Every Book Teaches a Lesson: Musing Mondays

Today's Musing Mondays from Should be Reading:

Other than for school, do you read books to learn how to do something? What was/were the topic(s)?

I learn something with every book I read. As a writer, fiction books are my research on everything from story development, building characters, and describing a scene to figuring out what makes a successful read and what doesn't. I'm starting Stephen King's On Writing later this week. Short of books assigned in college, this will be the first book I've read on the art of writing. I'm hoping it sparks a desire to read more.

I also read books on how to grow kids. Who knew it would be so hard? Nobody can tell you before children, because you'd never believe it. It's worth every second, but parenting is something you have to learn. I don't overly read parenting books, because there's too much information out there and so much of it is conflicting. I read bits and pieces and combine what makes sense to me. I learn so much more by doing... good old-fashioned trial by fire.

One subject I always turn to an instructional book for is baking. I'm a measurer. No matter how many times I've baked something, I pull out my recipe or cookbook and follow the instructions. Cup by cup, or tablespoon by tablespoon. This makes my mom crazy. When I ask her for family recipes, I watch and take notes. She rarely measures, instead telling me put a dollop of something in or fill my hand. I go home and convert it.

I do love magazines. A nice segue since today, November 7th, is Magazine Day. I subscribe to way too many magazines. Some are for pure mindless entertainment, but others are for learning. I receive magazines about parenting, womens' issues, finances, world events, exercise, etc. If I need to plant flowers, I'd buy a magazine about it before an entire book. Time always being of the essence.

What's the last book you read to learn something?