2019 Reading Challenge-November Update

{As we enter the Christmas Season, be sure and check out my E-book Christmas Presence{Linked here} It includes simple questions, a few reflections, to bring more {Purpose} {Pause} and {Presence} to your holiday season. The practice of keeping track of the books I have read in a month is always surprising.  Technically I read 7, but I’m sharing 8 because I finished one on December 1st, and it’s appropriate for the season.  One book I’ve been reading slowly for several months, several of the books on my list this month were very short, quick reads (but enjoyable none-the-less)  Between November 3rd and 15th I didn’t finish a single book. I was pretty sure my reading kick was over, but then, I read one book, which led to another and before I knew it, I was off and reading again.  The lesson learned was, it’s okay to take some time off and keeping a list The Long Way Home (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache) By Louise Penny “Fear lives in the head. And courage lives in the heart. The job is to get from one to the other.” ― Louise Penny, The Long Way Home The Nature of the Beast (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache) By Louise Penny “I mean some can predict the future because they create it,” said Rosenblatt. “Oh, not the good things. We can’t make someone love us, or even like us. But we can make someone hate us. We can’t guarantee we’ll be hired for a job, but we can make sure we’re fired.” He put down his apple cider and stared at Gamache. “We can’t be sure we’ll win a war, but we can lose one.” ― Louise Penny, The Nature of the Beast I’m making my way through the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series.  They are such fun reads. The Nature of the Beast was my favorite of the two I read this month.  The story was SO far fetched, and yet based on a true story. (Think impossibly HUGE missile launchers hidden deep in the Quebec woods.)   The Writing Life by Annie Dillard Encounters with Chinese Writers by Annie Dillard “There is no shortage of good days. It is good lives that are hard to come by. A life of good days lived in the senses is not enough. The life of sensation is the life of greed; it requires more and more. The life of the spirit requires less and less; time is ample and its passage sweet. Who would call a day spent reading a good day? But a life spent reading — that is a good life.” ― Annie Dillard, The Writing Life There were my first two Annie Dillard books ever.  I read Writing Life first and enjoyed it so much I checked the library to see what else they had, of course, I couldn’t pass up a book about Chinese writers.  I really enjoyed both books and look forward to reading more by this noted author. The Way of Gratitude: Readings for a Joyful Life by Michael Leach (Editor) ” Under the influence of awareness, you become more attentive, understanding, and loving, and your presence not only nourishes you and makes you lovelier, it enhances them as well. Our entire society can be changed by one person’s peaceful presence. -Thich Nhat Hanh in The Way of Gratitude; Readings for a Joyful Life This book is fantastic.  It’s short essays on gratitude. Authors include Mary Oliver, J.K. Rowlings, Henri Nouwen, and Richard Rohr.  I used this as a morning reflective reading for several months. I’m reading another collection for Advent, Goodness and Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas that is already off to a great start.  These collections are very well done. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern “You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows that they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift.” ― Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus I LOVED this book.  I didn’t know that Victorian Era fantasy novels were my thing.  But, apparently, they are. This book reminded me a bit of The Night Tiger which I read earlier in the year.  They both were set in distinct times and places, with an element of mystery, magic or just “possibility” that ran through the story.   I’ve been pondering this book since I finished it. It’s probably one that I should re-read because I’m sure I missed some of the depth just trying to figure out the story. If you are looking for a fun, beautiful, mysterious book, this is one to check out.  Morgenstern has a new book that was just released, I will be reading that soon. It was fun to discover a new author. The First Love Story: Adam, Eve, and Us by Bruce Feiler This is the kind of non-fiction book that I love.  Feiler’s young daughter was looking at the Sistine Chapel ceiling and asked, “Where am I?” That led him to consider the implications of the Adam and Eve account in scripture. He dives into popular culture, religion, philosophy, social science, and feminism tracing the impact of Adam and Eve. A super interesting and important read.  Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent by Amy-Jill Levine Amy-Jill Levine is a Jewish scholar, she read the biblical accounts of Jesus’s birth from a Jewish perspective.   It’s a small book, that I found difficult to read. It just didn’t flow for me. I read one review that said it was “choppy” and I would have to agree. Several of the reviews mentioned a book that was similar but better written, The First Christmas by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan.  I’m a chapter or two into this one, and I have to agree, it’s much better.  Enter your email to subscribe– It’s only ever used to notify you of new questions from The Art of Powering Down.

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