaction.

the one I read today.

Another library pick from the self help shelf:
The Power of Purpose by Richard Leider

Not much to say about this one.  With a baby on the way and my occupation on pause, finding purpose will be a theme for me this year.  Finding something so powerful in life that I might be willing to give up almost anything to discover it.  This book didn't transform my ideas but more set the stage.

Some favorite quotes:
"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy". 
George Bernard Shaw

And I do love the quote from Marianne Williamson (too long to copy here but WONDERFUL).
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure . . . . your playing small doesn't serve the world."

I so want to be thoroughly worn out.  No longer physically or emotionally but spiritually.

the irish one.

Matt picked up this little guy for me at Hodges Figgis bookstore in Dublin.  Anne Enright is an acclaimed author that lives in Ireland and won the 2007 Booker Prize for The Gathering.  It seemed a perfect little novel to remember my time in Dublin.

This is a novel about family secrets.  And most novels I read about family secrets end up feeling like an episode of the Oprah show (see: incest & molestation).  This is a heavy book but Enright does magically weave the story together and I did not feel burdened by the characters or the revelations.  Critics liken this book to Joan Didion or James Joyce's The Dubliners.  The Library Journal calls this book "an acquired taste" and "suitable for larger collections."  Translation: not for all.

I enjoyed the part at the end where grandmother Ada has a white coffee and slice of cake at Bewleys on Grafton.  Been there, done that.

I relished in this book as I relished in Ireland.  A country that has many secrets and stories to share.

the one about Eating Animals.

Difficult book to read on Fourth of July weekend with barbecuing in full swing.  I hemmed and hawed about reading this book.  I've read Pollan, Schlosser, watched Food Inc.  Wasn't sure what more I could glean that would make me entirely swear off animals and animal products.  When it comes to meat, I'm someone who could take it or leave it.  And usually, I just leave it.

Reviewers of the book appreciate that Jonathan Safron Foer does not try to sway the reader to become a vegan.  In contrast, I felt a little shamed and guilted.  Spots of the book were repetitive and, at times, Foer really knows how to lay it on thick.  But his research appeared to be very current and extensive and ultimately had me convinced.  I learned a little more about the demons of eating poultry and seafood.  Alas, I'd always thought that red meat was the real criminal. 

This book gave me food for thought, a desire to continue shopping locally and will probably lead to much confusion in the meals that follow this month.  A disturbing book by an author that does not hold back one iota.  People will either love this book or decide it's just not for them.