This very large stack of books is the stack that I am currently working on reading through. Yes, I guess you could say that I have a book problem. I can never just read one book at a time. I tend to get bored and, if I have limited myself to just one until it is done, my mind will begin to wander while I read and I will get through several pages or sometimes an entire chapter before I realize that I haven't retained a single word.
Do other people do this? Jump from book to book and genre to genre? You'll notice in the stack that there are several non-fiction history books, which puts most people to sleep but for me is stimulating. I see stories in the characters and can't wait to find out what they do next! (Side note: In addition to reading all of these, I have written short stories based on events and/or characters in these History Books. Jamie says I'm a nerd. I guess that is a nametag I will have to learn to wear proudly since I am unable to escape it!)
There are also Cookbooks in this stack. Some are just basic cookbooks full of recipes but most of them are also full of technique and are my own little Culinary school on paper since I can't attend a REAL school. I read cookbooks from cover to cover, just like a novel. The science of baking is amazing and I read, mull over and test out the techniques in these books. One of my favorites is 'The Bread Bakers Apprentice'. Most people just buy their bread at the grocery store during their weekend trip to Walmart. That's all well and good, except for the fact that I want to create the perfect loaf! The timing, the technique, when the ingredients are added in relation to each other; all of these play a role that most people don't think about or even realize. So I practice and practice...and even the loaves that don't turn out to be technically perfect are still delicious! I mean, who doesn't love a slice of fresh baked, slightly warm bread straight from the oven??
My tower of books also contains several books about or relating to Scotland, of course. This is an ever-present, never ending obsession of mine. I won't elaborate here since anyone who knows me well, knows of this obsession and anyone who doesn't will soon learn if they read my blog often. Scotland is, to me, home. I spent a mere 3 years of my 44 year existence living there but I will never leave it and it will never leave me.
Last but not least, you'll notice instructional books on Writing. I have been attempting to put the ramblings in my head down on paper for the last few years. I never thought I could or would before. I think because I was told that I had no imagination, and had a logical and linear way of thinking, that I neglected to allow the stories and characters and visions in my head to take shape. I have also been intensely afraid of being judged for the thoughts and ideas that I do have. I've been told that I'm crazy. That my dreams, my sub-conscious thoughts that wander and converge unhindered by fear of judgment, are scary and slightly unhinged. Well, yes, they are! I could've told you that when I wake up with extremely vivid recollections that even include smells and sounds so vivid they seem real! I used to try to ignore them but now I try to write them down and see where they go. I have found that this helps me remember even more detail and who knows where those ramblings will go? And the stories and scenes that emerge while I'm reading my nerdy history books? I'm writing those down too. Maybe someone other than me will read them someday!!
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