Confession of a Speed Reader

As with most readers, once you get hooked on a book, you tend to not want to put it down. I have stayed up many a night, til the wee hours, trying to finish a book or just getting too wrapped up in a book that I had to keep going. And I am a fast reader. Between 40-60 pages per hour!
In previous entries I have discussed a particular knitting book that I am a huge fan of. Well just as promised I went out and bought the sequel.

And I didn't read it. At least not all in one big sitting. Its like that perfect piece of chocolate, or the best dessert you ever ate...you really want to savor it, you want it to last a long time, you want to draw it out as looooonnng as possible. So that is what I did. I Purposely did not read it for a few days, or I would only let myself read a few pages at a time. I wanted this book to last, and last....because I have no idea if there will be a third.

I have had a couple of inner conversations with myself about why I like this book so much, or why I became so attached to the characters. Most of my students like to give the same answer for similar questions..."I don't know...I just did. Or just cuz."

The connection is based on a couple of things happening in my life.

1. We considered for a brief moment, moving to a different country.
2. She had a great relationship with her kids, one I hope to have one day.
3. She was able to totally reinvent her life, and have life long friends and happiness because of it.
4. She was FUNNY, WHITTY. Number one quality in any human being...at least in my book.

So, next time you find yourself at the end of a book, gloriously happy and at the same time sad that it ended. Ask why you liked the book so much. Readers often don't take the time out to really reflect on why the read, what they read, and how it effects them! Trust me...aside from talking to yourself...its a great conversation to have, and then continue with someone else once they read the book!

Beach, Books, Sun Burn.....and Knitting?

Have you ever read a book and were so connected to the characters and their life that at the end of the book you truly wanted either to be their BFF or the crazy cat lady that lived down the road? Just so you could be a part of the life they described and you envisioned? I have read three books or series of books that have had this affect on me. Harry Potter (of course), The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society...and my new wannabe BFFL....The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club.

As with any vacation, and any book addict...when leaving for a few days of relaxation you automatically consider which books and how many you should take. I took four, for a six day vacay... The Beach Street was my second book of the trip.

Gil McNeil, the author is British...which needs mentioning because it helps to create her "voice" in your mind. It also adds to the authenticity of the whitty vocab (wanker, bloody hell, sod, bugger, etc).

Her main character, Jo, is the mother of two young boys, and the wife of a foreign correspondant. Although she is accomplished in the TV producing field, her time is spent with her kids and in general filling the shoes of a loving mother and an absent father. A tragic accident (or fate) forces Jo to go out on a wire and change her life. She inherits her Gran's wool shop in an all but dying seaside town, and there she finds what she was truly missing out on in life.

After reading this book I found myself activly wanting to become a knitter (no joke, I have already signed up for free knitting emails), wanting to live in England, and wanting to have the kinds of friendships she develops with her knitting pals. Where is the nearest Stitch & Bitch group I say??

If you want a great beach read, or a great overall summer read that doesn't include vampires, but inspiring realistic fiction. Then you MUST read this book.

In the next few days, you will find me at Barnes & Noble, buying the second book, Needles and Pearls, scouting the knitting books, and then trying to knit something.....Stay Tuned!

Now it's time to say Good-bye to my school Libraryeeee...

So the end of the school year is drawing to a close. I am not moving classrooms this year, so there is not too much that I have to pack up. My desk is in serious need of a bulldozer, and there are some definite piles of stuff strategically placed around the room that probably need to go...but what is this book blogger's priority.....BOOKS!

So with two days left, I have resorted to the following:

1. Constant harrassment to those students who still have not turned in my books.
2. Putting those said students names on the board...with the books of which they owe me!
3. Long and intense conversations about how much these missing books have cost ME, not the school.
4. Creating one box of books I must take home and read...so far the count is 15.
5. Obviously worrying too much about the books in my room.

This is has been a banner year for book returns....last year I was at least 50 short. This year...maybe 10.

My Fiscal Year Ended

For those of you who haven't read much of this blog...please be aware of the often overused accounting references. My TWO followers and husband both work/live in the accounting world so, it starts to wear off on me!

My fiscal year ended May 31. I try to keep track of how many books I read per year. June to June. Although a little OCD, it's really satisfying to look back at your year and see how much you have accomplised book wise.

My novel count this year was 45, with one reread (The Hunger Games). Big pat on the back to ME!

I've already began the new fiscal year count...and I am shooting for 50. If you are an avid reader, like myself, try this for the next year. Find a notebook, or calendar, or day planner where you can keep track of the books you read. I am a perpetual list maker, so I don't just make tick marks, but actually write out the title too! And let's face it...I sometimes need reference the list just to see exactly what I DID read.

Have a Happy new Fiscal Year!