Sunday, December 12, 2010

Why I'm a Compulsive Reader

I would like to offer this explanation of why I read so much. I can't help it.

Seriously, it's an occupational hazard. What happens is this, I'm at work, minding my own business, just buying new books for the library when I run across book titles like the ones listed below. Now, you tell me if you don't just really want to read a few of them...

How Many Friends Does One Person Need? Dunbar's Number and Other Evolutionary Quirks
by R.I.M. Dunbar
Evidently...you can only have 150 friends. I can't help but want to know why...and then mentally count up who my 150 friends are...(they certainly include anyone who actually reads and comments on my silly little blog)

The Secret Life of Your Cat: Unlock the Mysteries of your Pet's Behavior
by Vicky Hall
I don't actually want to read this...I don't really understand wanting a pet, let alone wanting to understand your pet. But I still think it's a great title for a book.

Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture
by Peggy Orenstein
I MUST read this book. The title is amazing and the whole idea just screams to be investigated.


The Man Whisperer: A Gentle, Results-Oriented Approach to Communication
by Donna Sozio
Does this book remind anyone of a little movie titled "When a Man Answers"? I have no intention to read this book...but, again, it still intrigues a little.

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating
by Elisabeth Tova Balley
I am reading this book right now and it is pretty good. Not as good as it's title, but that is really close to being the best title I've seen in months...ever since "Here's Looking at Euclid".

Science of Kissing: What Our Lips are Telling Us
by Sheril Kirshenbaum
Don't laugh...I am sooo excited to read this book! It "explores the act of kissing from a scientific perspective, from the history of kissing to how it differs in different cultures to the effects of lip gloss..." Good stuff, eh?

The Pot and How to Use It: The Mystery and Romance of the Rice Cooker
by Roger Ebert
I'm totally not making that up!

Creative Paper Jewerly
by Dafna Yarom
I...um...don't know what to say. I didn't know there was paper jewelry...and I don't actually intend to find out about it....but look at that necklace!

Atlas of Remote Islands: Fifty Islands I Have Never Set Foot and Never Will
by Judith Schalansky
Totally sounds like my kind of travel book! Learn all about a beautiful new place without having to deal with all the sand and sunburns.

Moby-Duck: The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea and of the Beachcombers, Oceanographers, Environmentalists, and Fools,
Including the Author
by Donovan Hohn
Love it. Totally makes me think of another book I really wanted to read this year and never got around to..."Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Da
nger of Everyday Things".

We, Robot: Skywalker's Hand, Blade Runner, Iron Man, Slutbots, and How Fiction Became Fact
by Mark Stephen Meadows
Brilliant title...but the reviews didn't actually make it sound all that interesting. The title is a bit misleading.

Well, anyway there are just a few books that caught my eye this past week. I probably won't get around to reading most of them...but I want to, and that is what keeps the pile of books by my bed so tall. And keep in mind, these are just the nonfiction books, fiction titles can be just as good...like say "Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right."

But I think I've made my point.

4 comments:

Mary Ann said...

I can't wait to hear your review on that kissing book! I think you need to join Compulsive Readers Anonymous, if it exists.

marlamuppets said...

oh i love books so much!! i love libraries! this year i'm going to find all the cool ones in minnesota.

i love the man whisperer -- that's hilarious.
and that paper necklace is atrocious!!

when i grow up i want to be a library girl. xooox

Elmer said...

But I still haven't figured out how you find the time...

Michaelynn said...

I love it that you love books. I love books too. And I love it that I can count on you for book recommendations. In fact, I almost called you the other day when I was at a loss for what to grab next. But the moment passed and holds finally arrived at my library.