P.S. Nightstand = bedside table for my Aussie readers.
P.P.S. Is it rude to begin a post with a P.S.?

I love to read.

Of course I have two children, a full time job and a very busy life so it takes me a lot longer to get through a book these days than in the time BC (before child). (Note to authors – short chapters make my life so much easier). Oh, and I’ve just started watching True Blood from the beginning so I think that may take up some of my precious reading time for the next few months.

At any given time, I have 5 to 10 books sitting on my bedside table just waiting for me to read them. Sometimes I start a book and then leave it to focus on another for a while, so you can find me reading 2-3 books at the same time (well, not at exactly the same time, but you know what I mean…).

For this week’s five things Friday I thought I’d share five books that are sitting on my bedside table right now.

1. At Work by Annie Leibovitz

This book has been on my wishlist for a long time and finally caved and bought it a couple of weeks ago. I’ve made my way through three chapters so far and I’m really enjoying it. Easy to read and the perfect mix of history, biography and photography.

2. NutureShock: New Thinking About Children by PO Bronson and Ashley Merryman

I started reading NurtureShock soon after we had Samuel in the hope that I would better understand the sibling relationship and avoid many of the parenting challenges that come with having multiple children. I haven’t picked it up for a couple of years but I think that now may be the perfect time to crack it open again given issues we’ve been having with our youngest child. I’ll take all the advice I can get.

3. The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

Started reading a few months ago after a friend’s recommendation. Couldn’t really get into it back then but I think I’ll try again after I finish…

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I actually have the whole trilogy sitting on my bedside table and have just commenced book 1. Thoroughly enjoying it so far and doubt I’ll have any trouble finishing the first book before the movie comes out in a couple of months.

5. The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin
 I’m not a big reader of self help books but this one sounds intriguing. Of course it’s been sitting unopened for at least a year and a half so I have no idea if it’s worth reading but I have every intention of reading it cover to cover… after I finish The Hunger Games trilogy.

Also on my nightstand:

• The Marilyn Monroe issue of Vanity Fair from earlier this year (or maybe it was last year…)
• The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly
• A large selection of random childrens’ books

What’s missing? I would love some more suggestions.