Books and Difficult Choices

One half of my room is utterly consumed by art supplies. Tripods, watercolor paper, sketchbooks, paper pads, a desk, drafting tools, and other various materials spill out and reach towards my bed. About another quarter is filled up with a Casio keyboard, a Lowry mini-organ (in sad disrepair), and my entertainment center. The last quarter is filled up with books.

I've always been a reader. In fact, I blame the poor quality of the connections I have with people at my school on it. By Kindergarten (I never went to pre-school) I had read the first three Harry Potter books and was waiting eagerly for my mum to buy me the fourth. During playtime I usually hid under the table and read whatever short novels my teacher gave me to read. I used to have arguments with the librarian about whether or not I could read and comprehend the books I wanted to take out.

Naturally, this has led to a lifelong addiction to books. Even now I tend to 'binge-read' books and become obsessed with that particular book until I am finished with it. A trip to the bookstore with me is a nightmare. I can hardly be found once I am among the rows and rows of the best bookstore in my semi-local area, and I don't stay in one place. I often forget to answer my phone. It is me and the books.

Content doesn't matter too much, which is why my collection varies so much. I have books with specs and details of various interesting cars, fantasy novels, Shakespeare, horror novels, and much in between. I have three mounted shelves on my wall with my most read books and a shelf or two in the closet with books. I also have two boxes of books that I dig out from time to time from beneath my bed. Moving could be a problem.

And it is a problem. Because of going to school relatively far away, I've been told to pick out my favorite books and leave the rest at home. (Because Frances, you aren't going to want to read books anyway...) What happens if I have a whim to read about the history of the guitar and I've left it home? (Guitar: An American Life, Tim Brookes) Or I need inspiration for a fantasy illustration and have left The Lord of the Rings (Tolkien) home?

I keep buying books, and that is the problem too. Over this past year alone I've had several books vying for the top spot of my favorites list. A few I know I'm taking for reference purposes, however my leisure books are still in the air.

Anyway, I wanted to discuss some of the reads of yesteryear into this year. I went through a dry spell of reading in the summer of last year (ending with reading three books on the train home from Florida) but have picked up a couple of books in this month alone that have each been excellent. These are in no particular order, just however I think of them.

Richard Hammond, On the Edge

Having just finished it today, I can easily say this is one of my favorite non-fiction works. There is something about the introspective quality of the work, especially as Richard narrates his recovery, that makes the reader aware of his struggle, and even more, inspires the reader to contemplate and overcome their struggles. I definitely would recommend this one to non-fiction readers.

Stieg Larsson, The Girl Who Played with Fire

I won't say too much for the fear of ruining this fantastic final novel for readers immersed in the series, however this piece definitely grabbed my attention, as did the rest of the series.The way Larsson plays with setting and character makes for good conspiracy theory material, and the unusual circumstances play off as oddly realistic.

Albert Camus, The Stranger

My English teacher recommended this to me after I mentioned briefly that I had read Crime and Punishment a month or so earlier. Common themes to the Russian classic are certainly present, however with modern ideas involved. If you enjoy analyzing literature, you'll certainly enjoy this piece.

Jeremy Clarkson, Round the Bend

This book made me snort in class. Never before have I needed to stifle a laugh because of a book so much that I snorted, and so I urge you to read this where it is acceptable to make some noise, because you probably will if you like British humor. Or humor in general. A collection of car reviews by Jeremy Clarkson, this book discusses really everything. One of my favorites for sure.

Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

I can't really say much about this book for the fact that I could really write a lot. One can connect this book with so many other literature pieces, games, and movies (Apart from Blade Runner, which this book inspired) and yet find that this piece is unique. Well written and thought provoking, this is a must-read for any science-fiction enthusiast.









Anne Rice, Merrick

This book is probably one of my top two from the Vampire Chronicles of Anne Rice. David Talbot has long been my favorite character from the series, and to hear parts of his story entwined with such an intriguing character as Merrick made for a fantastic read. Rice's writing naturally is as detailed and poetic as one would expect.

Tim Brookes, Thirty Percent Chance of Enlightenment

An exceptional book about miscommunication, travel stigmas, and eventually working to the roots of India to discover what the monsoons mean to the people of India, Brookes writes with an engaging and informative voice. I've always wanted to go to India, and this book strengthens that want. Captivating and humorous, you might just learn something.