I was reading.
I go on regular "Artist Dates" (another The Artist's Way lifestyle adaptation) which often leave me in Chatpers (Barnes & Nobles in Canada for you American readers) with a Starbucks in hand. Of course, I can't afford to buy books as often as I go to the bookstore, so I have a system. First, I buy a drink and stake out a comfy chair (I'll settle for the floor if I have to but comfy chairs are definately preferable).
Once I have all the basics covered I settle on collecting books. (Sometimes I see a really good book on my way to the Starbucks and I end up reversing the order, but this is pretty much always how it goes.) And, I do mean collecting books. I browse the main aisle where they feature books, the bargain book section, and "my" sections of the store (writing, self-help, etc...). I add to my pile any books that look remotely interesting or worth a second look.
The goal here is to expand my mind; to read something I may not have been willing to "buy". So I take books I've heard of, had recommended, have cool covers (yes, I do, I alway sjudge books by their covers; I can't help it) etc... With my arms piled high with books (literally) I return to my comfy chair (hopefully), the floor if I have no choice. I laughed last time I did this. I had so many books in my arms I was having a hard time balancing them and was still browsing the "New Release" section when a store employee came up to me to enquire if I needed any help. I laughed, maybe carrying books, but not finding them! I chuckled and said no.
Once my pile and I have found good seat I begin to go through the books. I save the books I already know I want to dive into for last. I look at the covers, read the back, flip through the book and then read the beginning. I might read just the introduction, a few pages, or the whole first chapter - it depends on how good the book is. My goal is to decide if it's something I'd like to read. Does it interest me? I write down all the books that pique my interest. There are a handful of books that I will buy - books I can't get at the library, or that I know I'm going to want to mark up, I make a note beside those books. Once I've perused my selections I'll settle back to actually read (as much as I can) the few books I'm really enjoying.
Since I've started doing this I've acquired a "Books to Read" list. I'm lucky enough to have two library cards; one is local, the other is a larger library in the city my husband works in. At home I use the internet to locate which books I can find at which library (the local one first - they are easier to borrow from and return to). Under the category for the respective libraries in my Word file I note the author and book. If I can't find the book at either library but am not sure I want to buy it I put it under the InterLibrary Loan category. Finally I list the "to buy" books.
I'm only telling you this so you can know how I've managed to read so many varied books in the two months since I blogged. Sadly, when I don't blog I don't catalogue the books I've read very well and am positive I'm missing a few books (I also don't have all the author names). So, after that long (and I'm sure boring) explanantion of my title collecting method, here are the books I read over the last few months:
God 101 - Rabbi Bookman (I think) - Who knew Rabbis could be New Age forward thinkers? This is a book on the basics of spirituality from a Jewish perspective; even though I often disagreed with the author he gave me a ton to think about and I really enjoyed the read. (I also learnt a lot of cool Jewish root stuff).
Our Father Abraham - I was reading this while I was blogging but I don't think I reviewed it as I hadn't completed it yet. It was a heavy book (lots of highlighting) but fascinating. I loved every minute of it and it forced further along this spiritual journey that I'm currently taking - pirmarily by forcing me to think deeper and harder about who God is.
Understanding Your Potential - Myles Munroe - I've seen Myles Munroe speak and let me tell you - his gift is speaking, not writing. The subject matter on the other hand is right in line with my passions and he has some great foundational teachings that I think the church is in desperate need of. Also, he gives great analogies that I love to borrow. That said, if you get the chance to see him speak - GO.
The Forensic Casebook - This was such a cool read. I learnt all kinds of fascinating things about science and crime. I love CSI, muder mysteries and such so my sister lent me this book (which is really a text book). It actually was a very good read and I was constantly nagging my husband to listen to the new things I learnt.
Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit - Jordan Ayan - Ok, I confess, I didn't actually read this whole book. I read the whole first half (and really enjoyed it, learnt something, etc) and half of the second half. After that I just skimmed the book. My primary problem was that the second half was so basic - I wasn't learning anything from it; and the writting wasn't so brilliant that it was worth reading anyway. If you are just beginning to examine creativity though, you will find this to be a great beginner book.
Unlocking the Animal Mind - Franklin D. McMillan - I took this book out for my son tot read but he promtly pronounced it "boring". I decided to read it myself and loved it! I learnt so much about people and how our minds work (in addition to about animals and how their minds work). The author used a lot of stories and examples from his vet work and that made the most boring parts worth reading.
Wrong About Japan - Peter Cary - This is such a short an easy read, but still interesting; if you like Japan, Anime, and Pre-Teens that is. Being as I live with two Anime fans, and love Japan I enjoyed it (oddly enough my husband was very disappointed - although he did read the entire book in the length of one bath). It's a travlogue of a father who takes his 12 year-old son to Japan to participate in Anime research to write this book (it's questionable if the trip is for the book or if the book was to fund the trip).
The Creative Call - Janice Elsheimer - This is an 8 week program (you read one chapter a week) for enhancing your creativity. It is very similar to The Artist's Way (Julia Cameron), in fact the author says she got this book idea while working through that book. The distinguishing factor is that this is written from a blatantly Christian point of view. I much preferred The Artist's Way, but I learnt things from this book, got some great quotes, and am happy to finally see some work on creativity in the Christian market.
That's all I can remember, but I'm sure there's more - including the fiction books I chose not to list. So, what did you do the last two months?