Six books and about two-thousand six-hundred pages later, I feel as though I've accomplished something. Being someone notorious for starting things and never finishing them, I feel like I'm turning over a new leaf in that area. I read the entire Lord of the Rings package, sure, but that's fairly easy reading compared to Frank Herbert's Dune. And Frank Herbert's Dune: Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune.

I am such a geek.

I'm wondering whether I should read something right now. The temptation to take a break from books for a few days is really potent. I feel like I would be doing something sacrilegious... like dating someone immediately after I've ended a very long, good relationship. I'm just not ready.

My shrewd friend Jon has suggested magazines. I think it's brilliant, because I have left a few National Geographics on the back burner while immersed in Dune. But do I really have time to waste? Pretty soon I'm going to be extremely busy, and not really have time to read. And if I try to read I'll neglect my teaching duties towards my children. That is, maybe I won't be insane and make felt-fabric barred instruments with velcro on them.

Should I read the entire Dark Tower series in 10 days? Could I? I'm pretty sure I don't want to. I'll have time while teaching, probably. I'm inclined to focus on getting ready for the year. Even though making crazy things for my lessons can be viewed as a little extraneous, I think I'd rather be extremely well-prepared so the year can cruise by with ease.

So, the decision is: magazines. When I really want to read something. Other than that, focus on lesson planning. I hope it'll prove smart. It goes against my rule of terrible, perpetual procrastination, and that's an immeasurably good thing.