Any novel by Alan Furst I can get my hands on; John Donne’s poetry—read the man everyday; he may be a dead white guy but he know his shit. And any novel by James Lee Burke. He takes that Petrarchan sonnet that was New Orleans and creates something wonderful and chilling. And the poetry of Emily Dickinson. Any person who could write Wild Nights has passion that knows no bounds and is electric in its beauty. Wild Nights! Wild Nights! Were I with thee, Wild Nights should be Our luxury! Futile the winds To a heart in port, — Done with the compass, Done with the chart! Rowing in Eden! Ah! the sea! Might I but moor To-night in Thee! That poem and the rest of hers moves me like few other poets ever have. There is more to the lady in white from Amherst than anyone ever expected.

I’m reading the New Jersey Regulatory Code for Counseling as part of an ethics class - just shoot me. I just found a website www.dailylit.com that sends the classics every day in 5 minute increments. War and Peace is 675 days. I read The Economist while I’m supposed to be watching the kiddies’ baseball game.

‘I and Thou,’ by Martin Buber, ‘The Cancer Conqueror, An Incredible Journey to Wellness,’ by Greg Anderson (both highlighted and earmarked from cover to cover), ‘You Stayin Young, The Owner’s Manual for Extending Your Warranty,’ by Michael F Rozen, M.D. & Mehmet C Oz, M.D., and lastly every new mystery involving heinous psychological murders by Jonathan Kellerman. I also read the ‘Bhagavad-Gita, As It Is,’ by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Lord, I forget Jane Eyre and Jane Austen, especially Emma and Persuasion. Duh!

-Umberto Eco’s “The Name of the Rose.” -Jean Hanff Korelitz’a “The White Rose” -Teilhard de Chardin’s ‘The Human Phenomenon [Always admired him, Joni’s mention of him in one of her pieces inspired me to read his book. Trivia: He last lived at Saint Ignatius on Park Ave, Jackie K. O’s church and where her funeral was held. -Robert Mondavi’s autobio “Harvests of Joy” -“‘The Olive Farm” Carol Drinkwater http://www.caroldrinkwater.com/ Anyone who loves the South of France will love her books, which are really about following your dreams. I’d read one of her books, and she sent me an email after reading about Wowowow in the London Sun Times, she’d come to the site and saw one of my post and contacted me. I was thrilled! I’d already read one of her books, remembered it well, and after her email read another, and now I’m on book three. She is a wonderful woman and her books are a delightful vacation to the South of France without leaving home.

I’m afraid I’m not a very discriminating reader, being an English/Irish expat has made me like that! Not easily being able to find books in English! That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it! :) I usually have several books on the go. Right now I’ve just closed the last page on Marian Keyes’s Sushi For Beginners. Loved it, laughed a bit, smiled a lot, almost cried.Just started Dylan Thomas’s Portrait of the Artist as a young Dog. It looks promising. I’m an Agatha Christie addict and I’m reading Destination Unknown. It’s very English and very old fashioned, therefore very comforting. For self-improvement I’m doing the Self Matters course thingy by Phil McGraw- Dr Phil. The books are helpful but I imagine the shows are rather over the top. I really enjoy PD James and Elizabeth George and happily I’ve recently discovered Martha Grimes. Am I allowed to mention authors whom I dislike? Well I was amazed to find some Tamar Myers books…………… So I’m more discerning than I at first admitted. Love and peace

“Ingathering,” by Zenna Henderson. I re-read it every Spring.