Gibblet is Mine!

Preparing a list of books I want to read in the new few months for Sona's book club; thought I'd post it here too. Warning: I know not many people like non-fiction. I gratefully accept any attempts to broaden my mind. (Though I am rather narrow-minded in my distrust of bestsellers and romance novels. That's just me. A stupid lout.)

• Becoming Mona Lisa: From Fine Art to Universal Icon - The Incredible Story of the World's Most Famous Painting: I am miffed because Lady with an Ermine is the better painting.


• Snakebite Survivor's Club: Sona was aghast that I would pick this. But I really want to read it and it's sitting on my shelf beckoning. Plus I want to start doing volunteer work for the Reptile Refuge Centre.


• God: I like the idea of "insouciant public-schoolboy style."


• Bernice Bobs Her Hair: it's out of print, but some libraries might have it. I have my own copy.


• Smilla's Sense of Snow: I have already read it, but I didn't get the ending. Obviously need the insight of sharper minds than mine to help clarify.


• The Box Man: Started reading it last year, had to put it down as I got busy. Hope to read everything by Abe in the next two years. I already have a copy of this book.


• Secret Rendezvous: More fuel for the imagination.


• Kangaroo Notebook: The third Abe book I hope to read this year, I can't resist any book in which body parts become daikon.


• The Mummy Congress: Science, Obsession, and the Everlasting Dead: I am morbid and I am not afraid to admit it. I think I would be ok in the lab alone, at night, with a bunch of mummies.


• Mind of the Raven: Investigations and Adventures with Wolf-Birds: Also on my bookshelf, probably not a good bookclub book, but have been dying to read it.


• The Island of Lost Maps: a True Story of Cartographic Crime: I can't believe it's out of print. A few libraries should have it. Local road maps can't be bland, as that one critic said...being a map collector myself, of course, I have a different opinion.


• Records of the Grand Historian: I once translated Classical Chinese history and it rocks! A good university library would have this. Just thought I'd promote one of the cool castrated historians of all time.


• God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan: On my Jonathan Spence to-read list for the last ten years.


• The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci: I know I said nothing over 300 pages, but this is on my list.


• The Ark of the Covenant: On my pre-Ethiopia to-read list, but never managed to read it. I'm expecting a tale of the hoodwinked Queen of Sheba and the lecherous King Solomon, with a few Ethiopian conspiracies thrown in.


• Enchantress: Marthe Bibesco and Her World: 'Her devastating wedding night left her "obliterated."' Aren't you curious?


• Remote People: Also on my Ethiopian to-read list.


• The Changing Faces of Jesus: Started reading this three years ago, want to begin & finish it this time.


• A People's History of the American Revolution: How Common People Shaped the Fight for Independence: How I plan to become an expert on your revolution.


• Life and Death in Shanghai: Haven't read it in over ten years.


• Tom Sawyer


• Kidnapped: laughed lots the first time I read it.


• In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex: There is no denying that I am morbid.


• Reading Lolita in Tehran: I haven't read Lolita, The Great Gatsby or Daisy Miller yet, and I would also like to reread Washington Square and Pride and Prejudice again before tackling this one.


• Give Me My Father's Body : The Life of Minik, the New York Eskimo: Poor kid.


• The Sculptor's Daughter by Tove Jansson: should be at any library.


• My Last Sigh: Karen recommended it years ago.

That's more than a few months of reading. I had no idea I wanted to read so many books. That's not even including the must-read lists given to me by friends. No, this is my most urgent list...though I approve any Jane Austen or Henry James that can be inserted there. Well, I am open to new things too, so suggest away!

Now awaiting for your lists, darlings.