Books with no other place to go….

Sex, Economy, Freedom and Community, Wendell Berry
A book that is enjoyable, thought-provoking, sometimes challenging (such as his defense of the tobacco industry or attacks on “modern Christianity”) but always interesting and worth reading. It’s my belief that everyone, at one point or another, should read Wendell Berry.

Deadly Persuasion, Jean Kilbourne
An important book for women to read. It discusses the impact advertising has on women in society and what to do about it. It made me more aware as a person, and especially as a woman.

On Paradise Drive, David Brooks
An interesting little book about American?s drive, no passion really, to make things “better” for the “future”. I expected more, though there was some food for thought.

How the Irish Saved Civilization, Thomas Cahill
A good solid, interesting piece of Irish history.

Miles from Nowhere, Dayton Duncan
I got this for Russell our first Christmas together; it’s taken me this long to get around to reading it. An excellent place book about life in the “contemporary frontier” in counties that have less than 2 people per square mile. A good read.

Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich
An upper-middle-class woman writes about her experiences with trying to live on minimum wage. A completely false set-up, (and a very liberal take) but her stories are interesting nonetheless.

On the Rez, Ian Frazier
Part of my on-going search for good travel/place books. An interesting portrait of life on an Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Queen of the Turtle Derby and Other Southern Phenomena, Julia Reed
Not a great book, but there were several essays that just had me rolling. Ah, it’s fun to live in the South.

Schools We Need and Why We Don’t Have Them, E. D. Hirsch
An provocative book on national curriculum and standards in the public schools, though it was a bit dry for my taste.