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.