good reads

Below, are the three books that I have been enjoying this year. As I look at them in a collection, they are a little heavy in theme, however, I have found each to be oddly uplifting and engaging.

Perhaps a lighter read should be in the queue for spring...any suggestions?

The Birth House


I spotted this book a few months ago on a trip to Canada, I always make a point to seek out Canadian authors when I am there.

The story of The Birth House takes place in rural Nova Scotia early in the 20th century and centers around the life of a young to-be midwife. The book explores a diverse range of topics including marriage, pregnancy, sex, and women's health at a time when women struggled for control of their own bodies and rights.

This book was absolutely fascinating. The Birth House has been the recipient of several honors and awards.


The Year of Magical Thinking


The story of almost every tragedy begins with, 'It was an ordinary day...', and then life changes in an instant.

Joan Didion writes honestly and powerfully about her experiences in marriage, love, life, death, how we live through it and after it.

Please don't omit this book because it is a story about death, it is a truly profound read on a inevitability we could all learn more about.


Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life


This is an absolutely fascinating read. It seems that no matter who you are, reading this book is like reading about your own path through life. The premise of this book is that growth phases (or passages) do not end for us once we emerge from our teen years. There are predictable periods of growth and turbulence.

Gaily Sheehy defines 'crisis', as a period of increased vulnerability and an increased potential for growth. In other words, the time that often feel so trying are actually really good for us...yay!

how to love

Source: weheartit.com via Andrea on Pinterest

hungry for more

Hopefully we haven't lost all of you due to our extended absense. Intense work schedules have kept us from our normal routine.

Before I travelled to Canada last week for work I decided to pick up a new book to take. While wandering through the store I spotted The Hunger Games, a title someone had recommended, but a science fiction story that didn't really appeal to me. For some reason I decided to go ahead and purchase it. Wow. I am so glad I didn't miss it.

It is the kind of story that has me concerned for the characters when I am not reading it, I keep thinking about them and what will happen. This fictional work is both surreal and believable, so glad there are two more books after this one.

the big little things

BIG excitement about starting this book.

page turners

The pages have been flying around here, I just can't read fast enough. Despite my best efforts, I still have several books in the queue.

I just re-read Under the Banner of Heaven, I found it even more interesting this time around since I have been living in Utah for quite some time now. I would highly recommend this book.



A Single Man was a different sort of read for me. I quite enjoyed the writing, I found it to be more philosophical and obscure than other books I have read lately. This is a sad book but not in a traditional sense. I am really interested to see how they made it into a film.



I have wanted to read The Devil in the White City for a long time. I am only 50 pages into it and can't pull my nose out of the book. Life is so much more interesting than fiction.

the kitchen table

I am on the road for work this week in Washington and Montana. One of my favorite things to do during my free time is explore and find special places in the towns I visit.

Today I came across and amazing food co-op, Main Market, in Spokane. I had an tasty lunch at the large communal table, it was a delightful experience. The table had a very thoughtful poem scribed into the surface. It made me think about a kitchen table in a whole new way...perhaps you will too.


Perhaps the World Ends Here

The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what,
we must eat to live.

The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the
table so it has been since creation, and it will go on.

We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe
at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.

It is here that children are given instructions on what
it means to be human. We make men at it,
we make women.

At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts
of lovers.

Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms
around our children. They laugh with us at our poor
falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back
together once again at the table.

This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella
in the sun.

Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place
to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate
the terrible victory.

We have given birth on this table, and have prepared
our parents for burial here.

At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow.
We pray of suffering and remorse.
We give thanks.

Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table,
while we are laughing and crying,
eating of the last sweet bite.

from: Reinventing the Enemy's Language.
Edited by Joy Harjo and Gloria Bird.
New York: Norton, 1997.

the art of racing in the rain

I have devoured The Art of Racing in the Rain in just a matter of days. Written from the perspective of Enzo, a very special and deep thinking four legged fur child, this story has given me new insight to the life and loves of our canine family members.

we are more

I hope you all had the pleasure of watching the Opening Ceremony for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics last night. One of my favorite parts was when Canadian slam poet, Shane Koyzan recited his poem, "We Are More". He did a beautiful job expressing the uniqueness of a place I am so proud to call home.

Below, is the extended version of last night's presentation.

“We Are More” by Shane Koyczan

When defining Canada
you might list some statistics
you might mention our tallest building
or biggest lake
you might shake a tree in the fall
and call a red leaf Canada
you might rattle off some celebrities
might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie
might even mention the fact that we’ve got a few
Barenaked Ladies
or that we made these crazy things
like zippers
electric cars
and washing machines
when defining Canada
it seems the world’s anthem has been
”been there done that”
and maybe that’s where we used to be at
it’s true
we’ve done and we’ve been
we’ve seen
all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine
and turned into theme parks
but when defining Canada
don’t forget to mention that we have set sparks

we are not just fishing stories
about the one that got away
we do more than sit around and say “eh?”
and yes

we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One
who inspired little number nines
and little number ninety-nines
but we’re more than just hockey and fishing lines
off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes
and some say what defines us
is something as simple as please and thank you
and as for you’re welcome
well we say that too
but we are more
than genteel or civilized
we are an idea in the process
of being realized
we are young
we are cultures strung together
then woven into a tapestry
and the design
is what makes us more
than the sum total of our history
we are an experiment going right for a change
with influences that range from a to zed
and yes we say zed instead of zee
we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy
we dream so big that there are those
who would call our ambition an industry
because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow
we do more than grow wheat and brew beer
we are vineyards of good year after good year
we reforest what we clear
because we believe in generations beyond our own
knowing now that so many of us
have grown past what used to be
we can stand here today

filled with all the hope people have
when they say things like “someday”

someday we’ll be great
someday we’ll be this
or that
someday we’ll be at a point
when someday was yesterday
and all of our aspirations will pay the way
for those who on that day
look towards tomorrow
and still they say someday

we will reach the goals we set
and we will get interest on our inspiration
because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks
more than backpacks and hiking trails
we are hammers and nails building bridges
towards those who are willing to walk across
we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss
we are not the see-through gloss or glamour
of those who clamour for the failings of others
we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers
uncles and nephews aunts and nieces
we are cousins
we are found missing puzzle pieces
we are families with room at the table for newcomers
we are more than summers and winters
more than on and off seasons
we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay
because we are more than what we say or do
we live to get past what we go through

and learn who we are
we are students
students who study the studiousness of studying
so we know what as well as why
we don’t have all the answers
but we try
and the effort is what makes us more
we don’t all know what it is in life we’re looking for
so keep exploring
go far and wide
or go inside but go deep
go deep
as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss
and suddenly there was this location scout
trying to figure some way out
to get inside you
because you’ve been through hell and high water
and you went deep
keep exploring
because we are more
than a laundry list of things to do and places to see
we are more than hills to ski
or countryside ponds to skate
we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can’t wait
we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes
a country that is all the ways you choose to live
a land that can give you variety
because we are choices
we are millions upon millions of voices shouting
” keep exploring… we are more”
we are the surprise the world has in store for you
it’s true

Canada is the “what” in “what’s new?”
so don’t say “been there done that”
unless you’ve sat on the sidewalk
while chalk artists draw still lifes
on the concrete of a kid in the street
beatboxing to Neil Young for fun
don’t say you’ve been there done that
unless you’ve been here doing it
let this country be your first-aid kit
for all the times you get sick of the same old same old
let us be the story told to your friends
and when that story ends
leave chapters for the next time you’ll come back
next time pack for all the things
you didn’t pack for the first time
but don’t let your luggage define your travels
each life unravels differently
and experiences are what make up
the colours of our tapestry
we are the true north
strong and free
and what’s more
is that we didn’t just say it
we made it be.

the namesake

The Namesake is the second book by Jhumpa Lahiri that I am reading this year. I am enjoying to so much that I can't wait to go to bed and read tonight.

Generally when I read, I take note of the content, the story. I believe this is the first time I have ever been consciously moved by the style of someones writing. It is human, real, beautiful.

unaccustomed earth

I have been reading Unaccustomed Earth for a little while now. The further along I am, the more I want to savor it. This collection of short stories are gentle, beautiful and rare.

on the agenda

So excited about the release of this book!

a simple gift

This past weekend, my little neice celebrate her first birthday. Josh and I struggled to know what to get her. We wanted it to be something meaningful, but something she would use. We decided to buy her the Caldecott and Newbery award winning books for the year she was born, and commit to buying them for her for every birthday after. The idea is that as she grows older she will have a collection of childrens books that celebrate both literature and art, a personal library of books.

I have been so thankful throughout of my life that I was taught to love and respect books and know their value on many levels. They can teach, comfort,entertain and encourage you to dream...and that is a true gift.


{happy birthday little miss}


{the house in the night, first caldecott award winner since 2008}


{the graveyard book, first newbery award winner since 2008}

finding more meaning

This looks so good!

my life in france

Can't wait to get my nose into my new book.

new read

I have been devouring books lately. I started this one today. It looks like it is going to be an interesting story...if course real life is always better than fiction, isn't it?

flavors

While lunching at the Nordstrom today, I took a look at this amazing cookbook. There are so many recipes I would love to try.

new hoot

With 8 consecutive days of rain here, I have spent a lot of time reading lately. Tonight I am going to start my new book, Wesley the Owl, a love story about an owl and his girl.

second time around

This book is just as good the second time around. Real life really is more interesting than fiction.

skippyjon jones

Skippyjon Jones is my new literary hero.

This book is so much fun to read aloud, whether it's to a big person or a small person.

the architecture of the quilt

I spent a few hours with this book yesterday. It brings me great joy and inspiration.



Thank you D & J.