I am just making it in for the October. 5 Minutes for books is a community of people who love books and reading. As reading is one of my passion, I decided to participate in their FOURTH Tuesday of the month happening which is ‘What’s on Your Nightstand?” Although you can always see what I have just completed reading and what I currently have on my slate, this allows me to give a little more detail.
The I-cannot-read-for-more-than-one-hour book: We’ll Always Have Paris: American Tourists in France since 1930 by Harvey Levenstein. This is like ready a history book back in high school. It is very interesting but very dry. I have to read it in hour spurts after that I fall asleep!
The inspirational book: If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland. My husband who knows I am an aspiring novelist and has been ceaselessly encouraging my latest writing ventures gave me this book to read. He is currently reading a book that referenced this one as truly inspirational. It was written in 1938, which is interesting as a lot of what she says most definitely still applies today. I should say what she has said thus far. I have only read the first two chapters because she is a little hippie-ish for my taste…she was way ahead of her time on that. I will read in doses as well.
The must-read-to-pass-the-class book: A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver. I am taking a Creative Writing Exploration class and we have completed selected stories in The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Short Stories by Tobias Wolff which were well written, but totally depressing. We are now moving into poetry and this week’s reading assignment will come from this book of poetry.
The I-must-read-as-a-result-of-an-inspirational-keynote-speech book: The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss. I saw Tim speak this past weekend at BizTech Day SF 2008. He only had 45 minutes, but I am intrigued. I bought the book, but was too embarrassed to get it signed. I started it yesterday. I’ll let you know if I suddenly reduce my workload by 80% and start making $40k+ a month!
The don’t-pick-it-up-and-start-because-you-know-you-won’t-put-it-down book: It is actually a tie between the second book in the Twilight series, New Moon by Stephenie Meyer and Jen Lancaster’s second book, Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl’s Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me? They are there taunting me and if I pick either one up I am a goner. I won’t do my writing, I won’t do my homework, I won’t do things on my to-do list. I will not put it down.
So that is what is on my night stand, besides a few magazines (ok, not a few, several) and the latest J Crew and Boden catalogues. Stay tuned for next month to see what my night stands looks like then!
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I may have to pick up the “Who Are All These Idiots…”
Since I starting blogging last month, I have not been reading much. Two or three pages and zzzzzzz.
That’s why the “What I’m Reading” list on my blog hasn’t changed. Funny because I’ve read the John Irving book before and have no idea how it ends.
My brain must really be fried.
And I have a pile of never-read books just mocking me.
I’ve got:
The Keep by Jennifer Egan
A Fan’s Notes by Frederick Exley…and
New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.
So far, I’m halfway through The Keep. Not too shabby, I must say,
I’d love to hear more of your thoughts on that writing book (as a fellow writer).
I think I’m the only person in the world who hasn’t read any Meyer books yet.
Hi Heather – last night I read the third chapter of the Ueland book, it is deep so it takes time to digest. I will let you know when I am further in. If you drop me a line to my email listed under my profile I can send you a few more books that my writing class professor suggested to me this week.
As for the Twilight series. I cannot explain it – these books are targeted for 13 year olds but they are addicting. I like the writing style. Try it out you may like it.
http://misadventures-with-andi.blogspot.com/2008/10/twilight-takes-another-victim.html
http://misadventures-with-andi.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-finished-twilight.html