monday mixtape

*I know it's not Monday, but I started it on Monday!

i made you a mix tape of all my favorites this week!

Books:

For several years I've been meaning to read Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. The book sat around and sat around and I had to give it back to my brother before I ever read even a page. Then about a year ago I borrowed The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard from my mother's bookshelf (not sure she even knows I took it!) What does it say about me that I've procrastinated reading abou discipline, hmmmm?

Finally, about a month ago I dove into Willard's book. I am still reading, but it is one that I feel the need to read and chew, read and chew and so forth. At some point I imagine I will post a few notes. I do not want to leave that book unchanged.

In the meantime, on a weekend I had put that book aside, I greedily grabbed up a whole stack of newly released titles from the library on the corner of my street. I went in with my daughter, niece and nephew to find a few fun book to share in our afternoon together. I once confessed to a friend that I am a book hussy. I cheat on them all the time -- going from one title to another depending on my daily whim. But, really, how could I say no?!?

Wellsprings, Mario Vargas Llosa

The master Peruvian novelist, essayist, and critic writes about the wellsprings of his own work in seven separate essays. I especially enjoyed "Four Centuries of Don Quixote."

All works of genius are both obvious and enigmatic. Don Quixote, like the Odyssey, the Divine Comedy, or Hamlet, enriches us as human beings, demonstrating that through artistic creation men and women can break through the limits of their condition and achieve a type of immortality. At the same time, Don Quixote devastates us, making us aware of our smallness when compared with the giant who conceived that great endeavor.

1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die (Tom Moon); When You Are Engulfed In Flames (David Sedaris); A Whisper in the Dark (Louisa May Alcott); Bedrooms (Mary Gilliatt) are all just reading for R&R.

I picked up Show & Tell: Exploring the Fine Art of Children's Book Illustration (Dilys Evans) for the same reason plus all the pretty pictures. I soon found myself not just enjoying the beautiful illustrations but also wanting to read every word. Perhaps it has something to do with this, but I find stories of what seem to be random circumstances creating the whole story behind an artist's work to be irresistable.

Although I enjoyed all of the illustration work shown in the book, I am most fond of the work of Bryan Collier. His sophisticated use of collage in children's books impressed me completely.

Music: Raising Sand (Robert Plant and Alison Krauss)

Two weeks ago I was at Starbucks with my friend Lori. We were checking out Starbucks free download of the week: The Wexford Carol by Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss. Lori said, "I heard a song with Alison Krauss and Robert Plant the other day...I really liked it." Oh, the power of suggestion! I replied, "I love everything I've ever heard from Alison Krauss." And even as I said it I realized I didn't own any of her music. So, I've kickstarted my personal collection with this title. (And, by the way, I'd highly recommend it.)

Online finds: PhaedraJean ArtMachine

Margo Sees Eye to Eye, Phaedra Jean Taylor

linocut on found paper 8x10

2005
All rights reserved

A new blog by my new friend Phaedra Jean Taylor. While at her site, make sure you click on her flicker link. Phadra's artwork is completely charming, imaginative and deeply moving to me. I think I could sit and look at it for hours (while grinning at the titles she chooses for her pieces). Go ahead and click away...you won't be sorry.