The Next Thirteen

Thirteen Cactus Pads?

[Photo by Me]

I tend to maintain a constant merry-go-round of thirteen books beside my bed, which rotates at an undefined interval. Some are permanent, some I read and return or donate to the library, and some I send to friends. Don’t ask me why the number is thirteen, it just happens that way.

I don’t know about you, but for me I usually have a little extra time to read during the holidays, so I assembled another list for you today knowing you may have some extra time to read soon. My last update was in September if you’d like to check it out.

Without further ado, here’s my next thirteen…

1. Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall
I just finished this last night. McDougall tells a true story about a group of super-hero runner people, called the Tarahumara, who live in Copper Canyon, Mexico, a canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon in AZ. Hands down, this is one of the best books I’ve read in awhile. I tend to like a combination of a great story, mostly non-fiction, with something applicable to making my life better—all three are wrapped into this great story about human endurance framed by how we evolved born to run.

2. The Complete Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron
I’m working my way back through this compendium for a second time—it is a combination of three of Julia’s most popular books. If you have a hankering to write, act, paint, or be creative in any aspect, and would like a cheerleader on your side, get this book!

3. Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri
I finished this recently and need to pay it forward. Lahiri’s writing is like reading a basket being weaved, it twists and turns but is rooted in human emotion and the fabric of family. This book was a birthday present from my step-daughter, which made it that much more special. Damn, I wish I could write like this!

4. Interview with the Vampire, by Anne Rice
I’m slowly working through the book—it’s a classic and I’m feeling I can’t stop reading it! I love Rice’s interview-style approach!

5. Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl
This has a permanent place next to my bed and to my heart. If I had to choose one book to take with me to solitary confinement, this would be the book. I’ve read it several times.

6. The Evolution of God, by Robert Wright.
I’m finished reading this caveman-to-modern-day account of how human’s view of god(s) evolved throughout the ages. It was an interesting read, but I feel the author focused too much time on one sector of faith and not enough on others, however, I still recommend it. Also, I’ll never feel the same about my childhood Sunday School indoctrination. (Side note: I still haven’t quite defined my view of a god/goddess/gods or lack thereof. For now, I just try to be nice.)

7. The King James Version of the Holy Bible, by (I’m not sure, actually)
Two weeks after book Number 6 was delivered, this book showed up at my door via private courier in a manila padded envelope. When I asked the delivery guy, who had no official uniform (e.g., FedEx), what the package was for, he shrugged his shoulder and said that he was just the delivery guy, handed me the package, and walked off. When I opened it, I have to admit I got a bit of a chill. How did they get my address? Is someone trying to tell me something? Oh, and I already read it a couple times as a kid.

8. Have a Little Faith, by Mitch Albom
To even the score from reading The Evolution of God, with lingering goosebumps from being delivered The Holy Bible, I picked up this book since it was 25% off at the bookstore. Having read Albom’s Tuesday’s with Morrie, I decided it would be worth it. A good read with a great storytelling tempo—I’d recommend it for a long plane flight or road trip. The big picture: I think I evened out my god scales.

9. Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, by Rhoda Janzen
This book was sent to me by the publishing house as an early-reviewer copy. Based on my blog, the person thought I might like the book. She was right! It was crazy funny, but the cool thing is that I got to learn more about the customs and quirky side of a religion I knew almost nothing about. The author pokes fun at Mennonite traditions after rejoining her family later in life—after her husband leaves her for a man he found on gay.com. She’s definitely laughing with them and not at them!

10. Thermoplyae, by Ernle Bradford
I’m enamored by the movie 300, both for its cinematic style and the historical basis. OK, I’ll be honest, I think King Leonidas and the entire Spartan army are a stud muffins—King Xerxes included. Thermoplyae accounts the three-day battle for the pass at Thermoplyae, 480 B.C.; the epic battle, skill, courage, and heroism tugs at the strings of my identity and the possibility of what lies beneath all of us. (This book was first published in 1980—I’m about 1/3 though.)

11. Joker One, by Donovan Campbell
I am deeply moved by this man’s story and shed a few tears. Donovan was the commander of a forty-man infantry platoon called Joker One—stationed in Ramadi in 2004. What struck me was the humanity this commander revealed and the deep sense he gives to us that he wants the men’s stories to live on. It’s not about Donovan, it’s about his love for his team.

12. Plenty Enough Suck to Go Around, by Cheryl Wagner
I recently received this book and am on the first few pages. This memoir bathes us in the reality of hurricane Katrina and New Orleans. I’m finding Wagner’s writing striking, entertaining, and top notch. After I purchased this book, I discovered she is an award-winning contributor to one of my favorite radio programs at NPR, This American Life. No wonder!

13. Open, by Andre Agassi
I grew up with Andre—we were born the same year. I feel like I’m on a first-name basis with him. I followed his marriage to another icon, Brooke Shields, then Steffi Graf. And, I’m definitely not the star-struck type, I swear! I looked up to his tennis prowess. I looked up to his commitment to tennis. Then I recently heard an interview with him about his new book—and how he never really wanted to play tennis all along—but he kept winning and it kept pulling him in a direction he didn’t want to go. Sound familiar anyone? You bet it’s on my shelf—I’ll be devouring it soon!

Well, that’s it! I hope you have discovered a new book to enjoy and that you will write to me about your impressions.

Enjoy Thanksgiving (if you celebrate it, that is) and I’ll see you soon. I profoundly thank you for becoming a part of my life!

Create a great day!

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