Title: Fidelity: Five Stories
Author: Wendell Berry
Genre: Fiction
I read this book aloud to B. There’s a reason so many people, when asked who their favorite Kentucky author is, say Wendell Berry. The stories in this collection are almost breathtakingly beautiful in their efficient but eloquent prose, reserved yet emotion filled, action packed and yet bordering on being described as stories where nothing much happens. Berry is brilliant.
The act of reading aloud to your partner is immensely satisfying. We would sit or lie together and take in the stories. Occasionally we’d both giggle or gasp and when a story was completed we’d discuss it in detail. It’s a wonderful experience to have a piece of fiction be equally as fresh in both person’s mind when you discuss it.
I know that inevitably a plain, simple, direct book like this will not be to everyone’s taste but truthfully I cannot imagine anyone reading this book and not enjoying it. I know the reality is that everyone cannot enjoy the same book but honestly I can’t wrap my mind around reading this book and not enjoying it immensely.

Title: The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Author: Steven Pressfield
Genre: Non-Fiction
I’m not normally one for self-help kinds of books. In fact I normally avoid them like the plague. I didn’t think The War of Art would be quite as self-helpy as it is but you know what? I don’t care that’s it’s self-help at all, it’s fantastic.
It’s a tiny little book and many of the pages only have a paragraph or two of text on them but the information and the emotion on those sparse pages are profoundly inspirational to me. What’s perhaps most interesting though is that the pieces of the book that most resonated with me are things that I already knew. To put another way the book confirmed things I already knew but am sometimes afraid to face/admit. For example the thing on your to do list that you most procrastinate about is probably the thing you need to do most. It’s probably the thing that will you lead you further down the path to a major goal, or the thing that will most move your art forward. For those reasons it’s also the thing you’re most afraid of doing because you’re afraid of failing. This is so the case for me it’s not even funny.
I highly recommend this book for any creative or entrepreneurial person who wants to better understand some of their creative blocks and procrastination tendencies.

Title: In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto
Author: Michael Pollan
Genre: Non-Fiction
Some eleven months ago I read Pollan’s last book The Omnivore’s Dilemma. That book had a profound effect on me and the way I eat. I suspect In Defense of Food will do the same. Though I’ve made serious changes to the way I buy, prepare and eat food I’m still not completely satisfied with the way I put my food and eating philosophies into practice. In Defense of Food, like The Omnivore’s Dilemma, has helped me sculpt and solidify my principles and philosophies relating to food and eating and therefore will help me integrate more changes and choices into my life in this area.
As much as Pollan’s last two books have been about food and philosophy they’ve also been about history and government. Learning about how farm bills have greatly impacted what farmers grow, how FDA and Congressional committees have made and repealed rulings at various times that have made it a lot easier to pass off “food like substances” as real food is fascinating.
I had been thinking about trying to have a small garden in my backyard this year but no knowing if it was feasible. After reading this book I’m still not sure it’s feasible but I’m determined to try. I’ve just got to look up the number for my local ag extension agent. We never started a new garden on the farm, they’d existed forever, so I need a little help.
Needless to say this book is highly, highly recommended.

Title: The Tao of Pooh
Author: Benjamin Hoff
Genre: Non-Fiction
A simple little book that encourages simple mindedness and embracing and enjoying life. I very much enjoyed it both for reminding me of the emotional pack the Pooh stories punch and for the interesting and easy to digest introduction to some basic principles of Taoism.
Highly recommended philosophy book for those perhaps interested in finding more peace within themselves and the world and dealing with stress.