Bookish Finds

Here in Austin we've bypassed spring and forged full speed ahead into "Holy hell, it's hot outside" weather. The current temperature is 85 degrees, with the threat of 97 degrees on Sunday. Is it too soon to cry mercy? Because I'd love to have those two days of spring back from last week. I'd like to say this weekend will be spent in air conditioner, or by the pool, but alas I have crawfish, country music plans. I'm also hoping to catch up on all of Jonathan's Russian adventures, take Lola for a long (hot) walk and get some laundry done. I know, exciting stuff.

This shirt, one of my most recent bookish finds, will likely make an appearance. I love the heck out of this shirt, and also love people's reactions to it. Some people just. don't. get. it. Which makes me smile. I'm kind of wishing I had it in tank top form, based on the current weather forecast.

What are you wearing lately? Anything bookish? Happy Friday!

To Read, Or Not To Read

At the recent APLFF New Fiction Confab (more on that later), an interesting question came up, one that I think most of us readers have considered. If you start a book, and you just don't like it, do you soldier on or do you cut your losses and walk away? I used to be the former reader, trudging through all number of terrible books, and there were many. In the last few years, I decided that my time was worth more than that, and I've started putting books down.

So what kinds of books do I put down? Two notable ones come to mind, only because they've received lots of love from friends, family, bloggers, etc. The first, The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls, I just couldn't finish. I saw Jeanette speak at a charity event, and she was utterly charming. But for some reason, the book was just too much for me to stomach, and I had to walk away.

Another book I put down earlier this week was the second book in Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone saga, Days of Blood & Starlight. I don't know if it's too much fantasy for me, or if it was the transition from Prague to some other world, but this book just did not keep my interest. And when I start skimming, I know it's time to reevaluate my choice.

What about you? Do you ever walk away from a book? I must admit, I find it a little liberating.

On Resolutions and a New Year

I'm returning to the regularly scheduled programming after a short break that feels like an eternity. Anyone else? In the time I was away, I did a lot of things, including getting married (and the stress leading up to that event, especially for an introvert who avoids the spotlight), traveling to Belize, continuing to travel as part of my newish job and celebrating the holidays with my family. Between wedding, work and family, I don't want to count the number of trips I've made back and forth from Austin to Dallas. It would just make me sad. I got back a little over a week ago, and I'm going back next week. See? I can't talk about it.

Moving on. In the midst of all the of crazy, I also started a new writing project. It's still in the early stages, about 10,000 words right now, but I'm hoping to reach the 50,000 words by the end of the month. Cross your crossable extremities. I'm using Scrivener for this project, and loving it, but I can help but feel I'm barely skimming the surface on all of the features. I'll have to work on that.

So it's the start of a new year, and I'm juggling a lot of things, including being a new wife (what!?), being a homeowner, having a newish job in a very new industry and tackling a big writing projects. And it's also the time for resolutions. Oh, why not? I clearly have loads of time. Here goes...

1. Finish my writing project.

2. Learn more about writing and publishing.

3. Record all of the books I read throughout the year.

4. Begin renovations on the condo.

5. Learn how to keep the condo clean.

6. Cook more often, and try new recipes.

7. Be open to new friendships.

There you have it. In making this public, I'm subjecting myself to judgement and ridicule. Be kind.