What have you been reading lately?

The last book I finished was Pirates in an Adventure with Napoleon by Gideon Defoe. It was a pleasantly fun and easy read, I recommend it!

Now, I'm pretty picky when it comes to reading. If I'm not in love with the book it will take me years to finish. Even if the book IS remotely interesting I fall asleep within the first few pages. I don't know why but books make me sleepy. It doesn't matter the time of day, as soon as I start to read my eyes get heavy and I re-read the same sentence 30 times before I finally give up.

However, if I'm fortunate enough to find a book that captures my attention I will read everything I can find by that author. Usually this plan works. Take for instance the book I just finished Pirates in an Adventure with Napoleon before this book I read Defoe's other Pirate books; Pirates in an adventure with Scientist, Pirates in an Adventure with Ahab and Pirates in an Adventure with Communists. (I recommend them all!) This method has also worked with anything written by Roald Dahl! But then again it is ROALD DAHL what's not to love. However, on a whim I once bought a book by Paul Auster entitled Travels in the Scriptorium it was a great book somewhat reminisent of an episode of the Twilight Zone. So in keeping with my plan I picked up a copy of another book by Auster, Timbuktu. I've been reading this book for 3+ years and it only has 192 pages. I doubt I'll ever finish it but it still sits on my nightstand hoping to be read.

So lately I've been reading anything by David Sedaris. I started with Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim then progressed on to Holidays on Ice. My plan seems to be working out pretty well, not only is Sedaris a great story teller and humorous I like reading his stories based in Raleigh. When he references, Crabtree Valley Mall I know excatly where that is and what it used to look like before the big remodel during the early 90's. There's something comforting about that. Anyway, I'm currently reading Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays. I like short stories alot since I'm not very patient and I need to know the resolution will come swiftly. My plan is to finish reading the rest of Sedaris' work and then find some new author. Most of the books we own fall into 3 categories:

1. Horror - Joe loves some Steven King, I do not.
2. Christian - I do like reading practical books on Christianity but it's not really reading for entertainment is it?
3. Board Books - Jude has a great selection of books but I think I should aim a little higher than My first Letters.

So I will be employing the wonderful Wake County Library online book request to fulfill my reading desires.

This is why I'm asking you... What have you been reading lately?