Where’ve I been? Good question.
We had our wonderful Tournament of Books, and then Mrs. Biblioracle and I made our second move in the last eight months (only seven miles this time), and then we had all kinds of unpacking to do, and then…and then…and then…
The “thens” can get away from you if you’re not careful. The new home is a great blessing, as it is abundant with bookshelves, including those of the “built-in” variety, which have been a lifelong, and previously unrequited dream. One of my favorite things is to just stand and look at them, at the array of books before me, a good 50 percent of the books I own all in one place.
For the first time in…ever…none of my books are stored away in boxes. Not a single one. Now, this is partially because I gave away/consigned/sold a good 350 books over the last several months, but even this was not a bad thing, as I rid myself of quite a few items that I was keeping simply because I’d bought them for one reason or another.
The other thing that has kept me away is that the Biblioracle has gone big time, baby. We’re talking printed matter, we’re talking weekly, we’re talking the Chicago Tribune and its stand-alone book section, Printers Row. Some of you have been featured in the column, but even weekly I can only dispense four recommendations at most, and they are backing up inside me, these books that people should be reading.
So we’re going to spend some time together today. Not too long, because the parade of “thens” never stops, but hopefully enough to touch base, reconnect, hear what each other have been reading, and go forth with some fresh suggestions.
That’s the idea anyway. And if you don’t get your request in on time, I’m always looking for more people to write in with their five most recent reads (plus their city of residence) to [email protected], and if chosen, you could find your name in lights (print). If you follow me on Twitter @biblioracle, you’ll hear about some other interesting and relevant book-related things, as well as my (spoiler-free) thoughts on Mad Men because the whole world needs to comment on Mad Men.
Just a refresher: In the comments, post your five most recently read books, and I will tell you what you should read next.
I’ll be open for recommendations from 3:00 to 3:30 Eastern Time. As long as you get your request in during that window, you will get a recommendation, or my name isn’t the Biblioracle.
List the last five books you’ve read, and the Biblioracle tells you what to read next.
The Biblioracle will be open today from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET.
