read the books i own

For as long as I can remember I’ve loved books. I got my first library ticket when I was 9 and discovered that I could lose myself in a good book. As a result of general life stuff and maybe because of the depression and or anti-depressants I lost my ability to concentrate properly, and I get tired very easily.

I’m determined to read more, when i can find the time :-)

Couldn’t help myself today. This is why I haven’t been hanging around bookstores lately… I don’t want to see when fabulous things like this come out.

Every time an artist or writer publishes their sketchbooks and journals for us, I get so excited I can hardly stand it. I really love Art Spiegelman, and the presentation of his sketchbooks was PERFECT. All three were sold together, but bound to match the books they came from.

Forgive me for this purchase, I know I have sinned, I’ll try to feel bad about it later… right now I’m busy looking.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I were still in high school. I read young adult books a lot, but this one was so true to life, that it was more a reminder of some awful times than an escape. Very well done… but ouch.

Other books I own that I read recently:

The Farthest-Away Mountain by Lynne Reid Banks – This was a favorite of mine when I was itty bitty because the illustrations are fabulous. I came across it and decided to jog my memory a little.

Fact: I have a pile of books both in the front seat and trunk of my car because I don’t want to admit to myself that I brought home MORE by trying to find space for them on my shelves. I. Am. Hope-less.

Odes to Common Things by Pablo Neruda

This was a recent addition to my collection since it’s been on my wishlist for a long time and I happened upon a $5 copy during after-holiday sales. Hell, that’s better than $25.

Someone on GoodReads described it as: “If you ever wanted to translate Flemish still life painting into words, read this book.” ...I think that’s perfect. He chooses an everyday object to focus on in each poem, and spirals outward. My favorite was his poem about apples.

A quote from the ending of Ode to the Apple:

I want
total abundance,
your family
multiplied.
I want
a city,
a republic,
a Mississippi River
of apples,
and I want to see
gathered on its banks
the world’s
entire
population
united and reunited
in the simplest act we know:
I want us to bite into an apple.

The Moonlight Chronicles: A Wandering Artist’s Journal
by D. Price

You can actually find most of his chronicles on the website here:

http://moonlightchroniclesblog.blogspot.com/

...but I wanted a copy to peruse in my hands, so I ordered it online, new, for $2. Not bad, not bad.

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoy his style, and his views on life. Very glad that I own it, because the book is quite inspiring for those who enjoy chronicling their lives through pictures… and sometimes words.

War For the Oaks by Emma Bull

Urban fantasy at its best. A rock band leader drawn into a war between the fey.

This was nearly as fun to read for all the background behind it as the story itself. I’ve been reading a lot of books by people in this specific authors circle for a while. I found Emma Bull by way of reading Will Shetterly’s contribution to the Borderland books. I didn’t realize they were married until later.

If you’ve read this book, you might be interested in seeing the little clips of the movie they tried to make themselves:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCmgUccD71I

There are a few more as well if you search. Emma Bull stars, featuring music from her bands.

Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking
by David Bayles and Ted Orland

I’ve owned this one for more than a few months, but finally read it last month with an art group I’m in. It certainly had a lot of useful insights. It was more helpful to me in pointing out problems I experience as common in the field of art, and not a sign that I’m somehow less than fit for artmaking. They discussed everything from motivation to criticism in short sections. I’ll probably revisit this book in about a year for a refresher.

Other books I own that I read recently:

Yu + Me Dream: Vol. 1 & 2 by Megan Rose Gedris – I almost met the author of this webcomic at a convention recently, but her girlfriend told me she was asleep most of the day so I just bought the books. Boo. The comic was fun to read though and I enjoyed the characters a lot. Always nice to see something (anything?) about lesbians.

I’m failing at my subcategory to this goal… I keep buying more books. Must stop visiting library book sales and used book stores.

This is one that someone bought for me ages back, but due to the “It’s amazing!” hype and then the inevitable “It’s SO overrated.” backlash, I decided to put it on hold. Was looking for something light and beautiful last week and read this in one sitting.

I loved the feeling of motion in the picture progressions. It’s interesting the plot went in the direction it did, because as I started it I kept thinking that it felt like an elaborate silent movie.

Since I’m a huge fan of experimental reading formats, and a huge fan of Georges Melies films, I’m very glad I own this one because bits of it are fabulous to look at. The plot wasn’t especially deep, but when taken into account that it was meant for younger readers, it was straightforward and engaging. For these reasons, I loved the book.

Other books I own that I read this week:

*Return to Labyrinth, Vol. 1
*Return to Labyrinth, Vol. 2

(I don’t have much to say about those, besides “why?”)

As a compromise with myself, I’m changing “Do the 2008 TBR challenge” to “Read the books I own.” It’s essential the same goal, without a time limit or list… This way, I can report on any owned books I’ve read, and not have that cruel “you failed at this” column. Even though I technically did. But no! I will read the books I own and stop hounding libraries so much. Or try to.

Subcategory for this goal: STOP BUYING BOOKS.

I never thought I’d say that, but it’s gotten out of hand and I don’t have a huge income to work with…