stacks, lists, and piles

This blog has been making the rounds on many blogs that I follow - but it is so much fun that I'm totally ripping it off. 

picture via black*eiffel

I am a slave to my lists, stacks and piles.  If chaos is stacked, piled, and listed - its half as intimidating. 

"I need a new book, any advice?"

I actually hate giving book recommendations.  I feel like reading preferences are such a personal thing... and I worry that by sharing the ones I like the most, I am sharing a page of my journal or some strange glimpse into my core.  Maybe that's lame - but its intimidating!

So I like it when someone I don't know personally gives me great recommendations.  That's why I receive email newsletters from countless independent bookstores (p&p, powells, changing hands, etc.).

But one of my favorite blogs (Where the Lovely Things Are) is having "Book Week" and I'm obsessed.  Especially this post about fiction. 

So next time you want to ask me for a recommendation, please know that I'll likely ignore you and feel guilty about it... it's just who I am.  But you can look at links like this instead!

rationalizing yet another list

via book lovers are never alone (ps. I want to live here)

 
 ok.  so.  I know I have my own list that I need to work on - but I think I am going to tackle this one as well.

1001 books to read before you die.

I'm doing this for a variety of reasons:

1.  I love to read
2.  I am always looking for new suggestions
3.  I just got a library card.
4.  I've read quite a few of these
5.  This list has includes authors from all over the world and of all different sorts - including short stories.
6.  This list obviously likes some of my favorite authors:  Amy Hempel, Graham Swift, Ian McEwan, E.L. Doctorow, J.D. Salinger, etc. 
7.  I always feel slightly guilty if I read multiple books that are from the same generation all at once - so I like the variety in this list.
8.  Kate Spade likes it. 

Penguin Classics Clothbound Series - have been on my Christmas list for two year running (hint, hint.)