What I'm Reading: OMG Edition

So, I've been waiting on news in other areas of my life before I put this out here, but here goes.  My sweetie and I will be going to Southeast Asia (as well as Japan, to visit his family) this summer!  I couldn't be more excited.  It's something we've talked about doing for years (really, years) and now we're actually planning our adventure!  So this is what I'm reading right now:

OMG, yes.

At the moment, we're still developing our itinerary, including the length of time we'll be there, so stay tuned.  We have a number of factors and priorities, but it's just a matter of what makes the most sense for both of us, and our budgets.

What I'm Reading.

I'm reading two books right now.  One in San Francisco, one in Maryland (where I'm spending quite a bit of my time these days.)  They're both good, but very different.  I highly recommend each, if for different reasons.  I'm also thrilled to finally have The Lacuna in my hot little hands, I've been waiting a long time to get it in paper back.  Having been very patient, it's good to finally be reading it.  I love most of Barbara Kingsolver's books, and Poisonwood Bible is one of my all-time favorites.

Silent Spring.

There are a handful of moments in my life where I can look back and say, “There.  That’s where it changed.”  They don’t come along often, and at the time we are rarely able to recognize them.  One such moment was picking up Silent Spring when I was in sixth grade.  We had to write a paper about a figure in twentieth century American history.  I chose Rachel Carson, and by the end of sixth grade, I'd read each Silent Spring, and all four of the Sea books from cover to cover.

Silent Spring captured my imagination and introduced me to an entire new world.  At the time, I felt a heaviness, that, even today, I have not been able to shake.  The book was published decades ago, but Rachel Carson’s influence on modern environmentalism is still felt, her writings still deeply relevant, and her warnings eerily prescient.

If you haven’t read it, for whatever reason, I strongly urge you to find a copy (or come over to my house, and borrow one of my editions) and read at least the first chapter, which is heart-breaking and exquisite.  Carson was an extraordinary woman with a lovely way of infusing science with deep emotion and passion.  She remains a hero of mine and the person with whom I credit my deep commitment to environmentalism.

Moleskine.

So bourgie.  But just so damn useful.  Slim, sleek, well-designed, practical for traveling.  Dan got me hooked on these, and now just I can't help myself.  I got these for upcoming journeys to keep myself organized.  I usually also keep a plain notebook to write down the sequence of each day while traveling, but I think these will also prove useful (especially when I want to go back and refer to specific places).  I always keep large folders in my pack when I travel, but the memo pockets will serve nicely for storing my paper ephemera during the day, as I gather it.

 
Info Book Pocket.

 
Memo Pockets.

What I'm Reading.

Winter's Bone.  

I heard so many amazing things about this book, so I picked up a copy at Modern Times Bookstore (my favorite bookstore in all of San Francisco), and am loving it so far.  I adore the main character (which is a big draw for me) and the language, sense of place and story flow really nicely.  I'm so glad I finally got into it.  I'm also excited to see the movie once I finish the book.

What I'm Reading: Graphic Novel Edition.

I usually don't like anything that has a gross-out factor above that of a Pixar movie.  I'm very particular about the kind of media I consume.  But I am really digging this series.  It's clever, suspenseful, engaging and really well-drawn.  And, yes.  Really pretty gross.  

 

When I asked my comic book guy whether it lived up to the (substantial) hype it received, he gave an enthusiastic yes.  

And he was so very right.

Mary Oliver.

Is outstanding.  If you don't know her poetry, please do yourself a favor, and go out and buy (any) one of her volumes.  Or come over to my house and borrow some.  I received American Primitive for Christmas, but I probably own another half dozen collections or so.

...I am touching a few leaves. 
I am noticing the way the yellow butterflies
move together, in a twinkling cloud, over the field.
And I am thinking: maybe just looking and listening
is the real work.
Maybe the world, without us, is the real poem...
– Mary Oliver

And I say to my heart: rave on.
– Mary Oliver

Le sigh.

Mudlark Journal.

These are so pretty, and I love the magnetic closure.  For only my most important to-do lists -- perfect for my new year's resolutions.

What I'm Reading.

As usual, I'm well behind the curve, but I'm currently (finally!) reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  It took me quite a while to get into it, but now I can't put it down.  In fact, I'm not even really going to finish this review, because I have to go finish this book.

It's really a fantastic book, and I am really in love with the characters.  I know next to nothing about Sweden, but the place isn't really a character, as in other books.  I sometimes find the translation a little...interesting, but overall it's really enjoyable and quite engaging.  It's also one of the most violent books I've read in recent memory, but it's not gratuitous.  Just necessary for this kind of plot, I suppose.  I'm sure once I'm done with this one, I'll be picking up the next two, and reading them in quick succession.  I've heard rumors of hidden forth and fifth books, and am quite hopeful that they exist.  In the meantime, back to my book.

The Daily Coyote.

Check out this adorable blog, The Daily Coyote, if you haven't already. I really, really love it.  I've been following for years, and it's an incredible story.  I recently gave the book version of the blog to my mom for her birthday.  She loves animals and is such a friend to all the animals that live in her backyard and around her house, so I knew she’d relate.  She makes sure that all the creatures in her little eco-system are well-fed and tracks their well-being like a mother-hen.  I could absolutely see her taking a similar path, if such a situation presented itself.

What I'm Reading.

The Year of The Flood, by Margaret Atwood.

It is, as anticipated, outstanding.  I’ve loved her since I read Lady Oracle by senior year of high school (it changed my life!).  I’ve read Cat’s Eye (one of my top ten favorite novels of all time!) and Surfacing twice, and I loved Oryx and Crake.  I've also devoured several of her other novels, all of which I've adored, to varying degrees.  I'm slowly working my way through all of her poetry and short fiction as well.  She’s so smart and her books are so brilliantly written, and her books have shone such a bright light into my life as a reader. 

It’s been a slow journey through the book so far, but I feel that no one does speculative fiction and magical realism quite like Ms. Atwood.  She imbues the story, setting and characters with her particular brand of politics in a clever and humorous way.  For those of us who share her views, Atwood offers a little wink-wink, nudge-nudge.  Which I happen to love.  I also love all varieties of speculation on potential utopianist leftist societies.  And post-apocalyptic anything.  So this is right up my alley.  I’m only about halfway through, but I’m enjoying the ride.

What are you reading?  What should I read next?

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.

 

I've been meaning to read The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao for quite a while, and it was as good as everyone raved about it being.  Even with high expectations (and more than its fair share of violence), I enjoyed the story immensely.  I was terrifically sad when it ended-- not just because of the ending itself, but because the book was that good.  Everything about it is lush and well-drawn. The characters are nuanced and troubled and, ultimately, there are no tidy solutions.  But as a work, with interwoven and inter-generational story lines, it is so gratifying and well-executed.  It makes me want to visit the Dominican Republic and see where these stories took place, how these characters lived.  I thoroughly loved reading it.

So much so that ever since, it’s been tough to get into another novel.  Everything else is paling in comparison.  Of course, given the title, a sequel would have been impossible, but that doesn't keep me from wanting so much more.

I can’t wait to read Junot Diaz’s book of short stories, Drown.