A visual representation of an author's thoughts...

I have recently learned that not just one but TWO of the books I have read this summer are being made into films. The first one, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold will come out this December. It is starring some of my favorite actors (Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, and Stanley Tucci). The trailer was just released on Apple Trailers today.

I am THRILLED for this movie. First of all, I did not like the way the book ended, BUT I trust Peter Jackson, and so far the movie looks REALLY good. Sorry for all the caps, but I'm excited for this movie.

The second book is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Now, if you read you will see that I enjoyed this book and I am still recommending this to friends and family to read. However, I am a little disappointed by some of the casting choices... well okay, one of the casting choices, the main casting choice. Julia Roberts is cast as Liz... I just think that there could have been someone who is a little more... real? I will have to see. But so far, James Franco is playing David (which James Franco could play poppy in a new adaptation of a Wizard of Oz and I'd be happy about that because he is adorable). Stephen her ex husband is being played by Billy Crudup, that's okay, too. Javier Bardem as Felipe, which didn't him and Julia Roberts just finish making a movie together? Also listed is Richard Jenkins. Richard Jenkins is a phenomenal actor and although the name may not ring a bell, the face will. I am hoping he will be portraying Richard from Texas... can't you just imagine Richard Jenkins calling Julia Robert's Groceries? Right now on imdb.com it does not list what character he is playing, but I think he would make a great Texan at an ashram in India.

Anyways go watch the trailer for The Lovely Bones and find all the paparazzi images from the set of Eat, Pray, Love.

Book Review: The Omnivore's Dilemma

A few days ago I finished reading The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. I was a little scared to read it at first, if anyone recalls. I love food, and the last thing that I wanted to read was something about how my food is treated. However, Michael Pollan does a wonderful job walking that fine line between informative and over doing it. I will be honest, it has totally changed the way I think about meat, produce, grocery stores, farmer's markets, and Whole Foods. I admit, at first I was a little fanatical about the information I was taking in. The constant phrases that came out of my mouth were the following:

• "This whole meal came from corn... CORN, it was in the feed for the animals, its in the food, its in the butter, its in the packaging... corn corn corn corn corn."
• "The whole meat industry is doing everything in reverse!"
• "These are 'industrial' eggs, milk, meat, and cheese."

Like I said, I was a little fanatical. But, being able to have some distance from the book, a lot of the actualities about the grocery industry still hit home for me. I know that right now I do not have the means (means being money, skill, and stomach space) to drastically change the way I buy groceries, but I have started taking small steps to bring me to that place. Here are a few of the steps I have began to implement now.

Buy local milk.
Although, one day I plan on buying a share of a cow, and getting raw milk, right now I can walk down to The Produce Place and pick up a half gallon of milk that comes from a local dairy. The milk comes in a glass jug (so I feel better about not using plastic) and costs about the same as a half gallon of organic milk from Kroger (actually its cheaper). I know if I wanted to, I could drive up and see the dairy myself, and see how the cows are treated. I can see that the cows are fed grass and hay, not grain (cows have a difficult time digesting grain, because their stomachs are meant to thrive on grasses. Grain is also the reason why cows have to be injected with antibiotics... just read the book).

Buy local free range chicken eggs.
I could do this for the taste improvement alone! The yolks are rich, flavorful, and chock-full of nutrients. My reasoning on this is mostly due to the treatment of the animals. For as much suffering that occurs to a hen that is confined in a small space, those eggs should not be sold for $0.89. I know, they are chickens, but when you can taste the difference between an egg that came from an industrial hen house, and one that come from a free range chicken, you cannot help but think that there is a huge difference.

Buy local produce.
This one is hard. I have grown up in an era of convenience. No matter what the season, I want some sort of vegetable that is not in season. Year round apples, zucchinis, strawberries, corn, avocado, potatoes, etc. The vegetables at your supermarket are shipped from all around the world in order to bring us the convenience of eating what we want, when we want it. I believe that by keeping a watchful eye on what is seasonal and local, I am putting money back into the local economy. Plus, it makes me feel good knowing that my produce traveled on a truck from somewhere in Goodlettesville. But this is HARD, because most supermarkets do not carry produce from local farms. I'm trying, and I do what I can.

To anyone who reads this and wants to know more about what I am talking about, please do not hesitate to comment or ask questions. These are my own personal convictions about what I am putting into my body. Unless you are coming to eat at my house for dinner, then I promise to not force my food beliefs on you. I do think that as a culture we have been programmed to think that the food that we eat, is just food and that it was not at one time a living, breathing, organism/plant/animal.

I will say this, only read this book if you are ready to change the way you look at food. Some of this stuff really hit home for me, and I made immediate changes (I threw out a bag of frozen chicken nuggets because it grossed me out thinking about them). I definitely realize that to others some of the stuff will go in one ear and out the other, but this book will not be a waste of time. I greatly recommend this journey into the history of our eating habits.

Summer Reading

After a rough couple of years here in Nashville, I am finally starting to fall into the groove of life. I was so overwhelmed with new in the past two years that it was like starting all over again. I had to lose myself to find myself again. I am so glad that this discovery gets to happen in one of my favorite seasons, summer. Summer has always been a season that I enjoy and it literally brings out my inner hippie. I could spend everyday laying in the grass, walking around without shoes, drinking iced tea, and swimming.

My friend Juli talks about life in seasons, and I really love the way she describes it. I wanted this season of summer, of my life, to be different. It has been literally a year and a half since I have written whether it be poetry, prose, prayers, journal entries, etc. I want this season of summer to be a season of discovery. I will spend this summer reading and writing with complete abandonment. I will not be afraid of what will be revealed when I put that pen to the paper. I want this season to be a time of reflection, renewal, and growth. Spiritual and personal growth.

In lieu of this season, I have made a commitment to read. I'd like to share my summer reading list:

Persuasion by Jane Austen

This book has been on my reading list for a LONG time. I have tried reading it over and over again, but always fell behind. Its also a library book from the Nashville Public Library that I never returned, and I hope to put behind my deviant ways and finish this book like I should.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The first time I read this book, I fell in love with Lizzie and Mr. Darcy. This is probably one of my favorite books and I want to read it again.

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Sam read this book after we watched this TERRIBLE movie about the guy who shot John Lennon (not the one with Lindsey Lohan and Jared Leto all tubby, a different one that used actual audio of the guy who shot Mr. Lennon and the scene where he shoots him was so horrific to watch I started crying). He said the book was very good, and that I should read it. I was also recommended this book by my friend Tori. I am excited to jump into this novel.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This was recommended to my by two people Tori and Irene, my co-worker. I have feeling this book will give me the travel bug, but I don't mind. I purchased this book at Book Man Book Woman in Hillsboro Village already.

The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner

Another recommendation from Irene. This story is about a man's search for things that make people happy. Sounds like an excellent read!

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Okay, this is a recommendation from Tori. First of all, I trust Tori a lot and I know nothing about this book. Didn't read any reviews anything just put it on the list because if Tori liked it, I'll probably like it. However, after seeing the covers with a pitchfork in a dog, makes me a little worried. I love dogs and cats, and most animals. I mean, I cry everytime those ads with Sarah McLachlan singing and talking about the dogs and cats in shelters that need homes. But we'll see.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

This book has shown up on my Amazon list for years, and I have always been curious. It was not until an old friend Sarah recommended this to my when I put out my ad on Facebook that I decided to give it a try.

The Omnivore's Dilema by Michael Pollan

This book was recommended by two people, Irene and my from Josh. I love food and like I said the summer brings out my inner hippie. I love locally grown food, and I'm fascinated how the grocery industry works. This is one of the three non-fiction books on my list.

Gossip Girl Series by Cecily von Ziegesar

I feel like everyone should have their guilty pleasure reads. Several people will shamefully admit to reading Twilight, or Harry Potter. I personally have read the entire Harry Potter series. I thought, yes, I could read Twilight. However, I really love the show Gossip Girl on the CW. I love the characters and the actors and actresses (Blake Lively is amazing). These books tempted me as a young teen along the same shelf as the Goosebumps books, Sweet Valley High, and the Baby Sitter's Club. I never had the guts to read them, but now I wish I did. So, I will.

The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly

After reading the reviews of this, I figured I need at least one mystery on my list. This reminds of Alias a little bit. Not the Sydney Bristow/CIA story, but the Will Tippin, journalist story. This was recommended to my by a twitter friend, and should be a good one.

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

The pithy intense read. This will probably be one of those books that I read a chapter or two inbetween the others just to keep me focused on reality. This one really gets me thinking about not only the relationship between us and God, but also His relationship that He persues with us. It also goes indepth with the nature of God.

Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist

One of my old roommates, Katie, was reading this book. Then, I read a review of it by my friend Christine. I enjoy This American Life on NPR, listening to stories about ordinary people and this falls under that category. A list of essays...

Ronnie Finkelhoff: Superstar by Alan Livingston

When Sam was in grade school he found this book in his school's library. It was the first book he remembers reading and really enjoying. It is by Alan Livington, the guy at Capitol Records who signed the Beatles. Its about a kid who has amazing musical talent, but because of pressure from his dad, he hides this talent.

There it is. My summer reading list in all of its glory. I don't know what order I will read them in, but I am currently reading Persuasion. I am excited to read while I travel, spend evenings at home, and on Sunday when the weather is nice.