Breaking through the book barrier with The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake got me through my reading funk. Thanks TPSOLC! I finished it a couple of days ago, and it was fabulous. It was quick, original, and I loved the way it flowed. If you want a quick read, get this one. Just don’t try to get it from the library. I was on the hold list at the library when I ordered the book off Amazon. I was 25th out of 39 when I cancelled the hold, and I started out at 41.

Since we’re talking about books we recommend, I just found out that one of my favorites is coming to theaters soon. I loved “Never Let Me Go”, and I’m excited to see the movie. I’m not as excited about Keira Knightley being in it, but they didn’t consult me on the casting. Woe is me.

And that leads me to another book gone movie… “How Starbucks Saved My Life.” Ugh. This was terrible, and I can’t believe someone (Tom Hanks even – I do question his judgment these days) thought it would make a good movie. This was the best review I found:

How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Disappointing Memoir

I tried to find a good book blogger review of it, but I couldn’t find one that didn’t suck up to Michael Gates Gill as if he was the best thing since the pumpkin spice latte.

So, for good reads, skip the Starbucks memoir, but by all means, have a PSL. It’s really good iced, and I bet it would be even better with a slice of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/books/review/Genzlinger-t.html

August was a dud where reading is concerned

I am so disappointed that I didn’t keep up with my book/week goal during the month of August. I am now at least six books behind for the year, and I really hope I can catch up, although September isn’t looking much better.

Luckily, we’re going to Sydney for three weeks later this year. I may be able to catch up on some reading then. If not, I’ll just have to get some Georgette Heyer books, because I love those and plow right through them. They’re so easy to read and so quick that reading Heyer feels like cheating.

In the meantime, I’m currently reading:

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

And I’m loving it! Great book so far. In fact, I’m heading to bed so I can get a little bit of reading in.

Sunday updates and goals

First, the updates… uh, not many. Maybe I’ll just start with the numbers:

  • # of words written: zippo
  • Blog posts: uno (yay! two if you count this one)
  • Contract work: Finished outlines for three user guides; one outline still in progress; wrote/edited eight topics
  • Office de-cluttering: don’t ask
  • Books read: zippo

These are my goals for this week:

  • # of words written: some
  • Blog posts: two (other than this one)
  • Contract work: Finish outline #4; write/edit 70 or so topics
  • Office de-cluttering: get through one box or put away one stack o’ crap
  • Books read: one
  • Play with my daughter: always!

My new hope is that if I put some goals out there for all the world to see, I’ll be able to stick to them. I’ll be sure to blog about how it all goes.

That’s about all I have tonight. I’m heading to bed early. Seriously. Now. Or within 10 minutes, whichever comes first.

The rebel ad clicker

You’re welcome. Yes, you. I clicked on one of those ads that displays on your blog. Maybe the ad was interesting to me, maybe it wasn’t. The important thing is that your blog is interesting , and that’s why I clicked. It’s my way of giving you extra kudos for a blog post well written or to say hey, I support you.

Just think of me when you spend your 10 cents.

Keeping busy and checking up on family

It’s been a busy couple of days. We’ve been out and about, running errands, meeting people for lunch, and generally ignoring housework and other chores. In my free time, I’ve been editing some documents for a friend and stayed up late last night trying to figure out a sidebar issue with WordPress. (I never did figure it out.) I’m not sure where the time goes, but I rarely get to bed before 1am. I am really trying to get to bed “early” tonight. I don’t have much to show for these late nights, but I like to think progress is being made with something, somewhere.

Little J and I went to Casa Grande to visit family today. By the time we got home, it was time to put Little J to bed. I almost felt guilty about wasting a day, but we don’t see my grandparents often enough considering how close we live to them. I used to go to their house every morning for coffee before heading to work, and now I hardly see them. So, when I started feeling guilty, I just told myself that clutter in the house won’t matter in ten years, but all the visits to see my grandparents will. It’s easy enough to put things into perspective with that attitude, although, I do need to spend some time cutting the clutter tomorrow.