Reading - Shinay Tredeau

“To be a good writer one must read great writing,” Regina Sara Ryan told me. I believe her. Regina and I have been holding onto one another since I was six months old. She carried me around Europe and then taught me how to write and let me fall in love with reading.

I tend to read three (or five) different books at the same time, and for now, that’s okay with me. My brain moves quickly. I don’t force myself to stay with one thing for too long. It’s too agitating. And sometimes it takes me two months to finish a really good novel or a whole year to get through a book. Nevertheless, my spiritual teacher encouraged us to study as a form of practice. It’s an important discipline.

Here’s a list of what I’ve read so far this year: with the intention to inspire, push, and inquire more deeply into the nature of who we are and “Who Am I Kidding?” As my spirtual teacher gave us, also, as a practice.

Delight thy senses and if nothing else, entertain thy mind.

Also, if you can find audio recordings of any of these books read by the author, it’s SO worth it!

32 Yolks: From My Mother’s Table to Working the Line by Eric Ripert

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver with Steven L. Hopp, Camille Kingsolver, and Lily Hopp Kingsolver

The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help by Amanda Palmer

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton

Cooked by Michale Pollan

The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life by Parker Palmer

Prodigal Summer: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver

The Road Less Traveled, Timeless Edition: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth by Dr. Scott Peck

Self Observation: an Owner’s Manual and Self Remembering: The Path to No-Judgmental Love (An Owner’s Manual): by Red Hawk