This is a repeat of last year's resolution, and while I did up the ante, it ain't by much! Some history: I had stacks of magazines built up from subscriptions that I couldn't bear to throw away without thoroughly reading first - the guilt of 'wasted' money prevailed in my attempt to clean the house. So what I chose to do was let most of my subscriptions lapse with exceptions for Coastal Living (I can dream of the beautifully decorated retirement home right on the Ocean or a lake), Country Living, Redbook (at $8/year I cannot give up the affordable fashion spreads, money-management articles that I constantly put in front of my husband so he can ignore, and 'best new products' bc I am a product whore), and US Weekly (the best maternity gift I received!). I also limit myself to a one-day commute to get through the magazines, or else it is garbage.
This freed up commute time to get back into reading books. I forgot how much I truly enjoy reading a good story. Last year's resolution was to read five books and I managed to meet the goal and almost got in a sixth, but ended up finishing "Crooked" by Louisa Luna in early January. My 2009 resolution is for six books - hence, my barely upped-ante. I will read different types of books too - chick-lit, classics, non-fiction, thrillers. My downfall is the same as my magazine downfall - I usually stick to finishing the book even if I don't like it because I don't like to leave loose-ends. There are two books from at least 8 to 10 years ago that I haven't finished and to this day, still consider going back to finish "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" and "Snow Falling on Cedars" (both were too slow-moving for me - I needed some sort of SOMETHING to happen).
BUT, onto my 2009 reading! And I admit that when I check-out people's blogs, I go to the Profile to see what books others call 'favorites'. My first finished book for 2009 was "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Seibold. Right from the get-go it captured my interest with the despicable crime and narration from the perspective of the murdered Susie Salomon, but it is the infuriating lack of apprehended suspect, the unraveling of the family, and the building of a life that became the sad story for me. And there were moments on the LIRR or NYC subway when I had to have a tissue in hand. "Lula Boutique" blog owner mentions this book as one of her favorites and I can see why.
I'm currently reading the Ned Kelly story and don't like the author's style of writing, but I'm struggling to finish it and get that "check mark" next to book #2 (I'm counting "Crooked" as a 1/2 read - hee hee). Next up is "The Reader" as many of you know Kate Winslet won the Academy Award for her role, so I'm hoping it is a good story as I tend to respect Ms. Winslet's film choices.
Lula Boutique also listed "Go Ask Alice" by Anonymous as a favorite - and I read this back in junior high school. I thought about re-reading it a week before I read her profile, so this will be on my 2009 list, as will "The Fountainhead" and "The DaVinci Code".
Anyone care to through out some more titles?? All welcome!
So funny! I am the SAME exact way! I am a complete magazine junkie and can only get through a book if it intrigues me within the first chapter. I thoroughly recommend "The Time Travelers Wife"...my absolute favorite book!!! If you read it, let me know what you think. :)
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading a series by Janet Evanovich. The first one is called One For The Money, then comes Two For The Dough, and they continue on like that. They're about the adventures of a female bounty hunter. They are HILARIOUS. Really easy to read. I got my fiance hooked on them too.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Swim to Me is an excellent book that I read recently. I don't remember who it's by but I'm sure you could find it on Amazon. It's about this girl who moved to Florida to be a mermaid. :)
♥ xtine
http://stuffbyxtine.blogspot.com
Lula- I've heard of this one!! I'll add it to my list. Glad to hear you are the same about magazines...it makes my husband so irked bc all he wants to do is throw them away.
ReplyDeleteXstine- Haven't heard of Evanovich, but I'll check her out at the library - my husband is an avid reader too, and he likes 'series' so maybe one for him too!
I have a ton of magazines lying around. I just can't seem to throw them away. I love to read books too. I read at night before I go to bed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming to my blog.
It's seems as though the only way I can finish a book is on the toilet. I always think I'll have time but then the kids are all over me, and if their not it's the husband;) I did just finish the Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I loved it! Funny and Heartbreaking all at the same time. A lot of dirty words too. It's fun to read them, because I don't get to say them anymore. I don't know why I bother keeping it clean, the husband says them all so it's not like the boys haven't heard them.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm addicted to reading. I read about 4 books a month. Love it.
ReplyDelete-chelsey
hahaha IfIHad: I agree on the bathroom as Ryan bangs the door if I'm in there....and my husband's language is the same as your husbands. I don't understand WHY he cannot catch his tongue - I cleaned up my mouth, why can't he? uugh.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book too! I'm going to check alot out at the library.
Thanks so much for stopping in at Babasfarmlife and commenting. I love the name Baba. To me it's a term of endearment when my grandkids call me that. And I love that it's been handed down through the generations. I also sew and am an avid reader. Love your blog!
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