Bookish Talk | Book Chatter

I don’t think I can wait until August 12th for this one to make its appearance. There is something so magical about a huge book launch and this one is huge. Murakami’s fan following is huge. I am trying to be patient but August can’t get here soon enough.

Haruki Murakami

He’s cool, without trying to be cool. Look at him standing there, all innocent. He probably has no idea how crazy I am waiting for this book to hit the shelves. Heck, you can’t even read much about it yet. The only synopsis I’ve seen, mentioned old high school friends and how friendships became severed in college. Tsukuru, now in his 30’s, goes back to find those friends to figure out where they went wrong.

Simple enough plot, but I’m sure there are cats, ear talk, buckets of ennui, lots of eating, drinking of beer and exercise, not to mention strange sexual encounters and prostitutes.

I’m thinking about hosting a read-along for it. The totally unstructured, fun kind. Where you read at your own pace but we chat about it like crazy people. Still thinking about it. I tend to think new books are not good read-along material because most of the time, especially for a highly anticipated read, people just want to dive in and READ and not worry about deadlines, etc. I get that. Plus, I am still learning how to say the title. That is one long title.

This is just one of three books that I am seriously having a heart attack over. Those who know me probably know what the other two are.

Why are the weekends so short? Last week was incredibly long. Not bad, just long. The track practices and the rushing around have gotten a little easier now that we have a routine down. But The Girl is going to bed a little later, which makes the mornings a little rougher so therefore, MY mornings are a little rougher.

So, I’ve been walking again. It’s a way for me to blow off a frantic morning but gosh, I am so out of shape! Long ago, the lupus did some damage to my hip so walking can be tough once I hit the two mile mark but I do it anyway because anything less than two miles doesn’t seem to do much for me. I’ve been enjoying some audio books while doing it so that always makes it more pleasant.

This week, I have an ultrasound scheduled, which is more precautionary than anything and then later, a biopsy. I don’t really think anything is wrong, but I could use some positive thoughts anyway. This has nothing to do with the hip issue I mentioned but I have a new doctor and she is erring on the side of caution. Plus, my other doctor has been concerned about the size of my red blood cells so this will also rule some other things out as well.

What am I reading?

I am reading The Realm of Last Chances for an online book club and I am also reading Eleanor & Park. E&P, swoon. It’s a little sappy with all that young love and all, but I love the characters.

What am I cooking?

Yesterday, I made chicken with goat cheese and a green bean salad with balsamic dressing and candied walnuts. It was delish. I really, really want some Chinese take-out tonight. Right now, I just finished some bacon and eggs, over easy please. A good, Sunday staple.

What am I watching?

Nothing now, but last night we watched The Breakfast Club and tonight The Walking Dead is on. I haven’t been too interested in the Olympics. I am not familiar with any of the athletes and is it me, or do some of the skating routines seem a little…cheesy?

It’s sunny here and I should be spending it outside, but last night I reorganized the kitchen and today, I feel the need to organize something else. We took a trip to IKEA yesterday and it gave me some ideas. As a family of four, we have done a lot in the way of cutting back, but we still have too much stuff. Especially after attending church. I really feel as if we have too much. It’s so easy to accumulate things.

What do you have planned for today?

Chatting with friends about books and life…