read all the books I have before buying even one more

there is little time to read what’s in my collection as I am reading a lot more counselling books, some for like the third time but it is all part of the course.

The Psychodynamic Counselling Primer – Mavis Klein is really good. I think it is the best psychodynamic book that I have ever read, it makes all the theories so simple, it is easy to read and follow, going to explore the other theories through this series. Person-Centred Counselling in a nutshell – Roger Casemore I found poor and not very helpful in understanding this theory. Prozac Nation – Elizabeth Wurtzel is just a brilliantly written memoir on depression and her treatment for it during the 80’s. Lots of whining, black humour and a great insight into the helping profession treatment of depressives. Capable of Kissing Scars – Jacob Sam LaRose, this is a collection of poetry. This is just as good as his other collection Communion. My fav poem in this latest collection is called Pendulum, Say Something and Wolves, I just think those three are perfection, I think this will turn up in a few christmas stockings. Dreadful Acts – Philip Ardagh another childrens book and part of his Awful End series, I like this it is fun and aimed at boys and I handed it over to my 9 year old god-son who loves it! The Fight – Norman Mailer is a book i have wanted to read forever and did not realise I had it, don’t remember buying it, anyway it brought the world of boxing to me and reminded me a lot of my childhood, as I grow up in a family of boxing fans. The writing is insightful into the psychology of fighters and the people around them, I found it slightly jarring that Mailer refered to himself in the third person but it was fantastic at caputuring the times. His style, witty, caustic, judgemental and downright rude but fun to read.

I brought 4 books but they are on my reading list. Not sure if this counts, as I have stuck to this goal but due to the course I have had to buy the books.
Though I still feel like I have cheated at this goal.

Back to Black by Whitechapel Art Gallery. Lots of essays and pics of art by Afro-Caribbean and Afro-American artists. Interesting and a eye opener as I am not clued up about art at all.
Sisters of the Sword Book 1 is a children’s book, I always like to read the book before i pass it on I thought it totally enjoyable, the plot of two daughters of the jito having to run away after their father was murdered by his jealous brother. I like the fact that young people get to learn about other cultures and the way of the samuri.
On Becoming A Person by Carl R. Rogers, a tomb of a book on person centered counselling.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin a classic that just begs to be read again, writing doesn’t get any better than this, simply intense and beautiful.

i did manage
The Man In My Basement by Walter Mosley, this seems like a step away from his detective Easy Rawlins series. I found this interesting, mainly because I did not like the main characters, they were men that i could not empathise with and felt sorry for the women in their lives. I found Mosley look at race, reparitions and guilt interesting but was left with more questions than answers.
I totally adored The Times Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. This was a gift but I once I started it I could not put it down, I just had to know what was going to happen to my Quatum Leap main character Henry. I was gripped by Niffenegger ability to switch between the sexes and the story with out it ever becoming confusing. I am sure she had to have written this in chronological order before she mixed it up, if she didn’t she deserve more than the honour of being an international bestseller. Loved it!
Mr. Soon Come by Jasmine Johnson had to of been a freebie, I would never buy such a book as this is not my taste at all; it is set in Birmingham, England. In the cultural arena of Jamaican dancehall. Conteh is the main character who no woman on the planet would like. An easy throw away read.
Black Panther Party by Katherine Cleaver and Katsiaficas. This was an interesting read about a time I wasn’t born in and only heard or seen movies about; it was interesting as it is a collection of essays written by ex F.B.I agents, ex-panther members, intellectuals and fitted up prison inmates on the impact of the panthers on todays society, on its downfall, on the government dirty tricks campaign and prisoners still fighting for freedom. Worth a read for any one interested in history or politics.

Having my health in the toilet for such a long time meant i had a lot of reading time. However, I slept a lot, medication induce the majority of the time still I did manage to read a few books and receive some interesting reads from friends who came bearing gifts.
It’s No Secret by Carmen Bryan, this was a bad idea, she just look bad.
21 Nights Prince
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind, Star Wars takes on a whole new meaning.
A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hussenini, these were the best literary gifts i received.
The Three Incestuous Sisters by Audery Niffenegger is a strange picture book, the weridest literary gift i received. Even a reasoning for writing this book didn’t fly.
Three different counselling books, love’s Executioner being the best one by Dr. I. Yalom.
Half of the Yellow Sun by C. Adichie. another good gift.
Status Anxiety by Alain Botton made me really question why i wanted things.
Keep The Faith by Faith Evans.
Boujoiur Tristesse by Francoise Sagan main character is not likable
I re-read the Chronicles of Narnia, feed my inner child.
Eat, Pray, Love by E. Gilbert my best friend, i still dip into it, worth all the time spend reading it, an inspiration.
Paradise Toni Morrison this was hard work, disappointing
Watchmen by Moore and Gibbons can’t explain it – gripping.
Slash Autobio, WILD

throughly enjoying this goal. Finding books I didn’t even know I had, so reading is back to being my first love.

Finished reading recently Jeff Noon’s Pixel Juice and I hate sci-fi but this was really good. Can’t even remember how or why I got this book, perhaps it was a present from one of my mates but I really liked this book.

I failed. I went to buy a book as a gift for a friend, I brought the book but in the process of looking for the book I wanted for my friend I could not resist the urge to browse, browsing being the ultimate sin, thus, I came out with not one but two books. Shame on me!

Oh man what have I got myself into, I saw this and thought yeah I keep saying it but it’s about time I put my money were my mouth is; thing is I got a thing for new books, old books, bookshops, bookclubs, etc. so how’s this thing gonna work? Plus, here’s the killer I have five boxes of books to get through not to mention the fact that I thought I’d lighten the load by donating three boxes of my books to a school overseas; nevertheless, I am going to give this one a try.