"Reading at Risk"

I guess I was a little bit premature with my post about January coming to an end, since then I've added two more novels to my book count. Twelve books in 31 days. That is about a book every 2.5 days. It got me thinking about how many books the average American reads in a year. So I did what I always do when I want answers, I googled it. I found a Washington Post Article written in 2007 titled 'One in Four Read No Books Last year'. None, Nada, Zip, Zero, not a single book. I realized before I did my google search that I probably read more than average, what I didn't realize is that I read a trillion times more than an average person. Maybe that is an exaggeration, but my google results were startling. You could read a page a day to finish just one book in a year. What this tells me is that a lot people don't find any value in reading.

When I was in school, I never wanted to read the assigned books. Silent reading time was basically hell. You are surrounded by all your peers and forced to be quiet for half an hour. I have always enjoyed reading, but I never enjoyed being forced to read. Instead of reading the literary classics that I was assigned, I used cliff notes to pass the chapter tests. Now I'm kicking myself, what I wouldn't give to be go back in time and do it all over again. I guess my point is that the system teachers use to get kids to read sometimes puts them off of reading altogether. I don't know if there is a solution, what I do know is that we are a society that finds time to watch TV, play video games and surf the internet, but can't find time to pick up a book. A wise teacher once told me that it didn't matter what you read, as long as you read something. It could be a magazine, newspaper, car manual, it doesn't matter as long as you were opening your mind and learning new things. So I guess my hope is that the one in four people who didn't crack open a book in 2007 didn't just get their entertainment and information from television.

I didn't realize how lucky I have been to have so many people in my life who are avid readers! I guess we will have to make up for all of those people who don't read!

If you want to read the article that inspired this rant here it is: Washington Post

Update Book 12 and Book 12 1/2: Duets by Nora Roberts

I was tempted to count this as two books. Since it is comprised of two stories that were originally published separately. But since it is a Nora Roberts romance novel I decided against it. After reading the intense book "My Enemy's Cradle," (did I mention I think you should read it?!) I needed something light to read. "Duets" is just about as light of a read as you can get. This is early Roberts, and it is obvious she has become a better writer since. Even though I knew how they were going to end, I was still entertained by them.

This is a picture I stole from one of my avid reader friends that I wanted to pass along, enjoy!

Unexpected.

It occur to me yesterday that it is the little things in life that really affect day-to-day happiness. Things like waking up to sunshine, making it through all the green lights on your way to the grocery store or finding an amazing parking spot can push you from glum to joyous. Sometimes it is the unexpected little things that make me the happiest.

For the past seven months I have been Volunteering as Marketing Director at the local theatre. This means writing press releases, managing the website, writing online content, and managing publicity for the theatre. Volunteering = no monetary compensation. Which I knew when I accepted the position. The greater benefit for me has been learning about marketing as well as being involved with the community (it also doesn't hurt that it looks great on my resume.)

This is where the unexpected fantastic little thing comes in. Yesterday I received a phone call from a member of the board of directors. He informed me that beginning this month I will be an independent contractor to the theatre. This means that I will be getting paid! OK, don't get too excited, I'm not going to be making the big bucks. But, $50 a month when you are expecting nothing is simply amazing! Not only is the money wonderful, but the fact that they thought I was doing a good enough job to merit any compensation is the bigger reward.

Update Book 11: My Enemy's Cradle by Sara Young

I know I asked for recommendations, but sometimes the books handed to me are books I would never pick up on my own. The historical fiction novel: "My Enemy's Cradle" is a great example of this. My mom gave it to me with a glowing recommendation. After learning it takes place during the Holocaust, I was doubtful it would be a book I would enjoy. Lately I have been reading a lot of books with very light content, nothing too serious. So when I finished book ten I almost picked up an easy read, instead I chose a book that would make me think, a book that I could even learn something from.

"My Enemy's Cradle," is about a young girl's experience during her time at a 'Lebensborn maternity home' for girls carrying German babies. They were set up by the Nazis to "increase the population of the master race." Just one of the many atrocities carried out by the Third Reich.

What I expected from "My Enemy's Cradle" was a book filled with sadness and war. I imagined it was going to be difficult for me to finish. What I got was a beautifully written book filled with the very best and worst parts of humanity. I've never read a book that can take place around such horrifying circumstances and yet still inspire hope.

This book hooked me from start to finish. What I appreciated most was the care the author took to make sure all of the details fit together. There is nothing that disappoints me more than a carelessly written book. This novel was so unexpectedly good it is hard for me to even put into words how much I truly enjoyed reading it.

Lesson for the week: Unexpectedly good things=Happiness

As January comes to a close.

If I can keep this reading tempo it will be more like 365 Days-120 Books. :)

Working in a coffee shop you see the same people day after day. A lot of the time this isn't a good thing. Some of the time it is. I have about eight customers who are my favorites. Three of these favorites are women who come in almost everyday. To me, these women are the epitome of grandmotherly-ness. Sometimes together, sometimes separately, they come in, order their respective drinks, then sit around reading different novels. I imagine this is the perfect kind if book club, where you meet often in a favorite place and read whatever suits you. I always ask what they are reading and if they would recommend it.

One of these women reads her books on a Kindle. So I asked her how she liked it. She told me she enjoys many of the features. One of her sons lives in France, so when she visits she only has to carry her kindle, not five or six heavy books. She can also download new books easily. I asked her if she missed the feel of holding a book, turning the pages, and seeing your progress with a book mark. She told me yes, it is a bit different of an experience but she has found that being able to change font sizes and page brightness makes the swap worthwhile for her.

When I was in Elementary school our reading generally came out of a giant book that contained short stories. I have forgotten many of these stories, but one that will always stick with me begins with a girl sitting in a room filled with books and papers. She doesn't know what they are for. They don't use books and paper anymore. Everything is digital. She finds the books fascinating. I was probably nine when I read this. In the time before Ipods and Kindles, when everyone had CD players and only a few parents carried cell phones. I couldn't imagine what it would be like not to have books and CDs. To be honest, It was kind of a scary thought.

Well the time has apparently come. We are making the switch. Now the question is: what will I do? Kindle, Nook, Sony reader, or the Ipad. Yes it would be convenient. Yes it will save some trees. Yes it will make my luggage much lighter. But am I ready to leave behind the feel of an actual book in my hands? Mostly I am afraid that all my favorite book stores will close. All of my book browsing will be confined to online bookstores. One of my favorite escapes, will be lost forever. For the moment I am not sure what I will do. I'm not ruling out the possibility that I will switch, now can only wait for them to perfect the reading devices before I make any such decision.

Update Book Ten: Fire by Kristin Cashore

The prequel/ companion to my ninth book of the year "Graceling." When I read more than one novel by an author some of the magic always wears off. I enjoyed this book, but I found many faults with it. Sometimes a story becomes too complicated when you have to fit details from another book into it. I still enjoyed the story and will read the third installment, but found it less enchanting.

Graceling

It occurred to me today that people may think, "wow you read 9 books in 22 days? That must be the only thing you do." Don't worry friends, as much as I sometimes wish I lived in a book, it simply isn't so. Wasted time I used to spend on Facebook or watching TV is now reading time. I have also found that I am always carrying my current book around in case I have a moment to spare. Blow-drying my hair, riding the stationary exercise bike, waiting in line for the ferry, riding the ferry, breaks at work. For the most part it is easy to find time to read a book that I find interesting.

Mostly I am a just a really fast reader.

People have asked me if I am even enjoying the books I have read so far this year. The truth is that I would read them just as fast, even if I had no goal in mind. I might have allowed myself a day or a week in between books, but once I get into a book I have always read them quickly. Two years ago I read the first three Twilight novels in a week. It was my senior year in College, finals week of spring quarter. Three novels read and I passed all of my classes to graduate the next week. So yes is the answers. Yes, I have a life outside of the books and yes I still enjoy them.

My laundry may be suffering though. Maybe my next resolution will have to do with folding clothes.

Update Book 8: Fearless by Max Lucdo

Did I mention my number one resolution was to be more fearless?

One of my biggest obstacles for reading 100 books is going to be reading books of different genres. It would be easy for me to read 100 books that held no challenge for me, but what I want from this resolution is to grow as a reader. "Fearless" is just about as different as you can get. This is a book about finding strength in God. It discusses all of the things in our lives that cause us fear. Whether that is death, a loss of a loved one, or being alone. This book, at only 180 pages, took me the longest to read so far this year. I think this is because I didn't have the "I have to read this right now to figure out how it ends" feeling. But, there were many good stories in this book that I found inspiring.

Book 9: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I loved this book. Loved it. What this book had that Twilight and other similar books do not have is a strong female character. Some of it was predictable, but how the major issue was be solved I didn't foresee (you know how I love a good surprise). There were also a few other small unique twists that raised "Graceling" above other, similar books.

This is another series that is incomplete. I knew this when I started it, what I didn't know is that the second book is actually a prequel.

On a side note, although I have many books on my shelf that are begging to be read, I would LOVE some recommendations!!! I really enjoy reading books that I know others have liked enough to recommend.

Keep the Resolutions coming.

Four resolutions, still going strong! I know it has been a week since my last update, but never fear, I have been full of resolve!

Update 1: Fearlessness

After a conversation with a close friend I discovered that I like to be in control of situations. One of the ways I control my surroundings is also one of my biggest vices: tardiness. It is true, I'm usually around 15 minutes late. I don't do it on purpose, I just tend to cut everything down to the last minute. (I'm going to be really honest right now) The reason is that I don't like waiting for people. The things that go through my head include things like "What if they don't show," "Am I in the wrong place," "Did we say a later time." I hate the feeling. But what I hate more than that feeling is that I have forced close friends and people that I love to feel that way. Not being aware of other people's feelings is selfish. Everyday I get a 'Daily thought' sent to my email here is today's:

“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter which fork you use.”

― Emily Post

When it comes to being on time, I have terrible manners. So here is another resolution for my life, be on time. In the words of a friend, "So what if I have to wait, I'm the one who was true to my word. I have nothing to feel bad about as long as I'm on time*."

*Paraphrased

Update 2: Travel More

I just found out that Europe in August is almost a done deal! My parent are planning a trip with our close family friends the Perigards. The plan is to spend 3 days in Berlin followed by a ten day river cruise. My hope is that after that I will be able to hop on a plane and visit my dear friend Lisa in Norway! Hopefully I will be able to afford it and hopefully Lisa will will be in the country!

Here is a link to the River Cruise: The Elbe

Update 3: Water consumption

Still drinking a lot (of water)! I have also cut my soda consumption down to one a day, sometimes I'll have none. I think my body is really enjoying all the H2O. I feel lighter. Not necessarily in weight, but I don't feel bogged down by everything that is in diet soda.

I think this is a good spot to fit in an update on shower times. So far all has gone well, ten minute showers everyday.... except sunday I splurged and went for 15.

Update 4: 93 books left

Book 7: Best Friends Forever "Jennifer Weiner

I believe in best friends forever. I have more than one person in my life who I can honestly say is going to be my friend until the end. So when I picked up the book "Best Friends Forever," and read the front cover, I'll admit I was excited to read it.

This is what it said:

"Best Friends Forever is a grand hilarious, edge-of-your-seat adventure; a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets. It's about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it, and the ties that keep best friends together."

Sounds pretty great, huh? I have never read a book by this author before, but I have seen the movie "In Her Shoes," based on her novel by the same name. I am much more forgiving to mediocre movies than I am to mediocre books. This book was less than mediocre. It could have been amazing. In fact half of the book that looked back on the girl's childhood felt very heartfelt. It was the rest of the book set in present day that I found boring and lacking any "edge-of-your-seat adventure." The characters are very one dimensional. The once over-weight main character is now skinny, but still has self-confidence issues, her best friend is gorgeous and superficial. I didn't believe in their friendship, a pretty important thing when "Best Friends Forever" is the title.

I wouldn't recommend "BFF" but some chick lit I do recommend are: "The Last Summer of You and Me," by Ann Brashares and "Love the One You're With," by Emily Griffin.

As long as I read ten books in January I will feel like I am on track! The book I'm reading now has already taken me almost 4 days... Eeek!

"End of Book One"

I am not a hippie. That being said, I have many hippie tendencies. I'm a vegetarian, I attended a liberal university, I recycle all those Diet Dr. Pepper cans, drive a gas efficient car, and eat organic whenever I can afford it. Now that you know this about me, you should also know my two biggest anti-hippie traits. Long showers and habitual book buying.

After receiving a ridiculous Puget Sound Energy bill for this month I decided it was time to end the long showers. I don't know how it happened or when, but even on my busiest mornings, shower time had stretched close to twenty minutes. So this morning I took a drastic step. I set a timer with a ten minute limit. An amazing thing happened, I only needed eight. It wasn't relaxing, but neither is opening up that energy bill every month. One more thing to add to my life resolutions: shorter shower times.

Now a word about my habitual book buying.

Barnes and Noble, Liberty Bay Books, Eagle Harbor Book Company. They all call to me. I seem to feel the most at ease in a book store. After a long day at work nothing calms me like walking through a bookstore and making a new purchase. For some reason unknown to me, I love the feeling of opening up a book and being the first to read it. Like it was created just for me. This is the first reason why I don't like library books. And no, the second reason isn't because they give you a due date, although it would have been a valid reason. The second reason is because of wait lists. If I want to read a book, I don't want to wait for seventeen other people to have it, read it and return it before I have to go there, pick it up, read it, and return it. The third reason is this: if I fall in love with a book, I want to put THAT book, the book I read, on my bookshelf forever. Sort of like a trophy.

With all that being said, buying 100 books is kind of ridiculous. So of course when the opportunity presents itself I will be thrifty. One of the 'perks' of working in a coffeeshop is the bookshelf where people leave novels they want to pass on to fellow coffee/book lovers. Mostly this bookshelf seems to be full of Sci-fi novels that I have no interest it. But yesterday I noticed two new deposits to said bookshelf that I had seen on the New York Time's Bestseller list. They have now found a spot on my 'to be read shelf.' Although I don't particularly like the idea of wait lists and pre-read books, desperate times call for desperate measures, and who knows, maybe after this experience I will be a libraryaholic. B & N hopes not.

Now an update! Book 6 "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner (Not a Coffeeshop find)

The worst words you can read when you finish a book: 'End of Book One.' Unless you are expecting a series and have the second one ready to read, it is a pretty big let down to know you have to wait ten more months to get the second installation and then another year for the third.

It is easy to compare "The Maze Runner" to "The Hunger Games," another incomplete young adult series I read last year. They both take place in an almost post-apocalyptic world, where teenagers are put in a confined area and watched by outsiders. Where "Hunger Games" is a fight to the death situation for a group of boys and girls, "Maze Runner" is a couple dozen boys and one girl fighting for their lives to solve a giant maze. The end of "Maze Runner" was a cluster of confusion that I can only hope book two cleans up. "Hunger games" has better characters and a more developed and interesting story. Because both are only the beginning of their respective series, I will give you a post dated recommendation for "Maze Runner" and "Hunger Games'," read them in three years when there are more books completed. But read "Hunger Games" first (oh and love Peeta).

If you feel the need to read a series now, I will recommend the well established "Sookie Stackhouse," "Mortal Instruments" and "Outlander" Series.

Sparks

Yesterday as I guzzled down water at my parents house my mom made it a point to tell me that you CAN die from drinking too much water. When I hear something like this my next action is to Google it. Type in "Die Fr" in your google bar, the first suggestion it gives you is "Die from drinking too much water." Obviously this is a very googleable question. But don't worry, not only am I not drinking nearly enough water to end it all, apparently massive amounts of water must be consumed in a short period of time to cause damage. That being said, I am proud of myself for not drinking any soda yesterday and reading book number 5.

"Dear John," by Nicholas Sparks

Have you been to Barnes and Noble lately? Or, for that matter any bookstore around? Next to the new releases and staff picks, is an entire section dedicated to books being made into major motion pictures. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I like to read the book before I see the movie. So when I saw the preview for "Dear John," starring Channing Tatum I knew I would pick up the book on my next B&N trip.

First of all, I would like to say a few things about the author. "Dear John" is not the first book I have read by Nicholas Sparks, but it might be the last. What bothers me so much about Sparks is he is billed as "The world's bestselling author of love stories." I must disagree. He writes tragedies. Tragedies based on love, but tragedies nonetheless. Try not to cry when you read one of his novels. Seriously, try not to cry. It is borderline impossible.

Now, you might be thinking that is the reason why I wont be reading another Nicholas Sparks novel. But the truth lies in the lack of satisfaction I feel when I have completed one of his books. I usually get drawn into the first half where he describes the love story, but by the end I always feel like he forced the story to be heartbreaking.

So here is my recommendation for "Dear John," read it if you love a good cry and like feeling that life isn't fair. Or if you plan to see the film.

On a side note I whole-heartedly recommend "Three Weeks with My Brother," another Sparks novel. This was originally recommended to me by my Grandmother. This is a story of a trip around the world the author takes with his brother Micah. A book about family (not a lovesick couple) and it is easy to see your own in its pages. I read the entire book on a flight back from Europe and yes, just like every other Sparks novel I've ever read I balled like a baby. :)

Disclaimer. Love Walked in.

When I decided to start writing about my resolutions I knew a good portion would be consumed by the books I read. There are two reasons for this. The first is that reading 100 books in 365 days is going to be the easiest of my resolutions (you might be thinking, "What? Really? How hard is it to drink more water," but you are underestimating how deep my love for Diet Dr. Pepper truly is). The Second reason you will be hearing so much about the books is this, when I read a really great book it becomes a part of me and changes the way I think about things.

All that being said, there is nothing, NOTHING, I hate more than someone ruining the ending of a book (or movie) for me. I don't read the last page of a book before I've read all of the pages that came before it, I refuse to even read a book whose movie I've already seen.

So here is the disclaimer: I will be writing about the books. Things I find interesting, lessons I've learned, quotes I enjoy, things I disagree with, etc. But I will try not, to my best ability, to ruin any of the books I write about.

That brings me an update! Day 11, 4 books read.

Did I mention that lately my world revolves around coffee? I know most people can't start their day without a cup, or two, but it seems that almost every aspect of my life lately has been touched by the stuff. When I wake up in the morning I make some with breakfast. Then I spend 5 days a week mixing it into delicious drinks for the good people of my town. This week a few things shook up my coffee world. The first is good news, I am becoming manager at the coffeehouse I work at! What happened next was my brand new Mr. Coffee deluxe coffee maker decided to rebel by making plastic flavored coffee. I'm pretty devastated. So when I picked up book four of the year, I found it fitting for my week that the main character is also a manager at a coffee bar.

Last night I finished "Love Walked in," by Marisa De Los Santos. The first thing I'll say is that I completely enjoyed this book. Every once in a while I will finish a book that I know I could read again and still find new things I enjoy about it. The second thing I will say is that this is not a romance novel, but it is a book about love. All forms of love.

I enjoyed the characters in this book so much. The quick wit and clever classic movie references kept me interested the entire time. Now I also have to mention that by page 5 paragraph 2, I had become one with main character.

"The truth was, I was treading water and had been for some time. If you're wondering why a thirty-something woman who had gone to all the trouble of attending a university and slogging through medieval allegorical texts had risen no higher on the career food chain than cafe manager, I don't blame you. I wondered myself. And the best answer I'd come up with was that I hadn't figured out anything better--not yet. If I were to ever have a full-fledged vocation, as opposed to a half assed avocation, I needed to love it and, in my experience it isn't always easy to figure out what you love. You'd think it would be, but it isn't. Also, if you stay in it for any length of time, like anyplace else, a cafe becomes a world."-Santos

How could I not feel connected to this book? Even though she was basically speaking from my soul with that one paragraph, the reason I enjoyed this book so much was because it surprised me. Everything you thought you knew would happen changes halfway through, and the love that walked in is a love you didn't expect.

One last quote from this book that I adored, "A real life doesn't mean getting what you want; the achievement, the privilege, too, is knowing what you love."

Il difficile sta nel cominciare.

Il difficile sta nel cominciare = The first step is the hardest.

For Christmas this year I received a very wonderful regift, an Italian phrase desk calendar.If there is one thing that I love most about

a new year it has to be the unveiling of a new calendar, desktop version or otherwise. Such a clean slate. it is almost like it is saying

"Here is your entire year right here just waiting for you to fill with plans, dreams,and goals." I don't always make new year's resolution,

but when I do I get pretty serious about them. Rewind to new year's eve 1998, that was the last time I ever ate read meat. I was 12 years

old, and serious about my first ever resolution. Since then I have either decided to live the year free, or made silly, easy to realize goals

for my year (like keeping my email inbox completely organized). That brings me to new year's eve 2009. After a wonderful evening of food,

games and silly conversations I went about setting my goals for 2010. Since it is a new decade I figured one resolution just wasn't enough.

So here goes:

#1 is: Be Fearless....No matter what, don't be afraid to do anything that makes me happy.

#2 is: Travel more
#3 is: Read 100 books
#4 is: Drink more water

The first thing I did was start telling people about my resolutions. I have found in the past that if I have someone who is keeping tabs on my progress I try a whole heck of a lot harder to succeed. I really enjoyed the conversations that followed. My mom said something along the lines of "I always get scared of what you decide to do because you always keep them." But for the most part it was interesting to listen to what other people have resolved to do in 2010. When I talked to my friend Nicole she told me how she plans to set weekly and monthly resolutions for herself. I have to say that I really like this idea. Every single day is a new beginning. So I decided to add that to my set of four resolutions in the form of making smaller goals that help me realize the bigger ones.

You might have noticed that my goals seem a bit ambiguous. It's true. Travel more than what? How much more water? What makes me happy? I guess the only way I can explain it is to say that I really really feel like this is going to be a year of growth and change for me and as I change my goals can change with me. But in essence, travel more than I did last year, substitute a soda out for some H2O, and figure out what makes me happy and stop giving consequences so much power.

As far as the 100 books in 365 days, that is pretty cut and dry. I have set no boundaries for this goal. I will admit that they will not all be fantastically written literature, but I do promise to keep a list that includes even the romance novels!

It is day 10 so here is the update:

1. Starting weekly goals with: Doing something out-of-character

2. Way more water intake.

3. Saving for trips to Norway and Florida.

4. Books Read:

hush hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts