The other morning on my way to work, while listening to an audiobook, it struck me that I was always on the edge of being a book snob but I have fully jumped into that pool and now wear the badge proudly.
I’m not going to lie, sometimes I think it has to do with my brain surgery. Everything seems more fine tuned. Like there is this dialed-in focus that I never had before. Whatever the reason, I am more choosey with what I read and I don’t hesitate to drop a book if it doesn’t hit me within the first chapter. What about you?
The best reads are the ones that I think about even when I am not reading them.
Right Now:
Heading off to student ministry. Those students are the best.
Later, a post-church nap. Please. Haven’t been sleeping great as the pup gets me up between 1-2 a.m. every morning. Nearly 16. I do what she wants.
This Week:
I have to run a relative to the doc Friday afternoon. It’s a bit of work hauling the wheelchair around but these days I have no trouble lifting it beside the awkward way I have to grab it. Six months ago I would not have had the strength. Progress!
To continue on with that progress, I’m upping my walking game this week. Not doing anything too crazy to start but slowly working up to what I was doing before this health crisis that hit three years back. I do enjoy visiting the tiny libraries in my neighborhood while listening to an audio book. I also like to drop off the books I’ve read. Even with the additional walking I have gained two pounds. That blows, honestly.
Reading:
I reviewed Evenings & Weekends and Night Watch. Both were very good but one of you told me how brutal Night Watch was and you weren’t wrong.
What am I reading now:
- The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (April club pick)
- Red Dog Farm by Nathanial Ian Miller
- Pinch Me by Barbara Boyle
- Gliff by Ali Smith
You can also see what’s coming up in my bookshop. 
Watching:
- Still watching The Bob Newhart Show. I find these old shows to be so comforting. The writing is so good.
Grateful for:
- All the blooming plants on my walk. English lavender? Google lens tells me yes. My star jasmine is beginning to flower too and it smells so lovely when I leave the house.
- A new set of sheets. Nothing fancy but a fun pattern and who doesn’t like crisp, new sheets?
- MRI call with neurosurgeon didn’t discuss anything new. It was a one year post op but now they want an MRI of my spine, neck, and brain at my next scan in August to make sure nothing has spread.
That’s all I have. Have a good week.
Book Chatter 
I am loving all the flowers in bloom right now!
It is so great that you feel so much stronger and better after the ordeal you have been through over the last few years.
I don’t know that it’s book snobbery but you know what you like and you’re not going to waste time reading something that doesn’t work for you. The older I get, the better I’m getting at that – when I turned sixty, it really hit me that my time was running down and that there is, realistically only time for so many more books. I want to make sure they’re books that resonate with me, as much as possible.
I never really thought about running out of time until that brain surgery. Certainly gives you a wake-up call.
wow it’s a great observation to admire plants.. like wise
Good luck with your walking routine. I have bumped mine up in the last few weeks and it’s been really good for me. Have a good week!
Well, I did bump it up and got a stress fracture in my foot. My gait is so different since the brain surgery. It’s actually correct.
The blooms must be nice to see in SoCal now. I’m going to visit my Dad there April 9 … and I’m sure his roses will be going bonkers. They’re always good. I hope you’re liking the books. I will check out your reviews. The news is more terrible than ever … give Otter Pup a hug and keep walking.
Thank you. I will keep walking as long as my body doesn’t fall apart. Mild stress fracture in my dang foot. Everything is flowering right now. It’s quite pretty and we will get to enjoy it for a bit before it all dies from heat. The pup, she no longer wants to sleep in my room. I feel like she is pulling away.
I’m so happy you are doing so much better – love that you’ve gotten stronger 🙂 And sounds like you know what you like, which makes reading that much better. When I saw book snobbery in your blog post’s title, I thought you meant a different kind of snobbery. I remember in grad school there was a lot of book snobbery – always judged by what you read. It was so frustrating and people could be so rude. I like your kind of book snobbery better – being more choosy and dropping a book if it’s not hitting right.
Wishing you a lovely week!
While I’m only 63 and should have many more years of reading, I know that time is speeding by and I find I’m much more selective about what I’m reading. If it doesn’t pull me in after I decent amount of time, I set it aside and move on. I’m leaning into more literary works and not really interested in light, fluffy reads.
Glad you’re getting back into your walks. Now that the rainy season is almost behind us, I’m getting out more often for my daily walks. Today, we hit 61! Whoohoo! 🙂
Bob Newhart was a great show! I’m watching Severance which is really, really weird!
Everyone in my book club talks about Severance. I want to watch it but don’t have Apple TV. Maybe a free trial?
Walking. I used to love it so much with the pup by my side. We had adventures. Now, I enjoy it but not nearly as much. She just nods her head at me when I head out. Won’t do the stroller either. It’s a bit of a transition.
It was 88 degrees yesterday but this morning, in sandals I got in my car to go to work and then it rained! My hair. What a disaster.
Prayers that your MRI will show no new growths or spreads. Interesting that you feel more focused now that you’ve had brain surgery and less tolerant of things you don’t like. Good for you!
The surgeon said my MRI was good but my next one in August will include neck and spine to make sure nothing traveled. That’s new. Good that they are checking.
I love spring but spring does not love me.