Take A Look At A Book

As you might know by now I thoroughly enjoy writing.  I do enjoy reading, it just doesn’t give me the same release I get from writing.  This past week I had many discussions with colleagues, friends, and family about books, good books to read.  Contrary to what I teach, which is primarily fiction, I enjoy reading non-fiction most.

I learned just yesterday from Hans in New Hampton, NH, through this blog, about a book titled Drive, by Dan Pink.  Then, later in the day, I recieved a Tweet from Nancy in Colorado Springs, CO about the same book.  My impression is that the book is about helping students, people find intrinsic motivation to succeed.

Later in the day I received an email from my sister Ellen about technology book titled Wisdom 2.0 by Soren Gordhamer.  Not sure exactly what the premise is behind this book, but this will provide some good research for me over the weekend.  I have been completely jazzed about technology in my classroom.  Just this last week I developed a Ning site for my classes and used WallWishers for students to post their original samples of figurative language.

Tonight I received a book from a dear friend titled Teachers Touch Eternity.  It is one of those nice little inspirational books that one might read just a little at a time.  A short book, but long read.

I had a colleague, a math teacher, ask me for reading recommendations.  I handed over three of the best reads I have consumed in the last year.  I lent her The Shack by William P. Young, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.  Yes, I know, two of these three books are fiction.  In the past five years these two works of fiction are my favorite.  I wrote my first book shortly after reading A New Earth; there are many hints of Tolle’s philosophical influences throughout my writing.

I was talking to another colleague today about reading.  She told me how much she loves to read non-fiction as well.  She reads for information and soaks up the non-fiction that challenges her brain and captures her heart.  These books make such a large contribution to our lives.

Currently I am reading the Bible from cover to cover.  I am within 30 pages of finishing the Old Testament.  My faith has been strengthened and my beliefs have been confirmed through this reading.  Sure, there are a lot of skeptics about the Bible, its accuracy, its place in time and history, and its relevance to life in the 21st Century.  I, however, am not skeptical.  While reading through the Old Testament, one page at a time, any skepticism I may have had has faded away as you might see the sun burn off an early morning fog; the Light always makes the horizon visible.

Whatever the reason or motivation, whatever the genre or author, whatever the length or structure, read a book.  Desiree enjoys reading books to our children, reciprocally, they enjoy being read to.  About the only place I enjoy shopping, other than a sporting goods store with a vast array of fishing tackle, is a bookstore.  Barnes and Noble and a cup of good coffee on a Saturday morning sounds pretty nice to me.  Invite your significant other too…that would make it perfect, especially on Valentine’s weekend.