What are you reading?

[Kätzchen]

Originally Posted by aishah

actually i lied, i promised my friend i'd read forty rules of love first, so that's next

"Forty Rules of Love First" has got to be the next book I get at Powells
(for summer reading).

Thank you, aishah.

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I am about a quarter of the way into the newest book I've been reading lately.

Boo, Catherine (Jan 2012). Behind the beautiful forevers. New York, NY: Random House Publishers. NYTs review (LINK).

When I'm through reading this book, I'm taking a break from reading books that are new to me. I like to sit and meld with them. I record notes in mine (thoughts I have while reading certain passages)... What about any of you here: do you find yourself doing that too?

[aishah]

it's just called "forty rules of love" and it's by turkish author elif shafak (i said 'first' because i meant i have to read it first before i read drag king dreams...hehe!) i started it earlier this evening though and it's really wonderful! and you're welcome.
http://www.elifshafak.com/kitaplar/the_frol.asp

how do you like "behind the beautiful forevers"?

• Memoirs of Munich by Jones.T, Cooper.D, and Butler.R.A.
• The Origins of the Second World War by Taylor.A.J.P.
• Munich, The Appeasement Crisis by Faber.D

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by Kätzchen

"When I'm through reading this book, I'm taking a break from reading books that are new to me. I like to sit and meld with them. I record notes in mine (thoughts I have while reading certain passages)... What about any of you here: do you find yourself doing that too?

I really like to re-read books. I make notes in mine and underline and star and heck I even bend pages. When I reread books I am often struck by what I skimmed over, and what I thought was important at that time. I like to learn something *again*.

I primarily read non-fiction, but I do confess a love for collections of short stories in the fantasy realm. My two favorite editors are Terri Windling and Ellen Datlow. If their names are on it, I am going to like it. I also like some of Jeffrey Ford's work. He has one short (I am sure it was him) called "Kate the Lion Tailed Girl" that I retold at a Pagan Festival in the fall... the audience loved it. I just wish I had a costume befitting it...

Like you Katzchen I meld with my books. If they are super good, and not on loan from the library, they will stay by my bedside for weeks. Sometimes they get covered by other books, but buried underneath, is a warm feeling wrapped up in pages and words.

[Kätzchen]

~>> aishah & foxyshaman: when reading any particular book or article, I generally set aside my internal wiring (biases, etc) and read what is before me; as neutrally as possible with the eyes of a child (a child like wonder - Rachel Carson). After I have read the entire book or article, I then go back and re-read with whatever particular application of lens is necessary to help me understand the authors' particular views or other pertinent issues within that particular context of writing (genre, style of writing, method of claim delivery, etc).

When I finish my first reading of Catherine Boo's book on life in a Dubai slum, I'll go back and re-read in a critical fashion as I examine issues set forth in her text and make notes on things that may share sets of interests I study at an academic level. Usually by the time I have read a book for the fourth or fifth time, it's for pleasure - which by then, I've almost memorized the entire contents of said book or article.


~>> Tawse: I could identify with Katniss (re: the more time she had to think about things, the worse off she was. That is soOoOOOooo me, at times). I don't read enough dystopian material to know if THG is the series to top; but if THG is the series to top, then this might explain why I don't read material in this particular genre.

Best Lines Ever (in your post): "as long as you don't assault me - I'll work with you. Heck even if you do assault me, if like the way you write - I'll still work with you" (Tawse).

[Cuddles]

Personally... I'm addicted to the comic strips! Not the marvel, capcom, DC ones... I mean the funny pages comic strips.

Calvin and Hobbes is my absolute favorite, hands down. I grew up reading Bill Watterson's epic comic strip and own the whole set. I've reread them a dozen times and I love to draw C&H comics.

I also have the entire libraries of Zits, Baby Blues, For Better or For Worse, Mutts, and some underground/unknown ones.

I do read actual books too... I think I'm still reading "We Need To Talk About Kevin", but I'd have to check my Kindle to see what else is on there.

I'm also a sucker for a good romance book, be it lesbian or not. Romance books taught me a lot about how to please a woman growing up. There was a girl, who was just a friend in HS; we'd skip gym class and sit on the bleachers reading our romance books then when we were done with them we'd trade.

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by Kätzchen

~>> aishah & foxyshaman: when reading any particular book or article, I generally set aside my internal wiring (biases, etc) and read what is before me; as neutrally as possible with the eyes of a child (a child like wonder - Rachel Carson). After I have read the entire book or article, I then go back and re-read with whatever particular application of lens is necessary to help me understand the authors' particular views or other pertinent issues within that particular context of writing (genre, style of writing, method of claim delivery, etc).

When I finish my first reading of Catherine Boo's book on life in a Dubai slum, I'll go back and re-read in a critical fashion as I examine issues set forth in her text and make notes on things that may share sets of interests I study at an academic level. Usually by the time I have read a book for the fourth or fifth time, it's for pleasure - which by then, I've almost memorized the entire contents of said book or article.
[/I](Tawse).

Saying that you inspire me Katzchen would be an understatement. We read differently, but similar. I am a skimmer, always have been. I think that is why I don't read fiction, cause I always just want to 'get to the end'.

I re-read quite a bit because I am a skimmer. I used to be quite different, but I suffered a stroke years ago which completely changed how I process, retain and recall information. I have to re-read something to get it into my brain . I have to take notes, or I cannot retain the information nearly as well. (Yeah kinesthetic learning) I used to have exceptional retention and recall.... alas not anymore. Anyway... I digress. The way that I remember information best is to teach it. I am constantly reading because I am constantly building 'that next workshop' or 'that next lecture' or 'that next ritual', or.... fill in the blank.

Reading this thread is important to me. Not because I am interested in fiction per se, rather I am reminded that reading can be done "just because". I enjoy the different titles. The different authors. The agreement between posters regarding titles, themes, storylines.... this thread is a good human story for me.

[Kätzchen]

I'm on my second cup of coffee now: I'm a kinesthetic learner too, foxyshaman. Well, practically kinesthetic in much of all that is a part of me.

I just realised I mispelled Boo's first name (should be with a K, not a C) and *cough* misplacement of location (not Dubai, but Mumbai).

That's amazing about the stroke you suffered and how you compensate now as a learner in any medium you delve into. My mothers' mom suffered a tremedous stroke before she passed away. Her stroke left her a prisoner in her own body. Seeing her held prisoner was heartbreaking for me - we almost always knew how to communicate with each other via our eyes and a collective memory of everything between us during the time she was imprisoned by her stroke. I miss my grandmother and thank you for conjuring precious memories of her today.

[smouldering]

Stalking Shadows by S.A. Hunter

[Tawse]

Originally Posted by Kätzchen

~>> Tawse: I could identify with Katniss (re: the more time she had to think about things, the worse off she was. That is soOoOOOooo me, at times). I don't read enough dystopian material to know if THG is the series to top; but if THG is the series to top, then this might explain why I don't read material in this particular genre.

Best Lines Ever (in your post): "as long as you don't assault me - I'll work with you. Heck even if you do assault me, if like the way you write - I'll still work with you" (Tawse).

I am not an expert on the genre.. I don't think. lol I've read THG, The Hollowland books (2 so far), Under the Never Sky, and I'm currently reading Enclave. Edited to add: OH yeah and Divergent.. guess the fact that I forgot about it says something. lol

THG was my FIRST - and we all know that we compare everything to our first and that we always remember our first. Ok maybe not - work with me here. Sunshine and rose and all that pukey stuff.

My point is THG was my first time experiencing certain traits for the genre. All stories have Protagonists, Fairy Godmothers, and Antagonists - but I hadn't experienced how these characters would be portrayed in this genre so it was cool watching it unfold. Certain things have proven to be typical of the genre, and certain things have proven to be unique, but THG was the first time I experienced them.

For me - I really like the way the author writes. There was a certain urgency to her writing - I personally felt like I had to keep reading - Katniss was in peril! I needed to read so I could see her happy ending! (no porn smirks please lol)...

Under the Never Sky is second - but it's a far second as far as character attachment - but a very close second as far as plot... there's only been one book so I can't comment on the endings.

Oh something else that may be of note - I HATE reading nonfiction... lol I want my trauma to be all in the pretend world.

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by Tawse

For me - I really like the way the author writes. There was a certain urgency to her writing - I personally felt like I had to keep reading - Katniss was in peril! I needed to read so I could see her happy ending! (no porn smirks please lol)...


Oh something else that may be of note - I HATE reading nonfiction... lol I want my trauma to be all in the pretend world.

I had to comment on this... when I was young, like a teenager into early adulthood, I used to read a good lot of fiction. BUT!!!!! I always had to read the last page BECAUSE I could not stand the anxiety of not knowing if it was all going to work out. It actually caused me physical anxiety. Once I read the last page I could relax and enjoy the story. I don't do that now, but sometimes I can feel that pit in my stomach start to grow and it feels horrible. Now that I do NOT want to analyze

I laughed... trauma in the pretend world.... bbwwwwaaaahhhhaaaaaa.

[Tawse]

I used to do that as well.. but then I learned something about me. Once I know the ending - I stop reading / watching.

I haven't and won't go see Secretariat or Titanic for that reason. The horse wins and the boat sinks. No point.

I even do that with my own stories - if I figure out the endings too fast - hey I'm good, no point in writing the rest out. Oh yeah - seriously. lol

SO - now I refuse to let myself skip to the end. That being said - in my excitement / anxiety I will skim during the dull bits. I seriously do NOT need to read about how you fold your clothes or what fabric they're made of - or how many friggen veins are in that leaf over there. O.o (good grief Anne Rice - stop it!)

Uhm.. I've digressed. Or maybe not...

Ok I'll step away from the mic now lol

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by Tawse

I haven't and won't go see Secretariat or Titanic for that reason. The horse wins and the boat sinks. No point.

ME TOO!!! The fricking boat sinks... end of story....
I even do that with my own stories - if I figure out the endings too fast - hey I'm good, no point in writing the rest out. Oh yeah - seriously. lol

Oddly, many of my own stories and poems start with the end and I write my way backwards. I may be onto something strange about me....

SO - now I refuse to let myself skip to the end. That being said - in my excitement / anxiety I will skim during the dull bits. I seriously do NOT need to read about how you fold your clothes or what fabric they're made of - or how many friggen veins are in that leaf over there. O.o (good grief Anne Rice - stop it!)

Uhm.. I've digressed. Or maybe not...

No, heck I think part of reading is discussing the reading. What frustrates a reader. What excites a reader. What makes you throw the book across the room, watch it hit the wall, fall to the floor and take a week to pick it up... or maybe that is just me... <insert distracting whistle here>
Ok I'll step away from the mic now lol

Okay, but it is here if you have any other entertaining thoughts you want to share...