Tuesday Book Club
Thank goodness for audio books on road trips. Listened to one up, one back, and they just made the miles fly by.
You know that TV show Medium? It’s based on the real life of Allison DuBois, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and who has been able to see and speak with the dead since she was a little girl. On the way up I listened to her latest book, Secrets of the Monarch: What the Dead Can Teach Us About Living a Better Life (yes, I’m still on that kick–you’ll understand when you read my next novel). It’s always interesting when people can make the extraordinary fit into their ordinary lives. Here’s a wife, mother of three, and on the side someone who helps law enforcement solve murders and kidnappings. Cool.
On the way back, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan, the guy who wrote The Omnivore’s Dilemma. This is an excellent companion piece to one of my favorite books from last year, Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (so I know you’ll love it, Katie A. and others). You won’t learn how to make cheese with this one, but you will learn the wisdom of three simple phrases: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly vegetables.” It’s the “eat food” part that’s most fascinating, since, as Pollan points out, most of what we find in the stores these days is “food products.” It’s fun to reminisce about the days of Snackwells and other exercises in food chemistry and “nutritionism.” The book is entertaining and eye-opening and is the perfect follow-up to Kingsolver’s book. Try it, you like.
How about you guys? Whatcha been reading this week?
Technorati Tags: Tuesday Book Club, 50-Book Challenge, Reading Clubs, Book Clubs, Reading, Books, Audio Books, Allison DuBois, Secrets of the Monarch, Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food, Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Vegetable Miracle
March 4th, 2008 at 5:15 am
I’m getting ready to read Hit Reply by Roxanne St. Claire! It’s one of her older books, but it’s been on my TBR pile for a while now. Can’t wait!
March 4th, 2008 at 5:27 am
Hey - just checking in on the italics Is it still happening?
March 4th, 2008 at 5:27 am
hmmm — Now?
March 4th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Will an end tag help?
I’m sure that’s been tried.
I like “In Defense of Food”… I’ve been reading it slowly, on my Kindle. I think for some reason I absorb that type of book better in audio. I’ve also been reading reference books on electronics and public speaking (as we discussed).
Oh yeah, and a certain WIP that’s got me wrapped around its little finger!
March 4th, 2008 at 7:25 am
How about this tag?
It’s the “em” tag.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Didn’t work in the comments, but if you edit the main post and close that “em” tag, it might work. Sorry to stuff your comments!
March 4th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Katie - you have to wonder if she didn’t do it on purpose to confuse all of us, like were in a bizzaro italics universe or something.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:21 am
It was me, not you. Just thought you’d like a little curly cue to start your day. Italics off now, thank you. Thanks for your attempts to fix them.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:58 am
I’m reading Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge. It’s entertaining so far.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I’ve been battling a nasty cold over the weekend(which I call Wilma,since it has hit me hard like a hurricane)which has been playing havoc with my concentration but I did start reading Twilight,finally!
I’m only in the first hundred and twenty pages so far but it’s really great and now I’m starting to see what all the fuss is about:) Right after I finish Twilight,I have The Host to look forward to.
Oh,and I’m catching up with one of last year’s big books,Then We Came To The End by Joshua Ferris.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:45 am
P.S.,my mother loves Medium-she watched it just last night!
March 4th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I am currently STILL reading PJ’s second book..I am hoping to be done with that tonight! I understand your love for audio books. I am on this currently on this audio book kick right now and I am listening to Nightmare Academy by Dean Lorey. It is really good so far! Better than I expected!
March 4th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Ha! I just picked up an Allison DuBois book last week! For the same reason as you, btw.
I’m finishing up The Writing Diet.
March 4th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Kristen!
Hit Reply is an awesome read. I hope you enjoy it.
March 4th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Audio books rock. I am currently enjoying audio of The Search for the Red Dragon by James Owen.
I read Vampire High by Douglas Rees.
The Omnivore’s Dilemma sounds great. Another book to add to the to-read list!
March 4th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Katie Sis, I’ll confess I haven’t heard of that. Let me know how it is.
Lady T, so sorry you’re sick! But it’s nice to curl up with a girly book or two to pass the time. Take care of yourself, please!
Shai, glad to hear you’re on an audio book kick. Such a nice way to deal with traffic and stress, huh?
Heather, you mean you’re writing a book about some such topic? Really? Yay! And how did you like The Writing Diet?
Michelle, for sure pick up In Defense of Food. I can’t speak to Omnivore’s Dilemma because I haven’t read it, but I’ve heard great things about it. Glad you’re enjoying James’ new book! In audio, yet!
March 4th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Well currently i am reading a book called City of Bones. It’s acutally pretty good.
I read a anime book called Fruits Basket earlier like Monday ,which was yesterday, but other than that i haven’t read anyother books.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I did two years on ALA’s Notable Children’s Recordings committee, which involved listening to about 500-700 hours of audio each year, and, well, I haven’t been able to listen to audiobooks ever since. I was a huge fan before, though, and I still love the idea of them. Now I prefer my spoken word in the form of NPR programs or the Just One More Book podcast.
Regarding paper reading, I finished Looking for Alaska by John Green, which had me laughing and crying through the last several chapters. I also read this year’s Newbery winner, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!, which was fun and genuinely interesting. The author set out to create something educational that wouldn’t feel Educational, and, boy, she succeeded. I hope the Newbery win will convince lots of teachers to use it in classrooms.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I finished the seventh sweep book and am starting the 8th, then I finished my science book! XD Also I dunno if I said or not but I finished lucky nd my review of it! ^^
March 5th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I have not flown through The Writing Diet because I’m overwhelmed by the truths discovered. You know, how they can hurt…