Fall reads 2016

Brad Warner's Hardcore Zen.

Finished reading Brad Warner's Hardcore Zen. Recommended. pic.twitter.com/ZlAfaZ9wrb

— Jeffrey Nordstrom (@jeffnords) October 13, 2016

I have heard many times over the years that I "get in my own head" and it makes it hard for me to see things clearly and empathically. My ex-wife bought me Hardcore Zen to help me get a better sense of what mindfulness can look like so that I can perceive myself a little better. I finished it in just over a month, but I bet I could have finished it in a couple days. It's a pleasant, easy read, and a sane introduction to the the ways of Buddhist meditation and philosophy. FINISHED READING OCTOBER 13 2016

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Marah J. Hardt's Sex in the Sea.

Finished reading Marah J. Hardt's 'Sex In The Sea.' Excellent layperson science book. Highly recommended. pic.twitter.com/ui96RAIbBm

— Jeffrey Nordstrom (@jeffnords) December 6, 2016

For writers and for scientific laypeople, I cannot recommend this impressively easy read enough. I'd first heard of this book on an episode of Inquiring Minds; the moment I saw it at the local library, I assumed the book would be in high demand and immediately borrowed it. I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer pleasure of reading it; Hardt peppers its pages with effective alliteration, poems, and vignettes that make the content delicious to ingest. I imagine I would have finished it in a weekend if my life didn't seem so stressful. FINISHED READING DECEMBER 5 2016

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Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist.

Finished reading The Alchemist. Style's cool and perspectives are a little fresh, but I need too many grains of salt to fully embrace it. pic.twitter.com/jzwoZdWvLT

— Jeffrey Nordstrom (@jeffnords) December 16, 2016

So I heard The Alchemist recommended on this podcast, and I remembered that I had a copy of it in my classroom library. So I read it. It's not really my style, but I loved Coelho's stark language and abilit to leave out just enough information that it feels timeless. The message, about listening to the Soul of the World and following one's Personal Legend, is admirable, if a bit naïve. I mean, it's a nice sentiment, but it's so sentimental. Nonetheless, I feel like this just might be the type of message-by-fiction that I should be picking up more often these days.  FINISHED READING DECEMBER 14 2016