My Book List

January 2012

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I adored reading this book. It was an “immerse yourself for an entire day” type of book. And that is always a luxury. I loved the description used, I felt I knew the characters. I allowed myself this book for its entertainment factor, without criticism.

Little Bee by Chris Kleave

This book surprised me with its simple story line. An incident brings two worlds together. Little Bee is a fugitive from Nigeria who has an unlikely bond with an English couple. A shocking incident on a beach in Africa illustrates the clash of cultures. I love being reminded of the luxury that is my life. And this book does that. Reminds me to be grateful, every moment. I have found myself discussing this story with the people in my life.

The Farmer and the Obstetrician by Michel Odent

This is a look into the parallels between industrialized farming and industrialized childbirth. Uncanny and obviously one and the same topic. Michel Odent has always been a proponent of the necessity of undisturbed birth and goes into great detail regarding this topic. I love the reminder and will reintroduce many of these concepts into our own practice – where possible.

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

My goodness! How incredible it is to read this as an adult. I’m sure I had to read it in high school. He is a minimalist, a locavore, an environmentalist. His descriptions brought me into the woods surrounding Walden Pond where he lived in a small and isolated cabin for two years. He watched his surroundings and described them with reverence. His brilliance had me constantly agreeing with him. His words….. sigh. I fell deeply in love with this man, his lifestyle and his courage.

“The surface of the earth is soft and impressible by the feet of men; and so with the paths which the mind travels. ” – Thoreau 1854

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

I was late to clinic because of this book. I could not stop reading it late into the night and early the next morning. It is by the same author as Half Broke Horses. It is a memoir of a childhood full of adventure, dusty desert towns, hunger, Appalachia, neglect, poverty and hardship. It was a book that made me squirm, yet continue reading. It gave an insight into a world often unseen. It is a true story.

February 2012

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Well….I enjoyed the style of writing, bunches! The story, however, was deeply disappointing. I had the expectation that this was a wildly romantic love story between Katherine and Heathcliff. Wrong. Very, very wrong. The darkness wasn’t lightened by desire or love. It felt evil, twisted and extremely disturbing. I’m in the market for classic love stories – great literature! What would you recommend?

Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain by David Eagleman

Well-known neuroscientist, David Eagleman, wrote this fascinating book on different aspects of the brain’s subconscious workings. It is really a series of essays chock full of the most interesting newest research on the brain. The question, “Who am I?” reaches a different level as it questions our ideas of free will. I loved this book so much and highly recommend it to anyone fascinated by our brain! I couldn’t put it down.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

I have read this book so many times and enjoy it again and again each time I read it. This time I loved not only the simplicity of the writing, but the simple lifestyle led by the Nolans. The goals were simple. Survive and be educated. Francie’s sweet insight into life in the early part of the 20th century moves me deeply. A classic.

Flourish by Martin Seligman

“A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being…..” Although I grew weary of some of the examples and case studies he used, I loved the simple truths of this book. Seligman discusses the concept of how to measure “well-being.” He reminds us that this can be measured. He is the founder of Positive Psychology. He doesn’t believe in ridding ourselves of illness, but by arming ourselves with tools for resilience, well-being and happiness. He discusses the possibility of growth after trauma; he urges countries to measure their worth by considering the general “well-being” of people instead of economics. He discusses the importance of gratitude and backs it with research…… His website is full of resources. I dislike his tone sometimes,. He does seem to use the book to settle a score or too. But the man is brilliant and has practical tips for increasing general well-being – important for happiness.

March 2012

Trauma Stewardship by Laura Lipsky

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Oh Pioneer! by Willa Cather

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin