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My first observation is that blogging about books is really motivating my consumption! I have four more books to blog about before the official end of March.

I liked Exuberance – it was a bit belabored, but followed a number of interesting people and their enthusiasm for discovery. It inspired me to focus more on what I’m passionate about. I gave the author credit for exploring the question of whether there is a down side to exuberance (so often those who have this trait are also manic) and why the study of positive emotions and mental health is so much less studied than negative pathologies and illness.

After that, I checked out The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. After listening to adolescent girls last month, I was ready to hear a man’s perspective. It turns out I have seen the end of the movie with James Garner, but I didn’t know the story. This story kept me mesmerized, and I actually looked forward to my commute because I could listen to it. It was a wonderfully sweet love story, and I liked how it covered the hard times of life, not just the bloom of first teenage love or the stable love of elderly couples that makes one wonder how they arrived at the end of their lives, tied so closely together. The CDs came in a set with The Wedding, a companion book that follows Wilson, Noah and Allie’s eldest son-in-law, as he and his wife of 30 years fall in love again. I admit that I didn’t completely see the major plot twist coming, despite it being predictable. Again, a great story about people you “know” – the characters could easily be your neighbor or family member. It was also an admonishment to not let work and “life” get in the way of connecting with loved ones.

On a more serious note, our book club book for March was Rising Tide by John M. Barry, about the flood of 1927. It was fascinating – discussing topics of science, engineering, race, local politics, national politics, agriculture, southern society, economics . . . in other words, a complex and compelling look at what led up to the situation and how it impacts us still today. I particularly enjoyed learning about the origination on Civil Engineering, the early study of fluid mechanics of rivers, and influence of the first steel bridge in St. Louis on US steel production. I cringed to read how personal vendettas overpowered good science, and shook my head to think that the Corps of Engineers today may still retain some of the questionable policies of a century ago. It’s a long book, but I highly recommend it.

Then, on the lighter side, I just finished The Year of the Goat by Margaret Hathaway about the year she and her now husband spent deciding to become goat farmers. I absolutely resonated with their concerns, excitement, consideration and fascination with goats. I really enjoyed vicariously following them around the country to visit cheesemakers, farmers, breeders, packers, chefs, and gatherings of other goat people. Luckily, they settled in Maine and have a follow up book, Living with Goats, that I can pick up the next time I want to catch up on their adventures. I think my Dad would really like this book.

In the car, I started listening to The Women by T.C.Boyle, but I’m really not enjoying it. I don’t resonate with the characters and the reader’s voice is a bit grating. I’m not sure whether I’ll continue it or try another book on tape. In the mean time I’m enjoying some music from the mp3 player for a change.