Second alternate post title: Unfinished Book Reviews (Again)
The list of books I want to read is growing so long, it actually hurts my head a little to think of it. I'm not complaining, mind you. I love reading, and the fact that there are so many delicious books that I have yet to dive in to makes me feel exhilarated. Often, I find myself inwardly whining about not having enough time to read, but recently, I came to a realization that changed things for me.
Me: Ugghhh! Another book to read?
Less Annoying Me: Ugghhh! More whining?
Me: But I don't have any tiiiiime! Grr!
Less Annoying Me: Shut up. You're a stay-at-home-mom, and half the time you don't even do laundry or dishes. Not many grown-ups have more time than you.
Me: So, what you're saying is...?
Less Annoying Me: Maybe try a new plan. Step 1- stop complaining about not having any time when you're wasting it on facebook and Subway Surfing on the Kindle Fire. Step 2- read more books, simultaneously. There's no way this "one at a time" nonsense is going to work. Duh.
This is one that my dad and my oldest nephew have been insisting that I read for years now. If I had taken their advice and read it a long time ago, I probably could have borrowed it from the library. Now, there's even a wait for the audio version on CD, because, as my dad mentioned in the frantic text message he sent to me last week, the movie comes out in November and even the trailer is full of spoilers. Lucky for me, the Kindle version was less than $5, and now I'm 72% done. Let me say this carefully, so as not to be like the spoiler-filled movie trailer: the beginning made me feel sad-almost unbearably so-because I'm the mom of a 6 year-old. The middle made me angry, and during the last 15% or so, I've started to get "The Gotta" (Stephen King's term from Misery, meaning exactly what you'd think. If you've ever read a good book, you know about The Gotta.). So far, I've also managed to avoid seeing any ads for the movie (thank you, DVR!), and I'm confident that I can finish the book without having the ending spoiled for me.
Book #2-
At least 255 days of each year, Husband starts his morning watching Mike & Mike on ESPN 2. They've been hosting a morning sports radio talk show for many more years than I've known about them, and at some point they started showing the radio broadcast on TV. I enjoy talk radio, and I enjoy sports, and I enjoy my husband being happy, so I've gotten into it, too. There are occasions that I turn it on before Husband wakes up, or keep it on after he has left for work. Both Mikes are the kind of guys that you expect to be friends with as soon as you meet. Also, they disagree about things sometimes, but not in the put-on, super annoying way that a lot of other sportscasters disagree. Plus, they almost always have great things to say about my team's QB, even though my team is not usually the greatest. I probably didn't need to ramble on and on about all of that, just to let you know that I feel like I know the Mike who wrote this, his first novel.
Back to the book! Husband picked it up for me from the library the other day (prompting the whiny conversation in my head that I relayed up there) and I've just started Part 2, about 1/3 of the way through. I'm really, really enjoying it so far. I do sort-of "hear" Greenberg's voice, especially in the humorous parts, and my suspicion that most radio personalities have potty mouths when off air has been bolstered by the language in the book. (I don't mind when book-people curse, as long as the words fit with their persona.) I keep looking for evidence of inexperience or poor writing skills, but I've been pleasantly surprised to instead find myself engaged by and relating to the characters. The only problem for me is that I read the summary of the story a couple of months ago when the book had just been released. I was hoping all through Part 1 that I was remembering the summary of a different book, and that what I suspected was going to happen wasn't really going to happen to these women whom I already am attached to. Alas, my memory served, and the first sentences of Part 2 confirmed my sad suspicions. Without having finished it, I feel like it's kind-of cheating to recommend it. Howzabout I'll let you know if I change my mind at the end, and want to take back my recommendation? For now, go ahead and grab it. I can vouch for Part 1, at least.
Book #3-
Because, well, I said I would. Plus, my parents gifted me with it. I'll admit, the multiple before-chapter-1 chapters annoyed me. A LOT. I figured there must have been some sort of dare, like, "Betcha can't use every sort of introduction in one book" so the authors were like, "Oh, yeah? Watch this!" Author's note. Foreword. Preface. Introduction. Chapter A. A note to the reader. That's when I stopped reading, for a while, but I've picked it back up because, well, I said I would. Like when reading a textbook or the Bible, I've even been prompted to highlight passages. It's written pretty well, once the actual chapters start, and seems to be well-researched, too. Probably you didn't know it, but I have a relative (NOT the sister I always mention) who is an addict, and that's one of the kinder words I use to describe her, lately. If you're of a mind to do so, please pray for our family. Even while reading the helpful words of those who have lived through the horror of a loved one's addiction, I'm finding it hard to be encouraged.
In other news, I found another great deal today!
Quick! Get your bottled water before the sale ends and it goes back to the regular price! Oh, and make sure you use your extra special card for the purchase.
Read more, whine less, and don't pay too much for bottled water.
What are YOU reading?
Snagged any great deals lately?
See, the last reading plan of mine has not been quite as effective since Baby has been sleeping through the night. Hence, the Great Threebook Experiment.
Book #1-
This is one that my dad and my oldest nephew have been insisting that I read for years now. If I had taken their advice and read it a long time ago, I probably could have borrowed it from the library. Now, there's even a wait for the audio version on CD, because, as my dad mentioned in the frantic text message he sent to me last week, the movie comes out in November and even the trailer is full of spoilers. Lucky for me, the Kindle version was less than $5, and now I'm 72% done. Let me say this carefully, so as not to be like the spoiler-filled movie trailer: the beginning made me feel sad-almost unbearably so-because I'm the mom of a 6 year-old. The middle made me angry, and during the last 15% or so, I've started to get "The Gotta" (Stephen King's term from Misery, meaning exactly what you'd think. If you've ever read a good book, you know about The Gotta.). So far, I've also managed to avoid seeing any ads for the movie (thank you, DVR!), and I'm confident that I can finish the book without having the ending spoiled for me.
Book #2-
At least 255 days of each year, Husband starts his morning watching Mike & Mike on ESPN 2. They've been hosting a morning sports radio talk show for many more years than I've known about them, and at some point they started showing the radio broadcast on TV. I enjoy talk radio, and I enjoy sports, and I enjoy my husband being happy, so I've gotten into it, too. There are occasions that I turn it on before Husband wakes up, or keep it on after he has left for work. Both Mikes are the kind of guys that you expect to be friends with as soon as you meet. Also, they disagree about things sometimes, but not in the put-on, super annoying way that a lot of other sportscasters disagree. Plus, they almost always have great things to say about my team's QB, even though my team is not usually the greatest. I probably didn't need to ramble on and on about all of that, just to let you know that I feel like I know the Mike who wrote this, his first novel.
Back to the book! Husband picked it up for me from the library the other day (prompting the whiny conversation in my head that I relayed up there) and I've just started Part 2, about 1/3 of the way through. I'm really, really enjoying it so far. I do sort-of "hear" Greenberg's voice, especially in the humorous parts, and my suspicion that most radio personalities have potty mouths when off air has been bolstered by the language in the book. (I don't mind when book-people curse, as long as the words fit with their persona.) I keep looking for evidence of inexperience or poor writing skills, but I've been pleasantly surprised to instead find myself engaged by and relating to the characters. The only problem for me is that I read the summary of the story a couple of months ago when the book had just been released. I was hoping all through Part 1 that I was remembering the summary of a different book, and that what I suspected was going to happen wasn't really going to happen to these women whom I already am attached to. Alas, my memory served, and the first sentences of Part 2 confirmed my sad suspicions. Without having finished it, I feel like it's kind-of cheating to recommend it. Howzabout I'll let you know if I change my mind at the end, and want to take back my recommendation? For now, go ahead and grab it. I can vouch for Part 1, at least.
Book #3-
Because, well, I said I would. Plus, my parents gifted me with it. I'll admit, the multiple before-chapter-1 chapters annoyed me. A LOT. I figured there must have been some sort of dare, like, "Betcha can't use every sort of introduction in one book" so the authors were like, "Oh, yeah? Watch this!" Author's note. Foreword. Preface. Introduction. Chapter A. A note to the reader. That's when I stopped reading, for a while, but I've picked it back up because, well, I said I would. Like when reading a textbook or the Bible, I've even been prompted to highlight passages. It's written pretty well, once the actual chapters start, and seems to be well-researched, too. Probably you didn't know it, but I have a relative (NOT the sister I always mention) who is an addict, and that's one of the kinder words I use to describe her, lately. If you're of a mind to do so, please pray for our family. Even while reading the helpful words of those who have lived through the horror of a loved one's addiction, I'm finding it hard to be encouraged.
In other news, I found another great deal today!
Quick! Get your bottled water before the sale ends and it goes back to the regular price! Oh, and make sure you use your extra special card for the purchase.
Read more, whine less, and don't pay too much for bottled water.
What are YOU reading?
Snagged any great deals lately?
Sometimes I find reading multiple books helpful, especially when I am reading something because 'I said I would.'
ReplyDeleteQuestion: If I were to read "Love First" could I skip the before-chapter-1 pages? Did you find them useful for understanding the book?
I think I read the first pre-chapter and just skimmed a few sentences from the others. I figured I could always go back and read them later if I needed to, since I got the basic gist.
DeleteReading blithely along through this post and blammo ran into a sudden wall of anger/pain/frustration. Really sorry to find this in your life. Let me know if you would like to do a guest rant on my blog (since that has become an addiction vent, might as well keep using it as such).
ReplyDeleteI might just take you up on that. Thanks!
Delete