The Sunday Salon

The Sunday Salon – excited version

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I have a habit (maybe it’s more of an unwritten rule) of not reading bestsellers. I’m always afraid I’ll fall in love with the book before I buy it only to have it disappoint me when I finally start it. I broke this rule recently. I bought 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami the day it came out. I desperately wanted to read it but I put it off for a bit not wanting to lug a 925 page book on a plane to Las Vegas. I decided to start it last week and have conquered exactly 125 of the 925 pages. Not much success for several days worth of reading. I not sure what it is but I’m having trouble getting into the story. There’s nothing wrong with it but I may have to put it aside and start it at another time. Maybe I’m craving something else…

Enter Star Trek. I have a series of Star Trek books. They’re short stories and read pretty much the same way an episode of Star Trek would play out on your TV. If you’re curious, Kirk and Spock are the same emotional wreck and cool analysis stereotypes. After staring wistfully at 1Q84 for hours yesterday, I started poking around the shelves and found Star Trek 7. I laughed my way through a few of the stories already and my reading groove seems to be slowly returning.

The last two weeks have been rather crazy in our house. I took off for a conference in Las Vegas at the end of October and as soon as I walked in the door, my husband left to board a plane for Phoenix. It’s been close to 15 days since we’ve been in the same city together. He gets home today. I’m excited. 🙂

And with that, I’m ending it here today. Happy Sunday.

The Sunday Salon

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Yesterday was an offline day for me. Hubby and I went for a long walk through the park, had a quiet lunch in the neighborhood, and even did a little book shopping. Once home, I claimed a spot on the couch and finished two books — A Crimson Warning by Tasha Alexander and Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. Both good books I’m happy to report. Neverwhere was particularly good, but then again, I’ve yet to find a book of Gaiman’s I haven’t enjoyed. I have yet to check my email and there’s something really, well, fun in that! I think I may designate Saturdays offline more often.

The readathon was yesterday too and once more I wasn’t able to participate. It seems to coincide with the weekend before I travel for work and I like to spend this weekend doing nothing but hanging out with the hubby and doing things that have absolutely nothing to do with work. If you were able to participate, how did it go? I have some catching up to do today on that front. I’m sure the twitterverse and my Google reader will be more than helpful in catching me up. Actually, I’m sort of scared to look at them… 🙂

Today’s going to be a short post for me. It’s a lovely fall day here and I’m feeling the need for another walk and some coffee. Happy Sunday.

The Sunday Salon – Slow

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It’s been a slow week for me reading and reviewing. I spent the week reading The Revisionists by Thomas Mullen and started Captain Nemo by Kevin J. Anderson yesterday. I was planning to finish up some reviews this week but somewhere along the way that didn’t happen. Yesterday was a cold, rainy day that would’ve been perfect for typing up some reviews. I baked a pie instead.

Alita over at alita.reads posted the other day that she was taking part in a readathon this weekend and I commented that what I really need is the reviewathon she joked about. I hope she decides to host one. 🙂

Some fun stuff:

If you were hoping beyond hope to download a Potter ebook this year, be prepared to wait.  It’s been delayed.

A Game of Thrones and food choices.

The Great Gatsby and why we love it so.  This made me want to put this in the reread stack.

Happy Sunday.

The Sunday Salon – A Day Full of Bookish Events

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Yesterday was the National Book Festival in DC, and my husband being the good sport he is, agreed to make the rounds with me.  There were two authors I wanted to see — Jennifer Egan, author of A Visit from the Goon Squad, and Sarah Vowell, author of Unfamiliar Fishes.

We arrived in time to see Egan who was worth the rush and cab fare to get there.  She spoke about her writing style, writing group, and did a short reading from Goon Squad noting where the inspiration for the scene came from.  In all honesty, I’ve had A Visit from the Good Squad on my list but it wasn’t until I read a great review last week that made me want to run out and buy it.  Hearing her speak sealed it.  You’ve probably already guessed I bought the book.  And I sought out the entire chapter done in PowerPoint.   How can you not appreciate a book with a presentation as a chapter!

Sarah Vowell is an author I’ve been familiar with for a while because of her appearances on Letterman, John Stewart, and work on NPR.  She’s incredibly funny and though I’ve only read one of her books (so far), I’m a big fan.  I’m thrilled to report she’s as funny in person as she is a writer.  She’s sarcastic, biting, and even if you don’t appreciate her warped sense of humor and way of looking at the world, she can make you wonder.  That’s what I want in a non-fiction author.  Frankly, history isn’t always amusing or entertaining but she makes it that way.  I bought Unfamiliar Fishes which is her new book about the history of Hawaii.  I read The Wordy Shipmates a few years back but Assassination Vacation is probably a future purchase.

As a way to cap off the day, we made our way to Politics & Prose, one of the greatest bookstores in DC, (but really I could say anywhere because it’s that awesome) to hear Ron Suskind talk about his new book, Confidence Men.  My husband bought it when it came out last week and while I’m not sure I’ll read it, he was very interesting in person.  Thanks to an issue of parking, we got there just as the event was starting and had to stand for an hour and a half (why I wore heals I’ll never know!) but totally worth it.

It was a good book day.  🙂

I put off posting today because I’ve been deep into The Taker.  I was so excited to get this book for review!  I read so many wonderful reviews and each one said it was one of those books you don’t put down.  That’s true.  It’s actually sitting open next to me as I write.  There’s a high probability I’ll be finishing it today.  So good.

There’s another book I want to mention as well by means of wrap-up today.  It’s Fiction Noir: Thirteen Stories.  It’s an anthology of 13 short stories which I’ve been making a good attempt at reading more of this year.  I was impressed with this collection.  I tend to prefer short story collections when written by the same author so I was slightly skeptical.  I shouldn’t have been.  After coming to the end of each, I moved ahead wondering what gem the next would hold.  Really good.

I’m off and back into the pages of The Taker.  Happy Sunday.

The Sunday Salon – What’s your favorite book? Let’s all play along edition.

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Over Labor Day weekend, we were at a friend’s house (It was a lovely afternoon if you’re curious.  You might not be but I’m putting it out there.) and we got on the topic of books.  I didn’t bring it up.  The book blogger stayed silent. 🙂 What an excellent title for a book!  Anyway, this person asked what books I’d recommend.  And here’s what happened in my head…

“Oh, what to pick?  What to pick?  No, seriously, what to pick?!  Don’t panic.  You read like, what, 100 books last year, just pick one.  Oh, crap.  I don’t remember any now.  How can that be!  Crap. Crap.  Just pick one!!!”

Yea, so, can you tell I don’t like that question.

You might be wondering how that can be since I have this little space of my own where I (OK, on the days I get out of bed early enough to post something.) talk about books.  What I like.  What I didn’t like.  And yet, when someone asks me a perfectly normal question about books, I can’t answer it.  My head goes all…

“What did I like last year?  Do I even remember the last few books I read?  Ah, nope.  I don’t.  Don’t remember what I wore yesterday either…  Ok…must make a list.  Put ginkgo on the list too.  Isn’t that stuff good for memory?”

I know what you’re actually thinking right now.  She’s slightly crazy.  No, really, I’m not.

You see, I’ve decided, the reason I’m not good at the above question is because I can’t pick one single book to say — “That was the best thing I read.”  Because that wouldn’t be true.  It’s not simply that I read so many wonderful books (OK, some books are better than others.) but I read so many *kinds* of books that to pick one seems wrong.  Let’s face it, we’re always seeing reviews for a book that another blogger loved and we go out and get it and find ourselves disappointed by it.  Sometimes so much so we don’t even finish and sometimes can’t wait to get the book out of the house because it was so disappointing you don’t want to look at it for fear it might ruin your reading karma.

What I need to do is ask the question, “What kind of books do you like to read?”  That way I can say wonderful things like, “Mysteries.  I read this fabulous book called Claire Dewitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran recently.  Takes place in New Orleans…” and sound so wonderful and sophisticated that even though this is going on in my head:

“Oh, I so hate this question…”

I won’t sound like an idiot.  Yes, it’s good to have a plan.  I should also make that list…is ginkgo good for memory?

P.S. – I’m feeling the need to file this under something like things I should keep to myself so people don’t think badly of me but hey, I’ll get over it.  Embarrassment only lasts a little while.  Right?

Moving on.  Tomorrow starts Book Blogger Appreciation Week.  I didn’t sign up for the interview swap which I wanted to do this year and didn’t register either.  Bad blogger I am.  Anyway, go here to find out more.  Wait, you probably already know all this but do it anyway.

The Sunday Salon – Do you listen when the universe tries to tell you something?

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One day last week I attempted to make coffee and the machine broke.  I decided it was the universe’s way of telling me to curtail my caffeine intake.  I had herbal tea instead.

I walk to work, and while I usually don’t notice anyone on the street, (I once walked past my own husband.  True story.) I keep seeing this person walking and reading.  This person has been reading George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series.  It started a few months ago with A Game of Thrones, moved on to A Clash of Kings, then A Storm of Swords, and now A Feast for Crows.  At first I didn’t think much of it other than to marvel at this person’s ability to walk and read at the same time.  I could get so much more reading in if I was able to do this!  Sadly, I would probably end up covered in bruises and a regular in the emergency room for minor injuries from not watching where I’m going.  I’m the face of clumsy if you must know.  The reason I mention this is that I’m trying to hold off on finishing the last two books available to me.  Knowing it takes Martin years to finish a book, I don’t want to be left waiting longer than necessary for all seven books in the series.

Later that same day I go to pick up lunch and after ordering, I move off to the side to wait and what do I see but the same person sitting at a table once more reading A Feast for Crows.

I think this is the universe’s way of telling me A Feast for Crows should be my next book.  We’ll see how it goes.

Reading anything good this holiday weekend?

Happy Sunday.

The Sunday Salon – Weird Week

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This has been a strange week.  We emerged from our vacation cocoon to be hit with an earthquake, told a hurricane would be heading our way, and to prepare for high winds and flooding.  Run, run away…preferably waving hands in air for dramatic flair.  My sister called me when she heard about the hurricane and my response, “Yea, someone hates DC right now.”

And the veggies even got in on the weirdness.  We belong to a CSA (community supported agriculture) program and each week we get fruits and veggies delivered to my husband’s office.  He sent me this photo.

Him: “What is this?”

Me: “I think it’s a pattypan squash.  Usually they’re smaller than that though.”

Him: “IT’S HUGE!”

Me: “Apocalypse zombie squash.”

Him: “Nice.”

I’m hoping the squash is the end of the weirdness.  The winds and rain are gone and it’s now a beautiful day in DC.  We went for a walk this morning, and with the exception of a few tree limbs down, our neighborhood weathered Irene well.  Our power and water stayed on the entire night and no major problems to report.

Anyway…books!  No, I didn’t forget that’s usually what I talk about here.

On vacation last week I finished A Storm of Swords and holy crap George RR Martin.  You. Are. The. Master.  If I can get butt in chair for more than 10 minutes, I’ll get a review done.  I’m suffering from laziness on the writing front.

I also read A Long-Forgotten Truth by Rachel Ballard.  Not bad for a first time author.  I finished it in one sitting; very readable.

Started 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne and finished it up this weekend.  I’m not sure what possessed me to pick up a 1,089 page book shortly after finishing a 1,074 page book!?  I’m book crazy, I know it.

Link love time…

In case my praise of Mr. Martin above was not trustworthy, The New York Times thinks the same thing.

Happy Sunday.

The Sunday Salon

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In our building we have a small community room with a TV, couches, and tables for parties.  It’s also a small library.  People take and leave books all the time so it always has an interesting assortment.

After pruning my shelves and parceling out what would go to family and friends, I still had several books left so off they went to the little library downstairs.  Since I left about 12 books, I thought borrowing three was a good trade off.

After Dark by Haruki Murakami

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Claire Dewitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran

I started After Dark yesterday and will probably finish it this morning.  It’s so absolutely fantastic.  Set in Tokyo between midnight and dawn, it follows different encounters taking place across the city.  After struggling through Austen’s Mansfield Park this week, it’s exactly what I needed.  The Devil in the White City has been on my list for a while and while I’m not a mystery person, I’ve been seeing Claire Dewitt and the City of the Dead everywhere so I guess I’m meant to read it.

Link love:

Can’t get enough Harry Potter?  How about PottedPotter?  Of course, it only applies if you live in the UK.

Books with a missing letter.  This provided me with several minutes of entertainment the other day.  OK, probably more than that but I don’t care to admit how long I spent reading this.

Unconventional bookstores that I want to go to.

Now, back to my reading.  Happy Sunday.