Reality Television

I love reading but since reality television has taken over nearly every channel, I‘ve traded in the book for the remote control.   Although entertaining as hell, watching reality television everyday can’t be good for my intellect.

I need a change.  So I decided it was time to delete all of the reality television shows from my DVR in an effort to reconnect with my love of literature.

My goal will be to read five books a month for a total of 60 books in 2011.  It will be a challenge. The Housewives of New Jersey, Atlanta, Washington DC and Beverly Hill shave been my girlfriends for years. I know that I will have withdrawal, but my couch potato status needs to change for a lot of reasons.

Want to keep track of my progress? Watch for updates, I’ll be keep track of the books I’ve completed so far.

I’m also open for suggestions. Do you have a favorite book that you think I should read this year? Leave the title and author in the comment section below.

Books I’ve read so far this year:

Invisible Man – Ralph Ellison

Dessa Rose – Sherley A. Williams

Creating Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work – Edwige Danticat

A MemoryPalace– Mira Bartok

Little Bee – Chris Cleave

A Mercy – Toni Morrison

CurrentlyReading:

Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention – Manning Marable

Privacy, Discretion or Someplace in the Middle

I’m so excited I can hardly keep myself together; I’m unraveling with stimulation.

I’m officially a member of the blogosphere.

During the early stages of developing this blog, I spent numerous hours on the layout and design but I didn’t give much thought to the content aspect.  Obviously from the title, I wanted the blog to be personal, even intimate at times. All about me. But the best things about me are my family. 

Despite the thrill to reveal myself to the world I have to be thoughtful about my family and their privacy.

I have one fantastical hubby and two wonderful babies ages 15 and 19 (seriously, regardless of what you’ve heard from others, I have the best kids in the world – God has definitely blessed me).  It would be difficult not to mention them in posts or show photos. However, it is important to keep my family as private as possible. I also don’t want to be called out for sharing too much like some of the more popular bloggers.

So, out of respect for them, I have made an oath. I promise not to reveal their names or likeness without their verbal blessing. In this blog I will use anonymous terms like hubby, son, daughter, mother, etc. to protect their identity.  I also will not disclose their employers, schools or any other obvious identifiers.  It might be a bit much, but I want to be sensitive to their thoughts and feelings around the issue of privacy.

As for my dogs…..well, I’m sure they won’t mind being in the spotlight once in a while.