Presumably, you read my blog because you have some love for reading, right? But with our 9-5 jobs, just how do we make time to read? Tack on my online graduate classes and cooking and cleaning, making time to read almost seems impossible (or at least as elusive as weight loss, if you ask me).
Nevertheless, reading is something I love and therefore something I *must* do. Of course, I read right before bed, but here are some of the wacky ways I steal a few pages each day.
*while I water the plants
*while I blowdry my hair (the Kindle is best for the first two)
*while I'm sauteeing onions
*while I'm waiting for my work computer to boot up
*during TV commercials
*while I eat at the sushi lunch buffet by myself (and as much as I love sushi, I go there just as much for the chance to read)
*on the toilet (don't laugh, I *know* you do it, too!)
*while I'm folding laundry
*during a DIY mani/pedi
*while I brush my teeth
*while I drive (KIDDING!)
So hopefully I've given you some ideas about when to read. Now it's your turn! What other ways can I get more reading done?
Love and (a book) light,
~Dorothy
Monday, August 15, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Book Blogger Hop: Crazy Titles!
Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme that is hosted by Crazy for Books, so go check her out. This meme is a great way to discover other book bloggers an learn more about them through each week's question.
This week's prompt is:
Let’s talk crazy book titles! Highlight one or two (or as many as you like!) titles in your personal collection that have the most interesting titles!
The first book that came to mind was Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl. Despite what the title may suggest, it is most definitely fiction. This book is truly unique in many ways, one of them being that the table of contents is arranged like a class syallabus.
Here are other noteworthy, eye-catching titles that I have read or are on my to-read list:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard Feynman
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks
The Secret Life of Pronouns: What our Words Say about Us by James Pennebaker
The Man Who Loved Only Numbers: The Story of Paul Erdos by Paul Hoffman
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
The Autobiography of My Mother by Jamaica Kincaid (you may have to think for a second before you realize why this is unusual)
Which of these titles sounded the most peculiar to you? Do share some unusual book titles that you know of.
Love and (a book) light,
~Dorothy
This week's prompt is:
Let’s talk crazy book titles! Highlight one or two (or as many as you like!) titles in your personal collection that have the most interesting titles!
The first book that came to mind was Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl. Despite what the title may suggest, it is most definitely fiction. This book is truly unique in many ways, one of them being that the table of contents is arranged like a class syallabus.
Here are other noteworthy, eye-catching titles that I have read or are on my to-read list:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard Feynman
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks
The Secret Life of Pronouns: What our Words Say about Us by James Pennebaker
The Man Who Loved Only Numbers: The Story of Paul Erdos by Paul Hoffman
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
The Autobiography of My Mother by Jamaica Kincaid (you may have to think for a second before you realize why this is unusual)
Which of these titles sounded the most peculiar to you? Do share some unusual book titles that you know of.
Love and (a book) light,
~Dorothy
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Throwback Thursday -A Light in the Attic
It's time for Throwback Thursday! Thanks to all of you who shared your bookish childhood memories on last week's special post. If you didn't get a chance to post yours, it's not too late. Click here to see what memories readers shared and to add your own!
This Thursday, we're featuring Shel Silverstein's works. Who doesn't remember those silly rhymes with the equally silly illustrations? Our 3rd grade teacher used to read us a couple of poems after lunch.
This Thursday, we're featuring Shel Silverstein's works. Who doesn't remember those silly rhymes with the equally silly illustrations? Our 3rd grade teacher used to read us a couple of poems after lunch.
I found these 3 books at a yard sale for a buck each! Where the Sidewalk Ends, Falling Up, and A Light in the Attic. Do you have a favorite?
I don't have a copy, but I loved The Giving Tree most of all. A lump in my throat forms at the thought of it.
Love and (a book) light,
~Dorothy
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Books that Deserve More Love
Hello, lovlies.
Let me first say that these books aren't incredibly obscure or anything, but I do feel they deserve more attention than they get. Nevertheless, Please scroll through and see the titles that I wish you would pick up.
1. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant: This is one of the few historical fiction novels I've read, but I absolutely adored it. This is the story of biblical Dinah, Jacob's only daughter. We hardly ever hear of a woman's perspective, especially in an ancient text. This brought out Dinah as more than just a sister to Joseph.
2. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: Flavia de Luce is my kind of heroine. It's like Harry Potter all over again, no? Actually, she's more like a Hermione. She is so clever and anyone that doesn't fall in love with her is an ugly toad. Really though, I'd like to see this book (and series) get more attention than it has.
3. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese: This book is perhaps my favorite of all time. For all the attention and acclaim it has received, it is still underrated in my mind.
4. Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl: I would say this book is -different. I can see one's opinions going either way on this one, but if you like to try different things, give this a try. It is truly a unique work.
5. I, Mona Lisa by Jeanne Kalogridis: This is a great historical fiction novel about the subject of the most famous painting in the world and who she was to Leonardo da Vinci. Maybe my lack of history savvy is the reason I was so impressed, but I have yet to hear another blogger or friend talk about it.
6. Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior: Amidst all the hype over Freakonomics and Malcom Gladwell's books (both of which I really like, by the way), I'm surprised this book hasn't received the attention the others have. It is a very accessible non-fiction work about, well, how we can't resist irrational behavior. Reading this book will make you think twice about your choices and make more rational decisions.
7. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks: I read this book a few years back, so I don't really remember all the details. However, I do remember being left with feelings of awe for such a intricately woven story. In fact, I'm adding it to my re-read list right this second. I have to add that this novel won the Pulitzer Prize, and while I am thrilled that it has received critical acclaim, I think not enough readers have had the pleasure of reading this book.
8. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See: OK, so a book that is soon to be adapted into a movie can hardly be called underrated, especially one by Lisa See, but hear me out. Until recently, I hadn't really heard many raves about this book. I thought it was beautifully written and had high praise for it, but no one I knew, in real life or in the blogging community, had read it. I'm glad to see that it is finally getting the attention it deserves. I can't wait to see the movie! It's been a while since I've read the book, so I won't be too nitpicky about the details they get wrong like movies often do.
I hope you add at least one of these titles to your To-Read list. Do share some books that YOU think deserve more praise.
Love and (a book) light,
~Dorothy
Let me first say that these books aren't incredibly obscure or anything, but I do feel they deserve more attention than they get. Nevertheless, Please scroll through and see the titles that I wish you would pick up.
1. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant: This is one of the few historical fiction novels I've read, but I absolutely adored it. This is the story of biblical Dinah, Jacob's only daughter. We hardly ever hear of a woman's perspective, especially in an ancient text. This brought out Dinah as more than just a sister to Joseph.
2. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: Flavia de Luce is my kind of heroine. It's like Harry Potter all over again, no? Actually, she's more like a Hermione. She is so clever and anyone that doesn't fall in love with her is an ugly toad. Really though, I'd like to see this book (and series) get more attention than it has.
3. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese: This book is perhaps my favorite of all time. For all the attention and acclaim it has received, it is still underrated in my mind.
4. Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl: I would say this book is -different. I can see one's opinions going either way on this one, but if you like to try different things, give this a try. It is truly a unique work.
 |
| Some of these are on my Kindle, and some were borrowed from kind fellow booklovers. Here's a shot of the ones I own with a peek at the accent wall in the "study" of our new home. :) |
5. I, Mona Lisa by Jeanne Kalogridis: This is a great historical fiction novel about the subject of the most famous painting in the world and who she was to Leonardo da Vinci. Maybe my lack of history savvy is the reason I was so impressed, but I have yet to hear another blogger or friend talk about it.
6. Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior: Amidst all the hype over Freakonomics and Malcom Gladwell's books (both of which I really like, by the way), I'm surprised this book hasn't received the attention the others have. It is a very accessible non-fiction work about, well, how we can't resist irrational behavior. Reading this book will make you think twice about your choices and make more rational decisions.
7. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks: I read this book a few years back, so I don't really remember all the details. However, I do remember being left with feelings of awe for such a intricately woven story. In fact, I'm adding it to my re-read list right this second. I have to add that this novel won the Pulitzer Prize, and while I am thrilled that it has received critical acclaim, I think not enough readers have had the pleasure of reading this book.
8. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See: OK, so a book that is soon to be adapted into a movie can hardly be called underrated, especially one by Lisa See, but hear me out. Until recently, I hadn't really heard many raves about this book. I thought it was beautifully written and had high praise for it, but no one I knew, in real life or in the blogging community, had read it. I'm glad to see that it is finally getting the attention it deserves. I can't wait to see the movie! It's been a while since I've read the book, so I won't be too nitpicky about the details they get wrong like movies often do.
I hope you add at least one of these titles to your To-Read list. Do share some books that YOU think deserve more praise.
Love and (a book) light,
~Dorothy
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Throwback Thursday Returns!
Hello lovely readers!
If you've been following my blog, you know that Throwback Thursday was a weekly feature created here at The Kindled Scholar which highlighted bits and pieces of my bookish childhood. I haven't had a Throwback Thursday post in a very long time, but this is its return!
For this edition of Throwback Thursday, I'd like to do something a little different. Instead of me sharing my childhood favorites, I'd like YOU to post a comment with one of yours! Tell me about a favorite book, series, or character from your childhood, or share a favorite bookish memory. Click on the link to left (under Weekly Features) to see all the previous Throwback Thursdays to get some inspiration. Feel free to comment on this post or on one of the previous posts.
Ready? GO!
Love and (a book) light,
~Dorothy
If you've been following my blog, you know that Throwback Thursday was a weekly feature created here at The Kindled Scholar which highlighted bits and pieces of my bookish childhood. I haven't had a Throwback Thursday post in a very long time, but this is its return!
For this edition of Throwback Thursday, I'd like to do something a little different. Instead of me sharing my childhood favorites, I'd like YOU to post a comment with one of yours! Tell me about a favorite book, series, or character from your childhood, or share a favorite bookish memory. Click on the link to left (under Weekly Features) to see all the previous Throwback Thursdays to get some inspiration. Feel free to comment on this post or on one of the previous posts.
Ready? GO!
Love and (a book) light,
~Dorothy
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Feature -Our Local Used Bookstore
Though I love the crisp, new paperbacks at Barnes & Noble, there's nothing like walking into a used bookstore. You never know what you'll find between the pages of pre-loved books. There's a used bookstore near our house that we go to at least once every two weeks. It's nearby a beautiful lake and several other shops (and a great sushi take-out place!).
They buy back books for most of the year, so every time we walk in there is a new addition. You can buy paperbacks for half-price and hardbacks for as much as 70% off. They have a great selection, ranging from biographies and history books to literary novels and mysteries. They also have a separate room for collectible classics and children's books.
Do you have a local used bookstore? A bit of research online may help you find a local hidden gold mine!
Love and (a book) light,
~Dorothy
They buy back books for most of the year, so every time we walk in there is a new addition. You can buy paperbacks for half-price and hardbacks for as much as 70% off. They have a great selection, ranging from biographies and history books to literary novels and mysteries. They also have a separate room for collectible classics and children's books.
Do you have a local used bookstore? A bit of research online may help you find a local hidden gold mine!
Love and (a book) light,
~Dorothy
Monday, August 1, 2011
It's Monday -What are You Reading? 8/1
This is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.
Just Finished:
I really enjoyed this book! Keep an eye out for my review.
Currently Reading:
I'm halfway through Freakonomics, and I really like the variety of the topics. I just started The Help and am liking it so far.
Up Next:
I am a member of several book clubs that meet in my area, but this will be my first time attending one called People, Places, and Perspectives. This clubs reads a variety of books that give insight to different facets of culture. This month we will be reading The Most Human Human. This book discusses the Turing Test, where people try to decipher through typed messages whether they are talking to a computer or a human being.
I typically read more than one book at a time. Since I already have a non-fiction book, which novel should I read along with it? I already own several paperbacks that I've yet to get around to. Which one should I start on? Feel free to recommend something that's not listed below.
The Confession by John Grisham
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin
Life of Pi by Yan Martel
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Love and (a book) light,
~Dorothy
