If you ever catch me NOT reading, please check my pulse or call 911
Anyhow, I have thought it might be a good idea to post the books I've read over the last year. I'm a slow reader and mainly only get time to read while I'm on the treadmill at the gym, but there are still a few that are worth mentioning, not necessarily in the order read.
On the Road -- by Jack Kerouac This book is really a product of the "beat generation" (think '50s) and is quite famous in its genre, but it traces the travels of the author and his friends, hitchhikers, and others as they seem to travel endlessly back and forth across the country for no particular reason. They are almost always broke, about to run out of gas. It's long and meandering, but still entertaining. I think I was about 3/4 of the way through the book when I knew I needed a break and I got OFF the road.
Another book I read last year, which I highly recommend, is "The Flag, The Cross, and the Station Wagon" - a graying American looks back on his suburban boyhood and wonders what the hell happened. Very engaging.
There are quite a few more in between and I'll have to come back and fill in the missing titles, but I'm currently reading named "Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity". I love this book. It's very "sciency" but right up my alley. I bit too technical for me in a few places, but well written reporting on the latest advances in medical research. Very readable and well-written, but not everyone's cup of tea.
More later....have to get to the gym so I can read!
I'm a reader too! I come from a family of teachers and Mom put a book in my hands very early in life. I still love to read! I don't have a particular genres although I seem to go from mystery-thrillers to autobiographies to history! Right now, I am reading a couple of books regarding nudism/naturism.
And, I love sthe feel of a book in my hand! Not much for reading off a tablet!
I love the feel of a book in my hands, too, but find that I don't have much time to sit still at home. There are always too many distractions and other tasks that demand my attention. I go to the gym almost every day and open the Kindle app on my tablet and set it up on the treadmill. I set my speed for a gentle pace of about 1.8 mph and the miles just fly by under my feet while I indulge in my favorite pastime. I've tried it with less success when using a real printed book, but need to take chip clips to hold the pages down and keep them open. Then whenever I want to turn the page, I have to reposition the clips. It's too much of a hassle for me.
I'm currently rereading "The Return of the Native" by Thomas Hardy, a 19th century British author. I first read it 60 years ago when my English Lit teacher assigned it to our class in high school. I did not have the maturity or the patience then to appreciate the rich texture of his writing, but I'm loving it now. I wish my English teacher was still alive so I could thank him for this and the other great works of literature to which he introduced me.
The below post reminds me of my record collection, something I've happily kept going since 1975 without a break. Being able to still spin the first record I ever bought almost fifty years later gives me great pleasure. Only a few albums have been lost along the way, a few pilfered at parties and a few which got warped or wet or both - vinyl makes for a very poor beer coaster, yah know. CD slowed the count of those 12 inch collectables, and the count is about equal these days, over 400!
Being able to open the pages of a book from my childhood due to my lack of control when it comes to getting rid of things has it's benefits. My honey wishes for my growth away from such thinking, and she's so right, but nostalgia strikes when the old dusty boxes get cracked open and I receive the reminder of where my mind was oh so many years ago. For instance, I came upon my copy of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" a few months ago, it somehow surviving floods and a dozen moves - one of the few books I tried to get through twice and got stuck at about page 245 both times and did put it aside. As the song goes, "...and it rips my life away but it's a great escape." Will I ever attempt it again? I'll never go Kindle if I have any choice in the matter.I read the same Hardy book about 55 years ago and still have my original copy right here on the bookshelf.
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