The title of this post is a well-known fact about me but I’ve never loved books more than I do right now, at this moment. I have been picking up the best reads lately. Not all of them are perfect but they take me through my day and leave me with questions when I finally decide to crawl into bed. A busy mind, one that is not crowded by anxiety and stress is good for the soul.
Right Now:
Happy Valentine’s Day! We do not have anything planned except for picking up some takeout and at this writing, we haven’t figured out what to get yet. I love Indian food and it’s often a friendly vegetarian choice. The Hub likes a good curry but he’s not much into the other dishes.
Later, my youth group will meet on Zoom. Not sure if anyone will show because it’s Valentine’s Day after all.
This Week:
Tomorrow is a holiday for my daughter. No school for her but my campus is still open so I am working from home. She has an audition with Missouri State though and then on Friday and Saturday, auditions for the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Northern Colorado. That should be the end of her audition season unless another walk-in opportunity comes up.
At the end of this week, she has a master class that I can’t really talk about at the moment, but I’ll be able to soon!
Reading:
Oh my word. I finished Anxious People in one day. A lot of you included it in your Best Of lists for 2020 and I can totally see why. What an odd little book. I bawled. I teared-up in many places. The review should post on 2/22.
I think The Midnight Library is my next read. I have the new Murakami but that one doesn’t come out until April so I want to read it a little closer to its publication date.
Watching:
Schitt’s Creek. Still. Almost done with Season 3. I am enjoying it way too much.
Grateful for:
- My son applied to grad programs as you know. So far, he has gotten into the University of Oregon, Claremont and Seattle. This has bolstered his confidence immensely.
- My daughter has gotten into some good schools so far but she isn’t done with the process so we wait.
- I have an old high school friend who just entered hospice. He is completely lucid and he is spending every minute of every day appreciating everything he has. It’s heartbreaking to read but he has found some peace taking this grateful approach. If you are the praying type, please pray for him. Everything seems to hold a little more value these days because of his posts.
I am so happy to hear that many of you have gotten your vaccines. I’m not sure what tier I will end up in but whatever tier that is, it’s not a priority one. I am guessing it will be fall before I get it.
Take care of yourselves!
Book Chatter 
So happy that your 2021 reading has brought you so much calm and happiness. I’m really happy with my choices so far as well. Anxious People was really awesome, so different, quirky yet moving.
Glad things are going well for the kids but, I was so sad to read about your friend. I neighbor passed last week after being in and out of the hospital and 6 month illness. As for Valentine’s Day, I ordered a few new books for me and plan to make a scallops and pasta dinner. We did V-Day take out on Friday. Have a great week Ti.
Oh! Scallops. Yum.
Happy Valentine’s Day! I am in the minority with Anxious People, it was not for me. Loved The Midnight Library. Sounds like good things are in store for your kids. College is such a great period in life. I was very lucky to get my first dose of the vaccine at my local pharmacy. NY is so disorganized in it’s sign ups- no one central place, so everyone is scrambling. The way the roll out is being done is an abomination.
I am reading The Color of Air by Gail Tsukiyama. I have always enjoyed her writing and this one does not disappoint. Unlike her other stories it takes place in Hawaii. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Just curious but did you finish Anxious People? It was not working for me at all. The dialogue was so stilted but then it clicked and things started popping into place.
It’s been a while since I read a book by Fredrik Backman and Anxious People is certainly on many Best Of lists. How you described the book is exactly how his previous books have felt for me, and yet it never feels old. I hope to pick it up soon.
Hope both your kids get into the schools of their choice. It must be crazy that both are going through the admissions process at the same time, even if for different programs.
Matt Haig. He’s still on my list of authors I want to read but I haven’t gotten a chance yet.
I would really love to have my daughter and son end up in the same city but it’s not likely. I’m really not sure how this will pan out.
I am so sorry to hear about your friend going into Hospice! But, great news for your son and daughter; let’s hope they get into their “dream” schools (if they have one).
Schitt’s Creek. Every time I hear someone is watching it I smile thinking of funny scenes you still get to watch.
Schitt’s Creek is one of those rare ensemble shows where everyone is a star. I have my favorites but each episode I love them all more.
I think I saw Florida just discovered Schitt’s Creek and is in Season 4. So have you figured out what you are having for Valentine’s? Is your husband cooking you up a special dish? 😉
We are picking up Thai food. My husband can BBQ but it’s unfortunately wind again.
Well, Thai food sounds good to me.
Usually we share a few different dishes but with me being vegetarian we all chose our own meals. I had tofu spicy fried rice. It was good but not quite as good as the meal I had there two weeks ago. They were slammed last night with customers.
Anxious People and Midnight Library have been all over Bookstagram. Good to hear you enjoyed Anxious People! The title speaks to me. 🙂 My husband and I binged Schitt’s Creek during quarantine. Loved every minute of it! Have a lovely week!
We are rationing our Schitt’s Creek watching because I am going to be very sad to watch that last episode. We are about to start season 4.
Anxious People started off a little wonky for me but I kept going because of all the rave reviews and I am glad I did. It will be on my fave list for this year, for sure.
So glad you’re enjoying some great reads! It took me a while to get into Anxious People, but I ended up loving it. Haven’t read any of his other books yet. Sounds like things are going well for you kids… it sounds like they both will have some great options! My husband got his first dose of the vaccine last week. Not sure exactly when I’ll be eligible, but I’m ready. Have a good week, Ti.
I could see where Anxious People was going as I read the story but I did not care. It all came together nicely and I felt very sentimental about it once done.
Sounds like things are going well still on the reading front. That’s fantastic. No new fiction reads here yet, but I’m listening to White Fragility on audio on work breaks and reading Made to Explode by Sandra Beasley for the book festival (really good)!
I haven’t watched any tv really. I’m tired but I’m also doing some freelance editing…so that’s a plus.
So sorry to hear about your friend, will add him and his family/friends to my prayers.
Good luck to your daughter on her auditions. Both seem to be doing great as far as college is concerned! I’m eager to see which one they choose.
Anxious People was on my “Best Of” list. I love Backman’s books. I’m currently reading (slowly) Things My Son Needs To Know About The World.
I’m also loving books now, so much more than 2020.
Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m with your husband, I love most any Indian food, but I LOVE anything curry!
I hope you had a fabulous Valentine’s Day. We ended up with Thai food. I enjoyed some Tofu Fried Rice! This week will be busy with audition stuff but it will most likely be the end of it. I said that two weeks ago but the deadlines are all here so it will be over after this week.
I’m loving books right now, too. I’m reading a lot more than normal, but that will probably change once the weather improves and we start traveling in our RV again.
I hope you had a nice Valentine’s Day. Ours was quiet (I made a brussels sprouts & bacon frittata), but we’re going to one of our favorite restaurants today for take-out. I love their fish tacos!
I hope your daughter’s auditions go well. My daughter went to UT Arlington for a semester before transfering to TCU. And your son is looking at my husband’s alma mater. He got his Masters in Education at U of O. Oh, and my mom (and many of my relatives) went to Pamona, which is right there by Claremont, right?
I will probably start Anxious People or The Midnight Library later this month. Right now, I’m focusing on some of the older books in my stacks.
We have two more episodes of River (a British detective series) and then we’ll need to figure out what to watch next.
I am so sorry to hear about your high school friend, Ti. I’ll keep him in my thoughts… Big hugs to you, too.
I do believe Claremont is very close to Pomona. What a small world.
Yum, fish tacos sound great. I need to stop at the market but have no motivation to do so, so I will make a very simple pasta dish for tonight. It’s cold and I am not feeling it.
Hello! Happy Valentines Day a day late. Hope it was LOVEly.
It was a nice weekend in general. Got a nice, long walk in and the weather behaved while I did it.