I will be off-line for about three weeks as I soak in the sun in Southern Mexico (Oaxaca) and visit my dear old friend Frida Kahlo. I have a stack of yummy books to read as Glen and I unwind on the beach. We each are bringing six books (we needed to limit ourselves). After much deliberation I offer my selections:
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (I read it awhile ago and want to revisit the stunning imagery.)
- 2666 by Roberto Bolaño (Volume One of Three)
- Sophie’s Choice by William Styron (poet Karla Kelsey, a friend from Susquehanna University, suggested I read it)
- Martha Quest by Doris Lessing (I have been on a Lessing kick for the past 18 months)
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
- A Blind Man Can See How Much I Love You short stories by Amy Bloom (one of Glen’s favorites)
Any comments on these books? I am sure you each have suggestions, but they will have to wait for Spring Break. The great thing about having a professor of Creative Writing as a partner is access to so many tasty books and an instant commentary by the professor himself. I doubt I will get to them all (it’s not a contest) but it’s nice to have options for whatever mood strikes me. I typically can read up to five books at a time so I jump back and forth from book to book–Poly-literate?
Fear not, I will not leave you bereft (ah, the depths of my self-importance.) In my absence from blogging and tweeting and farting on US soil, I have scheduled Jesus Loves You tweets through a site called Twaitter. They will appear on this blog on the right, on Facebook (where you can comment if you are one of my 1750 closest friends) and of course on Twitter which you can follow here. What first started as text messages to a handful of friends has grown into a daily ritual for several hundred folks around the world. Adam, a friend in VA, wrote, I’m addicted to your “Jesus Loves You” comments. Adam, and be sure to know they are addicted to you too.
I also want to lead you to some wonderful resources to fill in the void I leave you.
Gwendolyn Glover blogs over at Open Salon. Here is a sample from her piece Thank God for Gay Boys and Girls.
I began wondering if God had something against girls. There were so many differences that seemed inherently unfair. Girls had this embarrassing and painful thing called menstruation. Girls were doomed to go through agonizing childbirth. I felt like it was nothing beautiful or magical because Mom never talked about it. She seemed utterly humiliated by the experience. Dad would only tell us birthing stories that had morals about how doctors were evil and women should have their babies at home..
Also at Open Salon check out Charles Bivona’s modest proposal: The Homo No Mo House: a Business Plan
Always entertaining and informative (with little Moments with Marvin Bloom and Elizabeth Jeremiah, two of the identies I carry with me) the Trans-Ponder Podcast with Jayna & Mila deserves your attention. Also check out their artwork: Jayna’s and Mila’s.
I’ve just starting reading Zack Ford Blogs and appreciate Zack’s insight, humor and abilities as a writer taking on issues of faith, atheism and queer stuff. In his post Why Is It “Disrespectful” and “Offensive” to Challenge Religious Beliefs? Zach writes:
So let’s consider a hypothetical example. One I face often is, “I believe homosexuality is wrong/immoral/whatever.” This belief still wields quite a bit of power and popularity in our society. I would argue this belief is totally invalid, because homosexuality cannot be immoral. Sexual orientations are innate dimensions of identity and a same-sex orientation is no more a choice than an opposite-sex one. Calling homosexuality “immoral” sounds as absurd as calling brown eyes “wrong” or calling the sun “immoral” just for existing. I work really hard to debunk this belief, because it has absolutely no intellectual merit and it is incredibly hurtful to many people.
Although Ze is taking a little break from blogging too, check out the short blog entries on gender and more that nome posts over at That’s What Ze Says.
Cracker Lilo’s Front Porch In addition to serving up personal reflections about faith, sexuality and family, this NYC-based blogger provides posts jammed with yummy links (and gorgeous vegan recipes, oh and PANDAS!)
Need a Quaker fix? Check out Quaker Quaker which offers links to scores of Quaker blogs and resources. If you want to sample the Quakers further, why not visit a Quaker meeting house? Discover the closest meetings to you over at Quaker Finder.
What are some of your favorite blogs, podcasts and cyber-distractions. Feel free to share in the comments section.
Bueno, me voy pronto. Felicidades.
Peterson Toscano's A Musing 
Enjoy your well-deserved vacation Peterson! Soak up lots of sun for me as I “vacation” in the northern tundra (i.e. Michigan) for Christmas. 🙂
Happy holidays!!!
Thanks Suzy. Will think of you. Hopefully you can curl up in front of a fire with a good book.
happy happy
Have a great time. Will miss you as always… love from us both and have a brilliant Christmas, xxxx
Peterson, I had to laugh about your need to limit your books. When I went with my sister last April to visit with my brother-in-law’s family in Mexico city for 10 days, I took about a dozen books. When going through customs, the customs official asked me what was in my suitcase. “Clothes and books.” Looking at the x-ray, she asked how many. Assuming this was to determine whether they were for personal use or for sale, I said, “Not many, maybe 12.” My sister laughed and said that only I would consider 12 books ‘not many’ for a 10 day vacation. But seriously, how am I supposed to know what books I’ll be in the mood for each day… of course I have to take a selection!
Enjoy Oaxaca!
Excellent choice with Fahrenheit 451. I read it a month or two ago (for the first time, shockingly). I’m sure you will enjoy it again.
My book was printed in the 80s (or 70s?) and said “Now more relevant than ever.” STILL more relevant than ever, unfortunately.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez…good choice
Have you read Love in the Time of Cholera
read them all…love ¨realismo magico¨ (something you´ll be able to relate to easily)
Have fun, I live in Guatemala, just go a little further South.
Leonardo Ricardo
Yeah, read Cholera a few times. I really love The General in His Labyrinth. I love that realismo magico.
If we get bored on the beach, we will be sure to travel South 😛
Heh, thanks for the shout-out. F-451 rocked my world when I read it a couple years back. I highly recommend it. You’ll never look at the media the same again, :p.
I can’t wait to talk about Sophie’s Choice with you. I will hold my questions until you’ve finished reading. I’m currently working on a Stieg Larsson, The Girl Who Played with Fire. He wrote three books but died before they were published. Wonderful characters.
I too read about five books at a time. (oftentimes there’s the “fluff” paperback for long, hot baths) And when going on vacation, there are at least three in the suitcase, one in the carry-on, and I’m guaranteed to find something at the omnipresent Hudson News in the airport. I’ve had many people recommend buying a Kindle, but I like the feel of the book in my hands and the smell of the pages. What’s a girl to do?
Enjoy your time! May St. Frida’s love fill your heart and mind with creativity and passion.
Jane
Hi Peterson, enjoy your stay in Mexico. Hope you get lots of sun.
Where did you stay on the Pacific coast? Have you any recommendations? In Oaxaca? We are Quakers in Toronto. We are going to Oaxaca in February.
Eve, we went to the little fishing village of Puerto Angel. It was VERY nice, particularly our cabin at the Buena Vista–they also serve a super breakfast. Nice village where mostly Mexicans travel for holiday. Great bay for swimming and snorkeling. Not too far to other beaches and the Sea Turtle Sanctuary. Me gusta mucho.