Stacked and then Some

I thought I could resist and stick with the idea of only buying books when I want to read them, but I fell victim to another book sale.

1. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. I was reminded about this book when someone said she had top billing (hah,) in the play.
2. The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton which is a popular money managing book even after 22 years. I borrowed it from the library a few months ago but someone else put it on hold so I couldn't renew it. I only read the first few chapters but it had some good ideas and presented it in a story form.
3. Leo Tolstoy: His Life and Work by Paul Birukoff, who was a friend of Tolstoy. The sale only had Volume one. Volume two is when it gets really interesting though, as it talks about his religious views, in which I know we are at variance, because at the end of his life he did not believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
4. Then, drum roll or tuba blast, a book that could be revolutionize my book reading experience called The Book Group: A Thoughtful Guide to Forming and Enjoying a Stimulating Book Discussion Group edited by Ellen Slezak and foreword by Margaret Atwood. Could this be done on-line ?

What were the last books you purchased??

A Book Meme...

Okay Aurora...

Total number of books owned:
Last time I took inventory the count was 480... but that was 2 years ago...

Last book bought: was from a second hand book sale. Amongst my purchases there, I bought a collection of Mark Twain's short stories.

Last book read: was Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. It left a lasting impression. My day includes a talk with the bird on my shoulder. I ask, "Is it today?"

Five books that mean a lot to me:

1.) The greatest priviledge is reading God's Word.

2.) Anna Karenina. I learned a lot about people from Tolstoy's characters.

3.) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Actually, I have not finished reading this yet. I am working on the 3rd habit which is about scheduling, a favorite past time for me. This is definitely the best self help book that I have ever read.

4.) Who Has Seen the Wind by W. O. Mitchell. This novel is very special to me as it introduced me to the wonders of literature. This book also captures the prairies, which I love.

5.) I love the romantic book, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Sigh...

I am going to leave this tag open to other book lovers out there.

1. Pearl-see comment section
   
2. 
   

The Magus

A long time ago in 1982, I read a book by John Fowles titled "The Magus". At the time, I was heavily into tarot cards and found that the different roles of the cards came alive within this book. I was intrigued by analyzing this book and spent a lot of time with it. I must say though that today my philosophy differs somewhat from that which I discovered in this book.

When I read RDL's blog, When I Grow Up, I was amazed to read her request for someone to give her a book report on it. Finally, after all these years, my effort will be put to use. Here's for you, RDL...

The Magus

a book review

This novel is about the journey each man must take-the journey of the inexperienced Fool, of the Major Arcana(Tarot), existing only in the physical plan of consciousness into a man existing in harmony with his subconscious and conscious desires, being so aware of both, that they become one.

Urfe is the Fool of this novel, bound by earthly pleasures and unaware of the true love he desires , ie the love that exists in Alison, a girl he leaves for Greece. However, in Greece he meets the Magus, (Magician), Conchis, who helps him see what he couldn't see before- ie the unseen, his subconscious desires.

Urfe begins to understand what reality is-endless interactions. The masculine view is to see as objects whereas the feminine view is to see the relationships between objects; both are true. The individuals are what make the interactions possible.

Each man must achieve the power to discern what he considers good, what he considers wrong in order to relate himself successfully. But first he has to step above his material ambitions and not be ruled by carnal conscious desires. The man who does not accept or have his own philosophy, will remain the Fool.

This novel is rich in mystical symbolism, hard to understand but harder to put down.

What I Bought and Why!

I have been three times already to the week long book sale at a local mall.

I bought:

1. Emily Dickinson: Selected Poems-I had the recent pleasure of being with some friends to read poetry. I chose Emily's A Book. Is it no wonder...
2. Tao Te Ching-A book of Chinese wisdom which I have never owned or read. Now, I own it.
3. Leonard Cohen: Selected Poems-Someone chose a Leonard Cohen poem to read on Sunday. It is in this collection and was later made into a song.
   
4. Writing Fiction by Janet Burroway-The bit on the active voice convinced me that this book was for me.
5. Scarf Tying and Living with Scarves-The cashier informed me that scarves are back in style. I never knew they went out.
   
6. Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson x2-I already have my own copy from the 80's but can't help wanting to spread the word.
7. Color for Men by Carole Jackson-Sometimes my Husband actually lets me pick out his clothes.
8. The Woman's Comfort Book by Jennifer Louden-Delicious ideas for my next downtime.

Which section would you head for?

Carol's Book Blog

Originally, I had planned to keep a running commentary on whatever book I was reading. Then I discovered all the other blogs out there and didn't want to limit myself. I decided to go one day at a time and write whatever suited me. Each day reflects a different aspect of myself.

Today though,

I am reading a book by Dostoyevsky called "The Idiot." I have not read any novel by him before, although Russian masters such as Tolstoy amaze me.
I am reading about a man who others think of as an idiot. He is an epileptic, wounded so that he is thought of as strange and slow.

He speaks of substance.
He speaks well.
I see no evidence.

He only
thinks what others don't think of
and sees things that others don't see.

A book meme

Jennifer got me again for a book meme.

1. Total number of books I own.
Somehow this sounds familiar to me.
I currently have 487 +/- 10

2.Last book I bought was Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. I picked this up at the Co-op grocery store which has a donated book exchange. I routinely check it out whenever I am there.
I saw this documentary on television about a journalist who visited and interviewed Morrie who was dying from Lou Gehrig' disease.

3. Last book read:
I am currently reading a book written by a Christian woman I met on a Bible discussion group. I admired her honest frankness and her ability to express herself so well on-line. I am enjoying getting to know her more through her writing.
I feel an affinity to people that write. Certain similarities appeal to me, such as a social awkwardness acommpanied by hidden qualities of honesty, depth, humor etc. To get to know these people would probably be difficult anywhere else.


4.Books that mean a lot to me:
The Bible is the most precious book in my possession. It is the book most worthy of study and meditation.
I am also grateful for the songbook The Hymns for Worship which my children and I sing to.
And all those others on my bookshelf. They are beautiful as they wait.

5.Tag 5 people: As Jennifer, I don't like to make others feel obligated but there are a few I know that have a well stocked library as well like Candid Spirit, Cuz and Moira and anybody else that would like to join in.

My Library

Today's Count 480 books but not including reference books, Bibles and study tools, textbooks,etc

Books read 13.5%

Categories
Canadian Literature 32 books
Most unread author is Alice Munro. I have 3 of her books, all unmarked..

American Literature 30 books
I have a beautiful copy of Moby Dick and The Bounty Trilogy. (Too beautiful to mark?)

English Literature 19 books
I have copies of Shakespeare from University days and Dickens, of course. etc

Other Literature 14 books
Joyce's Dubliners story, Three Sisters, stumped me. It is very marked but the collection is unfinished.

Fiction 18 books
I was introduced to Maeve Binchy and go to her if I need to.

Anthropological Nonfiction 6 books
I was really in the mood for Aku-Aku.

Historical/Political 11 books
Funny collection of cartoon style books on Marxism for Beginners, Nicaragua for Beginners and Peace for ...

Philosophy 14 books
One day I will actually read one of these, perhaps Plato in 90 Minutes.

Poetry 14 books
Such beautiful words have been written. I have a collection of Sylvia Plath's poems and Ted Hugh's Birthday Letters in response to her words. I have enjoyed The Best Loved Poems of the American People which a friend of mine detests but it has entertained me in the past. Then there is a collection of poetry written by schizophrenics.

Mythology 4 books
After reading Metamorphosis, I obtained a few more books from antiquity, except I can never remember if I have the Odyssey or the Iliad while in the middle of a bookstore.

Religious Books (self-help, fiction) 59 books
I once hosted a religious book party where only my roommate and I were present. The salesperson said not to worry as she usually didn't make so many sales.

Entertainment 4 books
A couple of books on old movies and the origin of theatre.

Photography 4 books
I have a beautiful book called Islands at the Edge. It is about Queen Charlotte's Island which is located off the coast of British Columbia. My husband and I traveled there on our honeymoon.

Children 23 books
I have books ranging from birthday party ideas to how to deal with teenagers.

Marital 13 books
So far I haven't needed the help. Just kidding. My favorite title is Intimate Enemy. I also have, as must every bargain shopping wife, Being Married Happily Forever by Ernest Borgnine's wife. It has a great cover and even some sound advice but I only got as far as chapter 4.

Humor 2 books
What can I say?

Self Help 53 books !!
It is difficult to pass up a possible cure for some lingering problem areas. Great titles are Creative Agression ( I felt I had to hide this from my husband along with the Intimate Enemy) and Brain Building.

Business 14 books
I was at a garage sale and the owner who was a retired salesperson thought I needed advice and gave me a bunch of free books.

Exercise 9 books
I read 44.4% of my exercise books, which is a record of all the other categories.

Diet 4 books
My dieting days are over, I hope, but what is left is meager in comparison to what I once owned on this subject. My favorite one in this category, which doesn't necessarily mean I read it, is Losing It:America's Obsession with Weight and The Industry That Feeds On It (by Laura Fraser for those interested).

Beauty 7 books
What clothes to wear( from the 80's) and how to do my nails, which I don't have time to actually do but which my 13 year old daughter might appreciate. She used black marker on her toes the other day. Shh...

Speaking 5 books
I am sure there are great ideas in there.

Writing 12 books
More great ideas sitting there.

Art/Creativity 35 books
My favorite title is So You Want To Be a Rock Star and 50 Great Scenes for Student Actors. Hey ,there is a lot you don't know about me !

Time/Money Management 16 books
I sometimes get real keen on finding the perfect balance and sometimes not.

Native Indian 27 books
I keep my native books in my native accessorized bedroom. They look great with my husband's westerns.

Neuroses 17 books
This section is kept beside my bed, hopefully in such a private spot no one would dare to browse through.

There is a huge used book sale on right now at a mall nearby. I have been there already and only spent $3.25. I overheard another shopper say that she already spent $50 that morning and here she was back again in the afternoon. She exclaimed, "and the week is only beginning."
Some people just cannot control themselves!

I plan on taking the kids tomorrow...