What I’m Not Reading
Today I packed the contents of my nightstand.
(I use the phrase “of my nightstand” loosely, because in my mind, that includes, but is not limited to, the area on top of it, beside it, and also the immediate area under my bed that serves as a place for books and other paraphernalia that won’t fit in, on, or beside my nightstand.)
Among other less notable things, I discovered I had 20 books next to my bed.
20.
What’s more interesting than the fact that I keep 20 books next to my bed is the sheer variety of subjects and genres represented by those 20 books.
Just for kicks, I thought I’d list them out here. I think the titles alone are pretty entertaining, but then again, they are my books.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
What Not To Wear (Trinny Woodall/Susannah Constantine)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (J.K. Rowling)
Come Away My Beloved* (Frances J. Roberts)
Toilet Training in Less Than a Day (Azin/Foxx)
Becoming a Woman of Excellence* (Cynthia Heald)
Patriarchs (Beth Moore)
The Wounded Heart (Dan Allender)
I am not myself these days. (Josh Kilmer-Purcell)
When People Are Big and God is Small (Ed Welch)
The Two-Income Trap (Elizabeth Warren/Amelia Tyagi)
The Bible (two of them!)
Walking the Bible* (Bruce Feiler)
Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora Neale Hurston)
Under the Tuscan Sun (Frances Mayes)
Live Good (compilation of encouraging words)
The ACLU vs. America* (Alan Sears/Craig Osten)
Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave (Ed Welch)
Ground Beef Cookbook
NY Times Formidable but Fun Crosswords (Will Shortz)
A Kitchen Safari: Stories and Recipes from the African Wilderness
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
* Have never even cracked open except to peruse in Barnes and Noble
Sadly, upon further notice, it appears that I have actually only read to completion 2 of the 20. They appear in bold.
Oh, and as for “What Not to Wear”, it’s a book of the original BBC TV show shown above, not the lowly American version with catty Stacy and equally catty Clinton, who seem to undermine the last vestiges of self-esteem in those poor people who are unfortunate enough to have bad wardrobes, make unflattering or otherwise unseemly clothing choices, and mean friends who nominate them for the show.
Oh, and now that I’m considering those 2 that I read, it should be noted that “I am not myself these days” was so disturbing and perverse that I could not put it down, though I wish I had. Such a let down.
As for the list in full, I’m not sure what exactly it says about me, except that I have eclectic reading tastes, and have interesting friends that give interesting books.
Any other conclusions you may draw for yourself.
(But, by all means, be sure and share them if it will give us all a good laugh.)
Filed under: General, Catbird, Random Thoughts on January 17th, 2007
You’ve gotta read the Harry Potter! I can loan you the rest after you finish the first. They only get better!
You have cookbooks in your bedroom?? That’s interesting. I have a LOT of cookbooks, but I don’t think any are in my bedroom.
Under the Tuscan Sun is one of my favorite books. Frances Mayes has such an ease about her writing. Reading her book made me want to jump on a plane and head to Tuscany! AND the book is far, far superior to the movie.
Okay, I’ve counted how many books are on my nightstand and I have 34. Yes, 34. I did not count how many I have read, because it’s irrelevant. Some people, I’m not saying that I attest to this belief, but some do say that this is a sign of ADD. So, ask yourself, as I am asking myself, “Do I have ADD.” No, I’m a prolific reader. Thank you for being you and for being so willing to share. May God richly bless you and thank God for having included you in my life.
I have 6 on one night stand, and 6 on the other. I like to spread things out evenly. =)
I myself have NONE near my bed because if I read in bed I can’t sleep.
I agree with Bonnie that it’s sort of strange to have cookbooks in your bedroom.
I’ve always enjoyed your blog, but now that this will be my primary form of communication, I’m even more thankful for it. So you’d better be blogging like crazy after you move!
The books by my bed have one purpose only - to help put me to sleep. If a book is any good at all it never makes it to the bed.
Having said that, I’m not going to embarrass myself by counting books laying around. Needless to say, Vivian says I have way too many books laying around [translation: they’re in her way when she’s dusting].
I don’t have a nightstand, but do have a couple books I’m currently reading on the end tables by the loveseat where I always nurse Coriena.