November
15. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
(I'm loving this book!!)
As you can see I havent read anything in a while. I've been so focused on making all of my time "productive" that even my reading choices had to be informative. My friend Jon recommended this book. It is epic like a Tolkien story. It is keeping me up at night and I have even stayed home from kung fu to read.
August
14. Right Hear Right Now edited by Cheryl Rivers(Enjoyed flipping through)
A friend lent me this book, because I was talking about going to the exhibit at the Berkeley Art Museum that featured handicapped artists. This book is about the art by Donald Mitchell.
13. Nutrition- Real People, Real Choices by Hewlings and Medeiros
(read the first 1/3.)
What I am most excited about learning is what and how much to eat as an athlete. It is going to be super helpful being more informed on which foods to pair together so I can absorb the maximum amount of nutrients.
12. In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
(read 1/2. Lots of good info but it got to wordy.)
I'm taking an Eco Arts class, which is about creating Environmental and Community Based Art, taught by Andree Singer Thompson. It is such a blessing to have time reserved for becoming more informed on ecological and social issues and then figuring out how I can share this information through my art to hopefully create change. I get to read books I've wanted to study, like this book by Pollan and watch documentaries, like An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore. I see this class as being the catalyst of something great, propelling and helping me focus my art.
11. California Motorcycle Handbook by the State of CA
(currently reading)
This counts as a book right? This is here for me to remind myself that this is going to happen. It's just a simple matter of lining up the ducks. One step at a time.
July
10. Wiring 1-2-3 by The Home Depot
(read 1/3. I will check it out again when I'm at the wiring phase.)
I'm reading this book to prep for hard wiring my latest Cactus Lights commission. This project has pushed me to learn new skills, like hard wiring, which is why I love designing site specific art. Every project is different, making it a fun challenge.
June
9. Meditation the complete guide by Patricia Monaghan and Eleanor G. Diereck
(read select chapters)
This book reintroduced me to my love of labyrinths, which I am now seeking out and walking all 20 or so in my area. Read this post about how to find labyrinths near you.
Each chapter goes over one form of mediation (I believe there are 20 or so chapters), how to practice and a list of further reading. I find taking time to calm my mind and focus on meditating is really relaxing and replenishing.
8. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, Informal talks on Zen meditation and practice by Shunyru Suzuki
(finished reading)
I was surprised at how straight forward this book was written. It talks about how to practice zazen, seated meditation, and the benefits of this form of meditation.
May 2011
7. Women who run with the wolves, Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D.
(read a chapter here and there)
Several years ago this book was recommended to me by a well respected friend. I bought the book that same day. I only made it to the second chapter because the words kept empowering me to go take care of things.
I miss placed the paperback, but recently I found a hardback copy for $5. I'm up to the 3rd chapter and enjoying the progress I've made since reading it last in finding my wolf pack.
6. Tribes, We need You to lead us by Seth Godin
(finished reading)
After reading The Pit by Godin, I jumped at the chance to see what he had to say about leadership. Quick read, to the point and powerful stuff. Inspire don't manage.
April 2011
5. An Acceptable Time by Madeleine L'Engle
(finished reading)
As a kid I adored A Wrinkle in Time by L'Engle, so I was surprised to force myself to finish An Acceptable Time. I've actually started several books not listed here that I've abandoned. January through May was occupied with other more important tasks like healing my neck, exercising and working.
January 2011
4. Portraits of the Mind by Carl Schoonover
(read 1/3)
I'm a sucker for pretty pictures, especially of the brain. Mostly I wanted to look at the photos then to read this book. So now I am done with it.
The illustrations and scans of the brain are just as interesting as the text, both about the history of neuroscience and the scientific advancements. This book is straight up a delight to read.
3. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster(finished)
I first read this book in middle school. My brother and I loved the book so much we made our own board game, which I'll have to play when I finish rereading this oh so cleverly written book.
2. The Secret Lives of Frames by Deborah Davis(finished)
Great photos, descriptions of different styles by country and period, along with stories of discovering antique frames. It is helping me prep for the CPF (certified picture framer) exam.
1. The power of Less by Leo Babauta(finished reading)
I want to love fewer things with greater intensity.
This book already covered a lot of habits that I already incorporate into my life, but it did help spur me on to get rid of all paper piles, cut my filing cabinet papers into 1/3, toss the stuff in my junk drawers and cull my tools. I'm proud to say I actually have empty drawers in my kitchen now.
What I really liked about this book was Leo's idea of implementing one new habit per month. For January I am forming the habit of only checking email and Facebook
at most once per day. I am fortunate to not have to rely on either, so I want to capitalize on that time and use it doing things that I really LOVE. The eventual goal is to build up to checking email and Facebook once a week and only at work on a lunch break, so I don't spend hours on the Net at a time.
The Chronicles:
2010 Book List
2009 Book List
