Bookshelf

An ordinary person enjoys the pleasure of one book. Or maybe, if they are really daring, two. Some may even attempt three but that’s just lunacy. And then there’s me. I’m in the middle of five different books. Because I’ve been making an effort to read more I think I’m going to make Thursday ‘Bookshelf’ where I discuss the books  I’ve been reading. I don’t discuss politics on this blog and I rarely discuss religion. One thing I do is talk alot about my myself. And I think maybe Thursdays we could take a break from this and talk about something else. Like books.

1. The Guinea Pig Experiment by AJ Jacobs

AJ Jacobs is a hilarious innovator. He lived biblically for a year, he read the encyclopedia cover to cover and dedicated a year to making himself healthier. This collection is a bunch of mini-essays on which he reports on his mini experiments such as impersonating a “hot” woman online. I’m reading it to my mom who likes AJ as much as I do. AJ is the biggest celebrity I’ve ever “met”. I commented on Twitter that I liked his book (The Year of Living BIblically) and he replied to it “Leigh, you have caused me to commit the sin of pride”

1. A Year of Living Constitutionally (also by AJ Jacobs)

Yes, I’m reading another AJ Jacobs book. They are just too addicting. This book (which came out this year, an election year) is about how A.J. explores the Constitution and tries to live it literally. I just read the part where he and his wife offer cake at election polls because they treated voting like festivals in the days of the Founding Father. I do appreciate AJ’s ability to discuss the Constitution without constantly dragging his own political beliefs into it.

1. No Stopping Us Now by Gail Collins

I’ve read Gail Collin’s other books (American Women and When Everything Changed) but this one is about older women in American History and how they are treated. Are they working to support their family by doing needlepoint by candlelight? Are they going on campaigns to petition women’s suffrage? Are they dancing at speakeasies? I’m glad I got taught history by an excellent woman who focused on history’s most important people. And that includes other women. 

4) Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome: A Memoir of Humor and Healing in 30 Religions by Reba Riley

I wasn’t sure how to feel about this title. First of all, I have PTSD. I’m not going to get upset if someone misuses the disorder especially if they have a reason to do so.  It’s about a woman with chronic illness who embarks on a journey of exploring different religions. Right now she is in a baptist church. I gotta say if my church as festive as a baptist church maybe Sunday mornings wouldn’t be so bad growing up.

5. Watchmen (the comic)

I saw the movie back in April and so far they are very similar. In fact next week I think I’m going to make more blog posts about it. I love Watchmen. It’s brutal, it’s violent, its clever. It is engaging. It is the only comic book I ever read and now I own it (Justin bought it home for me from Boston). Truly a great gift.