Abbey Bookshelf: Books I Can’t Have (Yet) Edition
January 30, 2008 · by Christine
For some reason in the past week or so I have stumbled upon three books that I desperately want to have in my hands — (you know that ache you get when you see a title that you know will be simply brilliant and marvelous and potentially life-altering?) – but none of which have been published yet. Sigh. . .
The first is by Macrina Wiederkehr: Seven Sacred Pauses: Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day
I was so sad to hear that the great poet John O’Donohue died recently. He has a book being released in March — To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings. This book of blessings promises to be a wonderful resource for prayer and reflection.
And third is Modern Mark Making: From Classical Calligraphy to Hip Hand-Lettering
Well, Amazon offers an extra 5% discount when you pre-order, so they should be on their way to me right when they’re available. Or maybe you have more patience than I do when it comes to books. 
-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts
P.S. For those of you who are like me, and enjoy some instant gratification, I highly recommend the Irish film “Once”. It’s a story about two musicians and I loved the music so much I downloaded several of the songs. You can hear one of them by visiting the movie website. And yesterday Bette posted about a new album (which I also promptly downloaded) she discovered by this artist (originally from Seattle!), you can hear one of her songs at her website and another beautiful song (she is also a beautiful woman) over at YouTube. Finding new music always makes my day, and almost makes up for having to wait months for the books above.
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Posted in Abbey Bookshelf |
January 30th, 2008 at 4:21 am
christine, i’ve pre-ordered the dvd of ‘once’ which comes out in the uk end of feb. our little cinema didn’t show it when it was released last year, but all the reviews i read raved about it!! and i discovered a fine frenzy on my friend zorana’s blog before xmas - i HAD to get the cd!! she is beautiful, isn’t she?? wi shing you a lovely wednesday :o) xx
January 30th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Oh dear, are you intent on making me bankrupt? I, too, now want to get my hands on exactly these books. I may get the Steindl-Rast to tide me over - he’s someone I’ve been wanting to read for a long time, and it’s always difficult to decide on an entry point.
But I do worry a bit sometimes about this desire verging on greed I have for books. It’s as if I say to myself “just this last one then”. I’ve stopped, more or less, buying fiction, and am getting those from the library instead. But in my attempts to live a simpler life with viewer possessions, books (which are by far my largest collection of possessions) somehow seem to get ignored.
January 30th, 2008 at 7:54 am
You make me want to order, order, order - but like Tess, I need to put a halt to the ordering until I complete a few of my current reading assignments. But the suggestions you’ve given sound fabulous! Thanks.
January 30th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I have been tempted to buy the DVD for myself as well. A lovely Wednesday to you too claire!
Tess, I want you to leave enough money to be able to pop over the Channel this summer and meet me in Paris.
It is a great line-up of books though! Yes, Music of Silence is definitely worth a purchase. I completely identify with the book gluttony and laughed when you said “just this last one then” — I do that all the time. I always figure since my work revolves a lot around books, I justify it that way, but I know it’s a bit of a compulsion with me!
Sunrise Sister, what restraint you show! I need to take some lessons from you.
January 30th, 2008 at 9:05 am
i can’t decide if i love you or otherwise
when you post these lists. i am with tess & SS…you make me want to buy buy buy… i going to hold off for now, but look forward to more reviews when these come out.
i, too, enjoyed the movie ‘once’ and was introduced to ‘fine frenzy’ when starbucks did their musical promotion. very nice!
tess is going to be quite experienced in popping over the channel, isn’t she?
January 30th, 2008 at 11:01 am
What GREAT music. My gosh…all I need is to order one more thing! I see I could have won a free ticket for A Fine Frenzy (right here in Minneapolis) three days ago…like I would have been the one…haha! She is lovely and the song is incredible.
I am afraid I have to get through my pile before I buy again but these two albums are at the top of my list. I must admit, I had to put myself on the list for the new John O’Donahue yesterday!
I love new books and new music!
January 30th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Oh lucy, you know that you love me so don’t fight it.
Yes, do break Tess in for me, will you? 
Suz, too bad you missed her concert, I bet she’s wonderful live. Glad to hear you went for the O’Donohue book.
January 30th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I’m intending to become a regular channel hopper! I just realised that I used the word “viewer” instead of “fewer” possessions. I wonder if this is a Freudian slip, considering that my second most voluminous collection is of DVDs…
January 30th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
The book recommendations sound wonderful. The O’Donohue is already on my Wish List but I will probably add the others, as well. I can’t go wrong with anything you recommend, Christine.
Funny coincidence. This morning I read the first part of your post quickly before I went to work. Then, I read other blogs and emails, including my weekly Powell’s.com newsletter, which featured “Once.” I have never bought a DVD for myself, although I’ve received a few as gifts, but I decided this one would be worth having. Your opinion confirms this.