Thursday, July 25, 2019

What I've been reading


I've been able to take more hikes this summer than I did last summer. If we have a little rain shower, I try to get out after that to enjoy the cooler temps. But I found something else to enjoy too. I check books out from my local library as ebooks and I love to go online and see 'what's new' in books. They have a new section called 'The Great Outdoors' at the top of the website that I love. It features books about nature, gardening, hiking, novels, poetry...all with nature as the theme of the book. I have several checked out right now.


My favorite so far is Forest Bathing by Dr. Qing Li.

Here's a quote, "And even more amazing is the fact that not only do the beautiful and magnificent sights of nature make us feel better, they can actually improve our health. There is no medicine you can take that has such a direct influence on your health as a walk in a beautiful forest."

There is so much great information in this book that I would recommend it to everyone! Even if you are only able to pull up a chair to the window and look outside, it would be beneficial. If you have a bird feeder or some flowers to look at that would be even better.


 I love this beautiful book of poetry by Mary Oliver, Upstream

A few others I've read or skimmed through are How to Read Nature by Tristan Gooley, A Woman's Guide to the Wild by Ruby McConnell and The Nature Fix by Florence Williams. 


 A mystery I just finished was Heart of a Killer by David Rosenfelt. I love all of the books he writes and I'm on the waiting list at the library for his new book, Bark of Night! I can't wait to read it!

What have you read this month? 
Anything you think I would like?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .



27 comments:

Betty said...

I love reading books and drinking tea. I would love to get the one about Nature. It sounds wonderful.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

...and the author goes squeeeeeeee

Susie said...

Diane, I love that you are hiking. After the rain is good . I would love to be reading more...another reason to get my cataracts removed. Got to wait till Ted's 100th day after transplant. It's coming up soon. Hooray. Time for me to get some drs. appts over with, and on the road to better health myself. I loved the quote. Blessings to you and your husband, sweet friend . xoxo, love, Susie

Little Wandering Wren said...

Our Bookclub has been reading The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson -a great book for a bookclub as none of was that entertained by it but found plenty to discuss! So it is great to have your suggestions.
Thanks, happy reading!
Wren x

riitta k said...

I have read mainly books by Finnish writers. What a coincidence! Right now I am reading Beth Kempton's Wabi sabi. She mentiones forest baths and how good they are for us. In Japan there are special forest bath instructors that take people to forest. This is very important to urban people. Happy reading!

Net - "It's a Wonderful Movie" said...


I love reading a good book in the Summer, too! It's been such a busy year, but I saw a book on my shelf the other day that I was given as a gift and hadn't read, yet.

So... I decided, it's time to take a little down time for myself and enjoy a new adventure! The book is No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer.

Happy reading to you! Hope you can get that mystery book soon! :)

Blessings! Net

Terra said...

Even the title of the book Forest Bathing is soothing and it is a great concept. I like Mary Oliver too and bought two of her books, one is poems about her dogs. I am reading Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by a therapist Lori Gottleib, it is fascinating, her insights on her own therapy she receives and the therapy she gives people.

Tom said...

...Forest, Upstream and Bark, sounds good for a nature gal.

BeachGypsy said...

well girlfriend you know me...I LOVE TO READ as well, and it's been so dang HOT--lots of reading getting done this summer!! LOL I Just finished "Swimming for Sunlight" and it was a short read, and good. It was a story similar to the weeki wachee mermaids and where some of the previous ones might be today, in Florida, they are now in their 60s and 70s in the story I believe and it's also a story about an amazing dog who suffers from bad bad anxiety and the girl in the story, Katie, getting him help. Dog lovers would enjoy this book I think.It's by Allie Larkin. I'm intrigued by the whole forest bathing thing and have read some on it...seems so legit! What do you think? I also just finished "Daisy and the 6" about a rock band in the 70s. It was okay, I loved the story but it was done "interview style" and I didnt care for that. The whole time I was reading it I kept thinking "this sounds an awful lot like Fleetwood Mac".(if you know me well you know I've been a Fleetwood Mac fan since the early 1970s! LOL) There were alot of similarities especially withe the "monster album" they recorded and I kept thinking "that sure is Rumours!", LOL. After I finished the whole book I read that maybe the authour loosely based the story on them a little. LOL I have some info on forest bathing I will send you via email ok. Have a great thursday my Florida friend! Hugs

Terri D said...

Thanks for the book reviews!!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Forest Bathing sounds wonderful. I will have to check that out!

Debby Ray said...

The nature books sound really good, especially Forest Bathing... I love the thought of that! Thanks for all of the great suggestions and hike on, my friend! HUGS!

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

I too enjoy summer reading and you have some nice books you are reading now. Hope you are staying cool and enjoy the rest of the week and weekend.

Ann said...

I mostly read mysteries and all my books are free ones that I can get on my kindle. I've yet to try borrowing one from the library.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

I am making a book list for when I get to Fl and near all those Library's--
here-my girl friend Anne has been bringing me old issues of the Country Women Magazine and I have been reading then each afternoon during my 'tea' break--
and with the barrel of flowers right outside my window and feeding the birds (along with a squirrel or two or three ---and a chipmunk-I am getting my nature fix each day--!!! I have even see a humming bird 2x now-
luv, di

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Forest bathing is the most under-rated, no cost therapy, of all. And it feels good too!

Lowcarb team member said...

I'm reading a light hearted historical romance at the moment … perfect for warm summer days.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Me again … I also meant to say, thanks for sharing the books you are reading!

All the best Jan

Michelle said...

I need to check out "Forest Bathing". That sound like something I would like. Thanks for linking up.

A Casa Madeira said...

For sure a walk through the forest is very good.
This book must be super interesting to read.
Good recommendations.
Today I received a book called Carolyn Fry's Plant Hunters.
Good continuation of the week.

Kathy said...

Thanks for the reading list. I will have to look a few of these up. I am reading but right now more magazines than books. Although I do have several books going right now on my kindle.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

These all sounds like great books. I love anything nature related.
A walk in the forest sounds great to me. I love the mysteries too, I will add these to my TBR list. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

magnoliasntea said...

Lovely post! I read recently that 2 hours in nature each day staves off dementia and some cancers. Wow.
Have a great weekend!

happyone said...

Sounds like some good books there.
I've always been aware of the health benefits from walking! :) I've been taking my morning walk for 30 years now!

I'm reading the first book in a series by Greg Iles, The Quiet Game.
I still prefer reading a book that I can hold in my hands though I understand ebooks are good for a lot of people.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Bill just asked me yesterday if I’d heard the term “forest bathing” ...I had read something about it and I told him I do it and so does he (every chance we get). But I didn’t realize there was a book by that title. Thanks! Off to my library to go to see if I can get it on Kindle!

Vee said...

What have I been reading? Stillmeadow Calendar and blogs. 🙃 Not able to walk far...a jaunt around Wal*Mart does me in and I am sure that it is nowhere near as delightful as a walk in the forest.

Jeanie said...

I love seeing peoples'books. Love Mary Oliver -- do you have her dog poem book?