flight paths discussion
What are you reading?
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jumping june
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Magdelanye, Senior Flight Attendant
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May 31, 2018 08:34PM
As I proceed with the Camino Jump for Peace, thought it might be appropriate to dedicate this month to great or small leaps in our reading lives, discovery or deepening or making new links.
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............... a leap of faith into the unknown in respect to my number one hobby, .. work! Just about to complete my first year in the Social Housing Sector.
I like the new topic, Magdelanye. I'll have to think about it.I'm not sure I've made any new jumps in my reading although my reading of poetry has increased and demands I read more slowly and carefully than I'm used to. Also a lot of poetry dealing with rage at racism which demands self-examination and ruthless honesty.
Leaping lizards! I have jumped into Michael Sandel, whose work Justice, has won the Spanish Princess of Asturias prize. It deals with the kind of justice we need to live in a harmonious society with peace and happiness possible for all, when corporations understand they make their money because others do not, and that all creatures deserve to make a healthy living for themselves and their offspring. I am also relishing The Keep by Jennifer Egan a novel which plays with reality: is he dreaming, or is this real life.
Nice theme, Magdelanye! I'll keep it in mind as we make our way through June. Ice, congrats on completing your first year in Social Housing. It sounds as if you're enjoying your work.
Mary Anne, Michael Sandel's work sounds like a Utopia situation, of sorts. All creatures do deserve to make a healthy living for themselves & their families. That would be a nice thing to see happen.
Petra: not a Utopia, but a rational and practical solution to the unjust and cruel lives so many people must endure so that others swim in luxury (destroying the planet in the process)
Ahhh….. that's a topic I've contemplated a lot.....not as much or as deeply as the author, I know, but a little bit. That sounds like a very interesting book. Thanks, Mary Anne, for explaining.
June already!!!I've been MIA for a few months, I was sorting out my new work situation, dealing with stuff on the home front, doing a chronic pain workshop, so things have gotten away from me a bit.
I haven't been reading too much, but I have a few holds at the library that came in so I'm hoping to start back in again.
Lovely to hear about what everyone is up to!
Welcome back Megan! and congrats to Ice.Mary Anne, that does sound like an interesting book and one that I would like to read. We're doing such terrible things to the planet and to each other. A few people hold all the wealth and so many have nothing. The greed will (or could) destroy us all.
I'm reading too many books currently. The Clothesline Swing which Magdelanye recommended is wonderful. Also Richard Wagamese's Indian Horse. And for fun, Claire Messud's new book, The Burning Girl. My most adventurous reading is an author new to me, Fleur Jaeggy. Has anyone here read her? She writes sad, strange, but interesting short stories. The ones I've read so far focus on solitude and are somewhat depressing. Nevertheless, her writing is compelling.
Best to everyone.
Megan: The Pain Workshop - are you the attendee or the conductor of the workshop?Petra and Elle: Michael Sandel is a philosopher and he cites examples from various philosophers and events in the world, to help the reader create an ethics, mostly based on Kant, in that a person is a-thing-in-itself and not to be used as a means to something else.
Elle: Fleur Jaeggy sounds interesting. which books of hers have you read?
Ice: It is good when your hobby meshes with your work.
Magdelanye: hope your pilgrimage continues to be joyous.
@mary Ann I was a participant. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few months ago. I had a really bad flare and couldn’t even tie my shoes but still had to go to work, so it was a rough few months.i can hold a book again without pain so I’m very grateful to be reading.
Megan, welcome back. I'm sorry to hear of the troubles you've been having. I hope things continue to improve. I'm glad you're back.
Mary Anne: I'm reading I Am the Brother of XX a very interesting, unusual collection of short (often very short stories.Megan: So sorry you've been suffering so much. Fibromyalgia sounds like a terrible illness. Glad you can be back with us and can read again.
Thanks everyone for your kind words, it's good to be back! I've started into Lakeland: Journeys into the Soul of Canada. So far it's a fascinating read and makes me want to explore Canada more. He references Surfacing by Atwood a lot in this book, so I feel a re-read coming very soon.
Got to read everyones comments last night but my message didnt send...still off the grid and now at library just about to go into a poetry readingMegan...so glad you are feeling better
I got the Egan book but in this library system, they havent heard of Michael Sandel who sounds fascinating
leap on!
How's everyone doing? I am going to Osoyoos on Sunday for a week of walking with my step-dad. The weather is supposed to be ultra hot. Oh boy! Not my favorite walking conditions (step-dad will love it; he loves the heat). I'm looking forward to a good time. I've finished a few books over the past couple of weeks to share:
Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum's adventures are almost always fun during a commute. Not good literature and cookie-cutter but a fun story.
Our Father: Reflections on the Lord's Prayer by Pope Francis - I've never read any of the Pope's writings. I enjoyed his remarks and thoughts.
A Well-Tempered Heart by Jan-Philipp Sendker - an interesting story of a woman finding her true path in Life. A sequel, of sorts, to The Art Of Hearing Heartbeats.
Train Dreams by Denis Johnson - an odd little book. Well written, great descriptions, some wonderful segments, yet emotionless and aloof. Can't say I loved it but I liked it.
I will be bringing Do Not Say We Have Nothing to Osoyoos with me. One fun fact: it's set in Vancouver. It's always fun to read a book set in one's home town.
I had started reading Confusion on my ereader. This was shared with me awhile back. I was so enjoying it but 17% into the book, it disappeared! i could open the title but nothing.....just blankness. Drat! The library in the next town has copies of the book. After I come back from Osoyoos, I'll drive over there and pick it up. I'm looking forward to continuing the story but it's on hold for now.
Not sure if this will post so I'll keep it short. Petra you sure have been busy, such a range of topics. I remember liking Denis J but was I surprised to find when I looked him upon I have 3 of his titles on my tbr.
Have a wonderful holiday in Osoyoss!
Megan hope you are finding the right ways for you in dealing with fibro....
I did manage to get hold of Michael Sandels text book that he edited. Some articles and commentary by him, makes me want to read more.
If I write much more this will cease to be short. hoping it posts...
It posted! so I need to add that Thorns book, which I adore, does not star Vancouver.Which city suddenly seems very far away.
I planned to go to the island last week but the weather was rotten and postponed it. Today finally, the sun!!
At last I've gotten to read on the grass for an extended time! Have been reading about the digital divide and wondering if I'll ever feel more relaxed with tech. It's not so straightforward now that I'm more involved.
wonderful weekend to ALL!
ach, Petran you know I wrote Thien
is spellchecker toying with me? Petran indeed!
Good morning! I'm in Osoyoos with my stepdad. Our hotel is right on the lakeshore and our room overlooks the lake. It's a spectacular view. We haven't seen much yet; just arrived late yesterday afternoon.
It's going to be hot. Hopefully not too hot for the walks we'll be taking.
I'll try to check in later. Hope all is well with all.
I'm not reading much lately. I'm still in the early sections of Do Not Say We Have Nothing.
Magdelanye, did you get to the island this weekend? Where are you staying right now? How's the apartment search coming? I hope you find the perfect place.
yeah Petra lucky ladyhope the weather cooperates with your plans! And that you enjoy MT as much as I did.
I decided to stay in Powell River last week because of inclement weather and also the Prisma festival. As Krista Suh says, make plans, let them go.
And now look and viola! it's summer.
Hope everyone else is well and enjoying some quality summer reading.
I'm steaming through the last bunch of novels I have from my home library. The one I'm reading now is set between the wars and so interesting. It's called Wake by Anna Hope.
tho I can't always connect to send, I usually can read posts. MaryAnne are you still out of the country?
Ellie are you finished for the term?
Has anyone else read Saints and Misfits?
I am having goodread woes. My other message was deleted. The books I read in June are not appearing in Goodreads Books Read, although individual books show that I read them. Bizarre.I return to Canada and BC this Wed evening.
Powell River and Osoyoos look so beautiful.
Magdelanye: Have you found a new home yet?
I have been catching up on podcasts to which I subscribe: Lewis Lapham, Ralph Nader, and CBC Ideas, Next Chapter, and Writers and Co.
One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter is one of the books I read that is not appearing in Goodreads Books read.
I am flying to Vancouver via San Fransisco today and it took a while to choose the books I will read on the journey. It cannot just be any books: they cannot be too sad (I cry easily), cannot be too complicated (flight sucks away brain cells), and cannot be boring. I have decided on Three Comrades and Warlight. I started Three Comrades and what I admire about the book is the heartbreaking humanity that is portrayed in the first 100 pages that I have already read. It is not sentimental but funny, in the way that a long term struggle - Germany between WWI and WWII - 1928 -- must become or it becomes terrible tragedy. I will want to read more Erich Maria Remarque. I have avoided reading him thinking his topics to be too terrible and harsh but his compassion toward his characters shines through the translation. I trust Michael Ondaatje so have not tested his latest novel for flight compatibility.
And in all these travels Madgelanye, how did you celebrate your June birthday !
Happy (belated?) Birthday, Madgelanye! I hope it was (will be?) a good one.
still in powell river, with some side trips. there is a great music festival here and last Sat Music on the Beach was unforgettable.I had a quiet birthday with roses, thanks for remembering Ice and for your good wishes Petra. I hope Ossoyos wasnt too hot for your walks.
There is an annoying glitch in GR involving books read, and it hasnt cleared up. Sorry you are experiencing this too MaryAnne but surprised that no one else has mentioned this. They claim its fixed but its inconsistent and annoying.
I cant wait to read warlight.
And 3 comrades sounds good.
hope to see you when I am next in Van.
Just finished an amazing book I recommend highly, another astonishingly well written debut, Everything Here Is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee
Happy Birthday Magdelanye!! And many more!! Glad to hear that you are enjoying Powell River; I googled it and it looks beautiful. Three Comrades proved to not be the best book for flying. With a delay in the airplane, I got near the end of the novel and realized this is going to be sad, as I wiped a few tears away, and put the book aside and started Warlight, which is as seductive and English Patient, the language is poetic, and the plot surprising.
Osoyoos has been great, weatherwise (and in every other way, too). Our walks have been hot but tolerably so. By the time we're done, I'm a sweaty mess and looking forward to a shower and clean clothes. The walk, however, has been great.
The great thing is that the temperatures cool down in the midafternoon and evening to a very pleasant temperature. It's great for walking around town and sitting on the balcony of our room. This is a really relaxing town to spend time in.
We have completed our last walk today. We leave Osoyoos tomorrow morning. The time has certainly flown by. It's truly lovely here. We've had a great time.
sounds like i should check out ossoyos!
Petra that sounds wonderful!! I'm trying to convince my husband that we need to bike the Kettle Valley Trail and spend some time at Lake Okanagan. :)
Actually...maybe we should book some rooms and induce Ellie and Ice to venture west for a special occasion....
Magdelanye, that would be truly awesome one day! Megan, I've walked part of the Kettle Valley Trail and would walk other parts any time. It's lovely. I've walked the area in Kelowna with the kettle bridges. I hope you and your husband give it a try one day.
I'm actually walking sections of the Trans Canada Trail in BC as time goes on. I have the book of the BC trail and mark off the sections I walk with a pink highlighter. The Kelowna section of the Kettle Valley trail is also part of the Trans Canada trail.
Magdelanye, Happy (belated) birthday! I'm sorry I missed it but I hope it was wonderful.I've stopped getting notifications from this group again and I've been so busy with the end of the school year, I haven't spent much time on GR. Only two more days left! and then 6 weeks of freedom. :)
I've started guitar lessons this month and am loving it, although frequently frustrated with myself. I just started my first song and am so excited.
I read Fleur Jaeggy's I Am the Brother of XX. I was so impressed but it left me feeling hollowed out: so much despair, so muted. I'm now reading something much more lightweight but still satisfying, the popular An American Marriage. Not very challenging or really my usual kind of book but interesting nonetheless.
All this talk of trails leaves me hungry for nature. There's so little of it here in the Bronx. I love the tree outside my window but that shows how starved I am. Hopefully, someday I'll get closer. I always say that I don't want to die in the Bronx but somewhere less ugly!
Maybe in the next couple of years I can get out to Vancouver. It's a place I've really wanted to visit--especially knowing such wonderful people who live there. If I ever get out to visit my brother in Seattle, maybe we can fly up to Vancouver as well.
I can dream!
So many great travellers in the group!I went to Canmore today with my husband and sister, it was wonderful to be in the mountains!
Petra wrote: "How's everyone doing? I am going to Osoyoos on Sunday for a week of walking with my step-dad. The weather is supposed to be ultra hot. Oh boy! Not my favorite walking conditions (step-dad will love..."I admire the Pope but have not read any of his longer writings. I have to check this out.
I wish I could say Vancouver is my home town! Or, at least, my current home. NYC was fine when I was younger but I'd like to live somewhere prettier now.
I'd forgotten about Canmore! Thanks Megan for reminding me how much I love that are aToday I'm transplanting the vegetables I started from seed almost a month ago. Tomorrow I am jumping to Tofino area, with tent.
I am going to assume that you all here wish me luck
( lurkers too) because it feels like a huge endeavour.
Just finished another amazing and totally endearing book...The One- in-a-million Boy by Monica Wood. Don't be put off by lukewarm reviews from the backwoods. This could be the prototype for a perfect book.
@Magdelayne Are you taking the transplanted vegetables with you to Tofino? I am certainly learning local geography following you.
@ Elle - places that we love in our youth do not always serve us all through life. Raising my kids on a farm was wonderful, but living now in Vancouver, I can see that having places to see and things to do, and most within walking distance is also wonderful.
@Petra .. I found a used copy, complete with newspaper clippings, about nature trails ( Nature Walks Around Vancouver)in and around Vancouver, all within 65 km of Vancouver, most accessible through public transit. I have been several times to Pacific Spirit Park and even got a wee bit lost there.
@ Megan - I hope to get to Lake Okanagan in the summer when the cherries, peaches and apricots are on sale.
Mary Anne, that is wonderful. I have a couple of walking/hiking books for the Lower Mainland as well. There are some very nice trails around here. I haven't been to Pacific Spirit Park. It's so far from Port Coquitlam. I think it would be lovely there. The University has some great land.
(the cherries are on sale in Osoyoos now, Mary Anne. I'm not sure how long the season lasts)
Ellie, after retirement you can find a new home, if that's what you want. The city has lots to offer and it depends on how much a person uses the venues that would help decide whether to stay or not.
I sometimes wish we lived in the city, closer to the theatre and that marvelous library.
Magdelanye, have fun tenting in Tofino. How long will you be away?
@Magdelanye, you'll do great! Tofino is one of my favourite spots in the wordl.@Mary Anne, that's a perfect time to go to the Interior. :)
Petra wrote: "How's everyone doing? I am going to Osoyoos on Sunday for a week of walking with my step-dad. The weather is supposed to be ultra hot. Oh boy! Not my favorite walking conditions (step-dad will love..."I'm eager to read Train Dreams: please be sure and tell us what you think of it! I have so many books I'm currently reading that I don't want to add any more unless they're spectacular and I super-respect your judgment.
Summer vacation has officially begun! Temps are horrifying: up around 100 degrees. Before it got so unbearably hot, we got to go to the beach which was heaven. Today, though, we have to go into the city but luckily we're driving, not taking the subway which I'm sure will be unbearable.Right now, I'm reading
Less: not my usual kind of book with a white male lead but very funny.
Norwegian by Night: interesting semi-Nordic Noir but featuring a New York City Jew who reminds me a lot of my father.
Still working my way through Karl Ove Knausgaard's 6th volume of his novel/memoir My Struggle. Not my favorite at all: I adored the others. This one has incredibly long digressions which are only sometimes interesting.
Convenience Store Woman: just finished this one and it's now officially on my favorites list. An odd little tale of an Aspergery type woman who is happy despite her university education working in a convenience store. She has no interest in men or friends which horrifies her family. Funny in a quiet way and also interesting as a study in how much people tolerate "difference" and what kind of difference is acceptable.
We've made our vacation plans. Just a few days in August but I think it will be wonderful. Massachusetts with whale watching, beaches, and my beloved lighthouses.
How is everyone else doing?
greetings everyone!the library will be closing in 10 minutes so just a quick update.
I am actually not right in Tofino but even better, a block from the beach and the community centre. Actually, I loved sleeping in my tent, but this is more practical.
I am reading
byHelen Simonson which starts a bit slow but gets absorbing. I actually got a new library card for the area.
Thinking of everyone in your various locals and wishing you all calm lovely days for reading
Magdelanye wrote: "greetings everyone!the library will be closing in 10 minutes so just a quick update.
I am actually not right in Tofino but even better, a block from the beach and the community centre. Actually, ..."
For whenever you get this, enjoy the beach and your book!
flight paths
Books mentioned in this topic
Surfacing (other topics)The Keep (other topics)
Three Comrades (other topics)
Confusion (other topics)
Nature Walks Around Vancouver (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Janet Evanovich (other topics)Michael Ondaatje (other topics)
Erich Maria Remarque (other topics)
Denis Johnson (other topics)
Jennifer Egan (other topics)
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