Monday, August 10, 2009

My Internal Overflowing Bookshelf


I'm having such a hard time lately focusing on what I'm reading when I'm reading it. I don't mean that I'm easily distracted by the kids, or the television, or the fact that dinner needed to be made, oh say, two hours ago. It's more like my brain is thinking, "Hey... I know you're really enjoying this book, but could you please read a little faster. There are a lot of great books out there waiting for you!!" Now, I realize that my to-be read list is always pretty lengthy. Usually though I have no trouble prioritizing what I want to move to the top. At the moment, I appear to be having a little trouble with that:)

Here are the titles that are currently calling my name. Very loudly, I might add.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman : I stumbled into this book, literally, while at Borders this weekend. I was intrigued by the title and the cover, so I opened the flap and read this:

A thrilling and original coming of- age novel about a young man practicing magic in the real world. Quentin Coldwater is brilliant but miserable. A senior in high school, he's still secretly preoccupied with a series of fantasy novels he read as a child, set in a magical land called Fillory. Imagine his surprise when he finds himself unexpectedly admitted to a very secret, very exclusive college of magic in upstate New York.

Well, hell. That just moved to the top of the list. I was proud of myself for not purchasing it right then.

Another titled that sucked me in by looking pretty on a display, this time at Waldenbooks, is The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Any plot that centers around a "Cemetery of Forgotten Books" is just too much for me to resist.

A few months ago, author Jen Lancaster posted her picks of summer reads. I should have known better than to read that list, because then I had to add both I'm Down by Mishna Wolff and At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream by Wade Rouse. I'm a sucker for a funny memoir and both of these appear to fit that criteria.

Not to mention that I'm also fixing to begin THIS and also THIS, both of which are fun little series.

*Sigh* No wonder I can't concentrate on the book at hand-- there's just too much bookish goodness out there waiting for me!! If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times....so many books, too little time. :) What are you guys reading these days?

11 comments:

shortmama said...

I have two books sitting here right now that still have to read and yet there are so many more I want to read! Right now I have Remember Me by Sophia Kinsella and The Time Travelers Wife. So many good books, so little time!

shortmama said...

BTW I want to follow you on Facebook but cant find you!!

Cyndi said...

I have the same problem! I'm reading the core teachings of Buddhism book and Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. I have been trying to get through Bourdain's book all summer. Maybe it's because the two I'm reading are so completely different....my list is way too long and I'll never get through it.

Wade Rouse said...

Ummm, I'd highly recommend AT LEAST IN THE CITY SOMEONE WOULD HEAR ME SCREAM by Wade Rouse. Probably because I wrote it! (Sorry to intrude on your blog, but a friend of mine from OK had seen this and thought it would be fun if I added a comment. I grew up in the Missouri Ozarks, btw, not too far away ...)

I think you'd love (as Jen did) AT LEAST: A dose of Thoreau, a dose of me, and a realization that Wade doesn't do well in the woods, but, truly, it's about pursuing one's happiness in life before it's too late.

Thanx for letting me intrude on your bloggy goodness!
xx,
Wade
www.waderouse.com

Jessica said...

ShortMama: re: Time Traveler's Wife- drop everything and read it RIGHT NOW!! I read it years ago, and haven't seen my copy since. My friends and coworkers keep passing it around. It's spectacular!
PS On Facebook-- search Jessica Kenney Hall and I will pull up. Can't wait to see you there!

Cyndi: Are you reading KC for the first time? I'm surprised, LOL, knowing how much you love Tony. I have read all his non-fiction works, but want to try his fiction too at some point. I would recommend Ruth Reichl as well. She's a fabulous food writer.

Wade: Oh. My. God. I just squealed like a little girl when I saw your comment. And I know the chances of you ever seeing this response of mine are slim to none, so I feel that it's okay to admit that:) Thanks for stumbling onto my little slice of the blog-o-sphere. I guess it really is a small world after all:)

Cyndi said...

It's true. I heard you squeal all the way here in IL via FB! :)

I found AB on tv, so yes, I'm reading him for the first time.

Time Traveler's Wife....ahh...now I have to read it again!

Kaye said...

I also have a pile going. I haven't read, Peace like a river, Keeping the House-Ellen Baker, Dream When You're Feeling Blue- Elizabeth Berg, The art of mending- Elizabeth Berg, Crazy in Alabama- Mark Childress(wanna read before seeing the old DVD), Nineteen Minutes- Jodi Picoult, and half way through American Pie- Micheal Lee West (been reading since June...have no time!) And now after reading Wade's comment I may have to put his on the pile! Hee

Jessica said...

kaye: I think Wade just developed an entire new legion of fans by his one simple comment:) Great marketing, if you ask me:)

shortmama said...

OK why did I not know that you comment back under your comments?? Do you know how much I would love you if you associated an email with your blog? Ok I adore you now, but really would lurve you with email! LOL

Wade Rouse said...

I am thrilled to welcome Jessica's Posse to Wade's World! (Sorry for delayed response; just back from another week of book touring, and a week with family ... Oy!) I love bookwhores! (I, alas, am just a plain, ol' common whore ... which is not all a bad thing, right?) OK, I'm babbling ...
xx,
Wade
www.waderouse.com

Jessica said...

Wade: I can honestly say that I never in a million years expected you to visit my page again. Thus, I am blushing furiously at the fact that I admitted that I squealed like a little girl. Oh well... it is what it is:) And by the way, whores of all types are welcome at the OB. I don't practice discrimination in any way. I hope that if you find your way back here again, that you'll visit my new page: www.overflowingbookshelf.wordpress.com. I am currently devouring your newest title, and plan on reviewing it soon!

PS I'm LOVING it!

Take care! Best of luck with your book tour,
Jess