MsBearlee -> RE: Books you'd recommend and why (7/23/2007 4:56:50 PM)
|
Well, in that I'm still remodeling and my books are in boxes where I can't SEE them...here are some I think about now and then; like old friends. Click the titles to see what Amazon has to say about them: Books that made me think: The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra OMG…what a wonderful explanation and blend of philosophy and physics; truly an East meets West book…which makes ya wonder why religion and science don’t get along better. Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder and Paulette Moller A sometimes rather heavy and difficult thing to read…but still a delightful introduction to the history of philosophy. Lazy Man's Guide to Enlightment by Thaddeus Golas From my (sort of ) hippie days…but still relevant and helpful; enlightening, even. Siddhartha: by Hermann Hesse A study on the journey of enlightenment; Hesse at his best. I also enjoyed his The Glass Bead Game The Nature of Personal Reality by Roberts, Jane/Seth An extraordinary book that was ‘channeled’ by the author. I figure regardless who wrote it…it’s awesome, makes sense and gives so much meaning and validation to being human. Ishmael by Daniel Quinn What an odd little story…one that offers much food for thought regarding the global condition. Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life by Thomas Moore A book of great meaning and depth (for me)… Soul Mates by Thomas Moore A book about relationships and how they work. Re-enchantment of Everyday Life by Thomas Moore Okay…I like Moore Living-Juicy: Daily Morsels for your Creative Soul : by Sark Okay…this ‘hand written’ book was GREAT FUN! Succulent Wild Woman: by Sark Okay...I just really, really like this woman. Positive Addiction by William Glass More than just a book on meditation, but how to create new ‘habits’ and why we love them. Pretty old...but still works VERY well. Fiction: Stranger in a Strange Land: by Robert A. Heinlein Science Fiction at it’s best; one of the first books of my youth that made me question the laws and beliefs we hold as ‘truths’. Other books of his that I loved: Time Enough for Love, and The Notebooks of Lazarus Long, Weaveworld by Clive Barker Me, like a horror story! Who knew? It was stunning; truly stunning. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin The first in a series (A Song of Ice and Fire) that I just started by a man considered the ‘other Tolkin’. He writes beautifully…and this series is slated for TV soon. I dunno if THAT is a good thing or not…but his writing sure grabs ya! Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian Just as I started this book, I watched the movie (from more than one book) with the Aussie boy (Russell Crowe) who surprised me at how well he did…then I finished the book and realized I have nearly 20 more to read! This series (Aubrey Maturin Series) is an award winner in so many ways… While I liked it, I hear this first one was the hardest to read, but if only for the relationship between the Captain and his surgeon friend. Zodiac: by Neal Stephenson I consider better than his Snow Crash …well done Eco-thriller; exciting and hilarious! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: by J. K. Rowling The last in the series…so they say; What’s not to like; it’s good against evil, huh? I liked 'em all. Kid's book, schmid's book; well done!!! The Oversoul Seven Trilogy: by Jane Roberts WOW… just what IS reality? I love these three little books so much: The Education of Oversoul Seven, the Further Education of Oversoul Seven, Oversoul Seven and the Museum of Time. What IS reality, anyway? Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood: A Novel by Rebecca Wells Women as pals…whoda thunkit Mary-Stewarts-Merlin-Trilogy: The Arthurian Saga: Mary Stewart By Mary Steward The books are: The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment The best Camelot story I’ve ever read…magical! The Mists of Avalon: by Marion Zimmer Bradley Christianity vs. Faery, and God vs. Goddess…all in Camalot… Its Arthur’s time…but the women’s story. Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel: by David Guterson While the story was very good…it is the writing that moved me; I still get goose bumps just remembering…this man paints with words. Sophie's Choice: by William Styron Few books make me actually sob. OMG… Five Smooth Stones: by Ann Fairbairn A stunning book that has stuck with me for well over 20 years…bigotry, compassion; real life…lovely Zelda: by Nancy Milford Fitzgerald’s wife…what a complicated life. Another Roadside Attraction: by Tom Robbins His first book…so funny I couldn’t put it down. This man is odd! LOL Still Life with Woodpecker: by Tom Robbins Okay…who doesn’t like books that celebrates redheads...even if it DOES take place inside a pack of cigarettes? Jitterbug Perfume: by Tom Robbins Okay…this is the ‘old’ Robbins; and he CAN write a sexy story! Biographies and novels about people Einstein: His Life and Universe: by Walter Isaacson First book out since bunches of old papers released! Well done, best selling biographer…awesome subject…many old theories debunked! LOL I want to go find the author's OTHER book, now. Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Authistic Savant by Daniel Tammet Okay…this guy is no Rainman…he connects with his audience. That I have an autistic son is not the only reason I found this book beautiful. Color is the Suffering of Light: A Memoir by Green, Melissa A writer whose pros will give you goose bumps. More than once I stopped and re-read a sentence…OMG how this woman can paint a picture! Sad, sad …though ultimately life affirming. The true story of this poet… John-Adams: by David McCullough Yeah, what Level said!!! Thomas-Jefferson: by R. B. Bernstein Complex man…good story! The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers/a Novel by Margaret George I love to read history as story… Mary Queen of Scotland & The Isles: A Novel by Margaret George see up Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George This author would make a lovely teacher: history...fun! Henry VIII: The King and His Court by Alison Weir Well done! Sylvia Plath: A Biography by Dr. Linda Wagner Collected Poems by Sylvia Plath by Sylvia Plath Complex works by a complex woman...read along with the biography above! Anne-Sexton: A Biography by Diane Middlebrook Pals with Sylvia Plath...but such a different woman. The Complete Poems: Anne Sexton by Ann Sexton and Maxine Kumin She writes with a visceral pen. Shantaram: A Novel by Roberts, Gregory David True story…fascinating, exciting, mind boggling. Johnny Depp is gonna play Roberts part in the movie! Newer (and very good) books on WIITWD The Control-Book by Peter Masters What IS control and how does it work? A good read for both sides of that slash-thingie! SlaveCraft: Roadmaps for Erotic Servitude--Principles, Skills and Tools by Guy Baldwin Thoughts and exercises to bring out the slave in you. Servants of Destiny: by TammyJo Eckhart What a delightful bunch of stories…I like how she writes on the FemDom. The Natural World God's Dog: A Celebration of the North American Coyote by Hope Ryden Well done book regarding our most popular pest…who I happen to like. (Also wrote another wonderful book: America’s Last Wild Horses…over 30 years ago) The Ninemile Wolves: by Rick Bass Small, beautiful book on the lives and troubles of wolves in America. (Also very, very moving by R.Bass: ‘Platte River’, ‘Winter: Notes from Montana’, and ‘The Book of Yaak’) This guy writes about things in a way that puts you there and makes you care. Arctic Dreams: by Barry Lopez Another book where I will stop and re-read a sentence in awe…spectacular. Of Wolves and Men: by Barry Lopez This man writes about the natural world like nobody else. We lost an incredible author before we shoulda! Short Stories: Buffalo Gals, and Other Animal Presences: By Ursula K. Le Guin Le Guin gives personality to animals and trees in a fun collection of stories. Rock Springs: By Richard Ford Ford knows people…funny, sad, entertaining, gripping stores. Ten, I think…each will inspire you to think about who we are, really. Humor: Me Talk Pretty One Day: by David Sedaris Yup…while I do have a couple of his books; I’ve discovered it makes MUCH more sense to pick up the CD’s and let HIM read to me…lordy this man is FUNNY!!! Also by Sedaris and funny as hell: ‘Naked’, ‘Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim’ New Rules: Polite Musing from a Timid Observer by Bill Maher Okay…my kinda politics (sorry)...but he's hardly timid! LOL
|
|
|
|