This is my bedside table. Here resides all of my current reading efforts, roughly 1/3 of my total to-read queue. On top of the nightstand there is Wuthering Heights, steeped in language and atmosphere and densely rich characters. Next to it is Robert McCammon’s Baal. A horrific telling of the classic good vs. evil tale written in such captivating style that always seems so effortless for McCammon. Below, on the floor, are the last four Birds of Prey issues that, once read, will bring me current in the Birds of Prey storyline allowing me to finally read the first two issues of Gail Simone’s Birds of Prey relaunch. Next to those is the stack of my weekly comics that I am woefully behind on, despite my efforts I can never seem to remain current. Scott Pilgrim Vol 1. is there awaiting my attention. I have to read all six volumes before I see the movie later this summer. And of course there’s Bone. Here is Vol. 7, Ghost Circles, which I’ve nearly finished, then it’s on to Vol. 8 and 9 and then the prequel Rose and then the Handbook. On the shelf to the left are all of the comic book trade paperbacks I have to read, the stack in the center are all of my short-story books that I slowly get through when I’m not in the mood to read a novel or comics (or when I’m drunk and need something short to read before passing out), and the books on the very right are my Christopher Pike books that I’m rereading from childhood. Those are my ultra-light readings for when I want to indulge in high school murder mysteries and flood my senses with characters I loved when I was a teenager. Like I said, a fraction of my to-read queue. I have literally hundreds of comic books to read that are tucked away in the comic book bookshelf, as well as about 60 novels (not even counting the ones in my Amazon wishlist), a stack of old Rue Morgue issues, and a handful of non-fiction and coffee table books. I read a few hours most every night, sporadically while at work, and frequently on the bus. I think I might have to pick up the pace.
