What Does the Fox Say?

This week's treat has been reading Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you Hear? to a sweet girl for her bedtime story.  Though my noises for all animals were a little lacking, she didn't complain.  [What exactly does a hippopotamus sound like?  No clue really, but I tried to sound confident.]  This book was promptly followed by a Star Wars series.  She was a young woman of discerning tastes.  I like it.  Incidentally, Jedi light saber noises are also a little easier to command.

The next morning, I had to turn down the opportunity to read as I couldn't quite manage a book AND drive a minivan [for the first time ever] at 8:00 a.m. pre-coffee.  This was a little difficult to explain to three toddlers but I did get to practice some Kaizan "Why" root cause.  [Toyota, did you ever expect that to happen in a Honda?]

Here's hoping your Friday contains no Storm (troopers) or large animals waiting to hiss in your ear.  May the force be with you.

Record Breaking

Special thanks to The New York Times for introducing me to the Calliope Author Readings this morning.  In the early 1960s, Harry and Lynne Sharon Schwartz along with Howard Kahn, readers and entrepreneurs, tackled a project to give authors their voice on 33 1/3 rpm vinyl for the value price of $1.95.  As one might imagine, while this project managed to break even (thanks to the help of Kahn's parents), it wasn't a storming success.  [And to be fair, this was a tough era to compete for vinyl dollars with The Rolling Stones and well, The Beatles.]

The story of the onset of the original project is fascinating and the author's list is quite notable:  James Jones, Phillip Roth, and John Updike are highlights.  The series will be released for a second time in a two-volume set; the authors' recordings are between 14 and 24 minutes.  I cannot wait to hear it.  

For Everything There is a Season

This morning's run through the woods had me thinking about nature (and on my decision to have Half Ironman finishers as running partners during my recovery...but that's for another day).  The trees were shades of Golden Delicious, hints of Gala and pops of Red Delicious.  The morning was crisp and the air smelled like autumn.  Near the end of the run however, I got a stark reminder that all beautiful things have an ending when I encountered a dead doe on the edge of the trail.

Lou Reed's obituary by his wife, Laurie Anderson, was simple and lovely. She makes reference to nature, trees and movement in the wind.  I'm including the link to the Sydney Herald print because the accompanying photos are lovely captures of the couple.

Striking Goal-d

I'm a goal setter.

I have life goals, career goals, financial goals, annual goals, vacation goals, fitness goals and each night I set my daily goals for the following day.  (These are sometimes adjusted after a night's rest and a strong coffee.)

On today's goal list: Salon 615.  I may have kept my schedule available during this morning slot in an effort to secure tickets to see Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild which I keenly enjoyed.  We'll see how it goes.

Hope you have a goal-den Thurday!

Bundle Up

I found this experiment to be brilliant, both from my supply/demand economic model part of the brain and from the other bit that loves to read.  The Humble ebook Bundle opened October 9th and ran through yesterday.  Six books bundled together with a bonus six books if you donated higher than average.  In all, 84,189 bundles were sold and this graphic from the HumbleBumble.com site makes me happy.  This Alison Flood story from the Guardian gives a few other highlights.

Source:  HumbleBumble.com

Flying High

Best things about early morning flights:

• tarmac naps
• reading on the plane
• scoping out what other people are reading on the plane
• perusing the airport bookstore
• imagining yourself to be on a trip anywhere you'd like (until you land of course)

Hope your Monday flies by.

Heart of Glass

I am stepping out of electronic media to read The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. I picked up this dog-eared copy on the recommendation of the book shop staff during April's visit to Mobile. The note from the press indicates this book was printed "with new plates" and that "NOT ONE WORD HAS BEEN OMITTED." All caps. Printer from 1983, you have my attention.

The paperback feels the more appropriate choice for near the pool reading and since clumsiness is an occasional characteristic, it seems a little less risky.

Give A Little Bit

In less than two years an idea was conceived and implemented last night to give away one million books. World Book Night had its controversy with concerns that this increased distribution would cause a perception of the reduced value of books. As I have already mentioned, my best and earliest memories were of free books, and I am currently a book purchaser so we have at least one case to dispute this theory.

While hard to find news of how the event turned out due to BBC limitations on US video access, I did find a link from The Guardian discussing the Friday readings in Trafalgar Square.

Another nice read is a list of books from various authors on which titles they would give away and which books have been nice to receive. (Having just finished it, I was pleased to see Great Expectations by Charles Dickens on the list).

Doing my O.W.N. thing

Little did I know that my selection of Great Expectations was in line with main stream media, and by that, I mean Oprah. As I sat in the waiting room reading, I received the typical interrupting questions from a neighbor: Do you like your Kindle? Yes. What are you reading? Great Expectations. Oh, you are doing the Oprah books! I had no words for this comment.

Reading time to me is like airplane time. These are solitary moments, and I try to remove myself from surroundings using either my book or music. The persons who take these actions as an opportunity for an intro conversation will receive one-word answers (unless of course the book title is two). Secondly, how is it that I selected the Oprah readings as my next choice? I downloaded the book last spring as part of my going to France, must have books and oh, this is free selection but it never made the top of the queue until now. First book of the year and I have joined the thousands of other women (and a few men) across the US who are reading with Oprah. Maybe this means I should print out the bookmark.

What's B&W and Re(a)d all Over?

Sunday morning, two lattes and the New York Times: a combination that I have not had in some while. In my former neighborhood, one could go unnoticed in pajamas to the nearby grocery to purchase the paper copy. Here, I was not yet that brave, so I settled for the online version (still in my pajamas). I have a methodical way (huge shock, right?) that I move through the paper.

Front page: Headlines, Editorial links

Style: Front page, Fashion & Style, Dining & Wine

Business: Technology, Markets, Economy, Energy

Travel: Nearly all of it and always the "36 hours in XX"

Technology: Startups, Reviews, any list

Science: Space, then Front Page & Environment

Arts: Theater, Books, then as many sections as I can move through

Health: Scan through the "Most Popular" to see if any grab my attention

If I am lucky, an hour goes by. The Book Reviews are nearly always saved for a fresh read. Guilty pleasures.

Quaint Queue Quest

Yesterday was a reading day. Larson's read makes me both wish I knew more turn of 20th century history and glad that I was ignorant of the city's past when I frequented Chicago alone for nearly two years. Cue: mixed emotions of a Gemini.

Yesterday's schedule was a bit off so I unexpectedly found that sweet spot of time when on a rainy afternoon one could have a seat to themselves to read while waiting for a late lunch. One could also enjoy a glass of reading water compliments of the waiter as well. Cue: fat tip.

The evening sunset was noticeable earlier and with the cooler temperature which found its way to the red clay, the book was open again. Cue: anticipation with a twinge of anxiety and phone close by.

His or Hearse

A great thing about airport travel with delays is that one may be able to finish another book. Two books in two days was my mid-week mantra. By completing Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls, I am back to GBC neutral with this year's reads. Reports from last meeting indicated this book had mixed reviews, however I liked the story. I am certain that the author's graduation from Barnard and travel delirium contributed to my enjoyment of the work. I also laughed aloud when the narrator recounted her conversation with Jim regarding the school bus (hearse). "Painting the word 'dog' on the side of a pig don't make the pig a dog," he said. He is right, but I gave her credit for creativity.

Between the Weeding

I may have mentioned the French habit of the two hour lunch (typically from noon until two). Yesterday, this delightful tradition was followed with a rest in the hammock to read another chapter of A Year in the Merde. [Lest ye think I am lazy, a functional purpose existed to avoid the heat of the day as I had been in the sun about four hours by this time.] Fortunately, I have been in the countryside long enough to catch some of the humor, such as the reference to dining at a Casino when the power is out. A breeze was blowing, the roosters were crowing (cock a rico en francais), and I was reminded again of the delight in reading outdoors.

Kindling a Fire

Last week I was treated to lunch and a hands on tour of the Kindle courtesy of a neighbor and fellow lover of things gadgety. With absolute certainty that there was no lingering evidence of the brat on my hands, I held the reading device. Post-release, I have been skeptical of an electronic reader. If you have been to my home, you know I like books, particularly early edition books with unique topics. After my preview, I am certain that the Kindle would not replace my tendency to purchase old cookbooks and books on Labor in Finland, but it might however keep trendy paperbacks from cluttering my shelves. I can also see an advantage to electronically receive certain reference books and magazines. It seemed that nearly every question I posed was answered with "yes" including a "Clip This Article" feature that I asked in jest. My neighbor was fair to say there were a few drawbacks to the product and gave me a balanced view of these too, however the overall opinion was favorable. In fact, one of the reasons I was seeking more information about the Kindle is that every avid reader I have met who owns one seems to love it. (They also swoon slightly when talking about the Kindle, but this could be more related to personality rather than the Kindle.) I am tempted. If I start to swoon when talking about books I have recently read, you may just know the cause.

Lookin' for Love

As I am still engrossed in Shantaram (and enjoying the fact that the book can remain open due to its own weight without losing my place), I searched my shelves for something new to pass along which might convey a lovely tone.

The results:

• Scandinavian Folk & Fairy Tales edited by Claire Booss - One of my favourite sections is entitled "Weird Tales from Northern Seas (Told by Norwegians about Finns)
• Times to Remember An Autobiography by Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy - my copy once resided in the "Biographica" section G, Shelf 9
• Dolly, My Life and Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton - inspired by the other Dolly this week. Chapter 6 has a killer opening line
• The New Hudson Shakespeare printing of Romeo & Juliet - my copy has penciled notes in the margin such as "test material" and "plot begins"
• The Path to Love by Deepak Chopra - not sure how I ended up with this book.
• The Broken Heart by John Ford - one of my "little books" measuring in at about 4 x 2 1/2"

So perhaps you too can search your shelves and find a book (or six) that you have not yet managed to read which may or may not put a little love in your heart.

First Time for Everything

Little known fact: GBC T1m can identify some books by their BACK cover.

Here is to a year of exploring, revisiting favourites and perhaps doing a little something on the wild side in 2010. Take a risk and have fun.

Happy New Year!

The Reader II

I thought I was an avid reader until last night.

The background: Local softball fall co-ed league which plays each Monday night.

The weather: Overcast gray skies with a sunset behind a storm cloud that looked like a Thomas Kinkade painting. (Please note I am not a fan of Thomas Kinkade paintings, but the light was rather dramatic and this is my best description after only one cup of coffee.)

The players: Mish-mash of persons from Nashville and surrounding areas with a joy of playing a sport that surpasses a desire to win.

The main character, a.k.a the "reader": Our pitcher. (Just makes for the right story, don't you think?)

Timing: Mid-way through the game with our pitcher next up to bat.

The statement which made me re-think reading: "Guess I'd better put my book down and get on deck."

While I had assumed he was keeping track of Monday Night Football, he was actually reading via his iPhone. Incidentally, he had a great night at bat.

Sept Soon Left

My recommendation is to take a walk today. Find a spot to stand, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. (Obviously, be certain that all personal belongings are well secured if you are doing this in a public area.)

I am constantly amazed at the number of "new" details I have noticed on buildings while taking a downtown stroll; these details have, of course, been there for decades. Dates of construction, architectural elements, historic plaques, and various other minutiae are there waiting to be discovered. I will not admit the number of times I walked by the Tribune Tower before I noticed the embedded rock collection with help from my sister.

Reading begins with seeing. Find something to see today.

Fall Fashion

Today's bit of luxury was perusing InStyle Magazine while having a nice shiny coat of "kaberet" applied to my nails. (Think blue rather than red.) I do not hold a subscription to InStyle, but do occasionally read it when I am out and about in the world of various salons (which is infrequent these days) or friends' homes.

I "read" the magazine from front to back in about forty-five minutes with a few takeaways: a camel coat for winter, riding and/or thigh high boots for autumn, and a cape...if you are inclined. I actually own a black wool cape. It is an item that has survived several closet cleanings waiting, I suppose, for just this season. I have spent the last hour or so pondering whether or not I can cut it for a more appropriate length for more frequent wear.

Sometimes reading gets you thinking about things that you may not have considered in some time...like shoulder pads.

Print Hands

This morning I was able to indulge in what is now an infrequent habit: I read a print newspaper. My usual technique is to keep the paper in its original single fold as long as possible to read all the leading stories. Finally, of course, I will have to give in to get those last few sentences in the crease (usually under a photo), and then the event becomes a game of turning the pages without too much noise and without having the mid-section get out of sorts. (I envision at times, I must look as if I am rowing rather than reading in my quest to keep the paper in tact.) The last page is another easy go, and I usually try to move back to (what I think is) the cool, one-hand newspaper hold (with coffee in the other hand). Wearing glasses whilst reading a paper is even better, but I think I am digressing.

By the end, I usually am a little sad that the paper is finished, unless of course it's a Sunday Times issue and instead, am celebratory that I have managed to complete it in (hopefully) a reasonable amount of time (meaning before the next week's paper). Then, of course, I wash my hands.