Welcome to Reading List and Book Notes 2018. See the titles below, along with a short note on the goodness each book has shared with me.
(Past years are listed, as well.)
Reading List/Book Notes 2018:
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD
Relational, developmental, complex trauma is a devastating and horredous ongoing torutre. It damages each individual it touches, and it has spread like a virus throughout society. Healing is possible when we move, breathe, speak, act, dance, listen, imagine, trust, sing, play and move again.
The Checklist Manifesto, Atul Gawande
Discipline is paramount.
Revision is necessary.
Refinement must be ongoing.
Being Mortal, Atul Gawande
What is our understanding of our situation?
What are our fears and our hopes?
As our perspective shifts, and our priorities reorder, what can we do to make this a good day?
~ Currently Reading ~
The Art of Vinyasa, Richard Freeman & Mary Taylor
Devotions, Mary Oliver
The Apostate Djin, Steven Joyce
Next Up:
The Constant Fire: Beyond the Science vs. Religion Debate, Adam Frank
Theology of The Body for Teens, Middle School Edition
Theology of The Body, Pope John Paul II
Hope to Read:
The Bhadavad Gita, translated by Swami Prabhavananda & Christopher Isherwood
The Holy Qu’ran, translated by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali & Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan
Reading List/Book Notes 2017:
Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse
Love is incarnational.
We are incarnational beings.
Be courageous and merciful: Love!
The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence; Translated by Marshall Davis
God’s presence is infinite.
God meets us where we are.
Seek, find, and practice that which allows us to know God’s presence in the depths of our hearts.
Best Practices for Yoga with Veterans, Yoga Service Council, Carol Horton, Editor
Everyone Suffers.
Don’t assume or compare.
Be mindful and gentle.
Overcoming Trauma through Yoga, David Emerson & Elizabeth Hopper
We are multi-layered beings.
The body-mind connection benefits from care.
Nurture this connection; befriend the body.
Half a Man, Michael Morpurgo
We are more than our bodies, more than our minds, more than our transgressions, more than our weaknesses.
We are imperfectly whole beings in need of loving and being loved.
Forgive and be forgiven.
Complications, Atul Gawande
Regardless of simplicity, all existence is complex.
Recognize what is; acknowledge the unknown.
Move forward with kindness and compassion.
Restorative Yoga, Ulrica Norberg
Yield. Rest. Receive. Breathe.
better, Atul Gawande
“Ask an unscripted question.”
“Don’t complain.”
“Count something.”
“Write something.”
“Change.”
Reading List/Book Notes 2016:
Ishmael’s Oranges, Claire Hajaj
Remember mercy;
mercy is bigger than everything;
bigger than Religion.
Because of Mr. Terupt, Rob Buyea
It takes courage to connect with others;
we are social beings;
we need courage.
The Fred Factor, Mark Sanborn
Perform even tiny acts of selflessness,
consistently,
and reap the joy.
The Blind Side, Michael Lewis
Everyone has a story;
listen to them;
learn their stories.
I Am Malala, Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick
Our children are strong and courageous;
our example effects them;
we must live well.
Wins, Losses, and Lessons, Lou Holtz
Trust in God;
strive for consistency in virtue;
be joyful.
A Simple Act of Gratitude, John Kralik
Gratitude puts life in perspective;
a broad perspective allows for and necessitates gratitude;
choose to give thanks.
A Mother’s Reckoning, Sue Klebold
Control is an illusion;
ignorance can be deadly;
faith, hope, love, and help are crucial.
The Name of God is Mercy, Pope Francis
Mercy is paramount.
The Winds of Ilion, Steven Joyce
To write is to breathe, (unfortunately.) (…fortunately?)
The Westing Game, Ellen Raskin
We are all connected.
Look for the good;
Find the good.
Catastrophic Happiness, Catherine Newman
Your best, your best, your best, give your best.
Even if all we’re talking about is sleep.
The Other Wes Moore, Wes Moore
Circumstances matter.
So do people.
Help everyone you can.
