Mission

Bibliophiliac is the space where one passionate, voracious reader reflects on books and the reading life. You will find reviews, analysis, links, and reflections on poetry and prose both in and out of the mainstream.

A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us. Franz Kafka

Monday, April 14, 2014

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Indecision


I know you've felt this way. There are just too many good books sitting on your shelf, giving you inviting looks. You sit, you fret, you equivocate. You can't decide.

That's where I am right now. Indecisive.

I've just finished a couple of good books. I have a little stretch of time in front of me. It's Spring break and I feel free. I want to read my brains out, something good and completely absorbing. I want to read a lot fast. I want to read something really good slowly.....

Here's what I just finished:

Darkroom: A Memoir in Black and White by Lila Quintero Weaver
This was an excellent memoir written by a woman who was neither black nor white, coming of age in Alabama during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. The book is heavily illustrated (in the style of a graphic novel) in beautiful black and white drawings.
Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke (review tomorrow)
A combination of thriller and horror genres... this one was a page turner.
Trans Atlantic by Colum McCann (review soon)
Breathtakingly gorgeous and emotionally wrenching. I loved, loved, loved this book, even though it had its slow moments. Colum McCann's writing is amazing.

In my bag (this is the book I carry everywhere and read in those little moments):
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Reading today (I hope in a single sitting):
How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America: Essays by Kiese Laymon
I heard an interview with the author on NPR


About to start:
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
I read Butler's Kindred in one day over the summer, so I have a feeling I will enjoy Parable of the Sower. It is the kind of book that will both make me think and keep me turning those pages.....

So.... It's Monday! What are you reading?
A bookish meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

8 comments:

Marce said...

How to Kill..... Holy smokes!!! You have me intrigued? Mind of Winter is on my Wishlist.

bibliophiliac said...

@Marce-You really have to read it to understand!

Lindsey said...

I totally understand all of those feelings. Isn't it terrible and glorious to be a reader? :)

ImageNations said...

I have gradually worked my way out of that kind of indecision into another problem: not enough books to choose from.

Currently, I am rereading 1984 by George Orwell.

bibliophiliac said...

@Lindsey-Yes! But I solved my indecision at last. If I had but world enough and time!

bibliophiliac said...

@Nana-I always have a list, but there are different reasons for reading. Lots of times it is because I am going to teach on a certain topic, or because my students are reading in a certain genre and I want to be able to have a conversation with them about their reading....

Anonymous said...

I would love to read Kindred first by Ms. Butler. I have heard so much about it, mostly good, over the years and never got around to it. Thanks for the reminder.

bibliophiliac said...

@Rita-Kindred is definitely a must-read!