The old house has been sold to the city. The baby is approaching 12 weeks old. We are all moved into our new house, although there is still quite a bit of unpacking to do. The weight on my shoulders has been lifted tenfold.Fitting in reading time has been a challenge. I finished A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin just in time for the start of the HBO mini series and loved every second of it. Well, except maybe the battle scenes. I found my attention wandering a bit at that point. I adored the end though--thought it was very well played. I look forward to reading further in Martin's epic fantasy series--although it may be awhile before we unpack the box those particular books are in.
I revisited my long time friend and fictional crush, Harry Dresden, in White Night by Jim Butcher. I have adored the Chicago-based wizard-for-hire since I first met him several books (and years) ago. The Dresden Files is among my favorite urban fantasy series and one I recommend wholeheartedly to anyone interested in the genre. White Night did not disappoint. Harry's life is a complicated one and grows more so with each book. Where he gets his stamina, I will never know. I do know that once I start reading one of Butcher's books, I have a hard time putting it down until I reach the end.
I joined in the new BookBrowse Book Club earlier this month, reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. This particular book hit just the right spot for me. It was charming, without being overly sweet. I took to the two main characters right away. The book touched on a variety of topics from romance between two different ethnicities, family issues, expectations, and discrimination. The family issues especially stood out for me--perhaps because of my own relationship with my parents and now with the birth of my daughter. I can see why so many people loved this novel. It is full of heart and makes for a good book to read when someone doesn't want something overly dark and serious. That isn't to say it doesn't deal with serious issues--it does, but does so in such a way to keep the mood on the light side more often than not.
Presently I am reading Mark Billingham's upcoming Bloodline on my nook. Mark Billingham is one of those crime fiction authors I have read only once before and have been meaning to read more by. I'd say it's about time, wouldn't you?
That about sums up my reading since I last had a chance to post here at Musings of a Bookish Kitty. I may not have been able to read much, but I have enjoyed the books I've read.
Do tell me what you have been reading!
I hope you all have a wonderful week. Happy reading!
© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Wendy, so good to hear from you and I'm also happy that you guys are moved and settled a bit. Lots of changes in such a short period of time. We've missed you but you are at a very busy time of life.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear about your reading and those boxes will get unpacked eventually. Don't worry about it. LOL
I'd say that you are getting a good amount of reading in all things considered. I'm glad to hear that you are moved in to the new house..I'm sure that is a huge weight off of your shoulders. And I can't believe that your little one is eleven weeks already. The time flies! I love Dresden and need to pick up a book by him myself...thanks for reminding me! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI am SO GLAD you have finally moved and been able to settle in! I am relieved for you. You will always look back and wonder how the heck you survived. It isn't easy reading with a baby, but it sounds like you are getting a little time. And that is OK. These babies get big so fast, you need to soak it all up.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to see you! I've missed you.
So glad you enjoyed A Game of Thrones, I loved it as well and am looking forward to read the rest of the books in the series. So glad the house has been sold, you are settled into the new house, and can't believe your daughter is already 11 weeks old. Oh..and if it makes you feel any better I cleaned out the unfinished part of our basement yesterday...finally putting things away and getting rid of things that have been in boxes since we moved in..4 years ago. haha!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad things are starting to come together and ease up on you now, Wendy! With moving and a baby I can't imagine how you found any time at all to read. I am glad you enjoyed A Game of Thrones, though, as it's long been one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI've just finished Little Big Man by Thomas Berger. Overall, a very good book, though I could have cut 50 to 100 pages. I may pick up Game of Thrones before the summer is done. I watch all my television on DVD thesedays, so I still have some time before I'll get a chance to see the series.
ReplyDeleteGreat news about your move, and the sale of your old home. I can just imagine the weight that has been lifted, and hope you are now able to fully enjoy both your family and your books.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you guys are done with the move!
ReplyDeleteI've been swinging back and forth through reading binges, first YA/dystopian then nonfiction and I'm just about ready to switch over to general fiction. :)
Yay for being settled! And for finding a quick moment to blog.
ReplyDeleteSounds like things are all falling into place for you. That's great. I haven't tried A Game of Thrones, but heard alot about it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
I can't imagine going through all you have with a new baby in tow. I'm glad to see things are settling down some.
ReplyDeleteWhat a relief to be in the new house! And eleven weeks already? Really? Time goes by so quickly.
ReplyDeleteI just loaded Major Pettigrew's Last Stand on my MP3 player on audio to listen to in the near future - glad to hear you enjoyed it. :)
I'm devouring Across the Universe by Beth Revis and The Map of Time by Felix J. Palma right now - they're both excellent!
So glad that a weight has been lifted from your shoulders. Finding time to read with an infant is challenging. Some weeks I get very little reading done even though my goal is a book or two a week.
ReplyDeleteKay - Thanks, Kay! Everything did seem to hit all at once. I'll be glad when all the unpacking is finally done, but at least we are making progress.
ReplyDeleteSamantha - It's been challenging fitting any reading in at all to be honest. What I am reading has been fairly fast paced and/or light. Not that I'm reading at a fast pace. LOL
Sandy - Thank you, Sandy. I am relieved too! It has been a whirlwind year, that's for sure.
Kris - I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the Game of Thrones series too. I keep asking my husband for spoilers but he's been so good about keeping his mouth shut. LOL
It does make me feel better knowing you are still packing after 4 years. :-) One of the things we tried to do when packing up the old house was to get rid of stuff we hadn't seen much of, if at all, in the ten years we'd lived there. If we didn't need it in that time, we wouldn't miss it in the new house. Still, we brought a lot over. Probably more than we should have!
Meghan - I am glad my husband talked me into reading A Game of Thrones. The miniseries helped spur me on as well. ;-)
C.B. James - I've been curious about Little Big Man and am glad you are enjoying it overall.
ReplyDeleteHubby and I watch a lot of television on DVD these days. It's definitely our preferred method. That or we record the shows (like A Game of Thrones) to watch at our leisure. It's so convenient. I hope you will enjoy A Game of Thrones when you do read and see it!
Laura - It's nice to have the move behind us finally, that's for sure. I am not sure my reading will pick up much anytime soon, but I'm trying to work a little reading time in when I can.
Alyce - Me too! I am kind of a mystery binge right now--at least that's where my attention seems to be gravitating towards right now. There are a couple of nonfiction books though that I'd like to read soon. Hopefully. :-)
Jill - I wish I had more time on the computer but I've only been able to get on in snatches. And it's my sleep that I sacrifice. I'll find some sort of balance again. Prescheduling blog posts may become my best friend. LOL
Yvonne - Thanks, Yvonne! Things are falling into place piece by piece, thankfully.
ReplyDeleteKathy - Thank you, Kathy. It's nice not to have to worry about the housing situation so much anymore.
Carrie - Time does go by fast, doesn't it? I can't believe she's nearly three months old already.
I hope you enjoy Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. Hopefully the narrator does a good job with it. I really enjoyed the book.
I am glad to hear you are enjoying your current reads. The Map of Time is one I've been curious about.
Stacy - It's definitely challenging finding time to read, and nearly impossible now that I'm back at work. My breaks are spent pumping and I nurse at lunch. Come bedtime, I'm too exhausted to open a book. I'm sure we'll get into more of a routine soon enough. For now, I am enjoying what time I do have with my daughter. :-)
Glad that you are all moved in and ready to get settled! Little Mouse will continue to take up lots of your time, but she deserves it.
ReplyDeleteI read the first in Martin's series when it was published (1996), then waited for years for A Clash of Kings, and more years for A Storm of Swords...at that point I gave up. I think I'd have to begin again to remember the characters well enough to enjoy the next one. The first was my favorite of the three I read.
Glad to see you back, Wendy, and I hope the second half of the year is FAR less eventful than the last few months have been!
ReplyDeleteI've been mostly reading books for review lately; I've taken on a side gig as a reviewer for the new Consumer edition of Shelf Awareness. I'll be cross-posting those to my blog after they publish. They've been sending me some good stuff.
BTW, a SoCal book-blogger get-together is in the early planning stages...I hope we'll see you there, once we figure out where "there" is!
Great to have you back here Wendy and so happy to hear you are out of the old place and beginning somewhere new. I'll look forward to future blog posts about reading and being a mom!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on weathering all these transitions! It's a lot! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that you're settling in well in your new home and baby girl is well too.
ReplyDeleteI heard about Bloodline and I like the way it sounds. I'm waiting patiently for your reviews.
So good to see you in blogland Wendy! And, especially glad to hear the house was sold and you guys are getting into your groove at your new place. How is the book organizing coming along :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to hear from you Wendy. I'm so glad you're all settled now and that baby and you are doing well!
ReplyDeleteYou've bee doing quite a. It of reading considering all you had going on. I picked up Game of Thrones the other day but who knows when I'll read it. I just finished a couple of historical fiction books and really enjoyed them.
Jenclair - Taking care of Mouse is time consuming but she is a sweetheart. She's got a great temperament--most of the time. LOL
ReplyDeleteI am glad Martin is finally coming out with more in the series. I know my husband has doubted he ever would.
Florinda - Ah, yes! I am hoping the second half of this year is much calmer too. :-)
Congratulations on your reviewer gig with Shelf Awareness! That's awesome, Florinda. I think you'll be great in that role.
Do keep me posted about the get together!
Kathleen - It is good to be back. I've missed blogging and am hoping that I can slowly get back into it, even if only in a limited capacity. I'm not as good at juggling everything as some people are, but I am okay with that. :-) Less posts equals less posts in people's google readers, which is always a plus for those of us who over subscribe. LOL
Marie - Thank you, Marie! I am just glad much of it is behind us now.
Alice - I seem to be making really slow progress in my reading right now, but it is not the book's fault. I am enjoying it quite a bit. Hopefully I can find time to read this weekend.
Iliana - Thanks, Iliana. I haven't even begun to unpack my books yet. All of my free time is baby time right now. One of these days! :-)
Darlene - I sure don't feel like I have done much reading--three books over a ten week period. LOL I don't know when I'll be able to get back into a regular reading groove, but I do try to fit in a little reading when I can. Lately that seems to be none!