Making it Up As I Go

First of all, I have no idea why I’m awake right now. I should be asleep. But I’m not.

Second, I have no idea why it’s the beginning of March and I’ve only read 7 books. Actually, that’s not true, I know exactly why. It just seems like I should have finished a whole bunch more, seeing as my to-read pile is about 15 feet high. Don’t you hate that? It’s like being in a room full of screaming babies and you have to decide which one to pick up first. Ok, so it’s not always like that, but recently it has been. So many books I want to read, all competing for my attention.

Sooooo, this is what I’ve read since the middle of February.

Frankly My Dear, I’m Dead by Livia J. Washburn: This is what the title sounds like, a mystery centering around Gone with the Wind- or rather, a Gone with the Wind tour. The man playing Rhett Butler is murdered, the woman running the tour has to figure out who did it. It was cute, kinda light, but enjoyable.

I Love Dirt by Jennifer Ward: This is basically a collection of activities to do with kids outside. Most of them are pretty common sense, but there were a couple that were pretty innovative and sounded fun- like talking about nests and then trying to make one out of things birds would use. Apparently it’s not as easy as it sounds. I’ll be doing some of them with Z.

Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage: If you didn’t know I was reading this, you must be new to the blog. I don’t really think I have any more to say about it. (A collective sigh of relief is heard.) 🙂

Six Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak by writers famous and obscure: This is a pretty cool little gimmick book. Inspired by Hemingway’s heartbreaking six word story: “For Sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.” , Smith Magazine asked people to send in their six word stories. There’s actually another volume of six word memoirs, but this one focuses on love and loss. The quality of the stories varies, some aren’t quite as evocative at conjuring up a complete “story”, they’re more six word statements, but some are really quite poignant. My favorite was “Inevitably, his obituary didn’t mention me.”

So, I’m at a grand total of 7. Woo hoo. Upcoming and screaming for my attention are:
Anecdotes of Destiny by Isak Dinesen (I will finish this one next, because it’s the one I’ve actually started)
The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Mike Pollan (I think that’s his name, I’m too lazy to go check)
Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
Bright Young People by D.J. Taylor (this one might get an unfair bump up to the front of the line. But the 1920s! London! Shiny! History! )
Playful Parenting by Lawrence Ferris
Walden by Henry Thoreau
and a couple of others.
I need a week to just read non-stop and make them all stop screaming at me. Does this sound crazy? I’m kind of starting to suspect that maybe it does. I’m going to go to bed. Feel free to cast your vote for which book I should read next. Or suggest a new one. Why not? Add a voice to the madness. 🙂