Addiction. It’s a strong word but then I’m a strong girl – did about 500 reps of arm exercises (with humiliating 2-lb dumbbells) just today thanks to the ongoing Pilates Experiment – and I have an addictive personality. When I love something, I really really love it. Chocolate. My children. The movie Empire Records (remember when Renee Zellwegger was adorable?). Jelly Beans. Swing dancing. Exercise. Artichokes (which is a genetically inherited predilection, according to NPR some people are born with a gene that make artichokes taste delicious while everyone else only tastes bitter stabby vegetation. Yay, I finally won the genetic lottery in something!)
But the real love of my life are books. Never have I been as passionate about anything as I have about reading. It is only fitting that it was this passion that made me fall in love with my husband. We’d known each other for months and yet I didn’t fall madly in love with him until we were walking in the library stacks one star-kissed evening and he said, gesturing randomly to a shelf, “That was a great book.” “Which one?” I asked. “All of them,” he answered. That man had read every single book in the entire History section of our University. Not one to believe just anything I’m told, I quizzed him. And then I married him. To this day he is the only person I know who has read The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire in its entirety.
I do not jest when I call my love of books an addiction. I must read at all times. We’ve already discussed about how I can’t use the bathroom without adequate reading material (I will even set up little reading stations – an open magazine by the sink so that I can find new recipes while I wash my hands, a book held open by my box of curlers so I can read up on the modern caste system in India while I blow dry my hair.) In the shower I’ve read my shampoo bottles so many times I have the ingredients list memorized (Is it the sodium laureth sulfate that makes that nice foamy lather?) And of course I am addicted to health and fitness books. You name a popular diet, workout or health routine/guru and I’ve either read it or want to read it. And thanks to the speed-reading course I took in second grade (no joke), I read 3-4 books a week.
This addiction gets expensive though. The last health book I bought was the life-changing Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth and it was a darn good thing it was life changing because that little 200 page sucker set me back $18. Why not just get it at the library? I was #230 on the waiting list. By the time I got my hands on a copy the sequel (Men, Beer and Satan?) would already be out. Libraries are great for browsing and picking up books you’d never think to read until you feel their heft in your hand or for books that only a few other people want to read. Libraries are terrible for new releases, best sellers and impatient patrons.
There is another solution to buying the book new. Turbo Jennie recently introduced me to a fantastic site (that you all probably already know about but I’m posting about it anyhow on the off chance anyone else missed the memo like I did) called PaperBackSwap. It’s so simple: you send a book, you get a book. The book you receive is yours to keep as long as you like – forever if you want! The only price you pay is the shipping to send your books to other people (usually $2-$3).
Today I cleaned off my health and fitness shelf – you really only need to read The Engine No. 2 Diet once to get the idea – and posted them all to share. But now I need to fill my wish list of books I’d like to read! This is where you come in: If you are already a paperbackswap member, can I be your buddy so I can get recommendations from your list? Or just tell me, what is your favorite book right now (any genre)? Which health and fitness books do you love? Did you luck out with the yummy artichoke gene??
PS> If you do sign up for PaperBackSwap, tell them I referred you (by typing in my e-mail addy chariander AT gmail DOT com into the referral box) and I’ll get an extra book credit! That’s not why I’m posting this but if you’re going to sign up anyhow might as well feed my addiction!
PPS> I love memoirs, non-fiction and classic literature. I absolutely hate vampires – especially if they sparkle – zombies and Jane Austen. Take that into consideration when making your recommendations.
I hadn't heard of PaperBackSwap either; I'll have to check that out. I'm mainly commenting (for the first time ever, hell-o lurker) because I totally thought I was the only person ever who doesn't like Austen. It's nice to know I'm not alone!
Hahah! Nope – not alone! People kept telling me how great she was and how much I should love her books so I kept trying them. I've read Persuasion, Sense & Sensibilities, Emma and Pride & Prejudice. Each book made me loathe her more. After all that I figure I've earned the right to never have to read her again!
I love to read too. Now that I'm homeschool (and blog) I sadly have very little time to read. Anne Lamott is my favorite writer.
Right now I'm reading a wonderful book called The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. I actually thought of your post from the other day…the one about being broken….when I was reading it. There was a passage I thought you might like. Have you read and Brennan Manning? His writing is beautiful and poignant. He is Catholic and I'm not but I'm loving him anyway.
I love that site! I am a member too. It is the first place I look when I come across a book I want to read. This reminded me that I need to list a bunch of books.
I just got The Healing Power of Foods (that I am posting about tomorrow) from paperbackswap yesterday! I am super excited to close my computer after typing this and starting to read it. I think my member name is Katie S, but I'm not actually sure.
Most of this post could have been written by me (Yes, we ARE the same person!!!) except for the artichokes (although I love artichoke HEARTS…does that make me psycho?!) and I do love me some Austen. Now "Wuthering Heights?" UGH!!!!!!!
I also have a membership at Bookswap, but I haven't been active for a long time. I also recommend Booksfree.com. It's kinda like Netflix for books. Yes, there is a fee, but it depends on how many books you want to take out every month.
As far as recommendations, my mom just finished reading "Game Change," about the 2008 election, and said it was a great read. If you're into fun mysteries featuring dysfunctional private investigating families who live in San Francisco, I'd recommend "The Spellman Files" books (4 so far) by Lisa Lutz.
BTW, "Empire Records" was on TV the other day, and I just had to watch it. Again. Of course, it DID make me feel ancient. 'Cause 1995 feels like yesterday, and I was 26 then.
And, yes, those 2-pound weights can start to feel awfully heavy after a while, lol!
You need a Kindle. 😀 I figured out last year that I spent $800 in books. So buying the Kindle @ $260 and then spending less on the books I would read anyway actually saved me money. Plus, all of the classics are free on Kindle. AND, they have a lot of other freebies that have started me on new series.
Cuz you know where you like to take your books? So does everyone else.
And I worked in a public library for a time and my hands were filthy when I processed the incoming books. That's why I can't ever take books from a library again.
I got the artichoke gene! Yum.
But I'm mostly commenting because I agree with your dislike of Jane Austen. Having one too many of her books shoved down my throat in high school by an overzealous English teacher nearly killed any enjoyment I got from reading.
Holy crap: AWESOMEST romance/falling-in-love story EVER. That is how I want to meet my future husband. Except I'm no longer in University so I will have to start trolling the public library (or as I like to call them, my "book oases").
And, thanks for the PaperBackSwap tip.
Seriously, I want you to move here and be my friend. I too suffer the addiction of reading. I blame (thank?) my parents and my Grade 1 teacher, Mrs Presler. I used to get into trouble at school for reading ahead and then pulling out a paperback and reading some more.
Since we have no space in our teeny tiny apartment, I've joined the library which has advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages include being #540 on the list for the 3rd in a series. I was #430 for the 2nd but I gave in and bought it. Maybe I'll get the 3rd one next year sometime?
I too <3 artichoke. I think I got that from my mother since my father is of the "eewwww disgusting vegetable" genetic pool.
I used to belong to something similar to PaperbackSwap called BookMooch, but it got annoying because while I was sending out books left right and center, very few people had books I was looking for. I may have jumped on board a little too early in the game. Perhaps I should try again?
I too am not a Jane Austen fan (although I do own Pride and Prejudice and Zombies but that's more for the fun factor).
I tried REALLY hard to like her, but alas, I'm not of the Jane Austen loving gene pool either.
just here to say, thank god i am getting comments in the ole inbox again. whew. another tech crisis diverted.
*high fives fellow speed-reader*
and also, ” target=”_blank”>http://www.half.com FTW, girl!
i can highly, highly recommend "In the Woods" and "The Likeness" by Tana French; "Daywatch" and "Nightwatch" by Sergei Lukyaneko, "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" by Rebecca Wells, and anything Malcolm Gladwell has written. I just read my first James Herriot novel, "All Things Wise and Wonderful", and absolutely loved it.
I have a whole list of books that I plowed through this last autumn on my blog if you want to see what I've been reading, and brief reviews of a few of those.
A. I LOOOOOVE Empire Records. I would so celebrate Rex Manning Day. The downside is that the Renee version of Sugar High wasn't on the soundtrack.
B. I LOOOOOOVE swing dancing. I took a class in high school and have been doing it ever since.
C. I've never heard of Paperback Swap, but I'm sure my husband will want to kiss you (you know, in a non I'm-cheating-on-you sort of way). I can through books like crack and our library SUCKS. Lately, since we are on a budget, I park the stroller in the middle of Borders and will read a book cover to cover. Not being a library, they tend to frown on that, but I've discovered they won't bother you while you're breastfeeding. Score!
Never heard of paperback swap, but I feel real pain for anyone who doesn't have a good library. Here you might be #235 on the request list, but they usually have quite a few copies of the book floating around, and they have a hard and fast 2-week only check out for new releases, so you get it pretty fast. I figure it's worth it to wait a couple months rather than pay for a book I'll only read once.
i've never heard of paperback swap but it sounds like a great idea! i'm lucky that my grandmother has a never ending supply of books that she gives me. i can easily go through a book or two a day if i had the time and i can totally see that getting expensive without her. and the libs of course. i routinely check out 10+ books each time i go hah
Ha. I am a sci-fi/fantasy fan and I usually like vampires, but those sparkly ones? Nope. Got through the first book (just barely), gave it away and have had no desire to read the rest of them.
I don't have the patience for using the library either, and both Husband and I love books. At the moment we are discussing where we can find space in the house for more bookcases…
I feel like this is awesome and not awesome at the same time. For nonfiction, I don't mind giving a book away once I've read it. But I like to keep my novels once I've read (and liked them). I guess I like knowing they're there to re-read whenever. I don't read many fitness or diet books, though. I've tried but then I just get bored. I'm with you on the whole sparkly vampire thing. And Moby Dick. I want to like it, but I can't.
Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth
Oprah is covering this today on her show! I have it set to DVR!
I haven't! I'll add him to my list!
Read it and loved it! Didn't know she was on Oprah today tho – will try and catch it.
Hahaah! I've done that in B&N too. I figure I make up for it by all the books I do end up buying from them! I'll have to remember the bf'ing trick. And yeah, I was bummed about the Sugar High version on the sound track too!!! Oh Rexy, you're SO SEXY.
I'm just the opposite! I tend to keep my non-fic in case I need to reference them later and give away most of my fic.
I've read Ya Ya, Malcom Gladwell's stuff and ALL of James Herriot's (they are the best feel-good books ever!!) but I'll ad the others to my list. Thank you!!
We should totally be friends!! And yeah, what you wrote is what I'm afraid will happen on PBS. We'll see though! Here's hoping I have better luck finding stuff.
Thanks:) He's a great guy! I'm lucky to have found one – I hope your library endeavors pay off similarly!!
Wow – there are a lot of us! We should start a support group or something!
For the record – I only ever take magazines in the bathroom:) NEVER books. And this will be TMI, but I don't ever touch them while I'm on the toilet. They stay safely on the counter until after I've washed my hands! FWIW, I've read that paper is one of the least conducive substances to growing germs – at least that's what I tell myself when I borrow books from the library or other people!
And I would LOVE to get a Kindle!!! Someday!
See, I liked Wuthering Heights… lol. Thanks for the recs!!
Thanks for the rec! I just read a review about that one – will add it to my list!
Never heard of paperbackswap. Thank you! Maybe you can get your library to do a couple things to get you more new releases in a timely fashion. Ours has a "forthcoming" shelf — can't check them out, but you can look there and say, "I didn't know so and so had a new book out." Then you run and put it on hold. And we also ahve a "hot reads" shelf, which are all new releases. It's first-come, first-served. I snagged the new Nora Roberts that way a few weeks ago. I was in heaven. You only get a week and the fine after that is a quarter a day. Sadly, our family finances pretty much restrict me to the library. It's just the way it is. On the other hand, by perusing so many blogs, I now have a really long list of books I'd like to read!
In terms of health and fitness, here's one that's geared toward your husband, but has useful info for women who love men: it's "To Pee or Not to Pee" by James Norris, and it's all about prostate health and prostate cancer, not to mention everything else involved with that particular region. It's comprehensive, and as the title would indicate, fun and easy to read. It's not medical talk, it's in plain English, and it's an easy-to-understand reference. If you're over 50 you NEED to have a prostate exam at least once a year. Men should not wait until something starts hurting, because it might be something more serious than that — and a guy might have prostate cancer and not have any symptoms. We went through a scare last year — I'm glad this year we have this book.
Glad to hear that I'm not the only one with an addictive personality. I finished reading YOU: On A Diet and loved it.
Paperback Swap has changed my life! I've been a member for a couple years now and have been able to find almost everything I've searched for, including some rare anthropology textbooks! And I've also gotten copies of some old childhood favorites, which I plan to keep forever. I also love getting really old books–they have that wonderful old book smell!
as a non-fiction hater (except possibly memoirs) and a jane-austen-sparkly-vampire-lover i'm not sure our book tastes overlap much. however in case they do, my best reads recently have been 'the namesake' by jhumpa lahiri and the inspector montalbano series by andrea camilleri as translated by stephen sartarelli.
Charlotte, I almost wrote to recommend a book to you after your post on being broken, but decided that would be strange. But now that you've asked for it, here you go! The book is Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by Stasi Eldredge (and her hubby, John). It is beautiful.
Also love Anne Lamott (I prefer her non-fiction), the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon (delicious historical romance trash!), and a book called The Red Tent.
Happy reading!
Allison
I also love reading. My kindle is so delightful- have you thought of getting one of those? Most books are $9.99 and hundreds (especially the classics) are free. I'm reading Little Women and it was free.
I see that you like to read several things at once…the kindle always keeps your place. You can jump from magazine, to blog, to book, to scriptures, and never get lost as to where you were.
I'm just reading the third book in the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" series – most excellent! The first is "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", the second is "The Girl who played with Fire", and the third and last is "The Girl who kicked the hornet's nest". Translated from Swedish, but doesn't suffer in the process. Un-put-down-able.
I'm a little too OCD for paperbackswap (I don't mind giving books, but I have issues with used books), but you should check out everything written by Laurie Notaro. She is laugh-out-loud funny, start with her short stories because it will make her 2 fiction works even funnier.
Ooooh, BOOKS! It's SO hard not to recommend every book I have ever read ever. ever. ever! I have lots of great recommendations — I hope I don't go overboard. And if I do…too bad!
*Anything by Garrison Keillor is great. His most recent book is called Pilgrims: A Wobegon Romance
*Impossible, by Nancy Werlin (The author was inspired by the old song, "Scarborough Fair." It's a very good book, YA fiction, but it COULD be a trigger for you, considering the violence in your past. I highly suggest you read a review or talk to people who have read it before you start it.)
*The Masqueraders, by Georgette Heyer (Clever, witty, and surprisingly contemporary despite being from the 1930s. She's written a LOT of books, so check her out. Fun, easy, but still excellent reads.)
*The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Emmuska Orczy (Swashbuckling, romance, disguises, close calls, and the guillotine…it's great)
*The Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Leroux
*Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett ("The Apocalypse has never been funnier." Typical British humor, very clever.)
*Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, by Fannie Flagg (Actually, anything written by Flagg is great. Very simple, lush writing.)
*Jasper Fforde! Since you're so into classics, I think you'd really enjoy his writings. His best series involves Thursday Next and her travels into the Book World (book one is called The Eyre Affair), but there's also the Nursery Crime series and Shades of Grey, the first book in a series of dystopian tales. Puns, allusions, clever tricks, historical characters come to life…if you read nothing else, read Jasper Fforde.
And real quick, a shameles plug for my blog. 🙂 I've reviewed most of these books over there already, so if you wanted to check them out in advance, please feel free. Or feel free to email me too, if that's more your style. Most of the non-fiction I've been reading recently revolves around how to get a job or women's studies (not totally related), but if you wanted some more non-fiction ideas, you know where to find me! Happy reading!
http://bookzilla.livejournal.com
The library waiting lists at least move fairly fast – have you checked out the Lucky U books? (I work at your county library system). I got a Sony Reader – I think its a little more flexible than Kindle as far as file compatibility and sooner (rather than later I hope!) the library will be getting a database that will let you check out ebooks for your sony reader (but it won't work with Kindle).
Debbie the storytime lady 😀
Empire Records was my favorite movie back in the day!!!
I wanted to buy Women, God and Food but I didn't- would you say it was worth buying?
I think we too could be close friends! First off artichokes are my favorite food in the whole entire world. When I was 3, the Dr. asked me what I like to eat and I told him steak and artichokes! He about fell off his chair, but it still is my fav. meal! My 21month year old loves them too! My husband thinks we are crazy…he obviously doesn't share the gene! Anyway, I too love reading and could make my shampoo if I knew where all the ingredients could be found! But my favorite author right now is Jodi Piccoult. Love her controversial views and twists she puts on stories. I have to check out the book swap, me and some girls here at work swap, but it would be great to not have to wait around for them to finish a book! Great post!
Hi Charlotte,
I'm de-lurking to tell you about a couple good books. I just read (actually listened to) "The Help" by Kathryn Stocket which was an outstanding book about black women in the south in the 60s. And I'm currently listening to Elizabeth Gilbert's sequel to Eat Pray Love called "Committed." It's not the same as Eat Pray Love but very good and interesting info/stats on marriage. Another great book for you (since you love research) is called "Stumbling on Happiness" by Daniel Gilbert. He's a Harvard professor who does research on happiness. It's not a self help book and you find out why the things we think will make us happy don't. Very interesting!
As always love your blog! And let us know when we can RUN to the bookstore to pick up YOUR book!
-Megan W
P.S. I'm not blind, just lazy! I love listening to books on CD in my car and sometimes while working out. And sometimes the library gets them to me faster than the paper ones!
I had never heard of this book swap before. I tend to go in phases when I read a lot of books & then I stop for a long time. I read a lot of fitness mags right now & the every so often a book offered to me by publishers out there. I need to read books again!
I would recommend anything by Amy Bloom (can't remember the name of the one that is a new release, but the other one that sticks in my mind is "Away" which is epic. I also really liked "People of the Book" by…can't remember author. Interesting story that crosses all sorts of religious story lines, love stories, wars and goodness.
Also, I must know, is that book "Women, Food and God" truly life-changing? Because I might buy it if it was. If not, I'll put my name on the request list at the library.
Can't wait to come back here with a pencil and paper and write down all the great recommendations!
It was a life-changing book for me. But then I have a LOT of food issues (obvious statement of the year!). I'm glad I bought it – I highlighted it, took notes in the margins, dog-eared pages etc. – but if you have a pretty stable relationship with food then maybe just wait for it at the library.
I'm busy reading the second one (I'm on a wait list at the library for the third one) – they are AWESOME.
Charlotte, I second these as recommended.
I have no ability to control myself and I am also a HOARDER when it comes to books (did you know that about me? :))
I CAN NOT WAIT (yep. own women food and god already :)) and I live in FEAR of wanting to delve into a good read and having nothing in the house.
before my kindle I used to stash at least 4 books away in case of emergency.
I need to git with the moneysavingprogram and do the swap or at least the library 🙂
my kindle is my addiction.
and it.bad.
Love reading – my first job was at the library and in one summer I read the entire mystery section and then moved on to biographies. In college, I think I was the only person who read books in addition to what was assigned – my roommates always thought I was nuts. When I am really into a book, I will stay up all night to finish it (not a speed reader I guess). Not too much time to read now but I do buy every health book that comes along (I buy almost all my books from overstock – good prices and great shipping) – have not had a chance to read the No S Diet yet, just bought Food Rules by Michael Pollan – just love his stuff. On vacation, I love a good chick book – have several shelves of Shopaholic and things like that. I also read all the books I buy for my daughters for school. With my youngest, it helps her to have someone else to discuss then with and with my eldest, I just love her books. Also have to say that I just love Harry Potter – those books can bring me to tears. My eldest loves them too so we read together and then rip apart the movies because they never live up to our expectations. My husband likes to read, but not quite as much as I do. He likes anything scientific or holistic – he love Wayne Dyer (he has been trying to get me to read him for years), A brief history of everything, fractal geometry – you name it.
I do not like artichokes but did marry my husband for a sort of similar reason – he used a handkerchief. I used to iron my dads when I was little and never thought I would meet a man that used one. I still think it is the cutest thing. I recently told my eldest that if she meets a boy in college that uses a hanki – marry him.
Bookmooch.com is also great 🙂
I used to read all the time but I haven't been on that kick for quite some time now. I read so many that I had to start keeping a list of what I had read because I kept coming home with books that I had already read! Bummer. I am not a member of that site however, I do want to recommend a book. It's the GREATEST!!! Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Simply amazing.
So how do you feel about Jane Austen movies?
I was an English major, but I only like 2 Jane Austen books (Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion). I haven't been able to get through any of the others, even though I feel like I SHOULD.
Thanks for the website tip. I am a book junkie and have reached the point where I hide my latest purchases from my husband because I want to enjoy my books, not discuss my giant pile of to-be-read books.