Struggling

I am reading a book for the Reading Circle of the Texas Tech Osher Lifelong Learning Institute http://www.depts.ttu.edu/outreach/.  The books we read expand my horizon, as I generally only read mysteries, unless another book comes highly recommended to me. 

This month, the group will be discussing Travels in Siberia by Ian Frazier. I have struggled to read this book.  There are several reasons.  First, as most of us probably admit to, the variations of Russian names for one person is confusing.  Not unfathomable, but confusing.

Second, the author has a mishmash style:  Sometimes he uses "here we have;" sometimes he uses capitals and blocks of data. His grammatical style is often obtuse, very much what I would think might occur if someone was translating from Russian, and not doing it very well.

Third: There are multiple chronologies in the book. Some make sense, but many do not.

I am in hopes of completing this book before the discussion group next week, but if that does not happen, it does not happen. 

Proof Reading

A long time ago, I discovered that I do not proof read well on a computer screen. I do not know what it is, but I just do not see mistakes as well on the screen, as I do on a hard copy.  A friend of mine once told me it was because I learned to read on hard copy, and younger people who spend much more of their early years reading on a computer, do not have this difficulty.

I do not know. 

I do know that I generally re-read my blog posts a couple of times before posting them. Even so, usually when I go back the next day to check the post, I find another mistake. Usually a very obvious mistake.  Hmmmm.  I try to be careful.

Reading Crescendo

I have mentioned more than once that I am a mystery book reader.  I have noticed an interesting phenomenon to my reading habit in the last year or two.  There are many mystery books that I really do not care about, but this also applies to the books that I am really enjoying:

As I get closer to the end, and the pieces are coming together, and the mystery is being solved, I find myself wanting to read faster and faster, and more and more, until I finish the book.

This is a bit of a change for me. Maybe it is the type of book I am reading, but there was a time in my past that I really enjoyed savoring a book, and spending time with the characters and plot, without being in a hurry to finish the book.

I am not sure when this change occurred, or why.  Have you had either experience with books.

A Gray Day

It has been unseasonably cold and we have had several days of light snow. Yesterday, it was bright and sunny, and the temperature was well above freezing, so there was plenty of melting occuring.  But a view to the northwest indicated that there was another front was moving in.

I arose before dawn today.  It was wet, and cold, barely freezing.  There was a mix of rain and snow.  The sky stayed gray.  It is still gray after noon.  But it did not really even lighten until mid-morning.  A good day to stay in as much as possible, drink some hot tea, curl up and read. 

Learning

I like to learn. There have been times in my life when I wanted to learn something, so I spent time at it.  For example, I wanted to learn about Fabergé eggs. And the Amish. And NASCAR.  So, I spent time reading about them.  Usually, I would read what books I could get at the public library.  I have to admit that in the mid-80s, when I was wanting to learn about NASCAR, the local public library did not have much to ready (I suspect things would be different now.)

What do you like to learn about?

Pressing

Last week, a co-worker paid me in advance for a knitting project.  I felt an obligation to complete it quickly, and I did. 

Since then, I have taken on several other knitting project orders.  Additionally, I have several books that I want to read, and the deadlines (books due, discussion club dates) are looming.  So, I am feeling like I want to work on those on a regular basis.  And, do the knitting.  I can watch TV and knit at the same time, but not read and watch TV.  And, I can not read and knit.

So, I have been keeping myself consistently busy.  In addition, I have had some other projects, all of which I enjoy, but take time.

And, I am feeling behind at work, so it is not unusual for me to spend between 9 and 10 hours at work, instead of 8 plus lunch.

I was visiting on the phone tonight with a friend. I could not focus to even think what to talk about. She made the point I need to rest and de-stress, wind down.  She was right. (Thank you.)  Although I enjoy reading and knitting, doing it under an even self imposed deadline puts the pressure on.  So, maybe I have been pressing too much, and I needed a night off. 

I took one.  I have knitted some, and read some, but I spent some time with mindless solitaire.  It helps my brain to empty out.

Which is good.  The fact that I have been unable to keep up with regular blogging was an early sign that my brain was too tense, too overwhelmed to relax as it needed to. It still is, but I am feeling a little better tonight...

Silence

It is a day off from work.  Earlier in the week, I had projects that took me out and had me up and about the house.  I ran errands this morning, but since returning home, have mostly indulged in reading.  One of my errands was to the library, where I picked up several books.  I read a lot of mysteries, and prefer to read the series ones in order.  So, I am going back and forth between libraries (I could order them to my closest library, but do not mind the trips to other places) to where the next book is. 

I have a list I keep with me, regularly updated, that includes the various series I read, and what book comes up next.  Sometimes, I have to order the books from inter-library loan, but that is okay.  While I am waiting there is plenty else to read.

I also belong to two book clubs: a mystery book club and a general club, for seniors.  The general club forces me to read books I would otherwise not read, and even the mystery book club introduces me to authors I have not read before, and might not have tried.

So, today, after running errands, I am home.  I usually have the TV on, or music going.  But sometimes, I like the silence.  Today, I am enjoying the silence.  Sort of.  There is some neighborhood noise and a lot of wind noise.  The dust is blowing, so the winds must be close to, if not gusting at, 40 mph mark as predicted, and I can hear the sounds of the wind.

I am reminded of the silence in the home in which I grew up.  After my father died, and I would go home to visit my mother, the house was silent a lot, especially in the afternoon.  My mother would knit or doze, and I would often go out for a walk or to do something.  But being in the house, the silence was good, comforting. That is the silence I have this afternoon.

My cats have stirred a little now and again this afternoon, but I think they like the silence, too.  Soon, I will turn on the TV for my regular fare of mystery shows.  But, now, I can enjoy the silence.

The Sunrise Was Late

This last Sunday, I woke well before my alarm went off.  I could not go back to sleep, so started reading...It was about 4:45 AM.  I read for quite some time.  The cats came around from time to time, to tell me it was time to get up.

Along about 7 AM, I got to thinking:  it was really dark out still, and I panicked, wondering if I slept through the day, and it was really night.  Which made no sense, because when I woke up, it was dark, and if I had slept through the day, 4:45 would have been light.

Isn't it interesting how your mind can play tricks on you?

Historical Novels vs. Non-Fiction

I read very little non-fiction.  Generally, I find it dry, boring, difficult to concentrate on, and generally not very interesting. 

That is not always the case, but often so...

I do enjoy historical novels, however.  These contain a certain amount of historical facts blended with fictional characters and information. So, when I read these, I am disturbed because I find it difficult to distinguish between the fictional characters and the historical facts.  And, I question how accurate are the historical facts. 

But I like the genre nevertheless.

I guess if I really wanted to know, I could do my own research....

Daring to

I attend a mystery book club, and currently, the selection to read is made by a different member each month... This is interesting, because we get to critique or at least comment on the selection, and each selector provides a variety of offerings.  If the selector is thin skinned, it will be difficult for that person to accept any negative comments by the members of the group. Yet, we are quite a diverse group, and usually, the comments each month vary from really enjoying to really not enjoying a book.


If the selector is ego involved in the selection, this would be a very difficult if not damaging experience. But if the selector dares to just say: "I offer this for what it is worth," then there should be no ego damage involved...

But of course, we are all human, and we all want to be validated... Yet, we are all individual, so what validates each of us might be different:


Some might want to select a book that is generally well received and popular.
Some might want to select a book that is conceived of as unique.
Some might want to select a book that generates controversy and discussion.
Some might want to select a book that provides shock value.
Some might want to select a book that has a "feel good" aura

Or what have you.....

Each of us chooses a book for various reasons:
It was one I wanted to read, so I put it on the group list, so I would get to it.
It was one I have already read, and wanted to share with the group.

The reason I want to share with the group is because:
I want their reactions;
I enjoyed the book, and hope the group will, too;
I did not enjoy it and am wondering if someone can redeem the book for me.
I did not enjoy the book, and I want my negative thoughts to be validated.

Discussing the book is just a good activity: no socially involved value... Just pure intellectual exercise...

Who'd a Thunk It

I have been trying for some months to find books by Alexander McCall Smith in my local library.  I looked in the general fiction stacks, the mystery section, and the large print section, with only occasionally coming across one of the books by this author.  I am trying to ready the books in the series The Number 1 Lady's Detective Agency in order.  I have not been able to find them in the library, although the computer indicated they were there.  Today, I asked a reference librarian, who took me directly to these books.  Hmmm. They were not listed under Smith, but under McCall.  Who'd a thunk it!

Reading

This was a weekend for reading.  I belong to two reading clubs, and when they both select long books near the same time, it makes keeping up with reading a little tiresome.  But, I finally finished the selection for this coming Thursday:  The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver http://www.kingsolver.com/. I have not met anyone yet who really enjoyed the book, although it got better as it progressed.

Now, I am reading a book from an inter-library loan: Killing Raven by Margaret Coel  http://www.margaretcoel.com/. Since this can not be renewed, I will need to complete it by its due date.

I am going to select the book for the January Barnes and Noble mystery book club.  I have some thoughts but am not sure what I will opt for.

Oh, rain

I have been hoping for rain the last few days, as a result of the remnants of hurricane Hermine, but all we got was a misting Tuesday night Wednesday morning... Oh well, we are grateful for even a misting.

I watched the weather report this morning, and did not see a prediction for rain, but I could have missed it..

I saw the clouds building as I drove home from work, and then drove first to dinner, then to the book club meeting...The clouds were building, and the wind changed.  I know this generally means storms on the South Plains, but I did not even hope for rain, given the disappointment from the lack of rain from Hermine.

I left the book club meeting, and walked out into an ending shower.  There was lots of evidence of a recent hard shower, and plenty of thunder and lightning.  For about another hour... Less rain, more thunder and lightning... But rain, none the less.

It was quiet

I had the day off.  Labor Day.  It was a quiet, lazy day.  No kayaking, too windy.  I read a LOT!  I am reading The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver http://www.kingsolver.com/books/.  It was a slow read at first, and I probably would not have persisted, except this book is for the Reading Circle.  Frequently, I have the TV, radio, or music on when reading inside. Not so for this book, too dry.  Need to focus on the reading...

It progressed well, all things considered.

   

Serendipity in the Max

A coworker needed a ride to pick up his vehicle at the repair shop...He was flexible with time, and I was leaving early to go to a reading club meeting. 

Normally in the summer, I have the kayak in  the Vue, and do not have passenger capacity, but because I had brought the view in for service, recently, I decided to take the kayak and paraphenalia out of the vehicle.  So, I had passenger capacity.

I thought the reading club was at the Distance Learning Center on the Texas Tech campus. The repair shop was between where we work and the Distance Learning Center: no problem.  I always leave a little early to get to the reading club because I dislike the feeling of being rushed...and I hate to be late.

I dropped off the coworker, and wended my way through the city streets and Texas Tech Campus to the Distance Learning Center.  I was early, but realized that there were very few vehicles there (many of the reading club members arrive early).  Oh, I realized that we had changed the location of the reading club to the Barnes and Noble store, which is located at the South Plains Mall, more southwest of town.  Well, I made my way to the Mall, and got to Barnes and Noble before the reading club began...Wow!  That was amazing to me...

It was a good discussion about a book of poetry.

Had I been paying attention to where the reading club was meeting, I could not have assisted my coworker.  Helping my coworker is important to me, and I am glad all worked out.....

A Book of Poetry

I read a book of poetry tonight.  Delights and Shadows by Ted Kooser http://www.tedkooser.net/ , about whom I know nothing other than what I read on the book. I read the book because it is the selection for the August Reading Circle of the Texas Tech Osher Life Long Learning Institute.  It has been a long time since I read a book of poetry, although I have read selections from books of poetry in the last 10 years.  Someone I met on line published a book of poetry, and I read some of that.

My favorite poets are Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost, and I have books of their poetry.  I have other books of poetry.

Mystery

I enjoy reading mysteries, and that has been the major fare of my reading for close to twenty years.  I read other books, but mysteries predominate.  And, I like serial mysteries.  And, I want to read them in order.  In one of my classes, I learned about Fantastic Fiction http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/ which gives you information about the author, and helps you by listing the mysteries in order.

I have several series going.  This helps in a couple of ways:  if I read too many of a series all at once, they all run in together.  Secondly, I rarely buy books (except for the ones I read for the book clubs) and I have to juggle series depending on availability in the library (including ordering from inter-library loan.)

I Did What I Wanted to Do

Frequently, I tell myself I should do things.  Like be outside, exercise, be more involved in the community...And, those are all good things for me to do. 

But, today, I did what I wanted to do:  read a book.  It was not a pressing, important, compelling book.  It was just a novel, and I read while I watched NASCAR, then turned the TV off and enjoyed the quiet. 

I think the cats enjoyed the quiet, too. 

Lesson to self:  I can give myself permission to do this more often.

Passion

I used to be passionate about stuff, but find I am no longer passionate.  I used to be passionate about NASCAR, and about birdwatching.  Now I just enjoy them... casually. 

I do not know why I feel so little depth of emotion these days. But I have been like this for some time... I just can not get excited about much.

I love my cats dearly, and my family and friends, but just do not have much depth of interest in other things.  I still watch baseball, NASCAR, go birdwatching and kayaking.  I am reading a lot. I still like to knit, and have a crewel and cross stitch project, as well as a couple of knitting projects pending. 

But no passion.   Hmmmmmmmmm.

The Mystery Reader

I am a mystery reader.  I have been a mystery reader for a long, long time, and enjoy many, many mystery series.  Of course, I love Agatha Christie http://www.agathachristie.com/ and am absolutely in love with the Miss Marple series http://www.agathachristie.com/story-explorer/characters/miss-marple/  and Hercule Poirot series, especially those in which David Souchet  http://www.agathachristie.com/story-explorer/characters/poirot/%20   is the star in the TV series.  With Agatha Christie, in addition to the mysteries set in England, there are many that are set in wonderfully exotic settings that are so intriguing. 

I found Susan Grafton http://www.suegrafton.com/ on my own.  I really liked her until, in the middle of the alphabet, she put Kinsey Milhone in a real predicament, then rescued here without telling the reader how (or only precursorily) Kinsey was able to get out of the predicament.  But, I stayed a fan, and the series got better.  I think Grafton was under too much pressure to produce novels too quickly...

And, because I read an article that said President Bill Clinton was a fan of Sara Paretsky's http://www.saraparetsky.com/  V I Warshawski series, I started reading those and found I was a fan. Paretsky did  not produce as many mysteries as quickly as Grafton, but hers were more well written.  And, more violent.

A friend introduced me to Dick Frances http://www.dickfrancis.com/site/DIFR/Templates/Home.aspx?pageid=3&cc=GB  and I was just enthralled.  These were great mysteries, associated with horse racing. There are a couple of continuing series, but mostly just independent stories.... Great!

The same friend introduced me to Nevada Barr http://www.nevadabarr.com/ the National Park Service Law Enforcement Forest Ranger who is involved in a series of mysteries.

The same friend introduce me to Tony Hillerman http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/tony-hillerman/ .  His mysteries are great!

She also introduced me to Alexander McCall Smith http://www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/  , who wrote several series.  However, the one my friend introduced me to was about The Number One Lady's Detective Agency http://www.randomhouse.com/features/mccallsmith/main.php  My friend shared a series of DVDs that showed the stories, but as always, the books are better.

My friend also has introduced me to China Bayles, who is an attorney who left Houston, and opened an herb shop in the Texas Hill Country.  http://www.susanalbert.com/   Fun mysteries that are set in familiar settings. 

I have gone to a couple of classes that are designed to expose the reader to mysteries: Bill Meador, who finished his career at the Lubbock Independent School District as a librarian, has taught multiple classes about these mysteries at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute http://www.depts.ttu.edu/outreach/ .  They have been invaluable to me... They have lead me to varous resources that help me with finding books, with buying books, and in general, how best to maximize your book resources.  

And, I now attend the Barnes and Noble Mystery Book Club.  We read a book by Margaret Coel, and that introduced me to the Wind River Reservation series http://www.margaretcoel.com/.

One more sight, from Bill Meador:  Fantastic Fiction http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/ gives you information about authors, and lists the series in order.  For someone like me, this is important.