Note: This is a cross-post of a blog I published on the experimental Pioneer Place Ning that I am developing.
One of the first impressions visitors to my office comment upon is the number of books I have---and one of the first questions is, have you really read them all? Most I have read. Some are from my childhood!
Just finished removing all the books from the six floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in my study at North Lake in order to dust the shelves. Discovered in the process of putting them back a number of reading pleasures I'd forgotten experiencing.
We are in the process of moving father-in-law Walter Schmidits's books from Kaukauna to the hotel structure next to our home and creating a library there. Among the books are some he treasured when he was an English major at Carroll. Yearbooks; literature; treasures.
I've always loved reading and choose to protect some time for pleasure reading daily. Here are three books I have recently read (or am completing).
- Malcolm Gladwell's What the Dog Saw---and other Adventures. I have enjoyed the three prior books by Gladwell (The Tipping Point; Blink; and Outliers). I think he writes well and creatively sees links that others do not. This book was somewhat disappointing in that it consisted entirely of pieces that he had previously published in the New Yorker, to which I subscribe both in paper and electronic form. Perhaps it was the book's title that led me to purchase it!
- Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius's Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom. I probably chose to read this book in part because it reflects some of the research interests of my colleague Chris May. Also, I am interested in ways to control my blood pressure and manage stress. Maybe I should consult my dog friends for advise:
Rebecca Newberger Goldstein's novel, 36 Arguments for the Existence of God. I've always found it amusing and edifying to read novels exposing the foibles and pretense of academics.
Why?
Maybe we need a Pioneer Place Reading/Discussion Group.
