The Last Bookstore

Dustin and I love to read. We find it increasingly more difficult to find the time now that our family has grown. One of our favorite things to do pre-kids was stroll around bookstores. One in particular had peaked my interest as it is in an old bank in downtown Los Angeles.

The Last Bookstore is California's largest new and used book store. The ironic title alone was enough to get us in the door, but then I was fascinated with the architecture, design, and creative layout of this massive building.

A banker at heart. 

The original layout of the bank is still present and provides sectioning for various book categories. The original vaults, yep plural, still showcase the beautiful locking mechanisms and bolt operation. The above was commissioned in 1912.

The entire second floor is a labyrinth of books. The children took us through, finding dead ends and secret passageways.

My little reader

If you are looking for a book, new or old, or just a place to wander around for a few hours, go here. It's a beautiful building filled with amazing adventures.

Book Review - The Casual Vacancy

I loved Harry Potter. But it's been so long that I can't distinguish the character I had in my head while reading or Daniel Radcliff's version from the movies. Now when I reread the books I see Radcliff in my mind leading the way. So when J.K. Rowling authored an adult novel I was intrigued.

And now I'm glad that I have read it so I will never have to read it again.

I hated it! It took me two and half months to slog through the 500 or so pages. The first ten chapters jump around trying to introduce two town's worth of characters. I had to restrain myself from getting pen and paper out to keep track. Additionally none of the characters really resonated with me. In the rush to identify them all I felt they were half-formed. So-and-so is married to so-and-so but they like or don't like this person or maybe they are related. But how are they related? A ten chapter mess.
Then her usage of similes and metaphors drove me nuts. A good author can describe people and places without resorting to simile after simile. And then her usage of simile just made me shake my head. My head-pixels changed from Minecraft version of characters to big question marks. For example:

"Krystal's slow passage up the school was like the passage of a goat through the body of a boa constrictor, being highly visible and uncomfortable for both parties involved." p. 58

The only positive aspect I glean from this tortuous novel was the vocabulary. Maybe it's just British (you know, that country that pronounces words correctly) English that was new to me. For example:

"Garrulous and engaging in person..." p. 4
"What you call it when a council seat becomes vacant through death. Proper term," he said pedagogically. p35

Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed with this novel. And I so wanted to be impressed. That cozy spot between Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Fast Food Nation will remain vacant. Casually. Like sand on a sunny beach.

Must Reads - 2013

Another year has come to an end and that means another chance to beat Dustin in our annual reading competition also comes to an end. Although this year's competition was bittersweet. Yes, I read more books and pages than my loving husband, but I didn't reach my individual goal. It was a slow year for reading. In fact, the last book I read was Anne Rice's The Wolf Gift back in September.

Yes, September! Too much Facebook, video games, and magazines. Although I did get through a large stack of magazines that have been accumulating on the "mail table." Seven issues of National Geographic, seventeen issues of Adventist Review, and three Women's Health - too bad those pages don't count.

This past year we opened the competition up to include our friend Kevin. Honestly, I thought this would be an easy win. But then I forgot the quite lengthy Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Dustin has been reading them for years and is quite excited for the final book to come out this spring. Kevin reread the entire series - all 19,000+ pages and left me in the dust for 2012's competition.

Beginner's luck.

So this year I am taking a different approach to my book reading. Like the dieter who plans his meals for the week, I have mapped out my literary adventures for the first quarter. This will give me some structure (which my A-type personality agrees with) and make sure I stay on progress to slaughter surpass both my husband, Kevin, and any others who dare to join the challenge.

January
Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey (annual reread)
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks - I've read all his works. Might as well keep it up.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (annual reread)

February
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

March
King of Heists by J North Conway
Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

I am a woman with a plan. Although I should point out that it is already five days into January and I've not read a countable page. I am taking recommendations for second quarter. I'm interested in J.K. Rowling's new adult novel, but want to wait until more reviews come in.

Until then - I am off to go snuggle up with Zero and a good book!

Books

So you may have noticed that Dustin and I haven't updated our books in a while. It wasn't from laziness. We both set page goals at the beginning of the year. This gives us a number to work towards as we complete books. It also lets us compete to see who is closer to the goal throughout the year.

Unfortunately we stop reading once we meet our goals. But it means we are refreshed and ready to start January 1! The blog doesn't format well, but below are the standings.

Again, I always win.

Summary of Completed Books
	Pages Read			Books Completed			Percentage of Goal
	Natalie	Dustin		Natalie	Dustin		Natalie	Dustin
2004	3,998			13			40.0%
2005	3,611			8			36.1%
2006	12,308	3,332		37	10		123.1%	33.3%
2007	9,488	3,977		27	10		94.9%	39.8%
2008	11,551	4,592		30	9		115.5%	45.9%
2009	21,477	11,098		47	18		143.2%	111.0%
2010	9,701	509		24	1		97.0%	5.1%
2011	10,660	9,120		21	13		106.6%	99.3%