Summer Reading

The whole time I was in Australia, I was frustrated about books. When I could find something to read, it was rarely exactly what I wanted to be reading. When I did get a really good book it was over all too quickly (there are disadvantages to being a speed reader) and then I was once again faced with my book drought.

Returning to New Zealand is a chance to dive into a pool of satisfying and stimulating reading. Firstly, a stay with my friend and sister bibliophile, Jo, netted me a small stack of books to borrow. Then a visit to my storage unit allowed me to access a few of the most useful and missed volumes in my personal library. And finally, arriving in Whangarei allows me access to the excellent public library here including its fine science fiction collection.

So, like a starving person at an-all-you-can-eat buffet I have loaded my plate and am circulating my attention between several books I'm actively reading, while looking forward to some treats to come.

January's reading list:

• Happy at Last: The thinking person's guide to finding joy by Richard O'Connor (pathways for reducing misery, learning joy and increasing satisfaction and meaning)
  
• The Places that scare you by Pema Chodron (my second read of this worthwhile book)
• What should I do with my life? by Po Bronson (interesting stories of people figuring out careers that are meaningful and satisfying)
  
• Miles in Love (omnibus) by Lois McMaster Bujold (includes a new story I hadn't read about my favourite hero in all of literature, Miles Vorkosigan)
• Salamander by Thomas Wharton (a fun fantasy novel starring a letterpress printer and book artist!)
• Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (I've been looking forward to reading this for ages)
  
• Three Dimensional Embroidery by Janet Edmonds (inspiring me to new textile experiments)
• Creating Handmade Books by Alisa Golden (this was the first how-to-make artist's books that I bought, and still one of the best: if you can only have one book of inspiration and instruction to hand, I recommend this)
  
• Fearless Interviewing by Marky Stein (a handy book to have around when job hunting, negotiating salary etc)
  
• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (dipping into my favourite bits)
  
• Infoquake by David Louis Edelman, Wrack by James Bradley (novels I haven't started yet)