Great Reads

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:34 am

OK, Ruby, you wanted it, let's do it! But first...

Ruby mentioned some ground rules. We know that people have such diverse views, and that in the past some conversation have resulted in hurt feelings, and that we want everyone to feel safe and included....

So, how to make sure that happens? Any thoughts? The options I've thought of so far are:

1. Only list titles and authors, no discussion

2. The OP (original poster) can offer some reasons he or she likes and and recommends it, but no other discussion can take place.

3. Discussion is allowed on anything except politics and religion.

I am sure there are other ones that I haven't thought of. I do not want the moderators to have to "police" this as we don't want that to be our role if at all avoidable and I really don't want any hurt feelings. Some people are much more comfortable taking adversarial positions that others. I don't want those who are to feel terribly limited, but I do feel we need to ensure everyone enjoys being here.

Post by **Polar Bear** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:49 am

A great book. 'Not Without My daughter' by Betty Mahmoody.

I read this about 10 years ago and have always remembered it. This is a true story. There is also a movie with Sally Field. The movie was fine but I felt didn't get into the mind of the character like the book.

Post by **Polar Bear** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:52 am

Another book I just absolutely loved was 'Bridges Over Madison County' by Robert James Waller. Not a very long book. And as the main characters are middle aged, perhaps you need to be of a certain age, to appreciate the emotions.

Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep were the leads in the movie. The movie was ok, but I feel books dig a little deeper.

Walking After Midnight · Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:22 am

"If You Give A Mouse A Cookie"

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:03 am

I hope no one read my alternatives for rules and thought they were in place...I was just throwing out ideas.

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:04 am

Shaving the Inside of Your Skull by Mel Ash.

The subtitle says, "Crazy wisdom for discovering who you really are" and in the introduction he explains. "This book is about shaving the inside of our skulls, about identifying and getting rid of the dense growth of beliefs, imprinting, and concepts inside our heads that cause us pain and keep us asleep. Once our skulls are emptied or the tangled and choking growth of belief and expectation, all things become possible and flow unimpeded through out spacious heads and spirits."

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:06 am

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris.

One caution: this is extremely irreverent and makes fun of things in ways some people would not appreciate. Sedaris holds nothing sacred; he is searingly honest (from his perspective) and tells tales in a way most of us only imagine, but would never articulate.

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:23 am

The Chosen, by Chaim Potok

In fact, I have loved every book written by Chaim Potok. Davita's Harp, My Name is Asher Lev, The Promise, The Gift of Asher Lev, and anything else I've forgotten.

Aiken · Post by **Aiken** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:53 am

The Colour of Magic, by Terry Pratchett.

Sojourner · Post by **Sojourner** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:18 pm

Ann wrote:

"The subtitle says, "Crazy wisdom for discovering who you really are" and in the introduction he explains. "This book is about shaving the inside of our skulls, about identifying and getting rid of the dense growth of beliefs, imprinting, and concepts inside our heads that cause us pain and keep us asleep. Once our skulls are emptied or the tangled and choking growth of belief and expectation, all things become possible and flow unimpeded through out spacious heads and spirits."

Say what!!

M.

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:28 pm

It's a primer on how to determine if your beliefs are your beliefs, or if you've simply carried them over from others. For example, maybe your mom said you should be in the clean plate club but now you're fat and wondering why. You have to challenge your beliefs to determine what it good for you. Needless to say, this about much more than your clean plate, but the point is the same.

ed2008 · Post by **ed2008** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:10 pm

personally, I have read and re-read the books from tom clancy. while certainly dated (his first books were written in the mid to late 80's) I enjoy his stuff.. then again, I am a guy, and i subscribe to the RedGreen show man prayer.. "I'm a man... But I can change.. If I have to.. I guess"

Bridges over Madison County would NOT be (oink oink) on my (oink oink) list (oink oink) sorry polar bear, I just couldn't resist (lol)

Scarlett46 · Post by **Scarlett46** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:51 pm

Um... my favorite book is Gone With The Wind...

Betcha would've never guessed that! :wink:

Walking After Midnight · Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:11 am

They made a book out of that movie?

SquirmingSusan · Post by **SquirmingSusan** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:59 am

Walking After Midnight wrote:"If You Give A Mouse A Cookie"

"Where the Wild Things Are"

I even have "Wild Things" checks. Other favorites are: "Icy Sparks" by Gwyn Hyman Rubio, "The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram," and "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker.