What's On My Nightstand: February

The end of another month and my nightstand has had a blur of activity. In the last 25 days I've read nine books. Here's what is currently on it:

Normally the book club I belong to sticks to reading classics or books that influenced classics, and all are generally fiction. However, we do occasionally make exceptions and read something more modern or something non-fiction. This next book is one such exception. Before our next meeting on April 1 members of the book club will read one, two or all three of the selected books. The choices are Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson, Now They Call Me Infadel by Nonie Darwish, and Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafsisi. I have chosen to start with the last. The concept of women in an Islamic country reading contriversial Western literature (i.e. classics like Lolita and Pride and Prejudice, etc.) fascinates me. Stay tuned for my thoughts on this memoir.

I just finished my third Agatha Christie in 2009 and in keeping with my own personal challenge to read all 80 of her books, hopefully in less than 10 years, I have the next mystery on my nightstand waiting. Peril At End House is another Hercule Poirot novel. I know nothing of this book and am very excited to read a fresh story.

I'm not generally a big reader of biographies and autobiographies, but occasionally I do find one that interests me more than any of the novels I have on hand. Currently I am working my way through Theodore Roosevelt An Autobiography. I was surprised to find that this book is available in paperback form. I stumbled upon my 1913 hardbound copy years ago in some Used Bookstore. I've always been fascinated with TR and am determined to get through the 583 pages.

As you may recall, I recently read A Weaver of Dreams by Myrtle Reed. While researching and writing my review I came upon a little book of Reed's writings titled, Adamant Eve alias Myrtle Reed which was edited and compiled by George M. Naimark. It looked interesting and was relatively inexpensive so I picked up a copy. I haven't opened it beyond the table of contents, so I don't know much about the book... but stay tuned. I'm sure I'll delve into it before long.

In addition to all of these and on the side, I do plenty of reading to my daughter. Of late our readings include books with touch-and-feel pages, books with peek-a-boo flaps, and books that have pictures of dogs, balls, or babies. We make a trip to the library once a week to refresh our reading material. This keeps books interesting for her, limits the mundane of reading the same things over and over, and saves our budget and bookshelves by limiting our book purchases to the best of the best.

That's it for February, what's on your nighstand? Want to find out what is on other readers/bloggers nighstands? Head on over to 5 Minutes For Books.