Day 12. In Defense of Books that Changed my Life
HOME– Tonight, I’m going to babble on about a book I’m reading. Actually, I’m listening to the book, not actually reading it and what’s worse is, that I haven’t even finished it. That’s why I’m calling it babbling– my enthusiasm is a bit unhinged and free-flowing, like a wild brook. I obviously can’t review book before I’ve finished reading it, er, listening to it. So I won’t.
All I’m doing tonight, is dropping a small suggestion into your open mind, in the hopes that one day, when you’re in your local library or at your neighborhood bookstore, you’ll consider this book: In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan.
I’m not one to blatantly suggest what you should do. I suggest you make your own way. That’s what we all need to do. But, I am suggesting that, if you’re here, reading this, that you are probably a fan of food. And if you love food, like I do, then you may very well be thrilled with this expose on the current state of our nation’s plate. And what, if anything, we can do to change our metabolic evolution.
Of course, this is in defense of books (plural) that changed my life. So, we should touch on what am I defining as a life-changing book and why. I’ll briefly cover a few of the biggies:
1. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, By Judy Blume. I was in the fifth grade; its honesty made a deep impression on my life. Margaret was the original blogger.
2. The Worldly Philosophers: The Lives, Times And Ideas Of The Great Economic Thinkers by Robert L. Heilbroner. I read this in the 11th grade and understood it; this gave me tremendous and sorely needed confidence.
3. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. I stole this book from a super nice fellow in my freshman college English class. I didn’t mean to. I meant to give it back, but I didn’t. However, I did love it more than anyone else possibly could have. It taught me that dipping your toes into the puddle of insanity can be one of life’s great lessons, as long as you can pull them back out, unscathed, and dry them off.
4. On the Road by Jack Kerouac. I dropped out of college after reading this. My best friend, Beca, and I saved up money and drove across the U.S. from South Carolina to Los Angeles, via Key West, Route 66, and the Grand Canyon. From then on, I understood that, as much as possible, you must go and experience the world in person.
5. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. This book brought me a happiness I never expected. I became a nicer person and I felt true peace in my beliefs. I have never doubted my place– our place– in this world, since.
6. In Defense of Food, by Michael Pollan. His motto is “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.” This is hardly the first book I’ve ever read on what we should eat, how we should eat it and why. But it is the last I’ll ever need to read. I know what to do now. And yes, he expounds on his motto in great detail.
And there are no booming, sensational voices or flagrant edicts of fear or food loathing. There is, however, an analytical, self-assessing, deliberate voice. It’s a voice that quietly coaxes you away from the pounding drums of marketing and government proclamation and authority, and into a small, safe space where you can think about this on your own and make you own way.
From now on, I’m going to eat food and I’m going to feed real food to my family. And when I choose not to eat real food, it will be by choice and not by ignorance.
So I’m curious, what books have changed your life and how?
November 12th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma
of course
November 13th, 2009 at 5:35 am
Your number 1 on the list is what I’ve read since my elementary days. I don’t have the book anymore but I still do remember the author and the title. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. It did changed my inner life but it’s just me and my lack of boldness to make my own decision. But both women portrays a strong sense of independence and individuality.
Thanks for your comment on my recent post, Kim. I think I need handkerchief after reading.
November 14th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Ah, Kim…what can I say. This book bored me to tears. I just could not get into it. I desperately wanted to, but… I did, however love The Omnivore’s Dilemma. I’ve actually heard from a few people that whichever one you read first you like and then don’t like the other. Interesting.
November 14th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Well, apparently I’m destined to read The Ominivore’s Dilemma!
And you know, as far as the dreaded ennui goes, I get that. I know full well that if this was one of those books that I’d chosen to read before bed, like most books I read, that I would never have finished it. Instead, I listened to it. And I put up with an English narrator that was far too pinched and stilted to do Pollan’s voice justice.
It’s just that I found myself rewinding the recording so many times to listen to sentences that struck me with such poignancy and higher purpose- I found myself not only learning from it, but falling in love with the idea of taking the market aisle less traveled. I love the idea of freeing yourself from the grip of marketing and nutritional spin and returning to a simpler formula of real food = all good.
Anyway, I’ll get back to you one day on the The Ominivore’s Dilemma. You’ve made me so curious!