Lexical Light

22 Books

Before I install the external hard drive, I needed to clear a spot for it on the desk. Clearing a pile of books is a place to start. Of course, I couldn't just take them upstairs. I had to enter them in my Library Thing account first. Some may not understand the satisfaction of such a thing, but some of you may empathize.

For an added dose of nerdage, I have two Library Thing accounts, one for books I own and one for books I've read. (I have the "read" books in the left sidebar of this blog. I'll add the "own" books on the right later.) Books make me happy.

What & Where I'm Reading

I have to read more than one book at a time. I used to get uptight about it, feeling like it was some form of ADD or lack of character. Today it dawned on me one reason read several books at a time is because toting the same book from place to place doesn't work for me. Because I have to grab snippets of time to read, I've strategically placed books so I can pick up a current read whenever I can. I've found I actually finish books if they have a designated spot. So, here's a quick rundown of what & where I'm reading:
(Note there are two "other libraries". If I had three bathrooms there would be another.)

Downstairs bathroom: One Tough Mother: It's Time to Step Up and Be the Mom by Julie Barnhill. An easy read with a balance of a kick in the pants, empathy and practical advice. I've jokingly said I want to grow up and be a black grandmother because I admire the truth in the stereotype of Madea. Two things will prevent that - I'm not black and I'm not tough. There's no pigment changing procedures in my future, but I do need to step up certain aspects of my mom role.

Upstairs bathroom:  Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas, by Michka Assayas. Bono's one of my favorite lyricists, though he doesn't pass part of the Bill Gothard criteria (examine their lifestyle) for musicians.

Swimming pool: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Definitely not an easy read, for me at least. Not being one to finish a book if I don't like it, I'm determined to finish this one. In between the apparent rabbit trails is a powerful story.

Kitchen Table: Usually whatever is reserved for the downstairs bathroom. I've learned to keep that book on a bookcase outside the lavatory instead of on the back of the commode.

Van: Nothing right now. Definitely needs to be an easy read.

Generally I don't read before going to bed, but if I do, I grab the current selection from the upstairs loo.

Is there a list of books in this book of lists?

I'm quite the list maker. Not that I finish doing things on my list, but I like making the list. I guess it makes me feel a bit in control - at least on paper. Now I can read a book of other people's lists, Sasha Cagen's 2nd book, To Do List.

Sasha first did a magazine of lists from 2000 - 2003. In 2005 she started a blog collecting people's to do lists. On November 6 of this year she released a book of 100 TDLs. No doubt her publication of the book was influenced by the success of the blog.

BTW, if you want to contribute a list to Sashas' blog, she's still accepting them.

Maybe Dave should do a Top Ten List compiled from Sahsa's book.

HT: Blogger Buzz, the blogger.com blog.

Different Books - One Message

Household chores, postmodern culture and a PBS show for preschoolers. Different topics, one underlying theme - follow, imitate, cling to and know Jesus. How does that happen? It starts with reading His Word and praying. Three of the books I've been reading lately are all pointing me in that direction, though I didn't read them for that purpose. I hear you, Daddy.

Book Tour: Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture

Mary E. DeMuth was one of the first blogging writers I discovered, way back in 2005. Upon finding her blog, Relevant Blog (I think it was Relevant Girl back then), and her Relevant Prose news letter because both contain easily digested info for writers. Now, I'm thrilled to help spread the word about her latest book, Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture.

Don't let the phrase "postmodern culture" scare you. Mary gives a quick explanation of the idea and how it has influenced American culture and American churches. Additionally, the subtitle, "Practical Help for Shaping Your Children's Hearts, Minds and Souls," assures you it's not merely a lofty, idealogical book on parenting. Instead, it's quite user friendly. I've been reading it over breakfast the past few days and it's a lovely compliment to my Berrylicious Oatmeal. For more a bit more about the common sense parenting approach Mary conveys, read this Practical Tips post. 

You can go to Amazon for more info about the book and check out Mary's site, Relevant Prose, for more info from her and about her.

About the blog tour:
I've received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in return for writing a few posts about it. For a list of other blogs on the tour, go here.

MotherStyles Book: It's a Hit

Rarely do I leap to buy a book. I usually see if either the RR or Austin library has it or check Half Price books, but I got all crazy last week. I ordered a book from Amazon, with no Super Saver Shipping, because of the author's blog and website. What caused such mayhem?

Janet Penley's MotherStyles book. I got the book yesterday and wasn't disappointed. The few chapters I've read have been incredibly enlightening. I'm enjoy a good personality profile and some of them have helped me in different ways. I don't think any of them have helped me as much as this one.

I posted earlier this week about the Energy Plan Based on Personality Styles she gave as a gift for subscribing to her newsletter. The information on the plan, her site and her blog impacted me so much I had to have the book.

BTW, if you decided to buy the book you can click through the picture below and I'll get an eensy bit of $ because I'm an Amazon Associate. Gracias.

Posting from the Library

Why am I posting from the library? Because I can. Yes, I'm a geek. During my blog presentation at the ETCWC I mentioned you could blog about whatever interested you. I thought out loud it would be fun to do a weekly post from my local library. (Not that anyone would read it.) Alas, it will have to wait until a different season in my life. For now, I'll stick with the occasional post from RR's sacred stacks. 

(Downside of posting at the library: they use Internet Explorer, so I don't have my friendly Firefox "Open New Tab" option for links. I tried to open a new window in IE, but couldn't get to it. Oh, well. We'll go w/out hyperlinks in this post.)

Back to the library. Emily and I ran up here so she could turn in her reading log. Our library has an awesome summer reading program filled with fun activities, goodie bags for each 25 books/5 hours read and the fabulous end of program party with Joe McDermott. All the kids got their logs on Tuesday, June 5th. Everybody had finished their first log (25 books/5 hours) by Thursday. Emily had finished 100 books by Saturday. Obviously, some of them were quite short. (I told her she could only read the board books once and after her first 25 books, no more board books.) Her and Alexa both read to Kara. Aaron fininshed Harry Potter, Book One, this morning. (when he finds a book he likes, he can read for hours at a time.)

Okay, I'm about to get kicked off the library computer. Better go save my post and get Em to the checkout. Rock on, readers.

It's National D.E.A.R. Day! Hooray!

Anyone know what D.E.A.R. is? I'll give you a few seconds and a hint - it's not Don't Eat a Reader.*

It's Drop Everything And Read. Today is the 2nd Annual National Drop Everything And Read Day. Why April 12th? Because it's Beverly Cleary's birthday. Why her birthday? Per the DEAR site:
   

"Beverly Cleary receives thousands of letters a year from young readers, many who have participated in D.E.A.R. at school. Their interest in and enthusiasm for this special reading activity inspired Mrs. Cleary to give the same experience to Ramona Quimby, who gets to enjoy D.E.A.R. time with the rest of her class in Ramona Quimby, Age 8."

In addition to Emily's birthday, we'll celebrate National DEAR Day by reading instead doing our usual schoolwork. Hooray!

FYI, the DEAR site has loads of activities to host your own DEAR celebration. I'll have to do that later in the summer, once birthday season has passed.

*1000 points to cite the source for Don't Eat a Reader

March Madness and Dewey

The Dewey Blog is awesome, baby! My eyes almost rolled back in my head with bliss as I read the recent entry on March Madness. Combining my favorite sporting event with the Dewey Decimal system on a blog was almost too much.

I am indeed a geek w/a capital G, capital EEK! Imagine what would happend if I were spending this weekend in the Library Hotel on the 700 floor, though it seems they don't have a room for the sports part of the 700-799 section, Arts & Recreation.

One day I shall vacation there. Perhaps I will even enjoy a March Madness retreat there in 10 or 15 years. 

Updating My Library Thing

I've changed one of my Typelists from "Books I've Read in 2006" to "Books I've Read Since 2006." I was going to create a new list each year, but figured I'd save myself the trouble. If someone is really interested in what I read each year, it can be sorted when viewing my list in LibraryThing. LibrayThing is so cool. One of my favorite books I've run across this year is Sacred Stacks: The Higher Purpose of Libraries and Librarianship. (Man, it's $32 at Amazon. Better keep an eye out for it at Half Price.)