Reading

It seems to be reading season around here (as opposed to blogging season, crafting season or fitness season). So books. And stuff about books. In a list:

1. I downloaded the (free) Kindle app for my iPhone. I had resisted thinking it'd be confusing or a hassle to set up. It's not! It's WONDERFUL!

    a. iPhone is backlit and silent--perfect for reading in bed/while feeding Oscar

    b. automatically syncs with the Kindle so I can switch devices easily

    c. I pretty much always have it with me so can read a bit here and there

2. I'm loving GoodReads. I mostly follow blog people -- Jonniker and Temerity Jane read a lot and post useful reviews. I never post reviews but still like to keep track of books there and get reading ideas.

3. In paper book form I am currently reading The Fault in Our Stars which I'm pretty sure is going to be 1000% sadder than I want it to be (I'm not really wanting sad books but I didn't know what it was about until I was already interested).

    a. I got it from the library. Loving the library.

    b. Now when 2 or more folks mention a book or author I automatically add it to my library request/to read pile but I never read the back cover or any reviews. I like the surprise (except when it's sad).

    c. This is how I ended up reading State of Wonder (I believe Swistle recommended it). I had zero idea what it was about--just started at page 1--and I liked it! Oh, and Blackout and All Clear as recommended by Lissa I believe. Liked those as well!

4. In ebooks I'm reading Jane Eyre. It was free on Kindle and I've never read it. I usually dislike classics women usually love (sorry, Pride and Prejudice) but 40ish% in I'm really liking Jane Eyre. Go figure.

5. I'm really enjoying "test driving" non-fiction from the library.

    a. Quilt books--I LOVE Block Party. Amazing, unique quilts and the level of instruction is JUST what I like in a quilt book. No fussy pattern pieces, just explanation of technique. I LOVE this quilt below. LOVE.

    b. Cookbooks--I checked out a whole stack but these two stuck in my head.

        i. Jamie at Home by Jamie Oliver. Loved how this book looked (the layout, the paper, the art) but the recipes? Eh. Although I did make the deep fried pizza balls which were just as ridiculous/decadent/yummy as they sound. Don't really recommend.

        ii. Kitchen Express by Mark Bittman. LOVED this one. Found myself renewing it and I probably cooked 12 things from the book. I'm going to buy it for sure. Love! But make sure you love the unusual paragraph style recipes. (this is where I'd post a photo of the recipes but having technology issues so, no)

    c. Other non-fiction

        i. I'm reading The Philosophical Baby which I had to return and go get again. It's not exactly gripping but interesting enough I did get it again and plan to finish.

        ii. I picked up some sort of zen/meditation/mindfulness book by Jon Cabot-Zinn (sp?). Haven't read it yet. I sort of got interested in meditation/mindfulness stuff after reading Buddhism for Mothers of Young Children which I liked much more than I anticipated.

And there you have it. The world's wordiest post on books. Let me know if you have anything I should add to my reading list.

Comments

[Swistle]

Jane Eyre is, I think, the ONLY book I like in that Classics Women Love category!

[Melissa Haworth]

So were on the same page (ha!) about Jane Eyre--I mentally lump it with Jane Austen books and Wuthering Heights and other stuff I havent read so I was surprised to be enjoying it. Guess I can skip the rest of them :)

[UK lass in US]

Jane Eyre is a good one. I must admit, I like Austen (though I prefer Persuasion to P&P), but that's more because it feels like an easy summer read compared to some of the awful classics that I had to read at school - at least she had a sense of humour. George Elliot used to make me feel suicidal in exams...