Summer Reading Update 1

So far, so good. Here are the finished books with short reviews:

Columbine – eh, it was good. I felt it was a little choppy, as the author constantly wrote about the event, then flash backed to before, then did psych profiles, then fast forwarded, so kinda annoying. I did love the last three chapters that discussed the event minute-by-minute and the updates of the survivors.

We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land – Also a little eh. Again, I think it was Carter’s re-write of his previous book, so nothing was new to me.

Wicked – Just fab. I loved the social justice piece of it, loved the witty language. Just a phenomenal read. Very engaging.

Current List:
The God Delusion – Still going strong with this. Deep man, way deep. The chapter I am currently reading is about morals, how we have evolved to acquire them. Interesting stuff.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows – This is a re-read. I read the book two years ago when it came out in eight hours non-stop, thus I have forgotten most of it. The 6th movie made me want to read this again so I can remember what happened.

Kill the Princess – A study of how women still need to conform to societal expectations. Verrrrry interesting.

Science of Good and Evil – An examination of how people live by the Golden Rule, why, the role of religion. A weighty book, but a good one. I am reading little bits of it, but mostly the God Delusion first. It does get odd when these two books quote each other.

Happy page-turning!

CD Storage Complete

So today I finally got to work organizing the massive CD collection. 4 recycle bags of cases, 1 broken nail, and 4 hours later I am finished. I ordered 4 storage cases and sleeves hoping to get my 300+ CDs in order. Woke up at 10:30 and got right to it. Gathered all CDs and divided them by genre. Then alphabetized. Then wrote order down (eventually I hope to put them in a spreadsheet to make easier to update) and began the painful process of separating the CDs from their precious jewel cases. For any CD that had the songs printed on them, they were easily placed in the sleeve. Those without, I had to pry the back of the case off and slice down the song order section.











I did keep all the booklets in a shoe box for now. Also kept all the cool Tori Amos CD cases. And ta-da it is finished.


And feels so flippin cool! Happy weekend all :)

Dwelling in Goodness

I am a total believer in Karma and I think it can only a good thing to spread joy, happiness, and simple goodness around. Can't hurt, right?

So here is my simply good thing for this week. Freerice.com donates ten grains of rice for every question you get right to the UN World Food Program to help end world hunger. You can answer vocabulary, art, english, math, chemistry, and language questions. So you build brain power and help people. Love this.

Summer Reading

So based on a request from the wonderful Kate, here is my summer reading pile. There usually isn't any rhyme or reason as to why I pick such books and you will notice that sometimes huge contradictions exist. Links are to the books on amazon so you too can put them on your wishlist so that when you have to make a purchase for someone else, you can easily add one of these books to get the super-saver shipping when you spend 25.00.

Finished:
Shanghi Girls by Lisa See - I loved reading this account of two sisters as they move from China to Los Angeles. Moving and inspirational, but the ending slightly let me down.

Honky by Dalton Conley - This is SJC's freshman seminar choice and it was a touching memoir of a young white boy growing uo in the projects of NYC where he was the minority. Enjoyed this a lot.

Yes! Attitude by Jeffrey Gitomer - Adored this little book! Totally need to integrate some of the ideas. I just loved the anecdotes and advice.

Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell - I struggle with my faith - A LOT, but Rob Bell's books always speak to me. Bell is a minister in Michigan and this book details how Christians need to reach out to the poor, displaced, disadvantaged. I was blown away by his message.

God is not Great by Christopher Hitchens - I told you, I read contrasting things. This book was a good read, though wouldn't say incredible. I did appreciate Hitchens' criticism of all religions, not just the top three we think of.

Currently Reading:

Columbine by Dave Cullen - I have been reading this for a few months. I like it, but find it a bit disjointed going back and forth in the story. But I love true crime books, so I'll eventually finish it.

We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land by Jimmy Carter - I love this man. The book resembles Carter's Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid that I read a year or so ago, so this is a little boring.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire - Loving this

Open the Door by Joyce Rupp - with my prayer group, we meditate on a day each week. This is a powerfully spiritual book and it is an awakening for me.

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins - I know about evolution, but not enough. Dawkins knows a lot. And so I am loving how he discusses intelligent design vs. evolution in an easy-to-understand way with lots of humor thrown in.

To-Be Read
Simple Happiness by Jim Ryan - A recommendation from Paige.

20-Something Manifesto by Christine Hassler

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy - I have owned this book for so long that the pages are yellow.

Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama - Started it a while ago and need to get back into it.

Son of the Witch by Gregory Maguire - Sequel to Wicked

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

Prayer by Joyce Rupp

I reallllly want a book club...anyone at all interested. I promise I won't make you read the boring non-fiction I do adore :)

Happy page-turning!

Me Right Now

Outside my window...bright sun, chirping birds

I am thinking...about how to store all my CDs and photos. Checking out storage options at the containerstore.com

I am thankful for...my still-going-strong car

From the kitchen...Zucchini pie for dinner tonight and birthday cake for Patty later.

I am wearing...blue top and paisley skirt with brown wedge sandals

I am creating...design team layouts for the store

I am going...to my prayer meeting tonight

I am reading... Wicked by Gregory McGuire and The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. Wondering why I didn't read these books earlier in my life.

I am hoping...that I can start doing some laundry today. There's a mountain of clothes waiting for me.

I am hearing...The hum of the computer and my mom in the kitchen cooking

Around the house...Dad's watching Cash Cab, Aunt Rita is relaxing, Mom's cooking.

One of my favorite things...was having sushi for lunch today. So satisfying.

A few plans for the rest of the week...work tomorrow, swing dance lessons tomorrow evening, relaxing and cleaning Friday, BBQ Saturday. Loooove 3-day weekends.

A picture to share...My necklace holder basking in the sun