The Road

Only 7 books left!  I just finished "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy.  This was a good one.  Borderline sci-fi (which I am not a fan of) but still written as if it could be a reality.  Apocalyptic-like. 
What I loved most about this book was that the main two characters were so generalized that it was easy to relate to either of them.  There were barely any personal details given so it was left up to your imagination to develop their details. 
Basically, a father and son are left to fend for themselves because the world around them no longer exists.  They have to travel the road to survive.  Constantly searching for something, even though they don't have a clue as to what that something is.  Fire is one of the threads throughout the book- the world was burned and has left nothing but ash in it's place, in order to shelter themselves from the weather they must build and keep a fire going, and the boy and his father are carrying the fire as they struggle on their journey to nowhere. 
They encounter some horrible and unimaginable things as they try to find food and housing.  The only thing they have to protect themselves is a single bullet.  The map they use to find their way is tattered and barely readable.  They're robbed.  Threatened.  Chased.  So many trials are overcome.  They did their best with what they had and kept moving forward even when it seemed impossible- often lesson that is spoken or taught and overlooked.  

nanowrimo begins again

I am very excited for November.  My biggest challenge is going to be writing again for the National Novel Writing Month (www.nanowrimo.org).  I did this last year and it's just what I needed to write my book that I had been putting off.  And in one month I had it down!  It's a year later and I am still editing it, but I've got my first proof in my hands.  Now the time has come around again to write a 50,000 word book.  I am hoping this will motivate me to continue on with editing my first book since my goal publish date is no later than December 31st.
I am right on track with my 52 books in 52 weeks.  I recently read a few books and have nothing really that great to say about them.  Another Oprah book-club book.  A classic.  A book written by an author that  I thought I liked.  And a book about someone's life and how they got to where they are today.  Sometimes good books are hard to find. 

back at it

It's been over two months since my last post, but definitely not that long since I've read.  "So Long, See You Tomorrow" by William Maxwell was my favorite in that time.  It's a very sad and compelling story that unravels in the 1920s.  One of the character's names is Cletus.  That alone is a good enough reason for me to read it, yes it's weird for me to okay a book simply on a name, but hey, I do what I want.  I don't want to reveal any of the plot because it's so heartbreaking, but for those of you who don't have time to read a 500-page novel, this is the one for you because it's only 134 pages and the font is pretty big.  So there you have it, no excuses.
One paragraph that really stood out to me and sums up this story is when Clarence was realizing how all these problems going on in his life affected him even if he had nothing to do with it and that was a horrible situation to be in.  He thought, "People neither get what they deserve nor deserve what they get.  The gentle and the trusting are trampled on.  The rich man usually forces his way through the eye of the needle, and there is little or no point in putting your faith in Divine Providence."  I am sure everyone has thought this at one time or another in their life, it's part of being human.  The important thing however, is to get up and start over again.  There is hope and mercy for all, it's just up to you to receive it.

Nice, France

My next five star is "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey.  It's a pretty intense book on drug and alcohol addiction/recovery and if you know me at all you know I am drawn into those kinds of stories.  I started reading it on my way to Nice, France and didn't read the whole week I was there (we were constantly up to something and I didn't want to miss out on one second of anything going on around me) but once I returned home I had a hard time putting it down.  Although I have never been an addict to illegal substances, I have had my share of being dependent on prescribed medications (especially after surgeries) and I know what it feels like to have to come off of them.  In that slight way this book feels familiar to me.  This is my B book- blunt, brusque, and brutal.  I would only recommend it to those who have had encounters with these sorts of situations... otherwise, it just causes disgust and judgement rather than compassion and empathy.

I read something that I would NEVER read... "Maus I & II" by Art Spiegelman.  This got a one star from me.  I wanted to stretch myself and so I chose this book which is really just a loooong cartoon.  The story would have been a lot better for me if there were only words and not illustrations with mice and pigs.  My brain just doesn't follow those things easily.

"Bossy Pants" by Tina Fey was quite a funny book.  I laughed and enjoyed the majority of her humor.  It was a sort-of biography, but mainly about how she got to where she is today.  It's a easy read, I think I finished it in 2 days.  Good book to read on the train.

Coming up next is "9 Stories" by J.D. Salinger and "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver.

p.s.  I am starting up my photography website soon so stay tuned!!!

gardens galore

Summer is officially here and so are all the beautiful flowers...one of my favorite things to photograph.  This means I've been slacking in the reading area, but I think I will make up for it this week because I'll be traveling up to Massachusetts for my cousin's wedding.  It's nice to pass the 7 hour drive with a book or two.  I started a new book recommended by Oprah (I love her) and it's over 600 pages so I don't think I will finish it, but just in case, I am bringing another one. 
I finished a humorous gardening book which I picked out of the pile just because of its name, "Beds I Have Known."  It might not seem possible to have a book that involves flowers and comic relief, but here it is.  I really enjoyed this one because the author talks about how she is a novice gardener and loves to get tips and watch those who have been gardening for their whole life.  This sounds like me.  I go to Garden Club once a month and hang out with all those gardening fanatics.  I am the youngest person there by at least 25 years but I love it.  As we visit different gardens and go on bus tours I take the pictures.  It's one of those simple pleasures in life.  Admiring the beauty of our world. 
Tonight, I went over to a neighbors garden and had my own photography shoot (see link at bottom of post).  It amazes me to see such a variety of plants together and complimenting each other.  I could never accomplish creating and maintaining a garden like that, but I can still love it and appreciate it in my own way.  You plant and I will photograph.

gardens galore photos 

rest in peace

My grandfather passed away this week.  It was expected to happen, but not as quickly as it did.  My parents were on their way up to see him and he died one hour before they arrived.  Mick, G, and I drove up Tuesday afternoon.  I was able to finish "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath.  In fact, it was the only book I brought which made me mad that I would go a few days without reading, it was difficult.  There was a lot going on around me with family and visiting and the funeral, so I thought I wouldn't need to take another book. 
Anyway, this book was not what I expected at all.  Starts out pretty normal and then turns all wacky.  Kind of like a "The Catcher In the Rye" meets "Clockwork Orange" only a girl version.  And to make it more depressing, I read that Plath committed suicide a month after this book was published.  This book is like the movie "Selena" because it makes you bummed out for no reason.

name dropping

Alright, if I had to be a teacher (which I am 90% sure would be a bad idea since I am not especially gifted in the area of patience) and could choose what my course would be, I would base it solely on "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas" by Gertrude Stein.  This book mainly takes place between 1907 and 1932.  I don't usually like history and how it is hard to relate to, but the way that this book was written made the dates secondary and the experiences were ones I would love to know.  There were a few things that reminded me of my modern day (cars & electricity) but the majority of the book was all about relationships with artists and their work and living with what they were able to.  

Appreciating the simple things in life, saying what one means and mean what one says, doing what your heart tells you to, and being confident in yourself.  These are some things Ms. Toklas learned as she spent her time with Gertrude Stein.  It inspires me to want to learn more about the people she associated herself with: Picasso, Matisse, and Hemingway; just to name a few.  The way they built each other up and saw life as an artist possible.  

It's a book that I have given five stars to, which is rare.  I am going to buy it and a few other books of Stein's and make a nice place for them on top of my library shelf which is strictly reserved for books I have read and will read again and recommend.  I started to take notes of things mentioned in the book that I want to research more of, but it started to get out of control and I was writing more than reading so I decided to stop jotting things down and come back through it once I had a one-down of the whole thing.

and there were five

I'm stuck.  I've started 5 books.  It usually doesn't get that bad.  I just feel discombobulated (yes, that is a real word, I just double-checked it on dictionary.com).  Maybe it's the crazy weather or that I have haven't been able to hear very well for the last two weeks thanks to double ear infections or that I am distracted over this issue that I have to find an attorney (if anyone knows a great employment/discrimination lawyer please share!) or that my living room is being redone or that my sister & niece were away for way too long or one of the bazillion other things.  It's just life and if five different books is what I need right now, so be it.

One doesn't count though because it's the kind that you follow each week for a certain amount of time ("The Artist's Way").  I'm on week four and haven't been able to complete most of the suggested exercises (one would be writing for 30 minutes every day anything and everything that comes to mind).  But this is my first read-through and I wanted to get the gist of the book first, I still struggle with whether I am an artist or not anyway.  One moment I feel very inspired and art-like and then another like a wanna-be.  I am working on it.

Next up, I've started this memoir.  There's a lot going on here and interestingly enough this one is about the author and her endeavor of becoming an artist (more specifically a writer) and her journey through many obstacles including alcoholism and struggling with her identity and who she is.  These types of books are my favorite genre so I am not surprised that  I am enjoying it.  It reminds me that everyone has their own problems and their own way of dealing with them.  It normalizes my world and makes me feel less crazy.


Here is another one about France.  This woman's name kept popping up in random places over an over lately so I took it as a sign and picked "The Autobiography of Alice B. Tolkas" because was one of her most famous novels.  The only thing I knew about this author was that she had this place in Paris where she would have artists like Picasso and Cezanne hanging around with her.  This book goes into more details of it all and she is writing from her friend's point of view.  I don't usually like history and things of that nature, but this book has me captivated. 


So, the first three book I am enjoying, but "Catch-22" was the first one I had going and caused me to pick up the other four.  It is bizarre.  It is about war and I feel like it is all over the place and wacky.  I am over half way through and want to finish it because I am hoping at some point it will come together for me.  If not, I will be referring to the Cliff-Notes for some guidance and clarifications.




This is the most recent one I've started.  It was late one night and as I was getting ready to go to bed I saw it laying on the floor and couldn't resist the urge to pick it up.  I started reading it and the started to fall asleep.  Not because it was blasé, but because I was wicked tired.  I am not bored with this book.  I can't wait to see what I'll get out of it.

giggling about grammar

If you're looking for a book on grammar, this is it.  "Things That Make Us [Sic]" by Martha Brockenbrough had me chuckling the entire time.  I'm not a huge fan of learning the rules of English and such, but I thought I should pick up a few books on this subject as I am editing my manuscript.   This book I found randomly at the library and read it like one of those books that you don't want to end because it was so funny and I felt like I was having a conversation with the author right there in front of me.  She was telling me all about our language and I was actually enjoying it! 

I am questioning all of my comma placements and word choices now because I feel like since I read about it I should know it now, but I am not claiming to be an expert on this stuff, not even close.  I will point something out if I notice it and welcome corrections from others.

It makes me feel better that the author doesn't put too much emphasis on correct punctuation.  She explains that it was originally meant for telling people when to breathe as they were reading aloud.  "Punctuation isn't meant to make the author's state of mind clear.  Well-chosen words do that, and the day serious writers turn to punctuation to communicate their ideas will be a :-( day indeed."  
Have you ever experienced a moment where something or someone you knew about or did or saw was referenced?  For example, before Zappos was famous for fabulous free shipping I had known about it and did a research project on it for one of my undergrad business courses.  So now I see commercials for the company on TV and think back to when no one knew what it was and feel "in the know."  Anyway, I felt like that as I was reading this current book and Nabokov was mentioned!  Woo-hoo! I know who that author is and have actually read one of his books.  And don't try to ruin my excitement by telling me that he is one of those classic authors, I don't care, I wouldn't have known who he was if I hadn't just read his memoir.  Getrude Stein has a few books on my to-read list, too.  This book wasn't the first I've been reading where she is talked about (and it typically seems to be brought up with some negative vibes).  This lady really seems like something for all these other authors to keep bring her up...maybe the type of person I would've like to have known?  In "Things That Make Us [Sic]" she is talked about because of Stein a few times.  I guess I should bump up one of her books on my library requests.

wordless way of saying grace

I am excited that I finished Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma" because even though I really liked this book I had a hard time getting into it back when I borrowed it from the library.  In fact, I maxed out my limit of three renewals and gave up trying to read it.  My friend and I would always end up talking about this book and she encouraged me to give it another try.  Instead of having to get another library version, she kindly lent me her own copy.
One of my favorite parts of this book is the ending when Pollan has finally prepared his meal that he spend so much time foraging, hunting, and gathering for.  He put a lot (physically and emotionally) into this project and ended with a meal with those who've taught him all about it.  He describes how he meant to prepare a speech laced with praise and appreciation.  One of those moments we all have of thinking up great things to say before or after but can never remember at the appropriate time.  He realizes how his way of saying grace before this meal didn't have to be words that he prepared because every second that went into finding and making this meal were mindful and therefore appreciated and blessed and thanked.
My problem with this type of book (read also, "Eating Animals") is that I develop this temporary obsession over every single thing that goes into my mouth and drive those around me nuts.  I had been a successful vegetarian for 6 months last year, but it was at the expense of my mother and sister.  Since they buy and prepare 90% of my food for me, I not only was inflicting my new ways on myself, but them too.  I finally gave up and became what I call a mindful eater- I make sure to think about what I am putting into my mouth.  
I think this book should be required reading in our high schools.  Too many people are ignorant about what goes on in our food industry and if this was read some eyes would be open.  These generations coming up right now need some accountability for the actions that are done to our environment, especially when it comes to poor food choices.  We have so much to be grateful for and it seems to be just wasted or misused.  How can a change be made if they don't even see a problem?  

This past weekend, one of my best friends from college and I, went to our 5 year college reunion.  I know for those who are older than us it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it made me feel old and question how far I've come in my life.  It's weird getting together with a bunch of people that you haven't talked to in a long time and disclosing what you have (or haven't) done since graduation. There was a lot of chatter and laughter that filled the room but I am still deciding whether or not it was worth paying $25 to go to.  We had a pretty lame buffet that barely satisfied our appetites and had to pay to get something to wash way it all down with.  After a few hours we said our goodbyes and the obligatory "let's keep in touch".  Michelle pointed out to me how this was often exchanged, but no way of contacting one another was given.  I think it was good to go just to know that I didn't miss out on it.
Last night I finished the book "20 Something, 20 Everything" and it seemed to fit right in with what I was thinking over the weekend.  I actually have been having some insomnia and was reading from 3-5am with my little portable book light and quiet classic music in the background.  And Manu snoring.  He's cute so it's okay.

Anyway, I was reading all about how there is such a crisis of careers and decisions made and to be made when it comes to those in their 20s, specifically late-20s.  This was the only section of the book that I enjoyed and could relate to.  It only received two stars from me.  I must admit, I skipped the whole part of relationships.  I am not in one and didn't feel like having my face rubbed in what could and should be.  I can always go back and read it when I am with my significant lover-boy.  Another issue I had with this book was that it had a million exercises to do.  I skipped them or just answered them in my head as I went along.  It was something I just didn't want to do.  A few of them did get me thinking and had me occupied for a good amount of time, but the majority I just breezed on through.  
Before the work section of the book, the author, Christine Hassler, talked about some basic but very smart ideas.  One of my favorite quotes from the book: "We are all naturally interdependent beings, and knowing when and who to ask for help is an essential aspect of true independence."  How true is that!?  One of those things that makes so much sense, but in the moment of things is forgotten.  Becoming independent is one of the most important things for those of us in our 20s.  It can be so hard to determine when to let go and move on or when to stand back and let someone else hold the reigns. 
This book asks three questions and then goes on to address each one individually:
Who Am I?
What Do I Want?
How Do I Get What I Want?
Like I said, some parts of the book were great and others just plain common sense.  It wouldn't hurt to read it if you're in your 20s, it'll give you something to think about and provide another viewpoint of your life.

purpose

Both of the books I'm reading (20 Something, 20 Everything & A Prayer for Owen Meany) reveal things about a meaningful life.  It seems like everything around me has something to say about that right now.  Purpose can be shaped and influenced by identity, independence, security, relationships, career, and family.  I know everyone has a purpose for their life, whether they acknowledge it or not is another thing.  The main character in "A Prayer for Owen Meany", Owen Meany (go figure), states many times to his best friend that he has a purpose and there is a reason things develop the way they do.  His whole life is filled with things that happen and they all add up to an ending that I won't talk about in case you want to read the book.  I would highly suggest it.  It'll give you a new appreciation for these things around you that make up your world.
This book is over 600 pages, but it is written so beautifully and with something that keeps you wanting to read more and learn about this kid's life.  He isn't your typical character and I wonder how Irving pulled this off.  Meany is a little person.  There isn't too much about that, but there are a few things throughout the book that are influenced by his size.  How did Irving know so well how to write about something that he'd never be able to understand unless he experienced this first hand?  I feel like he did the character justice.  
One of Owen's prayers was Psalm 37.  My favorite verses from this are 5-6, 
"Open up before God, keep nothing back; 
  he'll do whatever needs to be done:   
He'll validate your life in the clear light of day
  and stamp you with approval at high noon."


Next up is "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.  I hope to ignite my creativeness with this one!

ranunculas to the rescue

It's been a busy few days, but I'm still managing to squeeze in my reading whenever I can.  I've been bringing my book with me wherever I go so that I can read at any moment.  I spent two hours waiting for my doctor to show up and was reading, reading, reading.  Thankfully, I don't get car sick so I read while driving places.  This rain the past five days has made me super tired and I've been napping a lot.  To brighten up my world I went to the greenhouse with my cousin, Vicki, and bought two bunches of my favorite flower, ranunculas.  Now I can glance up from my reading and see my beautiful bouquet.  I wish I had a house in the countryside of France so I could just pick my own wildflowers to enjoy.  Sipping iced tea out on my french terrace.  Going to cafes and watching people.  Eating a lot of bread and delicious meals. 
 This book about a year in Provence brings up a lot of the little nuances in cultures, locations, and seasons.  The author himself is English, straight from Brighton, and isn't afraid to address these things.  I love how this book was published in 1989 but time really has nothing to do with anything.  It hasn't changed.  It's like going to a place in time and having it paused.  It's the best of both worlds: old and new collide and are merged together when necessary.
 I only have one more chapter to read in the book and I'm feeling unhappy about it being the end already. It like going somewhere and not wanting to leave because you're having such a great time.  Reading about France makes me want to go back as soon as I can and re-experience everything this author details about his year there.  I guess I have to move on to other books and just finish it.  I am planning on going through it again and check out all the things I highlighted.  A more detailed evaluation is to come.

wanderlusting

It wasn't too hard to give up on "The Postmistress" since I picked a fabulous book to move on to, "A Year In Provence" by Peter Mayle.  Any book that has to do with France or french- I love.  Even if the book sucks, I still like it because it has that element in it.  It's true.  There is a whole shelf in my book case that has only these kinds of books on it.  It just has a special place in my heart and soul.  I'd say it all started because my grandmother (my Dad's mom) spoke barely any english and the one thing I remember most about her is her thick french accent.  That sparked my interest in learning the language, I wanted to understand what she was saying to me.  Sadly, I never got that opportunity to have a true conversation in french with her before she died, but I continued learning it through college.  My senior year I spent a semester abroad and was living my dream.  I was immersed in the language and culture and loved it.  I lived in a town called Nancy.  I am hoping to go back for a visit sometime this summer (Darcey, I'm serious!).  The book I am reading now takes place in a completely different location, Provence, but it's still France.  Each chapter is a month and I'm already on July (it started in January).  I love this author's style and attitude, very clever.  The way he describes things makes it feel like I am right there next to him and provides me with lots of food for my imagination.  He spends five pages talking about truffles and it's absolutely fascinating... all about the mushroom!
Normally, I have little sticky-tab things that I use to mark a page that has something I want to remember and/or go back to at some point, but for this book there are so many that I just gave in and used my highlighter.  It's already going dry.  I hate when that happens, it's usually and indication to me that I am too highlighter-happy, but I can't help myself... I was deprived from marking books up in high school because we had to return them, so now I am making up for it.


The other book came in from the library, "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving.  A friend I share a love for books and scrabble with read it a few months ago and she said it reminded her of me.  It also was on one of those must-read-before-you-die lists.  It's a big one, over 600 pages.  Now, if I had a kindle, I wouldn't be able to have to satisfaction of holding that fat paperback and turning each page.  But, if it I did have a kindle, I wouldn't have to switch to my bigger purse just to tote that bigger book around in.  If someone gave me a kindle, I'd be very happy.  If someone gave me a book I'd be very happy.  Both have their ups and downs.

I was lucky enough to be able to read two days this week outside on my porch.  It's time to make some iced tea and put on the sunscreen!  It really is blissful to sit out there.

it's all coming back to me

I had requested "The Postmistress" from my local library and couldn't remember why I had chosen that book.  It had to be for a good reason.  Maybe a friend suggested it, or Oprah, or maybe it was one of those read this if you liked this?  I started it the other day and am now about 50-pages into it and am at the point of wanting to give up on it and return it to the library, unfinished.  That is a huge thing for me, I never ever give up on a book.  I feel guilty- like I could be missing out on something great.  If I ever get to that situation where I'm dreading to read the rest of a book I always find it okay to put it down for however long I need and continue it at a future date and time.  Sometimes, I have paused from books for years at a time, but I always know I will get back to it.  

I finally put my finger on how that book was added to my list of to-read.  I receive a monthly newsletter from my local bookstore, Aaron's Books, and in that I saw an advertisement for a book club meeting that was going to be discussing "The Postmistress" today and the author was going to be signing books there next week.  I figured since they are promoting this book it must have potential, right?  Now I am re-thinking the whole thing.  This book just seems not along the lines of what I typically like to read.  It reminds me of The Real Housewives for some reason.  One scene I keep going back to that bothers me is one that takes place in the local Post Office and a neighborhood lady goes there every day to catch up on the latest gossip and watch others.  I just picture a lot of old ladies with rollers in their hair and old men gathered outside chatting it up.  All that to say, I think I am going to take the dive and put the book down for good.

I finished "The Elements of Style" and have decided I need to purchase my own copy so that I can highlight and mark it up.  There are just too many points in the book to take in just one read-through.  It's the type of book that should be read at least once a year to remind you of how to talk and write.  I think the most noticeable way it's challenged me is with my text messages.  They are now complete sentences with punctuation and all that jazz.  If you receive multiple texts from me at once, that is why, they're much longer doing it that way.  

one last comment

I thought I was finished commenting about "Jane Eyre", but I was wrong. Jane was marked as my least favorite character in the book and it turns out that it's really St. James. He would drive me insane if I had to be around him longer than five minutes. Pushy, hard-headed, hypocritical, and psycho are just a few words that come to mind to describe this dude. The only good point about him is that he made me like Jane in the end. I guess she came to her senses after seeing what crazy really was like.

dictionary, which one?

It's a love story and a pro-feminist novel. Which doesn't seem possible. I don't mind being a strong and independent woman, but it can be taken way too far. "Jane Eyre" is really stirring up some irritation. I don't feel bad for Jane, am I supposed to? Her character just really annoys me. It started right away with her "woe is me" attitude and I thought she became somewhat likeable with her drive to be something and make her life worthwhile, but she flushed all of my hopes for liking her down the toilet once she moved into her new home with Mr. Rochester. She is just too independent and self-reliant, it's like an obsession and she will do anything (even if it's harmful to herself) to remain that way.
If you haven't read this story here it is in a nutshell (don't worry, I won't give the ending away in case you want to read it): a girl has a horrible childhood and gets sent off to a school where she takes control of her life and makes it bearable and finds a way to make a difference in her world. She gets tired of it after a while and decides to try something new and applies for a job in another city. She gets it and becomes a teacher to a french orphan girl and then falls in love with her boss (even though initially she had feelings of hatred towards him). They planned to wed, but then a secret from his past surfaced and it was all ruined. Jane refuses to ignore it and just moves on, literally. She runs off into the night without telling anyone and with little food and very little money which she squanders just to get a carriage to take her to another place. And blah, blah, blah. Just rehashing it all is giving me a headache. Or maybe I need more coffee.

This book has many words that aren't in my vocabulary which is all fine and dandy, but after so many it makes me feel pretty unintelligent. If I had a dictionary, I feel like I would be pausing after every other paragraph to check on the definitions of the words. I guess I should have paid more attention during Vocabulary class in high school. Oh well, it just gives me the option of finding a good dictionary and putting it to use. Any recommendations? I know I could just use dictionary.com but I think it is more fun to page through the thick book and search for the right word. I am old fashioned like that.

On to another book, I just got "The Postmistress" by Sarah Blake from the library and it's due back soon so I better get a move on it. Those library fines can add up quickly.

autobiography, finished

I am proud to say that I got through and finished "Speak, Memory." It was a challenge to read about a place that I know little about (Russia) and about a guy who loves butterflies and talks more about that than his wife and kid. However, I kept in mind that this guy didn't even speak English as his first language and his writing is amazing.
Side note: It truly impresses me when someone can have a solid grasp on a language other than their native tongue. I heard on NPR this morning that there is no evidence that teaching a child more than one language when they're young confuses them. In fact, it makes them smarter and use more of their brain. And, dementia can be slowed by at least a few years. 2/3rds of European children know more than one language. Let's jump on the bandwagon already. I better get out my Rosetta Stone and work on my french.
Anyway, I still want to read his "Lolita" because he does have a nice writing style. I just wasn't captured by his biography. Is that a crime? Maybe once I read more biographies I will be able to appreciate it.
What keeps surfacing to me is why some call this an autobiography while others call it a memoir. There is a difference and to me it does matter since I am in the midst of writing about my rehabilitation from a recent surgery and don't want to call it a novel or non-fiction. I figured it would be a memoir since it's just a part of my history/life, right? There are some major debates over these genres and I would rather have no part in that so I am just going to call it what I want and if you don't like it, too bad.
In the end, I think my niece liked this book more than I did.

rain and reading both start with r's

I'm trying to find the positive of this not-so-springy weather. The negatives come quite easily... Manu refuses to go outside and poops on the rug, I can't ride my wheelchair over to the gym and risk getting pulled over by a cop who has nothing better to do than pull girls in wheelchairs over, I can't sit out on my porch and bask in the sun, and I can't go to the park with Gia and take a thousand pictures of her. So can you see why I'm not a happy camper? The only good reason for this rain and cold, other than the earth needs it, is that I can read and work on my blog. And drink lots of coffee.

I’m trying really hard to get through “Speak, Memory” by Vladimir Nabokov. I started this because I read somewhere that it is one of the must-reads. I must admit, I’m struggling to get through it. There are sections that I enjoy and find myself reading without nodding off, but I am glad that I only have 1/3 of the book left to go. I have issues with not finishing a book. I just can’t not finish something I started. Even if it takes reading four or more other books in the meantime.

On that note, I picked up “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë. I couldn’t help myself. I was getting frustrated with how slowly I was getting through Vlad’s book and actually went for a few days without reading at all which is really bad because that meant I was watching more tv and that just is crap. To cure the filling of my head with useless reality tv shows, I (and by I, I mean Mick) dug up my old paperback of “Jane Eyre”. I had just seen a preview for a new movie about it that came out starring an actress I really like, Mia Wasikowska, so I thought why not re-read this old classic and see it in a different light.

Lastly, I’ve got “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk & E.B. White going. This one has to do with the fact that I’m working on my manuscript and needed a refreshing on my 7th grade grammar class and this book is one of the most highly recommended books for writing/grammar. And, it’s Wilbur’s creator, how could I pass that up, I think this book will be a lot less depressing than “Charlotte’s Web”.

My list is growing and I'm sure it's going to be over 52 books, but the more the merrier. I'll be including two of my favorite authors: David Sedaris and Paulo Coelo. I've got some great suggestions so far of books I've read already, but one that was just mentioned that sounds worth reading is "20-Something, 20-Everything: A Quarter-life Woman's Guide to Balance and Direction." Please visit this link if you want to see what books I've added to the stack. And I'm off to read...

let the list begin

There are a lot of other things on my to-do list other than start a new project, but here I am putting my thoughts into words and punching it all up onto this screen in front of me for the whole world to read. It was meant to be anyway, so I have to go with it.

I was waiting at my library this morning for a meeting and had some time to kill so I went to the nearest bookshelf that I could reach (which is limited to the bottom two shelves) and was looking at different titles and came across this book: "So Many Books, So Little Time" by Sara Nelson. I couldn't help myself, it sounded like something I would say (see my goodreads list) and I picked it up and started reading.

So, basically, I am going to follow in this author's footsteps and go through 52 books in 52 weeks and blog about my journey here. I figure it'll be good writing and thinking exercises. I am looking forward to being finished with this project just because I will be able to go back and see where I've come in just a year and how books really can impact every day living and give such different perspectives and it'll all be recorded in one place!

The first step is to compose (or get it started) my list. I have to leave room for books that just fall into my lap. I am a serial reader (I always have at least three books going) so bear with me. I need to have a few different genres of books going at once so if I need a break from one I can easily switch over to another. It all depends on my mood, how tired I am, and where I am.

I'm starting out with fourteen books on my list and I can just add as the others come along. I've got three of them going right now, so I guess I better start getting more suggestions for books to read (please feel free to leave ideas!). I don't like to read the backs or flaps of books to find out what they're about, I'd rather just pick it up because it has a cool cover or title. Yes, I am one of those and proud of it. Although, I will read a book just because someone recommended it; so tell, tell, tell!

To begin, I thought "Jane Eyre" would be appropriate, I wanted to see the new movie that came out March 11. See how randomly and for seemingly purposeful-less reasons I can choose a book?

Now I have to go and find the book hidden away somewhere on my bookshelf. Good excuse to reorganize my books!!

Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë
So Many Books, So Little Time: A Year of Passionate Reading
by Sara Nelson
Speak, Memory
by Vladimir Nabokov
The Elements of Style
by William Strunk
My Sister My Love
by Joyce Carol Oates
Love in the Time of Cholera
by Gabriel García Márquez
Those Who Save Us
by Jenna Blum
A Year in Provence
by Peter Mayle
Magical Thinking: True Stories
by Augusten Burroughs
Catch-22
by Joseph Heller
The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
by Betty Edwards
The Postmistress
by Sarah Blake
Lolita
by Vladimir Nabokov
Madame Bovary
by Gustave Flaubert