Woman, Warrior & Artist
I'm still that girl who checks out her books from the librarian, walking right past the self-serve kiosk in search of some CONNECTION. I'm also the girl holding up the line digging for change to pay the overdue balance, wishing I would've just checked out at the damn self-serve one where fees don't exist until they put a hold on your account. This happened to a "friend of mine", otherwise I'd have no idea the library didn't let you renew more than 2 times or cut you off at a $10 maximum overdue balance.
Anyway, if I was asked to explain what I'm going through lately or where my head’s at, I'd ramble off these 4 titles. Reading books gets me giddy because I don't find them, they find me (& Tiger too, apparently). I haven't read these through yet so here's a peek inside via the ole tried & true Bill Shake Method*:
How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
“Personally, I find the idea that women are supposed to “love” shopping bizarre—nearly every woman I know wants to cry after 45 minutes of trawling the high street looking for a shirt and hits the gin with alacrity upon the sad occasions when jeans have to be found.”
Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton
“And every single time, he sets up his mat right next to mine. Every single time. Sometimes he even moves my water bottle to get closer to me. And he smells and he coughs throughout the entire class. He smells and he coughs so insistently and consistently that when the instructor says to breathe deeply, I’m not sure that’s in my best interest.”
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
“It is important to be able to sort useful criticism from the other kind. Often we need to do the sorting out for ourselves, without the benefit of a public vindication. As artists, we are far more able to do this sorting than people might suspect. Pointed criticism, if accurate, often gives the artist an inner sense of relief: “Ah, hah! so that’s what was wrong with it.” Useful criticism ultimately leaves us with one more puzzle piece for our work.”
The Renaissance Soul by Margaret Lobenstine
“No matter what your future plans, you may want to take a year off after high school or college. Perhaps you need a break between formal education & whatever comes next. Maybe you want time to further explore your values & focal points. You may even decide that you want some additional “growing up” time before taking life’s next step.”
*Bill Shake Method is something I invented when I got The Complete Works of William Shakespeare at a book sale. I was 19 & couldn't make a decision to save my life so I turned to the ever-so-wise—& even more confusing—Bard with the beard to give me some insight on what to do in moments of indecision. You open the book to a random page, close your eyes & point. Read what you landed on & there's your answer. Think of it as the Magic 8 ball for book-loving women who can't commit.
What are you reading lately?!
