Living Without School: New Year Reading

Friday, January 04, 2008

New Year Reading

I am in "holiday" mode and thus have a little bit of extra time for readng. Fantastic! I love books and reading.

Next week, it is back to work and Kumon Maths study for me and so my reading time will be sadly lessened..

What am I reading this week?

Just finished another in the Jonathon Argyll/Flavia di Stefano art mystery series by
Iain Pears - Death and Restoration. I like these books. Light yet articulate. ( Can one call a book articulate? Who cares. I just did!). Witty. Filled with attractive descriptions of Rome, with a dash of humour and some art history and Catholicism blended in. The crimes themselves are intriguing - one wants to help solve each crime, each little twist.

Started Hide by Lisa Gardner. Wow. I keep trying to sneak snatches of this book. It fits right in the can't-put-it-down category of books. A suspense thriller.

These two authors were recommendations ~ it is fun to talk books, to try new authors, to share book tales...

For non fiction, I am reading Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace: My Spiritual Journey in Opus Dei by Scott Hahn. Now, I must admit to having little to no interest in being involved in the Opus Dei movement. However, I have liked a number of books by Dr Hahn and am interested in his spiritual journey and discussion. So far, so good. I like what I am reading. Work and pray.

My other non fiction read is Winning After Losing. Author Stacy Halparin lost 350 pounds, after gastric bypass surgery. But her journey didn't end there. She needed to learn how to live without a dependence on food to solve problems, to experience the joy and pain, to learn to eat and exercise for health. The author suggests creating a Winner's Circle notebook, to help with the journey. It's about the mind, not just about the food or weight. ...I haven't lost 350 pounds nor have I had gastric bypass surgery, and can't see myself keeping such a notebook :-) but am still working on diet and fitness and weight loss and body acceptance. And am enjoying the book....

Any other book suggestions?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: My 15 year old has been reading the Hahn Opus Dei book. He's finding it very interesting. He says everybody who has read The Da Vinci Code should have to read Hahn's book to get the flip side!

Blessings,

Faith; 12:29 am
Mary G said...: Leonie,

Don't you love holiday breaks, if only to get us to slow down a bit and read for fun? I'd not heard of that art mystery series ... I'll need to check that out ...

Blessings for a holy and happy 2008!; 12:31 am
Anonymous said...: I am with Mary, I want to check out that art series. Happy reading.

Molly; 11:54 am
Mary G said...: Leonie --

I just finished The Raphael Affair - the first in the Art history series by Iain Pears. What a great book -- I can't wait to pick up some others at the library tomorrow.

BTW, have you looked at ? It lets you keep track of books you've read (or want to read) and search reviews by folks like us.

Happy New Year!; 4:32 pm
Leonie said...: Glad you like the book - and thanx for the links!; 8:26 pm

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Prayer of Consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to thee. I, N___, a repentant sinner, cast myself at thy feet humbly imploring thee to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to thyself as thy possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases thee. If it pleases thee, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of thee: "She will crush your head," and, "Thou alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world."

Let me be a fit instrument in thine Immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever thou enters, one obtains the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through thy hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise thee O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Prayer of St Bonaventure

Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee, that it may yearn for Thee and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God.May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end.May Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and for ever. Amen.