Medieval Bookworm

This Sunday finds me relaxing after a long, difficult week at work. I’ve been so wiped out that I’ve had a hard time focusing on anything, let alone blogging – fortunately, I had a decent stock of blog posts available for the week, so I’ve kept things nice and lively here.

Friday brought me good news at last, however; my application for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK was successful, and now I don’t have any further visa worries! This is such a relief, as it took 2 1/2 months to process and my old visa expired in early December. My passport is back, so I can leave the country again to visit home, too, as it’s been over six months. I’m not sure when that will be, but I’m happy to have options once again.

I also decided to celebrate my new status with the purchase of an iPhone. I had a very old Android which was nearing the end of its 2 year contract and really was on its last legs. The hardware had never been able to keep up with the Android software and it only got a single update, keeping me stuck on an old version for over a year. It randomly dropped signal, leaving me unable to call or text at random times without a restart, which would then kill the battery. I watched others go on to play games together and download new apps I simply couldn’t use. I know it wasn’t Android’s fault, but I had really had enough, and decided to go for a phone I could guarantee would be supported for upgrades over its lifetime.

So, iPhone! I haven’t been able to put it down for the whole day I’ve had it, and let me just tell you I’m in love. I can actually type emails on it without an error in every other word! I’ve been playing games, including the massively popular Words with Friends! (Add me, I’m mbookworm there, I’d love to play with you!) It syncs my personal Kindle documents, so I can read Netgalley books on the go! I’m overwhelmed by all of the apps available, so I’d love your recommendations as I try to sort the wheat from the chaff.

I’ve also been taking some pictures and playing with Instagram – here’s my immediate TBR pile:

In the meantime I’ve been reading The Turning of Anne Merrick by Christine Blevins for an upcoming blog tour this week, and dipping my way through A History of the World in 100 Objects by Dr Neil MacGregor. I’m hoping to finish the first in what’s left of today as well as writing some more reviews.

What are you up to this Sunday? Wishing you all amazing weeks!

Do you ever find that, while or after reading particular books, that the author’s prose starts to change your own thoughts?

This is happening to me right now with The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. I’m not sure if the way that Harbach writes just fits too perfectly into my subconscious, or whether the existential nature of the characters’ thoughts simply suits what has been happening in my mind at the moment, but this isn’t the first time that it’s happened. In fact, I often find my writing starts to echo others’ as well, depending on how drawn I am to the book. For me, this only happens with thoughtful, musing, almost quiet authors – a style that I think suits my own, when I actually manage to write fiction. But I’m never quite sure if this only affects me, or whether it’s a wide-ranging phenomenon.

At the same time, maybe it’s because I’m reading so much. December was a relatively quiet month for my reading; I spent two full weeks immersed in video games instead. I became temporarily obsessed with Mass Effect, and then its sequel, Mass Effect 2, on the Xbox 360, and as a result read barely a word over the whole period because the games sucked up my free time. (Seriously, if you want a ridiculously epic science fiction RPG, look no further than those two). I feel as though that break was exceptionally good for my reading, though, as I’ve finished nearly five books this year so far, and it’s only been a week – and two of them have been serious, thoughtful chunksters.

All this goes to say, really, is that sometimes a break, even from a lifelong hobby, is necessary. I’m sure it helps that all five have been my own books, not inspired by any mind but my own. At some point this year, I’ll have to get back on the review book wagon and go through a few that are released in the next few weeks, but not yet. For now, I am going to enjoy the renewal of my reading mojo while it lasts.

How has the first week of 2012 been for you, reading-wise?

Towards the end of last year, I shared with you a number of books that I was excited about, but somehow just didn’t manage to read. Unfortunately, there are two books on that list that I *still* haven’t made time for (Generation A andThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay), but I also have a crop of 2011 books which were exciting to receive, but which I’ve simply not read for whatever reason. Am I going to read them in the next 3 weeks? Probably not – but it would be nice to squeeze in at least one of them before we ring in the New Year.

At Home, Bill Bryson – I never fail to enjoy a Bill Bryson book, though some more than others, and I have no idea why this one has been sitting on the shelf since I got it for my birthday last January. It has all the little details that I love about the history of the home, but somehow that hasn’t persuaded me to actually dig in.

Full Dark, No Stars, Stephen King – Another birthday gift from 2011. The fact that I haven’t read this nor Under the Dome despite the fact that I actively love Stephen King’s books means that I haven’t picked up 11/22/63 yet either. I’m a bit disappointed in myself here, this isn’t even a chunkster and should actually be a fairly speedy read once I open it up.

Leviathan Wakes, James S. A. Corey – I bought this one this summer, and while only 6 months ago, I’ve been looking forward to it an incredible amount, so I’m not really sure why it has remained over there on the shelf. I can always use a good space opera, so I’m sure this will get read once I feel I can spare it time (it’s a chunkster).

Wedlock, Wendy Moore – I simply can’t believe I’ve owned this book for a year and a half without reading it. Non-fiction about a Georgian couple, this book immediately captured my interest from the shelf in the store but has unfortunately sat patiently on my shelf ever since.

Naamah’s Curse and Naamah’s Blessing, Jacqueline Carey – I adored Carey’s Kushiel series and went through a phase where I read everything she wrote, no matter how chunky. Now, although I’ve read the first book in this particular trilogy, I haven’t managed to finish it up with these two. I think it’s chunkster syndrome, but since I haven’t read these, I’m not allowing myself to get her newest book yet, either.

These are only a few of many that stare accusingly at me from my “unread” bookshelves. What books have you struggled to find time for this year?

Hello everyone! I’m still hanging around, determinedly not writing blog posts it seems, and occupying myself with other pursuits. I’ve been reading very little after an incredibly busy week, culminating in one very late night, my trip to London, and another very late night on the way home. The presentation went well, for anyone who was wondering. I had plenty of delightful company, especially on the trip for our conference, as I get along with a few people from my workplace very well, so I didn’t read a single word over the space of two days. I know. How often does that happen?

This meant that I completely missed Thanksgiving, but I hope all of you who are in the US had an amazing time with family and friends. I did get to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to a number of other Americans at the conference, which I think gave us all a nice feeling of patriotism even in the middle of London.

This weekend, we’ve had houseguests, so while I’ve read a little, I’ve also failed at getting myself behind the computer working on writing (until now, of course). What I’ve read has been exceptional though; I finished up The Bungalow by Sarah Jio and Tam Lin by Pamela Dean. Both very different books, but recommendable in their own ways.

When I do have a chance to write, I’m working hard on a 2011 historical gift guide; I want to share with you my favorite history and historical fiction of the year so far in time for you to buy. Look for that to be published this week, probably towards the end, or early next week.

Also, who can believe it’s almost December? My work Christmas party is this Friday, which seems impossible, but it is indeed time to get out the Christmas music and decorate the tree. I’m not huge on the holiday season – you won’t catch me reading Christmas books or anything – but I am enjoying this year more than last, and I’m looking forward to celebrating my third Christmas with my husband.

Wishing you all a fantastic week! I hope you’re reading something exceptional.

Good morning Saloners! As I expected, my week hasn’t actually involved as much reading as normal, because I’ve been busy writing. As of yesterday, I had 8,606 words, which is just slightly above where Nano writers should be right now. I’m hoping to get a little further ahead today; that’s because it’s much, much harder to devote time to writing during the week than it is on the weekend. In fact, I didn’t write anything on Friday, so I need to prepare a bit better for that going forward. I have no idea where the story is going, so I’m really glad this is my practice!

I did spend some time reading, though, I finished Rome by Robert Hughes and managed to read the very short but excellent The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka. I’m hoping to also actually write some posts today so the blog doesn’t remain silent for an entire week, but it depends on how all of my writing progresses really.

It’s probably good right now that I have an outlet anyway as real life is a tad stressful at the moment. I’m applying for my next UK visa next weekend, but by post this time, so there will be several anxious weeks during which I cannot leave the country, and of course I’m worried about the outcome despite the fact that I really shouldn’t be as hubby and I satisfy every requirement.

I’m also presenting at my company’s International Search Summit in London in less than three weeks’ time, which will be the biggest audience I’ve ever presented to. That carries its own small anxieties, though they’re nowhere near as large as the visa application.

I’ve also been investing a little bit more time into cooking; we signed up for an organic vegetable box scheme a couple of weeks ago and learning how to cook various different vegetables has been a surprisingly educational and tasty experience. Among things I didn’t realize I liked are zucchini (courgettes) and beets. Overall, the outcome has been so far exactly what I’d hoped for; we’re eating way more vegetables and experimenting with cooking. I’m hoping to eventually get organized enough to post some recipes to Weekend Cooking, maybe starting next Saturday.

Have a fantastic Sunday!