5.22.2014

reading, thinking

I took these pictures before my camera died.  I'm missing that shiny hunk of black plastic something fierce.  I think we are going to attempt to fix it ourselves for now (and by "we" and "ourselves" I mean Mike will take my camera apart and attempt to replace the power board while I sit watching with fingers crossed) to buy me some time in making any big decisions of the new camera sort.  we'll see.  

I recently finished How Yoga Works and reluctantly returned it to the library.  I rarely purchase books anymore, especially if I know I can get it at the library, but this one..... wow, I think I just might have to own it.  I can honestly say that while reading it, and now, afterwards, it has changed my outlook in a very positive way that I dare say just may be long-lasting (I can be hopeful, right?).  It is basically the story (set a thousand years ago) of a young woman who is imprisoned at the border while trekking from Tibet into India.  She is thought to have stolen a very valuable book, a very old copy of The Yoga Sutra by Master Patanjali (this is a book that actually exists), and works out a deal with the captain that if she can heal him through yoga it will prove that the book is actually hers.  in the meantime, she is a prisoner and faces a great many hardships (though she doesn't necessarily see them that way).  there are excerpts from the Yoga Sutra throughout this story, and the excerpts are explained in detail as she uses them to teach her new student.  It is just incredible.  Existentially mind-twisting, in a great way.  most certainly it had/has me questioning many things about the way the world works, the way my mind works, the way we create our world, essentially.

Following that, a lighter (much lighter) read- The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe.  This reminded me a bit of books like Bread Alone, Home to Woefield, The Baker's Apprentice.... stories about women making changes in their lives and the roads they take to get there.  they are light and enjoyable and somewhat relatable.  or so I think.


and now, this~


read any good books lately?  I read so many books last year and despite all the time sitting at my mom's bedside this spring, somehow it's been hard for me to really get into reading at times.  maybe it's that I'm writing more than reading.  certainly I've been doing plenty of thinking and a good bit of just sitting.

12 comments:

  1. Fingers crossed that your camera can be repaired. How yoga works is now on my list to read, sounds like my kind of thing. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it was just such a good read~ I highly, highly recommend it and would love to hear what you think of it!

      Delete
  2. I hope your Mike can fix the camera Amanda, I would love to hear how it goes.
    I was talking with one of my sister's last night and she said she was reading a fantastic book, Shantaram
    http://www.amazon.com/Shantaram-Gregory-David-Roberts-ebook/dp/B002U5HKZ6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400841067&sr=1-1&keywords=gregory+david+roberts
    The writing is along the same lines as Goldfinch and she is loving it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will most certainly update once the surgery is complete~ and I'll definitely look into that book, thanks!

      Delete
  3. I will be sending healing camera vibes as you do the surgery--fingers crossed!

    ReplyDelete
  4. oh my goodness! camera surgery! sounds scary :( what kind of camera do you have? at least if it doesn't work you can get a new one... and getting a new one can be a wonderful thing. it just really sucks spending the money and not having one in the meantime. best wishes! btw... you always make me want to read. thank you for that :) i really need to get a new fiction read... it's been all non fiction for me lately but i have a new (non fiction) coming in the mail that i'm super excited about... it's a home decorating book that encourages excepting the quirks of your home... i don't know if that describes it very well, but when i read the comments on amazon i seriously almost cried and decided i had to read it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a canon eos rebel xti, from 2006! it is old school (though of course it was fancy at the time) but I really love it. I'm hoping we can fix it and I'm currently lens shopping for a decent upgrade lens from the kit lens (which, coincidentally, is also broken). lens shopping is mind boggling. I love my canon fixed 50mm/1.8 lens, but need something that has more range as an everyday lens. it's the not having a camera now that is driving me nuts!

      so glad to be a source for reading inspiration! I have had The Signature of All Things for two weeks now and haven't started it- I keep saying 'tonight I WILL start it', but then I don't.... ah well, I need to inspire myself to read, it seems.

      that book sounds good- what is it?

      Delete
  5. How Yoga Works...gonna put it on my list. I trust your reviews! I've been reading non-fiction stuff for me and fiction with Bea. We just started Perfect Like the Moon (a sequel to Sarah, Plain and Small). It's lovely. But I guess I should delve into something a little more challenging that the young fiction genre. Hm...I started Signature of All Things a couple of months back but had to return it to library before I really got into it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ha! that's totally where I'm heading with it- haven't even gotten more than a few pages in and it's due soon. life just hasn't been very conducive to reading for me lately~ at least not in the last week or two. or maybe I'm just busy doing other things ;) I LOVED Sarah, Plain and Tall as a child- can't wait to read it with Claire soon.

      Delete
  6. I just finished the audiobook The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. So much tragedy but such a good story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I LOVED that book- it was one of my favorite reads last year! definitely very, very tragic, but it moved me deeply in many ways and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

      Delete

thanks for taking the time to read and comment~