Searching for the "Real-Ness" in 2013

2013... the suspicious fisherman's daughter in me really doesn't like that "13"... but then, can take the girl out of the rural and such.

People tend to like to recap and move forward. Generally I think this can be a wonderful idea, especially if you journal. But I'm thinking I'll keep the majority of mine private... just because I'm a bit hipster that way- don't want to do it if it's already been done.

What I will say, though, in relation to this blog, is that 2012 definitely saw a HUGE step back in my yoga practice. I think I attended a grand total of 8 in person classes the entire year. Wouldn't you know we also managed to save way more money towards our future eco-home this year. Are the two related? I would think so.

What yoga means today just really doesn't resonate with me anymore. The spiritual side doesn't speak to me, it just makes me think of vacuous pop psych one liners and insincere platitudes ("negative people are our teachers" blegh).

I really really am just craving something extremely sincere (I won't say "authentic" because that word has lost all meaning in it's co-option)... and the general trendy yoga isn't cutting it.

I'm still practicing yoga though. Just in my home, using yogaglo, with my peeps. I'll still attend the sporadic classes and try to find REAL books that resonate with real-ness. Who knows- 2013 may bring a reconnection and resurgence of everything YOGA. I'm hopeful this is the case.

So, to end this cranky pants blog post on something fantabulous, here are a few things to look forward to here at little old EcoYogini underverse:

• a few more posts on reading, the kindle, and the general fantabulous of Goodreads
• Some goodness on the Naturopathic overshare journey
• Hopefully a few more adventures and natural beauty- I'm thinking shampoo is next...
• At least TWO more live performances in Halifax at coffeeshops
• At least FIVE more songs written (that I like)
• Speaking more French to Andrew and my friends on a regular basis.
• Starting to plan a mini EcoYogini creation... (hopefully for 2014)...

(just ignore where Atreyu is wandering in the photo... this is my "I have galaxy leggings!" pose)

Bonne Année!

All Hallow's Read: Scary Book Recommendation LinkUp!

I heart Halloween. It's my favourite time of year (especially since my birthday is SO close to Halloween!). I'm not, however, a fan of all the wasteful candy packaging, the plastic cheap costumes and disposable decorations.

I am a fan of reading.

Therefore- I was EXTRA excited when a friend of mine posted this initiative by Neil Gaiman (he is so cool!) on a new tradition for Halloween: "All Hallow's Read". Instead of giving candy, consider giving a scary book for Halloween, or reading a scary story. Check out this fabulous video by none other than Mr. Gaiman himself:

(teehee, I love the zombies in the background)

Since buying books could get pricey, and since we don't get trick or treater's here at the apartment anyway (sad face), I figured we could give the gift of book recommendations here on this blog!

How about this: I go first and then you all link up using the link thingy below, or link back to your blog post in the comment section, or comment with your recommendations.

Recommendation guidelines (one or all 3):
- an adult book
- a teen novel
- a children's book

Feel free to retweet using the hashtag "#AllHallowsRead" and share the book reading wealth!

EcoYogini's All Hallow's Read Recommendations:
ADULT SCARY NOVEL:
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Ok, so not Horror scary, but the creepy factor and build up in this book is fantastic (especially "the Beast" character). It's basically "Harry Potter" and "Chronicles of Narnia" stories, but written as if they could really happen... for adults only (swearing, disturbing concepts and nudity are here!).

(My children's rec: Spin to Sea cover!)

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
If you haven't read this yet, you are way behind! It's an uber novel set in New Orleans with a family of witches, a hereditary ghost and some crazy happenings. I'm actually due for a reread. It's Anne Rice at her best.

(My favourite artwork in the book- sadly her painting of this page wasn't for sale...)

CHILDREN'S SCARY NOVEL:
Spin to Sea by Izra Fitch
This book has rhyming paragraphs that aren't too lengthy with gorgeous artwork that were painted by the author herself... who just happens to be the 15 year old daughter of a well known Nova Scotian Artist. It's about a small community's tradition of letting jack-o-lanterns go floating in the atlantic ocean. Love!

TEEN SCARY NOVEL:
Remember Me by Christopher Pike
Yep, with the resurgence of vampires and horror in teen pop culture, we see some of my classic teen novels being reissued. Like the Remember Me series. Such classics (ah nostalgia).

Fifty Shades...

Short break from the environment to chat about reading....

Everyone was talking about it. I knew it was Twilight fan fiction (meaning a fan, not an author, wrote a spin or "alternate" based on Twilight) sans vampires, and I may have truly despised the Twilight series, but I thought "Hey, I read fluff novels, I can handle poor writing!".

I was wrong.

While reading the first book on Andrew's kindle I went from derisive to frighteningly angry that I actually wasted money on this piece of written crap that offended my sensibilities as an intelligent feminist.

If you want to read erotica, there are about a million options out there that are actually well written and have strong, kick ass female characters. You know, women who aren't emotionally and physically abused.

But who am I to say all this?

If you really want to know what the Fifty Shades reading experience is like- check out the most HILARIOUS review on Goodreads I have ever read. There are pictures. And come back here to let me know what you think.

Analog Books: My Top 5 Favs

There's so much going on right now in my little corner of the world: a public transit strike nearing into it's fifth week, issues regarding my rights as a woman, becoming disconnected from Nature... that tonight as I sip my Guinness, I feel like discussing something non consequential. Just for a minute then it's back to regular programming here at EcoYogini.

Books. 

I've mentioned before that I am a fan of REAL books, analog books. Ya know- Un-Kindles. Andrew got one for Yulemas from yours truly and I scoffed as he fell in love. 

I even read a book on the Kindle... and despised every moment of it (although I was glad that I didn't actually purchase the analog book- it was crap). It felt awkward, didn't smell like a book and I didn't get to turn to the pages or feel the cover. I felt separated from my book. 

So, in the name of loving Analog Books, here are a few that I have firmly enjoyed these past few months:

1. Hiroshima mon amour: An acclaimed 1959 film, the screenplay written by Marguerite Duras is as beautifully written as I expected. At face value it's quite a stark and commonplace reminder of bombing of Hiroshima through a long conversation and flashbacks between two lovers; a French woman and a Japanese man. Worth every minute of devouring.

2. The Magicians by Lev Grossman: If you love fantasy, if you love Harry Potter (or even if you were kinda annoyed with Harry Potter and his snivelling ways), you will ADORE The Magicians. A tongue and cheek dark humoured account of what would *really* happen if a place like Hogwarts actually existed. Subtle (and not so subtle) nods to Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Adventure Brothers and other fun geek-y stuff you'll recognize. Don't be fooled though, this book is so much more emotionally and philosophically deeper than a quick magical tromp through Hagrid's forest.

3. Widdershins by Charles De Lint: If you like rich literary description and First Nation culture (although Mr De Lint himself isn't First Nations as far as I can tell), this is a treasure. I read this before I read Onion Girl (the first book) and honestly I enjoyed this one better. I love how the ordinary and otherworldly meet and collide. Charles De Lint being Canadian doesn't hurt either :)

4. Dune (and all other Dune novels written by Frank Herbert): Ok, this really marks me, but I have now joined the ranks of nerd-dom. Dune (and subsequent novels) was an amazing read of science fiction. Despite the fact that I was irritated by the obvious woman portrayed as greedy, power hungry witches or just plain psychotic, the story itself was mesmerizing. That and the significant ecological aspect of the series. (Also, I now totally get all the references in this amazingly hilarious Nerds vs Geeks).

5. Kim Harrison's Demon Series: And... no finish off with a good dose of awesome Fantasy fluffiness- Demons and vampires and witches... the way they should be. Yep, if you love non gaga fantasy and good writing (unlike the Sookie Stackhouse series), then you should read Kim Harrison. Unlike Laurell K Hamilton's Anita Blake and Merry Gentry debauchery, these characters actually stay true to form and have lasting substance (at least for a novel about Demons and Witches). And... her latest book just came out!


There you have it, my recent top 5 books (and a series) for your enjoyment! What are YOUR top 5 books?

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

How to Enjoy A Book

(For those of you considering abolishing "real" books from your life in favour of a (no!) e-reader, I present you with a few essentials to live by...)

How to Enjoy Books

(this is one of our book shelves, with my current book  that I'm enjoying: "Wildwood" written b y Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis)

Step 1: Entering a small, locally owned bookstore/library/Secondhand bookstore pause briefly and take a deep breath. You are now surrounded by books. Enjoy this moment thoroughly.

Step 2: Start perusing each section, gazing upon the rows and rows of colourful spines. Perhaps grazing your fingers across a few, tilting your head sideways so you can read the titles or even removing a few to take a peak at the cover. Don't rush, walk slowly or stand quietly for a few moments. It's socially acceptable to do this in a book purchasing/borrowing space, take advantage.

Step 3: Find a book that interests you. It may be the topic, the title or even the cover art. Pick out the book and hold it in your hands.

Step 4: Pass your hand across the front of the book. Feel the finishing of the book, the weight of it in your hands. Is it a light book, or is it extremely heavy (meaning the possibility for a very lengthy and amazing read). Does the cover have bumps or art that feels different?

Step 5: Read the description at the back and check for an author's photo. You never know, it may sway your decision.... seriously.

 

the beautiful illustrations in the book caught my imagination

Step 6: If you've made it this far it means you've got a serious contender. Open the book and take a rifle through. Feel how the pages move. Do they have rough edges? (I LOVE those books!) Do the pages feel dry and stiff or do they flop through, heavy?

And... the ultimately most important part of the Book Adventure:

Step 7: Open the book and bring your nose in close. No, no, I mean REALLY close- right up in the pages. Inhale...

You might call me a huge weirdo, but different types of books have different scents. Some pages smell like chemicals, some like older paper. Library books have their own special smell (umm, I am not a fan honestly lol).

Books are so much more than the story inside. Having a real paper book has Seven essential steps before we even get to the Story World waiting inside. E-readers.... they can't even compare.

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com