Monday's Math and weekend reading

First, the ugly. I got 6 new books this week and only finished one. So- 53 in, 19 read, 34 behind. My name is Lisa, and I have a problem.

This week I finished up Plum Lovin' by Evanovich, which I had planned to tag a mini review onto the reviews of everything else I finished this weekend. Only- I didn't. Finish anything, that is.

I did manage another stripe on my blanket, if that counts...

Tonight my husband and I are spending the night out of town. This will be the Monkey's very first night without one of us there. Therefore this is the first night we've had together, without him, since his birth (unless you count that first week while he was in the NICU, and I don't.) Wish us luck. I'm sure he'll be fine.

Weekend update, including The Mediator 1: Shadowland by Meg Cabot

Yes. It's True. I finished a book. Granted, it was a fairly short young adult novel, but hey, it counts! I read The Mediator 1: Shadowland by Meg Cabot. This is my 3rd Cabot and I'm really glad it wasn't my first! The plot is interesting, but the writing is pretty bad. The premise is that Suze is a mediator- she sees ghosts and helps them move on. (Shadowland was published in 2000. The Sixth Sense came out in 1999. Hmmm.) Suze has just moved to a new town and hopes for a new start at a new high school (a la Buffy), but wouldn't ya know it? There's a ghost problem. The book has great potential. I liked the characters just fine. My problem is with the violence. Ok, that's not actually correct. I don't mind the actual violence in the book. I dislike Suze's propensity to threaten to punch (or fantasize about punching) anyone who annoys her. It seems childish. This is a young adult novel, but really, it's not needed at all. If this had been my first Meg Cabot I'd probably stop here. I won't be recommending this one to others and I won't be adding the rest to my wishlist. I might one day check them out of the library, but as it is, I have way too many books to read.

As for other reading, I've read another 50 pages or so of The Book Thief and it is still excellent. I haven't read anything with this style of writing in a long long time. It's just beautiful. I'm in no hurry to finish because then it'll be over. I also started Plum Lovin' by Evanovich today and will likely wrap it up tonight. I did not read any of The Inheritance of Loss for the group discussion. Oops.

I've been doing a little crocheting, and frogging and trying again. I want to make a little something for the new baby in my family, but can't get in a groove.

The most exciting thing of the weekend (of the bookish weekend anyway) is that my awesome husband made us this little logo for my Dystopian Challenge. If you looks really close it's the opening of Fahrenheit 451. How cool is that? Now if he'd just tell us what books he's planning to read for the challenge...

Weekend Progress

Argh. The weekend is over and I have not accomplished much! Ok, I've accomplished LOTS, but nothing to do with reading or blogging. We celebrated my son's 2nd birthday yesterday, and he ended the day on a high note- 102 fever! Sleep was in short supply last night, and today was spent with a small hot boy plastered to my side or on my lap. I did manage to start a little blanket for the newest baby in my family but otherwise, here's what I have to do to catch up on this week:

• Monday Math, I just realized I missed it last week. And if I didn't notice it wasn't done, and it's MY blog....
• Discussion on The Inheritance of Loss starts tomorrow, I still have roughly 80 pages to read.
• 3M nominated me for the Thinking Blogger Award way back on Thursday, but I haven't had a chance to think. Ironic, no?
• Finish a book. Any book.
• Update the monkey's blog about his birthday party.
  

I will not be going to work tomorrow but I highly doubt I'll get any more done than yesterday. Convienently, we already have a doctor's appointment for tomorrow, so hopefully we can get him on the mend soonest. Now I think I'll go to bed and try to read a chapter or two. Probably I'll just go to sleep though.

Bookish Ramblings

A couple of things happened today that seem interesting enough (to me, at least) to post about. First, I had someone in my office today for a small vacation loan. We talked a bit about various places she had been, and the subject of books and bookstores came up. Now, I admit to some stereotyped ideas about her based on age, occupation, and manner of speech, but honestly, I was suprised. In the conversation that followed I learned that she is possibly more obsessive about books than I am. I admit to being a little shocked, but definately learned my lesson.

I was off at noon today (don't get too excited, I have to work Saturday to make up for it) and had the entire afternoon to myself. What to do??? I started with a trip to Hobby Lobby to fondle the yarn. I was strong, and did not buy any. Then I drove through the parking lot at Borders- BUT RESISTED! I had a quick lunch then came home to read a bit (more on that later). I decided to go to the library (haven't been in months due to PBS books) and pay my fine and get a couple of crochet books. The selection was pitiful. I did find one with some incredibly cute afghans, so brought that one home. At the last minute I checked the catalog for The Book Thief, and amazingly, it was on the shelf, so I brought that home too. That is not a small book! I need to finish my current book, and probably at least start The Inheritance of Loss first.

Several weeks ago I posted in a Thursday Thirteen that I had problems with conflict in books. I can't just read through conflict. I have to stop, regroup, then continue reading. No speeding through to see what happens for me, nope nope. I'm sure this says something about my need to always be in control. Anyway, the book I'm reading now is Fahrenheit 451. I've never read this before (yeah, I know) and when I had to stop reading during lunch I had to laugh at myself. It's not fight scenes that get me, it's almost always scenes where some secret (good or bad) is about to come out. So 50 pages into a 150 page book, and I had to stop. Sigh.

Incidently, the copy I have was published in 1967. It was priced at $.50 and advertises The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in the back. $1.00 each! including shipping!

Monday Math and What I Did This Weekend

First, the Ugly. I got 6 new books this week from PBS. One of them I will not be counting in this total as it is a decor book and not something I would sit down to read. So, 5 new books added to the 32 for the year and I'm at 37 books in. I did not finish even ONE book. I'm still at 15 books read, bringing me to 22 books behind. This is the 12th week of the year though, so I'm a little ahead on the goal of 52 books this year.

This might lead you to ask: So what have you been doing with all your free time?



It was a very full weekend at our house. The Man of the House and I spent some quality time tearing down sections of fence and putting them back up. We had dinner out- TWICE! I picked up and put down a half-dozen books before settling on Rachel's Holidy and getting some reading done. His Monkeyness and I went to the park. I updated his blog.



Mostly, I crocheted in my free time. See, I joined The No-End-In-Sight Ripple-Along. I've always been a bit of a crochet-snob. My grandmother knits and I always thought of knitting as the superior craft. I haven't got a lot of knitting done lately though, as the monkey likes to grab what I'm working on and run. I am not very skilled at ripping out knitting and starting over, so I only knit when he is asleep or otherwise absent. I've had it in my head that crochet might be a good alternative, as it's only one hook and one loop to keep track of, instead of two needles and all those stitches. The Ripple- Along caught my attention and I was off. As it turns out, crochet is MUCH more forgiving when handled by toddlers. I started a little afghan and have been working on it whenever I have a minute. This will put a serious damper on my reading time. I'm slow, but hey, I just learned. Here's what I've got so far:

Not so exciting to you maybe, but I'm having a lot of fun with it.