Feed My Brain!

[JessaJam]

My brain has been on an unintentional diet since leaving uni and started work, and now I have had a baby it is feeling significantly malnourished.

I used to be quite good with words - knew ones with multiple syllables and everything! Could pluck appropriate phrase out of the air etc. Now I struggle and seem to have lost my mental dictionary (have been left with the significantly abridged version!).

No time/money/inclination to do a home learning/evening course BUT enjoy reading and do get a chance to do it SO can you recommend any books to give my poor starving brain a good boost??

I've been teaching for 13 years, but have been a SAHM for the last year, so I know what you're talking about! I read anything and everything I can get my hands on. But for a mental workout I like crosswords, word and number puzzles, etc.

You could try Freakonomics - entertaining, but a bit challenging. I've never studied economics of statistics, but managed to enjoy it. I'm also enjoying (in small doses) Watching the English , which is about how the English behave. Written with a bit of humour, and I keep thinking 'oh yes, I do that' with a shock of recognition.

Or if you want something in the fiction line, one of my favourite books is The Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker. It all takes place in a lunch hour, but it's got all sorts of detail in it and lots of beautifully observed snippets. Very short too .

Thanks JackieNo...will take a look at those.

Um, is this all my brain is going to be offered?

Maybe try posting something in the 'Book club' section? And this will bump it for you.

I know what you mean..lol..I seem to have misplaced part of my brain somewhere between getting pregnant and now..
I'm making an effort to read 'worthy' things, after binging on vogue, heat and the likes for far too long.

I recently read 'the nineties' by michael bracewell which is a really good, slightly academic social commentary..brought back lots of memories too!

'London' by peter ackroyd is fascinating too..and very educational!

Or you could try a 'teach yourself' course in another language, you can get a book and c.d for around £15.

Read 'No Logo' by Naomi Klein.
Utterly brilliant and radically changed my outlook on life (for the beter)

thanks bob and moondog , will add to list! I have put the question into book club section now and got a few more answers!