kellementology » Booklist

Booklist

You’re at an airport somewhere waiting for a connecting flight, and unfortunately, you’ve only completed the short part of the trip. There are still 2,000 miles to go before you are deposited on your doorstep safe and sound. You’re unfazed about having to sit in this busy place because you have a book. Anything could happen and it wouldn’t matter to you because, yes, you have a book. A magazine might work, but it just isn’t the same. The PA system indicates your flight is boarding so you gather your things and hurry to get in line, shuffle to your seat, and nestle in. You organize your small carry-ons, check out the remainder of those passengers lining the aisle grappling for space in the overheads, and plan your in-flight drink choice. And then you notice that something isn’t quite right. You look in your purse, around your seat, and realize you’ve left your book in the airport. The one you were half-way through. There are several hours of flying time ahead of you and you not only have no book, there are no screens that would suggest an inflight movie is scheduled. OMG!

Life is not the same without books. I try to do justice to just about every kind of writer out there, because everyone deserves a chance. I try to make a rule, though, that I meander from literary works, to popular fiction, and back. I read for my own pleasure or for information about something I’m interested in and never to impress anyone. I don’t see the point. And, if a book isn’t keeping my interest — especially by page 40, then it goes back down next to my bed until another day when I may choose it again to give it another go. I also read more than one book at a time for a variety of reasons. It’s kind of like one of those televisions that has more than one screen — you’re really interested in what’s on the big screen, but want to keep track of what’s happening on the other two channels as well, right? Like that.

So, this is my bookshelf. For what it’s worth, I’ll share what I read — or not — with utter honesty. I’ve tried to keep track of what I read in the past, but it usually just ends up being an excuse to buy another cool journal that I begin, and then never finish. Maybe this will work. Tune in to this bat channel if you want some interesting recommendations or a good laugh.

Here’s my rating system:

***** (5 stars) = Wow. Has an impact. I have to find another book like it, or another book by the same author, or catch my breath or something. Worthy of forcing my husband to listen to parts I’ve deemed worthy of reading aloud after he seems to have fallen asleep.

**** (4 stars) = Enjoyable. Worth reading. Would chastise friends who have read it and didn’t like it, or haven’t read it.

*** (3 stars) = Satisfactory. Redeeming qualities, but could have trouble remembering the title. Would interrogate friends who said they loved it.

** (2 stars) = Could have been better. Finshed, but probably shouldn’t have. If (and that’s a big “if” because it most likely doesn’t and that’s why I read it) it has literary merit, would harass friends who liked it and question their veracity.

* (1 star) = Don’t bother. Forced myself to finish kicking and screaming or didn’t finish. What was I thinking when I picked that up? I’m such a biblioslut.

2007 List of Reads

***** Category