Blogging begins ~ June 5, 2011

I was talking books with my Bible study friends and someone said “you should start a book blog.” The thought had never occurred to me, but it made perfect sense. I am always giving my (often unsolicited and most likely adamant) opinions and recommendations so why not do it where I could actually keep track of what I said? (As my husband the barrister always says regarding things you think you need to remember and perhaps defend later – “document, document, document.”)

So as I began to set it up: Step 1 was to name the blog (cue screeching tire noise). Huh? Stumped already. Set creative friend Aimee to work, put that off myself (that is called “procrastination” and “passing the buck.” See? We’ll even touch on vocabulary once in a while) and starting thinking of what I would actually do on said blog. First thing that hit me was that I needed to acknowledge my influences – not my literary influences, they will show up all over the blog later on. I need to point out those who have led me to where I am now and continue walking beside me.

*My parents – who always had full bookshelves and a willingness to take a trip to the library.

*Pam, my older sister – the first voracious reader I knew.
*Penny, my younger sister – always at the ready with a quirky book to recommend (“Stiff,” anyone?).
*Amy – she is just part of me and must show up on any “thank you” list I ever compose. It is as simple and deep as that.
*Julie – who introduced me to “Lonesome Dove” and we would sit in absolute mutually-appreciated silence in our dorm room while we each read our own book.
*The Diving Club – my sisters in Christ who first told me to do this blog. And then lovingly nagged me until it went online.
*Aimee – who took it upon herself to make me figure out this blog’s name. Much appreciated.
*My Book Club (yet to be named) – who always surprise me with their pick of the month and graciously remember the group with bookmarks from their travels far and near.
*Noa – my daughter who once wrote a poem about me that included the word “Shakespeare” and is on pace to be an even bigger reader than myself (with even more adamant opinions).
*Nathan and Micah – my boys who already show an interest in books as they drag a bag of them to the car every time we go anywhere and then ask me to read “Lego Star Wars: A Visual Dictionary” one.more.time.
*and David: who supported my habit by buying me my Kindle, knows how a house with built-in bookshelves is a must, looks forward to me getting my doctorate in English more than I do, and he loves me. That’s a good man.

So what to expect from this blog? I have kept a reading journal for a while now and it began because people would ask me how a book was that I read two months ago and I blanked. I wrote if I liked it, if it was recommended and by whom, a basic plot (if I knew I was going to forget it), how it changed me, favorite quotes, and where my mind went during and after I read it.  When a book makes me think, I tend to write more about it and what I am thinking – but one particular book’s entry in my book journal is “meh.” If something in the book needs research for me to understand it more, I can veer off to find out. (Example: When I read “The Book Thief” for the third time in a year – yes, it is that good; future blog? – I wanted to know exactly how nuts Hitler actually was so I read “Mein Kampf.” Just so you know, he was >really< nuts.) And on occasion, I ask David legal questions and I will share his insights as well (see “The Accidental Billionaires”). I am guessing that is what is going to show up here. I promise no spoilers (“no, really, they all die! It’s crazy!”), unless I tag it as a spoiler. You know I will be blunt. I will say “no, I did not like ‘Art of Racing in the Rain,’ and yes, I heard someone malevolently whisper ‘blasphemy!’ from the back of the room and I can live with that.’” (True story.)

I will probably also put up various favorite lists as they come to me (favorite all-time, favorite books made into films, etc.). Don’t expect a weekly “Top 10” or my version of “NY Times Bestseller.” I read fast, but not that fast.

Rankings:

5 = I own two copies of this book. One hardback for myself and one paperback to lend out.
4 = If I lost this or lent it out and wanted the person to keep it, I would buy another copy.
3 = Ask around to borrow it or hit the library.
3.5 = Read it merely to be able to cross it off my “Must Read/It’s a Classic” list.
2 = With no real effort, I would see if it was on the library shelf and if not, move on.
1 = Even if it was free on Kindle, I wouldn’t waste the space on it.

So, what does Paula read? I pretty much read anything. There are books and subjects I have no interest in at all – but that goes for everybody. I read current fiction, young adult, classics, nonfiction, plays, biographies, history, Christian living, whatever the book club names that month; books on parenting, marriage, relationships.  I try to keep a varied schedule and often will read something heavy while reading something lighter at the same time. Skip as you wish – I am not offended. And I am always interested in your response and book recommendations you have. Send them on.

Happy reading.  ~P