This is a new website and organization founded by Winona LaDuke and the Indigo Girls. I stumbled upon it as I reading Winona's blog post about Somalis, Indians and Amish. A post about the globalization of a small town in Minnesota. You will find good books and articles to read in this blog. I will document the texts that I read in my daily life and hopefully will inspire new content, authors, and genres for you to explore and get to know as well. Enjoy the read! Read yourself into the world!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Another New Blog to Read
This is a new website and organization founded by Winona LaDuke and the Indigo Girls. I stumbled upon it as I reading Winona's blog post about Somalis, Indians and Amish. A post about the globalization of a small town in Minnesota. Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Louise Erdrich: Read All Her Books

I just found Louise Erdrich's blog on the website of her own bookstore she owns and runs in Minneapolis. It is a wonderful blog. I just watched her clips on, Faces of America, with Henry Louis Gates Jr. So good!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Guest Blogger: Another Reading Life

My Friend's Husband has decided to contribute to the blog and gave us a post about his reading life! Enjoy the read by Guest Blogger: Anonymous.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Reading Lost

My reading life has been a bit consumed with trying to figure out, what is happening on Lost.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Tom French

I just heard Tom French address a group of educators about the teaching of writing. He is a reporter from St. Petersburg Times in Florida. He read from his reporting of studying a school, a middle school in Tampa. "Thirteen" is a series of reports about being a teenager in America. They are gripping accounts and stories. Enjoy the read.
Friday, March 5, 2010
What Gets Your Reading Bug On?

My friend Lori is a voracious reader. Literally, I think sometimes she eats books. She said that she is a big fan of the blog and I invited her as a guest blogger to talk about about her current reading life and what she is reading etc. Enjoy the post. Enjoy the read.
Guest Blogger: Lori- The Rocky Mountain Mama.
You would think I read for a living. You would think that someone or many someones pay me by the word to read. After I confide in you my combination of ADD/ADHD habits and interests in reading you may think many more things about me. Let’s find out.
I digress slightly from the blog’s emphasis on current reading and current interests. A little backstory helps to interpret current habits. In order to prevent an embarrassing over-sharing moment, I will spare you the details of further experiences. Suffice it to say, I have and always will be a reader of varying and vast tastes.

Currently, I am reading books with Jewish content, for a Synagogue book group, various blogs and on line magazines, cookbooks and a sprinkling of random additions free of categorization. Here’s a sample of my daily reading:
Book Club selection:
Four Girls from Berlin by Maryanne Meyerhoff (just beginning)
Jane Austen in Boca by Paula Marantz Cohen (just finished)
As a Driven Leaf by Milton Steinberg and People of the Book by Geradline Brooks (two favorites)
Various online reads:
Cookbooks:
How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
How To Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman
Moro by Sam and Sam Clark
Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World by Isa Chandra Moskowitz et.al
A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen by Jack Bishop
The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters
Feast by Nigella Lawson
America’s Test Kitchen The Family Baking Book by America’s Test Kitchen
Here is what is on my list to get to soon:
Pops by Terry Teachout
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
Rashi’s Daughter Book 1 by Maggie Anton
Nurture Shock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
Chihuly in the Hotshop by Dale Chihuly
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
And, anything my friends send and/or recommend.
If you think this is where I inform you of my opinions and recommendations of the previous material you may be disappointed. A large part of my habits come from the joy and satisfaction of finding my own way through all things print and now online. I find an idea, an interest or a question and follow it through to as many sources possible. I discover either more ways to read and explore about the initial idea or I stop and move to the next. That is what feeds my reading bug. If you want more opinion and less road map, invite me to coffee.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Believer

Monday, March 1, 2010
Articles I Posted on Facebook in February

Photo By Daniel Galan
Become a fan on Facebook of 'Reading Myself Into The World'. I have been posting all month other artciles that I read on our Facebook site. Feel free to browse the fan page as well as the blog! There will reminders when new posts are added! You can also follow us on Twitter- if you prefer- 'Readingmyself'. You may decide to follow the blog on Blogger! It can be sent to your account- each time there is a new posting! You decide.
Suheir's poetry reading at the Palestinian Festival of Literature.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Educate 2.

There is a lot to think about in this article- Charter Schools, programs matter, the effect of class size and school hours, and the ever thirsty curiosity of a teaching staff. Are schools a business or an intellectual community. We shouldn't be little the success of these schools without counting these things as factors.
As we look to Charter Schools that are working well, I hope we also look to Public Schools in the community that are as well making huge change and gains!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Getting Green
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Happy Birthday Mom.

It's my mom's birthday.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Migrant Workers in the United States

My friend Janice sent me these articles about the plight and struggles that families who are migrant workers, who mostly work in the fields, face in our country. She asked me what I thought about the boycott of FED EX. Shamefully I had not heard- so she forwarded me an article and a couple more to read up on what is happening.
Migrant Worker's Dream of College
Saturday, February 20, 2010
All Things GaGa: I Have to Catch Up

“AND, NOW, I’M JUST TRYING TO CHANGE THE WORLD ONE SEQUIN AT A TIME.”

There definitely are strong feelings about Gaga. Some haters out there call her "bullish" because she oozes confidence. Oprah had her on and gave her some Oprah love!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Heee Heeee
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Oh My Green Earth!

Oh, my green earth, how do I love thee.
Great little quip from McSweeney's about Recycling/Composting/Trash.
Enjoy.
Reduce and Reuse!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Costa Rican Living

When I lived, for 8 months, in Costa Rica, in the 90s, I was happy! I actually didn't want to leave.
The New Economics Federation calculated how happy countries are based on studying how they use their natural resources and help their citizens live longer and healthier lives. Costa Rica was named as number 1. The US - not surprisingly was ranked 117. I read about the Happiness Index in Yes! Magazine on my way home from Seattle. Lessons we need to learn? Be a country that promotes peace, put your dollars in health and education and take care of your environment! Recently they just elected their first woman president- in a landslide! Good lessons for us all, no?
Here is an article from UK- just another perspective. Enjoy the read! Cheer up! Be happy! Help make the world greener and healthier. We will all be happier.
PS As I was reading and surfing for other articles about the Happiness Index- I found this aboutFacebook tracking the "happiness" of status updates. Totally unrelated, but funny!
Cheers.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Love.

Survival of the Kindest
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Lucille.
What's Coming Up?

This weekend I am so tired. Before I start working (yes I have to work on this Saturday and Sunday) I am going to read! I'm on to my new book, Girl Trouble. I know... deep for VALENTINE'S DAY. But I gotta get a new book rolling!

Thursday, February 11, 2010
Art is Art

Lori, once again, posted this really great article about how women are a LARGE population of fiction readers, yet women writers hardly are ever recognized in "best of" lists and awards. My friend Amanda pondered this, as well on her blog, last year, after Publishers Weekly announced their "Top 10 List of 2009".
The article also talks about women being included in anthologies for women versus ones for world literature. Elizabeth Bishop refused to be published in anthologies for women, insisting she was a poet, plain and simple.
She wrote that “art is art and to separate writings, paintings, musical compositions, etc. into two sexes is to emphasize values that are not art.”
The article mentions some great writers- who I have read, am presently reading, and hopefully soon will be reading!
Maybe you too! Enjoy the read! Be inspired! Talk about your thoughts with friends or here! Feel free to post a comment after you read the article!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Educate.

national education policies emerging.
Monday, February 8, 2010
The ABC Reads About China
I was in Union Square, needing to waste some time. I walked into Barnes and Noble and began browsing at their tables in the front entrance. I came upon a book by Rachel DeWoskin, repeat after me. Her name sounded so familiar. I picked up the book, looking at the jacket for a bio a picture, something. I did some quick research. It turns out that Rachel is from my hometown in Michigan and graduated high school the same year as me. I asked my friend Sasha if she knew her. She told me they were friends and have recently connected on Facebook!
So I decided to read the book. It’s about a young English Language teacher in NYC- living right by Columbia. The teacher falls in love with a Chinese student. I really enjoyed the book. It has love, mystery, and history all rolled into one.
I decided to get her first book (sometimes I work backwards): Foreign
I passed this on to the ABC. It is making the rounds. I also sent both of them to China as a gift to a friend living in Guangzhou!
Enjoy the read!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sade.

I Love Sade! Check out her new album, music, lyrics and thinking behind it all! YOu can see her process as a writer and as an artist.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Reading Radio

This American Life is one of my favorite radio programs I listen to. Love Ira Glass and his other authors he gets to share their stories, interviews and perspectives. I am a regular subscriber.
Episode called Bridging the Gap between NRA and the NEA
What an episode- Sarah Vowell and Geoffery Canada and more...
Enjoy the 'listen', enjoy the read.
Beneath the Lion's Gaze

Barb and I went to Greenlight Bookstore in Fort Greene Brooklyn. We went to a wonderful book reading by Maaza Mengiste, who just finished a three year project in writing: Beneath the Lion's Gaze. This is an historical fiction novel set in the 70s in Ethiopia. The section she read, about the murder of the emperor, was both chilling and captivating. Many people at the reading had read the book and gave her many accolades. She also spoke about what it has meant for her family, to reopen many of the wounds and memories of this dark and disturbing time. Probably on its way to becoming an ABC favorite! Barb and I both got it (signed as well).
Friday, February 5, 2010
Henry Louis Gates Jr and I Are Fascinated By The Same Things

Thursday, February 4, 2010
Keeping it Real
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Good Enough to Cook

My friend Lori sent me smitten kitchen- a blog about cooking, in a tiny NYC apartment. How delicious do these brownies look and sound? Almost makes me want to cook.
Updates on Haiti

PIH Applauds Legislation to Eliminate Haiti’s Debt and Improve Infrastructure
Such good news. Partners In Health is doing amazing work for Haiti. They also keep you very well updated on the news and needs on the ground. It's a step forward!Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Lend Your Voice In California!

Put the Arts To Work
The arts in Los Angeles are in crisis and they need your voice.
The City of Los Angeles Budget and Finance Committee has put forward a motion to eliminate the Department of Cultural Affairs dedicated source of revenue.
Edwidge Danticat

My friend, Kirsten, first posted Edwidge's story (published in the New Yorker) about her family in Haiti and how she lost her cousin. The story is beautiful. I just read it. I am crying.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Unnamed: Preparing for a Reading
On February 10th, Joshua Ferris will be giving a reading. The ABC is going to attend. I asked my friend if she had read The Unnamed yet. She said that she would have it read by the evening of the reading. I told her that the reading was in a week in a half. She thought again (she is in the middle of Girl Trouble). What I am Currently Reading: I Shudder
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Songs for the Heart: A Rock Concert at the Highline
I think every now and then it is good to do something you normally wouldn't do, read something you wouldn't on your own necessarily read, and listen to music you might not choose for yourself. It allows you to see more beauty that exists in the world and it opens up parts of yourself that you might not have seen.I guess I consider myself an R&B, Acoustic Guitar, Salsa listening person. My friend Kathy invited me to a Cowboy Mouth concert and she said that it was one of the best shows she had ever seen and that we had to go. While New Orleans rock music is not on the top of my play lists, I thought, 'Just try it. Be open to it.'
It was quite a show. I don't think I have ever seen so much energy on stage in my life. It was almost overwhelming for me. The music was loud, the crowd was digging it. They were jumping up and down, screaming, and clapping along to the rhythm.
I can't say that I grooved to all their songs, but the show was something to watch. What stood out to me even more were the lyrics. They had some beautiful words singing along to their drum beats and guitar riffs. I have to say, I left that concert smiling.
Cowboy Mouth: I Believe
Whatcha gonna do with the restlessness inside you worried mind
How you think you're ever gonna get ahead when you feel so far behind
Step inside this endless moment for a subtle touch of grace
I've always found my strength inside the act of faith
I believe in the spirit of Rock N Roll
In the eternal strength of the immortal soul
Cause sometimes everybody's gotta let it go
I believe in the power of love
I believe in the sounds of Sam and Dave
That little children should occasionally misbehave
That all that you get is all that you gave
I believe in the power of love
Little boy staring out a windowsill to a world that doesn't care
Everybody 'round is so much bigger that they don't even know he's there
But one day he's going to grow to be a man and maybe then they'll see
He'll provide the hope and care for the family
I believe in the chance of love at first site
That your life doesn't always have to be a fight
And if you do it at all you ought to do it right
I believe in the power of love
I believe that sometimes you got to take a stand
That you're holding my heart when you're holding my hand
Cause everything is eventually in gods hands
I have got to take the best of me and keep that heart alive
Why'd I ever want to shut that down and kill my soul?
I believe that sometimes you've got to take a chance
That you can't love your life just listening to can'ts
Cause the thrill of the ball's part of the thrill of the dance
I believe in the power of love
I believe that we never really are alone
'Cause there's so much more than anything we've known
New Orleans is always gonna be my home
I believe in the power of love
I believe in the spirit of Rock N Roll
In the eternal strength of the immortal soul
Cause sometimes everybody's gotta let it go
I believe in the power of love
I believe in the power of love
Saturday, January 30, 2010
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.
#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!






