This week I ran an idea by my focus group of one. Why not just accept how bookish this blog is becoming and declare it a book blog? Nelle agreed and even said she wants to use it for reading ideas (pressure, much?). So Mass Consternation is changing. It’s really not changing that much, and I’m not sure how it’ll change. It’ll probably just become less of me stressing about how to mix up the posts to make it less bookish, and you won’t see a difference. Maybe more of my reviews from GoodReads will be published here? Meh, who knows? Thoughts? Ideas? I’m open to it.
But it does give me permission for a To Read Pile post. Don’t worry; it’s not ALL of my to read pile. That’s too high and too dull. Nelle was concerned I only read non-fiction. Here’s to proving Nelle wrong and I do read wider than that. I just read a LOT and more since starting writing for ThriftBooks.
Disclosure: there are Amazon affiliate links through this post. If you click and buy anything from Amazon, I receive a tiny percentage commission. It doesn’t change what you pay for the item.
Books To Read Pile
Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
I suspect I’m the only person in the English-speaking world who hasn’t read this yet. I’m probably going to include it in a post for ThriftBooks soon so I thought I should read it.
PS from Paris – Marc Levy
Amazon First is a perk of being an Amazon Prime member in the US. Each month I get a free soon-to-be-released book. Because I’m not paying for these and there’s no expectation of a review, I choose a little randomly. I won’t go as far as the full romances (bleurgh), but my standards aren’t as high. There have been some really good ones and some… yeah well. This is a romance but seems to have potential. We’ll see.
It was full romance. It was an adventure.
Happy Dreams – Jia Pingwa
Happy is the main character’s nickname, this isn’t about a bordello. It’s a Chinese author writing about a Chinese man who has moved from a rural area to seek a better life in industrialized China. I’m curious. I nearly DNF’d Happy Dreams, but I’m glad I didn’t. The author notes are interesting.
The Honest Spy – Andreas Kollender
Opens with the Edward Snowden quote: “You realize that you may be willing to accept any risks and it doesn’t matter what the outcome is.” and tells the story of Fritz Kolbe, a widowed civil servant in Adolf Hitler’s foreign ministry.
The Wedding Date – Jasmine Guillory
*sigh* Bookish just launched Bookish First where you can write first look reviews to enter a raffle winning said book (with the expectation of a writing a full review). The Wedding Date was the first I reviewed. The cover is gorgeous. I want to get out of my comfort zone. The first chapter is cringe-worthy. Guess who won a copy? Fingers-crossed it gets better. I’ve since discovered the “I want to win this book” box. Untick.
Update: It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting and I’ve published the review.
Endurance – Scott Kelly
The memoirs of an astronaut? Yes, please! This is my second Bookish First win, and it hasn’t arrived yet. From the first chapter, it’s everything I wish Chris Hadfield’s book was. Sorry, Chris. I adore you but mixing management/career advice with memoirs is why the audiobook is still at 60% ten months later.
It’s an interesting read for the day-to-day life on the International Space Station. Read the review of Endurance.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck – Mark Manson
Their asterisks, not mine. It’s the latest buzz business book encouraging us to let go of the things that don’t really matter so we can focus on what does. I’m reading with a book group, but I’ve heard great things about it. The book I mean. It’s the online group’s first book.
Update: While it was recommended and praised via business channels, it’s totally a self-help book. It’s all about choosing which things are important enough to care about. I’m not sure if you’ll find it helpful. I’m not. Check out the review of The Subtle Art.
Big Magic – Elizabeth Gilbert
On my Current Reading list but I haven’t started. It was there to remind me, but others came in with more importance. Sorry, Elizabeth. I’m counting it though because I do really want to read this. And I actually bought it, unlike most of the others.
The Culture Code – Daniel Coyle
It’s my next non-fiction to read and is released at the end of January (Feb 1 for the UK). It’s looking at the organizational culture of successful companies. I won’t bore you; the review will be over at Tap Dancing Spiders. Nope, it was more leadership than marketing so the review is at GoodReads.
And a Currently Reading Book
Confession: this only made it in because I’m LOVING The Golem and the Jinni. Another that I probably should have read years ago. Kathleen recently recommended it, and then HarperCollins put the ebook on special. I’m at the part where the golem and the jinni become friends (from the title you can’t claim this is a spoiler), and all the characters’ stories are converging. Bye, I’m going to finish reading. So much excitement. So many books to read.
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