I was searching the internet for something (can’t remember what?) the other day on my kindle-fire, got distracted and decided to just go back and look at the books I’ve read and what I’d highlighted in each one. I got my kindle-fire a few years ago, right before I went on my solo trip to Paris. It’s been interesting to see my train of thought over the past three years. Here are some books…some things I highlighted along the way & whether I’d recommend it.
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty…“..the right man didn’t complete you, you have to find happiness yourself,” …”when she woke up the next morning, the day rolled out in front of her like a long hallway for her to meander down, free to linger over the best parts.” How would your life look if you lost 10 years and you had to re-imagine what you thought you knew….interesting book and concept.
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Phillipp Sendker….“There is nothing, for good or for evil, of which a person is incapable.”…”never say never”…”We wish to be loved as we ourselves would love. Any other way makes us uncomfortable.”…”He expected nothing because there was nothing of importance he had not already experienced. He possessed all the happiness a person could find. He loved and was loved. Unconditionally.”…..”Why? Must one have seen the world? In this village, in every house, in every shack, you will find the entire range of human emotions: love and hate, fear and jealousy, envy and joy. You needn’t go looking for them.” Loved this book! Probably one of our better book club discussions. Life lessons and the power of love.
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe...“When one sees something especially wonderful, it’s always nice to have someone to share it with.”…”As long as there is paper, people will write, secretly, in small rooms, in the hidden chambers of their minds. just as people whisper..” ….”We all owe everyone for everything that happens in our lives. But it’s not owing like a debt to one person -it’s really that we owe everyone for everything. Our whole lives can change in an instant-so each person who keeps that from happening, no matter how small a role they play, is also responsible for all of it. Just by giving friendship and love, you keep the people around you from giving up-and each expression of friendship or love may be the one that makes all the difference.”…”We’re all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it or not; each book we read may well be the last, each conversation the final one.”…”I often think about the things Mom taught me. …Be cheerful and listen to people, even if you don’t like it. Tell your spouse (children, grandchildren, parents) that you love them every day. …Celebrate occasions. Be kind.” I really enjoyed this book. Sweet story. …and my mom’s birthday was this past Sunday, so this little blurb made me think of her too.
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman…“You’ve had so much strife but you’re always happy. How do you do it?” “I choose to,” he said. “I can leave myself to rot in the past, spend my time hating people for what happened, like my father did, or I can forgive and forget.” …”..it is so much less exhausting. You only have to forgive once. To resent, you have to do it all day, every day. You have to keep remembering all the bad things.”…”-we always have a choice. All of us.” Wow, it really makes you think of lies, morality and the ultimate price you pay for them.
Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple…“The sooner you learn it’s on you to make life interesting, the better off you’ll be.” …”When your eyes are softly focused on the horizon for sustained periods, your brain releases endorphins. It’s the same as a runner’s high.” Bernadette is just wacky…and has an interesting relationship with her daughter. I enjoyed this book and the journey it takes you on.
Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl…“Hope never hurt anyone.”…”I feel sorrow for the women I grew up with who did not have a chance to discover that they could take care of themselves.” I savored Ruth Reichl’s memoir…her interesting childhood stories, with recipes laced throughout. This former editor of Gourmet magazine and six-time James Beard winner has had quite a life!
We Are Water by Wally Lamb…“Look back on the past but don’t stare.” …”So maybe that’s what love means. Having the capacity to forgive the one who wronged you, no matter how deep the hurt was.”…”A life I didn’t choose chose me.”…”You know what I’ve always liked?” he says. “The sound of water. It’s I don’t know, kind of comforting or something. ….the rain on the roof, rivers flowing. ..And the ocean.” Collectively, our book club really didn’t enjoy this book. Definitely not Wally Lamb’s best. I probably wouldn’t recommend it.
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown…This whole book is one big highlight!! You should read it! …or check out her website. I love everything Brene Brown writes and says…yes, I’d recommend!
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown…so many highlights that I did an entire post on it…click here! Highly recommend
There are so many more books and so many more highlights that I could share, but that’s just a really long post! Just looking at these quotes was so interesting…a walk down memory lane….seeing my train of thought as I navigated my new life. Some admonished me for being so independent, some validated my feelings, but mostly I think they were hopeful and all reflected on and helped shape my journey. I feel bad for people who don’t like to read (I’m not judging….everybody has their own thing…I just feel bad for them). I’ve learned so much, about life, about myself, about the world…and sometimes you just get lost in the adventure of someone else’s fantasy or story, which is just fun! So many books, so little time. I’d love to know you’re favorite book to add to my growing inventory of “what to read!”
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
