Everything I Like Causes Cancer: Books

8/02/2010

Slow clap for the li-berry.

Posted by Gwen | Labels: Books, Oh the things I see

The branch of the library that I frequent keeps a cart of books by the service desk. The books on the cart have been chosen because they have something in common, like at Valentine's Day the cart is stocked with love stories, classic and best-selling. Around President's Day you'll find biographies. Halloween? Ghost stories. You get the idea.

I stopped at the library on my way home tonight and the most recent theme made me laugh out loud:

Bravo, Buder Branch librarians! Bra-vo.

I usually limit myself to three books at a time. If I take home more than that, I end up paying fines because I can't finish them all before they're due and I'm too lazy to find my member number and renew them online. But tonight I was so tickled by the theme that I picked up a fourth book off the cart, The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera. Suck it, Oprah.

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6/16/2008

Summer Reading

Posted by Gwen | Labels: Berfdays, Blogstalking, Books, The Softer Side

I am one borrowed library book away from being able to dive into this juicy pile of reading material that I got for my birthday. I've never read Elmore Leonard so if Up In Honey's Room doesn't grab me in the first five chapters, I'm taking it straight to the library. Entertain me quick, Leonard, or you're out of here.

As antsy as I am to start these books, I have to confess I've already devoured most of the PostSecret book, A Lifetime of Secrets. (PostSecret is a community art project that involves collecting and publishing thousands anonymous postcards, each bearing the senders' secrets.) It's impossible to put this book down. Lil BRR gave it to me and she put her own postcard secret inside the front cover. Her message moved me to tears. I love that little towheaded gal.

My teammate at work gave me The Girls. His wife and I have similar tastes in reading material so I'm certain she picked this one out. It's written by and about a set of conjoined twins. It's supposed to be a beautiful read. 70 of 105 Amazon reviewers can't be wrong.

Leslie gave me The Time Traveler's Wife. I may have to read this one first because I know she just finished it and then we can discuss it while it's fresh. I haven't looked this one up but I think she said it's a science fiction love story. Certainly intriguing.

And finally, but certainly not least, my work friend Linda gave me the top two: The King of Lies and Traveler. Wait a minute. Maybe I should read about the Traveler before I read about his wife because otherwise I might get all confused and dizzy and have to lay down.

Anyway, I think both of these were recommended by Rude Cactus in his Weekly Reads. I've enjoyed every book that I read on his recommendation. He reviews at least two every Friday. Plus he's always good for an odd bathroom story.

What are you reading this summer besides the back of a cereal box, fellow bookworms? Any recommendations?

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4/24/2008

Thursday Tidbits

Posted by Gwen | Labels: Books, Miscellany, My Garden

My Redbud Tree

Yesterday I signed up for Dictionary.com's word of the day email. Expect it to get really wordy and pompous around here.
My mom left this morning for the first vacation she has taken since I was in high school. I am 5 weeks away from 39. She is so excited for this much-overdue trip. She and my uncle, the over-the-road truck driver, are taking a road trip to, through, and across Tennessee, one of my mom's favorite places. It's my impression that they planned some sort of Civil War jihad. I hope they have a great time, don't run into any trouble, and are still speaking when they get home.
I was itching like I had fleas all week to start buying annuals. I finally had time last night and went to Lowe's right after work. I was so disappointed in their selection. I did get a lot of the greenery I need . . . vinca, potato vine, asparagus fern . . . but none of the flowers. I am going to go to the corner nursery on my way home tonight. The gal that owns it rarely disappoints me. I should've gone to her in the first place.
My red bud tree's gorgeous purple display is about over. I took the picture above this morning, but I'm not happy with it. I put it up here anyway because I may not get another chance as it's supposed to rain the next couple days and the transformation from lavender to green happens fast.
I am 95 pages into the new Stephen King book, Duma Key. Whew. It's a good one. You know how he repeats things to create suspense and hammer a point home? Well, in this one he keeps referring to a guy named Wireman. I'm pretty sure I know who Wireman is, even though I haven't met him yet. Anyway, the way he refers to Wireman (so far) is like this: "Wireman says when it comes to the past, we all stack the deck." and "At first you were afraid you'd die and then you were afraid you wouldn't. That's what Wireman says, and he would have known; he had his own season in hell." I've gone back and marked all of Wireman's quips and intend to catalog them here at some point in time because that Wireman, he seems kinda smart.