52 Books

Books: Do they matter?

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:06:21 -0400

This week, Josh sent me an email with this question:

Why does reading books matter? I used to read a lot, but not as much anymore. I really just cannot determine if reading books is at all significant. I will concede that they can be entertaining, but is there any larger point that they have? I’m not so sure.

This was my response:

Why do books matter? I’m not sure that I’m an authority here, but I’ll offer my ideas in the hope that they make sense when read by another person.

I heard some time ago that the reason people couple up and are social is not because we need a partner, but because we need someone to witness our lives. In short, we need someone to know that we were here, that we existed. I think of reading in much the same way. We read in order to bear witness to someone’s words. Even in the most outrageous fiction, the reader is offering some kind of validation to the thoughts of the author. And what is the point of writing (or speaking, even) if there is no one to read it? Of course there is entertainment in what we read, but in the end, I read because I crave the understanding of other people’s lives. How did they live? What did they do? What did they believe? Reading gives me the validation that I’m not crazy and that other people might feel the same way I do.

Because it is a solitary action, reading is very personal. It can take you take you outside of reality and then just as quickly snap you back into it. However, as much as books and reading allow us to have an individual reaction, they can also bring people together. If friends can discuss why they relate to books (or any other media, I guess), it gives them the opportunity to show someone they existed, that they too had thoughts and feelings.

I do not consider myself to be a writer of any traditional sort, but in reading the books I read, maintaining this blog, and meeting the people who follow along, I have found a way to connect to other human beings. Therefore, I hope I have proven that what we all have to say is not only important, but quite valid. Basically, it’s proof that we exist.

So now I ask you: Do books matter? Why?

The Post-It Note Reading Series is one of my new favorite...

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:50:50 -0400

The Post-It Note Reading Series is one of my new favorite websites. Each author writes a short tale, then draws the illustrations on post-it notes. It’s a fun way to see how writers doodle their characters and story.

#40: The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox A couple of weeks ago,...

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:24:00 -0400

#40: The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox

A couple of weeks ago, I received an awesome piece of mail and in it was this book. I picked it out of the bunch because it was about history and crime, two things I almost always enjoy. That being said, the book took a while to finish due it’s length but it was worth it. There were times when my connection to the characters wavered, but on the whole, I think I was able to understand them. The story revolves around a man who plots revenge against a childhood friend and along the way there are romances, secrets, and deceit. Throughout the twists and turns, the reader is introduced to the reasons behind said revenge. In all, I enjoyed the book. I realize this review is vague and hastily written, but there is not much more I have to say.

…and then I took a nap.

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:59:00 -0400

…and then I took a nap.

Hello dream home, it’s nice to meet you. (via...

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:09:46 -0400

Hello dream home, it’s nice to meet you.

(via paperbackgirl)

#39: In My Skin by Kate Holden In this book, Australian author...

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:25:19 -0400

#39: In My Skin by Kate Holden

In this book, Australian author Kate Holden writes about her life as a heroin addict and prostitute. She never once asks for sympathy, insisting that the reader only follow along. As I continued through Holden’s story, I found myself discovering many traits in her that were admirable. Heroin is an incredibly difficult substance to stop using and prostitution is usually looked down upon by the general public. However, it seems that Holden was able to stay true to herself even as she struggled against the temptations of the drug culture. She was lucky to have an incredibly supportive family (unfortunately, many people do not) and a group of friends that helped when she was ready. What I took away from reading In My Skin was not so much a lesson learned against drugs and sex, but that the events in this book happen all over the world. The more we see people in these situations as human beings with strengths as well as weaknesses, change can happen for the better.

Side note: One of the ways Holden was able to eventually stop using heroin was by using methadone, a synthetic opiate. This method is sometimes controversial because it can have difficult side effects and withdrawal symptoms. However, it seems that Holden was able to use methadone quite effectively and with success. For me, it was helpful to read a first hand experience of the medication and how it can be useful in one’s life.

‘Llectuals: Girls Gone Wilde (via Kottke)

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:42:03 -0400

‘Llectuals: Girls Gone Wilde

(via Kottke)

You know what’s awesome? Mail!

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:04:28 -0400

You know what’s awesome? Mail!

Real quick:

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:33:50 -0400

furth:

52books:

Can someone tell me how to clean the lens of a Canon Powershot camera? I think I might have messed up…

The glass on the outside:

A microfiber cloth or lens tissue. If it’s something a little more permanent you’ll need a little lens fluid. Just a drop or two. Try to avoid canned air because the chemicals can strip off the coating on the lens leaving it a mess.

http://moderation.tumblr.com/ has a powershot. If crap is inside the lens I’m not sure how to get it out.

Thank you! I used the same cloth I use to clean my glasses and it worked great.

Coldplay - Swallowed in the Sea And I could write a book The one...

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:24:16 -0400

Coldplay - Swallowed in the Sea

And I could write a book

The one they’ll say that shook

The world and then it took

It took it back from me

"I want to edit the Neville Longbottom article on wiki from “Neville Longbottom is a round-faced..."

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:42:19 -0400

“I want to edit the Neville Longbottom article on wiki from “Neville Longbottom is a round-faced Gryffindor student in Harry’s year.” to “Neville Longbottom is a round-faced BAMF in Harry’s year,” and then cite the page where he chops off Nagini’s head.”

- my friend Ben (via scout)

This is the best idea I have heard all day.

from Ratatouille

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:21:41 -0400

Emile: W-w-wait. You read?
Remy: Well, not excessively.
Emile: Oh, man. Does dad know?
Remy: You could fill a book - a lot of books - with things Dad doesn't know. And they have. Which is why I read. Which is also our secret.
Emile: I don't like secrets. All this cooking and-and reading and TV-watching, while we read and cook. It's like you're involving me in crime and I let you. Why do I let you?

#38: The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World...

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:14:00 -0400

#38: The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan

Michael Pollan books seem to be all the rage these days so I decided to take a look into his socio-organic world. When I started reading I developed the annoying habit that often comes when reading non-fiction, I looked at my friends and continually asked “Did you know that…”. Learning about the basic history of some of the simplest plants and food did not seem inviting at first, but Pollan writes in a manner that grabs attention from the get go. The four chapters of the book discuss apples, tulips, marijuana, and potatoes. All of these plants have had a profound effect on our country’s history, but also the way in which we look at nature. It also, interestingly enough, shows what we like and what we don’t. I bought this book used and the only chapter with notes in the margin was the one about marijuana. So what did I take from the book? I now have an appreciation for the evolution of nature in the sense that it is has grown to accommodate us even as we continuously find ways to break it down. I’ll probably pick up another Pollan book this year, but on the other hand I’ll probably also eat some McDonald’s french fries. So we’ll see how that goes…

I want this book. (via)

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:26:00 -0400

I want this book. (via)

rainy summer saturday

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:36:58 -0400

rainy summer saturday

Best book title seen on the subway today:

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:48:54 -0400

How To Find The Will To Do What You Need To Do

It's Hot!

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:45:42 -0400

It’s hot!
I can’t get cool,
I’ve drunk a quart of lemonade,
I think I’ll take my shoes off
And sit around in the shade.

It’s hot!
My back is sticky,
The sweat rolls down my chin.
I think I’ll take my clothes off
And sit around in my skin.

It’s hot!
I’ve tried with ‘lectric fans,
And pools and ice cream cones.
I think I’ll take my skin off
And sit around in my bones.

It’s still hot!

-A relevant summer poem by Shel Silverstein

paperbackgirl: Wasserman: Right. And do you remember what it was about the physical contact with...

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:18:45 -0400

paperbackgirl:

Wasserman: Right. And do you remember what it was about the physical contact with books which seemed to be so exciting for you?

Bradbury: A lot of it is the smell of books. There are—a lot of those bookstores were used bookstores. Some were high-quality used books and new publications, but the other bookstores were … a lot of used books, and there’s thousands of them in there, and they were covered with dust and the smell of ancient Egypt. So, you go into a used bookstore and surprise yourself. Surprise in life should be everything. You shouldn’t know what you’re doing. You should go into a bookstore to be surprised and changed. So the bookstores change you and reveal new sides of yourself. That’s the importance of a used bookstore.

It has been said over and over again, but there is nothing like the smell of a bookstore.

Trailer: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. November is...

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:24:00 -0400

Trailer: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

November is going to be a good month - I can feel it.

#37: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John...

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:27:00 -0400

#37: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil stands as having some of the most vibrant characters I have read about in a while. It’s a true story about Savannah, Georgia and the murder trial of prominent social figure Jim Williams. My favorite character in the book, however, is Lady Chablis. She’s a transvestite lounge singer who is often found saying things like, “Oooooooo child” and “I don’t mix clientele”. The writing allows for Lady Chablis and the entire population of Savannah to come alive on the page, making it easy to follow along through endless legal blunders and society misgivings. I’m also getting to the point where my love for true crime books is growing at astronomical rates, so be prepared for a few more mystery books this year.

Side note: Although this book was made into a movie with a pretty good cast and ~~excellent~~ mediocre reviews, I’m kind of burnt out on books that have been made into movies. The read-and-watch turn around is getting kind of old.