Confessions of a Life-Long Read-Ahead

School, school, school. We certainly have a love/hate relationship. Then again, who doesn't?

In the more optimistic view, though, the love part: before this year, I'd never been absolutely required to do outside reading for any class but English (and only English in a few rare cases). 

But by the middle of September, I suddenly had my own personal study library.

I kid, I kid. But really, there are quite a few of them; the ol' Nook-ster has a whole shelf for 'em. 

Luckily for me, they aren't too bad (in fact most of them are very good), but of course I'm not supposed to have read ahead, so let's keep that between us, shall we?

A Book By Its Cover: The Great Gatsby

As part of my Lit/Analysis class (which, contrary to popular complaint is a pretty fun class all around), we're doing a big focus on the American Dream, and, luckily, the first part of our study was reading this lovely, lovely book.

Just in Time Friday

No kidding. If Friday had gotten here any slower , I might would have lost my marbles. It's been a good week, albeit long, but I was so ready for the weekend: sleeping in, working out, and catching up on (dare I say it?) homework. Dun dun duuuuuunnnnn.

Purring and Pleased as Punch

Guess what I got in the mail today.

A hint?

If you remember my library adventure from a few days ago, you may be pleased to know that it came to fruition today. 

I'm squealing like a toddler on the inside.

I know, I know. 

"It's a library book," you say.

 "That's gross," you say.

"But it was cheap," I say.

"And it's the book I wanted," I say.

"And it's not missing pages or covered in colored pencil or highlighter and it actually has a cover illustration unlike the one I read when I was eight," I say.

I'm really pleased as punch. I love it so much.

Many thanks to Gypsysnark books, and one Spring Ridge Library (wherever it may be), and my fantastic father for helping me figure it all out on Amazon. And, of course, the author.

Nerdy and Cat-Loving.

-Riley

Throw in the Towel

My color is red, my dad's is blue, my mom's is pink, and if you squint a little, you can see my brother's orange.

Call me a quitter, but that's precisely what I think I'm going to do. 

With only about a day left to go, I think I've finally rested my case for the annual family reading contest.

I had a good run, with 14 books read: two over my personal goal for the summer, and one over what I do believe was my previous record.

Things Never Change

The most beautiful movie device in the history of history. 

Today was my last weekday of sweet, sweet freedom. Cue the tears, the begging, the inevitable plans to join a circus rather than return to education. 

So, fueled by all that, we decided to spend today tripping through interstate antique stores, wishing summer would never end. Lots of interesting things abounded.

Do All For Cats

When I was in elementary school, I was the bookish type. I loved the library. I loved the librarian and her straight teeth and her long skirts. I loved story time. I loved it all.

So, in essence, things really haven't changed all that much.

There was one book, in particular though, that I absolutely adored when I was a little one. It was a hand-illustrated reference book called Cats, and I checked it out as many times as I could, I read it on the bus and in class and at home, and (just between us) by middle school, I halfway regretted not "misplacing" it at the end of fifth grade and just paying the fee to have it as mine forever and ever.

Unfortunately, I did nothing of the sort, and last night, like some kind of nerdy phantom limb pain, it was bothering me terribly. 

A Book By Its Cover: Steal Like an Artist

I'd like to think someone somewhere was looking out for me when they abandoned a little black book in the magazine section at Barnes and Noble.

Like they thought to themselves: "You know, I liked this book. Maybe some girl will come by here who will need to read it."

Boy, did I.

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon: the closest thing I've ever found to a tourist's guide out of artists' block- the object of many a long search through many bookstores. It reads like a manual on how to keep the creative juices flowing. Which is fantastic.

And there's some great advice in it- some that I've heard before, like keep a paper and pen with you at all times. Others not so much, like keeping a logbook or having two different work areas.

There were plenty of ways in it to keep inspired, which I struggle with a lot, personally, and more than a few ways to get back on track when things burn out. Not to mention a few "so there is someone else" moments.

And those are always lovely.

Read on.

-Riley

A Book By Its Cover: Gallery magazine

Last night, whilst traipsing through the magazine aisle at Barnes and Noble, I happened across the design magazines and this little gem: Gallery magazine.

The 15th volume of Gallery magazine.