Recently I have been reading a lot. Not the news media I constantly consume via various screens, but real books that I have been holding in my hands. Yes, Kindle advocates, I know that there's a screen for that. However, I appear to be one of life's curmudgeons when it comes to books. Also, there are far too many screens in my life as it is: what do you think I'm staring at while I'm typing this? Definitely not a type writer, although my jaunty floral pictures probably give you the impression I'm that kind of girl. I've only got myself to blame, really.
Back to what I'm reading (as if that makes them more readable, I hear your brain protest). Here it is anyway:
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, by Rachel Joyce
This book is the story of a man who leaves the house to post a letter and doesn't return home and it reads like a constant therapy session. Which I like. It's a very cathartic read, life is a journey and not the arrival and the story is told much more eloquently and less po faced than I just described it. It's beautiful, reflective, I laughed, I cried, I highly recommended it.
Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter, by Simone De Beauvoir
I know, this is a bit heavy going but I've been trying to read more books by and about feminists and, apparently, existentialism too. Written in 1958, it's an accessible and beautifully moving account of a girl growing up in the 1900s in a family that was somewhat oppressive. Whether you're interested in feminism or not it's a fascinating portrait and I highly recommend it. De Beauvoir remains a symbol of the early feminist movement and I think that's worth learning about.
Moving, important, educational.
Bossypants, by Tina Fey
After recently buying series 1-4 boxset of 30 Rock, I have become very interested (read: slightly obsessed) with Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin. I downloaded the 47 page sample of Bossypants on my iPhone and this was enough to make me buy the paperback straight away. This, after watching the whole fifty minutes of Inside the Actor's Studio with Alec Baldwin. I told you, 'very interested'.
Anyway, there's a fantastic bit in the book where Tina Fey describes getting her period: "but I knew from commercials that one's menstrual period was a blue liquid that you poured like laundry detergent onto maxi pads to test their absorbency. This wasn't blue, so... I ignored it for a few hours" Anyone who writes their book this way is worth reading in ...er, my book.
Hilarious, insightful, (I haven't finished it yet but will write a third adjective when I do).
Oh, The Places You'll Go, by Dr Seuss
No, I'm serious, I love this book. It's a children's book but I really think a lot of adults should read it too. I gave it to my niece and nephew last year and I think it would be a great book to read with children when they are feeling a bit sad or 'jumbled up'. And this video made at the Burning Man festival 2011 just confirms how lovely it is. See? I shoehorned in a cool festival reference. This must be a good recommendation.
Blog, Inc, by Joy Deeangdeelert Cho
The cynic in me thought this was just another 'how to' book with all the obvious information in it, plus a bit of pretty branding, but it's actually rather a good book. It's definitely one aimed for lifestyle bloggers, I can't imagine any political bloggers will be picking it up any time soon, but that's a good thing: you know what you're getting.
It cuts straight to the chase about things like voice, sponsorship, advertising, sponsored content and design as well as using interviews with some popular, successful lifestyle bloggers to bring it to life. If, like me, you wish there had been a friendly 'how to' book when you started blogging, you'll get this book.
Although one of the key points of the book is about how to 'find your voice', I think that's part of the fun of blogging and you don't necessarily need a book to tell you that. But if you're new to blogging and need a few handy hints and tips, it's a good read. On top of that, like everything Joy Cho, it looks very pretty. Definitely a good Christmas gift for the wannabe blogger.
Beautiful, inspirational, handy.
What are you reading at the moment? I'm waiting to borrow Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall from someone but they haven't yet finished it so I'm looking for good reads.