reading

Since my post titled Being Me, I'm trying to take things slower and be more honest to myself. Listening out for the inner voice which I now believe keeps us in check. As part of this reassessment on my well-being I have found time to stop and read not one, but two books! Big deal you say? Well, I haven't given myself time to do so in years. I couldn't even tell you what the last book I finished was. Sure there are half read, quarter read or less read books but to actually finished a book this past week felt amazing. Granted the books read were not heavy-weight novels but whos counting words?!

The first book, Made by Hand - Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World, by Mark Frauenfelder (cofounder of BoingBoing.net and editor of Make magazine) was given to me around this time last year with the good intention of reading and reviewing it. One year on and I can finally say, having now read this book its an entertaining read of Mark's own search to become a DIY-er. Through trials, failures and successes he builds chicken coops, cigar box guitars, becomes a bee keeper and even relocates his family to the Cook Islands in search of a simpler, slower life.

The second book, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield was one I came across online ( I can't remember where) and it sounded like a book I could do with reading. It could be described as a self-help book but like Esquire's review on the books cover I think it's "a kick in the ass" for a distracted creative mind.

What have you been reading lately?

8 comments:

China said...

All you do is very cute! I congratulate the wise decision to take things slowly. Read! that luxury, the last thing I read was a self-help book I have pending a history of art that I hesitate to start. We must learn to take a while for everything that we like and make us feel happy.

CHECKS AND SPOTS said...

So good to hear that you've been slowing down and taking care of YOU!

I only seem to be reading mags at the moment...oh and Dr Seuss with Alfie before he heads off to bed each night. Does that count?!

x

Carly said...

frankenstein, georges marvellous medicine and old man and the sea. i'm only in 10 pages on each! I can never seem to finish a book. I used to read heaps when i was a kid but now hardly anything. I think it's a huge achievement to finish 2 books!

Georgia said...

It is so nice to take time out to read! Both of your books there sound pretty good, especially Made by Hand and the mention of beekeeping and relocation (both appeal to me somewhat!) You've inspired me to tackle the growing pile of books beside my bed!

wideeyedtree said...

At the moment I am reading a book called "meine letzte Stunde" which means "my last hour" where the author writes about the limitedness of our life and how we should include the thoughts of our last hour that we can enjoy living more and do the things we want to do instead of remitting them to somewhere in the future where it probably never happens.

one yellow jumpsuit. said...

Sadly my book knowledge doesn't go past 'Noni the Pony' or 'Elmo's Potty Time' at the moment. xxx

Susan said...

Hi, Thanks for introducing me to those books. I think I'm going to go online and see if I can pick up a copy of "The War of Art".
Yes ... I've been reading. Just finished a crazy book by Bruno Bouchet called "French Letters" which was a crazy travel story. It was hysterical and I couldn't put it down.
I've started a new book "The Virgin Blue" by Tracy Chevalier. I borrowed it from the library ages ago and then lost it on the bus. I had to buy the book again for the library. I found a copy in a second hand store and thought it was time I finished it. It's a great read.
Good to hear you're taking time to meander a little.
I love your work.
Susan X

P R I M O E Z A said...

catching up on your blog...i love the war of art. it's really helped me. i should revisit it, i've been feeling a bit distracted lately...