Every year we realize we want to do something new, such as, exercise or stop buying candy. For me this is reading. I always find I never read enough books throughout the year, so I am going to change that. I have created a list of books I have wanted to read and ones I am very curious about. The goal: to read them all before the end of the year (plenty of time to finish!). So lets check out the list together and I will start this, tonight.

1. A Tea Reader: Living Life One Cup at a Time by Katrina Avila Munichiello

   I will admit I have started this book last year ,but have yet to finish. So, guess where I am starting? Anyhow, this book is fantastic for any tea drinker as it is written by tea drinkers. I was drawn to this anthology because Cinebar, the writer for Gongfu Girl, has contributed a piece, and I am all for supporting other bloggers.

2.The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

     After watching the movie late last year, I was itching to read the book. Liesel is a character that you just have to fall in love with. Her life through WWII is full of special moments with family and  friend she makes (I am hoping the slight romance between her and the stowaway is in here too).

3.Romance of the Three Kingdoms Vol.1 by Lo Kuan-Chung

   Romance, history and a bit of mythology: Romance of the Three Kingdoms is one of four great classical novels from China. Parts of it have been made into movies, such as, Red Cliff (Fave! ). I adore my Chinese Dramas (Currently watching Romance of the Condor Heroes), so reading a novel is a must for me. It really ties into my mini goal of a few Chinese/Japanese Authors on this list.

4.Tale of Genji by Shikubu Murasaki

    When my love for kimono brought me to Liza Dalby’s book “Kimono”, I was introduced lightly to this novel. In contrast to the previous book this one is full of: forbidden love, revenge, poetry and even a demon/ghost. Its written during the height of the Heian era which places the publication year before 1021. Let’s just say I love history.

5.Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi

 While in my final year at OCAD University, I read Sun Tzu’s “Art of war”. Both of which I am reading as a “guide” to business, which is what “Art of War” is often re-framed as. The time difference is significant as this book was published in 1645, many years after “Art of War”.  A time that was just a few years before big changes in Japan (letting foreigners in etc).
 

6.Zen and Tea: One Flavour by Aaron Fisher

  Aaron Fisher is one of my favorite authors, naturally he is on this list. I just love how he writes and adored “The Way of Tea”. This one goes deeper into the relationship of tea and zen. Both things, which you know by reading this blog, that I just can not get enough of. I can not wait to learn more about “Wu Wei” and the even deeper meaning behind it (than what I already know).

7.Tea Medicine by Aaron Fisher

 Did you know that tea was once used medicinally? or that in Chanoyu (Japanese Tea Ceremony) it is still referred to as a “dosage of tea”? Through these two points, I hope to learn more about tea from this perspective as  “student” under my teacher Wu De (Aaron Fisher).

8. A Course in Miracles by Helen Schucman

  After reading a few books by Gabrielle Bernstein, who references this text, I felt the need to learn from the same text that helped her become who she is, by learning self-forgiveness and listening to your inner voice. She used this text as a basis to bring forth the same “healing” that she received from this very book. While this book is more of a textbook in format, it is also a workbook as well. It will be a little companion of mine for the next while as I work towards my own “healing”.

9.Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham

 After many trips to chapters and spotting this book, its time to read it (alright A Beautiful Mess’s Book Club read it and now I want to). Just by reading the description of the book, it made me want to run out and get it. Lena has set this book up as a collection of essays, lists and e-mails from her own life. What kind of Woman can pass up the opportunity to  learn the lessons that another Woman experienced? Definitely not me.

10.What I know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey

  For as long as I can remember I have watched Oprah with my mom regularly growing up, it is very empowering to see a woman give back so much to the world around her (and even take the time to write). When I saw this book It called to me and also felt like a book my mom would give me. With that thought in mind I want to take the time to read this and then pass it on to her, as we can both use a little wisdom from a Woman we both respect.

  I can not wait to get to many of these but I am (as mentioned) starting with “The Tea Reader”. No exact order will be followed for the course of this adventure (okay I might get “Not That Kind of Girl” next).

till next time,