For some reason, books that exceed 600 pages seem more daunting to me than those less than that. I suppose I should have considered my transition at work before picking up Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, but sooooooooo many people I know have read it I felt compelled to read it when the library checked it out to me. It was a delightful historical fiction fused with magic and I sincerely hope my kids' love of reading continues as they grow because I think they would really enjoy this book. And, with having to feather in corporate finance books (which are not being tracked here or Goodreads - mainly because my ego won't let me) it took me a solid 10 days to read it.
The other two books - The Templar Legacy and The Phoenix Guards were different sorts of books. I was far less fond of the Phoenix book - I just couldn't really get into it. However, I have a soft spot for Templar lore so despite the simplistic writing and rather easy plotline, I did enjoy Legacy enough to consider reading more of the infamous Cotton Malone books.
Shifting gears a bit, the last couple of weeks have brought about a lot of reflection as I pour over the pages and form new connections in my brain. In many ways, such a diverse palette of literature is helping me identify my style and sense of self. No, that isn't an escapism reference - I legitimately am fascinated in discovering the ways different writing styles, stories, and themes appeal to me (or completely turn me off).
It's enabled me to reflect on the relationships in my life differently as well, which has its own powerful storyline for a time and place that is not here.
I also realized - after doing some astrology work with a dear friend and teacher this past week - that while my little experiment is indeed proving good for my mental health, it's pretty much all over my charts why i'm called to so many books that force me to be introspective. So, that's validating - to know that my fascination with attaining a higher mind and purpose is rooted in the overall tapestry of my life, and as I mature, my tastes are definitely refined.
On January 2 I started with 52 books. What I have left are:
- Hum if You Don't Know the Words (in progress)
- Troubled Waters
- The Name of the Wind
- The Kill Artist (in progress)
- Record of a Spaceborn Few
- European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman
- The Memory of You
- Wear Your Dreams: My Life In Tattoos
- Seveneves
- The Handmaid's Tale
- Children of Time
- Storm Front
- Outlander
- The Thief
- Homeland
- A Game of Thrones
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Wizard's First Rule
- Sacre Bleu
- Wool #1 (in progress)
- Proper Gauge (Wool #2)
- Casting Off (Wool #3)
- The Final Empire
- City of Stairs
- Ancillary Mercy
- Sorcerer to the Crown (in progress)
- The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter (in progress)
- A Little Love Song
- Zero Sum Game
- Ender's Game
- The Rainy City
- Black Hearts and Slow Dancing
- Until Proven Guilty
- The Thirteenth Tale
(I'd like to point out that I have read 25 books so far this year - yes, that means I added to my original 52 beyond just the Samadhi and two work books...so the list of 34 reflects what is left from my original commitment).
And, true to my nature, even though I went looking for books at the local bookstore that were on my list, I came home with four more non-fiction books. These are good ones, I promise!
- The Transformed Mind: Reflections on truth, love, and happiness - Dalai Lama
- An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life - Dalai Lama
- The Magick of Reiki - Christopher Penczak
- The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need - Joanna Woolfolk
It has been a particularly challenging journey for me to reach this point, and there are often times I'm still battling my own brain. However, I feel very connected to everything I am reading from the Dalai Lama, and know that these will be good investments in very similar ways to how reading itself is a good investment.
I hope you, dear reader, are finding something from my musings and books as you walk along your path to your highest purpose.
Happy Reading!
--Jennifer
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