What's on your nightstand?

[siercia]

I'm participating in a take and post a picture every day thing with some other knit bloggers that I read. While many of them are taking very beautiful, arty pictures, I'm using mine more as a chance to capture moments out of my day. Some days it works well, others I end up with some very boring pictures, which sounds an awful lot like my life, really. But it suits me, as a photo dabbler with no real skill behind the lens.

Today, I decided snap a picture of the books that are currently hot on my "to read" list. I got a bunch of gift certificates for Amazon and Borders this year, and out of all the books I bought, only a couple were non-reading books (say, knitting patterns and color theory). Add in a trip to the bookstore where my sister works, a loaner from Mom, and a library hold finally showing up, and I suddenly have a LOT of books all wanting to be at the top of the list.

First, I finish up Bento Box in the Heartland. This one's okay. Not great, but not bad. I'll probably set it free after I'm finished with it.

Since the library books are due back next week and the week after, they're next. I'm really looking forward to Thirteen Moons. I loved Cold Mountain, although I did struggle to really get into it, until I took it as my only airplane book so I had no choice but to focus. I'm hoping I'll be able to focus on the new one. Special Topics in Calamity Physics was one that I put on hold on a whim when someone in LJ or blogland raved about it. No idea if I'll like it or not, but it does look interesting. This is why the online library reservation is both a good and a bad thing. I read about something online, I hop to a new tab and within three clicks I can have it winging its way to me from any library on the south shore. I don't think there's been a single book yet that I've not been able to get, although sometimes it's a bit of a wait, and sometimes I end up with the most random crap waiting for me at the library.

After that Salt, which I'm pretty sure most of the world has already read, and then Color, which seems so far to be pretty much just like Salt, but about where colors come from. Right up my alley, right? I've skimmed the first few chapters of both of these, and they look excellent.

After that, a new-to-me Moore, A Dirty Job. Incidentally, if you're a Moore fan, and you liked Bloodsucking Fiends, you should definitely go grab You Suck. My mom lent me her advance reader's copy over Christmas, and I really enjoyed it.

The last two in the stack are ones I'm less chomping at the bit for, although I wouldn't have bough them if I didn't think they looked good. One is a history of food names and the other is an old Anne Lamott novel. I usually like her stuff, so I'm expecting good things.

What are YOU reading right now? What's waiting in the wings?

Comments

[biophile6.livejournal.com]

did you like salt?

have been thinking of reading it...

[siercia]

I'm only a couple of chapters into it so far, but I am enjoying it. I think you would like it.

[biophile6.livejournal.com]

cooool.

i like the take...that materials and resources define what people do, and what they fight over. rather that, than some kind of concocted melodrama that depends on human invention to be believable.

in my mind, having an impartial static variable like salt would bring out all kinds of things in people. its like a perfect double blind pharma experiment. its like randomly introducing a new thing into a room full of kids, and just recording what they do because of its presence.

is that how it goes?

[siercia]

That does seem to be how it goes so far. That certainly was how it went in his other book, Cod. It is an interesting look at how our available resources drive our actions.

[lorac.livejournal.com]

I just finished a few books but I haven't picked anything up since then. I got The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner for Christmas and I think that is calling to me the loudest.

[siercia]

What did you just finish? Anything good?

Do you still want to borrow the Sallie Tisdale and the Bento Box books?

[bossieboots.livejournal.com]

I love this post.

I've had trouble settling into things lately. Probably next for me will be to pick up Julie & Julia again and this time finish it.

It's mainly been comfort reading for me lately -- Maeve Binchy's more historical stuff, big fat Rosamunde Pilcher's. I've read them dozens of times, but right now it's just what I need.

[siercia]

I'm not surprised you're having trouble settling into new stuff right now - you're dealing with a lot of upheaval. Comfort reading sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

Interesting, other than a few select favorites, I've never been much of a re-reader.

[siercia]

Bento Box in the Heartland is a memoir of a 2nd generation Japanese girl growing up in a small town in Indiana in the 60s and 70s.

I liked American Gods a bunch when I read it. High Heels and Homicide is a cute title. Is it good so far?

[mermil.livejournal.com]

I like your book pile. I have: 44 Scotland Street, by Alexander McCall Smith; A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon, and a very odd book my brother sent me called Alligator on my nighttable.

[siercia]

Do you like the 44 Scotland series? I've been debating getting drawn into that series too, since I love the Ladie's Detective series. What makes Alligator odd?

[mermil.livejournal.com]

I find the series to be very relaxing. The Alligator book is set in Newfoundland-- I can't remember the author right now-- and opens with someone watching videos of alligators being beheaded. My brother sent it to me as a birthday present, and I guess it might be perceived as a comment on my sunshiney demeanor lately. :)

bookity book

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

Sadly, right now my reading pile is dominated by stuff for class, The Jew in the Modern World, and a fat course packet.

I recently finished Bujold's Hallowed Hunt and The Sharing Knife, neither of which I was wowed by, despite the fact that she's an excellent writer - certain elements seemed a little too familiar from other books. I have a book about coffee that I keep meaning to read, and I'm interested to hear what you think of Salt and Color. Weird as it may sound, lately I've been on a kick of wanting to do other things that read. Maybe I'm getting cabin fever early? Or maybe just busy busy busy and can't focus.

Re: bookity book

[siercia]

Aaah, yes, the pain of taking classes and having all your reading time taken up by non-self directed reading.

I've never read any Bujold, although many many people I know rave about her stuff. Can you recommend a good one to start with, were I going to try her out?

A book about coffee? That sounds like one I might need to pick up - and I'll definitely let you know what I think about Salt and Color.

I find that my interest in reading seems to ebb and flow, often in relation to how interested I am in the current book on my plate. When it's good, I get totally sucked in. When it's merely OK, I read at bedtime. It doesn't help that most of my hobbies compete for the same kind of time as reading.

Re: bookity book

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

If you're amenable to space opera, start with Shards of Honor (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671720872/$%7B0%7D). It's a bit weak with some typical romance elements - but it's the story of the protagonist's parents. Each book just gets better and better. It's a long series, and worth reading every book!

If you're more a fantasy buff, read Curse of Chalion (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671720872/$%7B0%7D), and its sequel. I was less enamored of the third book, because while it's in the same world, it's not connected.

Re: bookity book

[siercia]

I've actually never dipped my toe in the world of fantasy reading, so perhaps I'll start with the two book recommendation, and see what I think. Thanks!

Re: bookity book

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

There's a lot of crappy fantasy out there (then again, there's plenty of crappy reading period), but I'm happy to recommend the good stuff. Of course my notion of good and yours may not always intersect; what I like about McMasters-Bujold is that she creates very vivid worlds, they contain rich and detailed characters, and often there are interesting issues lying beneath the surface of the story.

Re: bookity book

[siercia]

I think that knowing how much crappy stuff i out there has kept me from getting into it. The only genre reading I generally enjoy is mystery, and I since my mom also loves it, I learned a lot of the better authors from her when I was growing up. I don't often add new authors, but stick to the ones I know and love.

Complex and vidid worlds sounds like it might be right up my alley. I've added Curse of Chalion to my holds queue at the library. Thanks!

Re: bookity book

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

I'll be happy to make other recommendations, after we know how you like this one! :)

Re: bookity book

[siercia]

Thanks!

[damonaleesa.livejournal.com]

"Peace, Love, and Healing," by Bernie Siegal, M.D. I also have a stack of textbooks in my living room, so I'm not getting to read much for pleasure right now. I like the pic of books on your table. It's very cozy. I like to post pics once in a while as well. One of my LJ friends, takes artistic shots because she is interested in sidework as a photographer. My interest seems to be more personal documentary and general expression. It's a good outlet for me sometimes. Do you have any insight as to what is the best way to learn to knit? I've never knitted, but I think it's something I'd like to learn. Is it more difficult to learn than crochet?

[dchenes.livejournal.com]

Right now, I'm re-reading In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant. I liked The Birth of Venus by the same author better, but I lent that to somebody and haven't got it back yet.

I don't actually have a "to be read" list; I pick things up on the fly if I think they might be interesting, or I notice that an author I like has written something new and buy it on the spot.

Birth of Venus

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

I love her descriptive prose in that story, but it felt, alas, all too conventional in how it played out. I was disappointed, perhaps, by the beauty of the prose was not matched by an original plot.

[siercia]

I don't think I've ever read anything by her. What are they about?

If you don't have a to read list, what do you do when you finish a book?