What Can You Be Reading? Here are Some Good Picks!

Here are a couple of links to some pieces of literature and podcasts that I posted on facebook recently for you to read and check.

I posted a short story by Johnathan Franzen, a favorite writer of mine. This is his story he wrote for the New Yorker.

I also posted a podcast of Monica Ali (Brick Lane, loved it! You should read it!) reading and commenting on Joshua Ferris' short story, The Dinner Party. Joshua Ferris' first book, Then We Came to the End, is one of my friend Barb's favorite books she read this year.

Both The New Yorker and the NYTimes like to give the world a heads up on new/young/cool/hip/wonderful writers to check out and read. Here is a list of each that will hopefully feed you with new ideas and authors to read!

Of course the Orange Prize was announced this year. Barbara Kingslover won for La Lacuna, an amazing novel! There are other wonderful authors to read and check out the award list!

I hope this keeps you rolling!

Enjoy the reads!

The Bush Girls

This was one of my favorite short little articles this year about Barbara Bush and her 'leftist' politics! Love the contradictions! Love her honesty. Love that sh eis in irect contrast with her father's politics.

Love it!

Music to Listen to and Read About

I posted this summer on facebook some articles about music. There was a great article/link by NPR about Latino/Immigrant Life. The songs are great and you can open yourself up to a whole new group of artists!

I also posted an interview with Lauryn Hill, one of my all time favorite singers. It is a great interview.

Enjoy the read and the music.

Education in the News

There have been several articles in the news about education.

Time Magazine had a couple of good articles about the "end of summer vacation". It shows the argument about why extended schooling is important for kids. It is a good article and worth the read and the thought.

The Nation has also published many interesting articles as well, including a few about Diane Ravitch and her new and reformed views about education, in particular about charter schools! They have written sharp assessments and critiques about education reform in the nation recently.

The NYTimes also have been publishing good articles about education, innovation and research. Good to stay informed about the state of education certainly here in the states.

If you live in another country, how is the state of eductaion there? What are papers an magazines writing about in terms of education? Let us know!

All worth a read!

Enjoy!

I Need a Map!

I need help. I'm reading The Cloud Atlas- highly recommended by my friend kristi - but am having a hard time.

She is not the only one in love with David Mitchell's book- Michael Chabon gave him a rave review as well.

I'm going home today and have all day to try to crack into this enormous piece of literature.

If you have read it and can aid in anyway- send me an email @ theliteraryfamily@gmail.com.

Muchisimas gracias!


- be the change you want to see in the world

Location:San Jose Costa Rica

Anusara Yoga

So. Here I am in Santa Teresa Costa Rica. I'm on a yoga retreat with a couple of teachers who are teaching Anusara Yoga (Michele Baker and Kelly Haas). Ironically enough- this weekend in the NYTimes magazine section there is a huge article about John Friend- founder of Anasura. I have actually never heard of him truly until this retreat- and now of course feel like I've definitely experienced his branch/brand of yoga. How funny and what timing now to read a huge article about him in the nytimes-

It's an interesting article- I enjoy the perspective of the journalist- and find these issues and arguments interesting to contemplate and consider.

You can find the article online now- I just don't have the link on my phone- or know how to embed it- when I figure something out I will- until then... Happy reading to u!


- be the change you want to see in the world

Location:Costa Rica

Bumming More Books

As you know I'm low on reading materials. Ian generously lent me his book, The Lost City of Z by David Grann. Before Costa Rica, Ian was travelling in Peru and trekked into the Amazon. To prepare for his journey he read Grann's book- both an account of the journalist's trek into the amazon as well as Fawcett's journey. Fawcett, a turn of the century trekker. As I began to read the book- laying poolside- sitting at the beach - and sipping coffee on my 'veranda' I think- that was brave- because if I read that book, pre my journey into the amazon- I don't think I would do it!

Grann's book is not only well written, with layered stories, but covers hundreds of years of history of the amazon.

The author makes a similar journey to find the city Z, that Fawcett took in the 20's. It is gripping, funny, and informative. A great read.



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Location:Santa Teresa Costa Rica

Think Green

Need help keeping it green? Keeping your Carbon Footprint low?

Read this article at the Green Spotlight!

Enjoy nature.

On To Magazines

Am borrowing Cassie's Time Magazine- I think it's funny that Iran banded the mullet- word.


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Location:CR

Reading on vacation

So I have finished several books down here. My reading life has picked up- big time. My sister gave to me Firoozeh Dumas' book- laughing without an accent. Wonderful book. Very funny. Highly recommend it!

My friend Julia recommended I read, come to me. Amy Bloom's stories. They are juicy!

When I finished all of my books-I moved onto Barb's- Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead- so good- coming of age story set in the 80's- loved it! I had her him read at, The Happy Ending Reading Series. Finally I got to read the book!

Favorite line- page 82- NP approached serpentine, attempting to replicate the pump-'n'- dump that Bobby had used on him, adding a wiggle closer, but Randy was expecting something else entirely, going with a shoulder- to shoulder manly half-hug.

Colson also has a blog! Fun. I can't wait to read more of his books.

Hope your summer reading is going well! Keep us posted! What's good to read?


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Location:Costa Rica

Who Picks the Fruit You Eat?

Who Picks The Fruit and Vegetables You Eat?

The Bee

On my bus ride across the country, San Jose a Santa Teresa, I finished Samantha Bee's book, I Know I Am But What Are You? I have to say that it was all that I thought it would be- super funny.

I orginally got it for my sister, a huge Daily fan! I got it for her as a house warming gift. I drove up to Montreal, pre- my trip here to CR. She finished it in an evening and told me I needed to take it. So I did.

After I finished it, on the ferry to the Nicoya Pennisula, I read an article in New York Magazine how there aren't as many funny women on late night as men. Of course the Daily Show wrote in and commented on their efforts to treat women well. Samantha Bee is definitely a trailblazer! And a hilarious writer at that! Buy the book and read it and lol!




Enjoy!

Have A Laugh

Funny and Clever.

Flying with the Famous

I left for Costa Rica for a week long Yoga Retreat! Yum and delicious! No worries the bag is packed full of books and magazines

to read in between classes. Barb brought down a set of books and magazines too. So between the two of us we have plenty to read!

On my flight here, I traveled via Miami. Who was on my flight? Edwidge Danticat and her family. I instantly was struck with famous person awe. They must of been enjoying the festivals in Montreal.

Of course for me, I was intrigued to see, what was she reading! I had just purchased the Canadian version of the New Yorker- The Walrus! ED went back to the bookstore to aget a magazine. I believe she got L'Actualite! I guess I am going to have work on my French and see what's in the special issue.

Need good reading material- watch what the famous writers read!