currently reading
This week over at The Collective they’ve been running a book meme, so I thought I’d talk a little about the enormous stack of books that is slowly building up on my desk. I love to read, but it also seems that I love to buy books faster than I can get through them. Part of this, no doubt, is due to living in Portland and having a giant independent bookstore like Powell’s within walking distance. I’m there nearly every Sunday, often just browsing but I do bring home new books pretty frequently.
Here’s a quick rundown of recently acquired books that I’ve either just read, am in the process of reading, or will read very soon.
- The Lost Books of the Odyssey: I spied this one on their ‘Upcoming Readings’ shelf and bought my copy after hearing Zachary Mason read a few of the passages. The premise is that the book is from a recently deciphered document that has foiled scholars for ages, and that it’s a sort of apocryphal compilation of stories surrounding Homer’s The Odyssey. The writing is exceptional, the stories fascinating. This is one of the smartest books I’ve read so far this year.
- The City of Saints and Madmen: I first heard Jeff VanDerMeer’s name dropped by one of my favorite authors at another reading I was attending, when a member of the audience asked Richard Morgan who he was reading these days. I picked up the Veniss Underground novella and absolutely loved it. I grabbed this one recently and have only had time to just start it.
- Three from Richard Brautigan: I know that Brandon had mentioned Brautigan more than once, but usually this would be after I’d had a few drinks and so would promptly forget about it until the next time he brought it up. After our most recent meet-up I decided I wasn’t going to forget this time, so I pulled a pen out and scribbled ‘Brautigan’ on my hand. If I had to be honest about which book I’m actually ‘currently reading’, it would be this one.
- The War of Art and The Artist’s Way: Both of these were on the same endcap, and both were mentioned in a post by the Communicatrix. I took that as a sign and picked them both up.
- The Great Gatsby: Kat sure seems to like this book. Also, I was able to get a used copy for, like, five bucks.
- Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days: Alastair Reynolds is currently my favorite science-fiction author. I grabbed this one the other day and added it to my queue because I have to have at least one awesome sci-fi novel going at all times.
Like books? Head over to Phone It In Friday and let the Collective know. Also feel free to friendify me on GoodReads.
i think “like” may be the understatement of the century.
last time i went to powell’s i brought home about a zillion books. i thank god every day i don’t live in portland.
I put myself on book-buying probation after my last trip to Portland. I have three stacks of books on the bench in my living room and I have to finish at least one stack before I can buy more. I’m making good progress though!
God, I love Powell’s.
kat!, my powers of hyperbole extend in the other direction to gross understatement, as well.
jenny, I admire your discipline, because I ducked into Powell’s on the way home tonight and already have my next two books picked out.
You know, I think it’s better to buy and have them stack up than to have my problem - I read much faster than I can get my hands on books, and no library to really speak of.
Kyra, you’re probably right, I think I’d go stark raving mad if I ran out of things to read.
NOW WAS THAT SO BLOODY DIFFICULT?!? After begging for months to get you to post your current reads, we FINALLY get our wish! I know I can go over to GoodReads, but I always forget, and they don’t offer a webfeed like your blog does. Now I’ve got new books to read, so thanks!
So, does reading Steel Magnolias and Anne of Green Gables make me appear less than man? How embarassing.
So, you know how David Bowie named one of his albums “Diamond Dogs”? Direct correlation. Bowie was (probably still is) a huge sci-fi fanatic. I only know this because I love howling some Bowie at karaoke…ahh, I miss my karaoke crew!!
Dave2, yeah, I procrastinated a bit. But hey, I gave you plenty of books to read last time you were here.
Lewis, if anything it probably makes you manlier than I am.
Joe Rock, are you serious? That’s probably the third Bowie reference I’ve found in this guy’s books. And yeah, we’ll have to throw in some karaoke when you get into town!
I read Brautigan back in the 70s…loved his poetry!
I haven’t worked my way around to the poetry yet, although I do have one of those books in my “to read” pile.