Sunday Salon | Book Chatter

Without going into too much detail, life has been a tad challenging of late. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t bringing me down. It is, and I try to get through the work week so that I can recover over the weekend but this past week was less than stellar and I find myself dwelling over stuff which is something I do not like to do.

It’s not something horrible or anything like that, it’s just been a struggle lately. Work. Kids. The juggling is getting to me. I try very hard to be a good parent but at times I feel as if I am not getting through.

So, to distract myself from life, I’ve buried myself in this book:

This is a BIZARRE read. The story is terrifying and yes, it is classified as horror, but the format is so odd. It’s pieced together in such a way that requires the reader to figure it out. You’ll be reading one character’s story and then with a subtle change of font, you are suddenly reading someone else’s point of view. One page could have just one word on it. Another page could have several but in a circle pattern. Another reader on Facebook said it was difficult to navigate and that is what you have to do, navigate the story. But, it’s perfect for my mood right now.

What is going on this week? Well, The Boy turns 15! FIFTEEN. Who can believe it? Certainly, not me. He’s got a lot going on on his actual birthday so we are taking him out Tuesday night for dinner. Unfortunately, he also has an appointment to get his wisdom teeth out this Friday. Poor planning but when you don’t have any time to do anything, you take what you can get and this Friday is it. At least it will be over and done with.

I’ve also started the dreaded back to school shopping. I know! I know! It’s way too early, isn’t it? But they start school in like four weeks and it’s creeping up on me. I hope to finish it up within the next two weeks because I cannot stand the crowds right before school starts. And you want to know what made me really happy? The fact that the school district finally put all that personal info online! No more paperwork the first day of school! You can’t believe how happy that makes me.

Okay, now for the regular stuff.

What ELSE am I reading?

House of Leaves is my main squeeze but I am also reading Reconstructing Amelia. I must say, it’s growing on me but it does seem a little juvenile. I have no idea if it’s classified as Young Adult but it does feel that way.

What am I cooking?

I am so tired of food. If my kids didn’t need to eat I think I’d skip it. So, although the weather is quite odd and thunderstorms have been mentioned, I am not cooking chili or soup or anything like that. Instead, we will be eating chicken and rice for dinner. Sort of boring but with all the snacking we do at Concerts at the Park, food in general feels overrated.

What am I watching?

I have been on a cleaning jag but while cleaning, I am watching Something’s Gotta Give. I WANT that house. It’s so gorgeous.

Something's Gotta Give House

Isn’t it dreamy?

What are you up to today?

This is the first summer where it has not felt like summer to me at all. Weather wise, yes…yes, it’s summer but the feeling is not there. You know that feeling. That feeling you have when it’s blazing hot outside and you are sitting inside with a tall glass of iced tea. Or that feeling you have when you are sitting outside with a good book and you can hear the sounds of kids splashing in the pool a couple of houses down.

Nope. This is a Bummer Summer.

The Boy is too busy with summer school, his ASB and cross-country activities and I am too worn out trying to keep track of everything. I mean, what kind of acid am I on? I have a wide open Sunday and what do I do? I scrub the floors. How pathetic.

We did manage to work some fun in though. Yesterday we hit another concert in the park but the band was only so-so and everyone kind of got bored. I mean, when the band plays the same song THREE times, you can’t help but grow bored. However, The Boy had some friends with him and we met up with some friends there, so The Girl was happy. Of course right in the middle of the concert the teens yelled (quite loudly) over the Zimmerman verdict. I have my opinions over the whole thing but the Huffington Post said it best, “Not Guilty. But, not innocent.” Very true.

What am I reading?

I just started Eva Moves the Furniture by Margot Livesey. I thought it was a ghost story which is why I picked it up but from the write-ups I’ve seen of it, it looks like it may be magical realism and I cannot stand magical realism. Can anyone tell me if it is?

What am I cooking?

Tonight we are grilling steaks, baking some potatoes and roasting corn. There may be ice cream too.

What am I watching?

We plan to watch Oliver! the musical later. That is the next show the kids are in and although The Boy did the show once before when he was 10, it will be The Girl’s first time doing it. They are both looking forward to it. So many great songs.

What do you have planned for today?

Chatting with friends about books and life…