I've been meaning to post for weeks, but always find an excuse not to. After much contemplating, hair-pulling, and general hemming and hawing, I've come to one very simple conclusion: I'm so afraid to post the wrong thing that I end up not posting at all. All truly 'great bloggers' are witty and insightful, qualities that I don't have. I would like to make this about life in general and not just books, but have had no clue where to start. I decided today to start with something other than me, so here goes nothing...
My boyfriend has been acting very strangely lately. And I don't mean in a sitcom-y covering-something-up sort of way. I mean very sudden, complete 180 sort of change.
It began about a month before Christmas when I asked what he would like for the holidays. I got typical answers-- CDs, movies, miscellaneous items. I was listening, nodding, making mental notes. And then he said "There's this book I really want, too."
I felt my eyeballs pop out of my head, slime down my cheeks, and plop onto the floor. Allow me to explain this gross and unrealistic reaction:
He is readily the first to admit that, until about 6 months ago, he'd never finished a book in his entire life. He has never understood my obsessive love for the hundreds of tomes that take up shelves upon shelves in the corner of the bedroom, just a bit to left of one of his prized televisions. I suspect he secretly finds it a bit silly. So for someone with such a lack of history with the glorious act of reading is like someone who hates science asking for a microscope. For years he has resisted my schemes to get his nose in the pages.
But it didn't stop there; another week or two went by, and he requested another book! Two books?! That's twice as many as he'd ever read! He really wanted two books? It seemed crazy to me, but that's what he wanted so that's what he got. He also seemed interested in yet another while we were out one day, so I got it for him on audio. (He drives quite a bit so I thought it would give him something interesting to listen to during the long hours.)
It doesn't even stop there.
His birthday is a mere 5 weeks after Christmas, so I usually start scrambling for other gift ideas soon after. He's mentioned a few things here and there, asked specifically for a couple CDs, and... another book?!?! Yes. That book came in the mail yesterday. The day before I was browsing a bookstore with a friend and text the boyfriend to ask if there was anything else he wanted. He requested (wait for it...) another book. And another. One I couldn't find, but the other was in my hands once an employee pointed me in the right direction.
I wrapped all his gifts today (excluding one that is still in transit), and the big day is next week. I'm excited to see the genuine joy when he unwraps the heavy, bound pages. He'll have a nice little stack going, and though it make take him as long as it'll take me to get through the 60+ waiting for me, it's worth sitting next to him and seeing him engrossed in something that an infinite number of people have been doing for thousands and thousands of years.
Did I mention that he recently finished reading a novel for school? In a relatively short time, too, and he seems pretty proud of himself. I hope it doesn't stop there.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Weekend Recap
So I know it's Tuesday and now it seems a little late for this, but yesterday was pretty busy and this is my first chance. I worked all day Saturday, but we at Cracking Spines headquarters (a.k.a. "the house") had the day off and went about town. Our stops:
That about covers it. I'll be working all this weekend, so don't expect much then. Happy Tuesday!
- Jo-Ann Fabrics. New yarn, new knitting needles.
- Petsmart, but only to look. I really want a kitten, but I'm "not allowed". We spent ten minutes watching a turtle, hoping he would eat one of the fish floating by.
- Borders. Books for everyone! I broke down and bought Shanghai Girls, because it was cheap and I wanted it.
- Buffalo Wild Wings. My first time. Not bad. Anyone ever tried the Buzztime game? It's trivia, so I think I'd be pretty awesome at it.
That about covers it. I'll be working all this weekend, so don't expect much then. Happy Tuesday!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Yesterday.
Yesterday was "Read Across America Day", also know as the birthday of the beloved Dr. Seuss. I probably should have said something, as this is a reading blog. I kinda dropped the ball (or book) on that one. I'll try again next year.
Did anyone actually make a point to read yesterday? Again, I dropped the ball. What are you reading? I meant to pick up my newest conquest, St. Augustine's Confessions. I do have a valid excuse: I was taking care of an invalid. He had an overnight hospital stay recently, and now the medication they put him on is making him feel awful. So I have to put down the books and play nurse, which I'm actually pretty good at doing.
I should also mention that I met a good friend's family for the first time recently, and I think I love them. I want to move in, because they fed me AND gave me books. People like that cannot be bad.
Did anyone actually make a point to read yesterday? Again, I dropped the ball. What are you reading? I meant to pick up my newest conquest, St. Augustine's Confessions. I do have a valid excuse: I was taking care of an invalid. He had an overnight hospital stay recently, and now the medication they put him on is making him feel awful. So I have to put down the books and play nurse, which I'm actually pretty good at doing.
I should also mention that I met a good friend's family for the first time recently, and I think I love them. I want to move in, because they fed me AND gave me books. People like that cannot be bad.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
An anti-climatic day.
I was bad yesterday. But by accident, so does that even really count? I got a root canal yesterday morning, and didn't go to work because I was told (by someone who has had a couple) that I would be in agony, and kind of out of it.
I was neither. In fact, the only issues I had was that I had to take out my lip ring (I worried a little that it would close up, but it went back in just fine) and that the dentist used latex gloves. Because I have to tell him a minimum of six times. Isn't that in my chart? Oh no, because someone confused the word 'latex' with 'penicillin'. I'm glad they're not real doctors. They do decent work and they're nice, but I really don't want them to confuse 'urine test' with 'kidney donor'.
Anyway, I spent the day organizing my new records (13 for less than $12 at this amazing little place downtown), playing Wii Sports (I'm amazing at boxing and baseball, not so good at tennis), and reading Grania. Grania is amazing. Morgan Llywelyn doesn't examine just a small piece of the story and leave you guessing at the rest. Some books just stop at the resolution of one issue, and I always wonder where things go, how things work out from there. Llywelyn gives you the whole picture; she goes from beginning to end. You know the characters, their lives, their connections and families as if they were your own personal friends. Grace O'Malley's whole life is laid out before the reader, every significant thing she has experienced and seen and felt is before our eyes, if only you're willing to dig into the 400+ pages.
A major draw, for me, is that it all takes place in the Elizabethan era. I am a fool for 16th century Europe, particularly England and the Tudor family. This has been an obsession for a few years now, when my best friend recommended to me The Other Boleyn Girl (which is a fantastic piece of historical fiction by Philippa Gregory).
I spent hours in Ireland last night, but plan to finish my stay this afternoon. The last page of a great book is always a bittersweet moment.
I was neither. In fact, the only issues I had was that I had to take out my lip ring (I worried a little that it would close up, but it went back in just fine) and that the dentist used latex gloves. Because I have to tell him a minimum of six times. Isn't that in my chart? Oh no, because someone confused the word 'latex' with 'penicillin'. I'm glad they're not real doctors. They do decent work and they're nice, but I really don't want them to confuse 'urine test' with 'kidney donor'.
Anyway, I spent the day organizing my new records (13 for less than $12 at this amazing little place downtown), playing Wii Sports (I'm amazing at boxing and baseball, not so good at tennis), and reading Grania. Grania is amazing. Morgan Llywelyn doesn't examine just a small piece of the story and leave you guessing at the rest. Some books just stop at the resolution of one issue, and I always wonder where things go, how things work out from there. Llywelyn gives you the whole picture; she goes from beginning to end. You know the characters, their lives, their connections and families as if they were your own personal friends. Grace O'Malley's whole life is laid out before the reader, every significant thing she has experienced and seen and felt is before our eyes, if only you're willing to dig into the 400+ pages.
A major draw, for me, is that it all takes place in the Elizabethan era. I am a fool for 16th century Europe, particularly England and the Tudor family. This has been an obsession for a few years now, when my best friend recommended to me The Other Boleyn Girl (which is a fantastic piece of historical fiction by Philippa Gregory).
I spent hours in Ireland last night, but plan to finish my stay this afternoon. The last page of a great book is always a bittersweet moment.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
An unsatisfying call girl..
I finished Secret Diary of a Call Girl. It got more interesting with some relationship drama, but was ultimately a let down. I guess at the end of the book I expect...something. I should be able to take something away from it, right? But the last page felt the same at the first. There were a lot of predictable potential turnouts:
None of that happened. There was an argument, and then everything was about the same. Usually when I finish a book, I feel...something. I feel happy, or (if it ends badly), I feel sad. Here, I just felt... disappointment. It felt like a waste of hours of reading. Belle went back to her old ways, and I went on to another book.
- Belle gives up being a call girl.
- Belle falls in love with a client.
- Belle gets pregnant.
- Belle and her boyfriend get married.
- Something humorously traumatizing, like meeting a client only to find out it's her father.
None of that happened. There was an argument, and then everything was about the same. Usually when I finish a book, I feel...something. I feel happy, or (if it ends badly), I feel sad. Here, I just felt... disappointment. It felt like a waste of hours of reading. Belle went back to her old ways, and I went on to another book.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Fetish?
Just had to post something quick, as my friend and supporter Stef just shared a link via Facebook for a site called Bookshelf Porn. This is not actual porn, mind you, it's just photos of shelves upon shelves of books. So if you're like me and get excited by a big collection (I want my own library one day, so I've got major envy right now) head over there and let yourself slip into a spine-cracking fantasy.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Welcome to February!
It's February, and that means I'll be cracking the spines you chose. At first the fact that Secret Diary of a Call Girl was the top pick made me think that you're a bunch of pervy people. Second thought was that I'm the one who put it on the list and therefore have no room to judge.
This book has been on my reading list for quite some time; I first discovered it after discovering the Showtime series of the same name. Inspired by the book, the show follows high-class call girl Belle du Jour through the chaos of living a double life. It is, in one word, fascinating. I watched the first season online, finishing rather quickly (the series, I mean). I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to book-based media, so I had to investigate. My big question: is the book as smart, sexy, and witty as the show?
I started reading the book before the polls were closed-- I'm that curious. However, I understand that this is some sensitive material and don't want to mentally scar any minors. So parents, cover the eyes of your offspring. Offspring, back away from the computer. Everyone else, proceed with caution.
This book has been on my reading list for quite some time; I first discovered it after discovering the Showtime series of the same name. Inspired by the book, the show follows high-class call girl Belle du Jour through the chaos of living a double life. It is, in one word, fascinating. I watched the first season online, finishing rather quickly (the series, I mean). I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to book-based media, so I had to investigate. My big question: is the book as smart, sexy, and witty as the show?
I started reading the book before the polls were closed-- I'm that curious. However, I understand that this is some sensitive material and don't want to mentally scar any minors. So parents, cover the eyes of your offspring. Offspring, back away from the computer. Everyone else, proceed with caution.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
New Year, New Spines, New Poll.
Well. Here we are again.
The past few weeks have been chaotic, messy, heart-wrenching. All that is over, the waves have calmed. Now is a time for tranquility and healing.
It's a fresh year, and therefore time for a fresh start. I've made personal resolutions, but I want to make one for Cracking Spines, too. I feel as though I've been hiding behind the technicalities of the written word. I've read a few older posts, and they're... well, they're boring. There's no feeling to them. So I resolve that this year, Cracking Spines will be reformed, reshaped. I'm going to share the personal, the beautiful, the emotive side of reading. I want to share with you, the readers, the Spine Crackers, the things that made me fall in love with reading, with opening a book and discovering the mystery of the pages.
In honor of this resolution, there is a new poll! You're in control, you're the boss now-- what am I reading in February? Here are the options:
The past few weeks have been chaotic, messy, heart-wrenching. All that is over, the waves have calmed. Now is a time for tranquility and healing.
It's a fresh year, and therefore time for a fresh start. I've made personal resolutions, but I want to make one for Cracking Spines, too. I feel as though I've been hiding behind the technicalities of the written word. I've read a few older posts, and they're... well, they're boring. There's no feeling to them. So I resolve that this year, Cracking Spines will be reformed, reshaped. I'm going to share the personal, the beautiful, the emotive side of reading. I want to share with you, the readers, the Spine Crackers, the things that made me fall in love with reading, with opening a book and discovering the mystery of the pages.
In honor of this resolution, there is a new poll! You're in control, you're the boss now-- what am I reading in February? Here are the options:
- The Complete Poems and Plays of T.S. Eliot
- The Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Anonymous)
- The Dead Sea Scrolls (Michael Wise, Martin Abegg Jr, Edward Cook)
- Living a Jewish Life (Anita Diamant, Howard Cooper)
- The Case for the Real Jesus (Lee Strobel)
- Grania (Morgan Llywelyn)
- The Great Influenza (John M. Barry)
- Small Avalanches and Other Stories (Joyce Carol Oates)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
A hiatus from my first love.
I hate working in retail. Thanksgiving was less than a week ago, and I already feel my brain turning to fuzz. Which leads me to conclude that I will have to take a short break from reading. I hate to do it, but I'm useless. I can't focus. I can't remember characters, what they did, events that have happened, etc.
So until I can get my brain back on track, I'm taking a rest. I just want to spend my free time relaxing, doing things that don't require thinking. That doesn't mean that I won't be posting anything; I have some plans for Hanukkah (which starts tomorrow night) and Christmas.
So sit back, relax, make yourself some cocoa... and come back tomorrow.
So until I can get my brain back on track, I'm taking a rest. I just want to spend my free time relaxing, doing things that don't require thinking. That doesn't mean that I won't be posting anything; I have some plans for Hanukkah (which starts tomorrow night) and Christmas.
So sit back, relax, make yourself some cocoa... and come back tomorrow.
Monday, November 15, 2010
I Love You, Spine Crackers
All my work for The Secret Life of Laszlo, Count Dracula is finished. My next conquest: I Love You, Beth Cooper.
I first encountered I Love You, Beth Cooper (written by Larry Doyle, who apparently used to write for The Simpsons) while browsing my favorite book store. This was before the movie came out, before the trailers for the movie came out, before I was at all aware that there was a possibility of a movie. Before it was in paperback, even. (Based on the copyright date-- 2007-- it was probably as much as two, two and a half years ago.) I was browsing fiction when the comical red cover caught my eye; against the bright background was a sketch of a dorky, acne-ridden teenage boy looking positively terrified.
I held the heavy hardcover in my hands, gently turned it over to read the teasers on the back. Immediately the outrageous, unbelievable story caught my attention.
Dorky Denis Cooverman announces in his graduation speech, "I love you, Beth Cooper". This could have been a really sweet, scene-from-a-movie moment... if Beth Cooper even knew Denis existed. Not to mention, her beefy boyfriend is in town and he is not happy. What follows? Hilarity.
I haven't seen the movie yet; I've been wanting to since it was released over a year ago, but I generally can't stand to watch a movie before I read the book. Unless I don't know about the book, in which case I am probably not interested in it anyway.
I came home, added it to my monstrous wish list. I finally bought it last winter when someone thoughtfully gave me a gift card to my favorite book store. I'm ashamed to say that I did buy the copy with the movie cover, but for one reason: it was considerably cheaper, and I am not one to waste good gift card money.
For nearly a year, it's been sitting on the shelf with all my other hopefuls. I Love You, Beth Cooper, today is your day. It's your turn.
I first encountered I Love You, Beth Cooper (written by Larry Doyle, who apparently used to write for The Simpsons) while browsing my favorite book store. This was before the movie came out, before the trailers for the movie came out, before I was at all aware that there was a possibility of a movie. Before it was in paperback, even. (Based on the copyright date-- 2007-- it was probably as much as two, two and a half years ago.) I was browsing fiction when the comical red cover caught my eye; against the bright background was a sketch of a dorky, acne-ridden teenage boy looking positively terrified.
I held the heavy hardcover in my hands, gently turned it over to read the teasers on the back. Immediately the outrageous, unbelievable story caught my attention.
Dorky Denis Cooverman announces in his graduation speech, "I love you, Beth Cooper". This could have been a really sweet, scene-from-a-movie moment... if Beth Cooper even knew Denis existed. Not to mention, her beefy boyfriend is in town and he is not happy. What follows? Hilarity.
I haven't seen the movie yet; I've been wanting to since it was released over a year ago, but I generally can't stand to watch a movie before I read the book. Unless I don't know about the book, in which case I am probably not interested in it anyway.
I came home, added it to my monstrous wish list. I finally bought it last winter when someone thoughtfully gave me a gift card to my favorite book store. I'm ashamed to say that I did buy the copy with the movie cover, but for one reason: it was considerably cheaper, and I am not one to waste good gift card money.
For nearly a year, it's been sitting on the shelf with all my other hopefuls. I Love You, Beth Cooper, today is your day. It's your turn.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tell me I've been bad.
So... I went to Borders today. I know I shouldn't have, but at least I had a coupon! So I got myself this book because --oy!-- I love all things Jewish. I also got a book similar to Keri Smith's Wreck This Journal, except that it's more creative writing and less aimless destruction. Not that I'm against aimless destruction; in fact I'm pro-Godzilla (so long as he's not destroying Kyoto. I would like to go there some day...).
Anyway, I've decided to go on a book buying hiatus until I can clear at least one shelf of my "to read" books (I have over two shelves, which comes to about 40 books). My addiction is getting a little out of hand. Which is not to say that I couldn't get this book for Christmas...
Oh, and did I mention that my Amazon list is 115 books long?
Anyway, I've decided to go on a book buying hiatus until I can clear at least one shelf of my "to read" books (I have over two shelves, which comes to about 40 books). My addiction is getting a little out of hand. Which is not to say that I couldn't get this book for Christmas...
Oh, and did I mention that my Amazon list is 115 books long?
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