OK, So It's Not Oprah's Reading List . . .

A Note from Parker

But reading is and always has been my passion. When Ms. Jeanine and I were talking this week, and she said that "Reading books is becoming a lost art," I caught my breath. After lots of thinking, I've come to worry that she might be right.

So here is my challenge to each CLS Family Member reading this. Please email us the titles of your favorite books, old and new, fiction, mystery or how-to. Send them now. Send them in the future. But share!!

We have more than 1,500 people on our CLS email list, and growing! So let's learn from each other -- and from the books that shape us.

I try, every day, to grow from those I meet through these incredible horses. I want to be the best person I can be. I want our children to be empowered to become the finest humans possible. My family teases me that I want to "save the world." Heavens yes! I do! And if we're all thoughtful, and curious and open-minded -- we can do just that.

I love discovering and nurturing friendships with people from all walks of life. And yes, I want to be able to leave this earth a little bit better than I found her.

I know no better way of doing that than sharing what inspires us. And for me, there is no more powerful inspiration that the written word.

So here are my picks for this week, and a few others. I need your picks so that we all can grow and learn together. Let's make this a favorite feature of the CLS newsletter! 

Suggestion from Kim Stewart: The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom, by  Slavomir Rawicz

Suggestion from Parker Lovell: The Big Rock Candy Mountain, by Wallace Stegner

Suggestion from Parker Lovell: The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan

For Kids: Suggestion from Cashlyn Lovell: Thank You, Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco

For Kids: Suggestion from Parker Lovell : Anything Black Stallion written by Walter Farley!

For Kids: Suggestion from Nicolette Lovell: The Magic Tree House series.