Goodbye, Borrowed Books

In Durango, we finally mailed all the books we’d borrowed while circling back east to their rightful owners. Here’s what got sent:

The Rider — a bicycling book that made me want to ride again. Highly recommend it even to non-cyclists. It recounts a single race and is wonderfully written.

Sailing Alone Around the World — naturally, about a sailing trip. I don’t know how many of these I’ve read, but I never tire of them. Maybe I’ll eventually read every book there is on the subject. Maybe I’ll take my own trip.

Tropic of Capricorn — something I’ve wanted to read since Big Sur. I prefer Tropic of Cancer, but I was pretty sure I had never finished this one. Turns out I had. Still a good read.

The Graveyard Book — a children’s book. Promised to be a good read, and it was. Just don’t read the bit in the back where Gaiman gushes about what a great book he wrote. Ruined it for me a bit, but I’m not really the target audience. Tear those pages out, give it to your niece or nephew, but give it a read first.

The Journey Home — an Edward Abbey compilation. Lisa was itching for some Abbey as we turned back west and pointed the van towards canyon country. This was perfect. Read anything he’s written if you get the chance.

The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women — for Lisa, but I gave it the first pass. It outlines the ‘imposter syndrome’, a feeling of inadequacy some women evidently feel in the workplace. Didn’t really apply to me, and it didn’t really apply to Lisa. Interesting though.

The Emotional Life of Your Brain — for me, but I couldn’t do it. I was jazzed about this book, but I couldn’t get through it. Turns out I like hearing about these topics from friends a lot more than I like reading about them. Great conversations … but tough reading.