Reading is Sexy

Caution: After reading this blog, you may question your friendship with me. That is if we have one.

I'm a nerd. So there, it's out there.

Recently, I've been in the throws of Stieg Larsson's "Millenium series" or better known to others as "The girl...(1)With the Dragon Tattoo, (2) Who Played with Fire, and (3) Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest."

About 20 minutes ago, I finished book 2 and unlike book 1, it ended on a major cliffhanger. I have little patience or room for uncertainty in my life and whenever it can be found, I'm on it.

I put my request for the third book into the library a couple days ago. For those novices or virgins of the library, you can go online and hold books at your local library with your card number (yes, you must have a card first). When they're ready, they email you, you go in to pick it and bam. All for free. Life is just that simple sometimes.

Being that I hadn't received an email from the library, I looked up the prices at B&N, since it is conveniently located about 2.5 blocks from me. If it was in paperback, I'd consider purchasing it however, I hate the idea of not owning an entire series and just having the third book. It's a part of set and I had borrowed the other two from the library. I was two steps from walking down to B&N when I decided to look at my library account.

I signed on and clicked on the check status of requested materials tab. And there were the most perfect words: Available for pick-up ::Cue in the angelic voices:: Then I saw that the library closes at 6pm on Fridays. What? Does nobody study in the library on Fridays anymore?

[I actually don't think through all of my years of schooling that I ever did homework on Fridays. Seriously, ever. It just didn't seem right and felt like I should be having fun. You don't see Rebecca Black singing about "we..we...we...gonna study." No, it's "we..we...we...gonna party."]

It was 5:44pm.

I literally switched sweats for jeans, grabbed my keys, left my phone, and ran to my car. I parked in a "loading only" zone and jogged into the library to the hold shelf. And there was my book. Just waiting to tell me the rest of the story.

Needless to say, I got back home at 5:59pm.

Boom.

The Book Worm.

At the beginning of Twenty-Ten, I didn't make many resolutions but I set a couple goals.* Among these goals was to read 40 books this year. I read 30 last year and thought, hey, what's 10 more? Apparently, a lot.

Here we are entering the 8th month which means we are two-thirds of our way through the year and I am only halfway through my book list. I'm no mathematician, but these things are not equal.

I'm sure I would be further through if I was going by page count ie: Every 275 pages equals a book. Instead, I'm pounding out 450 pagers as well as 200 pagers and counting them equally. If we are getting technical, then I should've also considered print size as well as surface area of a page.

Well, we can see why I didn't quite go this far.

But I don't care that much and I guess should feel happy with whatever my book count ends up because at least I am spending a significant amount of time educating myself in nonfiction and exploring the tales of the fictitious. Both are increasing my brain function more than if I was say, sitting in front of the television (with the exception of Jeopardy and Cash Cab). I also find it more difficult to snack when I'm reading (and am deterred when I am reading a book from the library and I come across the previous borrower's lunch) and thus, reading reduces uneccessary calories. My new work out plan.

For those looking for a good novel, I've listed the top 5 books I have read so far this year with a quick synopsis. I've read a few horrendous books, but I've been impressed with most of my shelf.

1. Those who Save Us Historical Fiction

Recommended for: The Historian.

This was our first read of our book club this year and it was really heavy. Maybe save this one for post summer time rays. It was a perfect January read.

2. Game Change Political Nonfiction

Recommended for: The Political Pundit.

If you have any interest in current politics and the last election, you will surely enjoy this. A journalist wrote this book so there is definitely the human interest piece as well as the "behind the scenes" to both campaigns. More time is spent on Obama's camp than McCain's, but he won.

3. The Zahir Fiction

Recommended for: The Soul Searcher.

This will surely have you searching your mind and soul. There are an endless number of pieces that you will want to keep with you forever from this one. It's a slower read as it takes some time to absorb, but definitely worth every moment.

4. Crazy In Alabama Fiction

Recommended for: The Light-Hearted.

We read this for our first summer book read in my book club and it's definitely an odd story. I admit, I was rather skeptical of it at first glance but then found I couldn't put it down. Really an endearing tale of a boy who doesn't understand why race matters in his tumultous Southern town. Oh, and then there's the part of his aunt carrying the head of the husband she murdered on a cross-country road trip...in a hat box no less.

5. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Nonfiction

Recommended for: The Biologist. Or those that didn't pay attention in high school/college biology.

I'm not a scientist in the same way I'm not a mathematician, but this story resonated with me as HeLa cells have played such a prominent role in the history of medicine. I loved that it didn't read like a biology book yet the author was able to explain concepts to the scientifically-feeble-minded. It was also a human story; we learned about the woman and the family behind the cells which had us battling between what is morally right and when do the ends justify the means.

Happy Reading!

*Yes, there is a difference between resolutions and goals. Resolutions, in my opinion, refer to something you want to change to make yourself a better person than you have been in the past. Essentially, to resolve problematic behavior ie: I never see my grandma, I'm going to go visit her once a month this year so I see her more. A goal on the other hand, is something you intend to do regardless ie: I will make $100 in tips tonight.

Subtle difference? Yes. But still a difference. Probably stretching the elastic a little thin, but I don't care for the word 'resolution.'