I am not usually one to start things off with “someone asked me about…” as usually, it means “I want to talk about” but in response to #ThoreauBackThursdays on social media, a friend has been asking me to share what I’ve been reading. So here it goes!
In case you weren’t aware, every Thursday, I post to social media a Thoreau quote that can be mostly related somehow to fitness, using the hashtag #ThoreauBackThursdays. This idea/pun popped into my head when I was visiting Walden Pond in Massachusetts. I love puns, and it’s fun.
Anyways, much like I view exercise as necessary maintenance for a well-functioning human body, I view reading as necessary maintenance for a well-function human brain, and soul.
Despite being a programmer, and loving technology, I hate reading on anything but paper. Yes, I’ve tried a Kindle paperwhite, but for me, nothing will replace curling up with a book.
I often struggle with prioritizing both reading for pleasure, and reading for personal development because reading for pleasure has been a constant in my life since I was a little kid. This is something that I have to really thank my dad for. Whenever a movie came out that I wanted to see, if it was based on a book, he required that I read it first, and then write him a book report. The deal was that even if the book was above my current reading level, and if the movie’s rating wasn’t appropriate (like being 8 and getting to see R rated movies), I would get a special treat and get to see it regardless, as long as I gave the book and the following book report my best try.
As a result, reading fiction is my preferred form of entertainment and something that I always make time for, no matter what!
My Reading List
Currently reading (fiction):
The Past Through Tomorrow by Robert A. Heinlein.
This is a collection of Heinlein’s “Future History” stories which are parts of a larger storyline about the future rapid collapse of sanity in the United States, followed by a theocratic dictatorship, a revolution, and the establishment of a free society.
Next up (fiction):
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle) by Patrick Rothfuss.
I’ve heard good things about this, and I loved the Game of Thrones books. I don’t normally get too much into fantasy mostly because it’s usually a bit too far from reality, so I’m not really sure about this one. Books this like, I generally get from a library. Yes, I use the library.
Currently reading (non-fiction):
Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Fitness by Dawn Clifford and Laura Curtis.
I don’t have much to say about the non-fiction books except that I’m always trying to improve and to help as many people as I can, and I think these two books are the best way for me to do that right now.
Next up (non-fiction):
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever Paperback by Michael Bungay Stanier.
This came highly recommended so I’ve already purchased it!
Things that I re-read often:
My entire Robert Heinlein collection.
If I ever win the lottery, I’m building a library with this collection at its center piece. http://www.heinleinbooks.com/
My entire Kurt Vonnegut collection.
Bruce Lee – Striking Thoughts.
I feel like every time that I re-read these (Striking Thoughts, and the Vonnegut and Heinlein collections), I learn something new.
Henry David Thoreau : Collected Essays and Poems.
This is my source of inspiration (and quotes) for the aforementioned #thoreaubackthursdays.