Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Thursday Thirteen #26 . . . Last 13 Books I've Read . . .

There just isn't the time to read as much as I'd like or even as much as I did only a couple of years ago. These days I'm too busy writing, marketing or skimming other things (like magazines, newspapers or blogs) to even garner the energy it takes to hunker down with a good book. As painful as it is to admit, sometimes I'll go for weeks, without reading a single book and typically, I don't even finish half of the books I start.

But as the following list suggests, when I do find the time and the engery, I'm very much an eclectic reader. Even though I lean decidedly toward literary fiction, I'm pretty open to some of everything. If you'll look closely, you'll find on my list books by women, men, African Americans, Canadians, dead authors, etc. You will also find a bit of poetry, a couple of essay collections, a mystery, a childrens' book and a love story, penned by none other than yours truly (smile).

While visiting Cleveland in July, I met a young Black woman who'd only recently started reading books that weren't written by African Americans. She said when she'd bring home the non-African American titles, some of her friends & family members would tease her about her reading selections. My jaw dropped when I heard that. The thought that anyone might actually limit themselves to a certain type of book, based on someone else's opinion astounds me. Why limit yourself or care. The world is full of all kinds of books. When it comes to reading, just like eating, the joy for me is sampling a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Anyway, the following list is in no particular order, but I believe it's a fairly accurate accounting of the books I've read (from cover to cover) over the past year or so.

1) Trading Dreams At Midnight (Diane McKinney Whetstone)

2) Savoring The Salt: The Legacy of Toni Cade Bambara (Linda J. Holmes & Cheryl Wall, editors)

3) Family Bible (Melissa J. Delbridge)

4) I Wish I Had A Red Dress (Pearl Cleage)

5) Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (Jeff Kinney)

6) No Time To Die (Grace F. Edwards)

7) The Last Days of Dogtown (Anita Diamant)

8) Wise Blood (Flannery O'Connor)

9) Moral Disorder: And Other Stories (Margaret Atwood)

10) After The Dance (Lori Johnson)

11) Weather Central (Ted Kooser)

12) D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths (Ingri & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire)

13) Deep Sightings and Rescue Missions: Fiction, Essays and Conversations (Toni Cade Bambara)

What was the last book you read? Have you read any of the titles on my list?

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23 comments:

SandyCarlson said...

I want to try No. 7. Diamant is a masterful storyteller. Great list, Lori.

Anonymous said...

Gosh, I haven't read any of these! I need to get on the stick...

Candy Minx said...

I have not only not read any ofthese...I am amazed I haved heard of most of the authors. I feel like I am so "out of it". I read a lot but haven't been browsing in bookstores lately. Your list makes me want to go out and take a look at what is on the shelves. I have read and heard of Atwood though...whew.

Here is my TT list:

p.s. here is my TT list:

http://gnosticminx.blogspot.com/2008/09/house-is-machine-for-living-in-13.html

Lori said...

Weather central??? Nope, I dont think we have the same taste in books...lol. Have you read John Saul or Sue Grafton?? Now, thats some good reading right there. Happy TT:)

bernieg1 said...

Number 13, Deep Sightings and Rescue Missions sounds so interesting. I would like to read that book. I think I will order it off Amazon.

My TT is up here.

SJ Reidhead said...

I seem to be on an action/adventure SF binge lately.

SJR
The Pink Flamingo

Meju said...

I have not read the books listed, but I do love a good mystery...that is how I relax! Happy TT.

Anonymous said...

I haven't read any of these either. Going to have to find some more reading time...somewhere!

Happy TT!

pussreboots said...

I haven't read any of the books on your list. The last book I read (actually a re-read) was A Bell for Adano by John Hersey.

Anonymous said...

I haven't read any of them either, but I like Margaret Atwood and might take alook at her book.
My last book was "F***ing Berlin". A book about a young student who has to work in the red light district to earn money.

Happy TT and greets
Julia

Anonymous said...

This is a good list. I read Trading Dreams..., ...Red Dress, ...Sightings... but was not aware of Savoring the Salt. I'll have to check it out.

Anonymous said...

I haven't read these. Well, I read the Bible regularly. Right now, I am rereading Eat, Pray Love.

Tammy said...

Great list! I don't think I have read any of these and they sound good. Happy TT

ohradiogirl said...

Well, of course I read your book! :-) I want to read the McKinneyWhetstone book. I think I read the Cleage book some time ago. Although I am a can of Cade Bambara, I have not read either of those. Just finished reading "The Sisterhood of Blackberry Corner". Now reading "Why We Can't Wait" by MLK.

Anonymous said...

I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I'm a Manga fan.

Mia Celeste said...

I have to say I haven't read any of these books, but I'm currently reading Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich.

E.R. Carpenter said...

Unfortunately, I've only read one book on this list. I think you know which one. :)

Anyway, Trading Dreams at Midnight is on my list. I loved the author's last book. However, like you, I've been too busy writing to read. I think that's a good problem to have. Sure beats being blocked.

JO said...

my list is about books too... from 3 authors.

Here's my entry. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I read "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" because my daughter loved it so much and wanted to share it with me. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, and we also read the sequel.

Yasmin said...

HEY Lori and happy TT...love your list and I feel you on not reading enough...normally by this time in the year I would have read over 75 books...this year I've only read 26 due to revamping my website and starting an online business...sigh.
The last book I read was...is the only I'm currently reading Home Wrecker by Dwayne Joseph...it's a great book...fast-paced, lots of realistic drama, multiple twists and turns and a fatale femme...can't wait to see how this one ends.
PREVIOUS book Pleasure by EJDickey...so far I've been reading it for two weeks and I'm not even half way into the book...it's not really capturing my attention the way some of his other books have.
Read Trading Dreams at Midnight...it was the APOOO August BOM...unfortunately many avid readers/loyal Whetstone fans were disappointed with this one. :(

Damika said...

The last book I read was Never Drank the Kool-Aid by Toure. It is a collection of his writings for various publications. I'm a pop culture junkie, so it was a great read. There is only one book on your list (#10)that I have has the pleasure of reading, and I am eagerly anticipating the author's next release! :)

Anonymous said...

I've only read two books on your list; No Time to Die & After the Dance. However, I've read books by Margaret Atwood, Pearl Cleage, & Toni Cade Bambara. I just finished Careless in Red by Elizabeth George. You know I'm a great mystery book fan. Like you, I can't imagine anyone not opening their mind by reading books written by ALL writers. That means she missed reading the classics. Such a pity. I'm going to get started on your list.

Sheila Wilcox

pjazzypar said...

I read "After The Dance"! The last book I read was a bore. Sociology: A Global Perspective by Joan Ferrante.