My work days have reached the level of crazy busy, and the weekends so far this month have been jam packed with autumn cleaning. Even Mouse has lent a hand, giving away some of her "baby" toys. There are the usual other activities: soccer, park, library visits . . . I am pleased with the progress made on my Christmas shopping, although I know I have already spent more than I had initially planned. I may just have everything done I wanted to get done by mid-November after all. I hope. Pretty please.
I wish I could say my reading time has been a priority, but it seems to have taken a back seat. It has not helped that the new television season starting up again has pulled some of my attention away. Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder, S.H.I.E.L.D., The Blacklist, and The Walking Dead (and what a great opening for the season!). I am also watching The Voice for the first time this year. Since I do not get to watch television live, I record everything and watch it when I can. I know, I know. If I were a "true" reader, I wouldn't waste my time on television. What can I say, I enjoy watching television. Something besides Doc McStuffins (which is a great children's show), Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Caillou.
I am still reading (and loving) Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. The discussion has already started over at Literate Housewife for the first several chapters in the book. Liz Strange's Erased continues to be my go to book when I need something fast paced. I really need to start on Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn. I was glad to hear last week that she is a well liked author by many.
What are you reading at the moment? Is it something you would recommend?I wish I could say my reading time has been a priority, but it seems to have taken a back seat. It has not helped that the new television season starting up again has pulled some of my attention away. Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder, S.H.I.E.L.D., The Blacklist, and The Walking Dead (and what a great opening for the season!). I am also watching The Voice for the first time this year. Since I do not get to watch television live, I record everything and watch it when I can. I know, I know. If I were a "true" reader, I wouldn't waste my time on television. What can I say, I enjoy watching television. Something besides Doc McStuffins (which is a great children's show), Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Caillou.
I am still reading (and loving) Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. The discussion has already started over at Literate Housewife for the first several chapters in the book. Liz Strange's Erased continues to be my go to book when I need something fast paced. I really need to start on Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn. I was glad to hear last week that she is a well liked author by many.
Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea hosts
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where
participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a
book they are reading or thinking about reading soon.
Science fiction is not a genre I read a lot of, but it is one I enjoy. Liz Strange writes everything from romance to mysteries to fantasy--and now science fiction as well. Here's the opening to her novel, Erased, the story about a once very powerful woman who suddenly finds herself without a memory and on the run from the very dangerous people she used to lead.
The usual miscreants filled the bar--thugs for hire, men looking for redemption in the bottom of an empty glass, and those simply on the prowl. Considering she was one of three women in the place and the only one with her appendages intact, the male clientele with hopes of getting laid faced chances varying from slim to none. There would be a more likely chance of connecting with their next job, none of which she imagined would fall within the realm of legality. Though she'd declined their delightful offers of company, Pockmark and Twitch kept leering at her from across the room. To keep from making eye contact with them and any others with ideas of engaging her in conversation, Singer sipped her drink and counted the questionable stains marking the chocolate brown walls.
Would you continue reading?
© 2014, 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.
I didn't read at all while I was at the beach but my current read is The Lost Book of Mormon. I hope your work schedule eases soon!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I don't imagine I would get a lot of reading done at the beach either. I hope you had a good time!
DeleteI've heard good things about The Lost Book of Mormon. I hope you are enjoying it!
I hope your work schedules will be smoother for you, Wendy. And I find that's so cute and generous of Mouse to give away her baby toys. :)
ReplyDeleteMelody - Thanks, Melody. I hope so too. I'm just so happy that Mouse is willing to part with some of her toys at all. For the longest time, she refused and I had to sneak them out when she wasn't looking (always stuff she didn't really play with anymore or notice when it was gone).
DeleteLiking the sound of Erased, I love the sound of characters with names such as Pockmark and Twitch.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough I'm busy reading a sci-fi novel myself, not a genre I read a lot of but every now and again I'll pick a book up.
Tracy - So far, I am enjoying Erased. It's hard to be in the middle of two (now three since I've started Night of a Thousand Stars) books I want to spend all my time reading!
DeleteWhat a coincidence that you are reading a sci-fi novel too! Yes, I don't read the genre often either, but occasionally the mood strikes.
I should probably start thinking about Christmas, too. Every year I say I'm going to have the shopping done before Thanksgiving so I can enjoy the season, but it never seems to happen. I'm not much of a sci-fi reader either and am struggling with Something iced This Way Comes, but also just picked up Starting Out in the Evening.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn - This year I have extra incentive since I am having surgery next month. Not sure what my recovery will look like, and so I want to be prepared.
DeleteI haven't read Something Wicked This Way Comes, but I love the title. I have heard it's not an easy read, even despite its length. I hope you enjoy Starting Out in the Evening better!
Oh, I have often found TV was the most relaxing way to unwind after a stressful day...and even now, I am equally hooked on TV/Movie watching as I am on reading. The best of both worlds?
ReplyDeleteI liked the excerpt...now I am definitely curious, especially since I probably wouldn't have picked up this book based on the title.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain - Exactly! Watching television or a movie is good for rewinding.
DeleteI'm enjoying the book so far. It is different from my usual reading and so refreshing in a way.
This intro really got my attention. I'd have to keep reading to see what happens next! Congratulations on getting started on Christmas shopping. You've given me some motivation to get mine started!
ReplyDeleteMonica - The book has been almost non-stop action. I'm enjoying it.
DeleteThanks! I wish you luck with your Christmas shopping. I still haven't decided what to get my husband yet. He'll be the tough one.
Amnesia victims are always interesting characters. Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteSuzie - In this case it's an especially interesting concept given her amnesia was forced on her by those who "erased" her memory. She has moments of recall and it's interesting to see where it's leading her.
DeleteGreat description of the bar scene in the opening. I love "Pockmark" and "Twitch." I don't read much sci-fi either, but this sounds like a good story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving a comment on my blog post: WAR BRIDES.
Sandra - I thought it was a great intro too. You already know the main character is not a pushover.
DeleteMy husband and I record all our programs and watch later. He goes to bed early to get up at 4:30 am every morning. So I read at night while the programs are being recorded! Wishing you luck on your goal to get the shopping all done!
ReplyDeleteNise' -That would be me too. I wake up just before 4:30 a.m. each morning and am in bed early each night. I try to fit in my television watching on my Fridays off and on the weekends when I can.
DeleteThanks! I'm working toward a deadline for all the shopping and it's fast approaching.
Erased sounds interesting. I'm not a big sci-fi reader, but I do read fantasy, and sometimes I can make the stretch into another similar genre. Glad you are still reading despite your busy schedule-- enjoy!
ReplyDeleteRita - I make time to read when I can. :-) It may not be as much as I'd like, but I try!
DeleteI really enjoy fantasy, and admit it's easier to get into a sci fi novel with fantasy elements in it than a straight sci novel for me. It can be a nice change of pace though--and a reminder that I do like the genre when I read it.
I hope your schedule lightens up soon. I've been in a busy work phase too for the last few weeks so I have been cramming my weekends with things that needed to be done. Hopefully, I can pick a book to read soon.
ReplyDeleteAthira - I hope things calm down for you as well. It'd be nice to sit and enjoy a book at my leisure. :-)
DeleteDon't feel bad about picking television over books, sometimes tv is the perfect relaxer.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about this book for me Wendy but the intro leaves me curious.
Diane - It's nice to give the brain a rest sometimes. :-)
DeleteI've been just as bad as you as far as TV goes. There are just so many good shows out there and I record everything too.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great teaser.
Yvonne - I am glad I am not the only one. :-) Besides not being able to watch the shows when they come on, it's nice to be able to fact forward through the commercials, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure this one is for me, but the intro certainly was unique!
ReplyDeleteHere's Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/historical-fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-certainty-victor-bevine/
Sarah - I'm enjoying it so far.
Deletesounds interesting. I'll be curious to see what you think of it once you've finished. Good luck with those cleaning projects. Have a nice week! kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteKelley - I'm curious about that too. I have some ideas about what direction I think the story will go, but I could be completely wrong. I probably am. LOL
DeleteDon't apologize for your TV watching, especially with all the new shows. I'm hooked too. I put it down to my love of stories - books, movies, or TV. I'm sorry, but I didn't care for your first paragraph. I'm not really a sic-fi reader. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteMargot - That's a good way of looking at it. A love for stories. :-)
DeleteTV is a good way to help you not get into a reading slump I reckon. I often feel bad when I'm watching a series but we can't just read books (yes, I guess I just said that!). And it's all creative in the end. I think I'd continue reading if I read your review and you'd liked it :)
ReplyDeleteCharlie - I can always tell I'm slumping a little when I turn to random television instead of a book. :-)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely sounds like you've been busy! When things get crazy I do tend to go more to TV than books to relax and it doesn't hurt that there's so many great shows going right now! I'm really wanting to try Sarah Waters. Erased sounds interesting but like you I'm not a big scifi reader. The teaser does sound interesting though!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Sarah Waters is as good as everyone says she is. :-) I've been focusing mostly on Night of a Thousand Stars since I have a tour date coming up next week. I should finish it tonight or tomorrow. It's good too.
DeleteI don't watch much television anymore--but I love watching complete seasons on Netflix. I've just finished season 1 of The Black List, but they haven't added season 2 yet. :( I like science fiction, and Erased sounds good.
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I tend to watch complete seasons during the summer months since I don't really follow any of the summer shows. I really enjoy Blacklist. The second season just started so you have a little while to wait. :-)
DeleteI'm enjoying Erased so far.
I don't watch a lot of tv nowadays, but I must admit I do enjoy The Voice here in the UK, it's fun escapism (although I end up supporting someone and wanting them to win!) I read Fingersmith a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it. Glad you are enjoying it too.
ReplyDeleteLindsay - You are probably smart not to watch a lot of television. :-) This is the first season I've watched The Voice and I'm enjoying it so far. I used to watch American Idol, but I lost interest.
DeleteErased sounds interesting. I'd definitely read on.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I'm making my way through Atul Gawande's Being Mortal (not that I waited until I was finished before discussing it on my blog! I couldn't help myself). It's really depressing, but very interesting.
A.M.B. - I saw your post about Dr. Gawande's book. :-) Sometimes it's hard to wait when you are really moved by what you are reading, isn't it?
DeleteYeah The Walking Dead was pretty riveting. We will watch again tonight! Sunday nights are loaded with good TV. Good Wife etc. Enjoy. http://www.thecuecard.com
ReplyDeleteSandra - I haven't seen last night's episode yet. Probably Friday. It's driving my coworkers crazy that I have to wait so long. I guess this week's show was good and discussion worthy. :-)
Delete