All this talk of book worms got me thinking—yeah, I read a lot. For better or worse I, unlike Sally, do look forward to evenings and lunch breaks where I can just throw myself into reading whole heart and mindedly. I thought that this current picture of my desk sort of summed it up. Aside from my computer, there are two stacks containing 9 different books that I am in various stages of reading. They are pretty random, but here is the list:
Stack 1:
The Scriptures—I do try to keep them at the top of the pile.
Serendipity of the Spirit—this I have read several times lately, but use as a reference for my own writing.
The Scarlet Pimpernel—This was the March selection of my book club, I’ve still only read the first chapter.
Essential Latin: The Language of Ancient Rome—I bought this in England and have finally been making some use of it. I was trying to translate a few phrases about dragons. (More on my book and Death to Dragons/ ‘Letum Dracon’ another time.)
The Audacity of Hope—I’m more than ½ s done, but I started in March. It’s interesting, good, and long, and non-fiction usually takes me a while.
Stack 2:
Jane Austen’s Complete Novels. I’m reading Emma right now—it’s really good, and satisfying because I’ve been reading it steady for a few weeks and still have a lot left. On the down side, reading Jane Austen tends to lead me to launch British accented soliloquies about men and friends in my own head.
The Host—this is a total escape book, and will probably take me three days once I let myself open it. I’m trying to finish Emma first.
The Journal of the Wooden O Symposium—my very own copy. I thought I should read the few other papers that I didn’t get to see during the conference last year.
Variations on a Blue Guitar—I don’t know anything about this yet, it came in the mail for free because I registered early for a conference. Upon further inspection, it is collection of lectures on education by a guy named Max Green. I probably won’t read much of it.
(Under this is inserted a friends copy of Star Wars: Episode III that I’ve been meaning to watch for a couple of weeks.)
Tragedy—Text and Commentary. This is a collection of tragic plays that I rescued from the garbage at work. I started Phaedra and Desire Under the Elms before I got into Emma.
So yes, I am a book worm, eating my way through most anything that crosses my path.
(It’s funny that cousin Kristy and I are reading two of the same books at the moment, I laughed when I saw her list.)
The Scriptures—I do try to keep them at the top of the pile.
Serendipity of the Spirit—this I have read several times lately, but use as a reference for my own writing.
The Scarlet Pimpernel—This was the March selection of my book club, I’ve still only read the first chapter.
Essential Latin: The Language of Ancient Rome—I bought this in England and have finally been making some use of it. I was trying to translate a few phrases about dragons. (More on my book and Death to Dragons/ ‘Letum Dracon’ another time.)
The Audacity of Hope—I’m more than ½ s done, but I started in March. It’s interesting, good, and long, and non-fiction usually takes me a while.
Stack 2:
Jane Austen’s Complete Novels. I’m reading Emma right now—it’s really good, and satisfying because I’ve been reading it steady for a few weeks and still have a lot left. On the down side, reading Jane Austen tends to lead me to launch British accented soliloquies about men and friends in my own head.
The Host—this is a total escape book, and will probably take me three days once I let myself open it. I’m trying to finish Emma first.
The Journal of the Wooden O Symposium—my very own copy. I thought I should read the few other papers that I didn’t get to see during the conference last year.
Variations on a Blue Guitar—I don’t know anything about this yet, it came in the mail for free because I registered early for a conference. Upon further inspection, it is collection of lectures on education by a guy named Max Green. I probably won’t read much of it.
(Under this is inserted a friends copy of Star Wars: Episode III that I’ve been meaning to watch for a couple of weeks.)
Tragedy—Text and Commentary. This is a collection of tragic plays that I rescued from the garbage at work. I started Phaedra and Desire Under the Elms before I got into Emma.
So yes, I am a book worm, eating my way through most anything that crosses my path.
(It’s funny that cousin Kristy and I are reading two of the same books at the moment, I laughed when I saw her list.)
9 comments:
Wow! I really don't know what else to say! Good luck.... to me that is overwhelming, but good for you. I can't beleive how fast Kristy whips through books, with 2 kids.
You're my hero! I have 3 on my summer reading list: re-read Huck Finn; The History of Love (looks like a fascinating new novel); The Tipping Point; and How to Read Literature Like a Professor. I can't wait to get started!
Make that 4--never was good at math.
A certain "Twilight Zone" episode comes to mind...do you know which one? I've actually been meaning to read Emma for some time- having half named my daughter after her character.
I do still have a life outside of books...I played games with friends all night instead of reading. Though, if I didn't have to get up for work in the morning I would probably stay up till 2 to finish Emma, but instead I'm going to be good and sleep instead.
What a trial.
Kate are you going to read The Host? It's Stephenie Meyer's new one.
I'll probably wait until I can check it out at the library- or borrow it from you. I read alot of reviews of the book basically saying it was interesting, a little slow starting, worth the read, but different than the Twilight Series and not as good. Let me know what you think.
I can't wait to start reading for the summer. I have a whole slew of books on different lists that I've been making over the past school year. Plus, a whole bunch that I have started and not finished. Some of these are Midnight's Children, Animal Farm (Jeremy and I were reading it; I know, he couldn't believe I hadn't read it either!), Possession, Mama Day (thanks, Mom), Les Miserables (again, because I always tell people it's my favorite book, and I want to see if that's still true), One Hundred Years of Solitude (in Spanish).
Also, I don't really love Jane Austin. I feel like the movies are better than the books because they match the amount of time and depth of thought her novels really merit. They're enjoyable, for sure, but not all that thought-provoking.
Let's see how provoking my comments are though. I didn't even touch Twilight!
Sorry Kate, I'm only borrowing it from a friend, who also borrowed it. I think it actually belongs to someone in Idaho. And Sally, mock away. I have no defense.
Also, I think some of Jane Austen is better than others. Sense and Sensablilty actually made me cry. Emma is fluffier than P&P, but still good. I think they are thought provoking and historically interesting because of their stil being such acutate picture of human nature and social structures. She really did have an amazing grasp on the female brain. But I agree about being overrated. Luckily, almost all of the movies are really good.
I'm a romantic until the end- I love the movies, and I know I'll love the books. Twilight has cheesy moments but is right up my alley. I guess I'll never be a literary critic.
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