just be ...

Weekend Naptime Ritual.

Starting this weekend, I've implemented a new naptime ritual.  Reading.  I used to read all the time before Max.  I've read two books, simple all fluff books since Max, and all I can say is that I miss my books.  So instead of cleaning up after Max or the kitchen or taking a shower, the AM naps will be spent reading. 

To jump start my reading I had to pick up something super light, cheesy and easy peasy to read.  This will allow me and my brain to get used to the idea of reading again.  And in a few months I'll be back to my heavy, non-fiction pieces. 

I think I used to read anywhere from 10 to 15 books a year.  That might not seem like a lot, or it might, but it was my average.  This year, my goal is one book a month.  Obviously, starting with the one above.  (if you  havent noticed, the Reading side bar section has had the same book for almost a year now.  I will finish that book this year!)

Do you have any favorite books?  Any highly recommended? 

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Want to join me on this quest?  I would love to hear what book(s) you are planning to read or are reading.  You can also 'friend' me at Goodreads.  A great website to use to share recommendations and reading lists.  Hope to see you there!

I was right!

I was right!  I did have this book as a child!  As mentioned in this post about our seasonal reading list, I thought this book was part of my childhood reading.  And sure enough it was!

I stopped at Mom's house tonight to pick up my new phone, and she had said she found it.  She found it!  Thank you Mom for not throwing out everything! 

(and for those who are curious, like I was, the first thing I checked ... originally printed in 1966)

Seasonal Reading.

Over the past few years, each Christmas season I've read a 'christmas' book.  I started this tradition with a fiction book, last year it was non-fiction.  This year, back to fiction.  (maybe a pattern here??)  I really like this idea that just adds a little bit more magic to the season.  I am starting Max on this tradition this year.  Here's our reading list for Christmas 2010. 

Me.

A Darcy Christmas - if you are a Jane Austen fan, or a Elizabeth Bennett + Mr. Darcy fan, the reviews of this book are in favor of it being a good read for the season.  Three short stories, all taking on a different view of Christmas in the Darcy-era.  (and if you are anyone who's seen Colin Firth walk out of the pond in the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, you know you are hooked!)  I need something light and easy to read, to jump start my reading again.  I think this will be a good start.

Max.

Footprints in the Snow - this is a new one for us.  Looking forward to reading it as the reviews are all positive. 

I've Seen Santa - another new one about a bear family waiting for Santa.

The Night Before Christmas - a classic.  One of my favorites. 

Reindeer Christmas - I believe I had purchased this book for the twinkies first Christmas (2008), though I cant remember.  I enjoy this story.  Its about doing good to others without passing judgement.  In addition, the illustrations in this book are beautiful. 

Santa Mouse - I could have sworn this was one of my favorites as a kid, but I cant find when this was first published.  Either way, classic story. 

This is just the begining to our Christmas tradition of reading the stories during the season.  I look forward to the years to come to see how our list grows and changes. 

What is on your Christmas reading list?  

Kindle vs. Actual book.

 
*photo from Amazon

What is wrong with this picture?  Would you read a book on a handheld device? 

Today the iPad was introduced and its main purpose is to compete with the Kindle.  I scratch my head at these gadgets and the concepts behind them - reading novels electronically.  I get the electronic part, and the gadget part, but I dont get the 350 page novel part.  How can you read that many pages on a handheld device?   Thats a whole heck of a lot of scrolling and I think my thumb is already preparing its picket sign. 

All I see is the lack of the cracking of the book binding.  The lack of dog-eared pages.  The lack of rusty mildew smells if the book is a library book.  What would I use for a bookmark?  There would be no cover flaps, or fancy bookmarks I've gotten over the years or best yet, the receipt from the bookstore or library with the date due.  All of these elements add to the experience of reading the content on the pages. 

So for those Kindle or iPad users, I hope you are enjoying your latest gadget.  As for me, I'll continue enjoying my library card. 

I did it!

 
*harvard library, taken by Paul Lowry, photo from flickr.com

I completed the three books I told myself I would do this summer, for my pseudo summer reading program.  Though the three I had listed earlier this summer, are not the ones I actually read.  Either way, I completed the three.  And I am feeling motivated to continue on with the list of books I want to read!

I have the desire to find myself in a big fluffy sweater and jeans, curling up with my next book in a classic old library where the stale damp smell and the faint light from the windows and lamps make it SO easy to escape reality and fall into my book. 

Someday, I'll actually go into the Harvard Library to sit and read.  I've been to the campus and Harvard Square in Boston, but next time I want to blend in and walk away with that experience. 

Another free thing.

A couple of weeks back when my sister Sharon and her family were in town, I had spent some time with my brother-in-law, Geno.  He is a HUGE reader.  Loves to read.  Loves to read the classics.  Don Quixote is his favorite, or one of his favorite novels.  He loves it so much my sister has a 7ft wood Don in her house (carved out of a tree trunk). 

But back to the books.  Years ago, Geno had told me about a book trading website he used, and for the life of me I cannot think of it.  He is big on recycling or sharing books that he's read.  When we were visiting on a Friday night, with a couple glasses of wine, beers and polished off with a martini, he mentioned the Paperback Swap website.  He referred me to sign-up said it was easier to use than the previous one. 

So tonight, in my attempt to tackle another task on the 'de-clutter' the house list, I went to Paperback Swap.  I checked it out, found myself intrigued by their concept - book trading based on a point system.  I signed up.  I listed a couple of books.  I need to put together my wish list next for when its time to pick up the next book.   

Just another way to save a buck or two ... trading your books. 

(now, dont forget there is always the library)

Summer Reading

 

Its the season ... Summer Reading Season.  Every year for as long as I can remember, at the begining of the summer, my mother would take my brother and I to the library to sign up for the summer reading program.  We would then get to select a handful of books to bring home.  Not sure about my brother, but I looked forward to this event.  Not only was I able to run around the neighborhood for hours on end, go swimming, stay up late, but I'd also get to read what I wanted.  No curriculum, no boring books about some guy in 1822.  Books that I wanted to read. 

Nowadays, I can read what I want all the time, but there is still something about the summer and reading.  Not sure if its the lazy days, like today, sitting in the backyard, enjoying the just right weather or if its the childhood memory that lingers. 

Usually I go to the library to round out the experience of summer reading, but this year I've decided to read the books that are sitting on my nightstand. 

Petropolis by Anya Ulinich.  The tag line on the front cover is what sold me, ' A husband is not a luxury, but a form of transportation!', from one character to the main character when deciding what the Moscow mail order bride services will bring her.

Domestic Pleasures by Beth Gutcheon.  I have no idea where I got this book.  Its been sitting on the nightstand for a good two years.  (oops!)

Mergers + Acquisitions by Dana Vachon.  New York. Manhattan social scene. Scandals.  Need I say more? 

I have no deadline to finish these, like the library programs, but I do have the goal to finish all of them!  Sooner than later!

What are you reading this summer?  

Reality check for normalcy.

Tonight, Heather Armstrong was at the Oak Brook Borders store for a reading and signing of her new book, It Sucked and Then I Cried .  Heather is the author of the most read personal blog, dooce, on the web.  I've been reading her blog now for about a year, year + half.  She is very realistic, not pretentious at all, and bottom line, funny. 

She's just as funny in person.  I went to Oak Brook to see her in person, to see this virtual persona that makes me feel good about my simple, normal life.  I purchased her new book, listened to her read a couple of pages from the book and answer audience questions.  After the discussion, the book signing commenced.  With close to 150 people in the Borders, I wasnt about to stay and wait. 

I can lay in bed tonight, as I do every night, reading my new book and probably stay up way too late as I cant put it down!

 

 

effective means of being cheap

one of my favorite past-times is to browse Barnes and Noble or Borders for a couple of hours, then get a drink, then go back to browsing.  my browsing consists of reading every book jacket of practically every book they have on the tables as you enter the store.  usually i end up leaving with a purchase or two. 

i always forget that i can do the same at my local library.  (except for the drink) and i can leave the library with a rental or two or three at no cost to me!  that's right, no money coming out of the wallet. 

so this is exactly what i did last sunday.  i went to the romeoville library and walked each isle, looking at all the books.  i left with three books.  me being cheap = a cost savings of $50 (and probably more since i would have used my credit card, therefore would pay interest on those three books, which in the end would probably cost something crazy like $532)

(as i type this i realized my tax dollars are going to the library, so technically its not free.  i better make use of the library to get my moneys worth!)