The first thing--Reading great books--has kept me a Night Owl since my earliest memories. My mom claims it is because I was strong willed when I was little, and refused to go to sleep early. She would allow me to stay up reading as late as I wanted--as long as I stayed in bed. For that punishment, I would like to say THANK YOU, MOM! I have a lifetime of good reading already under my belt because I stay up (way too late) reading in bed every night! (Yes, Dad, some of that reading is my Bible!!! Currently the Chronological Bible.)
I will confess that my late-night reading has been severely hampered by this little ole' blog. Since I blog after my kids go to bed (my kids, who are also Night Owls, I might add), I didn't read one single book for the first 3 months of blogging. That is the longest I have ever gone in my whole life without reading a book! And, I truly missed it! I have lately tried to do a better job of writing and planning earlier in the day, so that my nighttime blogging doesn't take as long.
So, what am I joyfully reading now that I'm reading again? Well, I am so glad you asked!
Just finished reading:
Almost Midnight by Michael Cuneo - This book was borrowed, and had been nagging me from my nightstand for a couple of months! This is a true murder/courtroom story set in our beloved Branson, MO, area--and is about a family that I was acquainted with about 20 years ago. It is a fascinating story intertwined with some Branson history, local characters, redemption, and even Pope John Paul, II.
Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford - I have a wonderful aunt, who is also a voracious reader, and who sends me whole boxes of books--glorious boxes of books like this little gem! (Thank you, Aunt Nancy!!) I had heard great things about this book, so I picked it from one of those goodie boxes of books. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Here's a little secret about me--I am fascinated by, and love reading books about Asian culture. This book is about a Chinese American boy meets American Japanese girl at the height of WWII--just before Japanese families in California were shipped off to internment camps. Just like the title, this book is both bitter and very sweet!
Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist - I am just realizing how funny it is that I read the above book right before I got my greatly-anticipated copy of Bittersweet in the mail! Now, just because I know Shauna in real life, and also really really like her, does not cloud my judgment about her book one bit! Seriously--and here is why I know: I do not re-read books. I know some people do, but once I read a book, I'm done. But, with Shauna Niequist's newest Bittersweet, and also her earlier Cold Tangerines, I mark favorite chapters and passages, and refer back to them more than once. I talk to my friends about thought-provoking things I read in her books, and I write in my journal about the more private feelings her book inspires in me. Reading Bittersweet is just like sitting across the dinner table with Shauna--catching up with a dear friend about the good and the bad that life sometimes throws our way, and leaving dinner feeling refreshed and energized by the stimulating conversation, and also encouraged from being with a friend who is real, and who has been through the same junk I have. BEWARE: You'll devour this book with the delicious cover in mere days--and you won't be ready for it to be over!
What I'm currently reading:
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott - Okay, I'll be really transparent here. I read a well-written blog post by another friend recently, and immediately went to Amazon to purchase a book on writing. Okay, so I ended up purchasing 3...but I did get free shipping! I had previously read Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies, and loved the way it changed my expectation of what a Christian should "look like." Anne Lamott's writing reads like the kind of person I would be thrilled to meet, but probably would end up feeling intimidated by her enormously free spirit (and also her politics!) I am painfully aware that my writing needs lots of trimming and red ink delete, delete, delete's. These 3 books on writing are my attempt to whittle at the writing. (Warning: If coarse language offends you, don't read Anne Lamott. You'll definitely miss out, but I'd rather you not cuss me out for recommending her!)
What is on my nightstand, to read next:
On Writing by Stephen King - How funny that I am so excited to read a book on writing by an author whose work I have never actually read! To be honest, I have always been a bit afraid to read King's writing--literally! I mean, his movie The Shining scares the pants off me, even to think about it! (Anybody else freak out at the "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" scene?) Supposedly, On Writing is half memoir, half writing instruction. I am a sucker for a good memoir--especially if it hints at reasons King chose to write about such thrilling, scary topics.
On Writing Well by William Zinsser - I am a sucker for the Amazon Reviews and "What did customers ultimately buy?" section...hence, the On Writing Well purchase. According to the reviews, this book will change my life, and help me lose weight. (Okay, maybe not the lose weight part. I think I might have to give up Gummi Bears and Coca-Cola for that)
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton - A book loaned, and highly recommended by a dear friend. Can't wait to sink into it.
.....
I'm looking for fabulous, fluffy BEACH READ recommendations! I have a girls' beach trip this Fall, and would love to know your recommendations!!! Please, nothing serious or philosophical. I need something fun--that is even quotable or good beach discussion-fodder!
I'd also love to know if there are any must-reads that I should add to my regular reading to-do list. I need to add a visual bookshelf to my sidebar...that's on my list of things to figure out. I'm still such a blogging newbie!
(Did you notice that I only listed "The first thing" that keeps Night Owls up every night? You'll have to wait on the edge of your seat to hear about the 2nd thing...)
The end. Goodbye and good night, good people. I've got a book to read.
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