Short Stories

Since the book club meeting I've had the time to think about some other short story collections I have read in the past year or so. I believe I mentioned the stories set in Texas. The title of the collection is Corpus Christi by Bret Anthony Johnston. Honestly I don't remember much about the stories except that I enjoyed them. He is a young writer and doesn't have any other books out.

The other writer who I definitely recommend is Grace Paley. I read Enormous Changes at the Last Moment and loved both the writing and the feeling behind the words. After reading up on her life Paley always felt like someone I would like to sit and have a cup of tea with. I would have to try hard and not ask her where the story ends and her life begins.

And just while I was writing this I remembered Flannery O'Connor. She writies some powerful short stories. Strange, memorable characters with cloudy intentions dominate the stories I have read of hers. A Good Man is Hard to Find is one of my favorites.

Anyone have any recommendations, short stories or otherwise?

Kindred by Octavia Butler

Knowing that slavery was a prevalent theme in this book both attracted and repelled me. I think it is good to look at that time period in U.S. history but I knew that some of the scenes might be more violent than I would like. The violence was there but the book is written in such a way as to help someone understand the mentality of the slave and the slaveholder. And of course this is sci-fi so you get it from the perspective of someone from today. A fascinating, highly recommended read!

Open Thread: One Hundred Years

I thought it might be nice to have a post up that can allow the conversation to continue regarding our last book. I know that a couple of people missed the book club and some of us have not yet finished the book (me!).

So here's the space (in the comments) if anyone has thoughts on One Hundred Years of Solitude.

*Addition*: Interesting review of the book

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan

Pollan continues to impress me with this book in which he exposes the faulty science that contributes to the cult of nutritionism that runs rampant in our culture. With regards to food selection we Americans have certainly lost our way. We trust the claims of a food industry that wants us to buy their products and leave our health behind. Pollan gives recommendations for eating and they are simple reminders of common sense. Don't eat what you cannot pronounce. Stay towards the perimeter of the grocery store when shopping and try to get out of the supermarket whenever possible (i.e. farmer's markets). Don't believe the health hype printed on packaged foods--remember they are only trying to sell a product that may or may not contain "real" food. End of soapbox--let the food revolution begin with you!

The Fire Eaters by David Almond

This is the third book by Almond I've read and I grow to love his stories all the more. The world is on the brink of catastrophe during the Cuban Missile Crisis while young Bobby Burns goes about his life in the quiet environs of a forgotten seaside town. Almond weaves in the magic of past experiences and how they trail us into the present moment. So much here to ponder and reflect upon.

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

I'm still exploring the science fiction genre and I think that Scalzi's effort here is a worthy addition to the canon. When he turns 75 John Perry enters the Colonial Forces and leaves earth forever. Equipped with a new body he discovers that life is very different in the alien-populated universe. Action scenes are nicely balanced with intriguing conversations about imagined technologies and the very real human emotions of loss and hope.

Xenocide by Orson Scott Card

Xenocide is the third in this series by Card that started with Ender’s Game and The Speaker for the Dead. I read Ender’s Game for an online class I took in the fall through RUSA and enjoyed it immensely. Though I have read just a little sci-fi in the past I found similar themes in Card’s work that I enjoy in literary fiction: questions of morality, racism and the search for a spiritual context. The primary difference with this series is the back-drop and the gadgetry that fills this world. Ender’s Game focuses on Ender Wiggin, boy genius, and the training he receives in war games to help fight the dreaded Buggers, insect-like aliens. Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide shift thousands of years into the future where we still have Ender (thanks to the time-defying effects of space travel) but he is an adult living on a frontier planet that also has another sentient species. Let the fun begin!

The flowers cometh

After seeing Wayne's lovely garden on Saturday evening I thought I would post a couple of photos of the flowers in my near vicinity.







Enjoy the season of blooms!

Looking for the Way

I made this post for class but thought that it would be appropriate for sharing here.

I've been a spiritual seeker for some years immersing myself in experiences and texts to try and "find peace" or "know God". I used to read a vast amount of inspirational material from various religious traditions as well as the works of gurus and guides from Krishnamurti and Gangaji to Eckert Tolle and Carlos Castenada. At the time I loved these inner and outer explorations carried by the words of the blessed, beloved and magical. After a while though I got burnt out. Too much of a good thing as they say...But one text I keep around is the Tao Te Ching, specifically the translation by Stephen Mitchell.

Here I can get a taste of the essence without all of the hullabaloo and nonsense that accompany religions and spiritual teachers. (My opinion of course!) The Tao speaks of a style of living that strips away the extraneous and returns you to the core. Mitchell's translation transforms the writings of a long ago Asian mystic (though little is known of Lao-tzu) into simple poetry that can be digested by today's readers. Let me share a small sampling of the verse:

Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,
you are truly rich.
If you stay in the center
and embrace death with your whole heart,
you will endure forever.

Himalaya

I listened to Himalaya and could therefore enjoy the soothing voice of Palin as he recounted a year spent in and around the tallest of mountain ranges. Palin and his crew start their trek in Pakistan and make their way through India, Nepal, Bhutan, Ladakh, China, the area of China formerly known as Tibet, Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh. This is no mere travelogue however since Palin is famous in his own right (BBC and Monty Python) and can therefore gain an audience with luminaries such as the Dalai Lama, the King of Tibet and other dignitaries of cities and villages through which they travel. Palin has a keen eye for the traditions and customs of the different cultures and his descriptions easily transported me to the exotic locales.

I have read a little travel literature over the years and Palin's story ranks up there with some of the best I've read. Having his roots in theater and comedy, Palin is quite engaging and his dry humor brings forth unexpected chortles and gasps. I could visit places that I may never experience and see these foreign lands through an interesting and educating lens. I am keen to read Palin's "Sahara" and watch the accompanying DVD series that gives the visual aspect to this himalayan journey.

A new year

Well, here it is 2008 already! Today marks the beginning of my second sememster in grad school and I'm dreading the thought of all the work ahead!

Wish I could say I've read a whole bunch of great books during my month-long break, but there just wasn't time. I did read the trilogy, His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman (which includes The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass) and greatly enjoyed all three.

I'm definitely looking forward to our book club selections since that will undoubtedly be the only pleasure reading I'll be doing in the months to come!