I’m reading STIFF: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. For fun. Just like I read FLU and TRAUMAS OF THE BRAIN and THE FORENSIC CASEBOOK.
The people in my life understand that unexpected things will come up in conversation. Sometimes those things might be considered gross. Some of them are unabashedly gross. But they’re also interesting. At least to me.
I consider all my non-fiction reading research, and it’s one of the best perks of the job. I’m pretty much useless when it comes to things like taxes or fixing the plumbing or appropriate wedding gifts, but damn, I know some neat stuff.
Not that I’ll ever use it all. When I do use it I end up having to go back to find the original reference because I have too many old Beatle’s lyrics in my brain that I invariably get some part of the facts wrong. I don’t have the kind of helpful memory (as seen on TV) either. My facts come up when it’s least convenient, not to mention least polite. I don’t believe I’ve ever had that gem of information that saved the day, or even the hour.
What I have done, however, is found a way to marry my kind of brain (all over the place and undisciplined but eager, like a puppy) with the work I do. Believe it or not, I was once a bookkeeper. Me plus numbers? Rubbish. Completely. Whoever hired me was insane, or deeply sorry. I quickly left the real world, where I felt wholly inadequate, for the make believe, and I’ve lived here ever since, quite happily.
Okay, so I’ve had to be disciplined sometimes. Like for deadlines. But only when I can’t help it. Recently, I’ve had to get up with the aid of an alarm clock. It remains very unsettling, but I go to swim aerobics and the class is early in the morning. I still haven’t managed to get to sleep at a regular time.
Somehow, I do manage to read interesting books, watch the Science Channel and Discovery and listen to podcasts by odd people and generally live as a perpetual student.
And, I’m always on the lookout for more. So, what have you read lately that blew you away? Any thing on Netflix I should look into? I’ve recently discovered Steampunk, so I’m diving into those waters, but what am I missing? I know you guys have some recs I’ll love.
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I’ve recently discovered Steampunk also; Victorian Steampunk to be exact. Written by my friend and fellow past-Desire author Gail Dayton. NEW BLOOD http://www.gaildayton.com/ was released in March of this year and the sequel due next spring.
I love true crime stories and watch a lot of Forensic Files, etc… but for some reason I like my reading to be fiction. One of the best crime novels I ever read was THE ALIENIST by Caleb Carr
http://www.amazon.com/Alienist-Novel-Caleb-Carr/dp/0812976142/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245429619&sr=1-1
The other TV crime drama I’ve recently enjoyed is PBS Masterpiece Mystery’s WALLENDER starring the incomparable Kenneth Branagh
I don’t think I could handle STIFF, but I might look for and try THE FORENSIC CASEBOOK.
Jillian
(who is SO in need of another Jo Leigh book…)
Oh, thanks for the Dayton rec. I’ll pick it up. I also loved THE ALIENIST. Terrific writing. If you like WALLENDER, you might like YEAR OF THE DOG by Henry Chang, a noir mystery in New York’s Chinatown. Really excellent and different.
Alas, the next Jo Leigh book won’t be out till January. But thanks for wanting one!
Hi Jo *waving*
Early morning & swim aerobics?? Isn’t that an oxymoron?
That is unnatural!! Bury the alarm clock I say!
Joins the queue for a new jo Leigh book.
It is unnatural, Willa, but damn, when I do go, I feel so much better all day. One can get used to anything, including waking up too early.
I’ll have to check out Steampunk – sounds great.
For my non-fiction I’ve liked….
The Princessa – Machiavelli For Women by Harriet Rubin
The Corporate Dominatrix – 6 Roles to Play to Get Your Way at Work – Lisa Robyn
and
Madame Bovary’s Ovaries – A Darwinian Look at Literature – David & Nanelle Barash
I love your recommendations! I’ve written them all down and can’t wait to read them. Thanks so much, Liz!
We just came back from seeing the Terracotta Warriors and the diamond exhibit. There was a WHOLE lot I didn’t know about diamonds. Cool jewelry, too, including the brooch/pendant Elton John likes to wear when he performs. Diamonds. I’m just sayin’. (H)