Saturday, October 30, 2010

Got the Hang of Saturdays

I will have my fair share of plane reading this weekend and have added Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams to my (oft-mistaken for an iPad) reading device. I do want to finish PP&Z, but am not keen to actually carry a book this trip. I have read excerpts of Hitchhiker's Guide via various boyfriends through the years and decided on Thursday it was time to make this read about me, not the physicist or the engineer.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Thanks

Many days it is easier to think about we do not have than what we do. Over the course of the last few weeks:

I spoke to a man who went to court for the ability to go to school.

I spoke to a woman who grew up in Vietnam and missed the ability to have milk each day by two years because of the change in government in 1975. (She did not have milk and loved it; I had access every day and did not like it. I felt wasteful. )

Someone I know is losing a parent very soon.

Typically I wait until November to start thinking/writing about the things for which I am fortunate. This year I have had constant reminders of how lucky I am despite a hard road at times. So maybe today, you will think of things which make you happy and will have a grateful heart.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

What's in Your Head, Zombie?

I have read enough PP&Z to know that if I am reincarnated back to the 1800s (time-traveled perhaps rather than another life?), I want to know how to wield a knife. If I will be forced to don all those many layers of ruffled, lacy clothing, I will need an outlet. And if I can make another request to the Universe in this unlikely scenario? Perhaps I could actually return as someone who does not mind the heat.

I am just a few chapters into the novel (six, to be precise and to stay true to my anal-retentive focus on detail), and my favorite character in this early stage is Mr. Bennett. Not only does he appear to be a capable warrior against zombies, he is able to reside in a house with six other women. No offense to my gender, but wow, that could be a dynamic environment.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Books & Bubbles

A book store and a champagne bar. I do not think Battery Park Book Exchange needs any other description. Add this locale to your Asheville travels.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Full Moon Fever

This week my compromised immune system and budget filings impacted my reading schedule. While I had a few unexpected hours Wednesday (thanks to my good friend, insomnia), in the end, I dedicated the time to work.

So this weekend I am leaning toward Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies. October weather with talk of corn mazes and Halloween, seems fitting to throw in a few zombies and of course, a glass of reading water.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Early Bird

What do you read when you wake in the middle of the night? My over-thinking logical brain mimics this decision tree:

Click the image for larger view

Monday, October 18, 2010

Answer: Man Booker Award

As I read its co-nominee, The Room, The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson was named the 2010 Man Booker Prize for Fiction winner last week in London. In searching for more information about the book, I discovered this NYT excerpt of Chapter 1. This morning I read through the opening paragraphs, and my favorite line thus far: "She shattered his calm."

Sometimes it only takes one line to get added to the book list. Congrats Mr. Jacobson.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Room Without a View

Room is a story of coping and survival. It is one of those reads where tragedy is alive from page one and half your mind wants to believe that a story like this cannot be true. The other half has read too many news articles and knows that Ma's story is possible. (We do not learn her other name.) Five year old Jack is our voice of the story, and he has never been outside "Room." His mother crafts an existence for him filled with structure, singing, games, exercise, and stories, retaining strength despite the terrible circumstances which keep them prisoners. The story is both sad and later, full of wonderment.

I finished the novel soon after a conversation with a new friend about his first day of school. Both book and the talk were filled with a spectra of emotion. I am left with the hope that everyone would choose positive actions over destructive and that dreams always become realities.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Tattoo View

I have been engrossed in Room in the evenings just before I fall asleep. I will certainly have a review for you by week's end.

With less than a week away to the next GBC meet, it is time to remind you that The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson will be the next title for discussion. Based on the number of members who have already read the title, I will be very surprised if anyone will be left out of conversation.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Hey Doll

I read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo on the plane this weekend. This lovely story of a ceramic rabbit with his pocket watch will grab you when you are not paying attention. The extremely well-dressed rabbit belongs to Abilene Tulane. We learn of Edward's existence and then fall with him through the moments where his first journey begins. These circumstances are in fact painful for the reader who has ever had a prized companion (I cannot use "toy" after the read) and then lost him/her. The story is whimsical, philosophical, warming, and the type of story best read in one sitting for adults. Though in truth a children's book, Edward Tulane made me think about my heart.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

10-is anyone?

Top 10 reasons to be happy today:

* You are a perfect ten (or at least your date is)
* You had a splendid time at Oktoberfest (or reading)
* You are attending your neighbors' wedding
* The temperature is less than the sum of the date in MM/DD/YY format (degrees C of course)
* You have survived multi years of mathematical blogging humour
* You took a walk
* You called a friend or a friend called you
* You did not volunteer to be part of the take-down crew for aforementioned German fest
* You discovered new music
* You are enjoying the last day of the Southern Festival of Books
* You will ponder what you will be doing for 10/11/12


Friday, October 8, 2010

R & R & R(eading)

Within minutes, I added two books for my upcoming trip. If only I could have found an airline ticket as easily tonight, I would be better enjoying my (second) glass of reading water. So the next book in my queue will be either Room: A Novel or a recently suggested title by a good friend and former roommate/partner in various debaucheries. The recommended The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo will be a heavy contender for plane reading. After eleven consecutive working days, I am looking forward to a little reading. Enjoy your weekend.

For my fellow GBC members, enjoy Oktoberfest. I will miss you this weekend and will raise my glass from afar. Proscht!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Work Life Unbalanced

TodaywasoneofthosedayswhereIwasmovingamileaminutetotrytogeteverythingdone.

Then the day ran into the morrow, now today.

There was no reading.

Breathing.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Pick Three

I spent some time last evening perusing my handy excel sheet of must reads and the amazon site for ideas for my next novel. I am ever tempted by the Man Booker titles and the front-runner thus far is Room by Emma Donoghue. It is also available for the Kindle whereas sadly, The History of Love by Nicole Krauss is not. (Advantage Donoghue.) I also have a few classics pending: The Picture of Dorian Gray and Jane Eyre. Another option is Perfume by Patrick Suskind, but I am not certain I want to read about murder on my upcoming travels. For scary reads, I like to be in control of my dead bolts. If you have any other suggestions, let me know.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Scattered

GBC Kim described this morning as crisp. I could not agree more. The combination of cool morning and sunny skies is one of my favorites. There are a few weddings today which put me in the mood for poetry. I searched Neruda, Shakespeare, Shelly, and Rumi to try to find a few words to share. In the end, I could not settle on just one passage so perhaps it is just the day to read a little of a lot. Enjoy the sunshine.