Top Ten Favorite Books (or 11)

Eight months ago, after my camera stopped functioning in Spain, I asked my roommate for the writing workshop portion of my trip to take two photos for me.  One was a picture of the two of us, where we stayed, with a beautiful landscape in the background.  The second was at an immaculate garden.  She offered to take more photos for me, but I said, "No that is all I need."

Six months later I had not received the photos.  In December I wrote her a snail mail letter, and concluded it with a reminder to, when she had the chance, send them to me.  I was not in a hurry to receive the photos, I trusted I would get them eventually, but I did still want them.

On Tuesday I was feeling really stressed and considering emailing her (she is a somatic therapist) because the issue I was stressed about was something we discussed in Spain, but I decided not to.  And then, guess what? As I was resisting this impulse, photos starting pouring into my inbox.  What are the chances of that?  The photos arrived the day I most needed them, and not only did she send me the two photos I wanted, she included ones I didn't know she took, including what is now my favorite photo from my trip.

I can't say for certain why I like this photo so much, but maybe it's that I like the person I see when she doesn't know that anybody is watching.  She is off on her own, taking in her surroundings, listening.  But I can also imagine her turning around and smiling at the person with the camera.  She has stepped away from the group, but she is still part of the group.  She is apart, but open, alone, but not lonely.  She is connected.

That same woman chose as her word of the year for 2019 - THRIVE.  Sometimes I wonder what it feels like or looks like to thrive.  I think I might just see thrive in this photo.

I felt that energy a bit this week as I worked on a job application for a small local publisher.  I wasn't sure about applying at first, but as part of the application they ask you to include a list of your 10 favorite books.  I got so much energy just from compiling that list in itself.   A few books I instantly knew would be on the list - like The Prophet - others I had to think about, or in some cases almost forgot.  I almost forgot The Phantom Tollbooth until someone I loved reminded me of it!

Well, it took some time but here is my list.  And I just realized while typing this I forgot one of my all time favorite books on my list and I sent it in this morning.  My God this book should be on there!!  Ahh.  A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life Purpose  by Eckhart Tolle.  That should easily be in my top five.  Huh.  Oh well.

List of Tammy's  Ten Favorite Books

1.      The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

2.      The Giver by Lois Lowry

3.      A Year with Rumi: Daily Readings by Coleman Barks

4.      El mejor lugar del mundo es aqui mismo by Francesc Miralles and Care Santos

5.      The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

6.      A Year with Rilke: Daily Readings from the Best of Rainer Maria Rilke by Anita Barrow and Joanna Macy

7.      Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle

8.      Manual del guerrero de la luz by Paulo Coelho

9.      Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

10.  Gone to Soldiers by Marge Piercy