The Booklover

I love to read. A lot.  As I type this I have 60 books checked out from the local library and plans to go back for more.  Through the years, I've always found libraries and bookstores comforting because they both offer an endless array of mental escape routes from my rather ordinary everyday life.  For free.  (I've never spent time alone in a bookstore without skim reading at least one or two books and magazines that I didn't purchase.)

Aside from the children's titles that I keep stocked like literary carrot sticks for the healthy development of my children's minds, I would divide my book list into three categories: 1) Books for pure enjoyment. These are books that caught my eye because they are written by a beloved author or because I surfed through a couple of pages and found something special in the author's writing style. These are typically fiction but can be lighthearted non-fiction or tell all biographies.  2) Books I aspire to learn from. These are usually a bit more scholarly and I don't typically read them cover to cover.  I tend to keep these books checked out for the longest period of time because I keep telling myself that one day I will be in the mood to actually sit down and read them.  These are the kind of books that are great to draw quotes from when I want to appear well read and remind folks that I didn't graduate from a top tier law school by accident. 3) Self-help books on whatever topic is on my radar at the moment.  I usually check out numerous books in this category and then end up skimming most of them until one offers advice that actually sticks.  They are like the library's version of impulse buys at the grocery store- I go to the shelf looking for just one title and check out everything on the subject thinking it's a better deal. It usually isn't.


All in all, I probably read about 60% of the books I check out from the library and skim through another 25%.  The rest are tossed aside because they should have never made the cut in the first place or I just simply run out of time and don't feel like renewing them.    Below is a sampling of my current reading list. I have spent time reading all of the books listed within the past week:

• The BAP handbook by Kalyn Johnson, Tracey Lewis, Karla Lightfoot & Ginger Wilson (A light and fluffy read that caught my eye because I saw some elements of myself in it.)
• A Full Quiver, by Rick and Jan Hess (Recommended to me by --of all people-- my gynecologist after a discussion on birth control.  The premise is that you should let God decide how many children is right for your family.)
• Woe Is I by Patricia T. O'Connor (Entertaining grammar reference/refresher.)
• Start Where You Are by Chris Gardner (MY CURRENT FAVORITE- I have checked out multiple times and I keep it for inspiration.)
• 102 Ways to earn Money Writing 1500 Words or Less by L.J. Schecter  (some helpful tips)
• His Word in My Heart by Janet Pope (great book about the importance of memorizing scripture. My family is currently working on the 103 Psalm.)
• Red Hot Manogamy, by Bill and Pam Farrell  (Christian sex- it's a good thing!)
• No Plot? No Problem by Chris Baty (Well-written book about how to overcome the fear of writing a novel. )
• Friendship for Grown-ups: What I Missed and Learned Along the Way by Lisa Whelchel ( I skimmed through most of this book and found it mostly an opportunity for the author to confess her imperfections. I like the fact that reading it made me think more deeply about the kind of friend I want to be and the kind of friends I need.)

This is just a small sampling of what  I am reading right now. I haven't read any fiction lately. I also have numerous books on budgeting money and getting out of debt, writing, blogging, and parenting.  Perhaps I'll share a new list next week.