Penelope > Recent Status Updates

I loooove PKD...had picked this one up at a used bookstore a few years ago and started reading it, but couldn't keep the twisted story line straight (ha). I brought it with me this weekend to read while camping and ended up reading half of it in one sitting. SO GOOD and so engrossing once you're into it. Can't wait to finish.

Stanny's personal story turned me off but I think the financial philosophy embedded in this book is solid so I'm sticking it out. I could do without the constant references to God; she says it can be what ever your idea of "God" is but I think it detracts from her message. Frequent quoting of "A Course In Miracles" also makes me feel like I'm reading a horrible sales pitch from a professional inspo speaker. Ugh.

This book has so many positive reviews, I feel like I have to suspend my skepticism and give it a chance. But after reading the introduction I'm feeling extra skeptical. Stanny had the privilege of being able to choose to remain ignorant of her money...many people are not so lucky and must be intimately familiar with their finances just to survive. I cringed my way through the intro...we'll see how long I last.

How long does it take a Harvard grad to mention they went to Harvard? Approximately two sentences. That did make me laugh to myself when I started reading, but I'll give him a chance anyway ;)

This book is relevant to so many of my struggles at work. Definitely going to buy my own copy of this book so I can make notes in it.

When it comes down to it, Bukowski sounds like a truly despicable human being, who probably raped multiple women during his life if his autobiographical tales are any indication (alternatively, if he mused about it delightedly only in the fictional sense, is that really any better?). But...he is a great writer, who captures the painful experiences of life, harsh and gritty. Difficult to reconcile.

Hadn't realized it before but I think I have this entire book in audio format (Alan Watts "Out Of Your Mind"), although the concepts are more widely dispersed through different lectures.

Ya know how sometimes while reading a book you start to wish you could hang out with the author? Yeah not so much with Charles Bukowski.

Refreshingly harsh though. And damn, does he know how to write about LA.

Actually reading a completely different book of Jataka Tales (adapted by a different author) but it was published in 1956 with no record on Goodreads. If I'm not lazy maybe I'll create a record for it, but I'm skeptical it would be of much use to anyone else >_>

Definitely enjoyed the first half of this book ("Cutting it Short") more than the second ("The Little Town Where Time Stood Still").

This book isn't quite what I thought it would be but it's still somewhat entertaining. The trivia is kind of interesting but most of the places or landmarks aren't things I would go out of my way to see. Also, most of this stuff is nowhere close to what I would consider weird or curious (which is the most disappointing thing about it). Seems more like a trivia book than a collection of "curiosities".

It's questionable whether I'll cook anything from this book. Kinda upscale for my low-budget kitchen. I might try the Easy Chocolate Cake though. This book is definitely the ultimate food porn--equal parts recipe book and photo book.

Trudging oh-so-slowly through this book. I wasn't anticipating it being so boring but I'm hoping something will actually happen soon ~_~

Read a chapter before bed last night and had some crazy violent nightmares. Think I might have to take a short break before I finish this one. It's starting to get really intense.

Bedtime reading. Because I'm weird like that.

I actually finished this book but feel like I need to read it again (preferably in a single sitting) in order to...review it. So...it remains on the currently reading shelf until that opportunity arises.

School is killing me and reading-for-fun has basically ceased this semester (although I am reading a few non-school-required books, they are...still related to academic/professional things). Gaaaah!!