Challenge!!!

Okay, I know it's a bit of a sensitive topic now, but does anyone remember that episode of The Cosby Show  when Cliff was tap-dancing against Rudy's teacher?  Remember how he would say, "Challenge!" in the weirdest voice ever when he was finished showing out? No? Just me? Okay.  Well, that's how I felt when I accepted an invitation to a super-secret, members-only book talk this month.  

I can't be an elitist when I want to be.  

I kid, I kid! But really, as a member of The Young Friends of the Kansas City Public Library, I get all sorts of perks! This book talk is just one of them. :)  

Where was I? Oh yeah... "Challenge!" So, this book talk added The Girl on the Train  to my list of April/May books. 

Did she say "list?"  

Girl yeah she said "list!"  

If you ask me, she can't do it.  Challenge! 

After enjoying 8 mimosas at a brunch with the girls a few weeks ago, I decided to take advantage of the weather and do what any good Kansas Citian would...head to the Plaza to spend money! Instead of going to Banana Republic, Gap or Victoria's Secret, I headed for Barnes and Noble to let a book "find me." And find me it (they) did.  I walked out of there with two books and about $60 poorer.  

My new friends are: Sister Citizen  by Melissa V. Harris-Perry and Daring My Passages   by Gail Sheehy.  With the Book talk selection, I have nearly 1100 pages to read by my husband's birthday: May 15. Can I do it? Heck yeah! Will I do it? That has yet to be determined.  

Challenge indeed.  

Masochist: (n.) 1. Someone who takes pleasure in being abused; 2. Me

Audible Dropout...

For the past few months, I have had an account with Audible.com.  Although I'm not an auditory learner, I assumed this would help me continue consuming books for leisure, and decided to give it a shot.

After $21, 6 books, only 2 likes, and countless hours of my day spent searching for the book, I have decided to pass.  I just thought they would be more entertaining.  I assumed the books, especially novels, would be acted out instead of just read.  I tried listening to books that couldn't keep my attention on paper, memoirs, novels, essays, you name it, but nothing worked!  Hillary Rodham Clinton and Tina Fey were the only two who could hold my attention, and HRC's book was over 20 hours long!  Proving either I'm a glutton for punishment, or I really enjoy books on foreign policy.  I like to think I'm somewhere in between.     

Sorry Audible, I tried.  And failed.  Hard.

Then again, my mind changes like the wind, so perhaps I will find the book, or the book will find me...until then, I will continue to let my podcasts, Pandora, and Netflix get me through my workday.