Posted by Ryan
March 30, 2009
I have signed up for Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-Thon.
This means that, as the “24 hour” part of the read-a-thon’s name implies, I will read for a solid 24 hour period starting at 2 AM EST on April 18th, 2009 and end at 2 AM the following morning (that’s how a 24 hour period of time works).
Yes, I expect to stop reading for those pesky survival habits like eating and using the restroom; however, I have no intention of letting a single moment pass without the words of some book or another stimulating my brain. This will be accomplished through audiobooks. I will read until it’s not possible to read, at which point I will switch to an audiobook and carry on until I can read again. This way I can start out reading at home, walk to Central Park or something, and resume reading there.
I can’t wait!
Any suggestions for books?
Posted by Ryan
March 7, 2009
I started reading Perelandra by C.S. Lewis today. In the second chapter the character Ransom says something I find extremely interesting.
Haven’t you noticed how in our own little war here on earth, there are different phases, and while any one phase is going on people get into the habit of thinking and behaving as if it was going to be permanent? But really the thing is changing under your hands all the time, and neither your assets nor your dangers this year are the same as the year before.
– Perelanda, C.S. Lewis
Then, I read this post, How far away is your emergency? by Seth Godin, and marveled (mainly because I wanted to use the word) that Godin illustrates exactly the point Lewis was talking about.
It’s amazing that people have so much time to fret about today’s emergency but almost no time at all to avoid tomorrow’s.
A glimpse at the TV and internets shows one talking head after another angsting about today’s economy. These are the same people who needed to devote entire hours to mindless trivia nine months ago when they could have done an enormous amount of education about avoiding this mess in the first place.
…
They say the best time to look for a job is when you don’t need one. And the best time to invest in a new Purple Cow is when you’re still milking the old one. Move your emergency back in time and you’ll be amazed at how far your money goes.
– Seth Godin
It’s important to remember that our present circumstances are not permanent. Tomorrow’s emergencies will be different from today’s and we ought to keep that in mind so as not to be surprised and, more importantly, so that we’ll be prepared when the changes occur.
Posted by Ryan
February 28, 2009
If I read 76 books a year until I’m 80 years old I will have read 3,000 books.
Of course, I don’t know the actual number of books I’ve read. I only know that I’ve read or listened to approximately 82 books in the last 3 years. A few of those are books I remember reading while growing up (real books).
If I could remember all the books I read growing up the full number would probably be closer to 150, or at least I hope it would.
So basically, my depth of reading is pretty sad.
I recently started twittering about my book reading over at 3000books. I also have the domain 3000books.com, but I haven’t set anything up on it yet. When I get around to it it’ll be a book reading blog, naturally.
My most recent reads:
I am currently listening to The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey and just started reading The Fellowship of the Ring By J.R.R. Tolkien.
I’m still poking along at several books on dailylit: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, A Tale of Two Cities, and Little Women. Whew!
Not that that’s enough. I just purchased The Joseph Smith Papers, Out of the Silent Planet (already read it, but it was among those lost when I moved), Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength.
So if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go get busy reading (or listening).
