Craziness is afoot later this month, so during this relatively less hectic time I’m trying to squeeze in some TBR list decluttering for posting during the crunch. Let’s see how I do.
Wondering what this is all about? Check out the introductory post.
261
Title: Thinking, Fast and Slow
Author: Kahneman, Daniel
Date Added: 10/19/2012
Verdict: Keep. My spouse and my daughter both enjoyed this book, so in the interest of solidarity and shared references, I ought to read it, too. Plus, it looks interesting.
Project List: none.
262
Title: The Deluxe Transitive Vampire: A Handbook of Grammar for the Innocent, the Eager and the Doomed
Author: Gordon, Karen Elizabeth
Date Added: 10/22/2012
Verdict: Go. Cool idea. This could be a gift book, but with two versions of Strunk and White’s, a Bedford Grammar, and a Chicago Manual of Style, I think I’m pretty well covered with grammar.
Project List: n/a
263
Title: The Heaven Tree (Heaven Tree, #1)
Author: Pargeter, Edith
Date Added: 10/24/2012
Verdict: Keep. This novel is supposed to have superb character development. I like superb character development. Ergo, I like this book. Or at least I should. Let’s see if the logic works out.
Project List: none.
264
Title: How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading
Author: Adler, Mortimer J.
Date Added: 10/25/2012
Verdict: Go. It’s a great idea that is very similar to the reading techniques in Susan Wise Bauer’s The Well-Educated Mind. I have no idea which is better, but I feel like I’ve got a strong enough sense of how to read deeply that I don’t need to read this one.
Project List: n/a
265
Title: Ernest Hemingway on Writing
Author: Phillips, Larry W.
Date: 10/25/2012
Verdict: Keep. I’m hesitant about reading another book about writing, but since this one isn’t technically written by Hemingway for the purpose of instructing the reader about writing but rather sort of overheard from things he said/wrote about writing to others, and since I admire Hemingway’s writing style, I’ll go ahead and continue planning to read this one.
Project List: none.
266
Title: Advice to Writers: A Compendium of Quotes, Anecdotes, and Writerly Wisdom from a Dazzling Array of Literary Lights
Author: Winokur, Jon
Date Added: 10/25/2012
Verdict: Keep. It’s another book about writing (minus), but like the Hemingway book above, it’s kind of overheard (plus). It’s also supposed to be funny and highlight the conflicting advice given about writing (double plus).
Project List: none.
267
Title: Zen in the Art of Writing
Author: Bradbury, Ray
Date Added: 10/25/2012
Verdict: Keep. Damnit, I don’t want any more books about writing! But this one is by Ray Bradbury! And it’s exuberant! And it celebrates the joy of writing! Damnit.
Project List: none.
268
Title: Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life
Author: Martin, James
Date Added: 11/10/2012
Verdict: Go. Joy and spirituality. I read a lot about lots of religious traditions, but this might be the first book I’ve encountered that purports to celebrate the joy of spiritual belief. I am intrigued, but I want to read My Life with the Saints (see below) first and see what I think about James Martin before committing to a second book by him.
Project List: n/a
269
Title: My Life with the Saints
Author: Martin, James
Date Added: 11/10/2012
Verdict: Keep. Yes, I’m keeping another one. For someone who’s not religious, I sure do gravitate towards books about religion. Maybe it’s the introspection, repetition, and self-denial that keep me coming back.
Project List: none.
270
Title: Darkroom: A Memoir in Black and White
Author: Weaver, Lila Quintero
Date Added: 11/11/2012
Verdict: Keep. I’ve read a few graphic novels now and a couple of graphic memoirs. In a lot of ways, I prefer the graphic memoirs. Let’s see if I prefer this graphic memoir. Maybe I’ll put it on my list for 24 in 48 this January.
Project List: none.
Three more titles off the list for a total of 88 of 270 (11.7% of the original 750).
Any thoughts about which I kept and which I tossed?
Imperfect Happiness 