An introduction

A couple of years ago, I did a grad-school presentation based on that NEA study bemoaning the state of reading in America. The study grouped readers into categories like "light" (1-5 books a year), "moderate" (6-11 books a year), "frequent" (12-49), and "avid" (50 or more). I've always considered myself an avid reader, but I don't know if I actually manage to read 50 or more books every year. All of my life, I've consistently been two things: a reader, and competitive. I need to be in the avid group, dammit! I can't be in the second tier of American readers. That just won't do.

That's where this blog comes in. It's my attempt to document my reading habits, as well as sort of a one-person book club. I don't mean that to sound asocial--I welcome feedback from anyone who would like to join me in my quest for NEA-approved avid readerdom.

The title of this blog is inspired by, of all people, Laura Bush. If you know me, you know how improbable it is that she would inspire anything but bewilderment over her choice of husband, but I am quite taken with a story I once heard about her. Apparently, in response to her future mother-in-law's query about what she did for a living, she answered, "I read. I smoke. I admire." Yes, smoking is vile, but that is a pretty badass thing to say to an imposing dowager like Barbara Bush. I like it, and so it is my title.