Running with Scissors: A Memoir
By Augusten Burroughs
This was one of the gifts I gave Cindi for her birthday. It's been on her wish list for awhile but moved up considerably after we'd both read Possible Side Effects. We also wanted to read this book before we saw the movie version.
Received: September 30, 2006

An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It
By Al Gore
http://www.climatecrisis.net/
This was a birthday gift Cindi received from our good friend Stephanie. We recently saw the movie together when it made a re-appearance at our local independent theater, The Varsity. Stephanie had already read the book and thought it made a great companion to the movie; the same information but the time and speed in which it is absorbed is completely up to us.
Received: September 29, 2006

cat vs. cat: Keeping Peace When You Have More Than One Cat
by Pam Johnson-Bennett
This book is my choice for September. It's been on my wish list for a very long time and I should have purchased it a long time ago with the issues that Ivy and Luna have. Though I'm happy to say they have gotten considerably better since we moved. I need any (good) advice I can get on keeping the peace in our two cat home.
**Update**
I started reading this last night, I'm hoping to finish it before the lesbian conception/pregnancy books I ordered arrive. I have hope that this book will teach me to better understand the body language of my cats and their territory issues. I have high expectations and will have to make the extra effort to ensure they are met.
Received: September 23, 2006
Started: September 29, 2006

The Omnivore's Dilemma *Completed*

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
by Michael Pollan
I started reading this as soon as it came in the mail. I'd heard wonderful things about it from sources I trust very much. This book discusses three areas of our diet and food culture; Industrial/Corn, Pastoral/Grass, Personal/The Forest. I'm almost finished with the first portion and am sure glad I'm vegetarian. I knew the state of the beef industry was bad but didn't know just how bad.
I'm feeling very defeated and angry about that state of our food. Corn is everywhere and I'm not in a position to make or grow everything I eat. I hope as the books continues I start to feel more empowered about my food and find the motivatio to do something about it.
**Update**
I'm really enjoying this book, it has made me so much more aware of my food and where it comes from. I am proud that we already buy most of our produce from our local farmers market. I discovered that UCD has chosen book for their fifth annual Campus Community Book Project, perfect timing if I say so myself ;)
**Update**
I finally finished this book last night. I stayed up late to read the last dozen or so pages I had left. I wish I would have updated more as I read it since a lot of the things that stuck out have already been forgotten. I can say this is one of my all time favorite non-fiction books. It kept me engrossed, informed me, intrigued me and at times disgusted me with such blatant information on our current food culture. It made me want to be a better eater and to opt out in favor of a food system that is better for us, the animals, the plants and the earth. It confirmed my choice to be vegetarian and pagan.
Received: August 22, 2006
Started: August 23, 2006
Completed: September 28, 2006

Being in Balance: 9 Principles for Creating Habits to Match Your Desire
by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
Cindi accidentally forgot to tell One Spirit not to send out their most recent books so today we received this book as well as another book by the same author, 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace. I liked the look of them so we decided to keep them. It seemed too perfect that this book arrived on the eve of the fall equinox; the day of perfect balance between light and dark, night and day. A wonderful time to find and seek balance in our lives.
Received: September 22, 2006

Green Witchcraft: Folk Magic, Fairy Lore & Herb Craft
by Ann Moura (Aoumiel)
I received this book as gift on one of my visits to Portland in 2001. It was purchased from one of my favorite independent bookstores, Powell's. I'd attempted to read it a few times and was never able to get into it. But I held onto it because it was still appealing to me.
My coven decided to start reading books to discuss at our circles. This ended up being our first pick. I've already read two chapters and can't put it down. I think I just wasn't in the right place to read it before, but I can tell I'm going to get a lot out of it this time around.
**Update**
I've really enjoyed this book but our coven has stalled a bit on our reading with other things taking priority. I hope we can revive the idea in the very near future.
Received: August 23, 2001
Started: July 13, 2006
Completed:

Vegetarian Suppers
From Deborah Madison's Kitchen
Cindi decided on another wonderful vegetarian cookbook for her book this month. It doesn't have pictures for every recipe but it's still a beautiful book sure to be full of some amazing recipes. Since we've been eating better and cooking at home we've been using our cookbooks and can always justify purchasing another one.
Received: September 16, 2006

Feminist Thought: A More Comprehensive Introduction (2nd Edition)
by Rosemarie Putnam Tong
I pulled this book off my book shelf the other night after unpacking. One of the best parts about moving is lovingly unpacking each book. I purchased it when I was living in Salt Lake City (1999) and had signed up for a Feminist Theory class at the University of Utah. I loved the class. Well I loved it the few days I was able to attend before I had to drop because I couldn't afford the tuition. I've attempted to read this book several times before and reading it now can understand why I didn't get very far. I'm in a much better place to be able to read and understand the concepts in this book. I hadn't been exposed to much in regards to feminist theory to really understand or relate to the book. This is one of the main reasons I don't get rid of books, you never know when you'll need or want them.
Received: Fall 1999
Started: September 13, 2006