50. Deceptively Delicious- Jessica Seinfeld

I read every word of this books, so hell yes it counts. If you read my other blog at all you will know that I have a habit of consuming 30+ muffins and other baked goods a month. I am a junky. So I think it is high time that I start making all my own by scratch and even fix them up with some squash and carrot purees to help my peepers and all my precious body parts.

This is marketed for women with kids, but if you eat tons of crap food and have a boyfriend that turns his nose up at anything remotely healthy, it can still be a great addition to your kitchen repertoire.

49. A New Earth- Eckhart Tolle

This is me on a bandwagon. I thought this book was incredible. I don't have a ton to say about it though, it is a remarkably personal experience and I am not really sure what I would say about it, but I do know that I can't stop cleaning my house. It is true, since the moment I started reading it my apartment has become spotless. At 8 this morning, I mopped. I have never mopped.

I have been trying to get through some other books as well, but things are very slow going. I feel like doing everything else in the world BUT reading.

I picked up Chocolat by Joanne Harris today, I loved the movie, so if that is any indication, it will be very sweet.

48. The Reader- Bernhard Schlink

Just when I made peace with not reading books for speed, I read one in a few hours. C'est la vie. I couldn't put this book down. I had been in the mood for a classic or some old Goethe or Hesse, so this was perfect. It was sensual, erotic, philosophical and just a bit awkward, just like I like'im.

No I am going to go watch a bunch of foreign films because I am in the mood.

47. Under the Tuscan Sun

Almost to 50, though I have to say that the numbers are becoming less and less important to me. I actually feel silly for counting. What a silly little thing to do, count your readings as though it matters. Then again, that is today, tomorrow could look different to me.

I really liked Under the Tuscan Sun. I was surprised of how different the people were in the book than in the movie. It really was like 2 different stories about buying a villa in Italy. I think I enjoyed the story of the movie better, but liked reading the book because you get the inside look into the recipes and choices of Frances Mayes. I love reading about houses and starting over and cooking, so this was my type of book for sure.

I am reading bits here and there of several books. I am not sure what I am focusing on next. I am reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. I know how most of my friends feel about the Oprah. But I picked up this book and was surprised at how un-fluffy it was. I drew me in and I am totally going to take the online class with the big O herself. Judge away, when I am enlightened and walking around on my bliss cloud, who will be laughing then? Not me, because that would be ego, but someone will find it funny.

Me and Floyd

So this guy, Floyd, did the 100 books in 365 days challenge to himself and we have chatted about the highs and the lows and this was our most recent discussion:

Floyd: How are you doing?

Me: I am not even to 50 and so the months are flying by now. I hate reading right now. I hate feeling like there is a microscope on my reading. I hate people who think the amount of books one reads means anything. I feel like an idiot for even doing this. What a dumbass measure of self-worth.

So does that tell you how I am doing? More and more I think of throwing in the towel and reading 1 book for the rest of the year, maybe the same book a few times. I think it would be better to know 1 book intimately than 100 without absorbing a thing.

But ask me tomorrow and I may read 4 stupid mysteries to feel like I did something

Floyd: Oh my god you do not know how relieved I am to hear you say that!! I mean I'm sorry you're going through those emotions, but at the same time it comforts me to know that someone else is going through those same thoughts and feelings and I'm not a freaking looney after all.

I am literally disgusted with the thought of reading at the moment. And most of the stuff I read during the challenge?? I wouldn't be able to give you a decent summary for more than half of the books I read...even the ones I really liked! Whoever thought up this challenge was a moron.

Me: Yep, I feel dumber for having read 40 books in 6 months.

I just finished Under the Tuscan Sun and I read it in 2 weeks. That felt good. Screw that 1 book every 3 days crap.

Not looking good

I read 6 books in January, alas, the snowball is growing. Not to be a glum chum, but things are not looking good when it comes to reading 100 books before July 4th. I am going to keep on keepin on, but school is so busy right now and I just don't see catching up from this distance behind. To put it in perspective. I have read 46 books since July 4th, I will have to read more than that, and I just don't see that happening.

Maybe several 500+ books weren't the best choice at the beginning. I don't feel defeated though, I still have a graphic novel, several books that I am half way through already and some skinny little classsic, so who knows maybe I will make it yet.

45. Sight Hound-Pam Houston and 46. Statistics for Dunnies

I bawled all night after I read this book. It was about an Irish Wolf Hound that has cancer and the lives he touches. The book wasn't great, but the chapters that are good are fantastic, and it is worth reading for those. My favorite chapters were the ones narrated by Dante the Wolf hound.

She wasted so much time trying to act perfectly, trying to guard against the loss, always fearful of making the mistake that would lead to it. My job was to love her in her imperfection, and I did. Even when she left me alone in the car for hours, even when she accidentally closed my neck in the automatic back seat window, even when she came home smelling like another dog. She calls me a miracle: eventually she believed that I loved her, beyond a shadow of a shadow of a doubt.-Sight Hound by Pam Houston

46. Statistics for Dummies, it counts damn it, I read it cover to cover, so shut up.