read 100 books in 2007

It has been a strange year, but I have high hopes for next year and do not intend to be upset about not achieving this goal. Life happens.

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons – A book club that changes, grows and supports its members over a span of 30 years. A Minnesota author I have been meaning tot read, I will be reading more of! A book that tells a real tale with laughter & tears!

The Golden Compass – The adventures of Lyra. I thot I should read this book as it is my fairy godchild’s favorite series and they just came out with the movie. A good book! I will be start ing the second in the trilogy ASAP!

The serenity Principle – Another book on Neo-Cognitive Psychology. I am really digging this. This book is primarily written for people in recovery for chemicals or other addictions. I found that most of it, however, was valid for people who are dealing with any type of mental issue.

The theory stresses that a person needs to live in the moment, try to let the past be the past and learn to find peace and serenity from within. I have always felt closest to the Adlerian school of thought in psychology. I feel that this is taking Adler’s work the next step forward. Good stuff!

A Mirthful Spirit; Embracing Laughter for Wellness. My best friend gave me this book that she had autographed. It was written by local people. It has some really good info in it, but to “lighten” the professional journal type writing they went a bit “cutesy” in places.

I liked the information on the place of laughter in the healing world. There were some really good things in this book! It just needed to pick cutesy or journalistic – the combination was a bit mind boggling.

The Speed Trap; How to Avoid the Frenzy of the Fast Lane. It is rare that a self-help type book gets me really excited. So often it is all the same old stuff, re-written. I tend to read the self help books as affirmations, more then to learn anything new.

The concepts of this book focus on the 3 Principles of Health Realization. This book validates a lot of my thought and has put them in a format that is really clicking. It is an easy read and the little stories that illustrate a point the author wants to make are a good way to help process the ideas. I have already ordered a copy for my best friend who has been rather depressed.

Julian – a Roman Emperor around 300… It was an ok read, but I’ve read better historical novels, including by Vidal.

Keeping Life Simple; 7 Guiding Principles; 500 Tips & Ideas. Nothing earth shattering just a thot provoking read to consider changes.

Year of Wonders. A novel set in 1665-1666 in a village with the plague. The effects of a major ongoing crisis effect the residents as death changes all of the survivors. This was a great book that showed how strengths & weaknesses change people. The interactions between people are beautifully & realistically written. I believe the only thing that I did not enjoy was the ending, which was okay, but almost absurd.

Lamb; The gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal. This book was marvelous. A mix of history, mythology, humor and sarcasm. Biff invented sarcasm & taught Joshua (aka Jesus) how to use it. The book is clever and thought provoking. I am sure that there are those who would find it irreverent, but I did not. His treatment of a possible life story for a Jewish boy from Nazareth is as relevant as your average Christmas Pageant. I loved this book!!!