Reading List Update

Well, despite my best efforts, I seem to have wavered when it comes to my reading list. I was doing so well...

Let's back up a bit. I believe that I was suppose to read "How to Live Well Without Owning a Car" in July....August was suppose to be "The Proper Care and Feeding of a Husband."

I can honestly say that I did read most of the July book. It actually had some good insight...primarily how much it truly costs to own, maintain, insure, and drive a car. What was more insightful was how much you could save if you invested the cost of having an average car (at $700 a month) over 30 years. Depending on the average return on an investment it ranged from $500,000 to $1 million! Amazing. What I didn't like about the book - well what I read of it...was that it wasn't very practical. Sure you can live well without owning a car in New York, San Fran, hell even Ann Arbor, MI or Charleston, SC...but for the majority of us with a commute that's 20-30 minutes to work and virtual no options for mass transit - that isn't as realistic. Now don't get me wrong this isn't to say that we shouldn't all - where possible - live differently (even if that means getting our lazy butts on a bike or being slightly put-out by having to account for a longer trek to get somewhere). For Aaron and I that means carpool to/from work or altering your work schedule. For instance, I only work 4 day weeks, and try to carpool two days to work with a friend...even Aaron started to carpool every day to/from work with a coworker (on his own accord I might add). Yes, we can all do these things. And, yes...I could even bike or walk to the grocery if I needed to (I must admit I don't), but none-the-less I could (proof we all succumb to laziness and convenience eventually - I promise to work on this). I would challenge you all to think about what you could do. Not only does it save money, make you feel good, and safe the planet...if everyone gets involved, all our small steps can make a difference.

As for the August book...not so much. Aaron actually requested that this be added to my list and I did have such high hopes - even picked August because it was our Anniversary month. But alas...no dice...maybe I'll try to fit it in somewhere yet this year or add it to next year's list.

I did read a book that mom gave me called the "Plain Truth." It was really good. About an Amish women who is charged with murdering her baby and the lawyer who represents her. Without given anything away, it was especially interested reading this book while pregnant. Very enlightening. It was a good, quick read and I would recommend it.

Next on the list...well the original list left September open...so, at the urging of a coworker I bought "The Culture of Make Believe." Little did I know when it arrived from Amazon that it is huge! This could be similar to Atlas Shrugged. Oh well, I am determined to get back into the swing and with no second job now, I have no good excuse.