January 4, 2009
10:00 AM
This time of year is so busy – and yet I love all the wrap up posts written by the lit-bloggers. And I love clearing my desk and starting over again. There is always such a sense of new beginnings. THIS year I will be less stressed. THIS year I will acheive ALL my goals. I learned long ago, however, not to make resolutions – if only because of the sense or failure I feel when I don’t acheive them!
I have reflected on 2008 and written a wrap up post, and I have started looking ahead to 2009 with regard to my time-limited challenges and my perpetual challenges. I’ll be honest, though…my real goal for 2009 is to have down time. Time to relax. Time to ‘smell the roses.’ Time to connect with friends and family. Time to work on that unfinished novel that sits gathering dust in my desk. Is it just me, or does time seem more elusive the older we get?
I have finished the first book of 2009 – The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga (read my review). Have any of you read this Booker Prize winning book? I found it largely enjoyable, although I did not like the narrator – a pathological, cynical murderer. I give kudos to Adiga for weaving an entertaining book.
Last night I picked up Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson. Wow. I could not put it down. I read straight through page 60 and fell asleep with the book on my chest. I will be finishing this book today.
And then what? Well I have a huge stack of books on my shelf and this month I hope to read the following:
- Breathing Out the Ghost, by Kirk Curnutt (I’ll be hosting a book tour on my blog for this book on the 19th)
- The Little Giant of Aberdeen County, by Tiffany Baker
- In Hovering Flight, by Joyce Hinnefeld
- A Thousand Veils, by D.J. Murphy
- After the Floods, by Bruce Henricksen
- The Road Home, by Rose Tremain
- Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters
- Something by Anne Tyler…not sure yet which book to choose
I am hosting a couple of challenges here on Caribousmom. If you haven’t done so, why not check them out:
Perpetual 5 Under 35 Challenge
Themed Reading Challenge (begins February 1st)
So what are you doing today? Are there some great books stacked up beside you? It is cold here and we have several inches of snow on the ground. I am getting ready to stoke up the woodstove and settle down with my coffee and be transported to the countryside of Norway. Wherever you are today, I hope you are relaxing with a good book!
= Excellent
= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
I have OUT STEALING HORSES on my bookshelf – can’t wait to read your review! Happy Sunday!
I loved Out Stealing Horses — hope you like it. I’m now reading Little Giant of Aberdeen County and am enjoying it.
Out Stealing Horses is on my reading list for this year, I look forward to reading your review.
Hi Wendy!
You have no idea how much I appreciate your wonderfully encouraging comment. Because of all the incredibly supportive comments I have received (I am falling in love with this book blog community), I have decided to put this episode behind me and continue to buy books because they bring me joy – and to do so in a venue that is supportive of my family finances.
I have also decided that I should leave my comfort zone and attempt to post book reviews online. It is very intimidating and makes me feel quite vulnerable to put my rather lackluster writing skills on the very public world wide web, but you are right: this is a way that I can give back to the authors and publishers who have given me so much pleasure. Thank you for that very gentle nudge — I needed it
We’ve been burning up here the last few days (82 degrees F yesterday) so I envy you your snow.
It sounds like you are starting the year strong. Minimizing stress is an admirable goal. The older I get (and I’m getting pretty old), the more I realize how short time is. We must use our time well.
It’s been snowing since I got up today, so I’m just snuggled up with some nonfiction (The Story of Art and My Life With the Saints) in front of our fireplace.
I love the beginning of the new year as well even though I cannot keep up with everyone’s blogs
Have a great Sunday!
Sounds like you have a great reading year planned. I am currently reading Fingersmith and am loving the story. I think that you will enjoy it as well. Out Stealing Horses sounds interesting might have to see if they have it at my local library. My library and I are gonna become good friends this year as I am trying not to buy any new books.
Sounds like you are all set for a great year of reading! I wish I could say I had finished a book already this year.
Have a great week–
Kim
I loved In Hovering Flight and The Little Giant of Aberdeen County has some gorgeous writing! Enjoy your books and your down time this year!
It most certainly is not just you…time does fly by more quickly the older we get!
If I were of a mind to make resolutions, having more down time would certainly be one of them. I used my precious portion of it today reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Love it
I’m in the middle of Little Giant from Aberdeen County right now, and I’ve been enjoying it.
I’m posting on Ghost on the 21st. I hope you’re enjoying the book.
Jill: I’ll be posting my review today
Michelle: Out Stealing Horses was wonderful – I am looking forward to the Little Giant of Aberdeen County – I keep seeing great reviews of it.
Samantha 1: It is a good book! I hope you’ll like it.
Molly: You are most welcome – I think you have discovered that the people who come to your blog and write nasty comments are not the majority of book bloggers! I am always so mad when I see nastiness out there – it is so unnecessary! Glad to see I nudged you to post reviews
It *is* scary at first, but you will be amazed at how much support you get too.
Debbie: Well said! Wow – you get some hot weather! It has been VERY cold here of late.
Eva: What a lovely Sunday you had! Sounds wonderful.
Samantha 2: I am STILL trying to catch up on my blog reading!
Gail: Good luck trying not to buy books! I won’t even try! I am really looking forward to Fingersmith!
Kim: I’m sure you’ll finish one soon
Happy new year to you too!
Amy: BOTH those books look SOOOOO good!
RR: Oh, Guernsey was one of my favorites of 2008 – certainly a wonderful way to use up some time
Alyce: I have yet to hear anything bad about Little Giant – glad to hear you’re enjoying it.
Sheri: I’ll look forward to your post!