Some lovely books I am reading right now
As I write this, the fan is whirring, the mixer is on, the sun is shining and the white hydrangeas are swaying the wind outside - fragrant and plentiful. Talking about plenty, I am blessed with an abundance of books and the love for them.
Before I started reading non-fiction, I would read one book or at most two at a time and finish and them start a new one. These days I casually read 5-10 books at the same time - starting and stopping wherever, never finishing some of them.
Here are some of the books I am enjoying right now, in case (like me) you like book recommendations. In return, send me your recommendations too.
The Radiance Sutras by Lorin Roche
As I wrote last week, the book is a poetic (loose) translation inspired by an ancient Indian text Vijnana Bhairava Tantra and contains embodiment exercises and meditations for every moment - when dancing, when tired,....
I love browsing through the book and reading the poems here and there and trying exercises casually. Many thanks to Jenna Ward for recommending it.
Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed - Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to have Kids - Edited by Meghan Daum
I have been going back and forth on the decision to have kids (or not) over the past years - and this book gives me the vocabulary to articulate why.
The writers give their varied perspectives on why they didn't have kids. These help me see myself clearly. I would recommend this book to anyone who is doubting or doesn't want to have kids, and would like to have some more insight into it.
Many thanks to a friend for lending this to me.
Keith Haring Journals
As an artist, I am always interested in how other artists grow, how they think, and what moves them. Keith Haring was a contemporary artist with a very recognizable style (photo above), he died of AIDS in his thirties. I am impressed by his clear thinking about his art at such a young age. I loved reading how much time he took to develop his process and style.
Also I relate to things that matter to him, e.g., art should be accessible to everyone rather than a select few, kindness, relationships, & humanity, celebrating joy and yet speaking about things that are important to us as a society, etc....
I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the inner workings of Keith Haring's choices.
Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals by Saul D. Alinsky
A few years ago I visited an exhibition on technology and politics with some friends, and every exhibition visitor could take a copy of this book for free - how cool is that!
This is a book about creating and effecting constructive social change. As Saul says in the beginning of the book,
"What follows is for those who want to change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be."
In these times where polarized shouting seems to get a lot of attention, I love how Paul combines deep passion and political engagement with a need for dialog.
I would recommend it to anyone trying to create constructive change at any level - work, home, society, country ...
Welcoming the Unwelcome: Wholehearted Living in a Brokenhearted World by Pema Chödrön
Pema Chödrön is one of my favorite writers. She is a Buddhist monk and she writes about living with grace and kindness in the midst of fear, things falling apart, etc. I take refuge in her writing when I need to remind myself of what is important in life.
I love that instead of shying away from difficult things, instead she shows ways of being present in the middle of difficult things and finding compassion, joy and equanimity. And also that she writes from her own experiences and emotional difficulties.
I would recommend it to anyone looking to learn how to be present, kind, and serene in the midst of difficulties and challenges.
A Round-Heeled Woman: My Late-Life Adventures in Sex and Romance by Jane Juska
I found this book at a bookstore. A good reminder for me to buy more books at a bookstore because I come across books that I would never find in my online bubble.
It is a smart, hilarious, and wise book based on the experiences of the author after she places an ad in the newspaper. The ad goes as follows:
Before I turn 67—next March—I would like to have a lot of sex with a man I like. If you want to talk first, Trollope works for me. ~ Jane Juska
Finally, this list would not be complete without a reference to my favorite binge reads - British historical romance novels. Yes, I read Julia Quinn's Bridgertons years ago 😄. Recently I have been binge-reading Sophie Holloway's novels, like this one.
That was all for today.
What is a book you would recommend me to read?
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