What are you reading?

Matt Ridley's Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters

The Book on the Bookshelf, by Henry Petroski

It's a fascinating (although a bit dry and self-indulgent on part of the author commending himself about how clever he is quite often) book about the history of the bookshelf. You're probably thinking "how could that possibly be interesting?" but it's very intriguing to learn about the origins of books and how they were first stored. For instance, books were not originally stored spine-out, and often had decorations on the edge of the pages so that the books could be identified because they often had chains attached so that they could not be removed from libraries (which were attached to the book near where you open it, not by the spine).

I know, I'm a nerd! 

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.  I can't put it down, it's so good!!

Chary: The Island was a nice read. I'm not sure how much discussion you'll get about it at book club as it's pretty straight forward. I would considered it more of a "beach read", but an interesting one nonetheless!

I'm reading The Island, and have to agree with Bmore_2_UK. It's so straightforward that it reads as though a high school student had written it. No nuances of language, no nothing. The story's OK, but I'm struggling with it.

The Book on the Bookshelf, by Henry Petroski

That sounds fabulous! (from a fellow nerd) 

The Book on the Bookshelf, by Henry Petroski

Can I just admit how fascinating this book sounds to me too....

Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman.

It is a book of short stories centred around a house and its inhabitants.  I usually hate, hate, hate short stories but I am adoring this book.  I can't wait to get to the next story to see what happens!

That sounds fabulous! (from a fellow nerd) 

Can I just admit how fascinating this book sounds to me too....

It really is! The sad thing is, I've already been teased by my Art History professor about it. You'd think he would be interested in it, as fore-edge painting on the edge of the books is art in itself! If you have the opportunity to read it, I would give it a go. It's great so far!

Thanks, fellow nerds! I don't feel so alone in my nerdiness now 

Thanks, fellow nerds! I don't feel so alone in my nerdiness now 

Stand tall! Be proud! Nerds UNITE! 

(I've just ordered the book from Amazon! Yaye!)

Stand tall! Be proud! Nerds UNITE! 

(I've just ordered the book from Amazon! Yaye!)

Yay! I hope you enjoy it! It's a bit dry sometimes, but I find the information in it really fascinating about the history of libraries and book storage.

And hooray for united nerds! 

Yay! I hope you enjoy it! It's a bit dry sometimes, but I find the information in it really fascinating about the history of libraries and book storage.

It sounds the sort of book you can dip in and out of, rather than reading straight through like a novel. Am I right?

It sounds the sort of book you can dip in and out of, rather than reading straight through like a novel. Am I right?

Exactly! That's part of why I'm enjoying it so much. I'm so busy this month that if I were to read a novel, I'd probably get lost and have to read bits over again. It's great! 

Kitty and the Midnight Hour

I read this in three days... sexy, fun, hip... Sounds bizarre, but totally believable, though obviously fiction; but not fluff or chick lit.

I'd put it on my wishlist as a curiosity, forgot, and had it sent to me for my birthday  
I LOVED IT.

Finished The Island last night, just in time for this evening's book club meeting. Good story, but the writing really let it down.

So now I can read what I want to read! Yaye! I have a whole pile of Persephone books (my obsession, addiction, passion, etc.) waiting for me. The only problem is which one to start with! They're such gorgeous books, with amazing endpapers. Just a joy to look at, much less read.

The Victorian Chaise-Longue by Marghanita Laski
Good Evening, Mrs. Craven: The Wartime Stories of Mollie Panter-Downes
Mariana by Monica Dickens
Family Roundabout by Richmal Crompton
Cheerful Weather for the Wedding by Julia Strachey
The Wise Virgins by Leonard Woolf
The Runaway by Elizabeth Anna Hart
Every Eye by Isobel English
Miss Ranskill Comes Home by Barbara Euphan Todd

In my unthinking Persephone-mania, I've found myself with double copies of Good Evening, Mrs. Craven: The Wartime Stories of Mollie Panter-Downes. If anyone wants one, just let me know and I'll post it.

chary, what are Persephone books??

chary, what are Persephone books??

Persephone is a small publishing firm that publishes reprints of "forgotten classics" -- books that were once well-known but are now out of print. They're mostly 20th century and mostly by women. They have some fantastic titles, and the books are presented really beautifully. I'm a bit of a groupie.
http://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/