In the gutter

If you look at my Goodreads "What is Ashley Reading" box, it will tell you that I am reading 7 books. This is, in fact, a lie. I am in a book rut. An ugly, ugly, ugly book rut. Let me break it down quickly:

1. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes- Was it really 2 years ago? Could it have been? Maybe not...but it's been well over a year since I began reading through all the Holmes stories and I haven't been able to progress in this one at all. We're at stalemate, and I don't know when this will change.

2.The Baby Book by Dr. Sears- I don't know why I decided to list this one as something I am currently reading. I use it when I need it, but I by no means am reading the whole damn thing cover to cover. I haven't actually "needed" to pick it up in months.

3.Road Trip USA- I bought this because we're going on a road trip, so obviously I wanted a book about going on a road trip. I have to say, I've been pretty disappointed in this book. It's full of parks to see and places to eat. And the suggestions for places to stay are usually of the more pricey variety. Again, WHY did I enter as something I am currently reading? I do not know. Personally, I have gotten a lot more use and enjoyment out of used and outdated copy of Lonely Planet's Guide to the USA. But whatevs....

4. A History of Wife- I first took this out at my local library when we lived in England. I returned it before we moved and then when we landed in the US, I went to my parents local library and took it out again. It's a fascinating and a very well researched book, but it reads like a text book which is making it a slow one to get through.

5. Azazel- Every so often Griff and I will beg the other to read one of our favorite books. Griff and I have very different tastes in reading (he being of the sci-fi/fantasy variety) and occasionally we try and overlap and expand the others' mind a bit :) So he gave me Azazel which is a collection of short stories about a tiny demon. It's pretty good, but I can't read short story after short story, I have to break it up a bit. Unfortunately, the copy of this book suffered an accident. My water bottle leaked in my purse and now the book is SOAKED and I'm waiting for it to dry out. Luckily it's hot as balls outside, so hopefully it will dry out soon.

6. The Life of Joan Crawford- WOW. What can I say. This book sucked so hard I threw it across the bed and refused to read another page. The author is such an unapologetic fan that his whole history of Crawford is skewed. And he had the annoying habit of summarizing each movie. I can't stand that when reading a biography. I understand that sometimes the film an actor/actress was working on plays into the biography, but not every single film. It was horrible. But I started it with the intention of finishing it. But I'll be honest, once upon a time I would have. A time before Oz and I could finish shitty books for the sake of saying I finished them. But that time has passed. If I'm going to read something I'm going to damn well enjoy it.

7. Nerd Do Well- This is Simon Pegg's autobiography, and so far it's pretty good. I don't love it tho. I feel like I'm going through the motions. Which means I'm sort of dragging my heels about reading it.

When I'm reading a good book, I can't get enough. I actually look forward to Oz's nap time because it means we get to snuggle in bed and I get to read for a good hour or so. Right now, I get him to sleep and then do chores. The last series I read, The Hunger Games, was so brilliant and intense I just haven't been able to fill the void. Yet. I'm on it tho. I will find something good to read. Till then, you will have to just bear with the ridiculous list of 7 in my corner and know, that NO, I am not really reading all of those. It's just that if I mark it "As Read" then it will go towards my goal of 50 and that would be lying. And I don't lie...not even on the internet.