Last night I laid in bed and cried to Abel. Not over worries about his job or my health (which is fine, BTW), or about anything in our lives. Rather, I cried about the book I had just put down. "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. I'm reading it for my book club. I suggested it. Right now I can't figure out why. I read it about a year ago and it was one of the only books that I've ever read that I literally finished then went back to the first page to start again. Only I didn't read it again then. It was too painful.
I think the first time I read it, I spent most of the book just trying to follow along and figure out what the heck was happening. This time I know. And this time every single sentence rips my heart apart.
I suggested it to my book club because I was desperate to discuss it. It didn't get voted in and I think I was probably secretly relieved. In the next round of voting a friend suggested I put it up for consideration again. This time it was chosen by the members of our group. I remembered the premise but wanted to read it again before the October book club meeting. I've been reading it the last few nights and it is awful. Just awful. And, at the same time so incredibly beautiful. The beauty and the darkness wrench my heart. Every line breaks my heart. I think the New York Times review says it best, "'The Road' would be pure misery if not for its stunning, savage beauty."
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Works for Me! Library Books
Rocks in my Dryer was one of the first blogs I discovered when I started reading blogs and I love it! I'm so excited to participate in Shannon's Works for me Wednesday blogging extravaganza for the first time!
What works for me? Library books!
I've been working at my current job for just over 1.5 years and have only purchased 1 new book in that entire time! I work at a university and we're in a library consortium with many other local universities. I estimate that I read about 16 books each year, just over one each month. (And, since I've joined a second book club recently, this average is bound to increase!)
What do I do? I get all my books from the library!! (The one exception is the first book for my work book club, ironically, it was so new it wasn't available for checking out of any of the consortium libraries!)
If we assume I've read about 24 books in the last 1.5 years and that new books cost an average of $15 (these have mostly been books already in paperback) then I've saved approximately $360 since starting this job!
The Library Works for Me!!
What works for me? Library books!
I've been working at my current job for just over 1.5 years and have only purchased 1 new book in that entire time! I work at a university and we're in a library consortium with many other local universities. I estimate that I read about 16 books each year, just over one each month. (And, since I've joined a second book club recently, this average is bound to increase!)
What do I do? I get all my books from the library!! (The one exception is the first book for my work book club, ironically, it was so new it wasn't available for checking out of any of the consortium libraries!)
If we assume I've read about 24 books in the last 1.5 years and that new books cost an average of $15 (these have mostly been books already in paperback) then I've saved approximately $360 since starting this job!
The Library Works for Me!!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Whispers and Cuddles
As I have eluded to before, Lucas is a crazy man these days. One of his favorite new activities is to run as fast as he can from the living room through the kitchen and then stop himself by slamming into the kitchen side door. Then running back and doing it all over again. And again. And again. Every single time he laughs like crazy when he hits the door. The boy doesn't sit down except when watching Elmo and recently, when reading his new books.
We recently picked out two new books for Lucas--both have flaps. One is his choo-choo book (Thomas the Train) the other is just full of pictures of trucks, motorcycles, airplanes, etc. He loves these books and will snuggle with me for 10 or 15 minutes reading them over and over again, flipping the pages, opening the flaps, pointing out the smallest details. I didn't even notice that a kitty was peaking out of the barn that Thomas rides by--but Lucas did!
Last night we had an especially nice cuddly reading session.
It had been a crazy evening--it always is on the days that I have to work and pick him up from the babysitter. We get home and Lucas doesn't want to come inside. But, it is already about 6pm and I know he's hungry and tired. So I have to drag him inside and quickly throw something together for him to eat. It is always hard (but luckily doesn't happen too often because usually when I work Abel can pick Lucas up a little early and get started on all this).
Last night after he ate some dinner we cuddled on the couch and read the books. Then we just sat there and whispered to each other. It was so much fun. I really savored the moment--they are so rare these days. Don't get me wrong, I love my crazy boy and all his new abilities. I love to run with him. I love to push him high in the swing and stand behind him as he climbs the steps to the big kid slide at the park. But, I really miss my baby snuggles. It was nice to have those back for a few moments last night.
We recently picked out two new books for Lucas--both have flaps. One is his choo-choo book (Thomas the Train) the other is just full of pictures of trucks, motorcycles, airplanes, etc. He loves these books and will snuggle with me for 10 or 15 minutes reading them over and over again, flipping the pages, opening the flaps, pointing out the smallest details. I didn't even notice that a kitty was peaking out of the barn that Thomas rides by--but Lucas did!
Last night we had an especially nice cuddly reading session.
It had been a crazy evening--it always is on the days that I have to work and pick him up from the babysitter. We get home and Lucas doesn't want to come inside. But, it is already about 6pm and I know he's hungry and tired. So I have to drag him inside and quickly throw something together for him to eat. It is always hard (but luckily doesn't happen too often because usually when I work Abel can pick Lucas up a little early and get started on all this).
Last night after he ate some dinner we cuddled on the couch and read the books. Then we just sat there and whispered to each other. It was so much fun. I really savored the moment--they are so rare these days. Don't get me wrong, I love my crazy boy and all his new abilities. I love to run with him. I love to push him high in the swing and stand behind him as he climbs the steps to the big kid slide at the park. But, I really miss my baby snuggles. It was nice to have those back for a few moments last night.
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