I’m reading….again

July 21st, 2004

I’ve finally worked out an weekday evening schedule that fits all of my wants and needs. From the time I get home from work until 8PM, it’s “Hallie Time”. She goes to sleep at 8. After 8, I hang out with my wife until she goes to sleep, which usually happens around 9:30(ish). From 9:30(ish) until 12:30, I go online and multi-task (consulting work, read my aggregator, and/or write articles - whatever is more pressing). At 12:30, I stop (no matter how much I have accomplished) and read.

That’s right. I read. For an hour! Then at 1:30, I turn in for the night. Luckily, I don’t have to get up early (around 8:00), so 6.5 hours of sleep is plenty for me.

So, what am I reading these days? Right now, I am in the midst of a philosophy/self-help book entitled, Status Anxiety, by Alain de Botton. Recently, I finished Civil Wars, by David Moats, which I highly recommend.

On the bookshelf is the latest David Foster Wallace, and two trade books that I’m reviewing for Public Libraries Magazine: Library Anxiety (notice a theme?), and Law and Libraries, both of which seem fascinating.

Last, I’m going to buy (thanks G.P.) The Wisdom of Crowds, by James Surowiecki. I read about it this morning while reading The New Yorker at an appointment, but forgot the title (Thanks Gwen for the reminder). The following is from the description:

“In this endlessly fascinating book, New Yorker columnist James Surowiecki explores a deceptively simple idea that has profound implications: large groups of people are smarter than an elite few, no matter how brilliant—better at solving problems, fostering innovation, coming to wise decisions, even predicting the future.”

Librarians: Think about community and social interaction/networking/blogging. This book is (and will be) a must read.

Comments are closed.