Not my idea of light Summertime reading...
I have started a book club at my church. A social concerns book club. And I have really been enjoying it. But last night, I wanted to read a little bit before falling asleep, and here were my choices:
Ahhh, yes, this is some good reading! I wish I could at least say that it was so boring, that it puts me to sleep. But no. Actually, it is very well written and is shocking and ended up giving me a nightmare last week about dying of dehydration.
Okay, well, then, how about this one? This one is by Michael Pollan. Didn't he write that super book called "The Botany of Desire"? Oh, and that other one "The Omnivore's Dilemma" that I have heard so many people discussing? Yeah, that's the guy. Ummm hmmmm. He has just written this book:
I just finished it a few days ago. I really liked this book. It made me glad that I am able to shop at farmer's markets and that I have the luxury of time when it comes to cooking my meals. Because you know what? All that processed food that I (and millions of Americans) love to wolf down all day long? Not so healthy. Yep, pretty much killing us.
Well, okay, perhaps the non fiction is a little heavy. Maybe I should pick up the fiction book that is lying there, waiting for me to dive right in...
Other books we have read in the Social Concerns Book Club : Three Cups of Tea and The End of America. Both were quite good, though the second one was a bit dry for my taste.
Book possibilities on the horizon (please tell me your opinions on any of these if you have read them) The Overspent American, The Working Poor, The End of Poverty, The End of Oil (lots of "The End of....." books. Kind of ominous sounding...) Banker to the Poor, The Audacity of Hope, Pathologies of Power, The Faith Club, and Voluntary Simplicity.
I do read for pleasure, as well (Although, I must say, I have really been enjoying all of these non fiction books. I never used to read this kind of stuff. I was always a fiction kind of lady) Mostly what fiction I have been reading lately, however, has been whatever I can get on Alameda County's audio book selection. It is pretty limited. But I love it, because I can listen to a book and go jogging! Or clean the house. Or cook dinner. Or paint the bathroom. I am reading ...but I am also multitasking! I feel so productive. I must say, however, that when a book is boring, well, it is boring. No matter what you are doing. And War and Peace? I still couldn't get into it.
Any summer reading suggestions? Fiction, please. I think I have enough non fiction to last me through the year!
Comments
I'm digging Three Cups of Tea at the moment for my own book club. For fiction fun, I highly recommend the mystery series I have listed on my "page" about the woman detective in Botswana. (The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency) Loved every one of them. I also loved loved loved both books by Maarten Troost about living in the South Pacific with his World Bank-type wife. HiLARious.
Cool on the book club. And thanks for the reminder about being careful about what we put into our bodies--creepy stuff. Go Corndog!
It is all so sad. We are so lucky to live in America. I want to be able to communicate this to Maggie every day, but I don't want to scare her by saying "See! Look! See how terrible it is in Darfur!" How much do your kids know about current events, Jane?