First let me say that I *admit* to having an addictive personality: when I encounter something new that I like or enjoy, usually in the food group, I'm all about that one thing. For example, the chicken empanadas and mango shakes from Sophie's Cuban Cuisine, or the mini turkey burgers and sweet potato fries from The New York Burger Co.
But on the rarest of occasions that addiction can be inclusive of things like Fiestaware dishes (which I used to collect), cameras (also, another tiny collection), old typewriters, of which I have two, and of course, books.
When I was married my ex and I had soooooooo many books that it was almost criminal! Add in the tons of books we bought for the babies and we could have opened a small, special interest book shop!
But of course, when I moved into my 6sq.ft. apartment, many, many, many books had to go bye-bye, and I enacted a strict policy on the acquisition of new reading materials: for every 1 book purchased, 2 had to leave. OUCH! How to decide? I found me a lil loophole- BORROW FROM THE LIBRARY!!
In July I decided to start reading more, dusted off my library card and began borrowing books again. And at first everything was cool- I snatched a couple of books, some CDs to upload and a movie or two. It was all very tame and casual.
Fast forward to mid-August: I visit the Epiphany Branch Library EVERY. FREAKIN. DAY. I check for new CDs that I may have missed and any new movies that people may have returned the day before. And everyday I say to myself Do not get any more books! but some new title always catches my eye.
Like the two Walter Mosley books I picked up two weeks ago. Or the latest John Edgar Wideman novel, Fanon, that I just couldn't seem to leave on the shelf last week. OOOH, and I'm very proud to announce that I've recently read (and enjoyed!) my very first Garcia Marquez book (Chronicle of a Death Foretold), Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea) and Kafka (The Metamorphosis).
And, um, don't tell anyone, um, but, um... I kinda picked up one of those "urban" lit books... It's one of the Omar Tyree titles. I figure: it's a NY Times bestseller... how bad can it be??? Besides, I feel like I judged that genre unfairly based on the horribleness that was Angel Hunter's Sister Girls. *shudder* UGH! That book was terrible, and it actually pains me to think people read that book (i.e. my nanny) and was like, "OH MY GOD you have to read this- it's the best book EVER!" Even worse? There's a Sister Girls 2 running around out there... *DOUBLE SHUDDER*
But back to the real books... oops! Does that make me a lit snob? Really? Ask me if I care...
To date, I have 13 books and 4 movies checked out, and only about 3 hours a day free to read them, and no free time to watch any damn movies. You do the math. My only consolation for this latest in a long list of addictions is that this one is free- I always return or renew items on time (because I learned my lesson after not being able to show my face in any Brooklyn Public Library branch for a verrrrrry loooooooooong time... something about 26 overdue library books that they never saw again...).
But I'm pretty sure, no matter how much I try to talk myself out of it, I'll be there again tomorrow, checking the stacks for stuff that was returned that morning.
Is there a 12-step program for this?
*smooches...wondering what new addictions September will bring*
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hopefully it will be something free or inexpensive...
...or come with a size 9 penis. I'm just sayin...
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Besides, I feel like I judged that genre unfairly based on the horribleness that was Angel Hunter's Sister Girls. *shudder* UGH!
Aww man, you read Sister Girls?!? Stop playing...I love that book! It had to have been one of THE best 'urban' books ever written. Better than Chyna Black (Keisha Ervin). Better than A Hustler's Wife (Nikki Turner). Even better than True to the Game (Teri Woods) AND Sister Souljah's classic.
That book was terrible, and it actually pains me to think people read that book (i.e. my nanny) and was like, "OH MY GOD you have to read this- it's the best book EVER!" Even worse? There's a Sister Girls 2 running around out there... *DOUBLE SHUDDER*
And there is a SEQUEL?!?
*runs to bookstore*
do you hate grand army plaza as much as i do?
-KB
@don- you're a straight fool, you know that? LOL
When's you're bday? I'll send you the entire Angel Hunter collection!!
@karrie b- it's a pretty place, but that's about it... the level of ghetto-osity in that library makes me want to just visit my local BK branch or stay visiting the Manhattan ones!!
My mom stays in the library. Once I got her a gift card to a book store and she bought books, read them and then DONATED them to the library... smh. That's one habit I have picked up from her.
wow! you are truly addicted. i wanna read more...and i'm gonna read more...i just have to find the time to do it.
@ the jaded nyer: if you were to send me the entire angel hunter book collection, i would be debted to you....for LIFE!
should i clear my bookshelf NOW?!?
*removes john grisham novels, the Holy Bible, 101 sex positions for black men and spicy latina's, write for love and money, and how-to-build your very own spaceship books from the shelf*
@super dave- I'm officially in love with your mom!!
@12kyle- dude make time! remember, those boys are watching you, and will start to mimick whatever you and mrs. 12kyle do.
@don- great; one more thing off my Christmas shopping list.
but, um, you might want to keep that "101 sex positions for black men and spicy latina's" book; you never know when it will come in handy LOL
Im done with libraries I dont have the time to pick them up or return them so I'll pass, Im still waiting for E-Books to get there ish together.
Wow. I never looked @ it like that. I feel bad for you and all the other millions of Christmas Holidays shoppers who will kick, scratch, claw and fight for the opportunity to buy every street lit book that Angel Hunter has ever written...
As for your comment on that 'other book' you left...I agree, you never really know when it will end up paying royal dividends.
@clnmike- you and your misplaced faith in ebooks. *sigh*
@don- well I figure if I get them now I can beat the rush.
regarding that sex book... what kinds of positions they talking about?? send them to rpenzo@thejadednyer.net so I can print it out and keep it by my bed for future reference...
1 - I see I'm gonna have to e-separate you two. But, urrr ... you should know I wrote that book.
2 - The library is coo - I owe them a My Little pony book that no one can seem to find and for the ONE book, I'm afraid to go back.
3 - Kafka! I liked that read - the metaphors in it were almost too much! But oh did I like that book.
4 - I'm still waitin on that nigga to comment on my blog. He's just WAITIN on me to change his Indian name *taps fingers on desk with stank look on face* (refer to number 1 above)
5 - There isn't a five, I just can't seem to stop myself.
@jack- What? You wrote it and DIDN'T send me a comp copy? The friendship is officially on the rocks...
2- My Little Pony... I feel you; that Iron Giant DVD has totally ruined my relationship with NetFlix.
3- we'll talk about this book later offline
4- I'm still waiting for him to comment, too. I don't know... maybe he thinks he's too good for your blog? SMH
5- that's OK, I know you are OCD about lists, same as me...
Walter Mosley wrties good books. I read one of them I think last year...
my niece owes the library like 60 bucks for pas due books. And she is only 12
If that size 9 penis comes in the month of September can i have it in October by that time you'll be tired and wore out! lol
I was going to post a real comment about the post until i seen the tiny print, so don't blame me for the comment blame yourself! lol
@dessex- your niece sounds like my daughter LOL
@sexxy luv- I'm all about sharing the love... if I get that size 9 penis I'll be sure to send him packing on Sept. 30th.
(did that just read as gross as I think it did? oh well... lol)
u let the nigglature get to u huh?
lol
nigglature!!!!!!!!! LMAO! y'all need to STOP!
it seriously pains me to look at all those titles/covers...but OF COURSE i indulge every once in awhile. i have a rule...5 REAL books per "gangsta girl book lol
i HATED the coldest winter ever - there are MANYYYYY with better plots than that one.
PLEASEEEEEEE read: flyy girl and leslie by omar tyree. those are pretty good!
ok first YUM Sophie's Cuban Cuisine. I ate those almost every day last summer.
Nothing wrong with being addicted to books, you could be addicted to Crack HAHAH
I spent a vast majority of the day on saturday in the library. CJ and I had a ball
Street lit isn't all bad, it is what convinced me that I needed to write. When I realized THOSE authors were making it, I was like "what the hell am I sitting around for". Some of the plots are good - people can relate to them, even if they are ghetto, but there is no real passion in the language that is presented and I think that is the real let down when it comes to the titles.
Anyway, I think the genre is losing its luster.
I realize I'm offering to clutter up your space but, if you're ever interested in some books, I'd be happy to send you some from work. Or to get them to you through Lani. It's one of the reasons I work in the industry, I'm a book junky. The ability to walk around and pick up anything I want from a take shelf or call a Marketing Director for a copy of even a galley is worth the crap pay.
Feel free to send me an e-mail and I'd be happy to hook you up. Access to Children's/Young Adult books is limited, sadly, but I try to scoop up whatever I can.
@dejanae- yes girl, it's trying to creep onto my book shelf. HELP!
@nicole- thanks for the recommendations. I will sneak a peek at them (when no one is looking! lol)
@the f$%k it list- True, books are better than crack. I should make a commercial...
@rich- I'm just afraid they'll take my MFA away if I read that ish...
@kelly- um... YES!!!! send me an email at rpenzo@thejadednyer.net and let the free books commence! lol Thank you so much... my readers ROCK!
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