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Currently | Home and a Galaxy Far, Far Away

currently december 20 2015

Time and Place | Around 8:30 a.m., at home, on my own couch! As I have mentioned (too often, I’m sure), I’ve been away from home for the last three weekends. That’s just too much for me, and I seem to have paid the price this week — daily fatigue headaches, insomnia, and general exhaustion. A weekend catching up on projects at home is exactly what I needed.

Reading | It’s been a good week of reading! I finished The Shore by Sara Taylor, a collection of connected short stories that take place on a group of remote islands off the coast of Virginia. The stories span hundreds of years, all connecting back to a single family with deep connections to the island (with an elaborate family tree to keep it all straight). I thought the book was beautiful — it’s the kind of collection that will reward a rereading in the future. I just started Mindy Kaling’s new book, Why Not Me?, which I’m confident will be a delight.

Listening | I just finished Winter, the final book in Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles quartet. I loved this series so much, especially the fact that it avoided nearly all of my least favorite tropes of young adult dystopian fantasy.

Watching | We went to see Star Wars last night! It was so fun, highly recommended.

Making | I have one small Christmas crochet project to finish, and then I am going to work on something for me — probably this poncho/wrap from Two of Wands on Etsy. I’ve got some gorgeous teal tweed yarn I want to do something with.

Cooking | Despite the fact that there’s snow on the ground, we grilled last night! We have another generous shipment of Omaha Steaks from the boyfriend’s mother, and probably need to find better ways to cook them now that winter has arrived.

Blogging | Last week I posted my favorite fiction of 2015, followed by some mini-reviews of a few books I hadn’t written about here on the blog yet. This week I’m hoping to post my favorite nonfiction of the year and share some of my reading plans for Christmas and the beginning of 2016.

Promoting | Shannon (River City Reading) posted some of the best long-form journalism she read online this year, which has some stellar pieces in it.

Hating | Headaches! It’s been a bad week on that front.

Loving | I splurged on a Hydro Flask water bottle, and it is amazing! I am very tempted to get one for tea as well, since it’s also supposed to be great for keeping drinks warm.

Anticipating | Christmas! We’re leaving sometime Christmas Eve to head to my parent’s house and will be there for the long weekend. The boyfriend’s parents are coming in from Milwaukee, so we’ll have another big, extended family celebration. I’m really excited.

Happy Sunday, everyone! What are you reading today?

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Shannon @ River City Reading December 20, 2015, 11:32 am

    So glad to see you read and enjoyed The Shore – I can’t help but beam whenever I see that book in another person’s hands. We saw Star Wars yesterday and I absolutely adored it, even though I’m not really part of the fandom.
    Thanks for the link!

  • Andi December 20, 2015, 4:22 pm

    Hydro Flask! David has one, and I thought he was nuts when he first bought it, but it’s amaaaaazing! I hope you can get caught up on your rest and feel refreshed going into the holidays. And THE SHORE! Oh, The Shore. How I love thee.

    • Kim January 3, 2016, 1:20 pm

      I felt totally dumb spending like $30 on water bottle but oh my gosh, worth it. I’m thiiiiis close to getting a coffee mug from the same company as well.

  • bermudaonion (Kathy) December 20, 2015, 6:45 pm

    Everyone’s talking about Star Wars but I have no interest in the movie. Carl has seen it and told me the big, spoilery thing so I do know that.

  • Sarah's Book Shelves December 21, 2015, 7:00 am

    I’m so glad you enjoyed The Shore and the Kaling sound like a great follow-up to recover from it!

  • Vasilly December 21, 2015, 10:09 am

    Headaches are the worst! I hope yours go away and stay that way. Winter is on my reading list for Christmas break, but first I have to wait for my daughter to finish it! Looking forward to reading your favorites lists. Merry Christmas!

  • Athira December 21, 2015, 10:45 am

    Love that poncho/wrap! I have one in mind to knit but it may be a long time before I get to it. The husband has been talking about Star Wars for a while so I hope he gets to watch it with my brother. Me – not much of a fan.

  • Michelle December 23, 2015, 11:56 am

    I absolutely LOVED Star Wars. I really want to watch it again (and again and again).

    So, what is special about a Hydro Flask? I am so deficient in my water drinking, I am getting desperate for something that may entice me to drink up!

    • Kim January 3, 2016, 1:21 pm

      The big selling point of a Hydro Flask is that they keep water cold for a really long time — allegedly up to 24 hours, but I haven’t tested that out. They’re made in two layers, with a vacuum in the middle, so cold can’t escape as easily. They definitely work, and it’s satisfying to have cold water so long after you fill it up.