Years ago I made a commitment to read only from my Unread Library. I think I took the above picture around the same time. 2010, people. Five years ago!
My progress was rather lousy and I ended up giving�away many of those unread books. You have to know when to say when.
I still have an obscene number of unread books. Everyone calls ereaders the perfect way to store thousands of books. And they’re right! You can store thousands of books in a footprint the size of a piece of paper. But you know what? You can store thousands of books in a footprint the size of a piece of paper.
This is no good for someone like me. Handing me an ereader is�like handing me the keys to an ice cream and tortilla chip factory (so awesome) and saying, “We’ll be back to check on you in a week. Feel free�to take only what you need.”
Only what I need? You fool! You didn’t define “need.”
I’m handing over the keys to the ice cream and tortilla chip factory. I have sad-face, but it must be done. I have too much to read for school, for RCIA, and for my own edification. I knew something had to be done when not one, not two, not three, but four people recently recommended to me Bren� Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection.
Each day we face a barrage of images and messages from society and the media telling us who, what, and how we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only look perfect and lead perfect lives, we’d no longer feel inadequate. So most of us perform, please, and perfect, all the while thinking, “What if I can’t keep all of these balls in the air? Why isn’t everyone else working harder and living up to my expectations? What will people think if I fail or give up? When can I stop proving myself?”
Bren� Brown�The Gifts of Imperfection
I’m asked about this book at least 6 times per year, but this year is looking like a record breaker. The last person to mention the book was the Mister. My own husband! He saw it on our dresser (I pulled it out the third time someone mentioned it to me) and he became all wild, like he does when he has information to share. He asks me how I came across this book? Did I know who Bren� Brown is? Did I know he’s sent videos and excerpts of her work to his reps? And that she did a TedTalk? Am I going to read this book? Because he thought I might enjoy it.
Hellooooo? I’m a blogger. We practically invented Bren� Brown, mmmkay?
Also, I have her latest book, which is why I took out her old book. I have to read the old�book before I read the new book because DUH. (Ignoring the fact we read her middle book for bookclub two years ago.)
Finally, what is going on? Why is everyone telling me to read this book? I’m beginning to feel like Ducky in Pretty in Pink. Do I offend?
“So are you going to read the book?” the Mister asked.
Yes.
Edited to Add:
Haha! The first sentence of the preface (of all things):
Once you see a pattern, you can’t un-see it. Trust me, I’ve tried. But when the same truth keeps repeating itself, it’s hard to pretend that it’s just a coincidence.
I have no idea who Bren� Brown is (I’m going to plead Englishness- no idea if that’s an excuse, I’m sure all your other British readers will now know exactly who she is) but I’d like to give you an award for the Pretty in Pink link. I loved that film. I rewatched it recently with my youngest daughter and I still love it but I had forgotten how much swearing is in it…
I know! I watched it for the first time since high school a year or two ago and I was shocked at the language and content!
Brene Brown is always on my ‘I should probably read that’ list, though I haven’t gotten as far as buying her books, so you made it further than me!
Your pile of unread books is apparently common in Japanese… they have a term for it: Tsundoku. Hope you don’t mind that it made me think of you :)
You are not the first person to show me that link, Nicole! :) I think it’s great. It’s proof that we let the English language become pretty unimaginative.
I just want to say I love everything you write. Your take on life in this modern world is so realistic, it’s a great antidote to the other more aspirational blogs out there. It’s so helpful to be reminded to get real when we’re told how to be all the time. I know you may not always see it that way, but that is what I take from your writing.
Thank you for continuing blog.
Thank you! Last year I almost quit blogging because the aspirational bloggers were seriously getting on my last nerve. I hate people telling me how I should be when it’s as plain as the (very pointy) nose on my face that many of them are completely full of it. Hah! I’m horrible.
I’m over it now, for the most part. I do envy them their photography skills!
so in an ironic vein here, a few weeks ago I added Brene Brown to my blog reader, because it seems like everyone quotes her and its the sort of stuff I like/want to read….but I haven’t gotten around to reading any of the posts yet.
thanks for the Diana Gabaldon amazon tip, though…or perhaps I should say curse you, because I downloaded them on Sunday and have read four of them so far, to the detriment of every other single thing in my life, like cooking dinner for the kids. (Lots of cereal and egg sandwiches this week.)
LOL – seriously four people? I read this with one eye rolling at the beginning because it seemed like it was too mainstream popular for me. Then when I found myself nodding along and underlining things, I was glad that I gave it a chance.