I had insomnia Friday night, so I got up at 1:30 am and figured I’d read. I picked up MONSTER: The Autobiography of an L.A Gang Member.
Not my usual choice of reading. Not a book I’d ever buy for myself. The book was about a Crip Gang Banger, taking us through getting into the gang around 12 and into his 20’s. I only read the book because one of my (adult) sons read it and wanted me to read it. It’ s not light reading, often depressing and frustrating.
Surprisingly I am glad I read it. I’ve always read a variety of books. I’ve read FBI profiler books, cop books, and sometimes it’s interesting to get the “other side” point of view. As a writer, I find it useful. I don’t want a steady diet of this kind of reading though!
What about you guys? What unusual (for you) books have you read?
May 11th, 2009 at 9:09 am · Link
I started to read A Long Way Gone, the story of a child soldier who made it out. I’m still reading this book. I have been for a long time now because it’s anything but light reading. As a mother it breaks my heart as a human being it scares me to death to know what all humans are capable of.
May 11th, 2009 at 9:20 am · Link
I usually stick to the HEA but I have read a few different ones. I read A CHILD CALLED IT– very heartbreaking. But I really liked it. And other than that, I’ll read odd books like NORSE MYTHOLOGY, and no it wasn’t for a class. lol Just because I wanted too. My hubby calls me a nerd.
May 11th, 2009 at 9:27 am · Link
I’d have to say it was probably The Coming of the Cosmic Christ by Matthew Fox. It was…a non-native’s attempt to redefine Christ as Mother Earth (among other theories). It was research for a book that never got written. And likely never will.
Iz Monday! We can haz appletinis nao? Kthnxbai.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:03 am · Link
Erika, I haven’t heard of that one, but it sounds heavy. And boy you said it–it’s scary what human beings are capable of.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:06 am · Link
Kira, I have heard about A CHILD CALLED IT, and that it’s wrenching to read. I’d probably read NORSE MYTHOLOGY too. “Nerd” is an endearment, yes? LOLOL! My husband was calling me a nerd yesterday.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:09 am · Link
Silver, You Win! That has to be the oddest book I’ve heard of in a while!
Are you hanging out with the ‘I Can Has Cheeseburger Cats’ again? But to answer your question YES! Let’s start this week off right–with Appletinis! That’ll put a little magic into our Monday
May 11th, 2009 at 12:19 pm · Link
I had an appletine this weekend! For real. Only it was red (candy-apple-tini, lol). It was good. But I’m going back to my margaritas RL.
And it’s not me hanging out with that cheezeburger crowd. It’s the familiar. Deeders thinks it’s all about her.
*shakes and pours*
May 11th, 2009 at 2:27 pm · Link
Silver, red? Hmm, I’ve only had green. Doesn’t sound like I’m missing out. I like the sour/sweet green appletini. I also like Margaritas!
Familiars are like that…it’s always all about them.