August Reading List

Omnipotence and Other Theological Mistakes by Charles Hartshorne – A tough read! I had a lot of trouble getting through the first chapter. I kept on rereading passages and finally I said, “Screw it,” and continued reading. After the first chapter, the reading was a lot easier and I ended up enjoying the book. I had a severe anxiety attack for the two weeks I was attempting the first chapter (unrelated to reading-I needed a medication adjustment), so I have a feeling that it was the anxiety that made it so hard to read. I’d like to reread the book again now that I am not so anxious. I found most of the “theological mistakes” intriguing, although I am not sure I agree with all of them. Hartshorne has many ideas about what happens-or doesn’t happen-to us after we die and I found those parts a little hard to swallow, as I don’t really see how anyone can really know. After the first chapter, I ended up actually taking notes about what I was reading to help me focus and I would recommend doing that too if you read the book.
Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life by Dennis, Sheila, and Matthew Linn – In contrast, this is an incredibly easy read! This book explores the spiritual practice of a daily examination of the day’s consolations and desolations in order to learn more about one’s self. I found it to be an inspiring practice that I would like to start doing myself, but I don’t know when I would have the time to do the whole ritual. Right now my life is insanely busy, but I have found myself asking the questions and pondering over the answers sometimes during the day and that will have to do for right now. I liked this book so much, I am including it in my Related Books list.
The Fairy Realm: The Unicorn by Emily Rodda – I love the Fairy Realm series! This is the second book that the girl I work with and I have read from the series and we just love them. They’re clever, easy reading and I find it really refreshing that although it’s easy reading, I still get really involved in the story. This is a book that a parent or guardian can actually enjoy reading with their child.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams – To get ready for DragonCon and because there is a new hitchhiker’s book out, I decided to reread all the hitchhiker’s books. Unfortunately, I have read this book so many times that it isn’t that funny to me anymore, but I still heartily recommend reading this book it you haven’t read it yet. I think Douglas Adams was a genius and remember, you’re not a hoopy frood if you don’t know where your towel is! (Note: If you click on the title of this book, then it will take you to the online computer game. Be sure to google a cheat sheet, though if you play it, because it's super hard.)
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams – Unfortunately, this is another book that I have read so much that it wasn’t as funny to me anymore. Fortunately, my favorite scene still made me laugh-the scene at the restaurant where the main characters meet the bull that will provide them their dinner. As Zaphod says, “Arthur, meet the meat!”
Life, The Universe, And Everything by Douglas Adams – Fortunately, this book was still funny for me. This is the book where you find out what happened to the whale and the potted petunias in the first book and where Arthur Dent learns how to fly. Great stuff!