read all the books I have before buying even one more

there is little time to read what’s in my collection as I am reading a lot more counselling books, some for like the third time but it is all part of the course.

The Psychodynamic Counselling Primer – Mavis Klein is really good. I think it is the best psychodynamic book that I have ever read, it makes all the theories so simple, it is easy to read and follow, going to explore the other theories through this series. Person-Centred Counselling in a nutshell – Roger Casemore I found poor and not very helpful in understanding this theory. Prozac Nation – Elizabeth Wurtzel is just a brilliantly written memoir on depression and her treatment for it during the 80’s. Lots of whining, black humour and a great insight into the helping profession treatment of depressives. Capable of Kissing Scars – Jacob Sam LaRose, this is a collection of poetry. This is just as good as his other collection Communion. My fav poem in this latest collection is called Pendulum, Say Something and Wolves, I just think those three are perfection, I think this will turn up in a few christmas stockings. Dreadful Acts – Philip Ardagh another childrens book and part of his Awful End series, I like this it is fun and aimed at boys and I handed it over to my 9 year old god-son who loves it! The Fight – Norman Mailer is a book i have wanted to read forever and did not realise I had it, don’t remember buying it, anyway it brought the world of boxing to me and reminded me a lot of my childhood, as I grow up in a family of boxing fans. The writing is insightful into the psychology of fighters and the people around them, I found it slightly jarring that Mailer refered to himself in the third person but it was fantastic at caputuring the times. His style, witty, caustic, judgemental and downright rude but fun to read.

I brought 4 books but they are on my reading list. Not sure if this counts, as I have stuck to this goal but due to the course I have had to buy the books.
Though I still feel like I have cheated at this goal.

Ok, so I just finished a book called spell binder. I find it hard to believe, but it looks like I’ve not read another book off my own shelf other than that since april. I have been picking up books from the library instead, like alas babylon and the good earth. I need to focus more on the books I own if I’m ever going to finish this.

Read towards this goal: 42

Back to Black by Whitechapel Art Gallery. Lots of essays and pics of art by Afro-Caribbean and Afro-American artists. Interesting and a eye opener as I am not clued up about art at all.
Sisters of the Sword Book 1 is a children’s book, I always like to read the book before i pass it on I thought it totally enjoyable, the plot of two daughters of the jito having to run away after their father was murdered by his jealous brother. I like the fact that young people get to learn about other cultures and the way of the samuri.
On Becoming A Person by Carl R. Rogers, a tomb of a book on person centered counselling.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin a classic that just begs to be read again, writing doesn’t get any better than this, simply intense and beautiful.

I finally finished reading the last Harry Potter book. Am now reading ‘The Reader’ which has apparently been made into a film that won Kate Winslet an Oscar. Next I plan to finish The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera.

And this is only just the tip of the iceberg! :(

This sucks. I’m only doing this until the end of July and then I have to buy the new Janet Evanovich.

I should be allowed one vice, right? Seriously, if bibliomania is my only one then I’m doing pretty good.

i did manage
The Man In My Basement by Walter Mosley, this seems like a step away from his detective Easy Rawlins series. I found this interesting, mainly because I did not like the main characters, they were men that i could not empathise with and felt sorry for the women in their lives. I found Mosley look at race, reparitions and guilt interesting but was left with more questions than answers.
I totally adored The Times Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. This was a gift but I once I started it I could not put it down, I just had to know what was going to happen to my Quatum Leap main character Henry. I was gripped by Niffenegger ability to switch between the sexes and the story with out it ever becoming confusing. I am sure she had to have written this in chronological order before she mixed it up, if she didn’t she deserve more than the honour of being an international bestseller. Loved it!
Mr. Soon Come by Jasmine Johnson had to of been a freebie, I would never buy such a book as this is not my taste at all; it is set in Birmingham, England. In the cultural arena of Jamaican dancehall. Conteh is the main character who no woman on the planet would like. An easy throw away read.
Black Panther Party by Katherine Cleaver and Katsiaficas. This was an interesting read about a time I wasn’t born in and only heard or seen movies about; it was interesting as it is a collection of essays written by ex F.B.I agents, ex-panther members, intellectuals and fitted up prison inmates on the impact of the panthers on todays society, on its downfall, on the government dirty tricks campaign and prisoners still fighting for freedom. Worth a read for any one interested in history or politics.

I’ve done surprizingly well. I hadn’t purchased any books for two weeks before I went on vacation. That doesn’t sound like much to someone who’s not a biblio-maniac like myself.

I’m going to see if I can make it a whole month, starting on June 1st, 2009

I’ve received a number of books as gifts recently, and made a pilgrimage to the library for some fresh items. I’ve made an updated list of To Read items at my blog, and will update it with links to a review here, once complete.

This weekend, I read Alexander McCall Smith’s Dream Angus and Love Over Sctoland, and enjoyed both immensely.

Finally finished reading the reader’s digest condensed books. It took me 2 months. To my credit, I caught up on magazines I read (national geographic, nature conservancy, audubon) which is quite a bit of reading, and this book was actually 5 books

VOLUME 1- 1969:
MISS ONE THOUSAND SPRING BLOSSOMS, THE HURRICANE YEARSTHE WINE AND THE MUSIC, ON REFLECTION, THE BLACK SHIP

but I’m only gonna count it as 1. they are condensed.

Read towards this goal: 41