Meg Cline

February 25, 2010

Reading Resolutions

I don’t usually make New Year’s Resolution – I prefer to make them all year round, just to keep things interesting. But happenstance was that I made a resolution, it was in early January and thus, I decided it would be my NYR. It’s a bit of an odd one. I decided that I was going to make it my goal to stay out of the library until I have finished reading all the books I have borrowed (and returned them to their rightful owner… two I admit I have had since 2008), swapped or bought this year.

This may not sound like something that requires a resolution, but I tell you I have an insatiable weakness for library books. I’ll get a notion of a book I want in my head, I’ll look it up on the catalog and put it on hold. They call me to tell me it’s ready and I “dash” in to pick it up. Thirty minutes later, I am checking out with a good dozen other books. I don’t know what happens to me in those thirty minutes but I become overcome with something akin to binge-reading. Because they have a due date, they take precedence over the books that are sitting on my shelf, neglected and humble. So this year, I pledge to finish all my borrowed, swapped and bought books before I set foot in Reynolda Manor Library again. You heard it here first. I’m 2 months in, and making good progress.

Here’s the breakdown:

Borrowed, To Read:

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (just finished)
• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (just finished)
• Alice Waters and Chez Panisse by Thomas McNamee
• Food Matters by Mark Bittman
• Fat Like Us by Jean Renfro Anspaugh
• Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge
• Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

Swapped, To Read:

• Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg (currently reading)
• Mindless Eating by Brian Wasnick
• Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
• A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

Bought, To Read:

• The Master Key System by Charles Haanel
• The Writer’s Home Companion by Joan Bolker
• The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

Already Read Once, but Want to Read Again:

• Master your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels
• End of Overeating by David Kessler

And then…. THEN…. my reward. Here are the books that are accumulating on my library list. Feel free to lend them to me if you have them, I’ll make sure to return them by 2013.

• Real Food by Nina Plank
• Inside A Dog by Alexandra Horowitz
• Better by Atul Gawande
• The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson
• Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
• Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro
• Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson
• The Wrong Mother by Sophie Hannah

Have you read any of these? What did you think? Are there any I must add to my list?

In the meantime, should you see me approach a library, book store, or your own bookshelf, please feel free to dive in front of me to stop me. I know not what I do.

February 10, 2010

Cabin Fever

I am so sick of this cold weather here, and the wind, my gosh, the wind. Every time I step outside, I can hear my mother’s voice: “Where is your hat?” (I hate to admit, but she poses a good question.) My poor little pupdog has not gotten a decent walk in about 3 month. It is sunny outside and looks so tempting… but it is just so darn windy.

Oh hey, I’m complainy today. Let me think of something nice to say. I’ve tried yoga – twice now! I am taking a super beginner class (the kind that involves lots of blocks, straps and generous time in child’s pose) and it was really nice – I have never had anyone break down the poses and explain them so well before, as well as take the time to correct form. It is a 5 week class that my friend has talked me into it, so I’m encouraged to see how it goes. I also keep noticing today how many times I’ve realized my shoulders are up at my ears when I write. That could have something to do with the reason my back and neck always hurt. DUH.

Speaking of writing, I got up extra early today and spent a few hours on my book… I’m making a good dent in it and I’m kind of excited about it. It’s like my little garden, I just keep doing little bits and bits at a time. I’ve got about 2/3rds of the content done, and want to finish the bulk of the content by my wine trip at the end of March. Then I want to go back through and insert some research and more case studies. And then…. I have no idea what to do with it. What does one do with a book? Stand on the street corner and sell it like the newspaper guys do? Print it off at Kinkos and make your mom buy 500 copies? Send serial letters to Oprah until she gets a restraining order on you? Put a tent on the front step of the Rodale offices? Sigh. Guess we’ll tackle that step when it actually gets DUNZO.

But really, the wind? It can go now, and in it’s place, I’d like to order up some sunshine and green grass. Hurry, Spring, Hurry.

Mom, I’m booooooooooooooooooored.