I’m not reading anything right now. I’m in between books.
Of course, if I weren’t in between books, I wouldn’t be on the internet. Books have a way of drawing me in. When I’m heavily into one, putting it down is pretty darned difficult. It’s a sickness.
Thank goodness I read quickly.
This afternoon, I finished How Shakespeare Changed Everything, by Stephen Marche. I highly recommend it, even for those who have never read or seen a Shakespearean play. (Although, if you haven’t, are you sure we’re really friends??) It’s a quick read, but quite informative. Fun, too.
I have, thanks to my Windows Phone 7, its free Amazon Kindle app, and copyright expirations, several books queued up. Next in line is Wuthering Heights. My phone offers a convenient way to catch up on the classics I haven’t read yet.
So, Shakesperean nonfiction and Brontë. Have you figured out my reading style yet?
Let me see if I can help you further. According to my Goodreads page (which is woefully incomplete – I enter only a fraction of the books I read), titles I’ve consumed in the past year include:
- The Hunger Games trilogy
- McCullough’s 1776
- Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into Schools
- Black Heels to Tractor Wheels
- Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- March by Geraldine Brooks
Books I’ve read since June, 2010 but haven’t entered, include at least a dozen (probably two dozen) historical romances, another re-reading of some of the Harry Potter books, another re-reading of the entire Laura Ingalls series, an array of Jane Austen, Jane Eyre, my annual reading of The Count of Monte Cristo (abridged), the first few books in The Ranger’s Apprentice series, The Poisonwood Bible, Two Kisses For Maddy, and the first two Girl With the Dragon Tattoo books. I’m sure I’m forgetting some.
So…my style? Varied. I love books, but I dislike having to think too heavily while I read. When I find something I adore, I will re-read it again and again, although never right away. I read so quickly that it often takes multiple readings to devour all the details. I have read The Count of Monte Cristo (abridged) almost every year since I was fifteen, and, still, I notice something new every time.
I also become obsessed with authors. When I find a book I LOVE, and I have time to lose myself in the pages, I hop on the library’s website and reserve everything they’ve ever written. I’ve gotten through several of my favorite romance authors that way (Lynn Kurland, whose books I am now collecting second-hand, and Stephanie Laurens come to mind). I now want to read everything by David McCullough (he makes history fun and interesting – wow!) and Barbara Kingsolver.
I want to read Vonnegut (can you believe I never have?). I want to try to enjoy some of the classics I began and hated when I was younger. I want to continue to lose myself in regency romance – both the trashy and the well-written. I want to browse the library shelves for authors I’ve never heard of, and give their novels a go. I want to continue my relationship with middle grade and young adult novels.
My reading style? Voluminous. Eclectic. Sometimes frantic. Always addictive.
love Wuthering Heights–one of my all time faves! And Dumas–everything, everything, everything!!! Have you tried Daphne du Maurier–Jamaica Inn & Frenchman’s Creek kept my teen self dreaming about the characters long after reading the books!
Addictive–perfect word for my reading style as well.
georgiabe blogged this: Laundry Bag
Audiobooks are my best friend! I load them up on my mp3 player and get some housework done. I love it!
I’m a series-aholic. Especially mysteries. I recently finished reading the Amelia Peabody Emerson series by Elisabeth Peters and now I am going through the Hercule Poirot series by Agatha Christie. Soooo much fun!
I’m also reading the books on Isabel’s summer reading list, which include A Wrinkle in Time, The Hobbit and Treasure Island.
Ah, books!
Ooh, I absolutely loved the Hunger Games trilogy and the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, however the ending to the Dragon Tattoo felt a little abrupt.
I’m still in the middle of 2030 by Albert Brooks which I’ll probably be writing about on Friday. And being a Shakespeare fan, I will be looking for How Shakespeare Changed Everything..
You’re linked!
Sprite’s Keeper blogged this: Spin Cycle- Read All About It
I wish I read faster. I love to read but by the time I catch up on blogs and write my own I find I don’t have near the time I’d like to have to read. Thanks for the recommendations.
Peg blogged this: New Theme- Delicious Magazine
I loved the The Girl series! I listened to them in my car.
My reading is as varied as yours–I’ll try anything that catches my eye. I so want to get a kindle so I can explore some more of the classics–Jules Verne especially. I need to give Austin a try and would like to be able to take them with me without taking a dozen books along. Someday.
VandyJ blogged this: Spin Cycle- What are You Reading this Summer
Can’t wait to check some of these out. I’ve heard great things about Hunger Games, it’s going on my to read list for sure!
I love that all the classics are free on most readers. A great way to catch up or revisit.
Great spin.
Erin blogged this: summer of the book
I hated Wuthering Heights. It made me really angry. However, while I was reading it I experienced a crystallizing moment in a San Fran. laudry mat that became the opening scene of the first book I wrote. So I will always be thankful for that. I read Jane Eyre about every two years. I like Shakespeare. Reading his plays is amazing, you get things from it that you don’t get from watching the plays. I love Vonnegut but haven’t read him for years-I’m going to read more of him soon. My tastes are very eclectic as well. I’m still thinking about reading the Hunger Games.
I love it when you talk about the books you’re reading. I love it when you do book reviews too. You haven’t done one in AGES- would love to see more of those here.
angelina blogged this: Food Photography Advice: Food Crusted Dirty Dishes Aren’t Appetizing
Thanks, Angelina — you’ve inspired me to post about the books I read again. Starting tonight.
I love your reading style. Eclectic is the best type of reading. It shows you have an active, open mind. I like to think I’m the same way. I remember once a friend noticing that I read Crime and Punishment and then right afterwards read Tatum O’Neal’s autobiography (which don’t laugh at, it’s crazy fun!). I’d love to hear more of your author obsessions.