monday confession: i'm an addict.

...but luckily I'm not addicted to cocaine or cigarettes or booze. I have some less-than-healthy addictions (chocolate, desserts in general, TV), today's vice is perfectly acceptable, although a little costly: I'm addicted to books.

Notice I didn't say that I'm addicted to reading. I love, love, love to read, but I do quite a bit of reading for grad school, so I rarely get to read purely for pleasure... but that doesn't stop me from collecting a wealth of books that I plan to read eventually. I like to choose one day per weekend, if possible, to completely ignore academic reading and focus solely on "recreational" reading, and I carry more books than I could possibly finish around with me on school holidays and vacations.

I think one of the reasons I have trouble finishing a book is that I'm rarely reading just one at a time. I have this weird pattern that I try to stick to: "trendy" book (i.e. Sookie Stackhouse novels), autobiography, classic novel. Once I've acquired a book, it's hard for me not to start it, and oftentimes I get ADD with a book and just need to look at a page of a different size or font.

Currently reading:

I know some people roll their eyes at "diet" books, but this isn't about a diet. Real Housewives of New York's Bethenny makes things that should come naturally to you, but have been warped by America's food obsession, simple. I find myself nodding as I read her tips and advice, because it just makes so much sense.

I have been reading Gone with the Wind for around 6 months. Duration of the read, in this case, is not indicative of my lack of interest. I love this book: the romance of the pre-war South, the devastation of the War of Northern Aggression, the lost art of chivalry... BUT: this book is over 1000 pages long, and these aren't just any pages. The font on each page is approximately size 6, as compared to the more common size 12. So I get a little antsy when I've been reading for an hour and realize I've only covered 4 pages. But I will prevail!

This is one of those books that I just couldn't wait to start. Yesterday I got to do a little birthday swap with Anna, and she gave me this beautiful book, that fed one my other addictions: trashy reality TV. While I'm not proud of my guilty pleasure, I can't deny that I love it and I've only found one group of Housewives that doesn't thrill me (DC: yawwwwwwn). Thanks, Nan!

We all know I have a "slight" obsession with Beth Moore, but lately I've taken a detour from my Moore collection (although, it's not a true detour, as you'll soon see). I'm reading C.S. Lewis' classic 'Mere Christianity' and I can say with confidence that there's a reason this book is a classic: Lewis if fabulous. His philosophy is well thought out and practically flawless, and each chapter has undertones of humor. Love, love, love.
This is what I mean when I say my detour from Beth's book isn't total: I don't read Praying God's Word everyday, but I do work it in from time to time, especially when I need to just have some serious prayer time. This book totally immerses you in the Word, highlighting verses you may have overlooked before or just never appreciated. Beth uses Scripture from both the Old and New Testament, a beautiful revelation of the consistency of God's Word.

And I wonder why I can't finish a book... AND I have a running list of books to read and buy.

Books that are "on deck" (patting myself on the back for the sports reference):
Francis Chan's Crazy Love (SO many people have recommended this book to me; after I bought it, I made my mother keep it so I couldn't start it before I finish my other quiet time books!)
Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (this is actually one that I've started but it's been sadly knocked back)
A number of biographies, including Laurence Olivier and Bette Davis
Phillipa Gregory's The White Queen

Books that are on my "to buy" list (or to receive, *wink*):
Cast of Characters- Max Lucado
Alice I Have Been- Melanie Benjamin
The Other Queen- Phillipa Gregory
Mary Tudor- Anna Whitelock
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larsson
Radical- David Platt
Love the One You're With- Emily Giffin
The Lady Elizabeth- Alison Weir
Cleopatra's Daughter- Michele Moran

Wouldn't it be less expensive if I just bought a pack of cigarettes every day?....