Is 100 books possible?

A few months ago I decide to really challenge myself and try and focus my reading list into some sort of order by doing the 10-10-10 reading challenge. The point of it is to read 10 books in 10 different categories in the year 2010. (Well, actually, the real version of it is by October 10, 2010 but there is no way that is going to happen.)

I picked my categories out and wanted to read one book from each category before writing about it. That so did not happen. I discovered that one of the reasons I hadn't read so many "classics" is that frankly the majority don't appeal to me. Scandalous I know for a librarian to say something like that. But it is true. So I changed one of my categories thinking that would help, but it really hasn't. In a bit of a panic I allowed myself to count the books I had read prior to deciding to undertake the challenge in an attempt to bolster my confidence. After all, I had read a fair number of books before deciding to try for 100 books in a year and by golly they should count. However, I'm still only at 13. That's right, four months into the year, when I should have read close to 25 books, I am at 13. Ahem.

The reasons behind this sluggish pace are multiple. I have rediscovered other hobbies that take up some of my reading time. I have just gotten engaged and am planning a wedding. I work full time and do try and clean my house (no matter what my parents say on that subject). And finally, I've never been good at forced reading. I really do try and adhere to the rule that if, after 50 pages, the book hasn't grabbed me, I stop. It is possible that I miss out on some ultimately good books, but I'm okay with that. Unfortunately, my stubborn streak comes into play more than I would like. Despite the fact that I picked out the books myself I seem to have developed this attitude that "oh, I'm supposed to read these books" and therefore, I am disinclined to read the. Le sigh. I face a similar problem with diet. If I tell myself I am going to improve my eating habits so that I will look and feel good on my wedding I immediately want pizza and fried chicken. Does anyone else struggle with this sort of contrariness? If so, please send along any advice you've found works for you.

Musing about authors

I find that it is very difficult when you have fallen in love with a particular set of works by an author (typically a series) to branch out to their other works. You run the problem of the other books either being derivative (such as Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich), or being radically different from what you fell in love with (such as anything by Rita Mae Brown that was not co-authored by Sneaky Pie Brown). I can only think of one adult author who have found this type of transition with, and that is Christopher Moore. (Children's authors are another matter, there are a loads of them where I managed this such as Elizabeth Enright, Beverly Cleary, and Richard Peck just to name a few).
I bring this up because I just read Deanna Raybourn's latest book The Dead Travel Fast, and while I liked it, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I enjoy her Lady Julia Grey series. This really surprised me since I love Ms. Raybourn's blog which covers a huge range of topics. However, I think it is more that I don't truly enjoy Gothic novels. I like elements of them, but generally find that even the best ones tend to be over the top and many of the characters a tad absurd.
That being said, I did enjoy TDTF. I read it in one day and was left with the simultaneous reaction of "what?!!! and "but of course!!!" This reaction is the hallmark of a good mystery novel to me and she really hit the mark. However, I don't think I can give it a complete and caveat free endorsement. If you aren't a big fan of Gothic novels you might want to look elsewhere. Other than that, but especially if you LOVE Gothic novels, give it a whirl.

Mixed Media Round Up

Here are some of the things I have been enjoying lately.

A Century of Quilts is a dvd of a PBS broadcast that profiled quilts and quilt makers featured in a quilt show of the 100 best quilts of the century. It doesn't sound terribly exciting, but the work is absolutely incredible. If you enjoy art and aren't a snob about your definition of art it is well worth watching. You will be amazed by what was accomplished with cloth and thread.

Offbeat Brideis a blog that was started years ago to advertise a book by the same name. It has evolved into something much more than that though, creating a space for individuals who, for whatever reason, don't adhere to traditional expectations. It is such a positive site and Ariel, the woman who runs it, gives absolutely fabulous advice on so many things. I love, love, love Offbeat Bride. Certainly not everything featured on their site is up my alley, but the levels and varieties of creativity that are featured will blow you away. It never ceases to amaze me how many different ways people have come up with to celebrate their unions. Obviously it will be of greatest interest to those folks who are getting married and want to do something out of the ordinary, but it is a pleasant diversion for anyone who enjoys creative displays and love stories. And if shows like Platinum Weddings and Bridezillas turn your stomach like they do mine then Off Beat Bride will provide a much needed balm.

Life in Cartoon Motion by Mika. I had thought I had lost this CD and recently found it in a basket full of cards. Just really fun music.

New Who!

As you can see there are two important details about this blog post. 1)I have modified my display name to be less sexually charged, and 2)this is the first post in over a year!!! Yes, I took slack blogging to a sloth inspired art form, but a lot happened last year and I chose to not be introspective at the time. (That and Facebook gobbled up a great deal of this sort of thing). I really did miss this, and now I have a much clearer focus for the direction I want this blog to go in.

One of my more ambitious projects for this year is to attempt to read 100 books. 10 books in 10 categories in 2010. I can't take credit for the idea as I read about it in a online article for Library Journal. I like the challenge aspect of it and it gives me a way to focus my obscenely large to be read pile. (It really is rather out of control; if I actually owned or had all of the books on the list an entire room in my house would be needed to store them. But I digress). At any rate, I am going to hone my book reviewing skills here. I'm also thinking that I will post roughly twice a week to begin with and see how that goes.

So there you have it. The blog won't be exclusively about books, but I intend that to be my main focus, at least for now.

In defense of vanity

Let me begin by saying that I am not talking about narcissism or self-absorption here. I am talking about your garden variety vanity. Frankly, I think it gets a bum wrap. Many of the things we do that will help us to live healthier, longer lives are really outgrowths of vain behavior.
For instance, say a woman is concerned about sun spots and wrinkles. She therefore uses a moisturizer with sunscreen in it, tries not to tan, and regularly visits the dermatologist. These behaviors will help prevent skin cancer and/or catch it in an early, preventable stage.
Another example would be that a man who is concerned about getting paunchy, so he watches what he eats and goes to the gym. These behaviors help reduce, among other things, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
I think we all need a little vanity in our lives. After all, if you don't care about how you look, well, then frankly, no one else will care about you either. Harsh, I know, but true.

And now for something (slightly) different.

As my friends continue to point out, I am indeed most slack about this blog. Therefore, I have worked to devise a plan of recourse. On the one hand, one of my new year's resolutions is to try new things, which should provide some excellent fodder for posts. On the other hand, I intend to focus on doing short recommendations of various forms of entertainment that I have enjoyed. I'm not quite sure how this will all work out, but do intend to try.

So to start the recommendations off on a great foot I am going to start with something very old school. Home Entertainment Center by Steven Banks. I sadly do not own this in it's original format. However, someone has very kindly put it up in it's entirety on YouTube. Years and years ago, my sister's high school boyfriend had taped this off of HBO and it stayed at our house for roughly a year, during which time I watched it repeatedly. It is hysterically funny. If you don't think so then 1)something is wrong with you and 2)what on earth are you reading my blog for? Click on the link only if you have time to watch the whole thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62EePXzshX8

Pithy observations

1. There is no dignified, let alone graceful, way to exit the back of a mini-van as an adult. Once you are too tall to stand upright in it and walk out you proceed into the realm of comedy.

2. Knee highs are the single most unattractive article of clothing that is regularly worn. Sure, sock garters are seriously dorky, but really, who actually wears those? And don't say panty hose because have you seen some of the styles in the Victoria's Secret catalog? Oh my! No, it is the knee high that wins the most unattractive award.

3. I wish there was a way to fast forward hair growth. I am currently trying to grow out the previously mentioned pixie cut and it is taking forever! And what is worse, there is the danger of developing a slight mullet. Alas and alack.