A Few Books & Films

In the last few weeks, I've been on quite the reading kick. I found a few titles at REI that looked interesting, which I then came home and ordered for reduced pricing from Amazon. Although this first book listed here is one that I borrowed from my cousin.

EXERCISE TITLES:

Image taken from here.

This book was amazing. You all know that I started running routinely again in spring of 2010, but since our return to Oregon I've been running and hiking in Vibrams. Thus far, running "barefoot" in Vibrams has been great--no real overuse energies, no shin splints, etc. And my only real complaint has just been stinky feet and blisters from where the Vibrams rub on our long hikes. But since reading this book, I kid you not, I think of some piece of information from the book every single week. It offers me motivation to know that genetically humans are supposed to be capable of running incredibly long distances--in fact it makes me in awe of the capacity of the human body. The book also motivates me to run even if I've neglected myself nutritionally or via my beverage choices on any particular day. And since reading this book, I always try to remember to smile on my runs and hikes....in order to truly increase enjoyment of the activity. If you're into running or into learning about the capability of the human body due to evolution, I highly encourage you to check this book out.

Now these next two books actually are about the same thing---couples that traveled the Pacific Crest Trail. The first book listed has chapters written by both the male and female perspective along the trail, while the second book is only from the male perspective. The books both offered insight to the trail, to the difficulties, and made me laugh at some of the trials faced by the couples upon their time outdoors together. I'm not going to lie though, if you wanted to read one of these, you're much better off with the first book, as I found the author of the second book incredibly annoying and focused way too much on sex on the trail. The first novel however was much more rewarding, balanced, and insightful.

Image taken from here.

Image taken from here.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING TITLE:

Image taken from here.

This book was one that I saw mentioned somewhere although I have no recollection of where I first read about it. I ordered it on a long shot and sure enough I loved it. Kimball was a NYC journalist/hipster out to interview an organic farmer--they surprisingly fell in love and moved onto a piece of land to start their own full-service CSA. Humorous, insightful, and fulfilling, as you read about their adventures in horse drawn tilling, pig and chicken raising, maple sugaring, cow rearing and milking, and the attempting of a relationship leading to marriage.

Recently I've also watched three great documentaries or clips of news.

The first is from a National Geographic Series:

Stress: Portrait of a Killer

It can be found both on YouTube and on Netflix Instant and it's about an hour in length. Incredibly insightful on how stress impacts us biologically.

The second is a 20 minute Frontline Video found here, which is about for-profit colleges taking advantage of veterans and their education benefits/GI Bills. I'm not a huge fan of for-profit educational institutions anyway but this just annoys me even more.

And the third is a documentary: God Grew Tired of Us which was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006. Incredibly heart-warming and heart-breaking it provides the story of the Lost Boys of Sudan who were forced to flee Sudan during Civil War or be killed. They traveled by foot with limited water and food, basically starving, to Ethiopia where they lived in a refugee camp for three years. At the conclusion of the three years they were forced to relocate again to a refugee camp in Kenya, walking again. At the time of the film, the boys had been in exile for 10 years. From there the film follows a handful of boys (now young men) who are relocated to the United States and discusses the hope and trials they face as they integrate into our country. It'll warm your heart, it'll make you cry. It was available via Netflix DVD or a rental, but you can watch the trailer here:

PS If you are interested in either of the hiking books or The Dirty Life, let me know and I'm willing to pass on. Drop me a comment and I'll send you an email for your mailing address. Born to Run is not up for grabs however as it belongs to my cousin.