Reading List for September
Friday, August 31, 2007
I have a problem with books. Last month while I was reading American Gods I found another copy on one of my bookshelves that I had no idea I owned. I thought I'd left it on an airplane by accident several years ago, but maybe that was another Gaiman book (which I'll have to find and re-buy now, of course even though I haven't thought of it in years). I did manage to find a copy of Stardust on my bookshelf though that I had forgotten about.
My problem with books is that I buy too many to possibly read them all. Perhaps that's why keeping a reading list of "to read" books has been good for me. But the main problem, buying too many books, remains. There are too many books, too many good books, to ever hope to even read a small portion of them.
This month I managed to finish two fairly lengthy books. Pitiful! The good thing is that I enjoyed them, for the most part. That's the whole point, right? Look for reviews coming in September, hopefully.
Read in August
The Blind Watchmaker - Richard Dawkins
War of Flowers - Tad Williams
Currently Reading
Julian - Gore Vidal
Right now my only expectation is to finish Julian this month, but a few more might be possible. I'm going to try to focus on one book at a time and see how that goes. No grabbing the first book I see on my desk as I rush off to work and no picking a new book at night because I'm too lazy to go out to my car and get the book I've been reading. :)
Coming Up Next
Lost Languages - Andrew Robinson
Heart-Shaped Box - Joe Hill
Darwin's Ghost - Steve Jones
Seasons - Robert Frost
A History of the End of the World - Jonathan Kirsch
Spirit Gate - Kate Elliott
Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea - Carl Zimmer
Dark Tower - Stephen King
The Lucifer Effect - Philip Zimbardo
The Android's Dream - John Scalzi
Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 9:18:00 PM CDT
"keeping a reading list of "to read" books has been good for me."
LOL! Me too! Now that I've finally started doing this, I don't know how I lived without it.
Blind Watchmaker is now on my "Recently Read" list and is definitely a must. I listened to Zimmer's "Triumph of an Idea" on CD and it was a real good listen, so the book is probably even better. I only do books on CD when on a long drive.
Finally, my answer to your MAIN problem - do what I did and switch - to the public library. I'm sure B&N and Amazon are sorry to see me go (for the most part. I still buy some just because I'd like to have them in my personal library. For instance, I'm very disappointed that the Blind Watchmaker is not there). And people who know me well, still give me B&N gift cards as a present. And I welcome it! But I've saved a few hundred dollars in the past 12 months.
Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 9:22:00 PM CDT
Oh, and if you haven't read it - Zimmer's Parasite Rex is just unbelievable! I blogged on it recently and you can find it if you search with the title words.
Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 9:29:00 PM CDT
I could go to the library, but it's terribly embarrassing when I forget to return a book. I do most of my book buying at used bookstores now and it saves a bunch. I still have trouble finding a lot of books though. :)
Thanks for the tip on Parasite Rex! I'll add it to my wish list.
Friday, August 31, 2007 at 2:26:00 PM CDT
I would have the same problem (forgetting to take the book back). Fortunately, our library now sends you an email notice 72 hours before the book is due. Also, if they don't have a book I want at the local branch, I can put a hold on the book and they will ship it in from any branch in the system that has it and email me when it's ready. I love it. Going the used route is a good option though.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at 4:12:00 AM CDT
I have a separate shelf where I keep the books I want to read...but this shelf just keeps getting bigger than smaller!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 2:32:00 AM CDT
Lots of good books there! I love Gore Vidal, so clever but haven't read Julian yet.