July Re-cap

July Re-Cap:
Books Completed:
7/16: The Best American Nonrequired Reading Edited by Dave Eggers
7/12: A Departure from the Script by Rochelle Hollander Schwab
7/9: Happiness: How to Find it and Keep it by Joan Duncan Oliver
7 /8: Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
Books Received:
7/16: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling
7/16: Song of Susannah: The Dark Tower VI by Stephen King
Books Awaiting:
Best Lesbian Love Stories 2005
Box Lunch: The Layperson's Guide to Cunnilingus by Diana Cage
Dyke Drama: Your Guide to Getting Out Alive by Leslie Lange

Prescription for Natural Cures *Reference*

Prescription for Natural Cures: A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health Problems with Natural Remedies Including Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Bodywork, and More
by James F. Balch, M.D. & Mark Stengler, N.D.
I keep thinking about eating better and making myself a nutritional plan so I eat more well-rounded meals and I purchased this book to help me. It has an amazing nutritional section that I know I will love once I actually use it. It's much more fun to keep drinking soda and eating cookies while watching old episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sigh. Someday...
**Update**
Pulled this [huge] book out again and am looking through the nutrition section.
Received: April 2005
Completed: Never; continually referenced
Rated: ***** [5/5]

The Best American Nonrequired Reading [2004] *Completed*

The Best American Nonrequired Reading [2004]
Edited by Dave Eggers
This was a Yule gift from Cindi last year. I had wanted to get it since I saw in bookstores. I'd never really been a fan of short stories, they never seemed like enough. But with my busy schedule it's nice being able to read a short story while in the bath or before bed with out taking up too much time. I've been reading it since I got it as a gift last December; I can set it aside for a few weeks and pick it up again with out fear I'll be confused where I left off. I just start at a new story. The authors are awesome, some I'd heard I've others I hadn't. I'm always up for being exposed to new writers.
**Update**
I finally finished this! I had decided I couldn't start another book until I finished it. There were some amazing writing in here, but my favorite by far was piece by Michel Tea about Camp Trans; a trans friendly camp started in protest regarding the anti-trans policy of the Michigan woman's Music Festival. I also enjoyed a piece by David Cedric which was also in his book "Dress Your Family In Corduroy and Denim."
Received: December 21, 2004
Completed: July 16, 2005
Rated: ***** [5/5]

Song of Susannah: The Dark Tower VI
by Stephen King
I think this is the book we're going to get with the Harry Potter book tomorrow. I've never read the series, we have the first one in paper back the fifth one in hardback. We'll have to get the others before I can read them.
**Update**
We purchased this along with Harry Potter, though it'll be awhile until I read it. We have the previous book in hard back so we've decided we should have all of them in hard back, so they'll be uniform.
Received: July 16, 2005

The Sibley Field Guide to Birds... *Reference*

The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America
by David Allen Sibley
This isn't the type of book you sit and read cover to cover. I plan to take it camping with us in case I see some interesting birds that I want to identify. I was never really interested in birds but in the last couple of years I've been paying more and more attention to them. I'm lucky I live somewhere there are so many types of birds that live here year round, I see them on my commute to work every day.
**Update**
I took this book with us camping, but unfortunately the only birds I saw I was already familiar with or they flew away before I could get a good look at them. The most abundant bird were Crows which didn't need identifying. More luck next time I hope.
Received: June 12, 2004
Completed: Never; continually referenced
Rated: ***** [5/5]

A Departure from the Script *Completed*

A Departure from the Script
by Rochelle Hollander Schwab
An early birthday present. Jack decided I should open a present early. The cover art is terrible and I NEVER would have picked this book out in a book store. But the description saved it. It is a story about a mother coming to terms with her lesbian daughter while helping her plan her lesbian wedding. Later on she has to come to terms with her own feelings towards a woman. It sounds like it'll be a cute read. Thank goodness Cindi saw it's potential since I tend to judge a book by it's cover and I will admit I would have been wrong in this instance. Will update when I've finished it.
**Update**
I'm taking this camping with me so I imagine I'll have it finished before we get back. Thought it would be a good read between hiking and homework.
**Update**
I finished it! I was able to do nothing but read while we were camping, I haven't done that in a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Being from the perspective of her mother it gave me a lot of insight into the point of view of a parent dealing with their child being gay. If it wasn't for the fact the in turn the mother ends up attracted to a woman I'd have my mother read it. I liked the story line, the characters and dialog. It had realistic character relationships; they weren't able to wrap up problems in a day, the good ending was believable, there was enough time for the characters to end up where they did. The wrap up had a lot of development and had a happy ending; which is nice sometimes. I hope to read some of her other books in the near future. [Not that I don't have plenty of books to read already!]
Received: June 26, 2005
Completed: July 12, 2005
Rated: ***** [5/5]

Happiness *Completed*

Happiness: How to Find It and Keep It
by Joan Duncan Oliver
I've been reading this book off and on since I got it. It's a quaint little book full of little reminders. This book is a question and answer session discussing various topics that seem simple, but mean so much. I purchased it from a spiritual book club [One Spirit]. I intend to read this book continually. It is my new "bible".
The topics include: Emotions, Kindness, Uncertainty, Creativity, Purpose, Other People, Time, Acceptance, Values, Wealth, Beauty, Love, Laughter, Success, Faith, Serenity, Health, Nature, Memory & Choice.
**Update**
I finished it this morning, I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to read it again. I may even pick it up for a quick boost when needed.
Received: May 2005
Completed: July 9, 2005
Rated: **** [4/5]

Dress Your Family... *Completed*

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
By David Sedaris
Cindi joined a gay and lesbian books club recently [Insightout]. This is the only book that came yesterday that I was able to see. The rest are hiding in anticipation for my birthday. I can't wait to read this one and I know it'll be good!
**Update**
I started reading this last night and I couldn't put it down. It is full of short stories about his life, they are so funny and engaging; it's hard not to feel like I know him and his family. It makes me want to write something similar and buy the rest of his books.
**Update**
I loved this book! He has a way of telling stories about every day life, making them seem extraordinary and amazing. He also brings light into his crazy neurotic thoughts and obsessions. I don't feel quite so weird anymore, I'm not the only one with weird obsessions and strange thoughts crowding my head. I am motivated to start writing again.
Received: June 6, 2005
Completed: July 8, 2005
Rated: ***** [5/5]