never judge a book by its movie

As you may have noticed, I am the kind of gal who goes completely bananas about an activity for a while and then suddenly stops doing it (or to that crazed extent) and moves on to the next activity. Sometimes this is very useful because in the process I acquire new and handy skills such as crocheting and cooking/baking. Other times, like the time I started learning Russian, they end in disaster and feelings of utter incompetence.... and occasionally I manage to aimlessly black out entire weeks of my life, like the time I went on that 'omgihavetowatcheverythingrelatedtorandynewman'-craze. I might still be on that one actually.

Anyway. The reason I'm telling you this is A) because I feel like if I don't share stuff my life is meaningless and B) because it's an intro to this post's topic; books. Lately I have been reading a lot of books. Allow me to compile a list of books I've read in the last few months (for your sake I am excluding the infinite number of fairytales and pop-up books about cars).

Her Fearful Symmetry - Audrey Niffenegger

the Twilight saga - Stephenie Meyer

If On A Winter's Night a Traveler - Italo Cavali

On The Road - Jack Kerouac

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

Relentless - Dean Koontz

Elle s'Appelait Sarah - Tatiana de Rosnay

The Help - Kathryn Stockett

One of the reasons I'm giving you a list of books I've read (and enjoyed) is to welcome any and all tips on other good books. I love to switch around with genres. My usual MO is classic - easy to read thriller/fantasy - modern novel. I also love biographies but haven't felt the inclination to read any as of late, but feel free to share thoughts on those as well. I try to read books in the original language when that language is Dutch or English. I've read a few in French but I am by no means fluent so I'll usually go for a translation.

When reading I always try to remember these two quotes:

Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.  

- P.J. O'Rourke

and

The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.  

- James Bryce 

 

There are of course many many reasons why reading is important. One thing that always comes to my mind is that it is really the only way to really step out of our own reality and into that of a complete stranger, and therefore the only way to really see something differently than ever before. And that inspires. And when you are inspired you are want to do and create, and doing and creating are good for the soul.

Finally, some random facts about me and books:

1. I started writing a book in Dutch when I was 13 about a girl who finds out she's a witch and meets Michael Jackson. I'm pretty sure I could have given J.K. Rowling a run for her money had I finished the thing.

2. My favourite author is Kurt Vonnegut

3. My first ever job at 14 was at a bookstore.

4. Yes, I am an old-book-sniffer.

5. If you were to try to read just the titles of every book ever written, it would take you your entire life (and I'm being optimistic and assuming you'll live to be 90) without sleeping.

6. My Favourite book is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig.

7. Mmmm, chocolate.

Have a great Sinterklaas-weekend everybody!!