Reading | Book Chatter

Our libraries were county-run and were recently taken over by the city. During this process, they were closed for about three months. The new, city run facilities opened last week and I can’t tell you how happy I am!

They created “teen” centers in each one, added a slew of new computers and they are in the process of adding additional titles. This is all great, but what we missed before, what was sorely needed, was staff who cared about the patrons. We have that now. I’ve been to two libraries out of the three and so far, everyone has been extremely helpful and seems to really enjoy reading. Seems like such a simple thing but being a reader makes a huge difference.

What did I pick up?

Before I Fall, by Lauren Oliver
Caribou Island, by David Vann
Full Dark, No Stars, by Stephen King
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe, by Charles Yu
The Upright Piano Player, by David Abbott

I don’t know how I will get through these in addition to everything I have been sent, and everything I’ve chosen to read this summer but it’s the kind of stress that I’m willing to live with.

As for the rest of the day…

I just finished my errands. Can you believe that the Halloween stuff is being loaded into stores right now? Are they crazy? It’s bad enough with the back-to-school stuff but Halloween??

For dinner, I’ve got gluten-free chili cooking in the crock-pot and I am about to enjoy a cold glass of something and sit down with Duma Key. I am 400 pages in and loving every minute of it. What are you up to today?

On Wednesday, I made the mistake of eating a piece of meat that was a bit off. It was in the fridge, maybe one day past when it should have been placed in the freezer, but I thought it was okay. However, while cooking it on the BBQ it smelled WRONG.

Now, you must know this about me, I am notorious for throwing away food. I throw tons of it out every week, and it sickens me how much food I waste. I try not to, but I am so particular about “use by” dates. SO… I went ahead and ate it and got royally sick. No one else got sick, because everyone else prefers different cuts of meat. I spent Thursday at work. I swear, I thought I was going to die.

Friday, I called in sick and continued to regret my poor choice. At some point, I thought maybe a hospital trip would be required but I just dosed up on meds and stayed in bed. I’ve had food poisoning before, but it never made my back hurt. My back was killing me which at times made me feel as if something else was going on.

The great thing about being sick, are the books (if you can read while being sick) and the movies. I finally watched The Social Network. I thought it was very good. I also watched a bunch of classic movies and even got cozy with Hannibal Lector. The Silence of the Lambs is a terrifying movie but I love the way it was done. I’ve seen it many times.

As for reading, I finished If I Stay (quite a ride) and The House of Tomorrow (wow!) and Across the Universe (sort of silly). Now I am reading The Absolute Value of Mike, a very funny YA novel that The Boy practically took right out of my hands (when does that EVER happen?)

After feeling a bit better, we went to celebrate a dear friend’s passing. I am so glad I was well enough to attend. I would have been very sad to miss it. It was a lovely service. Later this week, The Hub and The Boy will be attending another service for my SIL, who passed away last week. My heart feels heavy, especially since I won’t be able to attend Wednesday’s service, but my thoughts are with the rest of the family.

Today, I am loading up on liquids because I am still so dehydrated. The Hub is going to the market for me. I gave him a list but we’ll see what he brings home. I can see the entire cart being filled with chips, beef jerky and roasted peanuts.

What are you doing today?

Chatting with friends about books and life…