Random Thoughts - Reading Nooks

I've always wanted a reading nook.  Someplace that was specifically set up for reading (like the above pic), or that was my own personal corner to read in.  As of right now, living in my parents' house, I'm pretty limited to where I can read.  The place I read the most often is my bed.  I don't own a chair to curl up in, and we don't have window seats.  The couches in the family room are comfortable, but not private.  So really the only option is my bed.

When I (finally) get my own place, I'd like to imagine that it will have a pretty amazing window seat.  I think window seats are amongst the best places to read.  Besides being comfortable, with all those pillows (because of course my ideal window seat would have a ton of pillows), it will also have great natural light, a secluded feel, and (hopefully) a good view to distract you when a book gets to be too heady or emotional.

But realistically, I realize that the first place I move to will most likely be a rental, and, more importantly, cheap.  So there probably won't be a window seat and no option to put one in.  I'm just going to have to wait until I buy my first home/apartment, and then I will have my window seat.

Until then, I've decided to go with the next best thing.  I want a quiet little corner of my own to put in a comfy armchair and a lamp.  Preferably with a side table for my mug of tea (or coffee, depending on the time of day) and a snack.  Round it all out with a soft throw and a squishy pillow, and it's practically perfection.

Now do I currently have room for something like this in my room?  Absolutely not.  It would require a lot of furniture being moved around, or possibly getting thrown out.  But as soon as I'm fortunate enough (a.k.a. financially capable) to have my own place, creating a reading nook will be my top priority.

How about you?  Do you have someplace special where you do most of your reading - a window seat or specific chair?  Or do you read in bed, as I currently do?  Or do you just read wherever it's most convenient at the time?  I'd love to know.

Random Thoughts - Life Happens

So I came back from BEA exhausted, but also pumped and happy and ready to blog like a maniac... and that didn't happen at all.

During the BEA Bloggers Conference, one of the things I heard a bunch was that you need to blog consistently, whether it's every day or every other day.  Your readers need consistency.  Well, I have a problem with that... it's called life.

Life happens.  Stuff happens.  Things come up that are a higher priority than your blog.  You can't help it.  It's just the way things are.

I've been beating myself up this past week for not posting every day or every other day, for not feeling motivated to write something or even read something.  And I've decided that's kind of stupid.  I can't control the fact that it was a coworker's birthday, or that one of my besties had a baby, or that I got sick.  That's life.

Does that mean that I'm just going to use that as an excuse to be lazy?  Nope.  I still want to keep my blog updated regularly, but I'm not going to put myself through a guilt trip if I let a day or two go by without posting.

That's just something I've been thinking about this past week, as each day went by without blogging.

Still to come: a real BEA recap, a BEA book haul post/picture, my review of The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer... and that's it... I think...

Side note:  I've been contemplating a career change, and I'm not sure if it's something I'm ready for.  In this economy, the idea of leaving a secure job to try something new is incredibly scary, and not something to be rushed into lightly.  But it's an idea I've been mulling over (love that phrase) for a while, and now I just need to decide if this is the best time to do it or not.  I'm so conflicted!

The Ups & Downs of Recommendations: Part 1

Recommending books is a scary thing.

I mean, what if you recommend a book to someone, and they absolutely hate it?  What if it changes their opinion of you, like "OMG how could you even finish this book, let alone like it? There is something wrong with you."  Of course, if they love it, you can give yourself a big pat on the back and take all the credit, but there's a 50/50 chance that won't happen.

If you couldn't tell, I tend to not recommend books unless I am 98% sure that it's going to be a success.  And I'm even less likely to recommend something to someone I know isn't a big reader or who's disliked a past recommendation.  I've mentioned in the past that my younger sister isn't into reading like me.  It's not that she doesn't like reading at all; she only likes books that grab and hold her attention, that don't lag or get bogged down in details.  I've made a couple of good suggestions in the past (Beastly and Austenland), but then I recently advised her to read Altered by Jennifer Rush, and she wasn't a fan.  So I usually try to avoid pushing books on her.

So I was really happy but SUPER nervous when she told me she wanted to read some books over the summer and asked for some recommendations.  Instead of just handing her a pile of books I love, I thought about her past likes & dislikes, her personality, and her preferences before lending her anything.  And I'm fairly confident that she will like... at least half of them.  I'm looking forward to seeing which ones they are, and finding out the reasons why she likes or loathes each book.

My sister's summer reading list

• Because she likes murder mysteries and Austenland...
• Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale
• Because she likes the miniseries Alice...
• Splintered by A.G. Howard
• Because the covers intrigue her...
• Abandon by Meg Cabot
• Amber House by Kelly Moore, Larkin Reed, & Tucker Reed
• Because she likes fast-paced, action-packed stories...
• Divergent by Veronica Roth
• Because she loves Edgar Allen Poe and Frankenstein...
• The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
• The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
• Because she sometimes likes things that are different/weird...
• The Selected Short Stories of Philip K. Dick
• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

Random Thoughts - Reading Slumps

Reading slumps... I hates them.  Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of one right now.  It just feels like a chore to pick up a book and read it right now.  All I want to do is turn on the TV and veg and be completely unproductive.  Which also extends into my blogging.  I just don't feel like updating or posting.  Especially since I don't have anything to write about anyway.  Blah.

Perhaps the biggest reason I'm in a slump is because pretty much all of my new books to be read are the same genre.  Dualed, Under the Never Sky, Crossed - they're all dystopian, and as much as I love that genre, sometimes you have to take a break.  

Then there was the fact that the last two books I read were really disappointing, and that can always make it hard to pick up another book.  What if the next book is just as disappointing or gross?  What if I absolutely hate it and it feels like a waste of time?

I also think it's because I signed up for this Goodreads Reading Challenge.  My goal is 150 books this year, and that stupid site doesn't just keep track of your progress, it also feels the need to inform you of how well you're doing.  Right now, it says that at my current rate of reading, I'm three books behind schedule.  Behind schedule???  I have a whole year to reach my goal.  How can I be "behind schedule"?  There is nothing that can take the joy out of reading faster than a deadline.  Or worse, a nagging deadline.

So how to break this slump?  I've decided to try a couple of things and see which works best.

• Re-read old favorites
• By re-reading some of my old favorites, I'm hoping to just give myself a reminder of how much I love reading and books.  It will also hopefully renew my confidence that there are good books out there that aren't going to disappoint me.
• Switch genres
• I really need to stop reading nothing but dystopian.  For one thing, it can get kind of depressing.  For another, they all start to blend together.  So I need to read something completely different, like historical fiction or contemporary or memoirs.
• Visit the library
• I'm going to the library with my sister tomorrow.  I'll be able to pick up some new books that look interesting and actually gain my attention.  I could also find some sequels to books that I know are good.
• Ignore Goodreads
• I just need to accept that there are going to be weeks where I read like a crazy fiend, and others where I read one book and that's it.  And Goodreads can't determine whether or not I'm going to accomplish my goal at the rate at which they think I should be reading.  Just forget the deadline and have fun!

Random Thoughts - April 1st

I thought about posting an April Fool's post, something silly or surprising to commemorate the day, but I sadly lack the energy to come up with anything funny.  Then I thought about writing a post I've been meaning to write for a while about the unfairness of ageism in libraries, but I just don't have the time for that.  Then I thought about posting some links I found interesting, but there was only one that I found.

SO I'm going to post about my insane schedule these next couple of months.  This will not only explain why I'm broke and behind on... everything really, but also what to expect as far as updates are concerned in the next few months.  (Honestly this entry is simply here right now because I feel like it's been too long since I last posted anything.)

• April 6th & 7th - My dad's birthday weekend.  Includes dinner to Cracker Barrel on Sunday evening.
• April 13th & 14th - Free as of right now, but I have plans to fill this weekend with much-needed friend time.
• April 20th - Seeing Thoroughly Modern Millie at Papermill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ.
• April 27th - Ladies' Spring Conference featuring Pasty Clairmont at Hawthorne Gospel Church.
• May 4th & 5th -  Food Book Fair in NYC.  Not definite yet that I'm going, but it's a possibility.
• May 9th - Lindsey Stirling concert at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ.
• May 10th - Brian Regan comedy show at Bergen PAC in Englewood, NJ.
• May 12th to 19th - Vacation in Disney World.
• May 24th to 26th - Dan Stone retreat in Dalton, PA.
• May 29th to June 1st - Book Expo America in NYC.

I'm sure I'm missing something.  And there are always the last-minute, not-set-in-stone things that will come up each week.  But as excited as I am for the awesome things happening these next two months, I'm honestly looking forward to June, a month I hope to use to recover from April & May.  And to do some serious catching up on my TBR list.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

So after stuffing my face with way too much yummy food - corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, Irish soda bread, M&Ms - the last thing I wanted to do was sit down and write a blog post.  Honestly, what I really want right now is to slip into a food coma and pretend that everything I ate was only a few calories.

But I decided to write anyway, because I want to share some of my favorite Irish (or Celtic) books and movies.

My Favorite Irish Movies

• The Quiet Man  -  John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara star in this film about a Pittsburgh man who returns to the home he was born in, in Ireland, and must navigate through the Old World rituals that are still followed.  Beautiful and humorous, The Quiet Man is one of my family's favorites.
• The Secret of Roan Inish  -  An interesting movie about life on the small isles off the Irish coast and Irish selkie mythology, I've loved The Secret of Roan Inish since I was little.  It tells the tale of a family ripped apart by the sea, and it's both mysterious and sweet.
• Darby O'Gill & the Little People  -  Yes, this movie is cheesy, and the special effects are outdated, but it's fun and lighthearted.  It's an annual tradition in my family to watch this every St. Patrick's Day, and we've been doing it ever since I was little, so it will always hold a very special place in my heart.
• My Left Foot  -  I first saw this in my cinema class in college, and I loved it.  Based on a true story, My Left Foot tells the story of Christy Brown, a quadriplegic who can only control his left foot.  His tale is touching and emotional, and Daniel Day-Lewis gives an amazing performace as Brown.
• Evelyn  -  A definite tear-jerker, this movie is about a single father fighting for the right to raise his children on his own.  With great actors like Pearce Brosnan and a beautiful story, I highly recommend this movie to anyone who's looking for something both bitter and sweet.

My Favorite Irish Books

• Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes  -  One of the few chick-lit books I like, and not just because one of the main characters shares my name.
• The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer  -  I love this series and am still so sad that it's over.  Artemis Fowl's journey from genius criminal mastermind to a hero is full of fun, adventure, and magic.
• The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater  -  While this book isn't specifically set in Ireland, it feels very Irish.  When I read it, I just kept picturing the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland or the movie The Secret of Roan Inish.  It has a definite Celtic feel, and since my heritage is mostly Irish, that also affects my perception of the book as Irish.

Random Thoughts - March 2nd

So I know I was originally going to read Pure today, and write a review, and then start The Scorpio Races (as well as clean, do laundry, run to the bank, etc). But something happened today to ruin all that.  Two people completed screwed up my plans to be productive and accomplish something, and their names are Hank and John Green.

I thought by giving up TV for Lent (along with bacon and Bejeweled Blitz), I would be giving myself more time to focus on reading and blogging.  Instead, my TV watching has simply been replaced by vlogs.  With all this free time available, I decided to catch up on the Brotherhood 2.0/Nerdfighter/Vlogbrother obsession by watching the Green brothers' videos, starting from the very beginning- January 2007.  I told myself I would watch a "few" videos a day so I'd still have plenty of time to read too.  Yeah, right!

Instead of reading today, I watched the Brotherhood 2.0 archives from May to October (and browsed Ikea's website to furnish a semi-imaginary apartment, but that's a different story).  It certainly didn't help that I disliked the little that I have read of Pure so far, or that ever since we got a new router (go Netgear!), my iPod stays connected to the internet so I can now actually watch YouTube videos on it.  It also didn't help that the Green brothers are just so... awesome!  Witty, smart, outspoken, goofy- what's not to love?  Of course, I don't always agree with their political opinions (about which they're very vocal), but they talk about them very intelligently and with only a little jabbing at the opposite party, so that even if I don't agree, I'm able to respect their opinions.

It's just so easy to get caught up in the videos without realizing how much time has passed.  Or I keep telling myself that the next video will be the last, over and over again.  This is most definitely not good.  I have a TBR list that keeps growing, and books that need to be returned to the library, and errands to run, and excersise workouts to start, and a sleep-deprived body to put to bed.  So much to do!  And yet...

It's not midnight yet, so I can watch a couple more videos before bed.  Just a couple, I swear... maybe a few... there's even time for several.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I'll probably finish the 2007 archives tonight and hate myself in the morning.  To my fellow nerdfighters - DFTBA!

Random Thoughts - February 21st

Have you ever noticed how well food and books go together? 

Pick up almost any book, and it's bound to have food included in it somewhere.  Whether it's in a travelogue or memoir describing the delicious and exotic foods the author experienced, or a fantasy novel with its own unique fruits and vegetables and dishes that are unlike anything in the real world, food is an integral part of our lives, and therefore, it has invaded even our reading.  Just look at the title of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love.  It's the first part of her story.  Or Marlena de Blasi's A Thousand Days in Tuscany.  That book is both a food-lover's and a book-lover's dream.  Besides telling the story of Marlena and her husband's move to a new place and the friends they make there, it also includes enticing descriptions of the food they ate, along with the recipes.  And venturing outside of non-fiction, there's the lembas waybread of The Lord of the Rings, the lamb stew in the Hunger Games, J.K. Rowling's butterbeer.  The food in these novels (and TV shows) have inspired their own unofficial cookbooks.

I think part of the reason why food is such an integral part of many stories is because it's a universal common denominator.  Every culture has its own unique traditions and history, and while the flavors might be different, food is one of the few aspects that crosses culture divides.  When reading Chocolat by Joanna Harris, some people might not connect to the culture of the gypsies or the rural French villagers, but they all understand the chocolate and cravings and sumptuous meals, whether they actually like the sweet or not.

Another way that food and books combine well is simply through enjoying a meal or snack while reading.  How amazingly comfortable is it to curl up with a good book and some delicious food?  In the winter, I love to read books about warmer climates or seasons while sipping some hot cocoa.

Eating while reading can also help us experience a story in an entirely different way.  When I'm reading Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer novels, I just have to have a cup of tea beside me, and sometimes even some tea cookies.  It provides another layer of depth to the connection I feel with the characters and settings.  I'm obviously not the only person who's felt this way, or the book Tea With Jane Austen wouldn't exist.

If you share these feelings about reading and eating, or if you simply like books, then there's a restaurant you need to check out.  Traveler Food and Books in Union, Connecticut is a small cafe/travel stop that caters to book-lovers.  While the food hasn't been called spectacular (it's your typical diner fare), the atmosphere and free books more than make up for it.  That's right; I said "free books."  The restaurant is filled with books; bookshelves line the walls and separate the tables.  Diners are encouraged to browse for a book they'd like to read while enjoying their meal.  And when the meal is over, you can take up to three free books home with you.  Any more than three, and there's a charge of course.  And if you can't find anything in the dining room upstairs, there's a small bookstore downstairs that you're welcome to peruse.

So these are my random thoughts for the day.  Part of what inspired it is that I was thinking of what to make for dinner and to bake for work tomorrow, while also trying to figure out when I'd have the time to finish Promised and read The Return of the King to Siobhan (both books actually make me thirsty).  And the other half of my inspiration was the totally awesome picture below, which I found when researching the 2013 Food Book Fair in NYC.

Random Thoughts - February 11th

Besides Disney World, I think bookstores are my favorite places in the whole world.  Not big chain stores, like Barnes & Noble or Borders (although they have their merits), but the unique ones, whether they're hole-in-the-wall used books shops or large outside-of-the-box bookstores.  This year, I have three weeks of vacation, and while two of them are already planned, the third is wide open for ideas and planning.  So I decided to look for some fun bookstores to visit.  And these were my favorites.

Ler Devager in Lisbon, Portugal

Atlantis Books in Santorini, Greece

Plural Bookshop in Bratislava, Slovakia

Cook & Book in Wulowe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium (my absolute favorite; each genre has its own room, decorated to match).

Random Thoughts - January 13th

I'm in the process of painting and redecorating my bedroom, and right now all of my books have been pulled out of my shelves to make the bookcases easier to move.  I've been thinking about how to organize them when I finish painting, and the more I think about it, the more I wonder- is it even worth it?

The room would start out looking like this:

But after a while, thanks to my less-than-stellar organization skills, it would only end up like this:

So is there even a point to trying?  Just my random bookish thought of the day.  :)