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<![CDATA[Astin added 'Rowing to Latitude: Journeys Along the Arctic's Edge']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79772841
Rowing to Latitude: Journeys Along the Arctic's Edge (Paperback)
byJill Fredston bookshelves: to-read
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<![CDATA[Astin
is on page 10 of Travels In Alaska
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http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79772744
Astin
is on page 10 of 344 of
Travels In Alaska
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<![CDATA[Astin added 'Travels In Alaska']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79772744
Travels In Alaska (The Works Of John Muir)
byJohn Muir bookshelves: currently-reading
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<![CDATA[Astin added 'The Only Kayak: A Journey into the Heart of Alaska']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79667004
to: The Only Kayak: A Journey into the Heart of Alaska (Paperback)byKim Heacox
This book startled me. First - the author's voice. Kim is fully and completely open as he describes how a place brought about his metamorphosis. His honesty and authenticity commanded my attention. Even more impressive is his conviction. Kim describes how his experiences led to him becoming a 'conservationalist,' and he doesn't mince words about the sadness and challenges that came with standing on those convictions. This story has kept me up at night since I finished reading it. The courage it takes to stand on that line moved me. Kim lost some important friendships because of those convictions. That place were two people can't see eye to eye...where it is impossible to span the divide between opposing convictions - is deeply sad - but at the same time, profoundly courageous.
Finally - this story strikes at something deeply personal - it gives voice to a collection of my experiences and musings regarding life in Southeast Alaska and our relationship with the natural world. It resurrected memories of hypocrisy as I witnessed a culture that once lived with deep respect for the land, but today has clearcut and raped that same land in the name of profit, leaving an ugly wasteland. Today, that same drive for profit has depleted our oceans and rivers, and I am a part of this process. Big halibut used to be the norm when fishing around Prince of Wales...but are now the exception. How many salmon did we happily fill our freezer with...only to sit there until freezer-burn took over because we took too many. How many good people and their families depend on livelihoods that do not respect the land that sustains us?
In all, this is a profound book that touches some deep and difficult subjects. But his sometimes self-deprecating tone left me laughing-out-loud, and his touching insight into the side of human-nature that is profoundly generous left me tearing up. This is an incredible book for anybody who has considered their relationship with the natural world, or who considers nature their playground.
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<![CDATA[Astin added 'Day After Night: A Novel']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71784006
Day After Night: A Novel (Hardcover)
byAnita Diamant bookshelves: to-read
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<![CDATA[Astin added 'Flu: The Story Of The Great Influenza Pandemic']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70125874
to: Flu: The Story Of The Great Influenza Pandemic (Paperback)byGina Kolata
I grew into quite the germ nerd when my interest in public and community health was at its zenith, and it was at that point that I bought this book. Now, 4 years later in 2009, was the perfect time for me to be enthralled by the history of influenza. As the threat of another round of swine flu rages, I got to read about the original swine flu that showed up after the 1918 flu, and the scare in the 70s that led to a faulty faccination campaign. We have certainly learned from history, and one thing is certain. The virus will continue to mutate and evolve and change...and fool us over and over again.
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<![CDATA[Astin added 'Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/66390414
to: Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith (Paperback)byAnne Lamott
I read this book 2 years ago, and its arguably one of the coolest faith stories I've ever read. Stark. Real. Lamott tells a good story - her story - about her brokenness, and she makes no apologies or explanations or excuses. She is not only a humble person of faithful courage, but she's a damn good writer to boot.
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<![CDATA[Astin added 'Dakota: A Spiritual Geography']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/61944259
to: Dakota: A Spiritual Geography (Paperback)byKathleen Norris
Norris is pure poet, and her prose is delightful. Her subject matter is foreign to me - I have never experienced the stark constrasts and landscape of her Dakota. But after reading this book, I certainly feel like I've tasted it.
Her stories about small town insularity struck a cord - I grew up in a small town. And there is a deep truth in her conviction that she discovered incredible grace, courage, and generosity in the small communities of faith there. Groups of good people united around a common dialogue, faith, and commitment are powerful entities. Such small communities have been the greatest example of faith, God on earth, and love in action. And I've been blessed and graced by similar communities in my small town.
Norris has left me longing to visit her Benedictine monastary, to absorb the silence and have one of those retreats where liturgy takes over and my brain finally shuts off. What a delightful prospect!
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<![CDATA[Astin added 'God Laughs & Plays: Churchless Sermons in Response to the Preachments of the Fundamentalist Right']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/61943930
to: God Laughs & Plays: Churchless Sermons in Response to the Preachments of the Fundamentalist Right (Paperback)byDavid James Duncan
Duncan's ability to tell a story already has him on my short list of favorite authors. This collection of deep, whimsical, and everything in between thoughts cuts right to the core of all that I consider true in this world. It was the perfect book for passing an afternoon on my sunny deck, and for bedtime reading to help me bring the day to a content close.
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<![CDATA[Astin added 'Life Support: Three Nurses on the Front Lines']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49012331
to: Life Support: Three Nurses on the Front Lines (Paperback)bySuzanne Gordon
Gordon writes as an outsider-looking-in to the world of nursing, and her perspective is important. Her distance allows her to appreciate innuendo and context much more than somebody like me who is in the trenches. This book gave me perspective not only to what I do every day, but also the greater context of a complex health care delivery system. It was a reminder that the nursing role is vital, and a charge to continue advancing that role as our healthcare system is again remolded by people who do not practice.
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