Tuesday, June 29, 2010

June Moons

Through the kindness of strangers/near strangers:
  • I have internet access until mine is activated (shh)
  • I received a bouquet of flowers
  • I have received tips on which side of the road has fewer potholes
  • I have been given short-cut maps
  • All manner of questions have been patiently answered

My list of things from the kindness of friends would be miles long. Thank you.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Double the Fun

Call it exhaustion or creativity, but I managed to find a place in the bookcase for Box #2 this evening. This was the last of the book boxes which occupied much of the space in my living area these last few days. I took a friend's advice and many of my shelves are now home to two rows of books. Sure, this methodology does create a small challenge for finding a few of the books, but it does help with storage economics. It is a trade off, and I still have the spreadsheet for reference in the event I cannot find something that I thought I had.

I spent a bit of time reviewing the titles and remembering the occasions which resulted in duplicate copies of books, most inspired by the desperate airport purchase for the trans-Atlantic flight or the obsession. I was also reminded of my copy of Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides which met an untimely demise on a flight as it was caught in the seat during a recline. It took a very strong man to help me unwedge this book; the binding went very quickly with no time for suffering.

It is not just the read that creates a memory for a book. What stories do your books hold for you?

Friday, June 25, 2010

Busy Bee

Moving is exhausting. By the end of the day yesterday, I had reached a stage where my only wish was to lie down and rest...until I saw my kindle. "Ah, a few pages before I take a small nap and get back to unpacking," I thought. A few pages turned into the last 25% of the book and as I neared the end of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, I realized there was still one unresolved issue. Would Larsson tie up all the loose ends? Of course he will, but I do not want to give too much away. The book is a great wrap-up to the rest of the series and I think fans of the first book will be eager to work their way through the last two titles.

What's next on my list? I am not certain, but as I unpack the many boxes of books this evening, I am certain I will find something to catch my eye.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Couch Surfing

I have reached the point in my current read where I do not want to stop. To use a sports reference, this is the "sweet spot" of reading. It is the time where one begins to shift one's schedule, abandoning all unnecessary, non-income related items in order to enjoy those last hundred pages uninterrupted to see if things do indeed have a happy ending.

As the day draws near to its own happy close, I am sending birthday wishes and love to the woman who let me read books on the sofa every summer instead of playing outside. Thank you.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Moomin In

As today is the first day of summer, I am reminded of the lovely all-night parties that my Scandinavian friends are likely still enjoying as an official introduction to the beautiful (hot in our case) months ahead. As you may have noticed from Saturday's chart, Finland is on my mind.


I do not think I have mentioned one of my favorite writers from this area, Tove Jansson. In addition to her other accomplishments, she is the author of the Moomin books (which I did not include in my calculations of Finnish titles for those of you who are curious). Comet in Moominland and Moominpappa at Sea are among my favorites from the collection. These are whimsical reads and might be nice additions to your summer reading list. There is a small hint of sadness in the books, but I think it aptly represents of the region. If you are traveling to the area, Moominworld is also worth a stop for ice cream.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Reece's Pieces

The June meeting of the GBC was by all accounts a successful affair. Big salads, ice cream sandwiches, yellow lanterns, and a hot summer night. The members even discussed the book. No spoilers were shared for those of us who had not yet ventured South of Broad (at least in the literary sense).

I must take this opportunity to shamelessly promote a new author (who happens to have a fabulous sister). Republican, First, Last, and Always: An Biography of B. Carroll Reece will soon be available from both Amazon and Cambridge Scholars Publishing. This is Dr. Bowers' first hardcover release, and I am certain we can arrange a signing. Having already read the book, I can say (without bias), that it is interesting, funny, and particularly relevant to anyone who has spent any time in Northeast Tennessee. It is also a good look at the motivations for office. In her honor, I leave the font in Times New Roman: "the only writer's font."

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

June Bug

I am still adjusting to my new schedule which means my reading has been relegated to later night hours. [My workouts are also happening around 8:00 p.m., but that tidbit is a complete tangent.] The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest now demands a bit more attention.

A discussion of South of Broad by Pat Conroy will soon be in order at this week's GBC meeting. I wonder how many read the book. I am hoping I will not hear any spoilers as I have not yet started this title.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

They Say It's Your...

Since it is a milestone day for me, I hope you will forgive my being a bit lazy in my material and again passing along a link from NPR for summer cooking. The first five books on this list of reads seem very appropriate for our cooking readers: organic ingredients, farmer's market fare, local eating, and a cocktail book for porch parties. (Sounds like the perfect combination for a meeting at GBC Carole Not the Singer's.) Be certain to scroll past the BBQ books as there is one more vegetarian option at the end of the list.

So enjoy the day. Mind the heat. And if you happen to be raising a glass of reading water later today, give me a little nod.

Friday, June 11, 2010

I Kidd You Rock

Music City has lived up to its name this week. Blue carpets, silent discos, and more than our share of cowboy boots. For any of you not able to take advantage of a Southwest flight or who has crossed the threshold into comfortable venues for live music, NPR is streaming the weekend live. With a hot weekend ahead, this might just be the best option.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Buzz Kill

In new surroundings, the small, familiar things bring comfort: a favorite coffee mug, a hair dryer, a clean towel, a map (if one has the foresight to actually own one), and a favorite author. Despite having some sort of guidance system other than a compass, the rest of the items have made my new little space feel more like home. My favorite author for this week is Larsson. I stepped into the farmhouse with Blomkvist and Salander just as easily as I left it at the beginning of the year. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest just might be a metaphor for my next thirty days.

Monday, June 7, 2010

How Do I Look?

On Saturday, I asked you about your summer reading lists, and on Sunday, I received my weekly NPR email which included this link on summer reading. Representatives from three independent bookstores compiled a list of sixteen titles to consider for those hot, sweltering, humid months ahead. The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall makes two of the three readers' lists - enough to peak my interest. The selection includes a book on baking, a book on yarn, and one of my faves, Ms. Hepburn and "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Several of these will be added to my list and perhaps these titles might make us "divinely and utterly happy" (to quote Ms. Golightly).

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Broadening Horizons

Time to start reading South of Broad by Pat Conroy in preparation for this month's GBC meeting. This title will be a good intro to your summer reading lists. Due to a recent career change, most of my summer reading will likely include some reference to DNA. Have you planned your list?

Of course, before science, there will be The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. Hey, it's approaching mid-summer and a gal has to have a bit of fun.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Reading the Signs (aka Lost, not the series)

Earlier this week, I did not read the signs. I found myself in a new locale and did not know 1) where I was or 2) how I arrived. It was only later that evening that I made notes of the road names so that I could find my way back to my beginning. [Note: The writer acknowledges that an argument exists for a GPS, but really, where is the fun in that?} How many times do we go through a day without reading the signs? Road signs, street signs, body language, facial expressions: all have a story if we are paying attention.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Book-ing It

Check your shelves. Beyond your GBC reading water glasses, the lingering issues of the Sunday Times, those photo albums filled with prints from before you had your digital camera, and your board games, what do you see? I know that for most of you, like me, you have books. You have classical fiction, books about travel, cook books, odd books, and for a few of you, copies of the Tennessee code. Your shelves have included books since you were a child. The result? You are likely more intelligent for it, and you're definitely more interesting to talk to. GBC Kim passed along this link from The Chronicle from Higher Ed. (If you have a bit more time, check out the full article.) So next time you are wondering what to give to that son/daughter/niece/nephew/completely unrelated kid that has found a spot in your life, give a book.