Something About Me Reading Choices

After reviewing all the wonderful books listed by challenge members, I decided to read the following for the "Something About Me Reading Challenge".

(1.) Northern Lights; Donnelly (shereads-Diane)
(2.) I Am the Messenger; Zusak (Jill)
(3. )A Walk in the Woods; Bryson (Wendy)
(4. )A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; Smith (Dewey)
(5.) East of Eden; Steinbeck (Vasilly)

Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge - July 1, - Dec. 31, 2007

Just joined this exciting book challenge; check it out! this exciting book challenge. I plan to read the following 6 books:

1. A Year in the Maine Woods; Heinrich (nf)
2. Vineyard Killing; Craig (fic)
3. Jane Austen in Boca; Cohen (fic)
4. Hotel Rivera; Adler (fic)
5. Sea Music; MacDonald (fic)
6. Brimfield; Fortuna

check this site if you'd like to join:

http://www.alifeinbooks.com/?p=123

Eating Well For Optimum Health; Andrew Weil; M.D.

Eating Well For Optimum Health; Andrew Weil; M.D. I thought I knew quite a bit about nutrition until I read this book. Our family doctor recommeded we read this book about 4 years ago. We bought it, but it stayed on our bookshelf unread until recently. I'm so happy I gave it a look see.

Dr. Weil suggests...

• Beans, nuts and grains every day
• Sweets, eggs, poultry and fish just a few times each week
• Enjoy wine, cheese and yogurt in moderation
• Add soy products to your diet
• Parents consult their physicians about the best kind of milk for their children
• Never microwave plastic, because the microwave drives the plastic into your food
• An average of one egg a day is good for you
• A handful of nuts a day is good for you
• Green tea is an excellent substitute for coffee
• Broccoli and leafy greens - it is believed they have cancer-fighting properties
• Tomatoes can also protect against certain kinds of cancer
• Blueberries have anti-aging effects
• Pumpkin seeds feed the brain
• Brightly colored fruits and vegetables have anti-oxidants that will help slow down the aging process
• Caffeine, butter and a high meat diet can affect body odor

Tear Soup; Pat Schwiebert

Tear Soup conveys the emotions of grief and loss in a powerful and real manner. This is a story in which both children and adults can relate. Granny, a main character in the book, is making Tear Soup to help her through a recent loss. Throughout the story Granny finds comfort in making her Tear Soup. Throughout this wonderful story, Pat Schwiebert uses soup making as an analogy to coping with grief and loss. Pat Schwiebert, an author of many pamphlets and books dealing with grief and loss, allows the reader to see how people handle grief and loss differently through the eyes of various characters and analogies. At the end of the book, the reader chooses whether they themselves are a cook of tear soup, a friend of someone making the soup, a spouse, or a child. There are suggestions on how to help people through their grief and loss at the end of the book. This is a powerful story that I would highly recommend giving to someone as a gift if they have suffered a loss, or purchasing yourself to help you through your own grief. This is also a wonderful way to share what you are feeling with friends and love ones. This book will help them understand what you are feeling and what they can do to help. Rating - 5/5

Triptych; Karin Slaughter

TRIPTYCH is not the easiest novel to read, since I found it difficult to relate to any of the highly dysfunctional characters. Much of this novel is devoted to exploring the extent of psychological abuse and damage that each one of them has suffered.

I also found that the ending left certain plot threads unresolved, including a rather viscious murder. In the end, I was left wondering what the whole point of the story was. Still, I found this to be a pretty good audio book. Recommend if you enjoy listening to books about serial killings with significant blood and gore. Rating - 4/5

The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats

Just finished this gem of a book. Author Clea Simon interviews women of all ages, backgrounds and professions to find out just what holds this bond with our cats in place. Much of the pleasure of reading it comes from comparing your own relationship with your cats, both past and present, with the women interviewed and the author herself.

Among the topics explored are: why are women/cats stereotyped so harshly and often similarly; why cat hoarders are so often female and why they do what they do; the mythical and historical connections between women and cats; how cats treat our significant others and what that says about how we feel about them (and how we let them treat us); letting go of our cats when it's time for them to pass on; and how our cats choose to communicate with their owners. Rating: 4.5/5