Sorry more notes. Seems that’s what I have time for of late.
The plus side of working in a library is that I get to read at work. The down side is that I am working in a law library so the books I get to read are ones like how to do legal research. To some degree it is useful for general sorts of research since processes like defining your research and figuring out scope, creating search terms, searching in the appropriate places, and finding resources with the proper authority (Who would you trust more, Joe the Plummer or the US Supreme Court? Betty’s Blog whose sister’s friend’s cousin had that medical condition or the Mayo Clinic?). There is also the date of the information to keep in mind as well as accessibility, availability and cost.
My time in the evenings is taken up reading all about different aspects of management. Yesterday I had the pleasure of reading about how to motivate employees, how to deal with problem employees and conduct performance reviews. It is incredibly dull and if I ever find myself in a management position I am not likely to remember any of this and I am not sure how helpful it would actually be if I did. Because really, you can be armed with as many theories and acronyms for processes and procedures as are available but there is always going to be someone or something that throws a wrench in the works and you had better be prepared to think on your feet and be creative.
My time for fun reading is on the bus in the morning, during my half hour lunch break, and on the bus after work. I also try to read something of my own for at least 15 minutes before bed to un-numb my brain from school. I managed to finish Sexing the Cherry over the weekend. The Slaves discussion starts on the 31st and will no doubt be interesting as this is an interesting book.
I began reading Sophocles’ Antigone translated by Seamus Heaney yesterday. I’ve read it before long ago but have no real recollection of it. This book has no introduction or anything, just the play and I am left to take it as I will. I am finding it eerily current. Since it is a play it is short so I should be finished in the next few days as time allows.
On the bus this morning I began reading Christopher Moore’s Fool, a title that got no looks as Sexing the Cherry did. Fool is a spoof of King Lear from the Fool, Pocket’s, point of view. The book begins with a warning:
This is a bawdy tale. Herein you will find gratuitous shagging, murder, spanking, maiming, treason, and heretofore unexplored heights of vulgarity and profanity, as well as non-traditional grammar, split infinitives, and the odd wank. If that sort of thing bothers you, then gentle reader pass by, for we endeavor only to entertain, not to offend. That said, if that’s the sort of thing you think you might enjoy, then you have happened upon the perfect story!
Bawdy it definitely is so far along with vulgar. And so far there has only been a near murder. As for the grammar, I can’t say that I have been paying much attention but I am almost certain infinitives have been split.
I’m also into Jane Hirshfield’s Given Sugar given Salt. A wonderful book of poetry thus far.
Gaddis has stalled. No surprise there really. It is not for lack of desire. But trying to read Gaddis after reading about good management practices doesn’t work very well and the book is too big to lug on the bus. I am not sure what I am going to do so I can keep reading it.
I am also still reading Dubravka Ugresic’s Nobody’s Home and like it very much. This would be great bus reading but it is a hardcover and kind of heavy. But maybe I will try it sometime to test my strength.
There are a bunch of other books that I consider myself reading but that have fallen by the wayside and haven’t gotten any attention in a long time. I’ll have to look them over. Perhaps one or more of them can be revived as good bus reading. And in the mail today I received an unsolicited review copy of the latest Maisie Dobbs novel. I know there are lots of you out there who like Winspear’s Maisie books so I thought I might give it a go. Though I wonder, do I have to have read any of the earlier books or is this one I can just jump into?
The only thing I’ve read by Christopher Moore was Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Friend. I loved it; it made me think, but it is certainly not for everyone. Bawdy? Yes. Blasphemous? According to some. I’m eager to read your review of Fool!
I read Lamb, like Jenclair above, and loved it. I’ll have to look for Fool. I am in awe of how many books you are reading, by the way–you go, girl
Why is it that the busier work gets, the more fragmented one’s reading becomes? I seem to have loads of bits of books on the go and it’s frustrating in a way, as it mirrors my work life rather than soothing me. I must get to the Winterson, but it’s a reread and I don’t doubt I’ll be ready for the 31st (and looking forward to it!). Oh and Maisie Dobbs you can plunge in any old where. Her life is pretty much always summarised early on in any given novel and each story stands alone.
I am not surprised you cannot take Gaddis on the bus!
Well, now isn’t that typical of work? When I worked in a public library, we were not allowed to read on the job (a rule I always thought was stupid. What better advertising for the books you have than to see the staff reading? However, the notion was that we’d ignore needy patrons if we all had our noses buried in books). In a law library, I’m sure I wouldn’t be quite so tempted by every book that came my way (then again, I’m AM an addict…). I tried to read Christopher Moore once but wasn’t in the mood. Have always thought I might try him again at some point. And I’m with Litlove: you can certainly jump right in with Maisie Dobbs, not having read her in sequence.
My Gaddis reading has also stalled but only because I had to return the book to the library and now need to get my hands on another copy. And I would like to try the Winterson book one of these days, but perhaps when my TBR list has been pared down appropriately.
Ooh lucky you to get that ARC for the latest Maisie book. Well, I’m a bit picky for reading mysteries in order so that would be my advice. But, honestly I think Winspear is very good at giving out the right amount of info in each new book which would serve to catch up a newcomer to the series or remind us with bad memories of what has happened
Christopher Moore is hysterical. Just for the record, it’s not fair. I work in a library, too, but I don’t get to read at work.
I got the Maisie Dobbs book as well, and I’m looking forward to it. I don’t think you need to read them in order — I listened to the first few out of order, and that was fine. Of course, reading the earlier ones can give you perspective, but she’s good at reminding you of all the important information you need.
I loved the Hirschfield book — glad you are enjoying it!
Jenclair, I loved Lamb! You will probably like Fool too.
Gentle Reader, Lamb was great fun, wasn’t it? The problem with reading so many books at once though is none of them really get prolonged attention.
Litlove, I am glad to know I am not the only one this seems to happen too. I was surprised when I counted up all the books I keep switching around. And thanks for the tip on Maisie Dobbs!
Emily, trust me, you wouldn’t be tempted by every book that came your way in a law library. Though there are still plenty that come across the desk that make me write down the titles for future reference. You do have to be in the mood to read Moore. And thanks for adding your voice to the Maisie Dobbs question.
Verbivore, well having to return Gaddis to the library is a good reason for your reading to be stalled. I fear you may never get to Winterson if you wait for your TBR list to be pared down
Iliana, the ARC was a pleasant surprise. I tend to be picky about reading in order too, but I am glad I don’t have to in this case or who knows when I’d get to read this new one!
Lisa, Moore is a hoot. Since I am still new I am being encouraged to read up on how to do legal research. I am not sure how much reading will be encouraged once I have been there for a while, but we shall see!
Dorothy, it was you who had read Maisie Dobbs out of order! I remembered someone had but I couldn’t think of who. I am glad to know I can jump in. I am finding Hirschfield’s poetry to be very rich.
Jane Hirshfield’s poetry and translations are so simple, and so rich – don’t miss her collection of essays, Nine Gates, either. I love the way her Zen illuminates her poems without knocking you over the head with it.
By the way – if you’re still looking for a pen friend…
Be careful. I started out working in a law library thinking I was going to go on to library school. Somehow I ended up in law school and became a lawyer. I sometimes wish I had followed my original intention!