There was an article in our paper last Saturday about a local woman who made it a goal to read 200 books this year. She's not reading any old selections, but all 200 that are listed on the Everyman's Library (www.randomhouse.com/everymans). I'm proud to say that I have read a few selections on the list, including the book I'm reading now - This Side of Paradise by F. Scot Fitzgerald. To accomplish this task she must read 216 pages a day. Did I mention that she has a newborn, a toddler and her own bookstore? She also blogs her progress every day. She puts my "I have three kids and I'm too tired" excuse to shame. If you want to check her out her website is 200books.com. She also has a link to her book store, Veritas. I didn't even know that the store existed, but now that I know where it is I will check it out soon.
I've always loved to read and remember the days when I had lots of time and not a care in the world. I'm trying really hard to make the time to read again which usually means at night after the kids go to bed. So far I've been doing well and have finished a couple of books that I had already started plus added a few new ones. (See my Recent Reads list on the sidebar.) I'm so thankful that Will is a reader and Moira and Kyla love books as well. I know that I will never be able to accomplish what this local woman is doing, but I will be happy just being able to read a little bit every day.
10 comments:
What a great web site - both of them. Where does she find the time? I can barely read five pages a day and I HAVE to read for school. I guess it helps when you own a book store!
I also have read a few of the books listed. What makes these books great though? Or ones that every body should read? That is one of things we discuss in one of my classes and it can all be very subjective. I have read a lot of books that are wonderful but they aren't necessarily "classics" Does that make me less of a person or less well-read? I know there were a few books on the list that I have read I and I didn't really like them. Does that mean there is something wrong with me? Just curious!
According to the Random House website, the Everyman's Library was supposed to appeal to a wide range of readers. They have also been best sellers. The thing that I noticed was that there wasn't a wide range of authors. Evelyn Waugh, Charles Dickens and George Orwell have several books on the list. I don't remember seeing Hemingway listed and I think he should have at least one listing. Even in the contemporary listing the books aren't very contemporary. I don't think there is any book on the list from our generation.
I wonder too if there is something wrong with me for not liking the so called classics. The book I'm reading now, This Side of Paradise, is on the list, but quite frankly I think it's rather dull.
I think being "well read" is subjective. I think it means that you have read a variety of different books regardless of whether or not they are on a best seller list. I think one of the goals of reading is to expand your mind. What good is it if you only read the same type of book?
In the newspaper article, apparently this woman has a high IQ when it comes to reading. She can read more words per minute than the average person and is still able to retain what she has read. I'm probably an average reader, but I have good retention. Will is a fast reader. Oh, and Terhi thinks she pawns her kids off to grandparents.
I'm a fairly fast reader but my retention is relatively short lived. I can read a book and remember what it's about but usually two weeks later I can't remember the details of it which kind of sucks but I figure with all of the books I read I can't be expected to remember all of them! I always write down the books that I read and the dates that I read them in this little note book so that I don't completely forget them.
I have only read 6 books on the list! This Side of Paradise was one of them and I agree that it is a bit slow!
I have read a lot of the kids books though! I guess I was "well read" as a child but not an adult! hehe.
I have seen almost all of the movies though! hahaha!
Have you been watching Jane Austen on PBS? I caught one part of pride and prejudice and I was bummed that I haven't been able to watch the rest!
Sarah - I had been watching the Jane Austin series on PBS and was enjoying it, but I've missed it the last couple of Sundays. I just forgot about it. I was thinking about checking Netflix to see if they had any of the movies.
You will totally love these books. Erica recommended them to me. One is "Mightier than the Sword - World Folktales for Boys" and "Not One Damsel in Distress". They are both at the library, but have only read the first one. The first is a compilation of stories with boys as heroes but they use their wits and not their fists to win. It's so good. The second I haven't read yet and it's just as the title suggests. As an early childhood educator, you would appreciate these books.
I want to know why Nancy Drew wasn't listed on the Everymans Library.
Sarah - I forgot to tell you that Jane Yolen wrote the books.
Curiosity got the better of me and I went down to Veritas today. Not that I really need any more books, but I just had to check out the store. There is a coffee shop with lots of tables and chairs on the main floor and the bulk of the books are upstairs. It was very well organized. The books were all used and about 75% of them were really old. I love old books. It's not a place to go to find a used of copy of one of Oprah's picks, but more if you're in the mood for an adventure. You never know what you might find. I found several books that I wanted, but I picked the two that I couldn't live without. One is "Gentleman Prefer Blondes" by Anita Loos. It's a 1925 copy. It was expensive, but I knew that if I didn't get it I would regret it. I also got "Heather from the Brae - Scottish Character Sketches" by David Lyall. It has a copyright date of 1896. I can't wait to read both of them.
I saw a playpen and kids toys upstairs so she must take her kids in to the store. Actually, she says so on her website, but I wonder how often she does. I got a chance to see hear and told her I was enjoying her blog. She seemed pretty down to earth.
That sounds so cool, Robyn! Is it a fairly new book store? Those sound like really neat books. I'm about to read a book by A.A. Milne called "Once On a Time" I can't wait to read it as I never new that he wrote anything other than Winnie-the-Pooh. In the forward he said that it was his favorite work that he's written. I'l let you know how it is.
I'm not sure how long the bookstore has been around. No longer than 2 years.
I started reading "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" last night. I needed a break from Fitzgerald. I felt like I had been reading that book for so long and I'm only half way through. It's just so dull! "Gentlemen" is so funny and well worth the money. It has a lot of really cool illustrations too. I'm going to try to see if I can find any other books by Anita Loos.
Check out these sites:
http://www.delicious-monster.com/
http://lazylibrary.com
My classes are a lot of work but sometimes I come across some neat web sites.
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