Resolution, Week #1

Last week, I resolved to read The New York Times Sunday Book Review section on a weekly basis and to follow the Amazon bestseller list. Here are some items of interest (at least to me):

• This week’s Book Review focuses exclusively on texts related to Islam. The books range from The Suicide of Reason about radical Islam to Islamophobia. I am continually amazed that in the 21^st century, Americans openly fear and discriminate against religious groups. (Though I may not agree with him politically, I have been shocked and disappointed by the obvious prejudice shown against Mitt Romney and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) We tend to fear what we don’t understand, and I applaud The Times’ effort to promote texts about Islam. I am anything but an expert on the subject. However, I can attest that I have nothing to fear from the Muslim women I work with in Afghanistan. It is much easier to be prejudiced against an unknown group than a known individual. I will now step off my soapbox.
• As of midnight EDT, the #1 bestseller on Amazon is Eat, Pray, Love. I have not read this book, nor am I a fan of Oprah or her book suggestions, but I am impressed and awed at her ability to mention a title and make it an instant bestseller. If I ever write my book, I hope Oprah finds it.
• The #2 book is Ready, Fire, Aim. Since it is only the second week of a new year, I’m not too surprised a book about making money fast is on the bestsellers list. Just today, I expressed my desire to be independently wealthy (or maybe it was a desire not to work). If I believed that get-rich-quick philosophies were sound, I might check out this book.
• Along the same lines, 7 of the top 20 book are about dieting. I just love wishful thinking. I, of course, am going to eat right and exercise this year. Starting tomorrow. Honestly.