I can’t believe it’s been four weeks since I’ve done a Sunday Salon post! My blogging break went on a little bit longer than I expected, and I’m still not quite sure if I’m ready to go back to regular posting. I seem to be a little ambivalent about blogging – though not about reading, either books or other blogs. Not sure if that means I should soldier through or take a little longer break. If I disappear again for a while, you’ll know why.
Lots of good things going on. Kevin likes his job, which is a really good thing, because his hours are brutal! On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, he is gone from 5:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, he is gone from 5:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. – unless they add afternoon appointments, which has happened. He’s not on the clock all of that time, so he’s not getting as much overtime as it appears, but he is getting some. We are very grateful that he is working, but it is hard having him gone so much – especially since he either telecommuted or was unemployed for the past four years. I got a bit used to having him around all the time. 
The kids are doing well, but are definitely looking forward to spring. The boys always end up spending too much time on video games this time of year, simply because the weather is horrible for being outside. Our weeks have gotten very busy again, with Natalie taking Driver’s Ed in the afternoons, and the boys taking a couple of extra-curricular classes.
I didn’t talk about it on the blog, but when we moved from Colville, we also left our church, for reasons I won’t go into here. It was very painful – and I am still hurting over some of the things said or done – but I now feel able to forgive and move on. We have been attending Mom and Dad’s church, and while we thought that it might be just a temporary place to lick our wounds, so to speak, we have come to absolutely love the people. It is a multi-generational church, and I love the family feel. The kids are getting plugged in there, too, and making friends.
Mom and Dad have gotten me hooked on a couple of new (to me) TV shows: Elementary and Person of Interest. I was one of those who refused to try Elementary when it first premiered, on principle. Watson is a woman, after all! But I was wrong – I love their incarnation of Holmes, and I’ve found that Watson’s character transcends gender. The writing is sharp, the mysteries clever, and there is a lot of humor.
I have also been watching season three of Downton Abbey, of course. It’s been a heart-breaking season, and I fear there is more tragedy to come, as I haven’t been able to completely avoid spoilers.
Since I last did a Sunday Salon, I have finished the following books:
~ More Baths, Less Talking by Nick Hornby
~ My Antonia by Willa Cather
~ Promised by Caragh O’Brien
~ The Map of the Sky by Felix J. Palma
~ The Lion Is In by Delia Ephron
~ Picnic, Lightning by Billy Collins
~ Ballistics by Billy Collins
~ Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
~ Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
~ Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton
~ The Blood Binding: A Belladonna Johnson Story by Helen Stringer
~ White Horse by Alex Adams
~ Don’t Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon
~ Dark Magic by James Swain
I have a ton of reviews to catch up on! You can find links to the few I have reviewed on my Read in 2013 page.
Lately, my reading has been bleak. As in Bleak House, our choice for this month’s “I’ve Always Meant to Read That Book!” Challenge. I may have bitten off a bit more than I can chew with assigning this over 900 page book to the shortest month of the year. I know some of you warned me, but I figured, “What’s 40 pages a day?” The problem is that 40 pages a day of Dickens is very different – and reads much more slowly – than 40 pages of a modern author. I’m still holding out hope that I will have it finished in time but I am about 100 pages behind as of now. Are any of you reading along with me? What do you think of it so far? Do you think you’ll have it finished by the end of the month?
I am dipping in and out of two other print books when I need a break from Dickens: Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, a reread; and Small Damages by Beth Kephart. On audio, I am currently listening to The Host by Stephenie Meyer, a reread; and What We Saw at Night by Jacquelyn Mitchard.
Well, I think that basically catches you up. I’m hoping to post some reviews this week, but time will tell. What has been going on with all of you? Reading anything I need to hear about?
Twitter: bermudaonion
says:
It sounds like you’re busy! We’re crazy busy too, so I’m running out of material to write about.
bermudaonion(Kathy)´s last post ..Kid Konnection: Lenore Appelhans event and giveaway
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Kathy – it’s a busy time of year, I suspect!
Twitter: unfnshdprsn
says:
Glad to hear about your church situation. Last year we left a church we had been going to for a while, but in our case, it wasn’t super difficult. What has been super difficult for us is getting back to another church. We’ve selected one, but with my wife’s work schedule (midnight to 8), it’s hard for us to get (motivated) to get to church on the weekends. It’s something we need to work on.
Bryan´s last post ..Going just a little crazy with books
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Bryan – that is a rough work schedule – it must be hard to keep in sync with each other!
Twitter: youvegottaread
says:
I know Jenners just told everybody she is backing off the blogging as well. It makes me sad that this is happening to so many people but I completely understand. Blogging takes a huge amount of time out of the day. I’m still struggling with how I feel about it all as well, and wonder if I will still be at this in a year. I just know that break I took in January was pretty nice. I am also so HAPPY that your husband is working (even though it is a huge change for you) and that you are finding a home in the new church.
Sandy´s last post ..Sunday Salon: T minus 7
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Sandy – I keep wondering if maybe blogging was just for a certain season for me – but then when I think about not doing it, I get sad. Not sure what that means…
Twitter: bookclubreader
says:
Welcome back. I enjoyed reading your post today and hope you’ll be blogging more soon! You can see my latest book acquisitions here: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2013/02/sunday-post-stacking-shelves-my-weekly.html
Catherine @ Book Club Librarian´s last post ..Sunday Post–Stacking the Shelves–My Weekly Book Recap
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Thanks, Catherine.
Welcome back, I’ve missed you. I give you a lot of credit for sticking to your “I always meant to read that challenge”. I’m collecting my Ireland reading goodies for March, looking forward to spending some time in that wonderful country, with it’s uniqueness. I hope you continue to enjoy the company of your church family. Good to hear that Kevin likes his job, putting that much time into a job you don’t like would be difficult. I do think your blog block is just temporary and we are happy to have you when you feel like it. I’ll miss you if you choose to leave us. Once a month is o.k. Keep well and enjoy your reading.
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Irene – I am so jealous of your trip in March! I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Sounds like you’ve had a fair bit of upheaval over the last few months. No wonder you needed a break from blogging! Welcome back.
Thanks for sharing your take on Elementary. I’ve been avoiding it, too — mostly because I love the BBC’s Sherlock and can’t imagine another modernized version living up to it. I don’t at all mind Watson being a woman, but an American Holmes just feels wrong. But perhaps I ought to give it a try?
Lark @ The Bookwyrm’s Hoard´s last post ..Sunday Post — 2/17/13
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Lark – actually Holmes is still British, but he is living and working in New York. You should definitely give it a try!
Twitter: Vasilly
says:
I think I need to try Elementary now! How’s The Host on audio? You have finished so many books since your last Sunday Salon. I can’t wait to read your reviews. I hope you enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Vasilly´s last post ..Sunday Salon
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
V – The Host is really good on audio! I wanted to reread it before the film comes out this year.
Twitter: myeclecticbooks
says:
So glad things are finally looking up for you! Sounds like you have lots of great reviews instore for us!
PS I could not get into Elementary…but I LOVE Person of Interest!!
Melissa´s last post ..Added to the Bookshelf – 2/17/13
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Melissa – I am totally hooked on Person of Interest – not sure why I never watched it when it first came out!
Twitter: debnance
says:
Glad to see you back. I’m late to the show for the new Nick Hornby (somehow I thought his column had been discontinued), but he is a must read for me, so off I go.
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Deb – Hornby did take a couple years away from his column, but now he’s back at it – so more collections for us!
On pins & needles about Downton. Good luck with the Dickens, little by little you’ll get there. cheers.
Susan´s last post ..Two Books in Brief
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Thanks, Susan – I’m going to keep plugging away!
What We Saw At Night on audio? Interesting. I’ll be curious what you think of it. I can’t imagine The Host on audio either, but I was just thinking about how I want to reread that one again soon.
The days are definitely getting busier, aren’t they? I know Connor has a meeting about track this week. I know there is going to be another shift in the schedule sooner rather than later. Yikes!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Michelle – I’m glad I read your review of What We Saw, so I’m prepared for the cliff-hanger ending. The Host is great on audio – the woman who reads it is perfect!
I love Person of Interest! I watch very little TV but this is one I look forward to each week. Reese and Finch are such interesting characters. The show is so smart and clever that most of the time I can’t believe it is on TV!
Kathleen´s last post ..The Second Half
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Kathleen – I know – I love it!