7 posts tagged “books”
i started both the Vader book and DaVinci before when life was more chaotic, and never finished either. So, there's those two. There's also Strangers, which i ordered a few months ago and forgot about. Also, after seeing the movie, i want to read Hannibal Rising and seeing how it stacks up. The only Lecter book i've red thus far has been Silence of the Lambs, so maybe once my reading plate is a bit more cleared i'll read the others i haven't read yet.
There's also a neat looking book on J-Horror coming out, though i'm not sure if it's something to really sit and read or if it's more of a guide. We shall see. And i suppose if i ever seriously lack interesting reading material, i suppose i can always get back on a Star Wars book kick...! That was actually pretty nerdtastically fun.
So, i was given a prescription for sleeping pills. They aren't cheap.
Sadly, nor do they WORK.
This is driving me insane.
On the plus side, i do have work to do - actual, paying work - which is good. i also have plenty of cleaning and organizing and laundry to do. Stilll... It's mighty depressing when 6 am rolls around and i'm still tossing and turning and praying that i'll eventually pass out.
i've been reading World War Z, and... it's very good. i like the style it's written in, as oral accounts of this zombie uprising. It's a lot of fun, probably the best zombie book i've read. (The author, Max Brooks, is the same guy who did the Zombie Survival Guide, which i didn't realize at first.) The next book I'll be reading is my signed copy of Make Love, the Bruce Campbell Way! - should be fun.
i'm thinking i'll be re-arranging furniture after Tom moves to Boston. His desk won't be needed, and it's kind of in an awkward place at the moment. I'm also thinking I'll move the bed a little closer to the AC - i think the cold will make it a wee bit easier for me to doze off. i'm looking around now... god there's a lot of clutter. Sigh.
i did pick up World War Z. The "Zombie War" part caught my eye. Zombie books make me a happy, happy, happy panda. The last one i picked up - again, purely because of the title - actually turned out to be pretty good, but some dork i loaned it to went and lost it. Regardless, ZOMBIES. i'm pleased.
I finished reading Shutting Out the Sun the day before yesterday. It was, in a word, sobering. i never thought of Japan as some magical wonderland; i knew it had problems like any other place. (For example, the thought of being encouraged to stop working in my twenties and go have babies is appalling to me. i'd be screaming "lawsuit" faster than you could imagine.) This book really shines a light on the problems the country is facing, particularly those of its younger generations who have grown increasingly disillusioned and detached from society. Most of the book centers around the hikikomori, young people (mostly men) who find life in society so unbearable that they lock themselves away in their rooms for months, even years, at a time. It's hard not to feel for these people, especially at a point where i'm feeling pretty disillusioned myself. It's an incredibly fascinating book, and I'm very glad i picked it up after hearing about it on NPR one night.
i've also started reading Dark Water again. My first attempt didn't go so well, but after reading Birthday a few weeks ago, i was in the mood for more Suzuki. i finished the first story this evening, which was the basis for the movie Dark Water. He focuses more on the gross factor than they did in the movies - which is something that i was always stuck on. "They drank it.. on man.. ew.."
i'm still having trouble reading. My eyes still jump around a lot, but i'm enjoying myself while i try to focus, at least.
What is your favorite way to relieve stress?
You know... If i had one consistent, reliable way to actually relieve stress, i'd probably be a much happier person, but, i digress...
Cartoons help. A lot. (And by "cartoons", i mean Billy and Mandy, Xiaolin Showdown, Foster's, etc.) The plots are simple and any surprises or twists are usually absolutely ridiculous. Much like pop music and Snakes on a Plane, its mindless, silly fun. Mindless, silly fun is very underappreciated by a lot of people, in my opinion.
Reading helps, too, sometimes. Basically i think my recurring strategy is to just step away from the stressors for awhile and put them on the back burner. It really does help to come back to things with a clear head and a more upbeat, positive attitude.
What books are on your nightstand?
i'm almost finished with this book, and i just started it a couple of days ago. Admittedly it's a short book, but i usually have a lot of trouble concentrating on any sort of printed words... Anyhoo. i use the book jacket flaps to mark my place when i read, and yesterday i picked up the book and realized that i'd already torn through about 3/4 of it. Woot. i'll probably finish it tonight or tomorrow.
Basically it's a lot of repetition of what he says on his show. Calm-assertive energy... Exercise, discipline, affection - in that order... The importance of establishing your role as pack-leader... If someone isn't a fan of the show (or dogs, but thats a given) they likely won't "get" or enjoy the book, but for people who are, it's an interesting read.
i suppose next there's always that Darth Vader book i started but never finished...
