Books From My Perspective (A Mama Kat Writing Prompt)

What are you reading?

Thank you, Mama Kat for yet another week that includes a prompt I can write to somewhat easily. Maybe I’m guilty of shirking from a challenge but I am finding challenges in plenty of other areas of my life, so I’ll take a softball when it’s thrown to me  (such as “What are you reading?”).

It may be an easy question to answer, but it’s not simple because I have several books going at one time and one I am looking forward to at least as much as the ones I am reading now so it is going to get a shout-out as well!

What I Am Reading On Paper

I am reading an Advance Reader’s Edition of True Believers: A Novel by Kurt Andersen.

Thank you, Random House, for the Advance Reader’s Editions that randomly pop into my mailbox. These always go to the top of my reading list because I want to return your generosity with a blog mention. I am moving so slowly through True Believers, however, that I will probably be the most extreme outlier in your marketing plan! This book follows protagonist Karen Hollander through her childhood filled with James Bond-esque outings with her peers, through a trajectory that briefly sees her considered for an appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, to the process of writing her memoir, which results in more than one coming-to-terms moment with old truths, fragile trusts, and a perspective that has been turned inside out. I am enjoying the read. I guess the good thing about me taking so darn long is that the book and its author get a mention from me on Facebook and Twitter every Friday when I share my “Friday Reads.” Maybe that exposure counts for something!

What I Am Listening To on CD

I am listening to The 6th Target by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro.

Ever since I began driving my father-in-law’s car last October after his stroke, I lost my ability to listen to iPod books in the car (because I don’t have an iPod adapter in this car), so I have had to go relatively “old school” and listen to cd’s. I got this one from PaperbackSwap. This is (I believe), number six in the “Women’s Murder Club” series. In this book, Detective Lindsay Boxer searches for a criminal who opened fire on unsuspecting civilians while pursuing a series of kidnappings of wealthy young children also. It is an enjoyable read but it isn’t a book that will end up on my “favorites” list. I did note on the website, however, that there is a Women’s Murder Club “Murdertini”:

• 4 ounces Ketel One vodka
• 1/2 ounce triple sec or flavored orange liqueur
• 2 ounces freshly squeezed blood orange juice
• 2 blood orange slices
• Dash of orange bitters

Combine all ingredients in a martini shaker except the orange slices with a good amount of ice. Shake for a few seconds, then strain the the drink into a martini glass. Garnish with the orange slices. (Optional) Dampen the martini glass rim and dip lightly in white sugar.

Maybe the mystery of why I haven’t enjoyed this book all that much lies in the fact that I have been driving around sober. Maybe I should whip up a murdertini and relax with the tome at home. I wonder what Detective Lindsay Boxer would conclude.

What I Am Listening To On My iPod

This one, folks, this one is a good read!!! On my iPod I am listening to Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.

Due to the aforementioned car flipflop that has occurred in our family, I don’t get to listen to  books on my  iPod as much as I used to. With the exception of the day I got very lost on the Alford Greenway and heard the first couple of hours of this book, the rest has come in smaller sips. And that’s okay.

I could go on and on and on about why I find this book fascinating but I have already made this “simple” blog quite long so I will try to condense. People who defy naysayers fascinate me. People who do things differently fascinate me.  I keep wrestling in my mind with Jobs’s utter devotion to design elements and how/when/why he became a ruthless businessperson. I can’t get over the number of times he cries to get his way. That said, I am listening to how he cried (repeatedly, publicly, inappropriately) to get his way while I am listening to the story on an iPod and measuring the miles I am walking or running on an iPhone.  Steve Jobs also reminds me of someone I worked for once who is brilliant, volatile, unyielding, and in retrospect taught me more than anyone else ever has.

What I Will Be Reading Soon

Mark Klempner recently mentioned on Facebook that when his book, The Heart Has Reasons, was released in paperback, the reviews on Amazon did not follow from the hardcover version to the paperback product page. He was looking for reviewers. I couldn’t respond fast enough.

I first started an email correspondence with Mark when my daughter was participating in our local Holocaust Essay Contest and I was poking around for possible resources that she might learn from.  I read an excerpt of the book and talked to Mark about possibly being an interviewee for Tenley. That didn’t work out because she took her essay a different direction, but he and I maintained an email and Facebook friendship. I am so grateful to authors who interact with us humble readers, and Mark is one of the best. I am looking forward to reading the whole book and adding my praise to the Amazon page; I know it will deserve the kudos.

What I Am Editing

I am editing a book by a local author that has a really unique concept. It is geared to 10-13 year olds and UP (no limit). In the book, a young girl “becomes” Paul Revere’s horse and leads the reader through the development of the Declaration of Independence in a creative and attention-binding way. I am excited to work with this author even though accepting another editing project means having to be even more laser-focused about time management.

In closing, this sums up perfectly why I read so many books and can’t really resist using my editing skills to help others with theirs:

Source: “I Acknowledge Beauty Exists”

Paula Kiger

Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.