My new literary obsession

I tend to get bored. Easily.

So when I'm editing photos/toning and working on orders, it's really great to have something to keep my mind going. I know a lot of photographers listen to music ... but I tend to flit around too much with music. I can't stay focused and decide on only ONE thing to listen to.

Enter: Audio books!!!!!

I'm a reading junkie, but with my eyes engaged to look at/tone/edit, I can't physically read at the same time. So I listen to books on CD. I lurrrrve it. Especially the 'whodunnit' books.

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a coward when trying new authors. I have tried and true authors who I'm loyal to, and don't really venture out. But a week ago, I was at the library, and I'd listened to all of the books on CD that were checked in. Uh-oh. So I took a nervous breath and checked out a new author.


I have to admit, I really thought it sounded lame. Not really interesting. But I figured 'what the heck?' .... and was totally shocked and surprised at how much I enjoyed the book.


Since the first, I've plowed through 2 more and am on my 3rd.

One of the things I like about the books is the sleuth is a baker by trade. And along the way, the puts in these amazing recipes in the book. The downside for me listening to them is that I don't stop to write them down as I hear them. I figured I"d be clever and go to her Web site: Murder she Baked (a clever spinoff/play on words from "Murder she Wrote'", but the actual recipes aren't on the Web site! Boo-hoo!!!!! (well, the names of the recipe is on there along with the corresponding book, but you have to get the book to get the recipe). I guess I'll have to go check out the books and make copies!

Let me just say the "cherry bomb cookies" sound oh-so good!!!!!

Also, much like the Carol Higgins Clark books, these aren't dripping with unnecessary sex, sex, sex. The story is driven by the STORY, which I very much appreciate.

Gordon Parks

Last week, I wrote about reading Gordon Parks' memoir: "A Hungry Heart."

Well, I just finished, as evidenced by the tear streaks on my face. No, it's not particularly a sad book. It's just so beautifully crafted. Seriously. (He writes "After ninety two years I still don't know who I am" ..... GENIUS and SO honest! AMEN Gordon!). Parks is a master of photos, film, music and words.

I first was introduced to Parks (quite literally) the day I graduated from high school. I was at an exhibit of his work at WSU. He was there to meet and greet and sign autographs. The line was long, and I left, disappointed. In the parking lot, I basically talked myself into getting in line. "When are you EVER going to have a chance like this again, Karen?" I said to myself. The line was crazy-long, but I met him, and skidded into high school graduation just in time.

Then while living in Southeast Kansas, I went to his boyhood town of Ft. Scott. I'd read some of Parks' love poetry from the library and disliked it, but the poems on the walls of Mercy Health Center moved me nearly to tears. For example:

THE FUNERAL by Gordon Parks

After many snows I was home again.
Time had whittled down to mere hills the great mountains
of my childhood.
Raging rivers I once swam trickled now like gentle streams
and the wide road curving on to China or Kansas City
or perhaps Calcutta
had withered to a crooked path of dust
ending abruptly at the county burial ground.
Only the giant that was my father remained the same.
A hundred strong men strained beneath his coffin
when they bore him to his grave.

--It's online HERE

I'm so ashamed it took me 2+ months to pick up this book (I checked it out from the library about 3 months ago). And now? I don't want to take it back!!!!! You can just BET this is on my wish list of books to own!

So ..... you photographers/photojournalists out there: YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!!! And for those of you who like a guy who goes against insurmountable odds ... you also must read this book!

"The Poisonwood Bible"

Wow.

That's the only word I have for the book I'm currently reading ("The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingslover).

I could not even do justice to explaining the book/plot. But, you can do so by CLICKING HERE.

My friend, Jeanel, gave it to me two years ago during my trip to Africa.


I don't know why it's taken me two years to really delve into it ... but I SO love it! Getting the characters all straight in my head took awhile, but once I got it down, I have had a hard time putting the book down.

Just last night, I was reading ... and here's a quote that just hit me like a ton of bricks.

"The power is in the balance: we are our injuries, as much as we are our successes." ~ p. 496

So powerful.

So true.

(and for those of you who might be curious, it's not sacrilegious or anything like that .... it's about a Baptist family and Poisonwood is a type of tree ... and that's all I'm going to say ... other than go check that book out from your local library!!!!!)