The way I read is similar to the way I eat: sporadic, thoroughly disorganized, and just as likely to occur in the car on the way somewhere as while I’m sitting down. And just so you know, I’m not joining Deb Kristy in the “reading on the road” club — trust me, my driving is dangerous enough without that. I listen to a lot of books because I know I’d never get to them otherwise and because, let’s face it, L.A. traffic is a bitch.
Because I also read at night, I’m usually in the middle of several books at a time, and while this form of disjointed reading couldn’t possibly be the best way to experience a story — and certainly isn’t what the writer intended — it seems to be happening with ever-increasing regularity, as I get busier and my book buying habits don’t decrease to accomodate this change.
Another thing: I have to absolutely be in love with whatever it is I’m reading and if I’m not, I simply can’t finish. This all-or-nothing personality I have makes book buying the least economical thing I do (there are literally entire shelves of books that have only been half or even just a quarter read). Essentially, if I’m not obsessed, I’m not reading.
That being said, here are a few that are in rotation right now:
Eat Pray Love — I finally jumped on the bandwagon with this one. Despite the fact that I’m quite jealous of Elizabeth Gilbert for getting an advance so that she could travel around the world and find herself, she’s such a beautiful, honest, and likable writer that I’m able to work through these feelings. Added bonus: she reads the downloadable version and her voice is just as sweet as her prose.
The Royal Nonesuch — A guy I went to high school with wrote this memoir about his time searching for success in the Hollywood underweird and there are enough amusing situations and references to people I know to make his bizarre journey both droll and interesting.
The Between Boyfriends Book — Cindy Chupack, who I’ve unofficially designated my mentor (though I haven’t told her that) — I know her because she has what I consider to be the best essay in the Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys anthology I wrote a piece for — did this book of essays when she had finished Sex and the City and was still single. Equal parts original zingers and wait-I-thought-I-was-the-only-one-to-ever-experience that moments.
London Fields. Not the first time. Just as brilliant as always. Toying with the idea of creating a character who’s thoroughly deplorable in every way. Nicola Six will always be the ultimate inspiration for this.
Now if could just plan my meals a bit better.
I adore listening to books. The best thing is my library now has books you can download onto your iPod.
A “book” on your iPod might work for some, but not for me. If I can’t hold, smell and read pages, it’s not the real thing.
Yeah, I’m with Larramie. I’ve tried to do books on tape when I’ve got a long road trip, but I either get too distracted listening to it and get lost or I catch myself not paying attention because I’m looking out the window and lose “my place” in the book.
Plus, I like the tactileness (don’t think that’s a word) of holding a book, turning the pages, snooping at the acknowledgements, etc.
I have to admit that I, too, am a huge fan of EAT, PRAY, LOVE – she’s a fabulous writer and I loved being with her on her journey. That being said, I no longer have any interest in joining an ashram, and it’s made me miss Bali all the more (I haven’t been to Italy so I have no reference point either way)…
The only book I’ve listened to is Lamb’s She’s Come Undone, and I thought it was terrific and vowed to get more books on tape. That was about five years ago. Not sure why I never kept my vow! I do have Pride & Prejudice on my iPod right now. Maybe I’ll go lie down and have me a listen…thanks for reminding me!
I had a crazy time watching Ketut! I went to Bali a few years ago and met a medicine man named Made who also had no teeth! -Tanya Gemarin