four quick non-reads

Real Simple: The Organized Home, by the editors of Real Simple; written by Kendell Cronstrom (My Ratings: 10 Merit, 6 Interest, 6 Fun)

This is really a reference book, not a book that’s meant to be read. If you have read the magazine, you will understand the layout of the book, which is arranged by room. So if you’re house is totally organized (ha ha) except for the kitchen, you can just turn directly to the kitchen section. Good ideas, lots of references and helpful tips. One to buy, perhaps.

American Jesus: How the Son of God Became a National Icon, by Stephen Prothero (My Ratings: 7 Merit, 4 Interest, 5 Fun)

Didn’t finish this...didn’t even finish the first chapter. Tried to read it while donating blood last month and that’s the last time I picked it up.

We Shall Overcome, by Herb Boyd (My Ratings: 10 Merit, 7 Interest, 5 Fun)

Another book I thumbed through. I read the photo captions. If this is your area of interest, there is a lot in here, including two CDs of famous civil rights speeches.

America (The Book), by Jon Stewart (My Ratings: 8 Merit, 5 Interest, 9 Fun)

This is funny; I just couldn’t get into it. A bit too much at once, and it's probably yet another to buy and flip through when I have time. It is very textbook-y, and who really wants to read a textbook anyway?

I'm adding these to the year's list, even though it's kind of cheating. Someday, I may actually want or need to go back to them and spend more time.