It’s been so long since I’ve written a Sunday Salon post, I can’t even remember how long it’s been. But since my reading has been a bit scattered this week, I thought I would take this opportunity to ramble on about what I’m reading and doing. And also to avoid writing up a few reviews, which is what I should be doing.
I’m currently reading four (five, if you count audio) books, which is not something I normally do. Consequently, I feel like it’s been forever since I actually finished a book. Let’s take a look at what’s in the currently reading pile:
Dracula – I’m reading Dracula for our Dueling Monsters read-a-long (and, shameless plug…it’s not too late to join in!). I’m almost finished…in fact, I should finish tonight, as I only have 1 1/2 chapters left. This has been a surprisingly entertaining read, although I was just thinking that Dracula has very little page time. He is the constant focus of the book, and we hear all about him (or at least what the characters think they know about him), but we see very little of him. One of the (many) things I never knew about Dracula is that it’s an epistolary novel, told in letters and journal entries. I’m reading the annotated version, which can be a bit distracting, but it has some great photos and illustrations. Some are cheesy movie posters, but others are startling. At one point I turned the page and was startled by this creepy picture:
1776 – This is my first David McCullough, although I’ve already ordered more of his books. I especially like his treatment of the people involved in the history he is writing about. Rather than focus on the battles (yawn), he tries to bring personalities to life. I’m enjoying the contrast between the regal General Washington and his ragtag army. I’m more than halfway through 1776, and hope to finish it in the next few days.
Reading Like a Writer – This one isn’t as engaging as Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, but it’s still an interesting look at writing. This book is full of excerpts of short stories and novels, as Francine Prose uses them to illustrate narrative, character, point of view, words, sentences, and all sorts of other literary devices and styles of writing. I have to focus on this one, though…I’ve found it’s not a good book to carry around for those spare moments when you can sneak in a little reading.
Kristen Lavransdatter – I’m reading this for another read-a-long, and I’m only about 50 pages into it. But what I’ve read I’ve enjoyed. I need to finish up Dracula and 1776, then I’ll focus my attention on this one.
Gang Leader for a Day – I was listening to The Feminine Mystique, but the chapter on Freud made me zone out (also, I’m not really digging Parker Posey as the narrator…she’s kind of flat), so now I’m listening to Sudhir Venkatesh’s Gang Leader for a Day, and it’s fascinating! Venkatesh had a bit part in Freakonomics, and this book is every bit as good as that one. Maybe better, as it recounts Venkatesh’s study of a Chicago gang. Totally by fluke, he fell in with a leader of the Black Kings, and was able to spend years talking with and observing the gang.
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Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of reading accomplished on the treadmill…I’ve been trying to walk for 1/2 hour every morning, as soon as I get up (at least on work days. On the weekends, I lounge around for awhile before getting motivated). I also walk on my lunch break, but since that’s not on a treadmill, I listen to audio books then. That is, if I don’t have company on my walk. Anyways, in an effort to keep me motivated to get up and walking, I’ve joined Trish’s 100 Mile Fitness Challenge. Pop on over if you’re interested in joining us!
And in totally unrelated news, I’ve finally found the perfect tea. Ever since the Game On Challenge, I’ve been drinking only water. No coffee, no tea, no juice, no soda. And really, it’s not bad. But every once in awhile I crave something different. When I was shopping in Santa Barbara yesterday (long story, but let’s just say the SLO County retail scene is a bit grim theses days), I stopped at the Aveda store and was given a sample of their tea. All herbal, no sugar, no caffeine, and OMG, is that stuff ever good. It’s my new best friend.
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Finally, I’m waffling about whether to be a cheerleader or a reader. How about you? Have you committed?
Am I insane? I’ve committed to be a reader primarily and a cheerleader secondarily…
I really need to get walking. I’m so glad Trish is hosting this.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – Personal Banned Books list =-.
Let’s have more tea details, please. How does it come – in bags or bottles? where does one buy it? What flavor did you try (assuming there are flavors)?
Thinking about being a reader, but it doesn’t seem too realistic. I don’t actually have the attention span for that kind of thing! :–)
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – Review of “A Fiery Peace in a Cold War” by Neil Sheehan =-.
Is there just one tea that Aveda offers or are there many? We need more details please.
I think you are a fab cheerleader but I think you need to be a reader this time around. It’s fun. I’ll be doing it with my Hub out of town even! I must have lost my mind.
.-= Ti´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon: The Mannequin Girl Store =-.
I tried listening to Reading Like A Writer on an audio book and had the same sort of problem. It’s hard to pay attention to in short bits because the comments sort of build on each other. I’m going to try it again sometime when I can find the book.
Gang Leader for a Day is another book I really want to read. The premise sounds fascinating to me — I hope it’s good!
I like that poster!
I’ve committed to being a reader, even though I’ll be working that day. So how much I’ll be able to read is questionable.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..TSS–In Which I Break All Vows of Abstinence =-.
I’m joining the 100 mile challenge too.
I’m not a huge fan of herbal teas — but I do drink a lot of decaf black and green tea. On the other hand, since the Aveda is your new best friend, I should check it out.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Review: 31 Hours by Masha Hamilton =-.
There is no way I could keep track of that many books at one time! Good luck with the 100 mile challenge.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday =-.
Great Dracula poster there. Good luck with the 100 mile challenge. I’ve been walking 2 miles in 30 minutes everyone morning since June. I never thought I’d look forward to it but now I do. It’s just part of the routine. (I haven’t lost any weight, but I feels good to start my morning off with fresh air).
have a great week.
.-= diane´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday =-.
Somehow I never realized that Dracula was an epistolary novel-I’m a sucker for those. It just jumped up a couple places on my TBR list. I don’t think I’ll be starting it that soon but hopefully before the end of the year.
I also really love John Adams and Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough-I don’t know which ones you were planning to read next but those are good if you’re interested in the subjects.
Five books is a lot to be reading (or listening to!) at one time. I don’t know how you do it!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday =-.
That poster would definitely startle me, especially if I was reading Dracula in the middle of the night! It’s pretty creepy and I’m sitting outside on the back deck with the fall sunlight falling around me.
I’m going to be a cheerleader – I know myself, and realistically being a reader won’t work out for me.
.-= Belle´s last blog ..My Favorite Book Hooks =-.
I am not a good juggler of books.. the most I can manage is two and they have to be very different or I mix up the details. Sad, isn’t it? My tiny little brain can’t handle any more than that!!
Interesting about Reading like a Writer. I just finished Goldengrove by the same author.
.-= Lisamm´s last blog ..Review: Goldengrove by Francine Prose =-.
Now I’m going to have nightmares because of that poster! Argh.
And I got my husband to agree to let me do the read-a-thon! I’m so stoked … its been ages since I got to read for any length of time. He agreed to take lead on child care for a full day!!! I was shocked. Merry Christmas to me I guess!
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..Reading With The Little One: Big, Bad and a Little Bit Scary =-.
Well, I downloaded the ebook of Dracula, And I am telling you i find it really difficult to read a ebook.
i am hunting for a book, that’s on the library, maybe i will find it.. and then we can finally read
All the other books… no never heard of them as well!
I dnt know, I dnt walk on a treadmill, i go on walks ouside once in a while. Now.. how do u measure the distance
Then the tea, sounds good.. but i cannot live w/o drinking my cup of tea made in milk… i will have head-aches if i dnt drink it! And did u lose more pounds?
Well I committed as the cheer-leader!!!!!! YAY! AGAIN
.-= Veens´s last blog ..Wednesday Cover Attraction =-.
Uggggggggh, I am such a loser. I was wondering why you weren’t posting. I guess it helps if one changes the address you’re at now. Well I’m set now-you’re back on my radar.
I’m debating on the read-a-thon still. It really depends on what happens at home. Either way I’ll probably pop around encouraging people if I’m not reading.
I’ve got about 5 books on the go right now-pure craziness.
.-= Darlene´s last blog ..Waiting on Wednesday (Oct. 7) =-.
Yep, I had to update my reader too. You’re not alone Darlene!
Love the Dracula poster! Now that I think about it I don’t recall ever reading that book. I will have to do that someday. I wish I could do it along with you but I have plenty to read at the moment.
I haven’t participated in the Read-a-thon yet but I think I’ll still have to be a cheerleader. Someday I actually participate! The blog looks awesome!!
.-= Wrighty´s last blog ..Review: hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick =-.
Yes, I have committed and I will be a reader for my very first read-a-thon.
I agree with your opinion on Prose’s Reading Like a Writer, I didn’t like it all so much either. I see a pattern here so I will allow myself to suggest another book if you haven’t read it yet. On Writing by Stephen King. I did enjoy it because it is partly his memoir and partly instructional but very interesting facts there.
.-= lilly´s last blog ..Trail of Crumbs by Kim Sunee =-.