I got a couple books last week.

A couple of days ago, I downloaded an .epub of Chuck Klosterman’s book, Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, to see if I could stomach reading whole books on an iPod. So far, so good; both the book and the reading experience.

My mom is hounding me about Christmas presents, and I’d like to accumulate some books to read this winter. Drop a couple favorites on me, if you wish.

I’m currently having trouble paying attention while reading Infinite Jest so I decided to read this instead.

I just bought some books. Summer reading shall commence.

brighteryellow asked: What makes a book great, and not just good?

To me, a good book becomes great based on the reaction of the reader. My favorite books of all time have parts or lines or ideas that really managed to grab a hold of me and make me feel something that I wasn’t expecting. A great book reels you in and makes you want to keep reading, turning page after page, like a bonfire consuming scrap newspaper. There’s also sort of an intangible that you can’t really put a label on. Maybe an aura or just the feel of a book. A lot of things go into a book to make it great.

This book. This book this book this book. This guy. This book.

brighteryellow asked: Definitely read Zeitoun then. It's a departure, at least in my mind, from everything Dave Eggers has done because it's as if he removes himself entirely from the story. I feel that in A Heartbreaking Work (obviously), Velocity!, and even How We Are Hungry, you can feel Eggers there every step of the way, like he's part of every story. Zeitoun is a gut wrenching story about Hurricane Katrina and is beautifully written, as expected. Probably my second favorite Eggers book, right behind Velocity!

Thanks, Sam. Ordered. Also thanks anyone who made recommendations; I’ll be keeping them in mind.

or two. I’m ordering A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius from Amazon and I want to get free super-saver shipping, so I need to spend like 15 more dollars. Depending on the prices, this could be one or two books. Any recommendations?

Edit: I’ve read Velocity! and How We Are Hungry by Eggers.

Good girlfriends get good gifts.

Currently reading.

I figured that summer is a good time to start reading again. I bought a couple of books today, The Stranger by Albert Camus and Anthem by Ayn Rand. Go reading!