"Reading" Like Crazy

I've discovered a great way to both read and stay calm during my commute-audio books!  My mood has improved and frankly, I am actually enjoying my time in the car these days.  I've been reading at home like crazy too, although many of them aren't actually on my book challenge list, I'm working my way through those as well.  I don't have a lot of full book reviews to give though; I do think the Classics should be read whether they are enjoyable or not, simply because they are considered literary wonders and were often pivotal works that changed literature as those at the time knew it. 

The books I've read and listened to lately are:

Tender is the Night- this was ok.  It was a little bit confusing at some points but it was a very interesting piece.  I also read The Great Gatsby and I much prefer that book to TisN.  Though I will say this-why oh why are we reading these books in early high school?  I was actually able to look at it a lot more critically as a grown woman that as a child that didn't understand the underlying themes.  (and not because I was a moron)

1984-I freaking loved this book.  LOVED IT!  It was just really interesting and the end got me thinking so much that when it was over (i listened to this one) I drove about 30 minutes in silence thinking about it.  Timeless.

Slaughterhouse Five:  And so it goes.  I did not like this at all.  I liked the interview with Vonnegut at the end of the cd as well as the preface to the book, but other than that, no thank you.

Anthony Bourdain Kitchen Secrets:  Loved this book.  Sometimes I want to dislike him, but at the end of the day he is just a really straightforward guy and I'm glad that he has the No Reservations francise-it suits him. 

Still reading Pride and Prejudice.  Book club is next week and I need to get caught up so we can discuss!

I'm almost 30% done with the book club, but I'm almost 50% through the year so I need to step it up!  I've just been reading a lot of other books too: Jonathan Kellerman and Harlan Coben both released new titles this spring and I had to read those.  I read the Alchemist and started reading Edgar Sawtelle, but I haven't finished that as it got a little strange halfway through.  Seriously folks, read 1984.

Things on My Mind

This is the new Maroon 5 video. I was just talking to Mircea about how I didn't understand how they could still be riding the wave of a 4 year old cd, but I guess if they can they will. I can't stop staring at Adam Levine even though I think he is a total loser, but I just want to stare into his eyes all day long. I wish I didn't suffer from that affliction.

So we got the cats together last night. Let's just say it went a bazillion times worse than either of us ever expected. We both thought that the girls would be upset and that Fernie would be the ring leader of the fighting. Ha! We let Lily out of the cage and Stinky immediatly attacked her, chasing her behind the couch where she peed in fear. I hadn't even let Fern out of her cage yet when we were breaking up the fight (which you aren't supposed to do, but I was not about to let Lily get beat up by the Stinks). So the rest of the night we consoled Lily, who would hiss at Fernie as if it was her fault, and talked about what our options are if they don't get along. We really want to have a nice little cat family, and we're taking them all to the vet on Saturday so maybe they'll have some more insight. There are a ton of suggestions that we've read on the internet, and if anyone has other thoughts please let us know. I just hate seeing Stinky badger my sweet girls. Oh and Fernie-the one we thought would be the ringleader of all the fighting? She's been the sweetest little girl. She snuggles up next to us and tries to be nice to both Lily and Stinky, who are having none of it.

Ok, if anyone is still reading after all this cat talk, I have a question. I think I want to get rid of some of my (mother's) books, and I'm wondering how I should go about this. I was thinking of making a list of the books I'm really to get rid of, send it out to my friends and let them choose. For those that live far away, I'd give the books for free but charge for the shipping cost I have to pay. I could probably make some money at a garage sale, but I'd rather share with others. Thoughts?