read the books I have

When I’ve finished ALL of the books I already own, then I want to read an Agatha Christie mystery and something by Hunter S. Thompson. After that I want to re-read all of Jane Austen’s stories.

I’m really going to have to find a way to stay awake past 9:30 p.m. if I’m to do all this reading before I go completely blind & senile!

Right now, at no great speed mind you, I’m reading both Weighing the Soul: Scientific Discovery from the Brilliant to the Bizarre, and Make Compost in 14 Days by Editors of Organic Gardening Magazine.

Both are very interesting. I just wish I could read more than a few words before I fall asleep with the book on my face!

I know I read this, or had it read to me, as a child, but I didn’t remember anything from the story.

This book was a wedding gift to my ex-husband and me a dozen years ago, and this morning was my first reading of it. (Well, truthfully, I tried last night to read it, but I managed only about one page before I fell asleep, light on, book open beside me on the bed.)

This morning is one of my favorite kinds of mornings. It is a no-jog day, so after I saw Marty off to work at 5:30, I had two gloriously unspoken-for hours ahead of me. As soon as I was alone, I took a big mug of hot tea with me and slid back under the covers to read The Velveteen Rabbit. It was lovely.

I have always been convinced of the secret souls in stuffed animals; this sweet tale simply confirmed my belief.

I finished The Pillars of the Earth on Sunday, as planned, in a hot bubbly bath. I was a bit surprised by the way it ended – sort of anti-climactic, and with some ends tied up too happily, if you know what I mean. It wasn’t an entirely ‘happily ever after’ type of ending, but there was more of that flavour than I expected.

And then there were a few ends that were left completely hanging, which is more in keeping with what I expected, and yet I was disappointed to not know where those characters/story lines ended up.

No matter – still one of the best reads ever. I’ll revisit it one day, for sure. I wish I was better able to describe how and what about this story moved me so much.

I decided some time ago that after Pillars, I’d take a break from fiction for a while. I want to let the story simmer in my mind; it deserves to stand alone for a bit.

I am just over half way done this book, and holy moly is it ever amazing!! I can think of only two other books that I have loved this much, all the way through: Shes Come Undone (sorry, my apostrophe key isnt working) and The Outsiders (gimme a break! I was in grade seven!!)

I think Im averaging about 15 pages a day, but if I had more time, Id do little else but read and savour every last word.

Love it, love it, love it!! (and Marty loves that I love it too, which makes me happy :o)

hehehe… I’ve been collapsing into bed lately, so even the thought of trying to find my place in Pillars of the Earth, let alone trying to read and comprehend and retain the story, seems overwhelming.

Instead, I pulled out an old favorite and dragged it into bed with me:

I love falling asleep with a smile on my face :o)

Started it last week. I’m a bit intimidated by it’s length, because I’m quite a slow reader, but M assures me it’ll be worth it, even if I take six months to read it!

I couldn’t help myself – I bought The Artist’s Way (Thanks Dave) and Easwaran’s The Dhammapada (Thanks Walt, if you’re out there). Haven’t started either of them yet, because I’ve already got about four books on the go, but will dig in to both this weekend :+)

Choosing this one first because the ideas within fit so well with a couple of my current goals (stop wasting money, simplify, and live more seasonally). Plus, I just like it! The author, Tracey McBride, inspires all kinds of creative ways to celebrate, adorn the home, and feed the family without breaking the budget.
But first, I gotta pull the hammock outta the shed… woo hoo! My first frugal luxury in keeping with the season – I’m a natural!!

I’m looking at the open book case and no kidding, there must fifty books in there that I’ve yet to read either in part or entirely. Part of the reason is because most of them are non-fiction educational type books, which is GREAT – that’s why I bought them – but it’s tough to get into reading any of them because I really only read at bed time any more. And once school starts again in the fall, that will really be the only time I can read. So, I think I’m going to haul the hammock outta the shed and choose a book a week for the summer. That’s 16 books in 16 weeks … hm. Seems ambitious, but we’ll see.