Just five more days left to the month of April --can you believe it? I spent most of my free time this week (and there wasn't that much of it) assessing everything bookish. I withdrew from 5 of the 15 challenges that I so impulsively jumped into, and now I feel much much better. I also looked through one bookcase and selected about (25) books to donate to the our library's May book sale (need to make room for the new ones I am sure to purchase there).
I also decided to focus my reading, moving forward on (Beginning in May) with----"reading the best books first", because life is just too too short for so so books. So what does this mean? For me, reading the best books first means: award winners, books that other readers and bloggers have raved about and, favorite authors who have rarely disappointed me. It also means not always reading the newest books first --this will be a change for me as I tend to gravitate towards new releases. I also plan to listen to more audio books as they work so well for me, especially in nice weather. I love audio books while driving, walking, gardening, ironing, cleaning etc. I just doesn't seem like work when you get to read at the same time.
How was your week in books? I finished, but still need to review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks; Skloot (excellent); Caught; Harlen Coben (audio book - good).
I am currently reading: How High the Moon; Sandra Kring very good) and listening to The Post Mistress; Sarah Blake (audio-very good). Have you read any of these? What did you think?
I also wanted to post a photo of the cover art for Kate Morton's (Nov 2010) book. Isn't the cover fabulous?
The Distant Hours; Kate Morton
I've yet to read The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden by her, but since I own them, I will be sure to read both before this book is released.
Well nothing exciting happened this week, but the 4th week of my library job was also a great one, and I feel like I really am into a routine as far as the juggling goes. I did not enjoy having to spend yesterday morning at the hair salon, so next month it will be a weekday, after work appointment. (Weekends are too precious now). ...and with that final though....enjoy yours everyone!
BTW: Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY. Drawing next Saturday.
Diane, I have yet to do a Sunday Salon post but I enjoy reading yours. Read the good books first because they are worth your time. Now that you're working at the library you'll have even better access to all the classics and favorites.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more about the audio books. I've recently been listening to them while doing my housework and it just seems to fly by. I love anything that makes the chores easier.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you've lessened the load on yourself. Life and especially our hobbies, are supposed to be fun. Cheers ;-)
I am so happy to see Kate Morton has a new book. I finished The Shifting Fog last night and it was wonderful.....I loved it even more than The Forgotten Garden which I read last year.
ReplyDeleteWish I had the strength to dump some of my challenges because you're so right - you have to read what you want to read!
Have a great week!
I also own and need to read the first two Kate Morton books. I'm falling so far behind!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane! I hope you're enjoying your weekend. I have read so many good things about THE POSTMISTRESS. I'm glad you're enjoying the audiobook.
ReplyDeleteI've listened to a few audio books but found that I had difficulty staying focused on the story if I was doing housework, etc. My mind wondered so I made myself just sit and listen. Maybe it gets easer in time...I'm super excited about Kate Morton's new book! I LOVED Riverton but haven't read The Forgotten Garden yet. Enjoy your Sunday!
ReplyDeleteLibrary book sales remind me I have a few to donate too! A good way to organize and clear out the book shelves (and those stacked on the floor). Here's my Sunday Salon
ReplyDeletenot only does Kate Morton's new bookcover look wonderful, but the title is very enticing as well.
ReplyDeleteSo glad the job continues to go well.
I love audio books when I'm working and walking the dog.
ReplyDeleteMy next read will be Henrietta Lacks and I'm really looking forward to it. (I liked The Postmistress, but didn't love it.)
The cover of The Distant Hours is fabulous!
Oh, your resolutions sound good. I would like to do that, too, once I've finished reading the ARCs and author review books I've collected!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking I will have to cut back on those.
The Kate Morton books look fabulous, and I've been seeing them around.
I have read and loved The Postmistress.
Here's my Salon:
http://laurel-rainsnowsaccidentallife.blogspot.com/2010/04/sunday-salon_25.html
Oddly, "reading the best books first" is hard for me. I really have to go with my mood, and sometimes "junk" is what my mood is for!
ReplyDelete'Read the best books first' is a great approach - one that I need to adopt! Glad you feel so much lighter with a few less challenges. I haven't joined any this year... yet. Love the cover of Kate Morton's new book. I'm listening to The Forgotten Garden now, but my mother and sister both read it this week and loved it. Will get The House at Riverton from the library this week so Mom can read it.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to getting to PostMistress but I'm not sure when that will be.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed The Forgotten Garden but haven't picked up anything else yet.
Challenges must become a bit overwhelming if you are short of time and they end up dictating your reading. I've only entered two and I haven't really started on them! I'm really taking it easy as I don't get to read a lot these days...
ReplyDeleteI had to return The Postmistress to the library before I got a chance to read it...but it sounds like I need to check it out again!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that work is going so well for you!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand about streamlining and prioritizing reading. And about signing up for too many challenges. I always sign up for too many, so I just realize that I'm not going to finish them all and try not to stress about it.
It's great that you'll be reading what you want to though. Sometimes it's really hard for me to say no to review copies, but I have gotten better at it over the past year.
Diane, I'm so happy that your job is going well. I totally understand about the hair appointment and weekends. They are too precious, aren't they? You seem to be settling in well and I love the fact that you are going to read what you want and the best first. LOL
ReplyDeleteThe cover of THE DISTANT HOURS is gorgeous. The video is a little eerie, but good. Can't wait. I say that and I haven't read her other two books either. Sometimes I read so much about book, I think I have already read certain ones, but I haven't.
I'm trying to focus on reading better books too. One week in, and I'm loving it. I haven't read Morton's first two books either, but I own them too. I'll have to get started soon!
ReplyDeleteKate Morton always has such fabulous cover art!
ReplyDeleteThere's only 5 more days in April? YIKES!
ReplyDeleteI think it is a good idea to read the "best" books first ... why waste time on the not so good books!
I listened to audio books quite a bit last year and enjoyed them. For some reason this year I haven't gotten into them as much. Not sure why that is.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of reading the best books first. I went through my library books and ended up returning some unread as I knew they were no longer a priority. Which ended up being a good decision as 7 holds became available later in the week! All of which are ones I really, really want to read.
I'm so glad you're enjoying The Postmistress! I just loved that one! The cover for the new Kate Morton is gorgeous. I haven't read any of her work either, but she's on my list after hearing so many wonderful things. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteI really liked How High the Moon. Teaspoon was such an appealing waif, wasn't she? And as for Morton's new book cover, I love it. I'd like to just walk right on in!
ReplyDeleteVery cool that you will now be prioritizing your reading. I should try to do the same! I am also glad you are enjoying The Postmistress. I have heard really good things about it and am looking forward to your review, and to reading it myself! I am glad that work continues to go well for you, that's wonderful to hear. It sounds like you have a great job. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI worked on a reorg of my books this weekend, too. I listed 6 that I hadn't on PBS & almost immediately 3 were requested! It was a great feeling! I made a stack of 'borrowed' book I haven't read & so will return. And, I was able to read one book start to finish, which rarely happens these days in two days, so that felt good too. Here's to spring cleaning on our shelves!
ReplyDeleteI have way too many books to read right now and then I bought more at the festival. They are all books that I have been dying to read though so I am still doing the deliberate reading thing, just not as fast as I would like.
ReplyDeleteI am a dawdle a bit when it comes to reading. I have to have the right atmosphere, be in the right mood, etc. Sometimes the two don't jive so then I don't read. Ugh!
Oh, the new Kate Morton cover is reminiscent of The Forgotten Garden. Have you seen the trailer on Kate's site? It looks soooo good. I cannot wait.
ReplyDeleteOhh, a new Kate Morton book! The cover is to die for.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of reading the best books first. I might try this if I ever get caught up in my TBR lists.
ReplyDeleteAlso I look forward to your review of the Henrietta Lacks book. I really want to read this as it sounds like such an interesting back story to an important scientific breakthrough.
I withdrew from quite a few challenges earlier this year as well. I felt so much better, even though I had initially been super excited to join the challenges in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up on the new Kate Morton. I really enjoyed THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN.
ReplyDelete-Amy
Life by Candlelight
There is something freeing about abandoning a challenge. I've sworn off challenges completely now. I just want to read what I want to read, when I want to read it!
ReplyDelete15 is a lot of challenges! Good luck :)
ReplyDelete