My name is Stefanie and I live in beautiful Minneapolis, Minnesota. I work at a local nonprofit doing technology therapy, also known and tech support. My coworkers call me a guru but I know better. I have never taken a computer class in my life, I have a masters degree in English lit for goodness’ sake, but somehow managed to get myself into this position because I was the only one in the office who wasn’t afraid of computers when we upgraded all of our technology.
Because I am not quite geeky enough already, I will be attending Drexel University’s online degree program for a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science beginning in September 2007. I should be finished with my degree just about the time Nancy Pearl decides to retire.
If you haven’t figured it out, I like to read. This blog is about what I’m reading and not reading (as sometimes happens), what I want to read and what I am considering reading. There is also occasional agonzing over reading, not reading, what I want to read and what I am considering reading. From time to time personal life slips in and stories about my husband or pet pictures might appear.
What do I like to read? All bookish folk know it is impossible to name just one or two favorite books. I will say I am an omnivorous reader and enjoy genre fiction (scifi, fantasy) and literary fiction, nonfiction (mostly history, philosophy, science, literary biography, diaries and letters, and books about books), and poetry. I also like to read ingredients labels, but generally don’t talk about that here. Favorite authors include Virginia Woolf, Margaret Atwood, Marge Piercy, Marcel Proust and Adrienne Rich. I am a fan of reading projects and at the moment I have three, Proust’s In Search of Lost Time, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and a study of western philosophy beginning with the Greeks.
I’ve been blogging about books since Ocotber 2003. I had a brief brush with fame when I was listed among the Guardian Unlimited Books’ Top 10 Literary Blogs. I do this for fun and try not to take myself too seriously (if I ever do, please, someone, let me know).
I welcome your thoughts, comments and reading suggestions (I love book lists!) but ask that you please play nice. I reserve the right to edit or delete inappropriate comments without notice.
Thanks for reading.
Minneapolis seems like an interesting place–indie music and I’m a big fan of a guy called Steve Tibbetts who specializes in electronic soundscapes; I hear he’s from out your way. One book I recommend to EVERYONE is HOLY THE FIRM by Annie Dillard. You’re likely familiar with her but, to me, HOLY is her masterpiece. Two of my favorite works of fiction are GOSPEL by Wilton Barnhardt and EARTHLY POWERS by Anthony Burgess. Dunno if you wanna add those to your book “wishlist”
but there you are…
Hi, Stephanie. An interesting blog!
The book we’re ost excited about at Curbstone for the moment is Aracelis Girmay’s TEETH. Have you had a chance to look at it?
Cheers,
Alex
Stephanie, this header is beautiful! I half-expected the previous orange scheme and was pleasantly surprised by this. It shows that, as usual, I have a lot of catching up to do.
Thanks Polaris! You aren’t as behind as you think. It’s only been a week, maybe two since the big change.
Dear Jessa,
I am a British author.
I’ve started shop-gifting my debut novel.
http://www.next-to-hemingway.blogspot.com/
I have more copies of the book if any of your readers would like to shop-gift with me.
Kind Regards,
Lee.
Sorry, that was meant to start Dear Stefanie…
You have a great list of book related sites on your blogroll! What a great idea! You might want to add another book related blog, http://talkingbookslibrarian.blogspot.com/ to your list.
Keep up the good work!
I’ve enjoyed your Blog and added it to my Blogsurf. My interest is books into films…slightly related but very popular genre these days…adapted screenplays. Just wondering what your thoughts are.
artidkc, thank you! I have a love/hate relationship with books into films. Sometimes they are marvelous like the Lord of the Rings movies, and other times they are absolutely dreadful.
Just wondering whether you’ve read The Jane Austen Book Club…I’ve just seen the movie and has written some thoughts on it. Like to have your comments.
Hi, Stefanie– I am a writer with a new novel about a young woman pulled into labor and radical politics in Seattle 1916-20. You can find out lots more on my website, http://www.janshapin.com. There is also an interview and book review in Estella’s Revenge October issue. I am looking for other bloggers who like this kind of fiction to take a look at it and maybe write something. If you are interested, let me know and I would be happy to supply you with a copy. Sincerely, Jan Shapin
Hi,
I really admire your energy and enthusiasm for great books. I am a poet and writer, wanted to let you know about an exciting new feature on my website, http://www.literarycomments.com in which I will be writing a regular column on art and culture, entitled “Occasional Thoughts,” on topics ranging from literary criticism to exhibition reviews. My website also features many of my poems, including selections from my most recent chapbook, Are these My Lions? which I wrote while living in Jerusalem in the summer of 2006.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you will check back frequently for new articles on various artistic and cultural topics.
Sincerely,
Daniel E. Levenson
Hi Stefanie,
I’m absolutely psyched about your blog! I’m a fellow book enthusiast and have my own website dedicated to book clubs and book reviews. I’d love to exchange links as I think we’d be valuable resources for our readers.
What do you think?
http://www.book-club-queen.com
Hope to hear from you!
Thanks Queenie! I’d be glad to exchange links!
Hello, I write and publish books for a hobby. I find it therapeutic. I also would characterize myself as an omnivorous reader but enjoy reading mostly fiction (especially Southern regional fiction). Non-fiction likes are mainly history and biographies. It would be hard to pick a favorite book or even a top ten but “To Kill A Mockingbird” is right up there for me. It is amazing to think it was her first and only book. I really like your website (both content and design) and root for anyone that promotes and enjoys reading. Thanks
Hello Stefanie,
We love your blog. We are compiling a list of bookstores throughout Europe and we were wondering if it would be possible if you could add our guide to your wonderful list.
http://www.bookstoreguide.org
Wishing you a lovely weekend,
Sonja and Ivan
What a great site you seem to have here… I too love the reading and writing life.
Dear Stephanie,
I’ve been an avid reader of your blog for a little over a year now. I’ve especially enjoyed following you on your big reading projects like Emerson. I really love the food for thought those excerpts and posts provide! Reading yours and other book blogs has inspired me to start trying to chronicle my own reading adventures, so thankyou! Drop by my blog sometime for a peruse its:
http://antipodeanowl.blogspot.com
You mentioned that you enjoy recieving book lists, so I thought I’d share with you my current top 10 favourite Australian novels.
1. Helen Garner– The Children’s Bach
2. Murray Bail — Eucalyptus
3. Kate Grenville — The Secret River
4. David Malouf — Fly Away Peter
5. Janet Frame (OK, technically a Kiwi) To the Is-land
6. Dorothy Porter — The Monkey’s Mask
7. Robert Drewe — The Bodysurfers
8. Henry Handel Richardson — The Getting of Wisdom
9. Peter Carey — Jack Maggs
10. Christopher Koch — Out of Ireland
Regards, Cass
Hi Stefanie,
I just found your blog, and it looks like we have a lot in common: English background, working in technology and in grad school for library science. I’m looking forward to catching up in your blog.
Dear Stefanie,
This is a fabulous book-blog, one of my favorites. I’ve added a link to you from my own new blog, “belles-lettres” - I hope you will check it out.
Happy Reading.
Susan.x
Wow! This is quite an extensive literary blog. You said that Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of your current “reading projects.” Is there anything in particular of his you are reading? I’ve always enjoyed Emerson, and I have a papeback portable of his on my bookshelf, but I’ve never really dived into it full force. Any suggestions on where to begin?
David, I’m reading everything Emerson wrote, or nearly. Your paperback portable is a good place to start. My project began with The Essential Emerson. You’ll definitely want to read his First and Second Series of essays which will probably be in your portable. There he lays the foundation of his philosophy. If you still like him after that, my favorite book of his so far is The Conduct of Life.
Stefanie, thanks for the suggestions. Now I just need to get to it
For the pure scope of your literary endeavors (of which I can only claim a fraction), I will be adding you to my blogroll.
Keep up the great work! It’s wonderful to find other people out there reading this type of stuff!
Herodotus’ Histories is great. Enjoy it. I’m on my own project of reading all of Livy, and after that all of Gibbon.
I’m always happy to find another avid reader and a traveler ready walk the wonderful landscapes of In Search of Lost Time.
Hello, Stephanie,
I am the author of HOW (NOT) TO HAVE A PERFECT WEDDING, published by Sourcebooks in Nov. 2007. The novel–my second–is based on my (mis)adventures working as a wedding hostess in one of the famous Newport, RI, mansions. It was a great job because I got to be a fly on the wall observing people and their interactions, so I wrote the novel from multiple viewpoints (bridal party, drunken guests, wedding staff) to capture that experience. If you would like to receive a copy, please let me know.
I’m new to the world of literary blogs and am amazed and gratified by how many people out there still love to read. Arliss Ryan
Hi
I think your blog is a real one-off - not only absorbing but great fun.
My debut novel Castle in the Clouds comes out at the end of May and is about depression and rehab. Two years ago I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and wrote the book as a therapeutic exercise. It centres on five characters (one of whom is a supermodel) with varying psychiatric disorders incuding addiction who meet in rehab, and their interweaving journey to wellness.
If you would like to receive a copy, please let me know and I will mail it.
All the best
Monica (Janssens)
I just noticed the tags at the top of your blog… duh. I have really come to enjoy your blog! Thanks for writing it. Once I decided to start recording the books I read, my blog has quickly been turning into a ‘book blog’. I love it. I also adore Emerson and have been really enjoying your posts on him!
thanks so much. Daphne
I really enjoy find your blog …thank for book info…
Could you please inform me how to get many reader to this blog?
Hello avid readers!
My name is Ashley Rhodes-Courter and I am a 22-year-old recent college graduate.
I spent almost ten years in foster care before being adopted at the age of 12. My years in care resembled some of the horror stories that you read about in the news.
However, I tried to turn my pain into power and Simon and Schuster has recently published my memoir, “Three Little Words.”
I would be honored if you would join me in my quest to overhaul the foster care system and bring loving, permanent homes to foster and orphaned children all across America. Thanks SO much for your time!!
=-) Ashley Rhodes-Courter
http://www.rhodes-courter.com
Hi Stefanie, I’ve just noticed your move. Even better than ever!