I was tagged. Tagged to share my books <more like library> with those who know me. That is what Gem delightfully did in her journal to me. When I read that I had been tagged, I have to admit I inwardly groaned. Why? Because I look around my office to start, and then throughout my home and realize I am my own library. I could issue library cards and never run out of books. So I groaned, not because I was tagged, but because to share would take the entire 25,000 characters in an entry..........
I've been dragging my typing fingers.
Gem, this is for you darlin...........................Journally Yours
I lend books out like there is no tomorrow, and yet, I'm still swimming in them. I suppose thats because I frequent a bookstore at least 2 times a week. Yes, I am even one of those suckers who paid the 25 bucks at Barnes and Noble for the additional discount.
So, I've decided to make this easy, I will list the books within eye sight of my computer, so you get a taste of what I feed my brain cells..............Onward I type.....
Currently Reading:
Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott <brain feeding>
The Beginners Guide to The Kabbalah, the words of Rabbi David Cooper <on CD for driving time> <knowledge and understanding>
The Goodbye Summer, Patricia Gaffney <sinful entertainment>
Books I can see from my stationary position:
The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold
The Art of War, the Denma Translation
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas, James Patterson
*Writers Market, 2005
To Ride a Silver Broomstick, Ravenwolf
Truth and Beauty, Ann Patchett
*Things I want my daughters to know, Alexandra Stoddard
*Emily Dickinson, collected poems
Wicca, A guide for the solitary practitioner, Scott Cunningham
Lucky, Alice Sebold
Quality of Care, Elizabeth Letts
Harry Potter and the Half-blood price, J.K Rowling
The Patron Saints of Liars, Ann Patchett
*The Iliad, translated by Richmond Lattimore
*Ralph Waldo Emerson, selected essays
On writing, Stephen King
Desert Solitaire, A season in the wilderness, Edward Abbey
Hmmm, thats just one shelf, enough to give a general idea I'm all over the reading world?
* denotes never gets taken far from my grasp
If they are near me, that means I've read them within the last 6 months, otherwise they get shifted off to other parts of the house to make room for the new ones.
I step onto a fireball right now and say, I am not a literary snob. I will read a Nora Roberts romance if it's fun and entertaining, I will read The Iliad probably a hundred more times in my life along with Emerson and all the Dickinson I can get my hands on. I have my stack of classics that your mind has to wade through with precision and care and I have my stacks of sinfully delightful paperback romance novels.
What I don't have many or really any of <and Chris don't disown me> is self-help books. I walked that path for a long time a while ago, and found myself going even more batty then I already felt. I suppose, self help books, just aren't for me. I'd rather just self-wallow and tread water until I figure it out or drown~~~ Although, I have been embarking on a bit of a self-help assignment lately and I must admit, it's been a good challenge!
Ok, Gem, am I in your good graces now? <thank you by the way for thinking of me, I really do appreciate the tap!> I'd peg someone else, except I have no idea who else has already been tagged. If you'd like to share what you've been reading, please share! Send me over a link and I'll go check out what books you've been basking in lately.
I ALWAYS appreciate a good recommendation and will promptly get out and purchase a book someone says took them in and entertained a few brain cells.
18 comments:
hey thanks for taking the time to stop by my journal.and thanks for the post as well.hope to see you more offend.hope to keep in touch. your new journal friend, diana
I love the title of your journal. You have a great way with words and I enjoy your entries. I agree with you about self help books to be honest. There was a time when I read nothing but this type of book and it made me nuts. Too much advice. I do need a little jolt in the right direction but a whole book on something is too much. Keep writing! http://journals.aol.com/allthatjazz01/coffeetalk
Thanks for sharing your books. They tell as much about you as many words you can say. And I *AM* a snob, and I still like reading Nora Roberts books. Same plot, same characters, but still good fun.
--sneakz
Oh, I'm sure you knew this, but many of Emily Dickinson's poems can be sung to the the tune from "The Yellow Rose of Texas"...
e.g. Hope is the thing with wings/That flutters in the soul (etc.)
I don't read self-help books either. You just can't mess with perfection.
:D
I read entertaining books, for the most part. I love a good book that draws you in.
Ari
I love seeing what's on other people's shelves. We have several books in common. I've got Rabbi Cooper's book on order and can hardly wait for it to come in. I've heard several of my Wiccan friends dismiss Ravenwolf because of her books for teens, but I've heard that "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" is pretty good.
so neat to get a peek inside your reading world:):):) judi
I am currently reading two very different books, one a psychological thriller by Tami Hoag called Ashes To Ashes (Very good, but very creepy), and a Jodi Picoult book that I am trying very hard to get through, but although it is very well written, as all her books are, it's a hit-home-hard book and it's bringing up issues for me that I haven't had to think about for a long time. I might have to return it to the library unfinished... I enjoy Amy Tan books as well.
Happy reading!! :0) Michelle
You sound like me. I buy books at Barnes and Noble (yeah, I spent the extra $25 bucks, too) because I like the jackets, or love the author, or I'm trying to pretend I'm smart, or because I'm simply hungry for intellectual stimulation. A book I recently read that I really enjoyed was called "Shadow of the Wind" (bought it 'cause I loved the title!) It had a little bit of everything in it- mystery, romance, wit, drama, the macabre, etc. It's translated pretty well from the Spanish although I felt like the translater kind of went soft after the first 100 pages. Anyhow, I have more books than gray hairs, which says a lot, if you've seen me recently. My biggest trauma was moving from a 6000 square foot home with floor to ceiling bookcases in almost every room, to a 2400 square foot home without a basement or attic. Some of the stuff was donated to the library but for the most part I simply couldn't part with most of my books. So Joyce Carol Oates sits with the likes of "In Her shoes" Jennifer Weiner on a dusty shelf in the garage, while M. Scott Peck and Anne Rice compete for space for their own brand of spirituality, as Kinky Friedman and Carl Hiaasen try to out-do each other with obscenities. I have so many favorite books it's ridiculous, but if I could narrow down a sprinkling, "How To Cook a Tart" and "A year in Provence" made me piss myself, and "Tatooed Girl" and "Beast", both by Oates, made me shudder in broad daylight. Okay, I could go on for days but this is turning into a journal entry LOL.
MAryanne
Great choices! Fantastic :)
Peace and love,
Charley
http://journals.aol.com/CDittric77/Courage
About half of the books you listed are on my shelf, too, which makes me think I'd like to check out the other half. I wish I had seen your list at the beginning of the summer when I had more time to squeeze more books in. Thank you for visiting my journal.
Tina
hey again just wanted to tell you that i put your link on my journal.wanted others to see how great your writing are.if its a problem i can take it off.get back to me. diana
awww..Rebecca..Thank you!
I've checked out Ralph Waldo, Emily Dickinson & Scott Cunningham before...interesting!
Thank you for sharing your books!
With much appreciation,
Gem ;-)
http://journals.aol.com/libragem007/JournallyYours
Very diverse reading there Rebecca!
Connie
Rebecca, that's quite a collection of books you have there. Diverse and dare I say quite high brow! Having children has seriously cut into my reading time but I just discovered an American writer I love. Alice Hoffman (maybe she's a household name over there, I don't know), she writes beautiful prose. I recently finished "Blue Diary" which was enthralling. She's a bit like Anne Tyler. Thanks for sharing your book shelf!
Tillyx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/tillysweetchops/Adventuresofadesperatelyfathouse
Why do I love thee? Now, I know why. Anyone who keeps a copy of Emily Dickinson's writing is a gal after my own heart...
You are like me and have a huge variety of things to read. Just as I listen to different types of music depending on the mood I am in... I read different types of books depending on the mood I am in... sometimes nothing hits the spot better than a good ole predictable romance novel.. other times I want to really dig deep into something that makes me think. I am alwaqys up to checking out new books and will enjoy doing so with your list. THanks for sharing.
I'm the same way. Could get lost in Barnes & Noble or the library way too easily. And god forbid I ever get rid of any books I do buy! Thx for sharing. ~ Lori
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