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Good morning my friends! I came up for air for just enough time to share my week with you, then I'm taking a big breath and going back under for another week of fun. The week started out calm and controlled. I did a whole bunch of yard work, enjoying our absolutely gorgeous weather, and also alot of walking, which helped with my audio slump.
But then I attended a "field trip" with my son to Sea World on Friday...I put those words in quotation marks because while yes, we learned about seals, manatees, dolphins, and whatever, a bulk of our time was spent riding roller-coasters. Particularly one that is fairly new called "Manta", which is a coaster where you are strapped in lying face down, so it seems like you are flying. It was positively amazing. I'd never experienced anything like it.
Saturday was spent out of town in New Smyrna Beach at a double-header football game and then a birthday party for a colleague of my husband's last night. So I haven't been around the blogs lately, and I apologize. I'll hopefully catch up today.
I complained about my slow progress in reading last week, and this week I caught up a little. On audio, I finished (FINALLY) "Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show" by Frank Delaney (liked it), "Housekeeping" by Marilynne Robinson for book club (ugh), and "A Visit From the Goon Squad" by Jennifer Eagan. Now this Goon Squad, guys, is just freaking the cat's meow. I was grinning or gaping the whole way through, admiring this lady's killer writing and cleverness. Don't let another day pass without picking it up or at least adding it to your list. And the audio rocked too, assuming you can hang with a plot that is non-linear. I just started "A Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks, which was a highly recommended read from Jackie at Farm Lane Books.
What of sitting and reading something in print? I read "The Postmistress" for a TLC Blog Tour coming up, all in about two days. I just absolutely loved it. It reminded me a little of "The Lotus Eaters". This was a book I bought on my Kindle the second it came out, but then never got to it, so yes my TBR Dare is intact! And I also read "Appointment in Samarra" by John O' Hara for another book club...jury is out on that one. Supposed to be a classic and all that, but it was just OK for me. I'm not sure what I'm going to pick up next. That will be the excitement of my day today, shopping my bookshelves.
Guess I've got some reviews to write, don't I? I've also had both some really stinky reads and five star reads. Makes me a little dizzy from all those mood swings!
Next week is going to be positively insane. Kids don't have school on Monday, and there is literally not one day where nothing is happening. Dawn from She Is Too Fond of Books is coming to town! Book club! School fundraiser gala! Weekend in St. Petersburg for another double-header football game! A mammogram! Where will the excitement end?
Hope you all are having a fantastic weekend. What are you all up to today? Reading anything good?
But then I attended a "field trip" with my son to Sea World on Friday...I put those words in quotation marks because while yes, we learned about seals, manatees, dolphins, and whatever, a bulk of our time was spent riding roller-coasters. Particularly one that is fairly new called "Manta", which is a coaster where you are strapped in lying face down, so it seems like you are flying. It was positively amazing. I'd never experienced anything like it.
Saturday was spent out of town in New Smyrna Beach at a double-header football game and then a birthday party for a colleague of my husband's last night. So I haven't been around the blogs lately, and I apologize. I'll hopefully catch up today.
I complained about my slow progress in reading last week, and this week I caught up a little. On audio, I finished (FINALLY) "Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show" by Frank Delaney (liked it), "Housekeeping" by Marilynne Robinson for book club (ugh), and "A Visit From the Goon Squad" by Jennifer Eagan. Now this Goon Squad, guys, is just freaking the cat's meow. I was grinning or gaping the whole way through, admiring this lady's killer writing and cleverness. Don't let another day pass without picking it up or at least adding it to your list. And the audio rocked too, assuming you can hang with a plot that is non-linear. I just started "A Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks, which was a highly recommended read from Jackie at Farm Lane Books.
What of sitting and reading something in print? I read "The Postmistress" for a TLC Blog Tour coming up, all in about two days. I just absolutely loved it. It reminded me a little of "The Lotus Eaters". This was a book I bought on my Kindle the second it came out, but then never got to it, so yes my TBR Dare is intact! And I also read "Appointment in Samarra" by John O' Hara for another book club...jury is out on that one. Supposed to be a classic and all that, but it was just OK for me. I'm not sure what I'm going to pick up next. That will be the excitement of my day today, shopping my bookshelves.
Guess I've got some reviews to write, don't I? I've also had both some really stinky reads and five star reads. Makes me a little dizzy from all those mood swings!
Next week is going to be positively insane. Kids don't have school on Monday, and there is literally not one day where nothing is happening. Dawn from She Is Too Fond of Books is coming to town! Book club! School fundraiser gala! Weekend in St. Petersburg for another double-header football game! A mammogram! Where will the excitement end?
Hope you all are having a fantastic weekend. What are you all up to today? Reading anything good?
25 comments:
The combination of you and Dawn together sounds like a ton of fun!
I wasn't a fan of Housekeeping. I read it for a book club and it was torture. I don't remember that much from it.
I want to read Goon Squad so much and your comments just pushed me over the edge!
Have fun with Dawn!
I took my classes on a 'field trip' this week, too. We went to a concert and had lots of fun. Well worth it.
I read a terrific short story that I think you'd like, Angela Carter's "The Fall River Axe Murders." It's the story of what Lizzie Bordon did that morning. It ends just before the crime begins. Loved it.
I know about reading mood swings. I have the same trouble :)
Books, poems, and Japanese
I wasn't a fan of Housekeeping either, but I hope you enjoy Year of Wonders - get the tissues out :-)
Hah, we finally disagree! I didn't like Postmistress! I'm jealous about Manta. Obviously I need to return to Sea World. Can't wait to hear about the you and Dawn visit!
I am right there with you on the awesomeness of both Goon Squad and The Postmistress, I read both of those last year and loved them. I'm not really a fan of Marilynne Robinson. She is a lovely writer, but when I read Gilead it took me a long time to care about any of her characters one way or another.
I checked that ride out on Sea World's site and it is not for me - I am terrified of heights and like something beneath me on a roller coaster.
You are going to adore Dawn and all of her fabulousness!!
I have Goon Squad on my stack RIGHT NOW but it's due back at the library in a few days and I was all Hemmmmm, return unread? But now I will not. *settles in to be delighted*
Oh yea, I know about mood swings ;-) Finally just gave up on Waiting for Columbus, loved The Easter Parade and now have started To the Lighthouse (will be slow going, but wonderful) and Notes on a Scandal.
Today I'm playing with my new iPad... such fun! Hope you have a great week Sandy.
As usual you are much too busy! I just don't know how you keep up. I am so envious of your weather. I may just have to pack up and come to Florida!
How awesome that Dawn is coming to town. I bet that'll be fun. However that roller coaster does not sound fun. My heart picked up a few beats just thinking about it.
Have a good week Sandy!
I am glad you have been able to catch up some with your reading, Sandy. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed The Postmistress. That's one I hope to get to before long--unless it's already packed now that I think about it. :-S
Sounds like you have a wonderful and busy week ahead! I hope you enjoy it.
I loved The Postmistress, too! I have read the Lotus Eaters yet but can't wait too!
What fun that you are getting together with Dawn!
It's a long time since I've nbeen on a roller coaster but I used to love them!
I'm off to check out the A Visit from the Goon Squad book you loved. Have a great Sunday!
I tried Goon Squad on audio - and the non-linear nature just confused me. May have to try that one in print.
The Postmistress is amazing, isn't it? I read it last week for TLC tour, too, though my review doesn't go up until 3/29.
The Year of Wonders is amazing, I loved it.
The Boy, the future roller coaster engineer approves of your review of Manta. I can't believe you went on it. Well, yes I can! LOL. You are daring that way. The Boy just showed me the YouTube video of it. You're crazy!
Looking forward to your thoughts on Year of Wonders. I loved almost all of it, but the ending... well, I'll say no more :P
sure...field trip indeed.
I stared and stared and stared at that coaster and finally chickened out.
Sandy, I used to read these Sunday Salon posts and just marvel at how many things you got done in just one week, but now I am having a taste of this type of activity in my life, and I am just totally overwhelmed! I totally admire your ability to handle such a high octane life! I am also looking forward to seeing you at bookclub and meeting Dawn!
P.S.- I finished Housekeeping on Friday, and it was a total stinker.
Ha! Don't we all suffer from LMS from time to time? Actually, "suffer" is a bit strong ... I think this monthly malady benefits us :)
We won't be going to Sea World, so I'll happily avoid that crazy new coaster ... the video was enough for me.
I *can't wait* to get together with you and Heather!!
I love that the mammogram got an exclamation point as well! :) I haven't seen Goon Squad and don't know if that title would have been that much of a draw, so I'm going to go take a closer look at it online as soon as I'm done here.
I picked up a copy of The Postmistress a few weeks ago at Goodwill, but since I read at a snail's pace anymore, it will probably be a while until I get around to it, if I can even find it in the piles of TBR. The Eagan book sounds intriguing...I like cleverness in writing. :) Right now I'm about 1/3 of the way through "The Problem with Murmur Lee"...love the premise.
I got my boobies squashed last week.
You're going to have a blast with Dawn!!
I hope you and Dawn have a wonderful time - how fun! I'm a bit jealous of course :)
Girl, how do you get all that reading done? February has been so slow for my reading and blogging. Looking forward to your review of the Goon Squad!
Oh yeah! I want to read "The Goon Squad." I don't think I am that advanced an audio listener though. I'll go with a print version.
And yay for getting to meet with Dawn!!! How fun!
Sea World sounds so very good. I hope to visit one day. I hope you had a blast there!
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