Blogger Takes Own Advice, Flaunts It

I was inspired by a recent post by the Paperback Bookworm.  As easily the most avid reader of my blog, I took my own St. Patrick’s Day advice and read a Maeve Binchy book for the first time since probably 2002.  I chose her novel Echoes based on a quick overview of the plot and the fact that it was $7 less than the other Binchy contender I considered on barnesandnoble.com  Don’t judge the Bookworm.

Echoes is everything I love about Binchy’s books.  I love her character development and sweet stories.  I love that in my head I can hear the Irish accent, but there are no annoying spellings of “favourite.”  I want to comment on the ending, but that could alienate my dear readers. 

A great read that I can’t lend to anybody since I read it on the Nook iPad app (sorry Most Frequent Reader, Mom).

Bookworm Confessions

I think all readers secretly wish they could write a book.  When I was in college, I thought it would be hilarious to write a coffee table book called Book of the Obvious.  It would include a truly captivating list of commonly used phrases like “I hate Mondays” or “It’s raining.”  I can say with confidence that this is the worst, most boring book idea I have ever heard.  I am pretty sure I dropped the project before filling even one measly page in Word.  Apparently the plan was to have the illustrator do a lot of the heavy lifting.

Needless to say, I pity the poor editor that will have to turn these rambling blogs into a cohesive, interesting and readable narrative.  But I’m sure they will get a generous cut of my riches.

Reading the Grays Away

There are certain activities that are made for readers.  Flying, going to the DMV, and of course – the salon. 

Sadly, I spend more time (and money) in the salon than I used to, due to a bad genetic draw that has this 30 year-old sprouting gray hairs.  No, not glamorous silky silver hair.  Kinky, coarse gray hair. 

Luckily I have a salon close to my house that is open on no-shower Sundays, so I can practically roll out of bed and flop into the chair.  My stylist regales me with stories about who she is dating and what band they are from.  I pretend to have heard of these bands.  She knows I am pretending.

This week she mentioned that she wants to go back to school and study English, then get a masters in creative writing.  Readers, this stylist is not interested in the musings of a certain Paperback Bookworm.

As my color set, I settled into my favorite part of pampering – the excuse to spend 45 minutes with a good book.  Unfortunately this book had to be plugged in with the hair dryers – the ebook is losing points all over the place.

Blogger Prepares for Busy Weeks Ahead – By Getting Hammered & Reading

I’ve had an intense few weeks at work, and was thrilled by the news that there would be no quality time in the office this weekend.  Especially since in the next few weeks I’ll be traveling a bunch and likely working around the clock.  So how did I enjoy this final weekend to prep myself for the busy time ahead?  Well shoot, I blew the surprise in the title.

Saturday night was spent enjoying a delicious dinner and then some local watering holes.  I would say we overindulged.  By about 3 hours.  Therefore Sunday has thus far been spent complaining about said overindulgence, and a delicate combination of reading and napping.  And watching the last 3 minutes of NCAA tournament games.

Some folks may not enjoy a good read with a throbbing headache, but I find it no more painful than watching whatever movie is showing on FX.  Plus, it makes me feel slightly more productive.  (A feeling that my as yet unwalked dog would certainly say is undeserved.) 

So while I probably should have stocked up my To Read pile for the long flights ahead in April, I killed a bunch of brain cells instead.  But not enough to watch the FX Sunday movie marathon.

Slow Reading Blogger Desperate for Content – Friend Comes Through

Shockingly, a friend of mine admitted to reading my blog this week.  As if that in itself wasn’t surprising enough, you’ll be interested to know that this friend is the absolute worst reader I know.  Meaning, I once tried to lend her a book and she asked me if there was a movie instead.  (Insert a snobby “humph” or eye roll – readers’ choice.)  Since she specifically asked me not to blog about this, I will grant her the gift of anonymity.  As if being mentioned on this blog wasn’t inherently anonymous.

I have never understood non-readers.  I always think that I can change them, and never fail to lend them a book that they “won’t be able to put down.”  More likely, they never even pick it up (or return it).  To her credit, my friend that is the subject of this blog didn’t steal anything.  I tried to hand her a book and she quickly raised both hands up and said “no way.”  I’m pretty sure she would have let the book drop to the floor if I had tried to hand it to her.  Friend, you can’t catch anything from books – don’t be afraid.

If any non-readers happen to read this blog, I’d like to recommend two of my favorites if you’d like to get into the wonderful world of reading:  The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and/or The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  These are two of my favorites, and are both quick (and ultimately) feel-good reads. 

My friend however, is more likely to appreciate a cookbook recommendation.  I prefer the “movie” version of that book – just eating the meal.

Reading Secrets Revealed

An added bonus for the ebook – secret reading.  In theory I could be reading, say, a very complex research report on my iPad.  So many graphs and charts!  Very important stuff.  But in reality I am just sneaking in a few pages of my novel while I have my morning coffee.  And then a quick look at my blog stats.  Oh good, still under the radar.

Ok, so I haven’t done that yet, but it just occurred to me while engaging in another procrastination activity (blogging).

I haven’t snuck around to read in a long time – I think I was reading Judy Blume under my quilt with a flashlight the last time it happened.    Luckily I haven’t matured too much since then, and engage in many of the same habits and activities, such as:

·         Spilling spaghetti sauce on my shirt almost every time I eat it.

·         Relishing in the fun of nail biting.

·         General clumsiness, with an emphasis on tripping.

So there you have it.  I’m still the same spaghetti-spilling, nail-biting, clumsy fool I’ve always been that has to sneak a read every once in awhile.  Or play a game of Angry Birds.

Blogger Spares Readership Boring Story; Takes Credit for Sacrifice

I hate hearing airport delay stories, because they are never interesting and I have pretty much heard or experienced all of it at this point.  With that same filter in mind, I will spare my readership the saga that played out last night as I tried to spend a gift card on barnesandnoble.com.  You are welcome, world!

Troubleshooting aside, I am now reading my first ebook using the Nook app on my iPad.  I am so modern.  Thirty-six pages in, here is my gut reaction list of pros and cons (subject to change).

Pro

·         Book purchases on a whim.

·         Book goes where the iPad goes.  (Insert complaint about no real lunch hour at work here.)

·         Blogging fodder.

Con

I'm gonna lick your "book." 

·         Book purchases on a whim.

·         World’s Greatest Dog Norman’s ability to turn pages with his tongue.

·         I don’t care what the technology claims, I can’t easily lend this book.

·         iPad is not a book. 

·         Bookshelf is confused.

Folks, I will keep you posted as this story develops.