It is a rainy, dreary day here in Maryland and I am not complaining. I have an unexpected day off of work and the kids are off of school. Sweet freedom! It is the perfect day to curl up with a good book. I often site some of my favorite reads in class, and thought I would share some of them here. I will include links to research and/or purchase. I’d love to know what you love to read on a rainy day. Let me know in the comments.
Grayson
Grayson by Lynne Cox: This is my current favorite book. I read it on vacation in about 3 days, but I think some could easily finish it in a day. This book is the non-fiction story of the author when she was younger. During one of her open-water training swims she encounters a baby whale. The story is the account of trying to unite the calf with his mother. I think this book is great for adults and kids 5th grade and up. It would also be a great book for teachers to use in the classroom.
The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness
The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery: I love non-fiction and anything that has to do with the ocean and all it’s living creatures. The Soul of an Octopus is the non-fiction story of the author and the unique relationship she creates with an octopus. You don’t even realize you are learning so much as you read the intriguing text. I loved this book and even enjoyed continued research into the amazing octopus when I finished.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translation and commentary by Sri Swami Satchadananda: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are the first written instruction we have on yoga. It’s almost a manual for the practice. This selection was one of the required readings for my Yoga Teacher Training. I have seen it on the list of other trainings as well. I use this book as a reference when I am trying to figure out the “yogic way” of handling a particular situation or when I am looking to ground myself in the original teachngs. I also use it in my classes to teach my students a little bit about the “why” of what we are doing in class. I recommend this book for anyone looking to dive a little deeper into their practice.
The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice
The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by T.K.V. Desikachar: Here is another one from my yoga teacher training days. We were asked to read most of this book prior to the start of our training. I remember reading it and just hoping some of it would start to make sense if I just kept going. Over 10 years later I am still reading and re-reading this book. Over time there has been some clarity. There is still so much for me to learn from the pages and I look forward to the continued journey. This text is a great option for someone wanting to start their yoga bookshelf. This book can help you start to put together a personal practice and learn the philosophy behind it.
Happy Reading!
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