Judging me by my books

Now that the house is ready to show, I look around and wonder what someone would presume about me after peeking into our lives for a few minutes (and hopefully not rooting around in drawers and closets). Look what's on my bookshelf next to my bed:

-How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurship and the Power of New Ideas (Bornstein): Because I really do want to change the world. Really. But at the end of the day, I'm just too tired and settle for reading about Other People changing the world.

-Living a Life that Matters (Kushner): See above.

-Pride and Prejudice (Austen): Nothing beats a good Darcy and Elizabeth dose now and then.

-Infant Assessment (Wyly): Work/school seeping into the bedroom. Sorry, Greg.

-The Rough Guide to Guatemala: Possible project in Guatemala...also, armchair traveler. I'm happiest when I have a trip brewing.

-The Artist's Way (Cameron): This book actually points its finger and tsks me from time to time. I should be following my creative dreams more. Sigh.

-Banker to the Poor: Muhammad Yunus: Love reading about cool ideas, inspired people. I've loved Yunus for years and was thrilled when he got the Nobel Peace Prize this year.

-The Emporer's Children (Messud): Half-way read novel. It's received great reviews but I've been slogging through it. It's not the author, it's me.

-Write Away (George): Advice for writing mysteries. Don't know why, except I like mysteries and would love to write a novel.

-Madame Secretary (Albright): Autobio of Madeleine Albright I got for Christmas a few years ago. Her story appeals to me, how she followed her interests, got her PhD in her 30s, tried to make the world a little better. No matter what your politics, you have to respect the effort.

-The Silent Boy (Lowry): I think one of my kids left this in here by mistake. I do love children's lit, including Lowry's writings. Check out her blog: http://loislowry.typepad.com/lowry_updates/

-The Little Lady Agency (Browne): library book. I love brit chick lit. I think there was a little slip-up when I wasn't born British. But nevermind, I'll read about it instead and live vicariously!

So I have no idea what my bookshelf says about me, except that I live vicariously and am a bit eclectic. And you knew that already, didn't you? What's on your bookshelf?

Comments

[Jennifer Jacobsen]

your books are alot "smarter" than mine, I have: What your dr. may not tell you about premenopause, The Rescue Artist, The Brambles, Marie Antoinette, One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Known World, and Plan B: Further thoughts on faith (Anne Lamott). All are in various stages of reading.
I like novels, can you tell :)

[Matt]

Yay, Annie! You're blogging! I have to confess that I found your blog a couple of weeks ago through your profile on the family blog. But I'm glad you've gone public. Funny timing, because I just set up a couple of blogs (a movie one and a miscellaneous one) that I haven't really done anything with. Maybe yours will inspire me. So, on my nightstand:
Look at Me (Jennifer Egan); God: A Biography (Jack Miles); The Presence of Absence: On Prayers and an Epiphany (Doris Grumbach); the January 8th New Yorker; Anger (Thich Nhat Hanh); Why Christianity Must Change or Die (Jack Spong); Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation; From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life (Jacques Barzun).

So, some might say that I need to lighten up. Or that I've got too many books by Jack/Jacques.

[Stie]

My books are definitely "lighter" reads...I've got The Lucky Shopping Manual; Son of a Witch (Maguire); Stephen Johnson on Digital Photography; The Number We End Up With (half-way through it and loving it - THANKS!); Shape magazine, The Way to Win (Halperin); Mitten Strings for God (Kenison).

I love peeking at what books people are reading - it definitely is a peek into personalities!

[Annie]

It's nice to know there are other people with piles next to their beds (not that you have more than one bed...you know what I mean).

Thanks for commenting. It gives me a ridiculously foofy happy feeling when I get to read comments. Less like I'm sending things out to the (reportedly holey) ozone layer :)

A.