Karen’s Book Nook

This one is my “purse book”  that I can pick up when I have a few extra minutes to spare. I’m reading Green Chic: saving the earth in style by Christie Matheson. It’s full of green tips; many that I I’m already doing but I’m sure I’ll pick up something new along the way. I’m really making a conscious effort to do my part to live as green a life as I can. (Of course, it doesn’t mean that I don’t want to live in comfort and style so I’m looking forward to reading it.)

Currently reading The Biggest Loser by Maggie Greenwood-Robinson, the stories of the contestants from the first two seasons of my favorite show.  Also contains exercise and diet tips following the principles used on the ranch.

I finally had a rainy day with no Patriots Training Camp or committments so I hunkered down on the couch,  read 90% of The Seduction of Water and finished it tonight. I’m starting the second book of my Heard it Through the Grapevine Challenge, Marley and Me: life and love with the world’s worst dog by John Grogan. I’m sure it will be a quick read once I find time to actually open a book but this one will travel in my bag so I can sneak in a chapter or two when ever I can. Of course, this one came with a promise from my friend and fellow dog lover that I’ll love it. <woof!>

I’m not sure where I heard about this book or if the cover just caught my eye in the new section of the library, but I’m reading The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It’s all about thinking positively and living the life of your dreams.

Visual Supports for People with Autism: A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Marlene J. Cohen and Donna L. Sloan is chock full of examples of graphic organizers and tools for visual learners. People with Autism benefit greatly from picture supports and as a special educator I’m always looking for more ideas.

The Elements of Organic Gardening by HRH The Prince of Wales this is a full color coffee table style book that I’m anxious to read and peruse. I’ve already planted my garden and look forward to its nice organic bounty this summer.

Last night was the final webcast of Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth but I’m not putting the book aside. This one needs some re-reading and intense digestion. I really need to not just read and learn but apply some of his practices… I’m forever multi-tasking and I need to learn to be more present.

Since I’ve blown through 5 books in the past 3 days, I’ve got some time left on the remaining library books before they’re due. I’ve decided to pick up two that I hadn’t finished and had put aside to read other things, Wicked, The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and Teacher Man by Frank McCourt. I saw the play Wicked and loved it. The book is good as well, but quite different. Teacher Man is a memoir and I’m almost through and want to return it to the teacher that I borrowed it from. It was kind of dry as I remember it but we’ll try it again.

I’m always interested in reading and learning as much as I can about Autism. Today’s read is Making Autism a Gift: Inspiring Children to Believe in Themselves and Live Happy, Fulfilling Lives by Robert Evert Cimera. I’ve had this one for awhile and it’s my final renew so I’m bumping it up to the front of my list before I have to return it to the library.

Trying to get through my soon-to-be-overdue pile from the library and this one is a shorty. Good Dog. Stay. by Anna Quindlen looks like a one day book for me. (At least I hope so… which will mean that I’m spending some of my vacation doing exactly what I want to do!