Skip to main content

Summer reading

A converstaion between me and my husband last night....
Him: I have nothing to read
Me: look around you....there are a milllion books in this house!
Him: well, recommend something then

Ok now this may seem like a very ordinary, very boring conversation but one of the things in life that gives me the most pleasure other than reading is recommending good books to people, especially someone like my husband who when I first met him, didn't really read a whole lot. Now, if he is without a book, he feels lost. I'm so thrilled that he has joined the world that I have inhabited for years - one where losing yourself in a good story is as important to life as breathing. Ok, so what did I recommend? The first book I eagerly pulled off the shelf was, "The Count of Monte Cristo." One of my favorites and one I think he will like because it is an adventure story::  but is is also filled with betrayal, intrigue, romance, revenge...it has the whole works! This is right up his alley. I'm always anxious when I give some of my favorite books to people I love. What if they hate it? I can't help but take it personally when someone doesn't appreciate a story that is so close to my heart. Hence why I didn't suggest he read, "One Hundred Years of Solitude"  or ":Death of a Salesman: to him:  you have to know your audience. I'll admit that he if doesn't get into it, I'll be offended and maybe be snippy with him for a few days. I'll get over it but still I'll be a little miffed. The second book I recommended was "The Catcher in the Rye." He said he read it a very long time ago and doesn't remember a thing about it. This has to be the perfect book for him: a pissed at the world, I hate convention, what is everyone's problem main character. If he doesn't totally love Holden Caulfied, I'll be shocked. If he is reading this post, he knows that if he doesn't like either of these books, he better just lie to me. It will make living together in our small apartment a lot more pleasant this summer.

As for what I'm reading....beach books. I actually sat on the beach on Sunday and read the perfect beach book. It was called, "The Island" and had a picture of a beach on the cover. Could you get more perfect that that? It was cheesy, over romanticized, unrealistic and awesome. There will be no serious, depressing, life is a big ball of shit books for me this summer. I'm keeping it light and I'm not ashamed!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is a classic?

There are varying definitons and opinions about what defines a classic but they all have  3 things in common: 1.  It stands the test of time 2. It has universal appeal 3. It has artistic quality I have to add my own to these three and that is that it moves you to feel something - whether it be love, hate, anger, sadness or joy, a classic work of literture should have the power to move. This has led me to reflect upon my first real experience with being moved by a book. I read a lot as a child and teenager but largely to impress my mother who was a librarian. My reading experience didn't extend beyond  Stephen King and the Baby Sitter's Club books. Then my junior year in high school, my English teacher assigned, "A Separate Peace." by John Knowles,  a typical high school reading list book.  I approached it like I did every school assigment - with diligence but little to no enthusiasm. Three quarters of the book was pretty forgettable....
Post a Comment
Read more

We are our own harshest critic

The buzzword of the moment seems to be mindfulness. Everywhere I turn, there is mention of this - in the podcasts I listen to, in the articles I read, in my guided meditations and during yoga. It means essentially staying present in every moment and not projecting your mind into thoughts of the past or future. This is extremely challenging. I am struggling with this lately. My mind has been obsessing over what steps I want to take in my life next but also what mistakes I have made in my past that have gotten me to the present moment. I haven't been meditating as much lately and that is one of the reasons why my mind seems to be wandering so much. It is not being trained properly. I have also only done yoga 2x this week which is highly unusual for me. I have been mentally and emotionally exhausted and so because of this I have neglected many of the things that typically keep me sane. I am trying not to beat myself up over my lack of motivation but it is where my mind goes when I am ...
1 comment
Read more

Lolita Review: Part 1

So I have finally starting reading "Lolita" and I'm hooked. My husband came into our bedroom at 1:45 am and saw me fighting sleep while trying to read. That's what happens when a book is that good. You forget where you are or what is happening around you. All sense of time fades away. Within the first paragraph I already knew why this book is considered a classic: the writing is beautiful. A lot of times in between reading really well written, thought provoking books, I will take a break with something easy - ya know the type- they are usually referred to as beach reads, the books where you don't have to concentrate at all to get through it. I like these books but I never feel as if the authors are real writers. To me they are purely employees collecting a paycheck for doing a job. The words don't sing off of the page; there is no soul alive behind the paragraphs. Reading a classic is a whole different experience. You can feel the writers emotions right there...
Post a Comment
Read more