Reading

On Friday, I received the latest (and last) book in the Percy Jackson series: The Last Olympian.  I’ve been waiting for almost a year for this last book in the series.  I’m almost done with it and if I hadn’t fallen asleep reading the past two nights (no fault of the book…it’s great.  I blame my sleepiness on the NBA playoffs) I would be finished by now.   I have this weird ritual involving the end of a book series, ok pretty much any new book, but I take special joy in celebrating the end of a series.

First I have to hold the book for a few minutes.  For as techie oriented as I am, I’ll always choose to physically read a book in lieu of reading it on the computer.  There are too many experiences involved in reading a book.  I love the scent of a new book, and knowing that I’m the first person to open the cover and flip through the pages.

After just holding the book for a while, I start analyzing the cover art trying to identify any foreshadowing or symbolism. As terrible as this is for anyone (especially a librarian) to admit, I do occasionally judge a book by it’s cover.  Don’t cringe, I know….it’s a flaw.  The artwork on some books (the US versions of Harry Potter — THANK you Mary GrandPre) are almost as delectable as the story inside.

I’m a font freak.  I love looking at them, analyzing why a particular font was chosen.  I like the shape of letters and the structures of words.  I like looking at different text and seeing the impact of the typesetting and how it can alter and affect the tone of a book.  I love when authors use different styles of fonts to indicate other speakers or change in time or setting.

I need a quiet spot to read, most of the time I need to be alone in a room or in my bed with just my reading light on.  Ever since I was a little girl, I would read late into the night.  My mom used to have to take my books away so I could go to sleep.  Even now, I’ll read until the wee hours of the night just so I can finish a chapter or two.  I’m a little obsessed with finishing a book.

When I was ready to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I sat in a recliner with a huge bottle of water, some snacks and a blanket.  I held that book for at least 30 minutes before I even opened it.  This was it.  The end of it all.   Soon, I would have all the answers I thought I was waiting for.  12 hours later I learned that wasn’t true…darn you JK Rowling!!

When I read the last page and closed the book, I remember blowing out a huge sigh of relief.  Relief that I had finished the series and that I saw something to completion.  I had major surgery 5 months before the book was published and I remember trying to calm myself down on the way to the OR by repeating “things will be ok.  I have to be around to find out what happens to Harry” over and over.  Inside my head…otherwise they would have taken to the psych ward instead of the OR.

I’m a disgustingly fast reader and I continually have to force myself to read slowly so I can enjoy a book more, but it’s a losing battle.  I’ve always been a fast reader and would often read 2 books a day when I was growing up.   I’ve been reading since a very early age and can’t remember going a day without reading a book. I’m so very lucky to have the financial means to feed my love of books.  I’m pretty sure I spend more money on books than I do on clothing.  Is that wrong?

what about you my fellow book lovers.  Do you have any weird book rituals?

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about goals for this year…personal, health, travel, and professional goals. I’m sad to say I haven’t made much progress on any of them!  But I’ve been rejuvenated lately regarding some of those goals. (Thanks Kim…we’re making triathlon progress!)

I’ve begun following a lot of librarian/reader blogs because even though I spend my days working with books, I can’t seem to keep up with all the reading I need to do…for my own enjoyment OR my job! I found this post from Everyday Reading very inspiring and as a result I’ve decided to track the books I read this year.

I’d like to read 150 new books this year. Notice I said NEW…because if you read this blog you know I’m always rereading a book, so I won’t count those on this list, but I will keep track of the rereads as well, just for my own information. So again, my goal is to read 150 new books this year, which is an average of 12.5 books per month.  OK, so that’s a complete misrepresentation of realistic statistics because I could read a picture book in 20 minutes and a chapter book could take me one to seven days depending on a number of mitigating factors…how long it is, the intended audience, how much time I have to devote to reading, etc. Do you see you unnamed federal education lawmakers, just how easy it is to misrepresent statistics?? Anyway my list will include picture books, children’s books, young adult books, books for adults and professional reads. I make no distinction between books.

I added a page at the top of the blog where you can track my reads for the year.  If, if, if, I decide to review a book (something I don’t like to do. Remember…I talked about this already) I will add a link to my review.

Happy reading!
Chris

In case you’re dying to know…I think my count for the year is 10…technically according to my unrealistic statistic, I’m already behing schedule!

I had to share a photo of my new King collection! I purchased this whole set from a relative of a friend. I’m so excited! I was just thinking about getting rid of all my paperbacks and buying some hardcovers of my collection, but I was too cheap to buy the books. Then, this amazing opportunity came up and I couldn’t resist. There are a few I haven’t read, and some that I’m looking forward to re-experiencing.

I’ll take this moment to mention my favorite Stephen King books:

Eyes of the Dragon — I completely loved this fantasy book. Rumor has it that he wrote this because he wanted his young children to be able to read something he’d written. Who cares why he wrote it, the book is fantastic. Wonderful story!

Misery — Annie, Paul, the special paper, and the axe!!  oh how I loved this book (and the movie too, surprisingly– Kim…remember waking mom up to show her the foot-smashing part? She was not nearly as amused at 3am as we were!)

Skeleton Crew has to be my favorite overall King short story collection. The first story, The Mist, creeps me out today. I was horribly disappointed in the movie (which was pretty faithful to the story up to a point then not so much.)

Night Shift — another amazing collection of short stories…especially the very spooky “Sometimes They Come Back” scary!!!

My favorite short story of all time (and one of my favorite movies, too) is “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption” Most people are unaware that that movie is based on a King short story. Both are incredible.

Here’s what I’m looking forward to reading (or rereading):
Danse Macabre – a nonfiction book on the horror genre. I was always too afraid to read this, but I’m looking forward to it now.

All the stories in Different Seasons, especially Apt Pupil (I recently saw the movie, which was good and disturbing)

I think I’m ready to reread It, but I’m not sure. That book freaked me out.

Salem’s Lot -ditto on the freaking out. I used to be afraid of vampires, but I’ve gotten over that. I read this book in high school, at school. I refused to take it home and have it in my house. I would only read it during daylight hours. I know it’s strange.

The Stand – What can I say about this one?  It’s a perfect story, well written, planned and executed.

ok that’s enough of my 5 second reviews, I’m going to hug my books for a while.

I’m in the middle of a few books right now. Ever since I was little, I’ve always read more than one book at at time.  I like to leave them around the house so wherever I am, I can just pick up a book and read.  I know it’s weird, but it works for me!  Right now, I have one book on my bedside table, one in the living room, one in the basement and I usually keep one in the car, but I just finished that one. (Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick, which was terrific.)  I always have one or two going at school, too, otherwise I’d never keep up!

While most of my books are new to me, one of my current reads is always a book I’m rereading for the second, third or hundredth time.  A few weeks ago I had a long, involved conversation with a friend about my reading habits.  I have a love/love relationship with books that  has gone on for most of my life.  Reading is my one true escape and I’ve been known to get very involved and invested in characters and settings, mostly due to my rereading habit.  Books and characters are like old familiar friends the kind that don’t change, disappoint or surprise you.  I like knowing that some things remain unaltered with passage of time.  I especially like rereading a book I read a long time ago, when I was in a different place in my life, and I find that the book has new meaning, or I understand the actions of a character differently.  It’s not always about the plot, but more of an appreciation of writing style and ability.  To be able to pick up a book I’ve read many times and still be as captivated as the first reading amazes me.

These are my current reads:

The Time Traveler’s Wife byAudrey Niffenegger: I have to say I’m really enjoying. I can’t talk too much about it until after my book club meets, but I’m planning on finishing that one this weekend if possible.

White Oleander by Janet Fitch (recommended by Valerie):  I’m halfway through this book.  It’s so beautifully written, but the story is not exactly shiny and happy, so I’m moving slowly with it.

My “reread” selection is a book I discovered in a college lit class on the Romantic period.  That’s where I discovered the Shelleys (Percy Bysshe and Mary), Byron, William Blake and Coleridge.  While I enjoyed all of these poets, the book that made the most impact on me is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or the Modern Promethus. If you haven’t read this amazing book, you should.  Don’t get confused with the square head, bolts on the neck, arms out marching, monster of the horror film version of Frankenstein, this book is a complex study of psychology, the power of human connection and above all, consequences.  It’s a masterpiece of a novel and even more impressive is that Mary Shelley was just 19 when she wrote it. (I remember that the very beginning is slow…but important, so keep that in mind).  I wrote the best paper of my undergrad career on this book.  I’m sure I’d cringe at it today, but I think my theme (Victor Frankenstein and postpartum depression — seriously…it worked) was pretty spectacular.  I need to look for that paper. I’m sure I have a hard copy, somewhere.

The Cobweb by “Stephen Bury”:  This story takes place during the Gulf War.  It’s co-written by Neal Stephenson and his uncle under the pen name of Stephen Bury. I like reading books co-written by two authors because of the meshing of different writing styles and conventions (ala Stephen King and Peter Straub’s The Talisman).  I’m not very far into this one (maybe chapter 4) but so far it’s keeping my attention.  It’s not my typical genre, so I hope I’m able to keep up with all the political, bureaucratic and military speak!

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling: I got the collector’s edition of this book for my birthday and I’ve spent the last month just looking at it.  I finally started reading it the other day and should finish it tomorrow or Sunday.  It’s handwritten with drawings done by the author, so it’s lovely to look at as well as to read.  There are some beautiful photos on amazon.com of the original one they bought last year. (Scroll down to the bottom)

That’s my current reading list.  I have the following books just waiting to be moved to the top of the pile.  More on these titles later.

The Fire by Katherine Neville (sequel to my beloved “The Eight”)
The Virgin in the Garden by A.S. Byatt
A Drowned Maiden’s Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz (A Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award nominee)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

More later,
Chris

Of course I would write about books, I am a librarian after all.  Seriously though, there are not enough words (hah) to describe how much I love books.  All genres, but right now I’m most enamored with picture books and books for elementary school kids.  To be fair to all the “grownup” (I used to say “adult”, but that has it’s own connotation) books that I occasionally get to read… these are the books that consume my days.  I thought I would talk a little bit about some of my old favorites and some “sure to be” new favorites.

I can’t really put these books in any order of preference because they are all my favorites so I’m just jumping in with titles.  Let me throw out a caveat here.  Even though I read a lot of books and make many recommendations, I am not into reviewing books; maybe it’s because I like to read so much that it didn’t matter to me what other people thought about the books I was reading.  Even today when I book talk to my students, I stick to talking about the genre or the general plot or character info. I make sure that even when kids ask me about genres I don’t particularly like (sci fi — ugh!) I find something positive to say about their choice.  I don’t think it’s necessary to enjoy every book you read as long as you can identify and explain what you didn’t like about it.  So there will be no deep, analytical reviews here, just my thoughts on books you already know I love.  So, yes I guess this will be biased

Trumpet of the Swan – E.B. White

This is a toss up between Trumpet and Charlotte’s Web, but I feel more people are familiar with Charlotte so this would be something new to experience.  This is the story of Louis, a trumpeter swan who is born mute.  Since he can’t communicate with his swan family the natural way, he learns to read and write and play a real trumpet.  He goes on lots of adventures and has a great time with his human friend, Sam.

Walk Two Moons – Sharon Creech

Definitely on my Top 10 list of all time.  I can’t say too much about this book without ruining the story, but it’s so worth a read.  I’ve given it to countless people (family and co-workers) and 99% of the time people love it.  It’s about a teenage girl who goes on a cross country adventure with her grandparents to find her mother.  I love every single book Sharon Creech writes and consider her one of my favorite authors.

Love that Dog Hate that Cat - Sharon Creech
These are two books told from the POV of a boy in elementary school. He is learning about poetry in school and this is his poetry journal.  Jack hates poetry so he starts using his dog, Sky as his inspiration. This is an excellent tool for teaching poetry and using student journals.  The sequel (Hate that Cat) JUST came out and it’s also superb. I read it today (It’s told in poem format so it’s super fast to read) and it was funny, sweet and touching.

Sisters Grimm: Fairy Tale Detectives – Michael Buckley

This series is incredible!  Even as much as I read, I am sometimes blown away at the creativity of authors.  You’d think that the topic of fairy tales has been done and done again and then a series like this comes along and suddenly that old topic is fresh and exciting.  This six (soon to be SEVEN) book series is about two orphaned sisters who discover they are the last descendants of the Brothers Grimm.  They also find out that those same brothers were actually fairytale detectives who lived among the fairy tale characters.  Many years have passed since the Brothers Grimm convinced the fairy tale folk to move from Germany to Ferry Port Landing, NY where they have lived in an enchanted village setting for hundreds of years.  These books are FUN.  You’ll be impressed with the girls as they adjust to their new, dangerously exciting lives and root for them as they search for their kidnapped parents.  These books are a real treat.

LIghtning Thief - Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)

This is my other new favorite series.  I LOVED Greek Mythology when I was growing up. I even wanted to be a professor of mythology at one time.  I still have my Edith Hamilton mythology book from seventh grade.  It’s in pretty good shape…considering . Amazon has a new cover on their listing, so I’ll have to find a photo since I’m sure many of you will recognize it.  Back to Percy.  This is another series book, four currently published and I hear #5 is on the way.  It’s about a teenage boy who finds out that he is a son of one of the three big greek gods.  (Zeus, Hades, Posiden) and his learns that there are demi-gods like him all over the country.  Oh yeah, Mt. Olympus has gradually moved as time passed and is now located above the Empire State Building.  Percy attends Camp HalfBlood with other demi-gods and soon is sent on adventure after adventure starting with a search for Zeus’ lightning rod (which he has been wrongfully accused of stealing).  These books are heavily filled with mythology and can be difficult if the reader doesn’t have the background, but they are terrific.

Ghost Soldier – Elaine Marie Alphin

Alexander has always been able to see ghosts, but no one believes him.  He travels with his father to North Carolina and meets the ghost of a Confederate soldier who is trying to track down what happened to his family after he left to fight in the war.  The soldier can’t move on until he knows what happened.  Alexander is dealing with his own issues (mother left and father is dating someone else) and reluctantly helps the soldier find closure.  I really enjoyed this story especially because of the historical details.

I should stop there because I could go on forever and ever.  Next time I’ll talk about the picture books I love.  There are many. I can’t count the number of books I’ve sent to friends’ children.  The sad part is that I always buy a copy for myself too.  My bookshelves are packed yet I can’t stop buying books.  I’ll take a photo this weekend.  If you want a sneak peek at a picture book recommendations check the links below.

Scaredy Squirrel

Skippyjon Jones

More to come