Monday, April 16, 2007

bookworm

A member of the blogination, Neel , reminded me that it is National Libary Week.

As you know, I loves me my library. It's a block away, how could I not? Sometimes, my library strikes me as a weird kind of Utopia: the homeless guy that hangs around outside always says, "What's up?" and asks me about my adventures, and the librarians are something special. I was there this weekend picking up some books for my pro bono case (which has to do with "domestic relations" - the polite term for people going through a divorce trying to rip each other's throats out in litigation.) The research librarian hesitated, and then said softly, "Good luck, dear." I explained that the books weren't for me (but I think that may have come off as "My, um, friend has this question...")

I am, oddly, on a nonfiction kick. I recently read Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, which was thought-provoking. I'm now working on Fast Food Nation, with Guns, Germs and Steel waiting in the wings. Finally, on saheli's recommendation, I am working through It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys: The Seven-Step Path to Becoming Truly Organized (aka "Could that title be any longer?) After all my navel-gazing about wanting my life to be different in myriad ways, this is what I have picked to work on: I want to be more organized. The book is interesting in that it focuses on the "why" behind being messy or disorganized (as opposed to most books on organization, which are about a weekend blitz of cleaning and arm wrestling everything into a system ... that of course falls apart after 4 days.) I guess the analogy is weight control: this is book is about addressing emotional eating, as opposed to most books which are about freaky, "get thin quick" diets.

In the fiction department, I just picked up The Kite Runner (yes, I am running four years behind everyone else!) So, what's in your book list?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

currently: lost boys of sudan

on shelf: eat, pray, and love

maisnon said...

chai: I just read "eat. pray. love" - you'll have to tell me what you think.

Anonymous said...

And me, 'cause that's on my list too. Also... Maisnon, let's read Kite Runner together?

Anonymous said...

Loved Nickel & Dimed and Fast Food Nation. You'll have to tell me what you think of Guns, Germs + Steel -- that's one I've been contemplating.

I just finished Stardust and American Gods by Neil Gaiman -- fantasy/fairy tale-type stuff is not usually my cup of tea, but enjoyed both. His children's book, Coraline, is also amazing.

I'd get in on that Kite Runner action; my husband just finished it and was crying at the end. So it must be good!

Oh, and for organizational books, my money is on Getting Things Done by David Allen. I read it, then went to one of his seminars and think the dude is seriously brilliant.

Wow, longest comment ever.

brimful said...

Y'all are nuts to read the Kite Runner! I am still conflicted about its tearjerking nature. I will give it this- it's a fast read.

I need to pick up What Is the What, which is a semi-fictionalized perspective on the Lost Boys Of Sudan.