One thing I miss since becoming a parent is my reading time. I still read and have already finished more books this year than last but I think I’m a long way from hitting the 50+ books I used to read in a 12-month period. I keep journals of what I’ve read and an ever-growing list of what I want to read. Of course if I added all of Bug’s books that I've read several times over to my journal, I would break all past years’ records combined!
Years ago I dated a non-reader. One night he came to my apartment, looked at my book shelves and said, “WHY do you keep books you’ve already read?” I think I knew then it wasn’t going to work with us but I explained that part of the reason I worked in publishing was that I loved books. I told him that I could look at almost any of the books and know what was going on in my life when I read it. He shook his head more bewildered than before. A year later when we were no longer dating, I ran into him and one of the first things he said to me was, "Hey, I'm reading a book!" He was so excited to be reading and even a little shocked when I guessed which book he was reading.
When I moved cross-country, I was fine selling my furniture and parting with many belongings to start over but my books came with me. I even enjoyed packing the books because they were reminders of so many friends who were in my life for 384 pages or so.
Next week I’m heading out to visit my mom again and I’m traveling solo, which means my carry-on won’t be filled with diapers, wipes, extra clothes and snacks for Bug but books (and snacks!) for me. I’m currently reading Four Corners of the Sky and so far it’s living up to all the reviews.
I expect to finish Four Corners while I’m away and haven’t decided what other book(s) I should take with me. The top ones on my list are:
The Story Sisters; Alice Hoffman
The Help; Kathryn Stockett
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie; Alan Bradley
Thoughts or recommendations? What's on your list?
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I live with a nonfiction reader. Our nightstand piles are VERY different.
ReplyDeleteI just saw a movie in which the main character breaks up with her boyfriend because he moves all of her books to the basement and puts his trophies where her books were... can't remember which one? I'm in publishing, too (medical). I just finished the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, which was highly recommended to me by a couple of people, but I didn't care for it. Now I'm reading The Outsiders because my son is reading it for school.
ReplyDeleteI love my books too, and I'm always looking for recommendations. Thanks for posting your list! Have you read any of Jodi Picoult's? She's my favourite author du jour.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time letting go of books I've already read, too. I am envious of your upcoming solo trip! I'm in a new-baby haze, so I haven't gotten to do much reading lately at all, and I miss it!
ReplyDeleteHow weird, there's 2 Mimi's in a row! Oh well, that's not my real name anyway...I LOVE BOOKS. LOVE EM LOVE EM LOVE EM...sorry. Anyway, I wanna read the Time Travelers Wife and Icy Sparks. If that's any help...actually I think they are both Oprah picks...is that good or bad?! But those books you have on your list, I'm stealing for my list. I want to read the last one you mentioned, I know that. So what kind of publishing are you in? I mean like novels, childrens, etc...? If you don't mind my big ole nosiness! : )
ReplyDeleteMacey
PS I've been working on this total fluff book for about 2 weeks! It should take me 2 days! But you know why I am so slow at this one? Cuz I've been obsessed with BLOGS. And also, thank your baby for the lovely It's Perfect! comment about my blog... : )
Where to begin? I loved Time Traveller's WIfe, can't wait for her new one out in the fall. Let's see, best books read lately - Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill, Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (had to read it with a dictionary at my side), Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay, Infidel by Aayan Hirsi and for beach reads - Jane Green's The Beach House, Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center and can't wait to read Petite Anglaise by Catherine Sanderson as soon as it is out in pb. Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteI've given up on hard reading for the time being and I've submitted myself to reading the Outlander book, which my friend has been raving about for years.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I've read recently is The Thirteenth Tale, but I'm so behind the time it's sad. Still. . . that was a great book.
I love everything about books. Of course the reading part; but I love the looking at my bookshelf and the memories of each book, the feel of a book in my hands, the excitement of starting a new one, the humongous stack of TBR's by bed.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Memiors of a Geisha. Can't decide what to get into next.
I do know my reading of books is now competing with my reading of blogs. There's just so much time in a day. :)
I also love to read. My book case is STUFFED which is why I had to buy another.
ReplyDeleteMy husband doesn't like to read. It's sad :(
ok i just typed out this hugely massive comment only to accidentally delete it! grr...
ReplyDeleteanyway, here is the shortened version::
I like to read.
what are your thoughts on whistling in the dark? is it depressing? a stressful read?
I soooo miss the reading!!! I have about 4 started..and sitting about in different locations around the house. Someday...someday. :)
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to add: If you haven't read this already! The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestions!
ReplyDeleteNowheymama: My husband is a big nonfiction reader, which to me spells BORING. I've read one book at his suggestion and that was a novel...Crossing to Safety.
Funnyrunner: I liked Guernsey but by dumb luck read it before it was hyped. Have you read Ella Minnow Pea? It's also a book written as letters (I forget what those books are really called!) and SO clever. Funny movie! You're in publishing and you work from home?! Sigh...
Mimi: a new baby haze sounds pretty terrific! I'm looking forward to being in an airport and not chasing a 2-year-old.
MiMi: I used to work on novels and children's books but have also worked on magazines and academic/scholary journals. Now I work mostly on business books. I'll have to look up Icy Sparks...I don't know it.
Cid: I've read The Time Traveller's Wife and loved it. Isn't there a movie being made of that book? I had no idea that she had a new book coming out--yay! I forgot about the Hedgehog book--I've read good things about that. I also liked Everyone is Beautiful.
Anya: I've heard The Glass Castle is good but haven't read it yet. I like Picoult's books but haven't read very many.
Tammie: I picked up Whistling in the Dark several times before buying it. I thought it was good...depressing but there are some sweet things as well. I knew I had it figured out mid-way through the book and I was oh-so wrong. I love it when that happens.
Bird: I really liked The Thirteenth Tale--but I was confused at times trying to figure out what was really going on.
Mama-Face: Memoirs of a Geisha has been on my shelf for years and I always forget about it. Did you like it?
Whispering Writer: I agree...stuffed bookcases always have room for one more book!
JJ: I do that all the time...or sometimes I leave a book of short stories in the car so I'll have it when I'm stuck someplace.
ooh. thanks. im a bit more intrigued by it now.
ReplyDeleteand to go along with anyas suggestion...The Glass Castle is out of this world!
I love reading, but I seem to only find the time in the middle of the night, that doesn't work out so well for the kiddos during the day! You are adorable, and I am soo glad you stopped by and followed, I am anxious to read more about you!:-)
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