What We Are Reading

By Nancy K. Crevier

People involved in the news business at any level share a common fondness for the written word. So it is not surprising that Newtown Bee workers can often be found talking about their favorite books with each other. Are you curious what the cooler talk is about at 5 Church Hill Road?  

Digital imaging specialist Dan Beck is currently reading My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey by Jill Bolte Taylor.

“It’s fascinating to see what happens when you’re having a stroke, and she wrote down step-for-step what happened when she had a stroke,” said Dan. Two other books Dan has recently read are The Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins (“That’s a great book,” he said) and Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. “The book is freaky. I’m going to be on a plane soon,” said Dan, “and there’s that chapter on what happens to your body in a plane crash….”

Typist Linda Baur is reading Dear John by Nicholas Sparks.

“It’s really sad, but I’m actually learning about Asperger’s from reading this book. If you need to shed a tear, here’s the author to read,” suggested Linda.

The first week of May, Bridget Seaman, administrative assistant at The Bee, was on a Zane Grey kick.

“He’s my favorite author,” said Bridget. “I just finished Riders of The Purple Sage and Wanderer of the Wasteland. This week, I’m in the middle of John Grisham’s The King of Torts and The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.”

Office manager Sherri Baggett is reading a book with a personal connection right now.

“Into the Den is by Jesse Mattson, who is a senior at Norwich University and a Lacrosse teammate of my son, Judd. It’s the story of how he had to straighten himself out from going down the wrong path. He turned himself around,” said Sherri.

Writer A.E. Hotchner’s book, Paul and Me, has captured the attention of layout director Pam Ashbahian.

“[Newtown Bee associate editor] Shannon Hicks gave me this book about Paul Newman to read. I have a kind of soft spot for Paul — he and I shared the same birthday,” said Pam. “It’s a very interesting book, though. He was a person who really gave back from all he had,” she said.

Mountain generally reads only his own “Top of the Mountain” column. But we did catch him pawing through I Can Has Cheezburger: A LOLCat Colleckshun, and making catty remarks. He did mention that he appreciated the insight into the mysterious personality of the cat.

Summer is the perfect time for indulging in the pleasure of reading. Check back — The Bee will periodically take a look at what we are reading. There is nothing like sharing a good book.