Q&A#2. What’s on My Book Shelf

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My Own Utopian Experiment #20: Have Good Books in My Own Library

Many people asked this question. I mostly read non-fictions but I realized I had more novels than I thought. Here it is the 2nd Q&A on physical books on my bookshelf without digital books and the ones I donated or give away. I did not realize I had this many books. I did not list books in Korean and text books so I have about 100. I am supposed to go to a book fair with my little one in July so we will bring something new soon. I love my local libraries and a few book fairs annually where most of my books come from. They are cheaper and some profits go toward good causes.

This is what I have as of today. I tried to categorize roughly and hope you find something you want to try. Some of them may appear in future book reviews. Stay tuned! I add little fun facts along with the links if I wrote book reviews.

I have to emphasize reading is no better than other hobbies. Books are special for me so I would love to share. If you find the ones interesting, please let me know. If any of you wish to have a book club, please let me know as well. Sending my love as always!

Slow living, Love of Our ordinary Lives & Contentment

You can tell I love her writings. The first three books are written by the same author, Katrina Kenison. The books are in the order she wrote. I love them all but my personal favorite is her 2nd book!

  • Mitten Strings for God: Reflection for Mothers in a Hurry by Katrina Kenison

    (She wrote when the kids were little. She has two boys.)

    • The Gift of an Ordinary Day: A Mother’s Memoir by Katrina Kenison

    (She wrote when the kids are teen. My favorite!)

    • Magical Journey: An Apprenticeship in Contentment by Katrina Kenison

    (Preparing for the empty nest, finding ways to be with herself and contentment in every day)

    • Simple Words: Thinking About What Really Matters in Life by Adin Steinsaltz
    • Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Happiness by Jack Canfield & others

    (101 short stories about purpose, passion and joy)

    Rural Life in Nature

    I wrote about my fantasy about living in rural area by nature before. https://invitedtoshare.com/my-fantasy-of-living-in-nature/

    I purchased the two books separately not knowing the stories are happening in the nearby cities. It is true you are drawn to what you wish. Let’s be careful about what we wish for.

    • Norwich: One Tiny Vermont Town’s Secret to Happiness and Excellence by Karen Crouse

    (Warning: You will want to move to Norwich with your kids.)

    • Mud Season: How One woman’s Dream of Moving to Vermont Raising Children, Chickens, and Sheep & Running the Old Country Store by Ellen Stimson

    (Warning: You may not miss the rural life so much after all.)

    Childhood Memories

    I used to be afraid of rabbit holes and avoided any holes on streets. I was deeply concerned I may get pulled into it sending me to the wonderland away from home. The adventure seemed only fun in the story.

    • Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

    Psychology and philosophy nerds

    • Plato: The Trial and Death of Socrates
    • The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand
    • Return of the Primitive: The Anti-Industrial Revolution
    • Human Nature: Opposing Viewpoints
    • Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
    • The Optimistic Child: A Proven Program to Safeguard Children Against Depression and Build Lifelong Resilience
    • Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski

    https://invitedtoshare.com/burnout-the-secret-to-unlocking-the-stress-cycle/

    • The Choice is Yours by John C. Maxwell

      (Very little handbook, I am saving this for my child when he becomes a teen.)

      • The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

        Novels

        1. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

        (I watched the movie too.)

        1. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
        2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
        3. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

        (I went to the opera in Las Vegas.)

        • The Color Purple by Alice Walker
        • The Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker
        • July, July by Tim O’Brien
        • Tomcat in Love by Tim O’brien
        • Montana 1948 by Larry Watson
        • Ordinary People by Judith Guest
        • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
        • Rabbit, Run by John Updike
        • Rabbit is Rich by John Updike
        • Rabbit Redux by John Updike
        • Rabbit at Rest by John Updike

        (I am planning to read the rabbit series again)

        • A Christmas Blizzard by Garrison Keillor
        • How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper
        • The Most Fun We Never Had by Claire Lombardo

        (The last three books are gifts from the local librarians. Two of them are pre-sale copies.)

        Children’s books

        I love children’s books.

        • Grasshopper on The Road by Arnold Lobel

        https://invitedtoshare.com/grasshopper-on-the-road/

        (This book should be categorized for all ages)Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

        • Captain Underpants and The Terrifying Re-turn of Tippy Tinkletrousers by Dav Pilkey

        (My little one’s favorite. He read the entire series.)

        (Poems with beautiful drawings. This also should be categorized for all ages)

        Love

        • A Return to Love: Reflection on the Principles of a Course in Miracles by Marianne Williamson
        • The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm

        Special Memoirs (Recommend them all)

        • Long Time No See by Beth Finke

        (I met this author in person hosted by one of my professors at a restaurant. She signed my book. She is blind but freely travel to meet people.)

        Parenting (I recommend them all)

        • The Essence of a Mother: Being Conscious of the Sacred Moments of Motherhood

        (If I want to pick another title, I would go for ‘Mindful Motherhood’)

        •  Crazy-Stressed: Saving Today’s Overwhelmed Teens with Love, Laughter and the Science of Resilience by Dr. Michael J. Bradley

        (Very informational and well-written book)

        • The End of Average: How we succeed in a World that Values Sameness by Todd Rose

        (This author wrote several books. This is my favorite!)

        • It Takes a Child to Raise a Parent: Stories of Evolving Child and Parent Development by Janis Clark Johnston

        (We grow together with our children.)

        • Son Rise: The Miracle Continues by Barry Neil Kaufman

        (There is no better book than this about dedication and unconditional love of parents)

        Travels

        • Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

        (Warning: you will want to travel the world.)

        • Washington, DC 2020
        • Rome, 2020
        • Portugal
        • Paris

        (The only destination I visited is Paris. Planned to get to the rest.)

        Unread yet/ My Bucket List for reading

        I always have some handy. I can’t run out of something to read

        • Running Home by Katie Arnold

        (Memoir, my impulse shopping)

        • Following Atticus by Tom Ryan

        (Memoir. Beautiful love story with a dog. I had three dogs in my life and sheltered one. All of them were adopted. Dogs definitely are made to be companions. Even though I do not have a dog at the moment, I would enjoy this story.)

        • The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

        (It is well-known book and I was curious)

        • David Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell

        (I find Malcolm’s writing interesting. His thoughts and point of views are just unique.)

        • Lovability: How to Build a Business that People Love and Be Happy Doing it

        (I am not planning to do any businesses but everything is connected! Don’t say never.)

        • Unmedicated: The Four Pillars of Natural Wellness by Madisyn Taylor

        (To be healthier)

        • How to Make Disease Disappear by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee

        (To learn more about natural wellness)

        • Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead by Jim Mattis and Bing West

        (A gift from the CEO at work. It is about leadership!)

        • I Feel Bad About My Neck: and Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora Ephron

        (My impulse shopping. I will be honest. I have not read this book due to a title. I love my neck! LOL)

        • I Have Been Thinking: Reflection, Prayers, and Meditations for a Meaningful Life by Maria Shriver

        (This is a small book with very short chapters. I sometimes need this kind of book for easy reading and lots of my own reflection.)

        • Tell Me More: Stories about the 12 Hardest Things I Am Learning to Say

        (I do not really know what it is about. Doesn’t it sound interesting?)

        • 21 Rituals to Ignite Your Intuition by Theresa Cheung

        (I have my own rituals. My days are practically the same, going through rituals. I am interested in getting more inspired by it.)

        • The Ghost Photographer by Julie Rieger

        (Don’t ask me why I got this book. This title is too spooky for me. When I have enough courage, I will get to it.)

        • Against Depression by Peter D. Kramer

        (This book is written by a clinical professor of psychiatry. I have lots of interests in human minds in general.)

        • Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
        • The Wisdom of Sundays: Life-Changing Insights from Super Soul Conversations by Oprah Winfrey

        (Fabric woven cover with beautiful color pages. I had to get it)

        Currently Reading

        • Big Potential: How Transforming the Pursuit of Success Raises Our Achievement, Happiness, and Well-Being by Shawn Achor
        • Hormonal: The hidden Intelligence of Hormones- How They Drive Desire, Shape Relationships, Influence Our Choice, and Make Us Wiser by Martie Haselton
        • Billions & Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millenium by Carl Sagan

        Donation List

        • Angels Everywhere: Miracles & Messages by Lynn Valentine
        • Comeback Careers: Rethink, Refresh, Reinvent Your Success at 40, 50, and Beyond by Mika Brzezinski & Ginny Brzezinski
        • The Stuff of Family Life: How Our Homes Reflect Our Lives by Michelle Janning

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