Turkey Tracks/Books: My Current Read Pile

Turkey Tracks/Books:  June 26, 2011

My Current Read Pile

Here’s a picture of my current read pile:

I have, for what is, I’m sure, a brief moment, caught up with my magazines and journals.

Despite the title, John Grisham’s SKIPPING CHRISTMAS might not wind up advocating that stance at all.  So, I look forward to finding out what happens.  This book was a gift from a friend after I wrote a piece about my dislike of–and refusal to participate in–the commercial nature of Christmas.

The biography of Ayn Rand interests me because I’d like to see if she “walked her talk.”  Her economic and social theories have had a powerful impact in this country.  For instance, Congressman Paul Ryan’s budget was derived from Rand’s “objectivism” philosophy.  Her “super man” heroes come too uncomfortably close to the theories that guided Nazism maleness for me.  But, it will be good to refresh my knowledge of her theories.  I read her novels too many years ago–actually when I was in high school.

E. O. Wilson’s book on ants won the Pulitzer one year.  He’s an emeritus scientist at Harvard, and a naturalist to the core.  He’s also a southerner, and he captures a number of southern mindsets in the characters in this book.  The sections on ants are not just about ants; they’re about over population and an unimpeded use of available resources–to the point where nature can no longer support an out-of-synch ant population.  This section is a warning to humans, actually.  As a novel, the book doesn’t quite work–because it isn’t sure what it should be.  But as something else–the inner thoughts of a major scientist, it’s well worthwhile.

Barbara Ehrenreich’s BRIGHT-SIDED was recommended by a Camden friend who knows I think the unbridled optimism of Americans–especially with regard to medical problems like cancer–is a problem that helps us to ignore what we must do to begin to heal our environment, ourselves, our country, and our world.  As long as we can say “the problem is that you aren’t trying hard enough,” we cannot begin to understand what is actually wrong, how we’ve been poisoned, and so forth.

Author: louisaenright

I am passionate about whole, nutrient-dense foods, developing local markets, and strengthening communities. View all posts by louisaenright