one month later.

yesterday marks the one month mark on my buying-books-ban.  that’s right: i’ve made it a full month without purchasing, virtually or otherwise, a single book.

i have been tempted.  a lot.  but i have refrained, and i’m proud of myself.

this month, while devoid of book buying, has been full of text.  here’s a rundown of what i’ve been reading (and listening) to in the past month:

 

the passage – justin cronin

medium: audio

obtained through: library

impression:  pretty good.  the longest book ever, but pretty good.  an interesting take on the current cultural vampire obsession.  the next book comes out soon, and i intend on finding myself a free copy to borrow.

seriously, i’m kidding – ellen degeneres

medium: audio

obtained through: library

impression: eh.  i didn’t find it very funny, despite being narrated by ellen.  i lost interest and stopped midway through.

blood, bones, and butter – gabrielle hamilton

medium: audio

obtained through: library

impression:  the first part was great—sentimental and her passion for food and family really came through.  the rest left me pondering how someone who is so completely narcissistic warrants my time.  i don’t like this woman.

 

 

the city of falling angels – jon berendt

medium: audio

obtained through: library

impression:  really interesting, but a bit unfulfilling.  there were intensely interesting moments that captivated me, but there were some equally boring and drawn-out periods that i really wanted to skip.  i’m still kind of baffled at how berendt is able to pull all of the various stories together at the end, but he does.

  

water for elephants – sara gruen

medium: audio

obtained through: library

impression:  my opinion isn’t fully formed yet.  it was alright.  i don’t “read” a lot of contemporary fiction, especially not in the wishy-washy romance genre, so i don’t really have a basis for comparison.  i didn’t hate it, but i didn’t love it either.

  

the disappearing spoon – sam kean

medium: print

obtained through: already owned it – just hadn’t gotten to it yet

impression:  snooze.  i got three chapters in and quit.  mark kurlansky and erik larson this guy is not.  his information is dry, and his writing style is bothersome.  i’ll be selling this book to hpb when i’m able to purchase books again.

 

american on purpose – craig ferguson

medium: audio

obtained through: library

impression:  i’m almost done with this one and think it’s pretty good so far.  craig ferguson is freaking hysterical and his narration makes the book that much better.