What I’m reading
Wordpress is like riding a bike, you never forget.
Since I got rid of cable TV, I’ve had a lot more time to read. Instead of channel surfing, I’m now book surfing–reading a chapter of one, picking up another… Currently, I’m working my way through the following.
Job-related
Why we do what we do (Deci), a fabulous read chock full of summaries of the author’s and other’s research on motivation, autonomy, and self-determination theory. This makes me want to go back to school.
Learned optimism (Seligman). I’ve just cracked the book–read the intro to this edition. I was familiar with his work regarding learned helplessness and the experiments with those poor dogs, and I’m getting kind of interested in this field of positive psychology.
Cultivating communities of practice (Wenger). So far I’ve just skimmed bits and pieces. I’m starting some faculty learning communities this year, and there’s an initiative on campus to use learning communities with students, so I thought I’d go to the source.
Successful beginnings for college teaching (McGlynn). This is the book I’m giving to new faculty this year, so I thought I’d better be familiar with it. It’s pretty decent as it focuses on tips to get started in contrast to some of the more comprehensive–and perhaps intimidating–teaching books out there.
Personal
Bringing nature home: How native plants sustain wildlife in our gardens (Tallamy). The second time through on this one. The first time was enough to convince me I was on the right path in going native in the yard and garden. This time through, I’m focusing on the insects.
Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder (Louv). I’ve been reading this for a long time, I should just sit down and finish it! Louv makes a great case for free, unstructured play in nature.
In defense of food: An eater’s manifesto (Pollan). Another great work by Pollan. Even if you already eat healthy, there’s much to think about regarding the pleasure of eating.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling). I’m reading this one to my daughter, when we are able to find the time.
