Book Binge

Anyone else noticed that there are lots of books out there right now that look incredibly readable and awesome?

I keep a list of books that I want to read and a list of books that I have read this year (so I can keep track of trying to reach my goal of reading 80 books this year. Everyone keeps telling me that its impossible seeing as I'm employed again). My list of books to read is getting out of control. Part of that probably has to do with the fact that every time I go to the book store or www.bookdepository.com to buy new books (have you been to the bookdepository.com yet? No?! Why not?!?! You don't like free shipping and impossibly cheap books??), I buy books that aren't on my list.

I'm a literary magpie. Distracted by the new and shiny.

(As an aside, a colleague just walked by and remarked that it felt like a Friday, I agreed and reminded both of us that it was in fact only Wednesday and then let out a sound I can only describe as a monosyllabic shriek of pain and hysteria, poorly disguised as laughter. Just wanted to mention that)

So here's what we're going to do today. I'm going to mention a few of the titles that I have on my To Read list and you're going to tell me if you've read them, also have them on your list and/or what you think/thought of them. I'd like to say that I this will help me pare down my list but it probably won't. Its something new to do though right? We like novelty?

Speaking of novelty (another aside) next week my office is having a pub night. In the office. I know that for you creative folk out there, that's just a regular Tuesday night happening. But I've only worked in non-creative industries so far (how did that even happen?) and this has never happened before. I'm excited.

Right. Books.

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake. It has been on my list for so long I don't even remember what its about. I also really like the cover. Don't act like you don't choose books based on the cover. Even though we're told not to, we totally do.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave. Another one that I really liked the cover of and can't remember what its about. An orphan I think? Chris Cleave has a 2nd book out now as well, Incendiary. I think its a sequel? I feel like an a-hole that I'm not more prepared.

Nomad by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Read her first book Infidel. Have to find out how things turned out for her no? Just came out in paperback. Excited.

Last Days at the Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger. She wrote The Devil Wears Prada. Which is actually my least favourite of her books, though its still fun. Lindsay Lohan loves the Chateau Marmont, I need the inside scoop. I'm allowed a dose of chick lit every once in a while, my recent reads have included a book on the psychology of dogs, The Age of Reason and the everlasting Daniel Deronda (I still love George Eliot but it might be 2012 before I give Romola a go [its sitting on my shelf untouched and like Daniel Deronda before it, an attempt has been made at reading before it was unceremoniously abandoned]).

The Strange Case of the Dog at Midnight by Mark Haddon. I came across this one when I was trying to find a title that my book club might want to read. We've since settled on other titles, but I still want to give this one a go. Anyone read it? The cover (I'm a visual person ok?) looks like The Five People You Meet In Heaven, which I didn't read. Should that be on my list too?

OK I think that's plenty to be going on with. Oh oh! Queen by Right by Anne Easter Smith is coming out very soon! Have you read her other books? If you love historical fiction and bodice ripping you will love these! The King's Grace, Daughter of York and A Rose for the Crown are the other books. Less Tudors, more York. Yes.

Bookclub pick for next month is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I've heard excellent things. Its in the mail on its way to me. From the bookdepository.com. I can't stress enough, guys, how great this website is for the booklovers out there.

I eagerly await your feedback. Otherwise I guess I'm off for a book binge.