Reading on the side

The Intimate Merton
(Edited by Hart and Montaldo)

I'm a Merton fan. I re-read lots of work by or about Merton. Borrowed this from the Library to spend some time poring over the journal entries of T.M. I especially enjoy the time between Spring of 66 and about the mid 67 years.

These journal entries are very revealing. For Merton fans, a must. Interesting and provocative to newbies too.

Reading Now

The Lost Symbol
Dan Brown

Nothing says turn-the-page with more passion and intrigue than a Dan Brown novel. Millions went deep into The DaVinci COde and came out wanting more. Dan Brown deliver yet again with this, "The Lost Symbol" Beginning with a macabre amputation and....well, in the interest of those of you just getting into the book...let me just say, you won't be left wanting, unless it's for more Dan Brown late night reading!

Reading Now (on loan from the library)

Mistress Of The Game
Sydney Sheldon

I have read many Sheldon books through the years, but my first ever was "Master Of The Game". I will never forget the way that story kidnapped me and made me pay with an night sleep! I loved it, so I could not pass on this ...the long awaited sequel.

Reading Now (on Loan From The Library)

Mysteries Of The Middle Ages
Thomas Cahill

Larry Groce and I were talking books...This is one he recently read (or listened to while driving) and I knew I had to dive in. I hit the library the next day and have added the volume to my reading list. I love historical novels...probGranted, it is easy to see on overview that Cahill takes license with this work, but I am already entertained...and provoked to learn more.

Reading Now

Soul Searching
Morgan Atkinson

I have studied a bit of Merton over the last 8 years. Beginning with the autobiography "Seven Storey Mountain"...and even spending a week at The Abbey Of Gethsemani in Bardstown, KY.

This latest account by Morgan Atkinson comes with a DVD of the book's interviews. It is admittedly a low budget work, but for Merton Fans, a nice addition to your studies.

I can't say I've uncovered any revelations in this book, but I appreciate yet another perspective based on several 1st-hand Merton encounters!

Reading Now

Lost On The Planet China
J. Maarten Troost

Big fan of travel journals. Troost is more of a: go-live-there-and-write-about-it guy. I loved his books: "Getting Stoned With Savages" and "The Sex Life Of Canibals" Both are funny, revealing, and intensely descriptive. I expect nothing less from this one, released in 08. I have it on loan from The Library.

Just finished

My Life In France
Julia Child

Just like most of Julia's recipes...this wonderful account of Her days in France resound with simplicity and only the freshest ingredients! The movie is another Meryl Streep hit...and the book is easily the perfect companion. In fact, the photos included in the pages here are snapshots reverberated nicely in in the movie scenes! The movie will reinvigorate the book, and many will meet Julia and Paul more personally posthumously.

Reading Now

Under The Banner Of Heaven
Jon Krakauer

Thanks Stepahnie at Books-A-Million for seeing me eyeing this one and endorsing the read! Sometimes a little push is all we want to move into that "next one".

I am a Krakauer fan from "Into Thin Air" and "Into The Wild", so I have pretty high expectaions with this one. Plus ,I am intrigued ny the subject. Look forward to digging in.

Finishing Now.

Sail
James Patterson

Every so often I dive into a J.P book to take a break from History, Biographies and sorted Non-Fiction...he never lets me down for pure, fast paced entertainment. Sail is right on for action! I love thrillers that hit you head on with what could be the conclusion...but in the first chapter...and sometimes in the first paragraph. that's James Patterson. He seems to "get" that he's often competing with so much 3 dimensional entertainment...the roar of an ocean...the blaring TV. He means to own your attention. He usually does. I will finish this today or tomorrow and have enjoyed all of it.

Silent Night
Stanley Weintraub

I bought the movie Joyeux Noel last year. It is the movie based on this incredible story of truce between men holed up in the trenches of Western Europe. It was that "one special Christmas" season that prompted a display of human character that has seldom been replicated. Soldiers from opposing armies stopped their bloody confrontation for a Christmas observance that brings to mind the real character of war....and the difficulty of conducting it face to face...man to man...soul to soul. I loved the movie... I am loving the book.