How I read, let me count the ways....

Observing the pile of books on the night stand this morning made me think of all the reasons that I read and how each of the books in the pile serve a different reading purpose.  First there is The Almond Picker, a book for enjoyment. This story takes place in Sicly during the months of September and October of 1963. I'm a little more than half way through and it proving to be an unexpected pleasure. The plot revolves around a woman with the nickname of Mennulara, "the almond picker," who has died in the very first paragraph of the first chapter. Since then Mennulara's character and life story has been revealed to me through the myriad of perspectives held by the people of her village. There's a mystery involved in all of it and the clues are being dropped one by one. I look forward to the denouement when all will be made clear.

Second in the pile is The Gifts of Imperfection: Let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are (whew, some title). I read for self discovery, self improvement, for healing, and spiritual development.  In these months following my father and great aunt's deaths, I have explored what various authors have had to say on grief and identity. Then there is the fact that I have reach that time in life (yes middle age is upon me) when one is reflecting on where one has been and where will one go from here. I'm about three quarters through this book and love the fact that I am not alone going through this process, the author and the many subjects that she interviewed as part of her research have all blazed the path ahead of me. Lesson learned, or rather re-learned in a recent chapter is the practice of gratitude and the impact it can have in your life. I'm grateful to be reminded that there are pieces of joy spread all around me I but have to look.

Lastly in the pile is The Poisoner's Handbook:Murder and the birth of forensic medicine in Jazz Age New York. Strange you may think, but hey I'm a nerd at heart. I read to learn, to keep up to date in science, and to teach. I'm always on the look out to find ways to connect the science curriculum I teach to the "real world." I try to find ways to answer the, "why do I need to know this?" question. I love to pepper my lessons with tidbits from history, from current events and research, or personal experience.

I'm sure there are plenty of more reasons that I read, but now it's time to put away the iPad and pick up a book. Now which one should I read tonight?