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In some ways I hesitate to post my booklists, because I fear they may make me look like 1) a woman of leisure, or 2) I have no life. (Neither are true, in case you were wondering.)
The fact is, I make reading a priority. Behind working, friends and family, and (sometimes) sleep, there comes reading. I place it this high because I've learned as much from my reading as I did in any type of schooling. It stretches my mind, and is almost imperative for being a good librarian. It makes me good at knowing where to look for information, able to have a shot at answering those questions like do you know this book, I read it in third grade and it had twins in it and a red cover, and have a chance at giving you something you'd like to read when you say Recommend a good book to me about Australian scientists who have adventures.
And, oh, it's also a whole lot of fun.
I do have a life, and I do have hobbies. But reading will always be the Thing. When I don't have time to read, I get cranky. It helps that I'm a very fast reader, but at least a half hour before bed is imperative to a good night's sleep. I let others drive so that I may read while we travel. I read while I eat, and I read while I exercise. If I have a paperback with me at stores, I read in the checkout lane. Back when I was seven and had time for leisurely bubble baths, I read there, too. (And my parents have pictures to prove it, which I know they will bring out the moment I have a serious love interest. I am dreading the day.)
So, er, here's the list for this month. *cringe*
1. The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
As with The Nanny Diaries, it's much sadder on a second reading.
2. The Sound of Music: the making of America's favorite movie, Julia Antopol Hirsch
Ah, the delightful trivia I learned! I read this and then watched the movie again for the first time in years.
3. Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond
Now this was a book. Mr. Diamond was coming from an evolutionary standpoint (of course?), and I happen to believe in a literal six-day creation about 6,000 years ago, but people and civilisation and plant and animal domestication and writing (and so on) had to spread in some manner--perhaps while his time table was off, his theory is sound? It's food for though, at any rate. Fascinating, stuff.
4. In a Gilded Cage, Marian Fowler
Around the turn of the century American heiresses were flocking to Europe to marry British peers and other noblemen. This is the collective biography of four of them, the four who married Dukes. One of the four had a happy marriage. Ultimately a very sad book. (But oh, the dresses that were in fashion back then!)
5. Approval Addiction, Joyce Meyer
This was one of those I'm Reading This For My Job books. Ugh. I do not like self-help books in general, but I have a big problem when they are written by a female pastor. Also, the reading level was about fifth grade, if that.
6. Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York, Paul Gallico
This one was a little gem of a British book. I don't remember the copyright, but I'd guess in the 1940s or 50s. Lovely dialectal writing, charming story, sweet, quaint, etc. etc.
7. Life, the Universe, and Everything, Douglas Adams
The 700th book on my reading list! And now I only have a few of his left to read.
8. The Pleasure of My Company, Steve Martin
Yes, that Steve Martin. Believe it or not. He can write, although I did not find the book particularly amusing as the blurbs on the cover seemed to indicate. The main character was a man who made Monk look sane, but it was, in its way, profound at some points.
( What am I like when I'm myself?" An example of the kind of self-analysis I am prone to: )
9. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Knowing how much they like each other, I have been wanting to read Gaiman. In this book it is hard to distinguish a voice separate from Pratchett, but perhaps that means they do write alike. Warning: this book pokes fun at the apocalypse. If this offends you, stay away. It'swickedly funny, however.
( But here's some wise advice: )
10. Elizabeth Crowned Queen
Now this is a prize. It is the book published by the Crown Press in 1950-whenever to celebrate the coronation of Elizabeth II. I am in awe, pretty much. There was such glory to the monarchy, even then. Pomp, pageantry--I find it difficult to believe we will ever see this again. Not only was Elizabeth a remarkably beautiful young queen, but she had such a majesty and regalness in her every pose.
Included was the complete text of the coronation ceremony. Almost every part of it was Biblically inspired, from the ancient rituals to the many prayers. One wonders what the next coronation will be like...
11. Seize the Daylight: the curious and contentious story of Daylight Saving Time, David Prerau
I am not a fan of DST. But now I understand it better.
12. Tempus Fugit, Laurence Lee Rowe, Jr.
This had such promise (Franklin, Washington, and Jefferson are transported to modern day America) but was unfortunately ruined by the complete overuse of 18th c. slang, wooden writing, attempts to make the Founding Fathers human by making them into lustful old men, and the treatment of the book as an extended dialog-history lesson. If I gave out stars, this would get none at all.
13. The Little Lady Agency, Hester Browne
Still chick-lit, probably, but admirably good chick-lit, particularly for a first-time author. Very British, kinder and gentler than the satirical-chick-lit (see The Devil Wears Prada), and much less fashion oriented (no Jimmy Choos here). It was an original idea, mostly clean, and had characters that were funny, believable, and--importantly--likable.
14. Isn't It Romantic, Ron Hansen
Started out looking like it would be a sweeter and shorter version of Freddy and Fredricka, but ended up being boring. The cover art is nice, however.
15. Freakonomics, Steven D. Levitt
Another one to add to the category of The Tipping Point, Blink and Chance. I loved it! Just the sort of random information I am addicted to. Adding economics to the mix gave it a new spin on things. I highly recommend this--no, it really is a fun read. If you haven't read Blink, though, that's still my favorite pick for this type of book. It's by Malcom Gladwell.
16. The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary, Peter Gilliver, et al.
(I want a copy of the OED soooo badly!) About half the book is a discussion of Tolkien's linguistic exploits, particularly as related to his work on the OED, and the rest is a list of words that he revived, coined, or borrowed for his writings, and where they came from and how he used them. I never knew that so many of the Middle-earthian words that I had always assumed he had invented himself were actually from various ancient sources, from Anglo-saxon to Icelandic. Mathoms and wights and wargs, oh my!
The fact is, I make reading a priority. Behind working, friends and family, and (sometimes) sleep, there comes reading. I place it this high because I've learned as much from my reading as I did in any type of schooling. It stretches my mind, and is almost imperative for being a good librarian. It makes me good at knowing where to look for information, able to have a shot at answering those questions like do you know this book, I read it in third grade and it had twins in it and a red cover, and have a chance at giving you something you'd like to read when you say Recommend a good book to me about Australian scientists who have adventures.
And, oh, it's also a whole lot of fun.
I do have a life, and I do have hobbies. But reading will always be the Thing. When I don't have time to read, I get cranky. It helps that I'm a very fast reader, but at least a half hour before bed is imperative to a good night's sleep. I let others drive so that I may read while we travel. I read while I eat, and I read while I exercise. If I have a paperback with me at stores, I read in the checkout lane. Back when I was seven and had time for leisurely bubble baths, I read there, too. (And my parents have pictures to prove it, which I know they will bring out the moment I have a serious love interest. I am dreading the day.)
So, er, here's the list for this month. *cringe*
1. The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
As with The Nanny Diaries, it's much sadder on a second reading.
2. The Sound of Music: the making of America's favorite movie, Julia Antopol Hirsch
Ah, the delightful trivia I learned! I read this and then watched the movie again for the first time in years.
3. Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond
Now this was a book. Mr. Diamond was coming from an evolutionary standpoint (of course?), and I happen to believe in a literal six-day creation about 6,000 years ago, but people and civilisation and plant and animal domestication and writing (and so on) had to spread in some manner--perhaps while his time table was off, his theory is sound? It's food for though, at any rate. Fascinating, stuff.
4. In a Gilded Cage, Marian Fowler
Around the turn of the century American heiresses were flocking to Europe to marry British peers and other noblemen. This is the collective biography of four of them, the four who married Dukes. One of the four had a happy marriage. Ultimately a very sad book. (But oh, the dresses that were in fashion back then!)
5. Approval Addiction, Joyce Meyer
This was one of those I'm Reading This For My Job books. Ugh. I do not like self-help books in general, but I have a big problem when they are written by a female pastor. Also, the reading level was about fifth grade, if that.
6. Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York, Paul Gallico
This one was a little gem of a British book. I don't remember the copyright, but I'd guess in the 1940s or 50s. Lovely dialectal writing, charming story, sweet, quaint, etc. etc.
7. Life, the Universe, and Everything, Douglas Adams
The 700th book on my reading list! And now I only have a few of his left to read.
8. The Pleasure of My Company, Steve Martin
Yes, that Steve Martin. Believe it or not. He can write, although I did not find the book particularly amusing as the blurbs on the cover seemed to indicate. The main character was a man who made Monk look sane, but it was, in its way, profound at some points.
( What am I like when I'm myself?" An example of the kind of self-analysis I am prone to: )
9. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Knowing how much they like each other, I have been wanting to read Gaiman. In this book it is hard to distinguish a voice separate from Pratchett, but perhaps that means they do write alike. Warning: this book pokes fun at the apocalypse. If this offends you, stay away. It's
( But here's some wise advice: )
10. Elizabeth Crowned Queen
Now this is a prize. It is the book published by the Crown Press in 1950-whenever to celebrate the coronation of Elizabeth II. I am in awe, pretty much. There was such glory to the monarchy, even then. Pomp, pageantry--I find it difficult to believe we will ever see this again. Not only was Elizabeth a remarkably beautiful young queen, but she had such a majesty and regalness in her every pose.
Included was the complete text of the coronation ceremony. Almost every part of it was Biblically inspired, from the ancient rituals to the many prayers. One wonders what the next coronation will be like...
11. Seize the Daylight: the curious and contentious story of Daylight Saving Time, David Prerau
I am not a fan of DST. But now I understand it better.
12. Tempus Fugit, Laurence Lee Rowe, Jr.
This had such promise (Franklin, Washington, and Jefferson are transported to modern day America) but was unfortunately ruined by the complete overuse of 18th c. slang, wooden writing, attempts to make the Founding Fathers human by making them into lustful old men, and the treatment of the book as an extended dialog-history lesson. If I gave out stars, this would get none at all.
13. The Little Lady Agency, Hester Browne
Still chick-lit, probably, but admirably good chick-lit, particularly for a first-time author. Very British, kinder and gentler than the satirical-chick-lit (see The Devil Wears Prada), and much less fashion oriented (no Jimmy Choos here). It was an original idea, mostly clean, and had characters that were funny, believable, and--importantly--likable.
14. Isn't It Romantic, Ron Hansen
Started out looking like it would be a sweeter and shorter version of Freddy and Fredricka, but ended up being boring. The cover art is nice, however.
15. Freakonomics, Steven D. Levitt
Another one to add to the category of The Tipping Point, Blink and Chance. I loved it! Just the sort of random information I am addicted to. Adding economics to the mix gave it a new spin on things. I highly recommend this--no, it really is a fun read. If you haven't read Blink, though, that's still my favorite pick for this type of book. It's by Malcom Gladwell.
16. The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary, Peter Gilliver, et al.
(I want a copy of the OED soooo badly!) About half the book is a discussion of Tolkien's linguistic exploits, particularly as related to his work on the OED, and the rest is a list of words that he revived, coined, or borrowed for his writings, and where they came from and how he used them. I never knew that so many of the Middle-earthian words that I had always assumed he had invented himself were actually from various ancient sources, from Anglo-saxon to Icelandic. Mathoms and wights and wargs, oh my!
