What is your go-to uplifting read?

[bluewings]

Okay, it may be a bit dorky but reading any Beverly Lewis Amish book will immediately uplift me.  Between her stories, the Bible, and reading things like "Heaven is For Real" and the story of Akianne, I can find an immediate uplifter in my day.

Just curious what book or author can you go to always find some inspiration or be uplifted?

 

[peepo23]

The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger. I'm not entirely sure why I do this, mostly an exercise in identification I think.

Music wise, it's always 'Graceland' by Paul Simon for my emotional and intellectual go-to.

[bluewings]

You're not alone though, obviously :)  While it can be considered a quirk, I suppose, it is also a healthy habit for people to partake in.  Once we set little things that comfort us, however we associate them, we then have a constant guide to grab if we should ever lose touch with reality.

Music used to really touch me too.  Now it is almost just annoying, unfortunately

[Carryon]

DVD comedies or film noir, e.g. "The Big Lubowski", "The Hudsucker Proxy", "Tin Men", "Casablanca"

[peepo23]

The dude abides Carryon, the dude abides.

[tinam7]

Really, there are so many books. Books, in general, are always the best companions. Read Catcher in the Rye late in life and loved it for a number of reasons. Then got caught up with eccentric Salinger and the book Joyce Maynard wrote. Holden C. was quick to label phonies. What about JD himself?

For much of my life it was Anita Brookner whom I read and reread. Have all her novels here. They were my joy from the time I discovered her first novel in 1981 followed by her yearly novel until 2009. They are going with me wherever I'm headed. In one of her novels the heroine does her work in the morning and allows herself to read in the afternoon. That gave me license to do the same, though I also exercise (to beloved music). Life and its pleasures wherever we can find them, amidst the sorrows.

[Carryon]

Really, there are so many books. Books, in general, are always the best companions. Read Catcher in the Rye late in life and loved it for a number of reasons. Then got caught up with eccentric Salinger and the book Joyce Maynard wrote. Holden C. was quick to label phonies. What about JD himself?

For much of my life it was Anita Brookner whom I read and reread. Have all her novels here. They were my joy from the time I discovered her first novel in 1981 followed by her yearly novel until 2009. They are going with me wherever I'm headed. In one of her novels the heroine does her work in the morning and allows herself to read in the afternoon. That gave me license to do the same, though I also exercise (to beloved music). Life and its pleasures wherever we can find them, amidst the sorrows.

Reading has it's time and place. Film is an equally legitimate medium for escape and often more effective. I much rather watch Dr. Zivahgo than read it again. The second time was better because I had Julie Christie in my mind's eye! 

[bluewings]

Really, there are so many books. Books, in general, are always the best companions. Read Catcher in the Rye late in life and loved it for a number of reasons. Then got caught up with eccentric Salinger and the book Joyce Maynard wrote. Holden C. was quick to label phonies. What about JD himself?

For much of my life it was Anita Brookner whom I read and reread. Have all her novels here. They were my joy from the time I discovered her first novel in 1981 followed by her yearly novel until 2009. They are going with me wherever I'm headed. In one of her novels the heroine does her work in the morning and allows herself to read in the afternoon. That gave me license to do the same, though I also exercise (to beloved music). Life and its pleasures wherever we can find them, amidst the sorrows.

Well said 

I whole heartedly agree with you.  Books inspire me to be able to, well, relax!  Books are a great escape.  Have you joined www.goodreads.comp?  It's so much fun for a bibliophile.  I'm "wifethatprays" if you ever join and want to add me 

[tinam7]

We do agree about books and what they can do for us. No, I have not joined any group because I find it harder to make time as is. But I can imagine how nice it is, as you say. Thank you for the thread here.

Oh yes, the movie. I remember an awful lot of snow. Once started Doctor Zhivago, absolutely loved it but somehow got interrupted to read something else with someone. It is patiently waiting for me. How about this little fact? Stalin would not do away with Pasternak because of his literary talent. Stalin was a reader. Always thought if people were just more exposed to beautiful prose, they'd forego getting busy otherwise. So much for that illusion.

[Carryon]

We do agree about books and what they can do for us. No, I have not joined any group because I find it harder to make time as is. But I can imagine how nice it is, as you say. Thank you for the thread here.

Oh yes, the movie. I remember an awful lot of snow. Once started Doctor Zhivago, absolutely loved it but somehow got interrupted to read something else with someone. It is patiently waiting for me. How about this little fact? Stalin would not do away with Pasternak because of his literary talent. Stalin was a reader. Always thought if people were just more exposed to beautiful prose, they'd forego getting busy otherwise. So much for that illusion.

Didn't know that about Pasternak. When I watch the movie now, which I own, Julie Christie is gorgeous, also in Darling about the saem time. I was in love with her when the movie came out though still hungover from taking Russian in HS for three years.

[christo]

Born to Run. Amazing book. Inspiring, uplifting, and informative. Check it out...http://www.chrismcdougall.com/

[tinam7]

Three years of Russian would send me into Chekhov's Ward No. 6. You're in love with Gene Tierney, Greta Garbo, Julie Christie, probably Marilyn Monroe. I have her in Some Like It Hot, one of my top 4 movies. Cracks me up every time.

No one on screen ever mattered to me, but I would have been secretary, servant, lackey to any of the greats to read their words as they poured out of their heads. A vivid scene is in The Death of Ivan Ilyich where wife comes in all decked out for an evening at the theater in her rustling dress, plumpness, gloss of hair, sparkle of vivacious eyes. "He hates her with his whole soul. And the thrill of hatred he feels for her makes him suffer from her touch." Tolstoy knew it all.

Anyway, as soon as I'm done retraining my brain with a book about the plasticity of the brain, it's Zhivago newly risen to the top of the heap.

[peepo23]

Tinam7, can you join my pub quiz team, we're weak on literature.

[tinam7]

What is your pub quiz team? Nothing competitive or stressful, I hope. You know I meditate twice a day to keep calm, keep everything low key. It's why I can't get much reading done: sit in the cozy chair and you can imagine what happens.

Now I'm off to pump things up a bit on the treadmill. Should I listen to The Emperor or Wagner?

[peepo23]

Maybe you can join by satellite? 

We're a team of early-twenty somethings, desperately trying to keep up with the worldliness of the other, middle-aged competitors. We are competent on science, history (well, only when the right topics come up) and sport. In music, we're often subjected to some obscure 1970s question, so that's tricky. We're dynamite at geography, but stunted on literature and art.

Oh, and always Emperor.

[Carryon]

Three years of Russian would send me into Chekhov's Ward No. 6. You're in love with Gene Tierney, Greta Garbo, Julie Christie, probably Marilyn Monroe. I have her in Some Like It Hot, one of my top 4 movies. Cracks me up every time.

No one on screen ever mattered to me, but I would have been secretary, servant, lackey to any of the greats to read their words as they poured out of their heads. A vivid scene is in The Death of Ivan Ilyich where wife comes in all decked out for an evening at the theater in her rustling dress, plumpness, gloss of hair, sparkle of vivacious eyes. "He hates her with his whole soul. And the thrill of hatred he feels for her makes him suffer from her touch." Tolstoy knew it all.

Anyway, as soon as I'm done retraining my brain with a book about the plasticity of the brain, it's Zhivago newly risen to the top of the heap.

Monroe--not. Tierney--less not. She was great in "Leave Her to Heaven" (in blinding Technicolor or Metrocolor). Like Jane Greer (amazing face due to childhood paralysis) more than Tienery. Veronica Lake is near the top of the list with Christie. Love the way women dressed up in the 40s. 

[heatherqb]

My favorite book of all time for inspiration is Be Here Now by Ram Dass.  It's pretty out there but really lets you see a whole new way of thinking.

[AZjoy]

Just bought an iPad and am finding there are quite a few FREE books in the iBooks app. Does anyone have any recommendations for freebies in iBooks? A lot of the "classics" are in there but I'd love some recommendations because there's so much to look through.

[tinam7]

Veronica Lake had that hair, I think, covering half her face. Just goes to show what's best left to the imagination: dress in the 40's compared to now.

Satellite? You must be joking. I'm lucky if the computer cooperates. But I'd mess up your team anyway. You can ask and see what I know  or more likely don't know. For years I drove to work with the Emperor playing in the car. Never tired of it. The adagio from the Moonlight is fine with yoga.

Hard choice in classics. Madame Bovary is supposed to be the perfect novel. Bovary himself seemed worth more than Madame.  Crime and Punishment is near perfect to me except for the soppy ending. A number of novelists seem to have trouble with endings. If they have short stories there are a number of classics here too.

[peepo23]

Was listening to Emperor (with generous volume) in my kitchen today, and his 4th piano concerto. Moonlight is my favourite to play on the piano - but I'm never as good as Freddy Kempf!

[tinam7]

It must be wonderful to play the piano and the Moonlight. Don't know Freddy Kempf. It will be the Emperor today with volume up. Let's hope I don't go flying off the treadmill with the 2nd movement when you think you are ascending to the heavens. For a long time it was all Mozart for me primarily because of his operas and music for violin, flute, clarinet, oboe, harp, etc. But Beethoven brings a force and power that stand alone, seemingly unmatched.

As I tried to stick with the program here and think of books, the classics I've read and loved, I realize that literature tends to examine life as it generally is and not through wishful, rose colored glasses. Even The Catcher in the Rye you mentioned, while so funny in parts, observant, and caustic, is really about a lost, sad, apparently depressed Holden C. Currently I'm reading a non fiction about the brain which I'm very interested in. But for me a novel is so much more compelling even if it paints a less than rosy picture, often the case.

[peepo23]

Yes, I agree, The Catcher in the Rye is filled with sadness in many ways. I felt a lot like Holden when I was 16, but thankfully I grew out of a lot of that mentality, and as a reader finishing the book, one is only hopefully that Holden does too. But what a beautiful book about deep seated angst, growing pains, disillusionment and early onset cynicism. Some people are confused by the book, and its apparent nothingness, but to those who get it it can mean everything. When Holden speaks of his younger brother, who he lost at an early age to leukemia, it just tears me up, particularly this moment when Holden is nearing breakdown:

Every time I'd get to the end of a block I'd make believe I was talking to my brother Allie. I'd say to him, 'Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie, don't let me disappear. Please, Allie.' And then when I'd reach the other side of the street without disappearing, I'd thank him.

[tinam7]

Terrific observations. Believe it is sometimes read in high school but is really a book for all time for the reasons you mention and also for the range of feelings, not just the goody goody kind. The tragedy of Allie, for example, Holden's strong feelings for him and also for Phoebe. Those scenes with Phoebe are precious.

I have the book, Salinger's other stories (all short stories) and a book of commentaries, "If you really want to hear about it," that first sentence. Part I: In Search of Salinger; Part II: Family, Friends, and Fanatics. When Salinger died (not that long ago) I was hoping some other writings might emerge. His output really was not big when you consider other major writers. Yet he claimed to write every day with a room full of manuscripts. He must have disposed of them or gave strict orders because nothing else, that I know of, ever emerged. You and I could sit and relish his words, laugh and have our hearts and heads sharpened. Is there anyone who can write dialogue as he can?

[Carryon]

Veronica Lake had that hair, I think, covering half her face. Just goes to show what's best left to the imagination: dress in the 40's compared to now.

Satellite? You must be joking. I'm lucky if the computer cooperates. But I'd mess up your team anyway. You can ask and see what I know  or more likely don't know. For years I drove to work with the Emperor playing in the car. Never tired of it. The adagio from the Moonlight is fine with yoga.

Hard choice in classics. Madame Bovary is supposed to be the perfect novel. Bovary himself seemed worth more than Madame.  Crime and Punishment is near perfect to me except for the soppy ending. A number of novelists seem to have trouble with endings. If they have short stories there are a number of classics here too.

The Peekaboo look, it was called. Life was not good to her.

[tinam7]

She did not star in any memorable movie that I recall. But she sure had those natural looks including the long blond hair. Today we don't know what's real, face or hair. Vanity of Vanities, all is Vanity.

That's where novels transcend appearance. Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is so much more beguiling on paper than any hunk they put on the screen. Our imagination is given free rein to dream up whatever our heart desires. Kafka seemed to have preferred corresponding with his fiance rather than dealing with anything else. Then, again, is he Gregor in Metamorphosis?