I took a detour from the book I intended to read...now I'm halfway through another book: Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us. Fantastic read!

http://ecimages.kobobooks.com/Image....gYTA&Type=Full

The "science" is a bit sketchy, but as the authors themselves admit, it's tricky to measure something that is so subjective. Still, it's a fascinating look at the things that universally annoy us (of which there are many), and why.

The authors explore the annoyance of the senses at a fast clip, leaping from sound (nails on chalkboard, the sound of someone vomiting, overheard cell phone conversations) to smell (even skunks hate the smell of skunk, yet an aversion to the smell of poop is learned), to sight (clutter, traffic), to taste (at which age do Mexican children acquire the taste for hot peppers?) to touch (how a cloud of gnats around a pitcher's head can ruin a perfect game).

The last half of the book focuses on the sociological rather than the physical. I haven't yet learned why all the adorable little quirks of one's loved one eventually become annoying, but I have learned how mice show their annoyance when you hide their cheese. :|

It's a fun read...and if my dog ever gets sprayed by a skunk, it's worth five times the cost of the book just to have a scientifically proven recipe for removing the smell.

trash novel
 

She calls me her curmudgeon but really I am a big softie...lol....I am reading the last book of the last book of Radclyffe's Honor Series called "Word of Honor" Yeah...it is mindless trash but entertaining. And yeah....I'd do Blair....emm...and Diane.....but not together...lol...dream on...lol.....

She had a very out-of-the-ordinary philosophy....
 

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Just finished: Definitely Not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos

It was a cute, fast, fun read with a healthy dose of Jane Austen love mixed with the banal idiocy of reality TV.

Now reading: Canoeing and Kayaking New York (Canoe and Kayak Series) by Kevin Stiegelmaier :)

and picked up for a little skimming and inspiration...

Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman


I'm reading everything in sight to get more raffle tickets in the community library summer reading program. Wish me luck!

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Never-Wanted-alcoholism-addiction/dp/0982579438/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342189980&sr=8-1&keywords=everything+i+never+wanted+to+be"]Everything I Never Wanted to Be[/ame]--Dina Kucera (just finished--loved it--true story of a family's struggle with addiction written by the mother who is also a stand up comedian; her wit and perspective amidst so much struggle is amazing)

Currently reading:

Diane Arbus: A Biography

by Patricia Bosworth

Just finished:

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

By Nujood Ali

Just finished The Glass Castle- Jeannette Walls.

Good read. Gritty.

Read this today lying out in the sun; devoured it one tense sitting.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Angelhead-Brothers-Descent-into-Madness/dp/0226067645/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342304310&sr=1-1&keywords=bottoms+schizophrenia"]Angelhead: My Brother's Descent into Madness--Greg Bottoms[/ame]

Amazon:
A taut, powerful memoir of madness, Angelhead documents the violent, drug-addled descent of the author's brother, Michael, into schizophrenia. Beginning with Michael's first psychotic break—seeing God in his suburban bedroom window while high on LSD—Greg Bottoms recounts, in gripping, dramatic prose, the bizarre disappearances, suicide attempts, and the shocking crime that land Michael in the psychiatric wing of a maximum security prison. A work of nonfiction with the form and imagery of a novel, Angelhead enables the reader to witness not only the fragmenting of a mind, but of a family as well.

Just finished "Blood Noir" by Laurell K. Hamiltong (Anita Blake series)

*Waiting to start "Skin Trade" by Laurell K. Hamilton (17th book in the Anita Blake series) for when SS (f) gets home so we can read that one together*

Just started "Eleven On Top" by Janet Evanovich

Just finished Fire Monks by Colleen Morton Busch. It's about the fire that threatened the Tassajara Zen Center in 2008. Disappointing. Not recommended.

It is interesting and noble that monks and others saved most of the buildings when a forest fire rolled through. But so much of the book was about petty decision-making drama, which is part of all organizations' lives, especially when in crisis, but does not make for a good read.

I am sure the five monks who stayed to the end and actually fought the fire are interesting people, but I got little sense of who they are.

I can't believe the SF Chronicle said it was one of the best books of the year. They were probably just enamored of the story behind it all. Or personally acquainted with the author. *snark* (Tassajara is one of the SF Zen Center's retreat locations and its major cash cow.)

Hey :) Would you recommend either? I'm looking for good stuff to read....

Currently reading:

Tuesday Night Miracles - Kris Radish

..it's an emotional ride so far.

And on CD in the car this week:

77 Shadow Street - Dean Koontz

..the exact opposite of the other book, lol.

Per Mizta Metro...I'm now reading "THE FOUNTAINHEAD" by Ayn Rand.

In my spare time, I've been scoring my own music:
reading from other texts of music,
developing my own style,
fine tuning my keys,
pitch,
melodies.

Just finished the 5th book in Game of Thrones series. Next on the reading list is "Teaching ESL/EFL Reading and Writing"

Stone Butch Blues

1001 Cranes by Naomi Hirahara

and

Wild (from lost to found on the pacific crest trail) a memoir by Cheryl Strayed


...still reading my way through the library's summer reading program. I'm bound and determined to win one of their raffle prizes!! :)

2
 

"Crazy Brave" by Joy Harjo

her autobiography, an example of
strength, and resilience.


"Swimming Studies" by Leanne Shapton

an Olympic trial swimmer...if you love
to swim in the pool, or in the sea...this
is an enjoyable read.

Greco