I've been working on changing my sleep habits for the past few months. Instead of staying up late and working and reading online, I'm crawling into bed by 9:30pm and reading books and magazines. And forcing myself to close a book after a few chapters instead of keeping myself up until 1 a.m. trying to finish the entire thing in one sitting. Such a simple thing to do with an important result: I fall asleep with a clear head instead of my mind wandering about the 20 things I need to do.
Added bonus? I have read books -- from children's literature to biographies and sports books -- that are insanely well-written, inspiring, astounding and just plain good.
You might not be inclined to read any of these books but just in case, here's a list of what's covered the side of my floor lately:
- The Water Giver by Joan Ryan. Joan is a sports journalist and author, and has always served as one of my inspirations to go into journalism. I've followed her work for years in the SF Chronicle. If you read The Water Giver, a story about her son's skateboarding accident and his recovery, you'll need Kleenex -- lots and lots of Kleenex. You'll also need a journal nearby because it'll make you want to write.
- My Life in Paris by Julia Child. It took me a month to read this autobiography by Julia Child because it is rich with details and color. You must pay attention to every word because if not, you'll miss important ingredients that make it such a sweet read.
- The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. My husband gave me this book as a gift and this amused me immensely because you know who recommended that I read it? Rick Springfield, that's who. The story is told from the viewpoint of a dog and if you are a dog person like me, you will never see your pup in the same way again. Also? You will cry. And you will give your dog so many cuddles that the mutt will think you are losing it.
- The Rocket that Fell to Earth: Roger Clemens and the Rage for Baseball by Jeff Pearlman. Probably one of the best sports biographies I've read. I used to watch Clemens pitch. His amazing speed and ferocious attitude made him entertaining. The guy was always wild on the mound, for good and for bad. Add taking the juice over and over and you've got someone ripe for destruction. If you are a baseball fan, this book has to be on your list. It's almost unbelievable.
- Three Nights in August by Buzz Bissinger. So this book is truly for the baseball junkie (*raises hand*). It follows a three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs from back in 2003. What happens over those three days is as intense as it gets in the game. And the chapters that focuses on the death of Cardinals' player, Darryl Kile, and its aftermath will stick with you.
Next up on my list to read are books my two of my favorite bloggers and writers: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and Outliers by Malcom Gladwell. Also? The Baseball Codes. Can not wait to read this one. I started it at the bookstore and found myself glued to the first story about Nolan Ryan and his unwritten code. Good stuff.
What are you reading?