Mental multivitamin: On the nightstand

The "What's on my TBR pile right this second" edition.

■ A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy (William B. Irvine)
This accessible exploration of Stoic philosophy actually complements another book on my pile.

■ The Body of Christopher Creed (Carol Plum-Ucci)
We stopped at the bookstore that must not be named on the way home from visiting Aunt M-mv on Monday, and I espied a table of books that were billed as required reading in the local school district. This was but one of several titles that intrigued me. Why did they include this? I wondered. I guess I'll soon find out.

■ The New Global Student: Skip the SAT, Save Thousands on Tuition, and Get a Truly International Education (Maya Frost)
According to the author's website, this book "will show you how to completely avoid the angst and expense of the traditional college admissions game. Discover the creative and strategic alternatives guaranteed to prime students for their most thrilling and fulfilling opportunities." We'll see.

■ Crow Planet: Essential Wisdom from the Urban Wilderness (Lyanda Lynn Haupt)
I first mentioned this review copy here, and it's not for lack of interest that I haven't read it yet, believe me. But, as regular readers know, I've had a lot on my mind lately. More, I've been cramming for an exam. Oh, didn't I tell you? I'm studying to become a licensed swimming and diving official.

■ Wounded by School: Recapturing the Joy in Learning and Standing Up to Old School Culture (Kirsten Olson)
Actually, I'm nearly done reading this excellent book, another review copy, and there's a chapbook entry in all of its thought-provoking material, so look for another post soon. Until then, check out Olson's academic paper "School Woundedness, Cultural Myths of Schooling, and The Healing Process" and the following articles:

● New Learners for the New Economy

● Their Time Is Occupied, But Not Their Brains

● Be Your Child's Chief Learning Officer!

■ Guide to Joining the Military (Scott A. Ostrow)
This book provides only the most elementary of overviews, and the ASVAB and his first trip to MEPS are already behind Master M-mv, so the inclusion of this text on my TBR is a little like closing the door on the barn after the lambs have scampered out... but, like so many of you, I feel better about a "Big Subject" after perusing a book about it.

■ Stoic Warriors: The Ancient Philosophy behind the Military Mind (Nancy Sherman)
Sherman appeared on the PBC "documentary" The Marines. (I say, "Documentary," because the film actually ran like a PR puff piece for the Marines rather than a frank, objective, and/or penetrating exploration of the Corps and its mythos.) Although the video was a disappointment, I gathered that the panel of writers who were featured would actually be more reliable sources of information, so I sought out Sherman's book.

■ Best Friends Forever (Jennifer Weiner)
I actually received this review copy a little after the initial press about the new release had run, but I'm a fan, and I look forward to bringing this one poolside over the coming weekend (which is, thank goodness, blissfully unscheduled).

■ NurtureShock: New Thinking about Children (Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman)
Speaking of being a fan... regular M-mv readers will understand how delighted I was to be offered an advance reading copy of NurtureShock: New Thinking about Children, which is due out early next month.

Related entries
● "The irony of lying is that it’s both normal and abnormal behavior at the same time." (2.13.2008)

● Snooze or lose (10.10.2007)

● Praiseworthy (2.12.2007)

● Chapbook entry (2.03.2006)

● Debra Pickett interviewed Po Bronson (1.30.2006)

● Po Bronson (1.15.2006)

● On the nightstand (under the pillow, in the knapsack, etc.) (1.14.2006)
An aside: It is beyond cool that both Bronson and Haupt are mentioned in this archived entry, and here I am including both of them in the same entry again.