5/31/10

*Edited Summer Reading List

It only took one short trip to the bookstore to alter my list.  In one hand, a list of books and authors.  In the other hand, a gift card from my dad.  There was no way the afternoon trip on a rainy day could turn out unfavorably.

A brief distraction by the war and history books on sale and a near $9 steal for Gordon Kerr's Leaders Who Changed the World (final verdict: far more wanted books on my list, and not as big as this fat little book).... and it was the fiction section for me.  Who won me over?

The new additions are:
*Lord of the Flies (William Golding) - Never read it (obviously), just like To Kill a Mockingbird.  Cannot hardly wait to read it.
*A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (Dave Eggers) - I've heard mixed reviews of this autobiography (which I am often wary about because often they are an embellishment of the truth and frustrate me as to why they were therefore written), nonetheless, I broke down and am taking a gamble that I will be amused by it and hopefully not be bored by the middle.
*On the Road (Jack Kerouac) - Originally it was his novel Big Sur that caught my attention, but I've found this one to have better reviews and more-so the best of his Beat generation novels.  Here's hoping (note my crossed fingers...)
*Shakedown: How Our Government is Undermining Democracy in the Name of Human Rights (Ezra Levant) - Stoked on this one ever since I saw him open for Anne Coulter (please, keep the boo-ing to a minimum, she's not that bad).
*Book of Negroes (Lawrence Hill) - Since Uncle Tom's Cabin is on my fall reading list (once I find a used copy, it only seems right to buy an old copy that smells like, well, like a book should), this topic is in the back of my mind.  I have heard many great things about this book and far too many people have suggested it to me for me to ignore.  It's in the list, baby.

So, there's my new updated list.  In no particular order.  In between long periods of reading today, I will be making my nephew smile at me and try to get him laughing more (he gets confused when he tries and ends up crying instead, cute little man).
I may also attempt to make some muffins for work this week, although it will be a short one, so perhaps I will make some in Calgs over the weekend.  Zucchini is on my mind so hopefully the Farmer's Market pleases me and I barter for some good wares and produce.
xox

5/8/10

Another Love/Hate Relationship

The Rubik's Cube.

Photo credits: Invader

5/6/10

SAM!! (thanks to Leona for the pic)

Update One:
Proof that Sam was in the condo.  BIG NEWS should have actually been the introduction:
Update two: There is no update two.  I just didn't want to become the Crazy Cat Lady Who Doesn't Even Own A Cat But Rather Takes Enjoyment And Credit For Her Neighbor's Awesome Cat And His Shinannigans.

5/4/10

Summer Reading List, First Draft

Hooookay, here's the thing: my attempts to read during the Christmas break failed miserably.  I have no particular reason in mind, but I assume it is because I tend to procrastinate far more than I should.  Other possible reasons to fall extremely (read: 100%) short of my goal are lack of time due to poor time management, rewatching season 4 disc 2 of One Tree Hill more than once because I was too put out to take it out of my DVD player, the temptation of doing nearly nothing for a few weeks, snowboarding and Whitefish.... the list really does go on.  But in the end, it's sheer procrastination.  Boourns.

Therefore, I propose a new reading list for the summer.  A better, well thought out reading list.  It will contain books I will read for guilty pleasure, to challenge my intellect, and/or because I thought the title or front page were fantastic.  Given the last criterion, I should add Vampirates to the roster, but I may have trouble tracking it down, the tweens will be all over it for a good summer read.  I may be forced to replace it with the Twilight-mockery series.  Tempting, so tempting.  Seriously, they look good (fulfilling the first criterion).

Without further ado and babbling, my first reading list:
1. Finish The Picture of Dorian Gray.  Seriously, it is becoming my Everest, bigger than Guns, Germs and Steel
2. A Swiftly Turning Planet ( a book in Madeleine L'Engle's series, like A Wrinkle in Time)
3. Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse
4. Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut
5. The Wayfinders - Wade Davis (part of the Massey Lectures series.  A Race Against Time was an assigned book for a class last year, and I absolutely loved it.  The way it is written, oh! It is as if you are in a lecture hall listening to the most captivating speech you have ever heard. I highly recommend it, although I give you fair warning that it may slightly depress you.  Nonetheless, amazing.)
6. A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
7. Gods Behaving Badly - Marie Phillips

I will stop there.  Odd numbers are the best to end a list.  As is the number 7.  It is not too high like 9 or 10 (which is even, so clearly out of the picture all together, despite the attraction most feel towards lists being this length) nor is it too simple and well-planned like 5 seems (considering 10 is too large and even, many people find it makes sense to half 10 to 5, but it seems all-too-convenient so I am not a fan of 5-itemed lists).

On a side note, the neighbor's cat, (Sam) has decided to take a liking to the Condo.  It has made two recent treks through the open door and up the stairs, peeking around the corner to jingle his bell and give a quick 'hello' before jaunting off to scratch himself on the sidewalk.  This new step in our relationship pleases me.