So many books, so little time

I have the worst habit of buying books to read when I already have stacks and stacks and stacks at home waiting to be read. The problem is that the books I already own aren't necessarily the ones I feel like reading when I'm ready to start a new book - they're just the ones I felt like buying when I bought them! Basically I know that I'll read a book eventually & I don't want to forget about it or have it (yikes)go out of print so I buy it. Or put it on my list and buy it eventually (often when it's in paperback). I read book reviews pretty much daily so I'm constantly finding out about new books that interest me. I think my wishlist at indigo.ca must be worth thousands of dollars (they used to list a $total$ which I liked...)

So today I rec'd a package in the mail - books I've ordered and HAD to have. When will I read them? Who knows? Will they show up in the bargain books at Indigo for $4.99 before I've even cracked the spine? Perhaps. But its about the integrity of my shelves (we used to use that phrase at Indigo - the integrity of the section)...certain books need to be represented whether or not I'm going to read them in the near future.

So I end up with piles of books. When I'm done a book (I finish one every couple of days on average) I love that feeling of "What's next?"...then I usually walk around my apartment & think about what I'm in the mood for: petticoats?post-apocolypse? modern teens? fantasy? non-fiction? Then I grab 4 or so and start reading first lines. Whenever the urge to carry on past that first sentence grabs me, my book is chosen. So I never know what I'm going to want to read when.

I do, however, notice in myself a certain type of book that I prefer: books about people who are struggling against something - either oppression, being different, whatever. The Holocaust, Slavery, being a conjoined twin - these types of books - fiction or non-fiction, where I can put myself in their shoes (or lack of) and say "how would I survive this situation?" and often I realize that I would be useless in the same situation - I said if I were Susanna Moodie or Catherine Parr Traill I'd have curled up in a snow bank to die- so its all the more fascinating reading how others find strength & carry on. Boy, I'm rambling.

Right now I'm in the throes (spelling?) of sales conference reading - trying to read as many books as I can from our upcoming Winter list so that I can present them to the sales reps and ultimately to my customers. I really don't like selling books I haven't read. Or I need someone who's opinion I trust to read them. Ick to some books that just aren't my style - but I do what I can and therefore end up reading pretty silly looking stuff on the subway. Right now I'm reading a great book called "The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy" but once again I'm sure people who see me reading it think I'm a little simple. The cover is pretty child like. But then again so am I in some ways!

Pet Peeves for Pocampo

1. People who clip their nails on the subway.

2. The non-use of directional signals when driving.

3. B.O. - if you're taking the TTC, deodorant is a must.

4. People who stop at the top or bottom of escalators to look around & decide where they'll go next - totally oblivious to the crowd of people crashing into them from behind.

5. People in malls who just STOP. With no warning, no veering off carefully to the side.

6. People who use their cellphones while in line, or at a table in a restaurant (Mr Most!), or while being served by cashiers, etc. How rude!

7. Litterers.

8. Elevator starers and farters.

9. Anyone who's favourite book is The DaVinci Code (sorry if that's mean).

10. When someone's favourite book is obviously something they read in high school, which always makes me think they haven't read a book since.

50 Artsy Things in One Year

Since I like to copy Art Slade's actions I joined this facebook group for Canada Council for the Arts - where Cdns are challenged to participate in 50 artistic activities this year. Okay, let's be honest, I can't do it alone so I'm seeing what we as a family can come up with.

So far:
1. Went to that crazy tap-dancing play with the kids
2. Saw Corinne Bailey Rae & John Legend in concert
3. Saw Lemony Snicket perform at the Symphony
4. Wrote limericks with my sister-in-law at a wedding
5. Liam recently went to the McMichael gallery in Kleinburg
6. We went to the Marvel exhibit at the Science Centre
7. Liam & Duncan post photography on their flickr sites
8. Liam is participating next week in a lip-sync contest (does that count?)
9. I wrote some book reviews on http://www.wwhr.ca/
10. David took pretty pictures of mountains in Jasper

11. My co-workers & I did our best to interpret the bizarre paintings at the inn in Niagara-on-the-Lake

12. Janet & I photographed a lone hot-dog.

13. I made my family's photos into colouring book pages for David's 40th birthday.


Okay so there must be more....I'll think about it. Poetry? Pottery? Art? Home-made cards? Even Paris Hilton made her dad a home(prison)-made card for father's day! Yikes.

What makes us cringe...

After an entertaining conversation with some co-workers I've changed the name of my blog!

We were talking about our book pet peeves such as unrealistic dialogue: "Mom, can I invite my best friend Susan Jones for a sleep-over?" as well as words that just shouldn't be used. Especially "bum" in an erotica story. That totally cracks me up and laughing is not what I'm looking for if I'm reading erotica.

Someone I know really dislikes the new trend in children's books where the narrator talks to the reader too much (I thought this worked in Despereaux, but then was totally overdone by others). My brother is irritated when he's watching a movie & the title of the movie comes up in a line of dialogue. Funny what makes us cringe. See I just tried to do it there with the title of the blog...good thing he'll never read this!

Theatre Review - I Think I Can

Today, the Dudes, my mom & I went to Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People to see "I Think I Can" - a tap dance show about bullying. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was pretty entertaining. It certainly had me tapping my feet. The Dudes had mixed opinions - with one liking it better than the other. I think they both appreciated that the dancers were incredible and that it was an interesting way to tell a story.

I do wish that people would read the age recommendations for things like this. If it says 8 and up, please don't bring your 6 yr old, no matter how advanced you think they are. There were kids in theatre who clearly didn't understand what was going on so they kept talking to their parents.

I would definitely take my kids to another play at LKTYP. It was an inexpensive way to give us all a theatrical experience.

Subway Rage

I admit it, I'm guilty of subway rage. I get on at Bloor on my way home & by the time I get off, many stops later, I am ready to stomp on people's insteps, punch heads, etc. I think there should be constant messages on the intercom or whatever like: "If the pole is in your ass crack, you're standing too close", or "Guys, if you can't sit with your legs together, maybe you should stand", or " No nail-clipping allowed! And no french fries".

I love driving to work & luckily I do get to do that most days next week.

Newbery Challenge

I found a challenge on one of the many book websites that I visit - it was to read 6 (I think) Newbery books. So after perusing the list here are the 6 I am going to tackle in the next 2 months:

The Higher Power of Lucky (2007)

A Single Shard (2002)

Amos Fortune, Free Man (1951) - can't wait to see how this stands the test of time

Invisible Louisa (1934)

Kira-Kira (2005)

Criss Cross (2006)

I can't guarantee what order I'll read them in, but I'll start one tonight!