Bill Bryson

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I fell in love with Bill Bryson in this novel. He is so... human. His feelings and emotions when undertaking a feat such as hiking the Appalachian trail are so wonderfully identifiable and that's what makes this book work. Not that he is some extreme adventurer (although he'd beat most of us), but that we know him. He's a friend, neighbor, guide, utterly approachable and supremely funny.

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The book theif

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Although the theme itself might inspire some people to turn away -- the way this book is written is amazing. Loved it. The perspectives given in this novel on the survival of one family in Germany during WWII, hiding a Jewish person in the basement. The 9 year old protagonist and her love of books (stealing them :) is a gem and her relationship to their basement hide-away is heartwarming. The narration by death is perfection... read this book.

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the girl with the dragon tatoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I didn't get the hype. A well written thriller/mystery but nothing breaking ground. The best thing about the book was the enigmatic Lisbeth -- a very discussable character.

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The Pillars of the Earth

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Of daunting size and breadth. For those of you who carry your reading from place to place this might be a bicep builder, but not for long, because you'll tear through it. The version I read (pictured) has a new preface that really illuminated why Follett decided on the central theme -- the building of a church. It has always intrigued me that these monstrosities of architecture, time, energy were built. This book delves into the idea of how. With such well thought characterization, fleshed out villains, people you love and hate, then decide to love and hate differently, it does a wonderful job of giving a total view of this process and leaves no space for apathy. Brilliant. Classic.

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American Gods

American Gods by Neil Gaiman


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was delectable. What happens when a God is no longer worshiped? Where does all that human energy go? What does that human energy do to the God? The premise is that they walk among us, gods from all faiths, and they gain in strength according to those who follow them. In this book, the gods as we know them begin to battle with the modern gods of technology. Part sci-fi, part fantasy, part thriller, this book is wonderfully rendered in real life America. I knew many of the settings for the novel, especially the House on the Rock, which also added to my enjoyment of the novel. Highly recommended.

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What I talk about when I talk about running

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
All in all a cool read offering a bit of insight into the man behind such wild, crazy novels. As a person who enjoys the occasional jog, delving into what Murakami thinks about while he runs, his perspectives on running in general, and that body/mind relationship that so fascinates me, I found this to be a decent book. I would have hoped for a bit more detail into Murakami himself, but this is no auto-biography; it is exactly what the title suggests -- what he thinks about when he runs.

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The 19th Wife

The 19th Wife: A Novel by David Ebershoff


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was hot in the states when I left this summer. So, I grabbed it and was interested from page 1. Ebershoff masterfully entwines the stories of the Mormon church origins with a modern sect. I found the historical inter-chapters fascinating and the multi-perspective narration a perfect tool for gaining insight into the struggles of the first Mormons and their "followers". From the female side this book provides a real expose into the lives of women in a polygamous setting, while weaving in the effects of faith and history. Loved this book.

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The Inner Game of Stress

The Inner Game of Stress: Outsmart Life's Challenges and Fulfill Your Potential by W. Timothy Gallwey


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoy Gallway's sports/life balance comparison and found the inner book of tennis to be an invaluable book to deal with body/mind/spirit connections, not just on the court. So I read this one on my kindle in between running round teaching classes. True to his basic premise in all of his inner-game books this one didn't surprise, but I found the tools to be well-delivered and with many positive, inspiring examples of people making changes to their stress levels and benefiting on all levels.If you like "self-help" that adds some smart life connections and isn't corny then this is a good use of reading time.

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Time

In the most recent New York Times, I found an article, Next Test - Value of $125,000-a-Year Teachers - NYTimes.com (6 June 2009), talking about a special school. That's not my topic here, but I was inspired by the following quote to get back to my little ramblings.

Mr. Carbone, 44, spent four years as head strength and conditioning coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. He left for a quieter life in Spring Valley, N.Y., last year, after overhearing one of his three sons say, "I want to play basketball, but my dad hasn't taught me yet." read it here

I found this small tidbit of information so motivating. Imagine a great coach, full of success and passion for his sport and his field, never having brought that skill set into his home. This would be a sad cautionary tale, except he had the gall to change his high profile professional pursuits and had the courage to change in order to benefit his family. I find this remarkable and admirable.

It makes me wonder if sometimes we forget to teach our children our own basic talents. That the daily stuff of life takes over and exploring our professional capabilities with our children isn't priority. Perhaps for good reason -- children aren't interested, adults are full of it during the day, other lessons are more important...

When I say that my mother is an artist/professor or that my father makes pottery (this never suffices to explain my fathers professional skill set -- day trader, fixer-upper, engineer...), people often ask, "Oh, can you draw?" or "Oh, do you know how to throw on the wheel?"

No.

Was there an opportunity missed? Interest not shown? I'm not sure. But, I do feel that my wonderful parents did give me many other lessons. Eating together (not in front of TV). Taking walks together. Listening to each other. Taking part in family and home upkeep (caper charts!). Being a unit of support and knowing that others, your family, are there for you.

In the end, this isn't about learning to do what your parents do. It isn't about passing on skills of the older generation to the younger. It is all about time. That learning or "coaching" can be the impetus for being together.

I doubt the young Carbone boy has never played ball. I doubt that he really wants a lesson. But, I'll never doubt that he wants time with his dad and an activity to do together.