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Currently | Warmer Weather and Code Breakers

currently february 23

Time and Place // 5:45 p.m. at my desk… this is the fourth weekend in a row I haven’t been traveling, which is glorious.

Eating and Drinking // I caved on my cravings and stuffed my face with salsa con queso and tortilla chips all weekend. For the moment, I’m just drinking green tea.

Reading // This week I finished A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki and started Hope Street, Jerusalem by Irris Makler, a memoir by a foreign correspondent in Jerusalem. I was really enjoying A Tale for the Time Being until there was this section of magical realism (maybe?) that I didn’t quite get. I have to think about it more. I’m reading Hope Street, Jerusalem for a book tour this Thursday, so I’m hoping to finish it up tonight.

Watching // Last Sunday I binge watched the rest of season two of House of Cards, which was exactly what I needed that day. It also turns intentional binge watching may actually be good for you, in some cases, which I find validating. I wanted to watch something new yesterday, so I started and finished the first season (three episodes) of The Bletchley Circle, a series about four women who worked as code breakers during World War II who reunite to catch a serial killer. I’ve always had a think for books on code breaking, so this show was great. It also inspired my next read, The Secret Lives of Codebreakers by Sinclair McKay

Listening // I adored this parody of “Let it Go” called “Just Don’t Go” — watch it!

Blogging // This week I posted reviews of two great books: Elizabeth the Queen by Sally Bedell Smith and Trapped Under the Sea by Neil Swidey.

Hating // Nothing. I have been in a great mood all week, thanks in no small part to the three wonderful, warm days we had mid-week. It was above freezing! Snow was melting! I went outside without a coat on (although I live in Minnesota and we’re crazy about how soon we abandon winter clothing)! It was glorious.

Loving // I bought new sweat pants and some new slippers that are actually boots. They are amazing.

Avoiding // I was scheduled for federal jury duty in two weeks, but I got a letter this week that it was postponed until April. Given the current staffing situation at my day job, this is amazing news. I guess I’m not technically avoiding it since I still have to go eventually, but avoiding for now?

Anticipating // I am going to Los Angeles in April to visit my dear friend Florinda (of The 3R’s Blog) and go to the LA Times Festival of Books. We want to organize a blogger meet up, so if you are in the are let me know and we can start to work something out!

Happy Sunday, everyone! What are you reading today?

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Diane@BibliophilebytheSea February 23, 2014, 6:31 pm

    The weather has been so crazy. we had snow mid week, 50 degrees this weekend and col and more snow coming:) Have a great week and enjoy your no travel schedule.

  • Lu February 23, 2014, 7:33 pm

    I absolutely adored The Bletchley Circle when I watched it a few weeks ago. So good! I can’t wait for the next series, which is airing in the UK this spring, so hopefully here soon too? My window is currently open, though it’s going to be cold and snowy the rest of the week, right now I’m just enjoying some fresh air.

    • Kim February 25, 2014, 8:28 pm

      I think I read it was coming here in the spring… maybe April? Don’t quote me on that though! I’m so jealous you have a window open — our house needs some fresh air.

      • Bryan G. Robinson February 26, 2014, 11:05 am

        I don’t think our windows will be open for another month or so. We’re getting another cold streak here in northcentral Pennsylvania…we’ve been thinking about watching The Bletchley Circle too and now that you’ve given your stamp of approval, maybe we will. 🙂

  • Trisha February 23, 2014, 8:07 pm

    Okay, so I find it strange that I’ve recently found myself chowing down on salsa con queso and tortilla chips too. 🙂

    • Kim February 25, 2014, 8:29 pm

      I have cravings for it every once in awhile. I couldn’t resist!

  • bermudaonion (Kathy) February 23, 2014, 8:48 pm

    The weather was glorious her this week – people were out in shorts and flip flops.

    Carl and Vance are into House of Cards too.

    • Kim February 25, 2014, 8:29 pm

      We won’t have shorts weather for at least a few more months — right now I just hope for days I can go without a coat 🙂

  • Shannon @ River City Reading February 23, 2014, 8:50 pm

    Looks like I’m running just behind you! I’m just getting into A Tale for the Time Being (very curious about the magical realism you mentioned) and my husband and I binged the whole first season of House of Cards over the past few days. We just watched the first episode of Season 2 today (OMG WHAT) and I’m getting the TV fog.

    • Kim February 25, 2014, 8:30 pm

      OMG WHAT is the only reaction to S2E1 of that show 🙂

  • Jeanne February 24, 2014, 7:58 am

    I didn’t much care for A Tale for the Time Being in the end, although one would think it would be the kind of fiction I’d absolutely lap up. Feeling a bit of the same about Winter’s Tale, book and movie.

    • Kim February 25, 2014, 8:31 pm

      I’m torn about Winter’s Tale. I’m curious, but not feeling drawn to it. I’ll be curious to read your thoughts.

  • Kailana February 24, 2014, 12:38 pm

    I really must watch more TV! The Bletchley Circle sounds like something I would love!!

    • Kim February 25, 2014, 8:31 pm

      It was really fun! And only three 45 minute episodes, so a quick watch.

  • Andi @ Estella's Revenge February 24, 2014, 1:06 pm

    A Tale for the Time Being is languishing on my nightstand, so I’m interested in your comments on it. Also, totally jealous that you’ll get to hang out with Florinda in LA!

    • Kim February 25, 2014, 8:32 pm

      I’m so excited to see Florinda and go to the book festival. It’s going to be a great little vacation.

  • Laurie C February 26, 2014, 6:39 am

    Love the boot slippers! I wish I had a pair on now; we’re back to the deep freeze again in Mass. this week.

  • Katie @ Doing Dewey February 26, 2014, 7:22 pm

    Wow, the LA times book festival seems like it could be huge and awesome! I hope you have a great time 🙂

  • Jenny @ Reading the End February 26, 2014, 8:54 pm

    I had some reservations about The Bletchley Circle, but I loved the main character’s intensity and, I guess I would say, her faith in her own intelligence and that of her friends. That was lovely to see.

    Yay about jury duty! I hope when you do end up going, that it’s as painless as it can be. (Nobody ever seats me. I am sort of curious what being on a jury would be like, but it seems I will never find out.)

    • Kim March 1, 2014, 2:42 pm

      I go back and forth on whether I might get selected. I’m not sure if working for a newspaper would be a strike for or against.

      • Bryan G. Robinson March 2, 2014, 11:07 am

        I know when I worked for a newspaper, I was rejected almost immediately. I think I put in for a waiver because of it and was granted it, if I remember correctly.