Friday, February 25, 2011

Want to Know What I Am Reading Right Now?

You should, because it just might be the most eclectic collection of books being read by one person.

But seriously, I was tagged by Clearness at Just Another Blog (which is actually a very cool blog and much more than "just another blog") in a book meme, and since I can't say no to either memes or anything involving books, here you go :-)


So here are the rules:

1.Take a picture of the books you are reading currently and add to your post.

2.Describe the books and if you are enjoying them or not. Why?

3.For every book you are reading you have to tag one person.

4.Leave the person a comment letting them know you tagged them.


I can't take a picture of all the books I have going on because I am a book packrat ... seriously, I think it's unhealthy. I have a book going in virtually every room in my house, one in my car, several at school, and some in other locations that shall remain nameless. I'm going to do the next best thing, though, which is to put a picture of the book and a link to Amazon so you can read more about it after checking out my gems of witticisms if you're so inclined.

Okay, here we go ...


I was a huge fan of Patricia Cornwell when her Scarpetta books first came out. The protagonist, medical examiner Kay Scarpetta, was a strong female solving mysteries that kept me wondering until the last page. Cornwell made characters that were unlikable and loaded her characters with faults. Plus, the twists and turns of the mysteries kept me wondering until the last page. Then ... the series got really weird. I don't know how to explain it any better than that. I stopped reading them for awhile, but my mother recently read The Scarpetta Factor and told me that it's pretty old-school Cornwell. So far, she seems to be right :-)



The Bobbsey Twins #11: The Scarecrow Mystery, which I actually posted about earlier today. I did take a picture of the cover and the inside cover (decorated by me when I was in the hospital as a child), so I guess it's photo-worthy.


I've discovered in the past few years how interesting non-fiction can be. Although I will always be a writer of fiction (it's just my thing), I've gained a lot of insight into how to write fiction better through reading books about history or biographies. I tend to fixate on certain topics (I'm nearing the end of a JFK kick) and read about them from every possible angle. This book has been my "bedside book", and I probably have to rotate it to a better-suited location. It's not that it's a bad book or even uninteresting, but it doesn't have that level of excitement (at least not yet) to keep me awake past one or two pages.


One of my eighth graders recommended this series to me, and I'm actually really into them. The main character, a boy named Will with dreams of "Battleschool", is chosen instead to apprentice with the Rangers, a shadowy and secret group that are both separate and more powerful than members of the army. I'm only about halfway through the first book, but I'm impressed. And because I only read this during silent reading time in my eighth grade classes, it's slow going.


During my seventh grade classes, I'm reading the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod. I'm honestly less than impressed with these, but I make it a point to read through student recommendations. While there are some really neat details (the main character, a vampire, is provided with packs of donated blood by his guardian, a nurse, to keep his baser desires at bay), it's ... eh, another vampire book. It's neat to see what kids are into these days, though.


You would think I'd be sick of this book considering that I've probably read it over a hundred times, but it just keeps making me think. After over 99% of the population is wiped out by an accident at a U.S. Army biological warfare site, the survivors are led by vivid dreams to either the forces of good or those who follow "The Dark Man". Amazing book.


I have a morbid fascination with Charles Manson (not in a "Manson's cool" way but in a "Wow, it's amazing how powerful psychological domination can be"), and this is the book that started it for me. I've read extensively on both Manson the man and the crimes for which he is still in prison for today, and I find that my interest--and the questions in my mind for just *how* such a thing could have happened--still remain.


Teaching is a profession with a high burnout rate. Period. I am part of a group in my school district that goes to several retreats each year intended to "renew our passion" for teaching. I have been known at times to make "Kum Ba Ya" jokes about it (we open and close our retreats with a candle lighting ceremony), but honestly it's a really good experience. Parker Palmer's book is the basis of the retreats, and we do a lot of reading and connecting with the book while at our retreats. It sounds hokey, but I really buy in (and I'm evidently kind of cynical sometimes).

Those are the ones that are occupying most of my time at the moment. So by my count, that means I need to tag eight people to chronicle their current reading journey ...

The following are eight people that I find utterly fascinating. I'd like to see what they're reading because I suspect their lists might be ... well, utterly fascinating.

Rachel at Awkward Girl

The Frisky Virgin

Martin at From Sand to Glass

Mejis at Southern Discomfort

Jewels at Turning 30: A Journey of Self-Exploration

The Novelista Barista

Mrs. 4444 at Half Past Kissin' Time

Jane at The Maple Syrup Mob


Please know that I would love to see what you're reading. If you're reading this, please consider yourself tagged, complete the meme, and leave a link in the comments.

Happy reading :-)

12 comments:

  1. You will see my list...and possibly a photo.

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  2. Happy to be tagged (if it doesn't mean that someone is going to cover me with graffiti!)...have to wait a bit for the review and pics because I just started a new book yesterday. I think I may throw in some favourites too.
    Jane x

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  3. I have Friday night material to get to so maybe this weekend. If not, here is what's on tap for me this week into next:
    -The Dead Hand (David Hoffman)
    -The Great Siberian Meteorite (John Engledew)
    -Project Azorian (N. Polmar and M. White)
    Have a great weekend!

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  4. Well, I won't post about it, but I will share what I am reading. I recently discovered the joy of books online, and have linked up with or downloaded several of the old classics. Currently, I am in the middle of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "The House of the Seven Gables."

    I won't comment on Seven Gables now, because I am not very far into it yet. However, I do not understand the controversy over Huckleberry Finn. It strikes me as a wonderful treatment of the humanity of slaves, their mistreatment, and the ability of whites and blacks to get along and form close relationships. It would be useful in studying US history and cultural studies. My opinion...

    I am also reading the Bible, and I have recently finished "Northanger Abbey," "The Wind in the Willows," and "Anne of Green Gables." I am 61 years old, and this is the first time I have read any of these except the Bible!

    I prefer fiction for entertainment and non-fiction for furthering my education. I guess that is not surprising... :)

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  5. KLo, there may be a tune on Friday night's post you may like.....

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  6. What a sweet message K, thanks so much :)

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  7. That is quite an eclectic mix of books. Have fun reading!

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  8. I, too, could re-read the Stand over and over again, but then again, I'm a huge King freak. Good book choices.

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  9. Who could ever tire of The Stand? That is Sai King's masterpeice!! Thank you for visiting my blog! It is nice to find fellow constant readers in the blogosphere. :o)

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  10. Thanks so much for tagging me! I actually posted what I'd been reading fairly recently, and I haven't gotten to any new books since, but I'll keep this in mind for future posts.

    If you want to see what I've been reading, you can find it here:
    http://rachelsearles.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-report.html

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  11. I like your reading list a lot. It is very eclectic and fun. I've never dived into mystery too much or vampire books. I've always been a literature girl but perhaps I'll check out some of your books. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Thank you so much! I will definitely partake in this one! You might be surprised what an innocent little virgin likes to read...or maybe not. LOL I'll probably get to this over the weekend. :) Thank you again!! You have some excellent book choices! :)

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