Reading… I think I used to do that.

I was reminded about those things they call books after reading Jim Lewis’ post about Nancy Drew and squirrels (not to be missed, go check it out).

I used to read… and read and read and read.  As a child I would get in trouble for reading too much, mostly when I was supposed to be doing other things like sleeping, or eating, or cleaning my room.

When I first got my Kindle (this was before I got preggers with G) I read 100 books in about three months.  Really, I’m not exaggerating.

Since G was born, my reading has taken on a different quality, in that I almost never do it.  Getting hooked on the blogosphere hasn’t helped, either, since now a lot of my spare time is spent ogling my Google Reader list.

However, I did recently read something, and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I figured I’d throw it out there in case any of you might want to read it, too.

  I bought Just My Type from my local bookstore, Talking Leaves.  G and I had been out for a walk and he’d fallen asleep.  I took advantage of the opportunity, hopping into the bookstore, snapped up this book, and retired to a nearby cafe with a mulled hot cider (spiked with rum).

Not only was it lovely to read a real printed-on-dead-trees book, it was great to have a quiet moment in my cafe with my warm drink and G sleeping adorably in the pram by my side.  And before you ask, no, I’m not English, nor am I affected, I just really like the word “pram”.  I mean, who doesn’t?

I’ve always loved fonts, but never in an educated way.  I’d like to think I have a good eye for what’s appropriate for what use, but just never had the opportunity to dig more into how and why the various fonts that we love and hate exist.

Just My Type did a lovely job of giving me quite a good smattering of interesting history and insight.  I now know why this year’s IKEA catalog looked totally weird.

I still can’t claim to be very educated on the subject — the book is definitely aimed at the masses rather than the serious student.  However, it’s a great read, and it’s certainly given me an even greater interest in something I already enjoyed.

So, if you’re redesigning your blog any time soon (or any other printed material for that matter) and you just can’t decide between Comic Sans and Papyrus, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go read this book first.  We’ll all thank you for it.