Mind of the Raven: Investigations and Adventures with Wolf-Birds by Bernd Heinrich

I’ve been enjoying Bernd Heinrich’s New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year in 1999 Mind of the Raven: Investigations and Adventures with Wolf-Birds (click here to read all my entries about this book).

Yes I’m still getting through it. It’s really quite good; easy to read, full of interesting facts and thoughtful writing. It’s just that my reading pace has slowed down now that it’s summer time.

By the way, did you know that the author Bernd Heinrich is a record-setting ultramarathoner?

Quoting wikipedia:

In 1981, he set an absolute American Record (i.e., the best of either road or track venues; this one was a road race in Chicago) of 6:38:20 for 100km (62.137 miles). Two years later, he set an absolute American Record for the 24 Hour Run of 156 miles, 1388 yards in a track race in Maine. In 1984, he set an absolute American 100 mile record of 12:27:01, again in a track race. One year later, he set the American track record of 7:00:12 for 100km. In so doing, he became the only American man to hold both the road and track versions of the American Record for the same event. His 12:27:01 for 100 miles and 7:00:12 for 100km still remained, at the end of 2007, the official American Track records. At the end of 2007, Heinrich was inducted into the American Ultrarunning Association’s Hall of Fame.

Will write more when I finish this book.

Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life by Queen Noor

I have been reading the extraordinary memoir of Queen Noor of Jordan, Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life.

This book is incredibly touching, from the breathless romance of their courtship to the painful stories of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

I’m a sucker for letters and I was particularly moved by the 10th anniversary letter King Hussein of Jordan wrote to Queen Noor, pubilshed in Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life by Queen Noor (which I’m reading for a book club).

Here’s the letter:

This is a very special time, this is a very special month and a very special year. We are ten years older and ten years old. We will never be ten again, but with God’s blessings we shall continue to grow and mature together all the more for many other years to come. Silver, gold, who can predict?

I thank God for our life of love and the children we are blessed to have. I thank you for so much. I know it is not all that I would have wished for you or anything close to that. I know myself, I know my shortcomings, and I also know I am blessed to have you by my side, loving, caring, brave, and pure. All the finest things in life grow more valuable as they grow and mature. I hope the times to come will be better than those that have passed, and I treasure all the happiest of memories of our travel through time. For despite the fact that everything changes from time to time and one drives down to start a hill climb, the balance I feel is in the realm of goodness as together we climb through the years.

This is a special time, a special month and year. I am every proud of you as you stand by my side. I pray for God to bless you through the years and give us strength and courage, happiness, contentment, and the comfort of sharing and giving of our best. God bless our family. And many thanks to you for being you. The One God blessed me by bringing us together ten years ago to start through life a loving husband and his beloved wife. With you by my side, I celebrate each day. Happy 10th and with God’s blessings, many more to come.

With all my love,

Hussein

Summer Reading

As you have no doubt noticed, my reading pace has slowed down considerably now that it’s summer time.

For a lot of people, summer means finally some time to read.

For me, summer means warm sunny days, long walks, breathtaking hikes, kayaking, swimming, and playing tennis.

I read more frequently the days are shorter and the nights are cold.

For those of you looking for some summer reads, I’ll recommend three books.

Fiction
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

I’ve written about this book quite a bit so I won’t bore you with a re-hash (click here for all my posts about this book).

It’s an easy read, beautifully written, and thoroughly enthralling. You’ll have trouble putting it down.

Click here to read an excerpt.

Non-Fiction
How to Read a French Fry: And Other Stories of Intriguing Kitchen Science by Russ Parsons

I love to eat and for me Summer is all about grilling and cook-outs.

How to Read a French Fry is one of my favorite books because it teaches readers all about the science of cooking in clear, concise, entertaining writing. And it’s got great recipes!

Check out this review from the Atlantic to learn more and to try some of Parsons’s recipes.

Bachelor Girl: 100 Years of Breaking the Rules–a Social History of Living Single by Betsy Israel.

As one reviewer on Amazon.com says:

Betsy Israel’s book takes a look at single women in the United States, specifically in New York City. I think because Israel isn’t single herself, she’s able to approach the subject with more objectivity. She begins at the end of the 19th century, with the “singly blessed,” (a great term, I think) and continues through the decades, with the Bowery Gals, shop girls, flappers, Gibson Girls, the Riveting Rosie of WWII (both of the latter being completely made up stereotypes), the career girl. It seems as though single women in America have never fit into one category, even though the rest of society tries to place her in one.

Click here to read an excerpt.

Happy reading!