Monday, August 18, 2008

Monday Roundup

As I write this to post while I'm away, I have a bag packed with more books than three people could read in a long weekend. And I can't imagine leaving the house without every one of them.

There's Lost Mountain, by Erik Reece, that I'm nearly done with. I'm not sure how to fit this book in my list of top five green reads except to squeeze it in there and hope no one counts too closely.

There's An Unreasonable Woman, by Diane Wilson because I want to write a review of it. I may even read it again.

There's a book by a Buddhist teacher that I can't remember the name of. He works with peacekeepers and peace is always good food on vacation, or not.

And then there's Mexican Days by Tony Cohan. I loved his first book, On Mexican Time, about making a home in San Miguel de Allende. He had a way of capturing the pace of time in the rhythm of his writing that I hadn't come across before or since. I'm not sure he can live up to that praise in a second book but I'm excited to read it all the same and more than willing to be surprised.

I am leaving an anthology of MFK Fisher's work at home although I've been thoroughly enjoying it in bits and bites the last month. The End of Food, by Paul Roberts is staying home on the table too. It just seems too heavy for the summer as were the first two chapters of Stuffed and Starved, by Raj Patel. I'll pick the two of them up another time.

So, what are you packing in your bag to take on vacation or the bus ride across town?

If it's green I'll list it in the sidebar but I'd love to know anything you are reading just because it's fun.

And by all means if you have a new review up, leave a comment and I'll add it to the sidebar.

Not yet a bookwormer but you have a green read you want to tell people about? Leave a comment and I'll add you to the list and link your review.

13 comments:

Joyce said...

I just read "Mountains Beyyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and i posted a review on my blog. Loved it! Currently I'm reading "The Worst Hard Time" by Timothy Egan, which combines my love of history with my interest in conservation. It's about the Dust Bowl in the 1930s.

Donna said...

I'm SUPPOSED to be on vacation, but we had to delay our plans when I got sick. So I'm reading my vacation reading "Simple Prosperity" this week at home and loving it. It's not too heavy, and just right for the end of summer. I guess I'll just have to find another book for next week!

Kale for Sale said...

Joyce - Mountains Beyond Mountains was a complete surprise to me. I didn't expect to like it much and loved it. It's one of my all time favorites and I can't wait to read your review. Thanks.

Donna - GET WELL!

Going Crunchy said...

I'm working on Global Values for my review week. Um.....Kale, which is my week?!? I think I'm next week if my count is right. Lots of juicy reads coming down the pipeline.

Can I doublecheck that week with you? Shan

Kale for Sale said...

going crunchy - You're on top it. Next week has your name on it. We need some juicy reads about now to go with our seasonal sun ripened peaches and tomatoes.

Anonymous said...

I've just checked out Simple Prosperity (I was something like #144 on the hold list a few months ago, but it's finally here!) and Slow Food Nation. I have my doubts about the latter, but it looks like a quick read. Have you read it, Katrina?

I'm also (forever, it seems) reading Gardening West of the Cascades.... sigh. Could be called "Gardening while raining and cloudy all the time - how to keep mildew and slugs from killing your garden". Hmmm... maybe I'll write that. ; )

Anonymous said...

Sorry, that was Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades - you already have it on the list from last month, when I was -ahem- still reading it!!

Anonymous said...

One more... Farming And The Fate of Wild Nature. It's a collection of inspiring essays that I pick up and read again periodically. I think you might like it, Katrina. It's in my top 10 inspiring books.... and don't count those ten too closely. ; )

Theresa said...

I'm reading Rob Hopikins' Transition Handbook. It is super fantastic - hopeful and practical both - and I already recommend it to everyone. I will probably write a review of it eventually for my own blog, in a month or so when I have time again.

Green Bean said...

I'm still reading Big Green Purse. Yes, I'm slow. I'm taking a break from most everything these last couple weeks.

Sounds like some good new reads out there.

Kale for Sale said...

melinda - Okay. I want to hear about Simple Prosperity. Please finish it. I don't care how long it takes.

I haven't read Slow Food Nation although I read the reviews in the sidebar. They weren't overly enthusiastic but I plan on checking it out all the same. I'll do my skim test and see if draws me in.

You're on to a blog with the Gardening with mildew and slugs. Following that thought......

Thanks for the nature essay recommendation. I'll look it up. I currently have a book of haiku I use for inspiration. They're good on the run.

Theresa - I haven't heard of this book before but I'm going to add it to the sidebar and will check it out. Your enthusiasm has me curious. Thanks.

green bean - Slow as you have two sons, three blogs, a green book club, moms group, biking group, a community newsletter, make jam, grow a front yard garden. You have a husband. Hello. Put that book down. Read the comics. Enjoy your break. You deserve it.

Jenn said...

I liked "Mexican Time" -- will have to look for "Mexican Days"... some day.

I have SO many books to read - I feel like I have no time to read at all. Seriously - when do you find the time to read? I can't even keep up with my magazines (National Geo, VegNews, Yes, AAA magazine, Backpacker) plus my 25-35 books in the "to read" stack. *sigh*

Tonight I have to varnish the solar dehydrator, clean the kitchen floors, label and put away boxes of preserves and empty mason jars (only to take them out again in two weeks but wtf, might as well); dinner tomorrow after work that will take up all evening; Thursday I have to finish the dehydrator - silicone caulk, staple the screens & plastic sheeting and screw hinges on the cover... and water my garden. Plus meal prep (lunches in advance, dinner) and laundry and the usual.

I feel like I never have time to sit down and really read for more than 10 minutes before I fall asleep (or on the bus after work).
I'm so envious - I have to figure out how to manage my time better.

Kale for Sale said...

jenn - I'm not at all surprised you don't have time to read, you are the food preserving Queen. I do most of my reading on the bus ride home. I have stacks of books all over the house but my pantry shelves - only a few home canned items. I look forward to seeing a picture of your new dehydrator.