Getting Green

My friend Miriam has a blog called the green spotlight. I am reading it to get a little greener! It is one of my goals in life! Luckily living in NYC automatically makes me greener than most. The more I read the more I can see things to do! It is a great blog to inspire you to be the best/greenest prson youcan be. I also read about The Lambi Fund here.

Miriam also heard Michael Pollan talk about his new book, Food Rules. She said that he was super engaging and interesting!

Good reading to make the Earth a better place.

Blogs are Part of My Reading Diet: A Sampling of Blogs I Read In January

You will see a long list of blogs that I enjoy reading on this website. Here are a few new ones I have added this month to the longer lists. Blogs are a great way to read something quick and short. You can also find new connections through them for more infomation on a topic.

Enjoy the blogs, bloggers and readers. Happy blogging and blog reading.

A new blog- funny.

A blogger finding something to do with their time.

This blog was sent to me on Martin Luther King Jr Day.

A blog doing good in the world!

Blogs in Spanish that were recommended and found through other blogs.

Blog about Reading.

This a blog by a beloved poet.

Here is a blog about family.

Favorite writers blog.

Writers recommend blogs.

Read a blog, write a blog- send a blog to someone who will love it! Blog, blog blog blog, blogging.

It's a New Year: My Daily Reading Life in January 2010

This new year I have read many articles. I started this blog out thinking that I could really document my whole reading life- Wow. I guess I read a lot. I don't like nor agree with all that I read. Some of it I pass on, but not all. I've selected a few articles (ha-ha) this month that I read and think you should read too! Each for its own reason.

#1 This month Sara Barron gave another book reading. The ABC just really loved her book!

http://www.wordbrooklyn.com/event/witty-women-writers-sara-barron-doree-shafrir-and-claire-zulkey

#2 Barb kept me updated on the reality TV gossip and latest. How wrong, wrong, wrong. And he is a teacher. No worries, Barb has an upcoming post she is contributing about her own reading life.

http://www.ny1.com/8-queens-news-content/top_stories/111918/queens-teacher-fired-for-punching-reality-tv-star

#3 Laurie Sandell writes memoir (graphic novels), writes for glamour, and freelances on a variety of topics like cooking. Another ABC favorite.

http://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-magazine/life-lessons/a-stirring-tale-00000000028686/index.html

#4 My friend Katie keeps me updated on some good new hip eateries in NYC! April- from iron chef- has a new place! Check out. It sounds amazing!

http://nymag.com/restaurants/reviews/63213/http://events.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/dining/reviews/13rest.html

#5 Other articles about food- for the foodie out there!

http://tastingtable.com/entry_detail/nyc/1032/Savory_pies_make_the_perfect_drinking_companions.htm

http://www.dakotacooks.com/2010/01/angelique-kidjo/

#6 My friend, Adam, posted this article by Stephen Elliot about how hard the books selling world really is. Adam has just written, Viral Loop, an extraordinary book about the stories of businesses spreading viral-ly through the Internet. Great read! Elliot is a great author himself . I got to see him read at The Happy Ending Reading Series in NYC. Pick up both books and read the article!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/books/review/Elliott-t.html link to first post

#7 We lost many people in January. three stand out to me because they made such an impression upon me.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/world/europe/12gies.html?pagewanted=2

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2010/01/remembering-salinger-dave-eggers.html

http://www.zinnedproject.org/news, http://www.democracynow.org/2010/1/28/howard_zinn_1922_2010_a_tribute, http://www.historyisaweapon.com/zinnapeopleshistory.html

#8 I am forever reading about politics about the war and the peace we have in this world.

http://motherjones.com/politics/2009/12/afghan-war-costs-5707760-minute

#9 This is a beautiful post about the importance of story. It reminded me also of Chimamanda and her beautiful talk at the ted conference. Stories matter.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pam-allyn/how-stories-save-us_b_376991.html

#10 This is a great piece about Greg Mortensen. His story and his work is so important- for adults and kids to think about. Go to this BLOG and think about how to connect with kids about his work.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/01152010/profile2.html

#11 This was a piece written by Bono for the New Year.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/opinion/03bono.html?pagewanted=1&ref=opinion

#12 I'm always interested in articles and pieces about bringing peace everywhere, especially in the Middle East.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/world/middleeast/31children.html?_r=1

#13 For educators out there and people supporting schools and education:

http://www.adoptaclassroom.org/index.aspxhttp://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6715153.html

#14 More on Haiti. Trying to stay updated. Trying to help in whatever way I can. There is a beautiful reading and discussion from Junot Diaz about Edwidge Danticat's work.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/2009/12/14/091214on_audio_diaz

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/opinion/22danner.html

http://teachingforchange.org/news

http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/blog/entry.php?id=144

February I will try to post more frequently the articles I read so that they feel more current and connected. Happy reading to you in February.

Post your favorite articles you read this month and/or that you posted or gave to others. What do we need to read? Post it here!

I Don't Read Enough Poetry: Read Poetry All the Months of the Year!

I heard James Howe speak the other day. He spoke about his writing process. He said that he reads 2, or 10 poems each day to "connect to his own heart". Especially when he feels like his "heart isn't in it." He reads Mary Oliver, American Poet Extraordinaire:

“Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”

What a wonderful reminder of a genre I don't read hardly enough. Waking up in the morning and reading a new poem or returning back to old favorites, adds a calmness and beauty to my day.

I was reading Poets and Writers this month. I read The 5th Annual Debut Poets Round Up. William Archila, author of The Art of Exile, wrote, "Poetry gives us a sense of beauty, a sense of dignity. It reminds us to feel human again." Isn't this so.

My friend Pam posted as one of her facebook status updates, a quote fromNaomi Shihab Nye (Palestinian - American Poet) "Love means you breathe in two countries". What a wonderful line for so many of us, living between cultures, countries, and other identities. I love the images that she creates and the thoughts that she provokes.

Another Blog that agrees. Ponder this quote from Neruda, "I wheeled with the stars, my heart broke loose on the wind."

Suheir Hammad is a poet that I have been reading and rereading for years. I met her several years ago when she did a reading at a hip hop conference at the University of Pennsylvania. Her poems and readings are powerful and deep. She has a memoir as well as three poetry books.Zaatar Diva comes with a CD so you can hear her deliver the poetry out loud. It is absolutely beautiful and will bring goosebumps to your arms. You can of course catch her on YouTube: Poem. She was one of the original poets of The Def Poetry Jam Series. Her poetry is universal and very personal by nature. It is political and literary. When you get a chance to see her live, don't miss it for anything. In the meantime, pick up one of her books and read.

A friend from college, Craig, has a blog where he posts his most recent thoughts and poetry. Add this page to your weekly reading diet. My friend, Kawita, wrote Folding a River. A beutiful anthology of her poetry. Check it out!

Currently I am reading Kay Ryan, our nation's Poet Laureate. In Poets and Writers this month she is named as one of the 50 most inspirational writers! I'm glad I started that reading project.

Poetry isn't something I usually pick up first, but I am going to try to add more of it into my reading life. It creates space and time for reflection. It brings beauty and life to the forefront of my thoughts. It reminds me of what is important.

I will leave you with this poem.

Wild Geese

Please posts your thoughts and reflections about these poems or others that you think others should read.

Finding Balance Through Books

I really enjoy Sunday mornings. Sunday at 1000 is the time of my favorite yoga instructor's class. Ruth Lauer Manenti gives one of the best yoga classes ever. My friend Sasha was asking me what makes her classes so wonderful. Is it the workout? Yes, you sweat, build muscles, and get a good vascular workout. Most classes are above my level and I have a difficult time keeping up.

Is it her skill of teaching? Yes, she gives clear instructions and is easy to follow her steps and demonstrations.

But for me, the best part of class comes before all of this. It is the dharma talk she gives at the beginning of class. This is what sets her classes apart from all others. She is able to tell a story that reaches you and helps you to reflect on your life. They are not self righteous stories nor are they meant to make you feel bad. Instead they are stories that are personal and reflective and inspire you to do the same as you listen.

Last year she finally published her first book. She recorded many of her talks and selected her best ones to put together a book with a series dharma talks. Read An Offering of Leaves and get inspired! Take her class! You will be mesmerized and transformed.

What Am I Currently Reading

I am always reading multiple books- I have many interests. At times it could be seen as a strategy to delay or avoid ending a good book. If you are looking for two new good books to read in 2010-

I am reading- Viral Loop By Adam Penenberg

Super great read- stories about companies- such as facebook- and how they went viral. It gives you a great way of understanding how the web works and how companies can grow. If you want to be in the 'know', read Viral Loop with me!

I am also reading Margaret Atwood's new book, The Year of the Flood. Did you read The Handmaiden's Tale or Never Let Me Go? These books explore the notion of - distopias! Here is her latest genius piece of work- or at least that is how my sister (a literature professor) sold it to me! I am half way through and loving it!

Lastly today I decided that I am carry around with me for the entire month the travel section of the NYTimes today- to start plotting for my next trip! Which of the 31 places are you hitting? So far I have only been to 7 of the places- so I had better get moving! I have been to Costa Rica, Istanbul, Damascus, Los Angeles, Marrakesh, Brekenridge, and Colombia! I better get reading, dreaming and studying for a great travel place this summer!

Happy reading days to you!