I fear I’ve already broken my promise to myself.
Remember how I just said I was going to try to read less for “pleasure” and work on expanding my personal and professional development? Well… this weekend was the annual Summerfest in our little village. It’s a two-day, small-town celebration that includes a parade, lots of booths, live music, kids games and a big white elephant sale at my church. Amid the twin bed frames, old waffle irons, used lamps, kids’ car seats, television sets and mismatched dishes were books. And more books… probably a couple thousand and even that may be a modest estimate!
So when I started looking through them, I was told if I bought five, I could take another five for free. Thus, I now have 10 “gently used” paperback and hard cover books sitting in a bag waiting for my attention. And it was all I could do not to pick another 10!
I specifically looked for non-fiction books, truly I did! But most of what they had in that category (or at least what I was able to see) were political biographies or old reference books. So instead, I picked out my usual “pleasure” reading — with an eye toward classics. I picked up “Les Miserables” — in English, of course. I’ve seen it on Broadway, but never read Victor Hugo’s tome. I also found a copy of “The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck. Not necessarily classics, I also picked up “Catch Me If You Can,” which I thought would be fun to read even though I never saw the movie adapted from it. “Wideacre” by Philippa Gregory also made its way into my bag, having enjoyed “The Other Boleyn Girl.”
I can’t remember the others off the top of my head but guess that they’re mainstream authors — am pretty sure there’s a Grisham book in that bag. So I’ll make every attempt to squeeze in some self-help books while I’m reading my new finds. And when I’m done with each, I’ll give those that are appropriate to my daughter to augment her summer reading. The others I’ll bring into work and put them on our lunchroom book swap table for someone else to take and enjoy.
Years ago I picked up a used ‘Les Mis’ for the same reason – loved the play, wanted to read the book. I haven’t attacked it yet…maybe this summer.