What I've Been Reading: Early March 2022

 A couple books to welcome the month of March

What I've Been Reading: 20 Additional Favorites of 2020

Photo credit: https://www.thefarwoods.com/mending-life 

 If you read my Five Favorite Books of 2020 and thought, "Gee, I sure wish I could hear 20 more book recommendations from last year!" then this blog post is for you. It's been sitting in my drafts for ages, so it's time to throw it out into the world! Without further ado, here are quick reviews of books that I found charming, uncomfortable, thought-provoking, helpful, and otherwise awesome in 2020.

Plastic Free July: 10 Zero Waste Blogs to Check Out

Okay so this photo has nothing to do with the post, but I like it anyway.

If you're looking for some good reading this July, use these 10 blogs as a starting point! I'll admit that I don't listen to podcasts or watch videos very much, so feel free to chime in with ones you've found helpful!

Polly Barks- One of my favorite bloggers because she's always thinking beyond the individual— she encourages large-scale problem-solving and challenges you to use your privilege, knowledge, and skills to help others! Also check out her excellent book, More Than a Plastic Bag, which just came out.

Sensible Sustainability- Yue takes huge amounts of information and presents it in manageable chunks, while still showing the nuance and complexity of environmental issues. If you're interested in the larger implications of zero waste, this is a great place to start.

Fat Change- Mariah covers a wide range of environmental topics, with an emphasis on how environmentalism fits into real life.

Zero Waste Chef- With a focus on avoiding food waste, Anne-Marie is funny, practical, and deeply encouraging. I've learned so much from her! (Also, if you're one of the many who started a sourdough during quarantine, you'll find a lot of useful tips here.)

Old World New- Tips and sponsored content with a focus on eco-friendly fashion, parenting, and Black-owned businesses.

Litterless- Although Celia isn't blogging anymore, she still keeps her website up to date with bulk shopping options and a treasure trove of nuts-and-bolts tips for living plastic-free.

The Daily Greens- Accessible and encouraging, Abbey focuses on practical steps for a lower-waste life.

Sustainable in the Suburbs- Sarah blogs about eco-friendly life with children in a "cookie-cutter neighborhood." A great resource for families, especially those who live in (you guessed it) the suburbs!

Rob Greenfield- This environmental activists engages in extreme life experiments to prove important points about the way we live on the earth. Great for anyone wanting to stretch themselves beyond the easy swaps. 

Leah Stella Payne- Interviews, recipes, and practical tips for cutting your waste.

What are your favorite environmental blogs/Instagrams/YouTube channels/podcasts?

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Favorite and Influential Books I Read in 2019

Time for a book round-up! Read about my favorite books from last year here and here— and share below what you've been reading in 2019, and what you're planning to dive into in 2020!

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I can't possibly recommend this book highly enough. Part memoir, part mourning, part myth-making, and part scientific explanation, it is truly a breathtaking work. Read my whole review here. 

This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate by Naomi Klein. This book fundamentally shook the way I think about capitalism. No, I wouldn't recommend it for a hardcore capitalist (she assumes that you're not), but for someone like me who was getting mildly worried about how current economic structures might be impacting the planet, this book was a punch in the gut. She debunks several climate myths one by one— that capitalism has nothing to do with the climate, that companies should be unregulated, that asking companies to pay high taxes is unfair, that carbon taxes are a good idea, that free-market economics will sort things out, that the billionaires or technological solutions will save us, that we can continue business as normal while still keeping the planet livable. You might not agree with everything she says, but she makes a really compelling case that it is insane to keep going the way we're going, and that the changes necessary to keep the world from being destroyed are going to be drastic and require those of us in the global North to make some sacrifices. If you're looking for an intense and thought-provoking read, please check this out.

Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age by Alan Noble. My dad gave me this book a couple months ago, and I worked through it slowly, as there is a lot to process here. Noble's main message is this: as Christians, we have fallen prey to the secular mindset of viewing our religion as one of many viable choices that fits into a personal narrative, rather than an external Story that swallows us whole. Even if you don't agree with everything Noble says, this book is well worth reading for any Christian who feels like mainstream evangelical techniques are sorely missing something, or wondering why bumper stickers about Jesus feel so inappropriate.

How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan. Yes, I know it's weird that a book about psychedelics made it onto my top five, but it was really interesting! Review here. 

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik. It's been a really long time since I've read such a beautiful, intense, and captivating fairy tale— Novik is a master. Weaving together the tale of a Jewish moneylender, an abused peasant, and a soon-to-be tsarina, Novik transports you to a world of winter-creating fairy kings, demon-possessed royalty, and the transforming power of both wit and storytelling. If you like fantasy or fairy-stories of any kind, do yourself a favor and check this one out.

Honorable mentions:

Plenty: Eating Locally on the 100-Mile Diet by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon. More than anything, this book imprinting on me the concept of the ecological abundance that used to exist, which has since vanished— and we have to change our ways quickly if we ever have a hope of restoring the earth to the bounty it had before. Review here. 

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver. A landmark book for many, this one went over stuff I'd read elsewhere, but still entertaining and very informative to read. Review here.

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse. Update: After reading reviews from Diné (Navajo) critics, I can no longer recommend this book. Roanhorse is a member of a different nation than the one she wrote about, and appropriated sacred religious figures in a way that the Diné reviewers found harmful. You can read more here. 

Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits— to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life by Gretchen Rubin. I read a couple books about habits this year, but I appreciated this one most because of Rubin's perspective on the different kinds of personality traits which make it harder or easier to create habits. Review here. 

Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport. Although I disagree with some of the book's foundational assumptions (such as digital interaction being inherently "fake"), this book is a must-read for anyone struggling to function in a world of constant availability. Newport encourages the readers to develop their own set of "technology ethics," a useful concept that I would love to be more universally recognized. Very thought-provoking.

Tender at the Bone: Growing up at the Table by Ruth Reichl. This entertaining food-focused memoir covers Reichl's childhood with her crazy mother, her culinary skills that came in handy as a wild teenager and young traveler alike, and her days as first a subversive 1960's housewife and later a quiet revolutionary. Captivating, funny, and full of luscious descriptions of food, it's definitely worth the read!

The Man Who Quit Money by Mark Sundeen. A fascinating biography of Daniel Suelo, who gave up money several years ago and never looked back. Whether you agree or disagree with his philosophy, he stands out as a man who follows his convictions.

Even more honorable mentions (aka, I'd previously read them but revisited them this year):

The Moneyless Manifesto: Live Well, Live Rich, Live Free by Mark Boyle. Until I reread it this year, I hadn't realized how much this book has fundamentally shaped a lot of my perspectives of economics, community, and self-reliance— not because I agree with Boyle, but because his lived-out philosophy is so extreme that it helps me see the realm of what is possible. If you're already leaning a little anarchist and are intrigued by the idea of radical community resilience, this book is for you.

Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez (2018 edition). I just need to read this book every once in a while. It's so good. Please, do yourself (and your finances) a favor and check it out from the library asap!

What would you add to this list?

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What I've Been Reading: Honorable Mentions 2018

Yesterday I posted about the top six books that had the most impact on me last year. Here are even more books that changed my perspective and taught me new things, earning them Honorable Mentions.

Already Reviewed:

[Update 1/12/2021: I have since read much criticism of Dan Barber and disagree with several of the basic assumptions in this book, such as the role of elitist chefs in driving agricultural reform. Instead of this book, I highly recommend the series of papers produced by Chris Newman: https://www.patreon.com/sylvanaqua/posts] The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food by Dan Barber

Reclaiming Our Food: How the Grassroots Food Movement Is Changing the Way We Eat by Tanya Denckla Cobb

No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process by Colin Beavan

How to Be Alive: A Guide to the Kind of Happiness that Helps the World by Colin Beavan

Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss

Blessing the Hands that Feed Us: Lessons from a 10-Mile Diet by Vicki Robin

Books about the Christian Life: 

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne. I know that I’m, like, ten years behind the times with groovy progressive Christian books, but so sue me, I really liked this one. Even if I don’t agree with everything he says, I appreciate Claiborne’s thoughts on community, radical non-violence, new monasticism, and the role of the church in a hurting world.

The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction by Adam S. McHugh. This lovely book talks about the lost art of listening— to God, to other people, to the Bible, to ourselves, to seasonal rhythms, and to nature. This one is definitely worth reading again and again.

People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue by Preston Sprinkle. What does it mean to hold a traditional Christian sexual ethic while embracing and celebrating people of the LGBTQ+ community? This book is part apologetics and part a plea to straight Christians to stop ignoring or dismissing our queer brothers and sisters. Sprinkle emphasizes that this is not a manual or a manifesto; it’s his (sometimes clumsy, but humble) attempt to help more people enter into this crucial conversation. 

You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit by James K.A. Smith. “You are what you love... but you may not love what you think.” This book’s thesis is that our Christian walk is shaped most not by our knowledge but by our habits. With a heavy emphasis on the liturgies of both the “sacred” and the “secular,” Smith talks about the everyday decisions that pull our hearts closer to God or further away. Although I don’t always agree with Smith’s prescriptions, his ideas are well worth some serious attention.

Miscellaneous:

Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence (2018 edition) by Vicki Robin. I’d read the original edition before, but I happily waited two months to get my hands on the library copy of the latest edition! This one is even better than before, featuring more up-to-date examples and also an entire section on investing when you have moral qualms with the stock market. This is hands down my favorite financial book (and in my opinion more compatible with the Christian worldview than David Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover... but that’s a blog post for another time).

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. Two Silicon-valley tech guys talk about life design: what is it and how can it help you break out of the rut? A lot of the principles are similar to the techniques used in permaculture, and you get to put them into practice through a series of exercises and thought experiments. I found the book to be both fun and insightful.

Affluenza: How Overconsumption Is Killing Us— and How to Fight Back by John De Graaf, David Wann, and Thomas Naylor. This is a rollicking adventure through the terrors of unbridled consumerism, compassionless capitalism, and our national obsession with stuff. If you’ve never considered how amassing material goods affects the world (and us), or if you’re just starting to worry about it, this book is an excellent (and sardonically upbeat) introduction to the interlocking issues, and how we can help untangle them.

Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wicked Good Prose by Constance Hale. The 2013 edition of this foundational style book for modern times is better than ever, dishing out hard-hitting advice and useful exercises to help you hone your word-craft. If you like to write, check it out!

There you have it— my favorite books of 2018! What should I read in 2019?

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What I've Been Reading: Top Six Books 2018

Last year I made an effort to post regular reviews of the books I was reading, particularly those associated with environmental issues, sustainability, and permaculture. I kept this up until March, and then fell hopelessly behind schedule. So I’ve decided to do a two-part roundup of my absolute favorite/most impactful books of 2018. After sifting through the list (45 nonfiction, not counting all the cookbooks I thumbed through), I narrowed down six books that had the greatest impact on me in 2018— shook me up, made me think, challenged my comfort zone, broadened my view, or inspired me to action. (I’ll be following up with 14 Honorable Mentions tomorrow.)

(See all “What I’ve Been Reading” posts here.)

The Top Six Most Impactful Books I Read this Year*:

*Other than, y’know, THE BIBLE. Here I’m only reviewing books that are not divinely-inspired.

Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating by Norman Wirzba. In my quest to hear more voices from the Christian community about environmental issues, I was guided to Wirzba’s book, and it is amazing. Nuanced, careful, and philosophically rich, it is an in-depth theological treatise on the topic of eating. It’s categorized into broad chapters that discuss different elements— what is eating? How does eating draw us closer to God? Why is saying grace over food so important? What is the nature of the sacrifices we make when eating, and how does that relate to the Eucharist? Will there be eating in Heaven? Amid these topics, he discusses particular issues, such as worker rights, the theological significance of having a personal connection to our food, our mistaken view of gardens as a food factory rather than a partnership with creation, the ethical treatment of animals, the conversation of soil, and more. I wanted to highlight something on every single page, and will surely return to it several times in the future.

Salt Fat Acid Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat. I didn’t expect a cookbook to show up on my top six books of the year, but this one is truly exceptional. It’s not just a list of recipes— it’s an in-depth analysis of the elements that make cooking good: if you learn how to properly use salt, fat, acid, and heat, Nosrat says, you can cook anything. The premise sounds more technical than it is; Nosrat is a wonderful storyteller and has a reassuring, ebullient tone that guides you through each chapter and new technique.

Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit by Barry Estabrook. Published in 2012, this book is a journalistic investigation of the tomato industry, especially as it exists in Florida. It all begins with companies trying to grow tomatoes in a place they were never meant to grow... and it all goes downhill from there. I’m used to reading books about environmental damage, how chemicals kill the songbirds, etc., but this was the first book I read that focused mostly on how this industry of tasteless red orbs affects the migrant workers who pick them. The consequences of this transaction are utterly horrifying, and reader discretion is advised. This book makes it clear that slavery is still alive and well in America— along with a host of other issues such as chemical run-off, poisoning of workers, and birth defects. If it sounds like a drag, it is. Honestly the only way I got through it without falling into black despair was the knowledge that conditions have drastically improved in the past seven years, mostly thanks to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. Change is possible, but only if we know that there’s a problem.

Pig Tales: An Omnivore’s Quest for Sustainable Meat by Barry Estabrook. This book is slightly less depressing than Tomatoland, mostly because it lays out some clear pathways for getting out of the mess that the pig industry finds itself in. Similar to Tomatoland, it tackles a dozen different angles on all things pig: their intelligence, their place as an invasive pest in the wild, their plight in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), and what humane pig farming looks like. There is no PETA-style sensationalism: Estabrook has compassion and respect for everyone he interviews, even though he doesn’t hold back from reporting the disturbing images that he encounters. He also delves into the negative impacts on the environment, the local economy, hapless (usually poor) people who are powerless to stop CAFOs from ruining their neighborhoods, and the workers who suffer injury. If you eat pig— whether pork, bacon, or ham— I beg you to read this book. Again, things can only get better if we know that they are broken to begin with!

[UPDATE 1/12/2021: The accompanying documentary to this book is deeply problematic, as pointed out by Chris Newman in this podcast. I haven't read the book since shifting my perspective on many things, but I suspect that I would not be as unconcernedly enthusiastic about it now.] Kiss the Ground: How the Food You Eat Can Reverse Climate Change, Heal Your Body, and Ultimately Save Our World by Josh Tickell. Although “The Third Plate” by Dan Barber was a close second, this book wins the “Top Six” place because it gave me a broader perspective on several environmental issues, including the pressing concern of desertification. (Full review here)

The Art of Frugal Hedonism: A Guide to Spending Less While Enjoying Everything More by Ann Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb. On a completely different note, this goofy book made me smile from beginning to end. It inspired me and solidified how I feel about thrift: frugality is joyful, not depriving, if we learn how to enjoy the right things. (Full review here)

Which books made the most impact on you last year?

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What I've Been Reading: "Gaia's Garden" by Toby Hemenway

Have you ever loved a book so much that you try to write a blog post about it not once, not twice, but three times over the course of two years but you can’t even get started because you love the book so much that there’s too much to say?

(Not that I’ve ever done that, of course.)

The book is, as you may have guessed from the title, Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by the late Toby Hemenway. I read it for the first time last year and recently finished a second read-through, but there is so much to say, and I love the book so much, that I can’t write anything less than a gushy review. So, here it is.

I had read books about permaculture before, but for whatever reason, none of them clicked in my head. They discussed edges and sectors and guilds and edible forest layers, but my eyes glazed over, and all I really took from those books is that you should create a garden that’s like a diverse ecosystem rather than neat rows of monocrops. This sounded cool, but I was left with no idea of how to actually do this. (It didn’t help that, since permaculture originated in Australia, all the plants and animals mentioned were foreign to me— although I did find it amusing that they discussed different methods for keeping the kangaroos out of your vegetables.) 

Determined to find a book that made sense to me, I noticed Gaia’s Garden in several bibliographies, so I decided to check it out. And as I read it, I started to truly understand permaculture for the first time.

Permaculture isn’t just a method of gardening— it’s a new way of viewing the world. It takes its cue from nature, showing that connections between elements are just as important as the elements themselves. The goal of a permaculture garden is to choose the most multifunctional elements and place them in the most effective relationships. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Like nature, a permaculture garden is mostly perennial, self-sustaining, and deeply interconnected. It works with nature rather than against it. 

Gaia’s Garden begins by laying the groundwork of permaculture theory. In the other books, this is where my eyes glazed over, but Hemenway writes in a way that makes sense, giving practical examples to show what he means when introducing a new term. He describes the mechanics of natural processes like decomposition in a beautiful way (I had never been so interested in reading about earthworms and bacteria before), and explains the basic design theories/elements of a permaculture garden and why they’re so important. 

In the next part of the book, the chapters discuss the basic elements in turn: soil, water, plants, animals/insects. How do you build soil, keep water on-site, choose plants, attract and integrate beneficial animals? These chapters hold the answers.

The utilitarian in me loves the idea that in a permaculture garden, everything has multiple uses (“stacking functions”). I think of plants as being pretty or being food, and sometimes both, but Hemenway opened my mind to other possibilities: habitat for animals, shade/climate control, nitrogen fixing (a symbiotic relationship some plants have with bacteria that essentially make them create their own fertilizer), nutrient accumulation (plants like dandelions dredge nutrients from the subsoil, making it available to their neighbors), mulch, windbreak, building materials, chicken forage, gentle tilling, beneficial insect attraction, and more.

Part three moves into even more practical terms: how can a gardener assemble an ecosystem of tightly-connected plant groups in the most effective way? This section discusses both design and implementation, giving specific suggestions and multiple techniques for creating islands of plant colonies, called guilds, that eventually merge into an unbroken paradise. 

Although most of the suggestions would work better in a typical suburban-sized lot, there are many things I can still put into practice in my small backyard and front yard. (I just got a copy of Hemenway’s follow-up book, The Permaculture City, and I’m excited to read it!)

The book ends with a conclusion about the ultimate goal of a permaculture garden: a self-feeding ecosystem that is a delight for all who visit, be they human, animal, or insect. This is followed by several appendixes with include exhaustive lists of useful plants, seed companies, books for further reading, organizations, and so on.

It would not be understatement to say that this book changed my life. It taught me to see plants, gardens, wild lands, ecosystems, even intangible connections in myself and my community, in a new way. Instead of seeing a lawn with a few patches of weeds, I see a prairie landscape struggling to break up the hard clay with nutrient accumulators because it really wants to be a forest (despite my constant sabotage with a lawnmower). I see clumps of clover and dandelions as nature’s way of patching over bare earth, eliminating erosion, filtering toxins, conserving water. I see cottonwood trees and marvel that they create their own microclimates, even their own rain and fertilizer— aided by birds, insects, and the underground presence of miles of mycelia.

In short, everyone interested in gardening or ecology should read this book. I’m excited to start integrating some of the ideas into my garden, in hopes that someday the plain stretches of grass will be transformed into a dynamic ecosystem where birds, insects, humans and plants can find a place to live in harmony.

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What I've Been Reading: "The Edible Front Yard" by Ivette Soler

When I was reviewing Groundbreaking Food Gardens on Amazon, I saw this book pop up on “Suggested titles.” I decided to check it out, and I’m so glad I did! The Edible Front Yard: the Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden is a book that took my dream of turning my lawn into a garden and showed me how to make it reality.

The book begins with a general introduction about the whys and hows of edible landscaping, followed by a chapter of edible plant listings, detailing the benefits and aesthetic of each plant. Every front-yard crop must be beautiful, multipurpose, and long-lasting, and Soler provides dozens of suggestions, both common (apples, basil, lettuce, corn, strawberries) and unusual (borage, amaranth, sorrel, bachelor’s buttons). Each listing has notes about the plant’s aesthetic, color, form, flowering/fruiting habits, growing needs, and uses, as well as stand-out cultivars and suggestions for how the plant could be integrated into the landscape. 

The following chapter is an even longer list of “the supporting cast:” non-veggie plants that add structure, beauty, and other benefits (medicinal leaves, pest control, pollinator attraction) to the edibles. Again, each listing is thorough and helpful, everything from elderberry and catmint to yarrow and St. John’s wort. 

The final chapters of the book discuss design theory, practical considerations, harvesting, and maintaining a front-yard garden that will keep the neighbors happy. Soler insists that organic gardening is the best choice, and provides some great practical organic solutions for for issues that might arise.

I wish the book contained a few more maps to show how people have used these elements to create front-yard paradises (again, the reason I love Jabbour’s book!), although the ample amount of photos helped me visualize what a finished garden might look like. I now have a huge list of plants I’m considering for my front yard, and using some of the exercises in the book to start conceptualizing the layout. Design does not come naturally to me, but this book gave me a lot of helpful tools to improve my skills.

In short, if you’re thinking of putting an edible garden in your front yard (even if you don’t tear up the whole lawn), you should read this book! It’s inspiring, beautiful, and chock-full of practical information.

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My Favorite Parks in St. Charles City

Parks are pretty much the best idea ever. I love that cities have set aside little green areas for the community to meet and mingle, and every time we have Zach’s seven- and eight-year-old brothers over to our house, I’m grateful for a free source of entertainment for them. St. Charles has several wonderful parks scattered throughout the city limits, but here are my top four.

Frontier Park

For picnicking, festivals, concerts, and frisbee, there’s nowhere in St. Charles that beats this riverfront park. Zach and I walk there almost every night, wandering the paths and watching the river change from season to season. During the summer there are free concerts here every Thursday night, and a host of other festivals throughout the year make their home here. 

Blanchette Park

I grew up visiting this park often, and for good reason. It has baseball diamonds, football fields, tennis courts, gorgeous old trees, a sledding hill to die for (although you might die sledding down it), expansive picnic areas, ornamental gardens, a swim park, an exercise area, and a massive playground. It’s also one of the few playgrounds in the area with ample shade!

Jaycee Park

This is a relatively new park, and its playground is the #1 destination in St. Charles for kids. It’s a totally inclusive playground, featuring awesome slides, a “flying saucer” swing, a splash park, musical features, and a giant climbing structure/merry-go-round. When we took Calvin and Preston there, I’ll admit I was pretty envious of them!

Jean Baptiste Point Dusable Park

This is a name that encompasses several small parks in my native Frenchtown, featuring wildflower gardens, wetlands areas, riverside forests of cottonwoods, hiking trails, a playground, basketball courts, and a dog park. I walked here every day through the winter, noticing the subtle changes of the seasons. During high summer, come walk the trails at night for a display of fireflies that will blow your mind.

What are your favorite parks in your area? 

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Further Reading about Contentment

Here are a few articles that have shaped my perspective in the past few months. All of these blogs are well worth following, too!

All You Need, You Already Have by Zen Habits. The practice of gratitude that he suggests has been life-changing for me.

Owning Less Is Great. Wanting Less Is Better. by Becoming Minimalist. This sums up the perspective shift that’s essential for contentment. (Also, Joshua Becker’s book, The More of Less, is really good! I like the way he defines minimalism not as “getting rid of stuff,” but as living a life focused on what is most important.)

Have You Missed Your Life’s Calling? Probably Not. by The Art of Simple. A great reminder to combat worry by living the life we’ve been given.

Take a Walk Around the Lake by Be More with Less. A wonderful post about focusing on the gifts of life that are right at our fingertips.

What articles/books/blogs would you add to this list?

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12 Amazing Cities I've Visited, Part Three

Here is the conclusion of the matter (a continuation, as you may have guessed, from Part One and Part Two). Since the cities I’ve visited most recently are all in Europe, you’ll find a lack of American cities in this final four. Here they are!

4. Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Rijksmuseum alone would be enough to put this city in my top 12. It was my introduction to Europe, showing me that the painstakingly-crafted historic-looking cities in the US are copies of the real thing on the other side of the Atlantic. With scenic canals, amazing museums, and a vibrant cultural life, Amsterdam is more than worth the visit. (Hostel recommendation: Shelter City proved to be safe, clean, and friendly at a bargain price— well, bargain for Amsterdam.)

3. Hamburg, Germany. The thing that impressed me about this city was the care and craftsmanship that seemed to go into every building. From the sweeping harbor views to the tucked-away cottages, this city is both grand and charming. Take a ride on the ferry for the best views of the city and harbor.

2. Nuremberg, Germany. I can’t even explain how much this city impressed and fascinated me. It is magnificent on every scale, and from the medieval castle to St. Lorenzkirche to the house of Albrecht Dürer, there is plenty to see. The city tour, along with a tour of the castle, was more than worth the euros I spent (find English-speaking tours at the nearest Tourist Information office). Be sure to try some Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Nürnberg sausages while you’re there.

1. Salzburg, Austria. I look back on the photos I took of this city and just gape. This is a city on an epic, but distinctly European, scale. The winding streets give way to huge courtyards, massive churches, and other buildings of remarkable beauty. The whole city climbs up a hill (read: mountain), on top of which perches a castle straight out of a fairy-tale. And if that wasn’t good enough, a mildly challenging hike from the city center takes you to views of the Alps that will blow your mind. If you are ever remotely near this city, take the time to spend at least a day.

What are your favorite cities? Which should I absolutely visit before I die?

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12 Amazing Cities I've Visited, Part Two

And now, the follow-up you’ve all been waiting for! (Here’s Part One, if you missed it. Remember, I’m going in order of sequence, not favor.)

8. Sacramento, California. Take a step back into the Gold Rush era in Sacramento’s historic district, then stroll to a few blocks away to the heart of the city for a tour of the capitol building. It’s full of historic buildings, tourist activities, and cute local restaurants and stores. Plus, the downtown’s streets are laid out on a number-and-letter grid, which makes it easy to find your way around. (Hostel recommendation: Sacramento Downtown HI Hostel is a dazzling Victorian mansion, fully restored. Plus it’s a great location.)

7. Portland, Oregon. I’m not going to lie: Portland freaks me out a bit (I’ve blogged about this before). That said, Powell’s Books is enough to make this city any bibliophile’s favorite, and some of the most amazing memories of my life involve eating Voodoo Donuts in Portland’s downtown. The best part of this city, however, is Forest Park. It contains over 5,000 acres of pure Oregon woodland— which is, as any native could tell you, some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. (Also check out the Rose Garden.)

6. Tucson, Arizona. Speaking of cities that freaked me out, Tucson is high on the list. It stands in the middle of a desert and has an eerie, arid feel to it. I can’t say I actually liked Tucson that much, but I was fascinated and drawn in by it. Sometimes it pretends to be a normal city, but it’s most beautiful when it embraces the nature of the desert with thick adobe walls and bright Southwestern colors. And it has the DeGrazia Gallery, which is still the most beautiful art gallery I’ve ever seen.

5. Denver, Colorado. I debated between this and Oklahoma City, but Denver won out because I spent more time there. (Sorry, OK City— you’re still fantastic!) Some people might call Denver a generic city, but I prefer the term “well balanced:” it has a mix of tourist districts, nice apartments, bookstores, walking paths and attractions, with a spattering of urban art in between. The best part, though, is its location: you can walk just a few miles out of town and find yourself scaling the (very tall) foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Tomorrow… the conclusion of the series (otherwise known as “the European City Blog”)!

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