Reading to Graham

I like reading kids' books to my co-worker, Graham, at the library. I don't know why. It's just fun. I don't remember how it started. Well, I remember we were COMPLETELY bored one evening and I was looking at the new picture book section and picked one out to read. It was silly, so I read another (one of those was Sumo Boy, which I now have to find for Julie b/c it has goofy named sumo moves in the back). Now I regularly peruse the new picture book section for interesting looking books to read when the circ desk is slow (which is often when Graham and I work together--Friday nights or Monday nights, it seems). It's fun. It makes Graham laugh. It makes me laugh.

It has spread. I read Julie a book Saturday (the Kittens! Kittens! Kittens! one b/c it was SOOO cute!). I made Andrew read Your Personal Penguin last week and I made Joe and Graham read Hallo-weiner tonight. :)

I have Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! on hold. And I think Graham put Kat Kong on hold tonight too. He'll finally read to me. Ha!

I love the library.

I resisted the hoarding!

I found a book at the library that I wanted to read. It looks really interesting. But instead of borrowing it, I wrote down the title and put it on my to read list. I resisted! Even in the face of encouragement to check it out from a co-worker. Woo hoo!

However, I did bring home a YA book and a new manga/graphic novel (in addition to two graphic novels that I had put on hold). *sighs*

So, ultimately, maybe I failed. But I did read a lot this weekend!! I knocked my checked out list back under 50! Yay!

Book quote!

"Holy shit," I breathed. "Hellhounds."

"Harry," Michael said sternly. "You know I hate it when you swear."

"You're right. Sorry. Holy shit," I breathed, "heckhounds."

--from Grave Peril by Jim Butcher

Hello, Cruel World

I borrowed Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks & Other Outlaws by Kate Bornstein from the library out of curiousity. Yes, I've been suicidal before. No, I wasn't went I borrowed it. I hung onto it for a couple months (see, that hoarding), always intending to read it, but not doing it. Finally, about a month and a half ago, I was feeling pretty bad--not suicidal, but probably not too far off either. And I started to read it. I read it in two nights. It made me cry. It's such a wonderful book and it's not all about how not to commit suicide. It's about things to do when you feel bad and accepting yourself and not feeling alone. I now adore Kate Bornstein (okay, so I kinda did before, but this made it better!).

Since I read this book (and took it to therapy with me to show my therapist), I've been looking for a copy for myself. I needed one--there are places I have to highlight and post-it note and bookmark. I ordered it from amazon.com right after that therapy session I mentioned, thinking that amazon is pretty good at getting things to me quickly. Nope, amazon said 4-6 weeks (I swear, when I ordered it, they said in stock). So I went to every Borders in the area (Arborland, downtown, even Brighton)--nothing. I went to Shaman Drum. Nothing. Shaman Drum was helpful, though, they said that it looked like the book sold out of its first printing and no warehouses have it in stock. I was sad. I NEEDED this book. But I hung in there, thinking amazon would come through after 4-6 weeks.

It's been 4-6 weeks. Amazon is sending the rest of my order (FINALLY!), but no Hello, Cruel World. The new estimate is late May!!

Well, I had an ill-fated drive up to Flint tonight for some recruiting (I got stuck in bad traffic, then couldn't find the place) and on my way home, I decided to treat myself and stopped at the new shopping complex a couple exits north of my home exit. There's a Johnny Carino's there and a B&N. I thought, well, I haven't tried this B&N, so I'll look. Can you believe they had FIVE copies??? So, I bought it, but now it's too late to cancel the one from amazon. *laughs* I'm gonna end up with two copies of this amazing book. And you know what? That's okay. :)

Once I start rereading, I'll post some quotes. I can't recommend this book enough. Pick it up, even if you're not suicidal and if you are, it's a must.

Lilith Saintcrow

I picked up Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow b/c I was intrigued by the main character, Dante--strong woman fighting supernatural baddies--just what I like. I really enjoyed it and I went through it quickly. I've got her second book, Dead Man Rising on my shelf, but have been swimming in my library books and haven't gotten to it yet (yet another problem with my giant library list and my tendency to hoard--no time for the books I have and REALLY want to read).

I was searching around and found some older books she's written, the first being Dark Watcher. I got it from ILL, not sure if I was going to like it--it looked a little romancey. But what a surprise! I loved it. It was intriguing (and short, which is a bonus these days). It seems Ms. Saintcrow has some sort of pagany history, b/c she did a pretty cool job of implementing witchy elements into her story. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the next one. It's always a nice surprise when someone includes Wicca and Wicca-related symbols and concepts into fiction. YAY! :) Here's hoping that Storm Watcher becomes available soon.

Book quote!

People say there is a Mr. Wrong, but there isn't really. There is only someone who teaches you what you need to know, when you need to know it.
--Raphael Kadushin from Mr. Wrong: Real Life Stories About the Men We Used to Love

A Hoarding Problem

Yes, I have a serious problem: I hoard library books. I have over 50 books (well, a couple are DVDs) in my house, some that I've had for months. I keep renewing them. B/c I intend to read them, I just get caught up reading some of the others first--like the ones other people have placed on hold. But I want to keep them so when I finish with these other books, I can read the ones I've been holding on to. But it's getting out of hand. B/c I have a bunch of books that I've bought that I want to read too. So, I'm hoarding all these books and trying to read them, but really all I'm doing is renewing and renewing and renewing (except, usually, the manga, which I go through quickly).

I go find books that I'm interested in at the bookstores and when I see other people bring things back (working in the back as a processor or shelving books is my enemy, really). And I put them on hold or find them at the library. Then keep them forever. I do have a long list of books I haven't yet checked out that I do want to read... But still. 50 books? When am I gonna read those?

I've decided that I'm not going to check out any more books until I finish what I have (except manga, b/c it's manga and quick to read). Then, once I finish it all (or most of it), I will slowly start working through my "to be read" list. And I need to be reading at least one book of my own at all times. That's my goal. Who knows if I'll manage...but it's worth a try.

I've got to start reading the books I've bought! I'm horribly behind in all my favorite manga series and I have all these books I've just bought b/c they looked interesting. If I don't like them, I need to get rid of them (on bookmooch or paperbackswap, so I can get books I actually want, YEAH!). My book obsession is getting out of control...

I guess that's what this is all about. My book obsession getting out of control.

There's this site that has a couple shirts I want. One of them says "Will Work for Books". Hee hee. That's so me.