Tuesday, March 10, 2009

A Girl And Her Books

I love books. I love reading them and collecting them. I remember reading once that people in the Army should not collect books, since when you move they take up valuable space and weight (you are given a certain weight allowance by the military). I say take the weight that would have been used by all of my non-existent kitchen stuff and transfer it over to my books. I’ve noticed though over the last year or two that I’ve bought and have been given quite a few books that I have yet to read. It’s weird, because I consider myself such a voracious reader, yet I haven’t read a lot over the last few years. I really don’t know why that is.

When Laura was little I used to read a lot and when I worked at the library I was reading all the time. As a child I used to sneak a book into my desk and read it while my teacher was teaching. My sister and I kept books under our pillows to read at night by flashlight. I remember when my Mom found all the books, she kept laughing and said she didn’t understand how we could sleep like that; it must have been so uncomfortable. I don’t remember it being uncomfortable at all; I just remember our batteries in our flashlights running out and us not wanting to ask for new batteries because surely our parents would figure us out!

So obviously, I love to read. Yet the total number of unread books on my bookcase is 13. I really don’t like having books on my bookcase that I haven’t read, so I guess the only solution is to read them or get rid of them. And asking me to get rid of books is like asking me to leave Laura by the side of the road. Well, not quite that dramatic, but almost. So I’ve photographed my unread books (yes, I’m a nerd) in the hopes that I will be spurred into action by this public shame. And I know you all are going to gasp that I haven’t read THAT book yet, or wait, not THAT book either? Shocking!! I know, I know. Obviously I own them because I want to and feel I should. I just haven’t gotten there yet. Please note the bookmarks in some of the books. I have started some of them! I’m boycotting Jane Eyre though, because upon reading the introduction (which I was always drilled to do by my English teachers); the ending was spoiled for me! How rude is that?Which book should I tackle first? Any in my stack that are particular favorites of yours? The most recent one I have been reading is the Emily Post biography. It’s really interesting and well-written, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in good non-fiction. I heard rumors that the purchaser was reluctant to buy it for me, but I’m glad she did because I really like it. If only I could finish it. Or any of them!

12 comments:

Kim said...

You can skip The Other Boleyn Girl - it's basically a soap opera. Please don't boycott Jane Eyre, though, because it's really a page turner as is Anna Karenina. Love in the Time Cholera may be one of the most beautiful books ever written, and shouldn't you have finish that one at the very bottom of the stack by now? :)

Rachael said...

what, kim????? do not, do not, read anna karenina. i didn't like it all. i loved jane eyre, and love in a time of cholera is great because i had to read it for english in high school (while you had to read don quixote...my apologies!). ;)

Claire said...

Oh, I will never be able to forget reading Don Quixote!! That book could have been summed up in about 2 chapters.

And yes, I'm sure the Army Man will decree that nothing else can be read until Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is finished!

Kim said...

I love Anna Karenina, Rachael! I thought it was so good! I think we have another Fargo situation here. P.S. Claire, don't feel bad about having 13 books you haven't read. I just counted how many I have. 52. That's right. Fifty-two.

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books! You have to read that one!
You have great taste in books!

This Little Hen said...

The Little Women is by far one of my favorite! I suggest you save it and tackle it once it turns cold again!

Julie said...

I totally know how you feel! After I read your blog I counted the unread books on my shelf. I was shocked to know I have 18 books waiting in the wings. Now mind you I have read 6 books in 2 months, so that number will go down dramatically as I am on continuous sick mode. I say start with anything just keep reading!!!!

Anonymous said...

We watched The Other Boleyn Girl. I think Eric Bana was better as the Hulk, and that's not saying much.

Natalie said...

I probably have twice as many unread books as you do (including The Other Boleyn Girl). The Kite Runner is AMAZING. Depressing, but amazing.

Good luck, I need to tackle my stack ASAP.

Patty said...

My taste is probably not that refined but I would recommend "The Kite Runner" it's one of my favorites. I just watched the movie finally and remembered why I loved it so much. I am embarrassed to say that I hated "Love In the Time of Cholera". I found it creepy and I am surprised I was able to finish it.

Dano the Mano said...

Yes, I do comment that in the time it has taken you to read half that book I was able to read it twice. Not to mention the fact that Laura reads faster than me. Also, I'm a little disappointed to not see any Tom Clancy, Dean Koontz or Matthew Riley in the stack. Your mother (and I) would be ashamed.

Anonymous said...

I loved the Other Boleyn Girl precisely b/c it's a total soap opera! Who can't use a soap opera every once in a while?? Plus it's a super quick read. Kite Runner is even quicker, but it's sad...ridiculously sad. I read it years ago and I don't think I'd be able to get through it now that I have Estelle.

The number of unread books in my bookcase is shameful by the way.