I'm a Boxer

I've packed my books three times in the last three years.

The first time, all books were carefully cataloged into a spreadsheet and packed according to genre.  Some of the more delicate items were wrapped with brown paper to keep them from shifting.  It was all very deliberate.

The second time, I was still careful, packing books by genre but without the additional packing paper and spreadsheet.  I did dust off a couple of spider webs.

This weekend, Whitman was mixed with Tove Jansson mixed with Kaplan.  I didn't have time to sort and I resisted reading too much before the books went into the boxes (but I still reviewed all my bookmarks aka boarding passes).  I think I've reduced the number of boxes by seven or eight.

Still, I have these, two more boxes of cookbooks, and two shelves yet untouched.  I hope I didn't pack any spiders.

Then there were 19

Bonanza

On a morning like this, I'm not sure there is enough coffee.  Anywhere.

For any other kid who who has stood on the stage and tried to make their well through the spelling hierarchy (definition please), I found this little NPR piece a fun listen.  (Of course, it gave me flash backs, but it's a still a good piece.)

You don't ever forget your last word, and you won't ever misspell it again.

Reader in Sheep's Clothing

From Cutting for Stone:

"What did it say when a man had fewer clothes than books?"

Substitute woman and you have me. What does it say?

"I am a well-read, intelligent being with a wide range of interests. I have poetry at my fingertips as well as that Julia Child recipe you have always wanted to try. My clothes are fewer but better couture. I am interesting."

or

"I collect books but I do not read them. Moving is tough, as is dusting. When you visit, you must think me well-read however I cannot seem to find that Grisham book I know I have. The Twilight series sits on the top shelf and my Over Canada makes a great coaster. I have fun."

I wonder what Sylerant would say about clothes versus books.

Act Now - Cancel Anytime!

Many of us keep up with the latest in film and addictive television programming with Netflix. Some may take collective use a little further with handbag selections. This week, I discovered another intriguing opportunity in the wide world of rentals: books. Bookswim allows subscribed users to rent books for a monthly fee beginning at $23.95 for three books at one time. There are no deadlines to reading unless self-applied (over-achievers) or demanded by your book club (procrastinators). No additional shipping fees apply so feel free to order those really heavy books that you have been so desperate to have. Options include paperbacks and hardbacks. A simple search also led me to Booksfree which shares their "how it works" graphics with Netflix (I would suggest a little differentiation here). Booksfree targets paperbacks as well as some audio with a price point that is cheaper than Bookswim. With Booksfree, one also has the option for monthly, semi-annual, and annual memberships (just like your gym).

Circle

I had a small chat with my mother last night about books. There are a few recently published titles which are on her list and which may end up in her stocking. (Stocking is loosely interpreted in my house.) She had no preference to hard cover or paperback as she gives them to another reader when she is done.

In the area where my parents live, most communities have a "prayer circle" so that if one person gets news about a death, illness, or even that their cows are out (seriously), that person can contact the next person in the circle (or list for those not as skilled in the art of PowerPoint). It is a pretty effective means of communication and avoids two or three people calling Bob and everyone forgetting to call Linda.

So this morning I am wondering if the book circle continues past my mom's friend which generates a host of other questions. Are they all like-minded readers? Could we create a book circle where books get shifted about? Or is the system that mom employs more like a library, just without the card and the fines? What would happen to the books when they get back to the beginning of the circle? I imagined an outlet point and then the circle starts to look like the male gender symbol. So now having consumed copious amounts of caffeine while typing, I have stopped pondering the circle. If you have ideas, let me know.

Hold Your a Pause Until the End

The phrase "closed the chapter" popped into my head Sunday evening. I am not certain how the phrase came to mean the end of something. If a book is complex or if I am enjoying a glass (or two) of reading water, I am constantly revisiting former chapters to remind myself of a character, an event, a phrasing, a date or a place. Unless the book is a collection of short stories or a very macabre tale, I cannot imagine at least one thread continuing to subsequent chapters.

So is closing a chapter merely a pause? I find difficulty relating to this idea as well, as I do not adhere to rules such as "stop a book at the end of a chapter." I also am not known for my ability to pause before rushing headlong into the next bit. Some call this trait "impatient" - I say "enthusiastic."

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.

Throw the Book at Me

A couple of near 60 degree days and a long afternoon nap have left me a bit negligent in my daily reading. The last two days were the kind that leave you longing for a spring which we know will be delayed by at least a few more below 0 C days. The average last day of frost in the area is typically in April so enjoying these warm days was a pleasure not to be denied.

With the day now behind me and a lack of internet access at home this evening, I was reminded by a former roommate of the obvious, "there is always a book." Logic: it cannot be denied.

Lucky 13

We have reached that magical time of the bookclub month where each must decide "in or out".

In meaning you have either:

1) read the book, listened to the audio, or watched a movie with similar themes [most of the group]

2) have the book in possession and will donate this upcoming weekend to reading, postponing all nonessential activities until after the meeting in a last-ditch effort to finish the book. Alternatively, you will schedule a long road trip so that you can complete that five-disc audio. This category also includes anyone who is still reading the book at the time of the meeting and usually cries, "Wait, wait, I'm not there yet" if we move too far along in the discussion. [This is usually where GBC Carole (not the singer) and I usually fall.]

Out meaning that you have accepted the fact that you will not read the book due to time constraints, boredom, an incredibly long library queue or book loss. You may even take pride in this rebellious behavior. [GBC nancy]

Technically, we may also have a "skimmer" category: anyone with book commitment issues or who likes to appear well-versed for discussion but is short on time. A skimmer will usually read the last chapter.

Regardless of your choice, the title is Arthur & George by Julian Barnes. See you next week!

June Meeting

Through investigative reporting, I can confirm that all in attendance had a great time at Milena’s for book club on Tuesday. I missed you guys. Our host’s main dish of tacos invoked lots of praise, and all sentiments left me hungry for lunch! With a bean dish for a side and ice cream sundaes to finish, it sounded delightful! I am imagining the lingering heat from the day, the lilt of lively conversation (both on and off-topic), a little reading water, and a lovely kitchen setting. I am sure it was a marvelous evening!

The book received its due discussion however I did not receive any strong conclusions regarding The Reader. I’ll quote GBC Kim in stating that it ”definitely seemed to be a book with many shades of gray, and no easy answers.” Sounds like a worthwhile read.