Random Reading Updates

I discovered goodreads in September 2009 after a recommendation from a friend (either Diana or Deborah, both avid book lovers) and I instantly fell in love.  Not only was I able to browse ratings and recommendations for whatever my next read would be but I was to keep my "list" of books in one update-able place.  I used to keep handwritten, then typewritten, lists of the books I loved.  (I love lists).  But sometimes I'd lose them and have to start all over, so now it's lovely to have it all in once place.

I committed to the annual Reading Challenge this year and said I'd read 40 books this year.  I wasn't sure I'd make that (I've never read that many books in one year, even during school).  But, after learning from fellow booklover  Zakiya that I could download and read e-books for free from the public library (WOW!) I've become unstoppable.  Everytime I get an email from the library that one of my wait list books is available for download, I must download it, finish the last book I've checked out and start on the next one.  Something about the pressure of the 21 day return deadline, and that they're instant, and that they're free . . . who knows how many books could be read?!

I'm currently 25 books in to my 40 goal.  Some of my favorites from this year, so far: Unbroken, The Girl Who Fell From the Sky and Water for Elephants.

It's been soooooo long since I posted that I considered shutting it all down. Who would miss it? Probably me. Even though I've neglected it, I knew it was there, available and ready. And, here it is--without judgment. Like a good friend. Aww.

So, where to start? Why not with a couple of pieces I made over the last year for two very good friends who both happened to be celebrating their 40th birthdays. Maybe this will be a Happy 40th Birthday tradition. If you're married for 40 years, you get rubies. If you turn 40 and you're my friend, you get a handpainted calligraphy piece describing how awesome you are!

Now That's a Book Bag!

I was listening to NPR today and heard an interview with a woman named Caitlin who made purses out of books. I gasped as I listened to her cutting the pages out of a book with her X-acto knife. It felt so wrong somehow. And then, as I continued to listen to her, I became curious. She clearly is an artist with a vision. She makes the purses from actual book covers, usually those she rescued from library discards, yard sales, thrift shops, etc. She then finds fabric and beads and hardware to complement the book. The results are truly beautiful.

Ex Libris

Not too long ago, I found myself on a quiet mission to claim ownership of all of my books. It started with one book -- a favorite book which I was about to lend out and didn't want to lose track of. I thought of simply writing my name inside the front cover but that seemed too casual, almost disrespectful for this particular book. So, I looked online for some bookplates I could order quickly. I ended up taking a wonderful trek through the world of bookplates -- from the history of bookplates to customization to collection (there are societies dedicated to the study and preservation of bookplates). I also found some beautiful designs. Too many for me to actually settle on one. I ended up making my own. If anyone needs a personalized bookplate, you now know who to call!

What Just Left My Nightstand (just the good stuff)

The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. Nonfiction. One man's quest to live the ultimate biblical life, to follow every single rule in the Bible as literally as possible. What results is both hilarious and reflective. A good read for anyone who has ever wondered about all those crazy rules in the Bible!

Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street by Michael Davis. Nonfiction. Chronicles the history of the landmark children's television program just in time for the show's 40th anniversary this year. A great read for anyone who has fond memories of Jim Henson and the classic Sesame Street years.

Grungeboard Creations

It has been a while since I have nurtured my creative spirit. In the midst of professional transition, personal challenges and an active 17 month old, Creativity was collecting dust on the bottom shelf. Well, a recent visit to the Rubber Stamp Convention in Carson, CA was all the inspiration I needed. It was a smaller convention than usual but I didn't mind because it allowed me to slow down and actually watch some demonstrations. I spent most of my time at the Tim Holtz booth, watching the artists there and picking up some new tips and tricks. I learned how to make my own version of Tattered Angels' Glimmer Mist by mixing water with Perfect Pearls (which I already had at home but didn't know what to do with!) in a $1.75 mini spray bottle (saving myself about 8 bucks). My favorite purchase was Tim Holtz's Grungeboard which takes ink like paper but acts like leather. The night I came home, I made a series of tag cards celebrating Spring's arrival. Over the course of the last couple of weeks, I had fun making a 20 page journal for a friend. Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Anxiously Awaiting Amazon's Kindle

I've been patiently watching the life of the Kindle Reader for over a year now. This is completely unlike me -- I am an impulse buyer, a manifester of consumer destinies. Only with my car have I have spent this much time looking and studying (and that was a good buy!). So, I didn't buy the first generation because I wanted to see the world's reaction and allow Amazon to work out the inevitable kinks (Amazon is no Apple). I was ready to break down and purchase one for the holidays when I learned that they were back ordered for months and would not ship until the end of the 1Q 2009. What?! Were they crazy? How disappointed was I? Well, very until I learned that Kindle2 would be coming out early this year.

It is here and it looks fantastic. I'm saving up all my pennies to get one. Until then, I can pretend to have a Kindle on my iPhone. (Again, Amazon is no Apple, but at least it knows to befriend the technological behemoth.) My new favorite -- and free -- application on my iPhone is the Kindle App. It allows you to read any and all books you've purchased or downloaded on your Kindle or from the Kindle store and read them on your iPhone. So, even though I don't yet have a Kindle, I can purchase a book from the Kindle store and read it where ever I go. It is much better than the existing book reader apps simply because of the size of the book collection. Stanza has nothing on this. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!