Well we did it. We took our 6 week old baby on his first flight! It was an experience, but not for the reasons you'd think.
Before we even left the house, my huge suitcase broke. One of the wheels fell off. I was worried that this was a sign of things to come. But the next hour was smooth sailing. No traffic in Atlanta at 4pm. Park n Ride had plenty of space. We checked our luggage curbside with no issues. We got through security quickly - no problem bringing all the baby stuff (stroller, car-seat, meds, liquids, etc.) and no body pat-down or invasive scans.
We rode the train to the A terminal when I noticed i had two missed calls from a 1-800 number and then Mr. Cob had the same missed call. At this point the babe was getting cranky so we sat down for me to feed him and Mr. Cob called the number back. It was Delta. Our flight was CANCELED!! So this was definitely not good. Anger and panic flooded Mr. Cob's face. He continued talking to the rep and this is what I hear.
Cob: "Yes, it's me and my wife."
"and my baby...my SIX week old baby..."
"yes, we have an infant with us."
(silence)
Somehow the woman must have felt for us anode she put us on another flight leaving at the same time as our original flight. Rather than flying into Midway we were now flying into O'Hare. So we got back on the train and rode to he B terminal and checked in to our new flight. I was looking at our new boarding passes and saw that we were priority seating. I then realized, we were now flying first class! A negative turned positive.
So this whole time the baby was wide awake at the airport being a cutie pie and attracting lots of attention. And he fell asleep the minute we sat down on the plane. So momma enjoyed the complimentary red wine and watched Charlie St. Cloud on the flight while Lukas slept. He was perfect! And we landed in Chicago with no problems. My in laws were at O'Hare waiting for us.
So our first flight with Lukas was smooth sailing (err, flying). But then we hit some turbulence. Our bags didn't make the flight. They were en route to Midway arriving three hours later. And wouldn't be delivered to us until the next day. Well it's the next day and still no bags. Supposedly they are on their way. So we're still in our clothes from yesterday, but at least we're here and with family. And the baby is happy, which is what is important. I'm just thankful we didn't check the stroller or car seat. Or we'd still be sitting at the airport!
Hopefully our bags will get here soon. You have to love traveling! It's always an adventure.
Showing posts with label 30 Books Before 30 Years. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 30 Books Before 30 Years. Show all posts
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
22 to go
I just finished another book on my list. Checked off The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. It was a pretty quick, light read filled with humor. I now understand more of my husband's humor and the answer to life's ultimate question.
After I finish the 30 books I'm going to have to have a movie-marathon and watch all the books-turned-into-films. A much less time consuming challenge!
Next on my list - Either Great Expectations or Gulliver's Travels - its the two we have in the house, so figure best to start there. I wouldn't want to rack up any more library fines. And Mr. Cob is no longer letting me use his library card, since I cost him some fines with a month overdue books. Oops!
After I finish the 30 books I'm going to have to have a movie-marathon and watch all the books-turned-into-films. A much less time consuming challenge!
Next on my list - Either Great Expectations or Gulliver's Travels - its the two we have in the house, so figure best to start there. I wouldn't want to rack up any more library fines. And Mr. Cob is no longer letting me use his library card, since I cost him some fines with a month overdue books. Oops!
Monday, June 21, 2010
23 to go
This weekend I finished The Handmaid's Tale. So that's 7 books down, 23 to go (and 11ish months).
For anyone who hasn't read this book, I would definitely recommend it. Think 1984 but from a feminist sort of view. Or something like that.
I realized after reading this book in particular, that it would be helpful to read some of these books with other people. This is the type of book that would be a great discussion starter and I fear that I "missed" some things that others might have picked up on, or interpreted differently. Oh well, I can always read online discussions of the book.
Not sure what to read next - I'm thinking maybe the Hitchhikers Guide...something light and funny.
For anyone who hasn't read this book, I would definitely recommend it. Think 1984 but from a feminist sort of view. Or something like that.
I realized after reading this book in particular, that it would be helpful to read some of these books with other people. This is the type of book that would be a great discussion starter and I fear that I "missed" some things that others might have picked up on, or interpreted differently. Oh well, I can always read online discussions of the book.
Not sure what to read next - I'm thinking maybe the Hitchhikers Guide...something light and funny.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Check that off the list
I finished The Little Prince this week. So that means I've knocked 6 books off my list of 30. And for those of you counting, this means I have 24 books left, and less than 11 months to do it. Did I mention I have a baby on the way that might derail this challenge? I'm going to do everything in my might to read all 30 before I'm 30. I started The Handmaiden's Tale last night and am revved up for reading again. For the past 4 months I've been really absorbed in pregnancy books, but have kind of gotten over them for now, so this leaves more time for my challenge.
And I have a new resolve to complete it. Mr. Cob recently pointed out that I'm not really good about finishing things I start. I was extremely offended at first, but then I realized, he's right.
Examples:
Over a year ago I bought a table and four chairs at a yard sale with the intent of "refurbishing" them. For a good week after my purchase I'd work on the table every night after work. Sanding the paint off, cleaning the grout between the tiles and looking at paint swatches. And then nothing. The table is sitting in the basement unhappily unfinished.
We started our "church search" many months ago and have made zero progress. (Ok, we went to one church. One church does not a church search make.)
I've started writing two books in the past year. Both extremely unfinished.
I collected all the mementos from my trip to Europe with Mr. Cob in 2007, with the intention of making a scrapbook. Mementos are still in bag and I never even bought the scrapbook. And then I repeated the process for our wedding in 2008 - all the mementos from my showers, bachelorette party, wedding and honeymoon all sit in a box in our office.
I'm a starter. Not so much a finisher.
But I don't like that about myself. So starting today, June 17, my new resolution is to become a finisher.
Who ever said you needed the new year to make a new resolution? Silly conformists.
With that, I will finish the 30 books challenge. Just watch me.
And I have a new resolve to complete it. Mr. Cob recently pointed out that I'm not really good about finishing things I start. I was extremely offended at first, but then I realized, he's right.
Examples:
Over a year ago I bought a table and four chairs at a yard sale with the intent of "refurbishing" them. For a good week after my purchase I'd work on the table every night after work. Sanding the paint off, cleaning the grout between the tiles and looking at paint swatches. And then nothing. The table is sitting in the basement unhappily unfinished.
We started our "church search" many months ago and have made zero progress. (Ok, we went to one church. One church does not a church search make.)
I've started writing two books in the past year. Both extremely unfinished.
I collected all the mementos from my trip to Europe with Mr. Cob in 2007, with the intention of making a scrapbook. Mementos are still in bag and I never even bought the scrapbook. And then I repeated the process for our wedding in 2008 - all the mementos from my showers, bachelorette party, wedding and honeymoon all sit in a box in our office.
I'm a starter. Not so much a finisher.
But I don't like that about myself. So starting today, June 17, my new resolution is to become a finisher.
Who ever said you needed the new year to make a new resolution? Silly conformists.
With that, I will finish the 30 books challenge. Just watch me.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Hola. Jambo. Salut. Hallo. Aloha.
Anyone out there? I realize my blog posts have kind of trailed off the past couple of weeks. So I'm wondering if I lost some readership? Or do you all just not like to read? Do you hate contests? Or was picking your all time favorite book too hard? So far I only have 2 entries for my blog giveaway. This is depressing people. Seriously. So either I have no readers, you hate to read, or you don't like the question. Well I can't do much about issue #1. If you hate to read, you might be a lost cause and probably also fall into category #1, because why would you be reading a blog? So if its #3, I'll cut you some slack - how about telling me the most recent book you read (or the current book you're slugging through)? That should be easier than picking a favorite. And since we all like incentives, if I get at least 5 more people to sign up for the contest, I'll reveal something secretive about myself or my life (who doesn't like juicy gossip. Wait, did I say juicy? My life isn't too juicy, but maybe I can come up with something...or maybe I have something in mind. Or maybe I'm just toying with you to get you to enter my silly giveaway - guess you'll have to enter to find out....). And if I get 10 more people, I'll throw in a second book as a free gift to you - another book on my list! So come one people, enter!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Blog Give Away!!!
It's time for the Swans' very first Blog free giveaway!
As those of you who've been following along for the past few months know, I've undertaken a 30 Books Challenge. The entire list can be found here. I still have a long way to go and really need to step it up a notch in the book reading, but I'm hoping a week at the beach next month will help - there's nothing better than sitting on the beach, listening to the waves and reading an amazing book.
Well my dear old friend, Marissa over at A Spoonful of Sugar, has been following the challenge and so thoughtfully sent me a copy of one of the books on my list, as its one of her favorites. What book, you ask? The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
The Alchemist "is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist. The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, above all, following our dreams." (thanks to google books for the summary).
My brother gave me this book as a graduation gift from college and I've read it a handful of times, and plan on reading it again for "the Challenge." It is truly an inspiring book. Along with the book, Marissa sent me a note saying that if I'd already read the book, to pass this copy along to someone else so they can share in its beauty. So that is exactly what I'm doing.
Here are the rules - Leave a comment letting me know what your all-time favorite book is (and why, if you're feeling jazzy). I'll take comments until next Sunday (April 11th) at midnight. Then I'll select a winner at random and mail you the book. It really is a book you'll enjoy reading and hopefully pass along to someone else when you're done.
As those of you who've been following along for the past few months know, I've undertaken a 30 Books Challenge. The entire list can be found here. I still have a long way to go and really need to step it up a notch in the book reading, but I'm hoping a week at the beach next month will help - there's nothing better than sitting on the beach, listening to the waves and reading an amazing book.
Well my dear old friend, Marissa over at A Spoonful of Sugar, has been following the challenge and so thoughtfully sent me a copy of one of the books on my list, as its one of her favorites. What book, you ask? The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
The Alchemist "is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist. The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, above all, following our dreams." (thanks to google books for the summary).
My brother gave me this book as a graduation gift from college and I've read it a handful of times, and plan on reading it again for "the Challenge." It is truly an inspiring book. Along with the book, Marissa sent me a note saying that if I'd already read the book, to pass this copy along to someone else so they can share in its beauty. So that is exactly what I'm doing.
Here are the rules - Leave a comment letting me know what your all-time favorite book is (and why, if you're feeling jazzy). I'll take comments until next Sunday (April 11th) at midnight. Then I'll select a winner at random and mail you the book. It really is a book you'll enjoy reading and hopefully pass along to someone else when you're done.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Another book down
Reading total: 5 books
Books to go: 25
Months before 30: 14
Library Fines: same
I have finished another book - The Count of Monte Cristo, all 507 pages of it! This is a great book with a wonderfully written story. Although there are so many characters and story lines that I found myself getting confused on a regular basis - but that's probably because I was only reading a chapter here and a chapter there so it was choppy in my mind. Luckily, the front of the book has a list of all the characters, which helped.
This book again proved that the book is nearly always better than the movie! And quite different. I haven't seen the movie in years, but I'm pretty sure the endings are completely different. This book is one that I would categorize as a classic - there is romance, betrayal, revenge - all the makings of a wonderful story!
So next I was planning to start on one of the three books I recently picked up at a yard sale, but I just checked my list and none of the books are on "the list". Hum, what was I thinking when I bought them? So now I have One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Ken Kesey, A Farwell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, but won't read them until after the 30 books challenge. Instead, I think I'll pick what is perhaps the shortest book on my list...The Little Prince. I read it in French class in high school, but don't think I've ever read the English version, and considering how bad my French was, I'm pretty sure I didn't understand most of it back then!
Books to go: 25
Months before 30: 14
Library Fines: same
I have finished another book - The Count of Monte Cristo, all 507 pages of it! This is a great book with a wonderfully written story. Although there are so many characters and story lines that I found myself getting confused on a regular basis - but that's probably because I was only reading a chapter here and a chapter there so it was choppy in my mind. Luckily, the front of the book has a list of all the characters, which helped.
This book again proved that the book is nearly always better than the movie! And quite different. I haven't seen the movie in years, but I'm pretty sure the endings are completely different. This book is one that I would categorize as a classic - there is romance, betrayal, revenge - all the makings of a wonderful story!
So next I was planning to start on one of the three books I recently picked up at a yard sale, but I just checked my list and none of the books are on "the list". Hum, what was I thinking when I bought them? So now I have One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Ken Kesey, A Farwell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, but won't read them until after the 30 books challenge. Instead, I think I'll pick what is perhaps the shortest book on my list...The Little Prince. I read it in French class in high school, but don't think I've ever read the English version, and considering how bad my French was, I'm pretty sure I didn't understand most of it back then!
Monday, February 1, 2010
30 Books Update
Reading total: 4 books
Books to go: 26
Months before 30: 15
Library Fines: undetermined (probably around $10); however, they have not increased since my self-induced ban from the library is prohibiting me from checking any books out for a while
I figure its time to give an update on the 30 books challenge. Since we last checked in, I've finished another book and am about a quarter of the way through the next. Over the long NYE weekend I started and finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Everyone should read this book. It is highly disturbing yet very thought provoking. Without giving too much away, the setting of the story is in post-apocalyptic US and is about a father and son's journey in this changed world. The things they encounter and have to overcome are horrendous and sickening at times. Yet the themes of hope and love are present throughout the book despite the setting. This was one of those books where you didn't want to continue reading, but couldn't put it down. I often had to take a step away from the book, only to find myself coming back five minutes later. I'm impressed by any book that can cause you to feel such strong emotion.
Mr. Cob had read The Road a few months before me, so we talked about the book as I was reading it and again once I finished. It was interesting talking to him about the book because there were things that he put together that I didn't at all and other things that I noticed that he didn't pick up on. However, he did point out what might've been the most horrifying part of the book and part of me wishes he hadn't. Let's just say I probably wouldn't last too long in a world where you have to do whatever is necessary to stay alive. And here's to hoping I never have to. But I do enjoy talking about books with Mr. Cob. It helps to offer another perspective. Maybe my girlfriends' book club idea will actually have forward momentum sometime this year.
I'm currently reading The Count of Monte Cristo. It's wonderful. More on that later, but I will say that books are ALWAYS so much better than the movie.
Books to go: 26
Months before 30: 15
Library Fines: undetermined (probably around $10); however, they have not increased since my self-induced ban from the library is prohibiting me from checking any books out for a while
I figure its time to give an update on the 30 books challenge. Since we last checked in, I've finished another book and am about a quarter of the way through the next. Over the long NYE weekend I started and finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Everyone should read this book. It is highly disturbing yet very thought provoking. Without giving too much away, the setting of the story is in post-apocalyptic US and is about a father and son's journey in this changed world. The things they encounter and have to overcome are horrendous and sickening at times. Yet the themes of hope and love are present throughout the book despite the setting. This was one of those books where you didn't want to continue reading, but couldn't put it down. I often had to take a step away from the book, only to find myself coming back five minutes later. I'm impressed by any book that can cause you to feel such strong emotion.
Mr. Cob had read The Road a few months before me, so we talked about the book as I was reading it and again once I finished. It was interesting talking to him about the book because there were things that he put together that I didn't at all and other things that I noticed that he didn't pick up on. However, he did point out what might've been the most horrifying part of the book and part of me wishes he hadn't. Let's just say I probably wouldn't last too long in a world where you have to do whatever is necessary to stay alive. And here's to hoping I never have to. But I do enjoy talking about books with Mr. Cob. It helps to offer another perspective. Maybe my girlfriends' book club idea will actually have forward momentum sometime this year.
I'm currently reading The Count of Monte Cristo. It's wonderful. More on that later, but I will say that books are ALWAYS so much better than the movie.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
27 to go
Reading total: 3 books
Books to go: 27
Months before 30: 16.5
Library Fines: undetermined but somewhere over $10 (I was a month and a half late on returning the last book...oops!)
So I stuck with it and finished Wuthering Heights. I ended up really enjoying the story and the characters and have this desire to move out into the country. I love how books can transport you to a different time and place. Reading is truly magical.
So, what book is next to read? Here are the ones I have left:
1. To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
2. Count of Monte Cristo – Alexander Dumas
3. 1984 – George Orwell
4. Guns, Germs and Steel – Jared Diamond
5. Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
6. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
7. Crime and Punishment – Dostoyevsky
8. Gone With The Wind – Mitchell
9. The Sound and the Fury – William Faulkner
10. The Maltese Falcon – Dashiell Hammett
11. The Giver – Lois Lowry
12. Perks of Being a Wall Flower – Stephen Chbosky
13. Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
14. The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint Exupéry
15. The Great Gatsby – Fitzgerald
16. Watership Down – Richard Adams
17. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
18. The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck
19. Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
20. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
21. Les Miserables – Victor Hugo
22. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
23. Catch-22 – Heller
24. Gulliver’s Travels – Jonathon Swift
25. The Road – Cormac McCarthy
26. Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
27. Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
28. Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov
29. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – CS Lewis
30. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
Seeing as how I'm apparently reading every other book, I guess I'll pick Crime and Punishment. Anyone out there own it? I'm thinking I might need to go the borrow route rather than the library route as I have this horrible tendency to keep books LONG after their due date. I'm thinking one of my New Years Resolutions should be "Return library books BEFORE their due date."
Books to go: 27
Months before 30: 16.5
Library Fines: undetermined but somewhere over $10 (I was a month and a half late on returning the last book...oops!)
So I stuck with it and finished Wuthering Heights. I ended up really enjoying the story and the characters and have this desire to move out into the country. I love how books can transport you to a different time and place. Reading is truly magical.
So, what book is next to read? Here are the ones I have left:
2. Count of Monte Cristo – Alexander Dumas
4. Guns, Germs and Steel – Jared Diamond
6. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
7. Crime and Punishment – Dostoyevsky
8. Gone With The Wind – Mitchell
9. The Sound and the Fury – William Faulkner
10. The Maltese Falcon – Dashiell Hammett
11. The Giver – Lois Lowry
12. Perks of Being a Wall Flower – Stephen Chbosky
13. Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
14. The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint Exupéry
15. The Great Gatsby – Fitzgerald
16. Watership Down – Richard Adams
17. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
18. The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck
19. Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
20. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
21. Les Miserables – Victor Hugo
22. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
23. Catch-22 – Heller
24. Gulliver’s Travels – Jonathon Swift
25. The Road – Cormac McCarthy
26. Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
27. Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
28. Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov
29. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – CS Lewis
30. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
Seeing as how I'm apparently reading every other book, I guess I'll pick Crime and Punishment. Anyone out there own it? I'm thinking I might need to go the borrow route rather than the library route as I have this horrible tendency to keep books LONG after their due date. I'm thinking one of my New Years Resolutions should be "Return library books BEFORE their due date."
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Is it cheating to change my List?
So I may need to tweak THE LIST. I have 28 books left to read and 17-18 months to read them, but I'm starting to run into a road block - I don't like one of the books and cannot get into it. What book is giving me such trouble, you ask? Wuthering Heights. I still can't get past chapter 3. I'm just not into it. I'm resolved to finish it because so many people say its a great book, but I'm just not feeling it. Which makes me think about people's preferences and opinions and how different we all are. I knew going into the challenge that I wouldn't love all 30 books, but I'm surprised that I don't like Wuthering Heights. I'm hoping it takes a turn for the better...SOON!
I have finished To Kill a Mockingbird and 1984. Both of which I enjoyed and read quickly. I would recommend both books to anyone looking for a "good read".
I am trying to decide whether my list should be a firm list that cannot be altered even if I get started on a book and hate it. Or can I swap out one book that I can't get into for another book that's not currently on my list?
I'm thinking I should stick with all the books on my list. If I don't, it makes the list somewhat irrelevant. Ok, that's it. I'm going to read all 30 of the books. So back to Wuthering Heights I go.
Oh, I forgot to mention that my friend Katie over at La Vida Leipprandt has joined the challenge! She's doing her own version, and as she's a young chicken, she has a few more years until she gets to thirty :) Anyone else reading with us?
I have finished To Kill a Mockingbird and 1984. Both of which I enjoyed and read quickly. I would recommend both books to anyone looking for a "good read".
I am trying to decide whether my list should be a firm list that cannot be altered even if I get started on a book and hate it. Or can I swap out one book that I can't get into for another book that's not currently on my list?
I'm thinking I should stick with all the books on my list. If I don't, it makes the list somewhat irrelevant. Ok, that's it. I'm going to read all 30 of the books. So back to Wuthering Heights I go.
Oh, I forgot to mention that my friend Katie over at La Vida Leipprandt has joined the challenge! She's doing her own version, and as she's a young chicken, she has a few more years until she gets to thirty :) Anyone else reading with us?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Update on the Big Read
So I plan on getting into detail at another time, but thought I'd let you all know how the 30 Books challenge is coming along. Or should I say the "29 Books Challenge"...
That's right - I've already read one book on the list. Book # 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird. I LOVED IT! I'm not exactly sure how it is that I'm a lawyer and never had read the book. It was amazing. Very thought provoking and (while my husband doesn't recall this and thought I was odd for laughing out loud on occasion) comical at times. Everyone should read this book. Do it. Now.
I'm currently about 50 pages in to 1984. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, but am continuing on. Mr. Cob says I can't quit on it, because apparently it's great. At least now I understand where whole "Big Brother" thing comes from.
I'm enjoying my return in bookland. (Clarification for those not married to Mr. Cob: bookland is where Mr. Cob goes when he is reading a book. He is impervious to my questions and comments and stares and need for attention. If he's in bookland, forget it, he's a goner. I'm now getting him back by entering my own bookland. Actually, it's backfiring, because I'm realizing how annoying it is when someone interrupts you when you're reading a good book. Wait, no, it's just him. Surely I'm not annoying. That's impossible). Law school had really turned me off from reading for pleasure - after reading page upon page of legal cases, the last thing I wanted to do was open another book. Good to know that it only takes two and a half years post-law school to get over the fear of books.
How's everyone else doing on the 30 books?
That's right - I've already read one book on the list. Book # 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird. I LOVED IT! I'm not exactly sure how it is that I'm a lawyer and never had read the book. It was amazing. Very thought provoking and (while my husband doesn't recall this and thought I was odd for laughing out loud on occasion) comical at times. Everyone should read this book. Do it. Now.
I'm currently about 50 pages in to 1984. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, but am continuing on. Mr. Cob says I can't quit on it, because apparently it's great. At least now I understand where whole "Big Brother" thing comes from.
I'm enjoying my return in bookland. (Clarification for those not married to Mr. Cob: bookland is where Mr. Cob goes when he is reading a book. He is impervious to my questions and comments and stares and need for attention. If he's in bookland, forget it, he's a goner. I'm now getting him back by entering my own bookland. Actually, it's backfiring, because I'm realizing how annoying it is when someone interrupts you when you're reading a good book. Wait, no, it's just him. Surely I'm not annoying. That's impossible). Law school had really turned me off from reading for pleasure - after reading page upon page of legal cases, the last thing I wanted to do was open another book. Good to know that it only takes two and a half years post-law school to get over the fear of books.
How's everyone else doing on the 30 books?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
THE LIST
After great insight from many friends, I have put together "MY 30 Books before 30 Years List". Most of the books were recommended by more than one person, so I have high hopes for them. I really didn't do much research on any of the books, just took your recommendations. My one rule was to only list one book per author. I went to the library today and picked up six books to start my journey and jumped in this afternoon with book #1. Now, in no particular order, here is THE list:
1. To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
2. Count of Monte Cristo – Alexander Dumas
3. 1984 – George Orwell
4. Guns, Germs and Steel – Jared Diamond
5. Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
6. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
7. Crime and Punishment – Dostoyevsky
8. Gone With The Wind – Mitchell
9. The Sound and the Fury – William Faulkner
10. The Maltese Faclon – Dashiell Hammett
11. The Giver – Lois Lowry
12. Perks of Being a Wall Flower – Stephen Chbosky
13. Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
14. The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint Exupéry
15. The Great Gatsby – Fitzgerald
16. Watership Down – Richard Adams
17. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
18. The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck
19. Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
20. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
21. Les Miserables – Victor Hugo
22. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
23. Catch-22 – Heller
24. Gulliver’s Travels – Jonathon Swift
25. The Road – Cormac McCarthy
26. Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
27. Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
28. Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov
29. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – CS Lewis
30. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
So here's the question - who wants to join me on the book reading journey?
I've started To Kill a Mockingbird, but don't plan on reading the books in the order listed. I'll let you know which book I'm reading as I start it and give my thoughts on each book after I've finished the particular book. And I'm excited to see if I still love the few books I have read that I've included on the List.
Happy Reading!
1. To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
2. Count of Monte Cristo – Alexander Dumas
3. 1984 – George Orwell
4. Guns, Germs and Steel – Jared Diamond
5. Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
6. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
7. Crime and Punishment – Dostoyevsky
8. Gone With The Wind – Mitchell
9. The Sound and the Fury – William Faulkner
10. The Maltese Faclon – Dashiell Hammett
11. The Giver – Lois Lowry
12. Perks of Being a Wall Flower – Stephen Chbosky
13. Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
14. The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint Exupéry
15. The Great Gatsby – Fitzgerald
16. Watership Down – Richard Adams
17. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
18. The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck
19. Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
20. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
21. Les Miserables – Victor Hugo
22. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
23. Catch-22 – Heller
24. Gulliver’s Travels – Jonathon Swift
25. The Road – Cormac McCarthy
26. Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
27. Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
28. Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov
29. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – CS Lewis
30. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
So here's the question - who wants to join me on the book reading journey?
I've started To Kill a Mockingbird, but don't plan on reading the books in the order listed. I'll let you know which book I'm reading as I start it and give my thoughts on each book after I've finished the particular book. And I'm excited to see if I still love the few books I have read that I've included on the List.
Happy Reading!
Monday, October 12, 2009
30 before 30 - YOU decide
So it has been brought to my attention that the List of 30 books to read before I turn 30 may not be the "best list". While most lists are subjective, I've come to the realization that I was about to undertake a journey without knowing anything about my guides. A quick google search later, revealed that they may not be the best people to take me on my trip.
So I am asking for your help. I'm going to put together my own list of "Books You Should Read Before Turning 30" ... but since I may not have read them yet, I'd like your input. What books do you think should be on my list? And if you really feel strongly about a book, give me a little background - a WHY the particular book or books should be read. What aspect of my life will it touch? Or better yet, what aspect of your life was affected by the book - or is it merely a book that is a classic and should be read?
Once I compile my list, the journey will begin. Anyone want to join me?
So I am asking for your help. I'm going to put together my own list of "Books You Should Read Before Turning 30" ... but since I may not have read them yet, I'd like your input. What books do you think should be on my list? And if you really feel strongly about a book, give me a little background - a WHY the particular book or books should be read. What aspect of my life will it touch? Or better yet, what aspect of your life was affected by the book - or is it merely a book that is a classic and should be read?
Once I compile my list, the journey will begin. Anyone want to join me?
Monday, October 5, 2009
Watch Less, Read More
I've realized lately that the majority of my day is spent staring at a screen. I'm either staring at the computer doing work, watching TV, checking my email on my blackberry, or updating this lovely blog. I even watch TV when I'm working out at the gym. I can't really cut down on my screen time at work, as it's kind of imperative to my job. But I can make more of an effort to reduce my TV watching time. So I'm going to start reading actual books in my spare time.
And for the record, I'm split on my thoughts about the Kindle/digital books. One the one hand they save on paper - i.e. are Green. I love trying to be more green. (You should see my overflowing recycling container each week.) But on the other hand, I feel like screens are starting to invade life (see previous paragraph) and I like actual books. I think I'll stick with the paper versions. I'll do my part by going to the library. That counts as recycling right? Or maybe it fits more in the "reuse" part of reduce-reuse-recyle. It fits in the trifecta somehow.
So, I'm embarking on a journey. I found a list of books that "everyone should read before they turn 30" on the internet (you really can find anything online these days). I have 17 months before I turn 30, and am going to read all these books before then. I've marked the books I've already read - my grand total: 3. So I'm going to have to average almost two books per month. I think I can do it. I'll give you all a book report as I read them....Anyone want to join my journey?
The List (courtesy of the Mark and Angel Hack Life Blog...I have no clue what this is, or who Mark and Angel are. Perhaps I should've done some more reserach into the makers of the list before letting them blindly lead me on a book reading extraveganza, but I like to live on the wild side):
1. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (x)
2. 1984 by George Orwell
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
4. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
5. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
6. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
7. The Rights of Man by Tom Paine
8. The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
9. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
10. The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
11. The Wisdom of the Desert by Thomas Merton.
12. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
13. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham
14. The Art of War by Sun Tzu
15. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
16. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
17. Four Quartets by T.S. Elliot
18. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
19. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (x)
20. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (x)
21. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
22. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
23. Walden by Henry David Thoreau
24. The Republic by Plato
25. Lolita.
26. Getting Things Done by David Allen .
27. How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
28. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
29. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
30. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
31. BONUS: How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
32. BONUS: Honeymoon with My Brother by Franz Wisner
**For the record, Mr. Cob has read 15 of these books. As you can see I have read 3. Sigh. I hope our kids get his brain and memory. But hopefully they'll get my style. Did I mention he used to have less than stellar style until I showed him the way? I'm just sayin.
And for the record, I'm split on my thoughts about the Kindle/digital books. One the one hand they save on paper - i.e. are Green. I love trying to be more green. (You should see my overflowing recycling container each week.) But on the other hand, I feel like screens are starting to invade life (see previous paragraph) and I like actual books. I think I'll stick with the paper versions. I'll do my part by going to the library. That counts as recycling right? Or maybe it fits more in the "reuse" part of reduce-reuse-recyle. It fits in the trifecta somehow.
So, I'm embarking on a journey. I found a list of books that "everyone should read before they turn 30" on the internet (you really can find anything online these days). I have 17 months before I turn 30, and am going to read all these books before then. I've marked the books I've already read - my grand total: 3. So I'm going to have to average almost two books per month. I think I can do it. I'll give you all a book report as I read them....Anyone want to join my journey?
The List (courtesy of the Mark and Angel Hack Life Blog...I have no clue what this is, or who Mark and Angel are. Perhaps I should've done some more reserach into the makers of the list before letting them blindly lead me on a book reading extraveganza, but I like to live on the wild side):
1. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (x)
2. 1984 by George Orwell
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
4. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
5. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
6. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
7. The Rights of Man by Tom Paine
8. The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
9. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
10. The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
11. The Wisdom of the Desert by Thomas Merton.
12. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
13. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham
14. The Art of War by Sun Tzu
15. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
16. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
17. Four Quartets by T.S. Elliot
18. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
19. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (x)
20. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (x)
21. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
22. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
23. Walden by Henry David Thoreau
24. The Republic by Plato
25. Lolita.
26. Getting Things Done by David Allen .
27. How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
28. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
29. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
30. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
31. BONUS: How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
32. BONUS: Honeymoon with My Brother by Franz Wisner
**For the record, Mr. Cob has read 15 of these books. As you can see I have read 3. Sigh. I hope our kids get his brain and memory. But hopefully they'll get my style. Did I mention he used to have less than stellar style until I showed him the way? I'm just sayin.
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