THE LITERATE LLLI BOARD
Historical fiction. Scientific journals. Light romances. Children’s literature. Personal growth books. Political tomes. Mysteries. Poetry... The gift of reading knows no boundaries. It feeds the mind, sparks the imagination, kindles the spirit, and fuels the soul. It’s no wonder, then, that we commonly ask a friend, “What have you been reading lately?”
That’s the question that was put to the hard-working members of the LLLI Board of Directors in late 2004. Perhaps it comes as no surprise that each carves out her own time and space to read—and that their collective reading list covers an interesting spectrum of substance and style.
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g Donna Cookson Martin, Alberta, Canada: For me, as a blind person, reading even a tiny fraction of the material that interests me has always been a challenge and is a passion that rivals mothering as an essential in my life. My house abounds with books on everything from faith to psychology to disabilities, from breastfeeding to public speaking, from history to hockey. I have read very few of them from cover to cover, but I have honed the skill of determining what is important—a skill, born of necessity, that has helped me earn my university degrees. Thus I’d like to think of myself as well-read, even if not thoroughly read (smile).
History and biography, especially but not exclusively British history and biography, are my special delights. I rarely make time to read fiction, and when I do, it is usually historical and/or biographical in nature that I can listen to on tape.
By far the most moving and memorable book I have read recently is Isobel Gunn by Audrey Thomas, a U.S.-born Canadian writer who lives in British Columbia. Based on the life of an actual person, it tells the story of a poverty-stricken young Orkney woman who, disguised as a man, sailed on a Hudson’s Bay Company ship to Rupert’s Land (now western Canada) in 1806. Her disguise was discovered only when she gave birth to a son, the product of rape. She agreed to give up her toddler to the Hudson’s Bay proctor, believing that her child would be raised “as a gentleman” and have a life that she would never be able to offer him. She was then sent back to the Orkney’s where, in abject poverty, she raised her dead sister’s child and forever mourned for her own. The raw emotions of love, exploitation, loss and regret tear at my heart.
Currently I am reading Lilibet: An Intimate Portrait of Elizabeth II and The Scaffold: The Life of Marie Antoinette, both by Carolly Erickson, a wonderful biographer who has written the stories of many European monarchs and historical figures.
g Jane Tuttle, Kansas USA: Right now I am reading Excellent Women by Barbara Pym for my book club. It’s a fine book! I really enjoyed Coastliners by Joanne Harris, which was a book club pick too. With four retired English teachers as members, we read an eclectic selection!
When I go to the bookstore and pick out something for myself, I tend to read lighthearted romances for escapism. I also gravitate to books on organization effectiveness/leadership or books about university governance.
g Phoebe Kerness, Georgia USA: I recently finished reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I thoroughly enjoyed this picture of the South set in South Carolina in 1964. I am always reading. I prefer novels that are good character studies and those that could be characterized as historical fiction.
I also have been reading The Ladies Home Journal every month since I was 18 years old when my grandfather, who was a magazine salesmen, gave me a subscription for my birthday. In addition, I read Prevention magazine monthly and keep current with LLL publications, especially Leaven and New Beginnings.
g LaJuana Oswalt, Arkansas USA: I’ve always got several books going. I love to read! Right now, I’m reading Maverick by Ricardo Semler—a fascinating account of management style shift; Divided in Death by J.D. Robb—a murder mystery series set just a little in the future; and Learn More Now by Marcia Conner—an excellent, easy read that’s applicable to my LLL work, homeschooling, and life in general!
g Susan Deo, California USA: In adult novels, I love a good story, especially mysteries or books that take me to a new place in the world. I actually read a lot of children’s literature (primarily teen/young adult fiction) too, as there are some superb children’s authors right now. Two teen novels that stand out which I have read recently are A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck (Newberry Award winner) and A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (another of the good children’s lit that “crossed over” and is a New York Times best-seller). And, I’m reading a great how-to book, Let the Crazy Child Write! Finding Your Creative Writing Voice, by Clive Matson.
g Sharon Matuszek, New York USA: Right now I’m reading books by Dan Brown. I read the Da Vinci Code a while ago. I recently read Angels & Demons and I’m currently reading Digital Fortress. These books are quick reads, fast paced, and short chapters which fit into my currently hectic life. I’ve also recently begun reading the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella was funny.
g Betty Crase, Illinois USA: I go from one extreme to the other in my reading. Right now I’m reading a number of very technical studies about various contaminants in human milk in preparation for an environmental contaminants biomonitoring workshop in which I am participating as an expert for both LLLI and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In my free time, to get away from it all, I’m rereading some favorite romance novels! I was introduced to these books when I was working on the 1997 LLLI International Conference Program Committee. The recommendation was made to invite Susan Elizabeth Phillips, a romance novelist with roots in LLL, to be the banquet speaker. Susan always works breastfeeding—good breastfeeding information—into her books in some way. Committee members thought that I would be a good one to read some of Susan’s novels because I’m pretty conservative and had never read a romance novel before. I read Heaven, Texas, which is dedicated to LLL, and I’ve been hooked ever since!
g Marcia Lutostanski, Texas USA: I like reading fiction but most frequently choose non-fiction; I think it’s because of the learning component. I am usually reading several books at the same time. I choose my reading based on my mood, the environment (harder to concentrate on tough reading at the airport), and what I’m curious about on any given day/week/month.
The most recent book I’ve finished is Marcia Conner’s Learn More Now. I found it helpful for understanding my own learning style as well as others. Since joining the Board, I’ve been reading more magazine articles as a way to stay current. The Non-Profit Quarterly always has lots of pertinent info for non-profit board members. This past year it has had several articles on network development. Harvard Business Review has been a good source for articles about leadership.
For lighter reading, I’m enjoying Confucius Lives Next Door—what living in the East teaches us about living in the West by T. R. Reid. The author writes with humor about living in Japan. Since we lived there for three years, it feels very familiar. My whole family laughs when I read sections to them of experiences that match our own.
I love The Economist magazine. It has such a variety of interesting topics and always new vocabulary words. These days, I wait for my husband to mark articles for my reading.
I wish I had more time to read scientific articles and studies—my true love. A fact not many know about me: I used to receive the Morbidity and Mortality Report put out by Centers for Disease Control.
I occasionally flip through Southern Living (my neighbor’s subscription mistakenly gets delivered to my house) and drool at the recipes that I will one day have time to cook.
g Carmen Vandenabeele, France: I just finished Learn More Now by Marcia Conner. My copy is filled with highlighter marks and those little post-it page markers so I can refer back to what I haven’t learned—or forgot! And I do. I’ve found the book helpful in more ways than one, in my personal life and in my LLLI Board work.
My preferred leisure reading is historical novels. I am in the middle of a series called Fortune of France by Robert Merle. It runs from the wars of religion in the 16th century to Louis XIV with the history and adventures of one family that over three generations served the kings in many varied ways. Lots of intrigue, some suspense, lots of vocabulary building, and a real insight into French history. I finally understand those wars of religion for example. The novels are in French.
When I’m done, The DaVinci Code is waiting for me. Board work and family occupations allow me little time for leisure reading, so by the time I get to this book (like perhaps once my term is up), it will probably have been made into a movie and there will be a sequel!
g Jean Moneyhon, Virginia USA: I have been reading the book My Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn, to my sons. One of them needed to read it for an assignment, so we read it together. It was very interesting and thought provoking. I’m anxious to see what kind of assignment they receive on it and what feedback they get from the teacher.
g Nan Jolly, South Africa: What a lovely question to answer! I am, as usual, in the middle of a few books. I have some open all over the house so my compulsion to read can be indulged wherever I am, whatever my mood.
Seems like most of my reading time is in the bathroom because there are three books there. They are Leadership and the New Science by Margaret Wheatley, Why do people hate America? by Sardar and Davies, and Non-Violent Communication by Marshall Rosenburg. I’m reading the Leadership… book for the third time and getting so much out of each idea that it feels like the first time! The ideas are so thought-provoking and I keep wanting to tell someone what I’ve read. I bought Why do people... at an airport after 9/11 and find it very interesting. I can identify with a great deal of it, but can’t read it for too long -- too depressing to see what a nation of ordinary people do with so much wealth, power, and influence. Non-Violent Communication is adding to what I’ve learned from Communication Skills Training (CST) in LLL. I’m hoping to be informed enough to be able to participate in a discussion on the CST email list soon.
In the lounge, I have a Leaven I am still getting through. In the kitchen, next to the stove, is the latest medical journal. On the dining room (which is also the office/study) table is a pile of magazines and journals, mainly medical and LLL. I never seem to catch up. Next to my bed is a book of achingly beautiful Afrikaans poetry by Antjie Krog and The Little Book of Yin and Yang by Richard Lawrence. Either works to de-computerise my mind before sleep.
I have a pile of library books (a travel guide to Zimbabwe, a Paul Gallico thriller and a couple of Bill Bryson travel books) on the spare bed ready to take on our holiday next week. I usually buy a second-hand thick novel for reading on long trips—the trip to Board meetings takes two to three days, involving 24 hours in the air and tedious waits at airports.
Looking at this list, I notice now how dominant LLL is in my life—nearly all my reading has been inspired or influenced by my experience in LLL. Perhaps it’s because of who I am, and LLL is the place I fit?
g Heidi Sloss, Missouri USA: I just finished reading As A Driven Leaf, which is a historical novel set around the end of the first century in Palestine, just after the destruction of the second Temple in Jerusalem. It is about a Rabbi who was torn between his Jewish heritage of learning and the Roman model of laws for free people and the emperor’s rule. It was a fascinating novel, based on a historical figure who lives in two cultures and has to reconcile faith and reason/logic.
I have just started the latest book from Ann Crittenden, If You’ve Raised Kids, You Can Manage Anything: Leadership Begins at Home. I usually read fiction and lots of historical fiction, but the title of this one caught my eye. In light of some of the current conversations in the LLL community on leadership and mothering experience, I thought it would be interesting to read. Someday I’d like to be able to present a session on this topic for Leaders.
g Cathy Liles, Texas USA: This summer I read The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown and enjoyed it—very thought provoking. My current favorite author is James Patterson. I read a lot, mostly action, religious, travel, dramatic, legal and medical fiction. I also love biographies, inspirational, and self-help books.
I will read almost anything that is given to me.
g Rachel O’Leary, Great Britain: I recently finished Dreaming the Bull,
the second of the Boudicca trilogy by Manda Scott. I love to bury myself in another world, meet people very different from the people I meet every day, see customs and laws and ways of living that make today seem strange and new.
The Boudicca trilogy is a story of the British resistance to Roman imperialism, led by a warrior well respected among her tribe. It takes me far away in time but close to home geographically—Boudicca lived just up the road from me!
In Manda Scott’s vision of this historical time, women were warriors or Dreamers (druids) and only slowed down temporarily when babies arrived. Roman historians commented on how fearsome the Celts were in battle, riding stark naked or painted blue with woad, women riding alongside men, babies strapped to their horses....
It’s a violent and deeply tragic story, lit by the bright courage of the guerilla fighters flaring against the leaden tramp of the Roman legions. But I have to wonder—who won in the end? The Roman empire, for all its hierarchy and stringent organisation, vanished. Historians still argue about the causes of its downfall. We British don’t brandish spears nowadays, or paint ourselves blue, but we are still here....
g Mimi deMaza, Guatemala: I love to read and have very small amount of time to do so. I have a full time job now, a 20 month granddaughter at home, and have to do my board work at night on the computer. However, I try to take advantage of time when I travel, on the plane, or when I am away from home for any reason.
What I enjoy reading are books of self help. I love to read and to learn from what I read. In January I had surgery and the book I read during my stay in the hospital and when I came back home was The Woman’s Book: the Power of the Feminine, by Osho, who is an Indian writer born in 1931.
During the last four weeks, I have been traveling in my country to train young Mayan volunteers about infant feeding in some rural areas in Guatemala and I haven’t been able to have Internet access in the hotels. So, I have taken a book that my daughter bought in Mexico, The DaVinci Code. I haven’t finished it yet, but looking forward to completing it soon. It is a very controversial book.
g Sharon Vines, Virginia USA: I just read a book called Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs and Communications of the Dying by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley. It was excellent—easy to read and filled with practical advice on responding to the requests of the dying and helping them prepare emotionally and spiritually for death. This is information that would be helpful in dealing with the family and friends of the dying as well. I have not been reading books on dying recently, but this one was loaned to me while on vacation by my father’s oldest friend who lost his wife a few months ago.
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