Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Filling My Shelves

Confession: I am a little bit obsessed with Amazon books. Now that Lindon Bookstore (our town's cozy little gathering place for bibliophiles) is a distant memory, and the next closest Borders has closed its doors for good, I have been forced to do my book shopping on-line. I dragged my feet for a couple of years, not wanting to contribute in any way to the difficulties small bookstores were having. But finally my conclusion: a girl's got to read!

I have discovered, perhaps ten years after most, that within a New York minute I can hop on to Amazon, throw a couple of already-thought-about books into my virtual "cart", click-click-click as a returning customer, and those wonderful reads are on their way to my doorstep. No gas to drive 30 minutes to a shopping area, free shipping if I spend $25 (I always wait to order until I qualify for this), and my desired titles are always in-stock.

(Sidenote: what about the library, you ask?? I am a card-carrying member, and LOVE our local library -- I have been known to go there just to kill time between carpools by perusing the shelves -- but there are certain books that I just know I want to own.)

My last Amazon delivery is shown above. Do you ever suddenly start hearing about something new from several sources, and it gets you wondering if there's a purpose behind it, if you're supposed to investigate that thing? That's what happened with Joanna Brooks' new memoir, "The Book of Mormon Girl".

I never watch late night TV, but happened to have it on recently while I was working on a project, and Joanna was a guest on the talk show. I listened and simultaneously rolled my eyes thinking, "Great, another Mormon feminist with funky ideas", and dismissed it. Then the next night, Joanna was spotlighted on Rock Center's special on Mormonism, my ears perked up, and I paid a little more attention. When I saw an article online about her the next day, I took it as a sign and penciled her book onto my To Buy list. I'm glad I did, and I'll tell you why soon.

Then, my friend Logan shook us all by our virtual shoulders on Facebook a couple of weeks ago, touting Clayton Christensen's (of Harvard Business School) new book "How Will You Measure Your Life?" as one we must absolutely read. That was enough for me! I love a book recommendation from a trusted source. I added it to my list, bought both books at 30% of retail, got the super saver shipping, and it was a done deal.

I closed the back cover on "The BOM Girl" at midnight last night, and dove into "HWYMYL?" today. I'm already underlining like crazy and seeing perfectly-timed parallels with some things going on in my life. Oh, good stuff it is. Some people like to indulge in clothes or trips or gear or home decor. Me, I love to add a new great book to our living room library.

Yes, when those tight little boxes from Amazon show up on my porch, it is more exciting than an unexpected delivery of flowers or even a plate of cupcakes. (!) Book reviews to follow!

6 comments:

  1. Mom, I'm really looking forward to hearing what you have to say about these books. They sound so interesting! Especially "Book of Mormon Girl."

    I'm loving your pictures! Especially yesterday's of your inspiring desk.

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  2. Thanks for posting reading recommendations! Always love to see those...

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    1. Tread carefully if you choose The Book of Mormon Girl ... she is critical of some things we hold close to our hearts, but the overall memoir really has some redeeming value, IMO. I will post more on this soon.

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  3. I so admire your passion for reading! I'm beginning to feel illiterate, since it's been awhile since I've dug into a good book. I also saw the Joanna Brooks interview and can't wait to hear your thoughts about her book.

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    1. Nancy, we should start a RS book group again! It is wonderful to find recommended books from friends. I will post soon on the BOM Girl.

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  4. I just finished The Book of Mormon Girl. I'm still anxiously waiting for your thoughts on it.

    It may interest you to know that it is (to my memory) the first book that has ever brought me to tears. Because in her story I saw my story too. My childhood and youth were so much like hers, and leaving that sheltered world to face the rest of the world was too. Like she does, I frequently feel like an outsider among mormons now--pushed to the fringe by the members themselves. But I refuse to leave because this is my home and my faith. Still, it hurts to be pushed to the side, and I hope that more people like Joanna will share their stories so that more people like me can feel not so alone...and so that more people in the center will make a little space for us in the faith that we share.

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