Tag Archives: reading

That Cover Looks Divine on you

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gavDuring my daily rounds through the New York Times this morning, I came across an article that not only discussed my coveted Miss Kindle2, but it also touched on the concept of judging people by the book they have in their hand. The mood of the article leaned against the age old practice of judging a person by their cover. If a person has a Kindle2 in their hand, can they be book assessed?

My first thought was, does it really matter? Second thought, I’d think anyone that paid $359 dollars to enhance their ability to read books shows a hefty commitment to reading. Third thought (bonus Kindle realization) I could read a hot and basic, bodice ripping– muscle bulging romance in public and no one would know the difference! Cloak of mystery!

Honestly, the article had me step back and wonder….do I judge people by the book jacket they cradle in their hands?

I do know I pay attention. I spend time in the coffee shops and admit I will strain my neck in the most un-obvious ways to see what books people are reading. I admit when I’m standing in line at the bookstore I’ll tilt my head, ever so slightly, slide my eye’s to the side and try to read the spines of  books people are getting ready to purchase. Indeed. I am curious.

So what do some books visually translate as? Is Tennyson the equivalent of a fine tailored suit and  Jude Deveraux is spandex pants and a skin tight tank-top? What exactly is the judging significance of one book over the other, if any? I also wondered where I fit into that line of jury and trial. I realized I must not care what people think of my book choices considering I’ve previously admitted on this blog that I dislike many classic novels and enjoyed the Twilight series. I also love e.e. cummings and Shakespeare but I am not above reading a bodice ripping, sweat dripping romance in times of desperation. My book stock must swing wildly between beer battered chicken and a fine wine on a warm evening. Gasp, maybe I’m just the average middle class American when it comes to my reading choices.

The question they proposed on the article was, “How do you judge people by the covers of the books they read?” Do I judge? Do you?

Is it about judgement or is it actually about discovering what other people are interested in? I can’t imagine saying to someone, “I’m sorry, you have a book by Nora Roberts, we can no longer associate, that’s beneath my level of reading.” Gavel slam, Official judgement. Judging by book covers borders a snobbery with no clear definition. Basically all books are subjective to individual tastes. So whats the point?

I know (the majority of) others don’t rash judge in this manner. At least I hope not. As I’ve told my daughters over the years, I don’t care what you are reading, just so long as you are reading……something….anything….everyday……….

#BlogFind: Speaking of books. Recently I won 11 books *cha-ching* from this blog and I always enjoy going over to read the book reviews, enter new book contests, read Author interviews and generally expand my book mind. I suggest getting to know Drey @ Drey’s Library. Your book cover stock is bound to go UP!

It’s a Technical Envy

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~Isn't It So Pretty~

~Isn't It So Pretty~

Over the span of my lifetime I shall boldly claim I’ve been fairly immune to the bells and whistles of electrical callings. I’m so resiliant I don’t even have a iPhone, nor blackberry, or (gasp) a cell phone that takes basic pictures.  My highly evolved (or perhaps it’s stunted) immunity to technology has saved me truck loads of money over the years.

I know this because I haven’t bought anything. Around my house it’s same old TV that probably needs one of those converters everyone keeps talking about. My daughters have one video game system that they say is so old it’s grown long grey hairs out it’s nose and keeps dropping it’s dentures in the middle of a game. My laptop is 4 years, maybe 5 years old and if we apply the philosophy of computer years, much like the aging process of dogs, it means this laptop I’m typing on is close to becoming a fossilized fuel product. Dinosaur old.

But even people with immunity like myself have weak spots. If I think back and try to identify the first time I was effected by technical advancement fever, I remember video games. I wanted an Atari. Oh my god I knew life would not be complete, it would virtually come to a stand still and I would rot in deprivation, if I didn’t have an Atari and play Pong. So, my family got one. We ruled the kingdom of cutting edge. The euphoria of inviting other neighborhood friends over and giving them timed limits of play on the Atari was nothing short of pure youth power. But all empires must fall right?  This was also my first lesson in technical hierarchy. A neighbor boy, the dirty rotten thunder stealing thief, got a new game system, called an Intellivision. I was immediately DE-throwned by the neighborhood mob because of this new, fancier high tech model. How quickly we learn friendship, especially electrical, can be fleeting~ The word Utopia still grates at my nerves……….

That fall from grace was my first step into electrical current filled waters and I’d like to think I learned my lesson, electrocution style. Sure, I had a few more cravings over the years. A waterproof cordless phone from the JCpenney catalogue I just knew would revolutionize my phone time with girlfriends. A ghetto blaster, the bigger the better, seemed the only suitable playing device for Madonna or Michael Jackson. A Walkman for playing cassettes while on the move or during sequestered times in the car with the parents and brother. But on the whole, it wasn’t a priority in my life.

But, I’ve been mega-byte bitten once again and I want. I don’t need, but I desire. I don’t have to have, but I’m drooling with ‘could’… Instead of buying a phone that belongs with the era and can take a picture, I want a Kindle2. Instead of getting a TV that is smaller then a house, I’d rather buy a Kindle2. From the moment I saw the Kindle2 I’ve dreamed of all the ways she (because only a female based identity would do for something like this)…..she and I could become great book friends. I’ve thought about how she could slip nicely in my purse and produce reading material anytime I desire. I thought about finishing a book and instead of making the effort to trudge down to the bookstore, I could hit a few buttons and BAM, instant electrical infusion of the word nature. A library at my fingertips, how divine~ 

Miss Kindle2 could come to dinner with me and sit on the table against the salt and pepper shakers.I’m certain she would love coffee shops and enjoy long trips in the car. She could go on the plane with me and amuse the fly time away. Miss Kindle2 could even go in the bath with me like the old fashioned books as long as I protect her up in a zip lock bag! We have options and plans, herand I, and I guess Amazon as well.

Now, I am allowing for a courtship here before we make a $359 dollar commitment. My birthday is near the end of next Month and as long as things carry on in present fashion, her and I will be officially united in reading and technology on May 20th. I need to put one of those Amazon pictures over in my sidebar just so I can gaze upon it’s beautiful looks everyday!! Mail order ‘word’ bride~ (found one!)

If anyone knows why Miss Kindle2 and I shouldn’t be formally bonded through words, technology and money, this is when you should step up and say your peace or forever bite your tongue. (If she makes a bad reading partner then good lord say something! I don’t want to hear any ‘I shoulda told ya’ 3 months after the big day)

Do you have Technical Envy of something? Covet anything cool lately?

#Blogfind: I enjoy this blog for it’s daily simplicity that packs a powerful punch. Terri’s entries are inspiring, thought provoking, make me laugh. Some days she’ll grace us with a poem, some days a snippet story, or a quick inspiration filled thought to make a mind go Hmmmm…..Her blog is variety with a kick and I adore it. Go visit TJ’s Daily Expression Blog 

P.S. All BlogFinds will also be relocated and reside on their own special page, located up there (points up) in the page bar. See it? The tab that eloquently says, BlogFind….tricky tricky~

Confessions Of A Fraudulent BookShelf

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sizedpic

I randomly plucked dusty books from various locations around my house . I decided a proof positive picture of my book guilt was in order.

<~~~All these books, over there, are unread.

A Fraudulent book impression sprinkled within my bookshelves.

And although no one has asked for a confession of any sort, the burden of my counterfeit book behavior is making me come clean. For the record, since I’m making this official and all, that’s just a small example of my non-read, yet remains on my bookshelves like a used book….. guilt. (there’s always a drop of  ‘someday’ lingering)

I didn’t start off as a guilty poser. Every book I’ve purchased was above board, laced with innocent reading intention and full consumption hope. I’ve never bought a book based on a shallow notion it would look good on my bookshelf. Or thought that,  just by a books mere presence, my overall book stock would go up. However, I have probably bought a book or two, To Read,  just in case…..you know…..someone smart and whip brilliant finds me fascinating enough to say, “Oh, Rebecca, you sound so book knowledgeable, pray tell, what was your interpretation of  Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.?”

Hey, just when you think it wouldn’t  happen, it would……..

With all that being said,  I can claim to having cracked the spine on every one of those abandoned books. A valiant effort certainly commenced. Each book had it’s chance to wrap it’s arms around me and take me to a new world. Every one of those books bored me to tears until I simply tossed them aside for something a bit more interesting, a bit more entertaining and a lot less monotonous.  

This might be a good moment to mention, so that I don’t come across as (gasp) illiterate, the classics I’m referring to are mainly pre- 1940′s style of writing and living. There are a few I’ve enjoyed, a select few.

Sigh. I feel such shame in my lack of enthusiasm for the majority of classics. I’d like to adhere to the notion that it  takes a certain sort of mind frame, or a unique personality to bask in the (supposed) pleasure of swimming though classics………..Evidently, I do not fall into that category. For those of you that possess the tenacity and virtue to wade through these books….For one, I’m jealous and furthermore, I applaud you, admire you and of course grovel for your understanding and acceptance that not all of us ‘get it’……….

This also concludes all previous ambitions I held of joining a Jane Austen Club. I have a feeling if I tried to sneak into one, those devote Austen souls could sniff out a cliff notes impostor in 10 minutes flat. I’d be flogged before I could say Pride and Prejudice.