Since we aren’t all fluent in reading Japanese, I will go ahead and tell you what the title of this post means. Tsundoku means “the act of leaving a book unread after buying it, typically piled up together with other such unread books”. Once I stumbled upon this word online, it was a word I would try to remember because it describes me and my horrible habit perfectly. I buy books all the time, due to popularity, generally pleasing book covers, and other reasons people get sucked into buying books. I’m guilty of this, and I’m sharing it with all of you. Here is a collection of books that currently reside on my nightstand and the story behind why they sit on my nightstand.
› The Douche Journals: The Definitive Account of One Man’s Genius by Schmidt — First of all, if you don’t know where this book is from, go watch New Girl and then come back and not think that this is a strange purchase. New Girl’s Schmidt, played by Max Greenfield, is a character of pure comedy and some side emotions. This may not be really considered as a book because it’s just one blurb on each page, but it’s hilarious to read. Now, even though I have not read the book cover to cover, I have read a good chunk of the pages. If you need a good chuckle, go to a book store and take a read, or even go as far as buying it yourself.
› Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham — The brilliant actress that is Lauren Graham has gone and written a book of her very own, and it’s not a biography. This is the current book that I’m fighting my way through reading. When I say “fighting” I don’t mean that in a negative way. I have very little focus these days, and to sit (or lay down) and read a book without falling asleep or getting distracted by something else if one of life’s greatest challenges for me. While reading this book, I can hear Lauren Graham’s voice narrating the words in my head and that makes this even more enjoyable. This could also mean I watch too many things that she appears in (Parenthood, Gilmore Girls, etc) but there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
› Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares — One of the only book series that I’ve actually read all the books without letting months go between reading chapters, is the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book series. They were amazing books to grow up on, and I’m very fond of the movies based off the books, so when I found out the last book was finally being released, I bought it in an instant. I took this book with me on vacation in the Dominican a year ago and started reading it on a beach. Without too much of a spoiler warning: if you want to have a fun enjoyable vacation, do not dive right into this book. Things got heavy really fast, so I put the book down and haven’t picked it up since. That’s not to say I won’t finish reading it, but I will one day.
› This Is A Book by Demetri Martin — Another book for comedic relief. When I was introduced to Demetri Martin’s stand up comedy (particularly the “These Are Jokes” CD) I became an instant fan. I had read little sections of this book online and finally made the decision to go out and buy the book. It’s funnier when you can hear his voice and his delivery of the jokes, but reading his writing is also pretty funny as well. I flip to random pages to read sometimes and have a good snicker to myself.
› How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You by The Oatmeal — The last of the funny books, but not the least. Every single time I walked past this book in a store, I grabbed it and flipped to the one comic I had seen online and show whoever I’m with. Eventually my boyfriend went and bought me this book so I can always enjoy it whenever I want. Owning a cat makes these comics even funnier, because so many of them become more realistic. The Oatmeal does a great job with the humour and illustrations, as always.
› A Life In Men by Gina Frangello — This is the book that inspired me to write this post. I saw this book featured as Nylon Magazine’s featured book for it’s monthly Book Club. The cover was enticing and the description of the book sounded like something that I would enjoy reading. So as any easily persuaded person would do, I went out and bought the book a few nights ago, and then came home and added it to my pile of books on my nightstand. I’m hoping that I can crack into this book next, once I finish the Lauren Graham one that is.
› One Day by David Nicholls — Sometimes there is a book that turns into a movie, and this was one of those books. The story looked classic, so I went out and purchased the copy with the Anne Hathaway movie poster book cover because I’m a fan of hers. But with this book I made myself a deal. I was not allowed to watch the movie until I read the book. Not as easy of a bet to keep up with an avid movie watcher, but I have kept this deal to this very day. I own the DVD, but have not watched it. I’ve read a chapter or two of the book, but then switched to another book and it got pushed to the back of my mind. If I ever want to watch that movie, even though I didn’t hear great things about it, I’ll eventually have to finish the book first.
› Something Borrows by Emily Giffin — This book falls under the same lines as the last, but more in a sense that I saw the book and it forced me to go out and buy the book. I absolutely head-over-heels love the movie version of this book, and as most people say the book is always better than the movie, I wanted to know for sure. I got about half way through this book before lending it to my mom to read, and haven’t quite finished it. From what I have read, it gives a lot more backstory details and thought for the characters. I was quite happy with how the book was going, so I’ll be sure to finish this one. Until then, I will keep re-watching the movie in the meantime.
I hope you enjoyed my little story about each the the pictured books that has turned into quite the lengthly post. Maybe writing this post will make me pick up these books more often whenever I manage find time. Happy reading everyone!
