Friday, January 20, 2012

It's about the books

So, one might ask if they still cared, where the hell have you been all this time Mira?

Well, I took a little detour through self pity land, and stopped writing because I'd pretty much written 8 months of miserable posts. Who wanted to read more of  those? Not me. But then we moved. And I discovered.....

dun dun dun!

Books. Wouldn't cha know?

I rediscovered the joy of reading. I'd been reading newspapers and magazines on parenting and Oprah, but I hadn't read books unless I was away for a few days. Which, naturally, was rare. But I got this book from my mother in law and started reading it skeptically. It was historical fiction and I had been reading mostly fluffy chick lit for all my rare chances to read so I wasn't sure. Brain? Meet Diana Gabaldon's epic tale about some damned woman who got transported back 200 years to Ireland and fell in love and so on.

Segue into musical interlude of "books glorious books" to the tune of the orphans and Annie singing about food.

In any case, I haven't been able to stop since. After I read a couple in actual paperback form I downloaded one onto the iPad. The problem with this was that books and iPad were never there when I needed them. Then I realized that I had the patience of a saint and could read books on my iPhone despite the fact that there are about 4 words on every page. I didn't care, I could read anywhere!!

I read while sitting outside my childrens' doors after lights out in between super nannying the party animals they had become after transitioning to big kid beds. I read while on the toilet, I read instead of paying bills, I read while waiting in line at the checkout. People, I read. Even two sentences at a time.

It was/is glorious. I love books. I actually reached a point where I ran out of suggested titles on iTunes and worried I had read every historical fiction book out there. Not true, but at current time I have read 63 books. Since last March. On my iPhone.

Addicted? um, yes. Happy as a clam? Yes, despite the people from collections interrupting me now and then. Getting stuff done I should get done? Not really. But I'm happy?

Well, feel free to use me as a warning tale. But honestly? It's not drugs, or alcohol or cigarettes or food. So I'll take my chances. Oh, and if you see me at the playground staring at my iPhone instead of my children? Well, at least know I'm not just texting or FBing. You know, because that makes it alright. Right?

3 comments:

  1. The most fabulous thing about reading books on iBooks on your phone is the amazing sense of accomplishment you get when you think "I read 132 pages while waiting on hold for the gas company!" Of course, never mind that they are iPhone-sized pages and there are 20,000 or more pages in the actual book - 132 pages! HOT DAMN!

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  2. My book club just started reading Mistress of the Art of Death and I thought of you (because it's historical fiction!) I went through a Philippa Gregory phase and also really liked The Last Queen and Pillars of the Earth. Any of your 63 you'd highly recommend?

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  3. Hey Mira, parenting (and spousing) is difficult and momentous; great work sticking with it through the highs and lows. Finding recreation along the way is probably a universal necessity!

    I started Diana Gabaldon's books but lost interest because not enough technology (although providing impromptu medical care in the middle ages is definitely an interesting tech problem) but that's probably on me. I just started Seveneves and I liked the Martian before it was cool. Space survival is a theme maybe?

    I just messaged Ken about something completely different ha ha. Love to all 7 of you (is that the right number?). BBB

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