Around Here | I’m in one of those moods where I want to READ ALL THE THINGS, but then can’t seem to settle my brain down enough to read anything at all. During these periods, I can’t decide if I need to force myself to sit and read because I know that focused attention is what my brain needs, or just go with the flow and spend time watching television instead. What’s your approach?
Reading | The list of books I have started and let pile up partially read is a long one — Empress by Rubl Lal, The Poisoned City by Anna Clark, Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win by Jo Piazza, The Personality Brokers by Merve Emre, Give a Girl a Knife by Amy Thielen… I could go on, but it’s too much of a bummer because they’re all really good.
Watching | Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman are co-hosting a new NBC show called Making It, which is basically The Great British Baking Show of crafts, except much less British and restrained. The first episode aired last week and was absolutely delightful.
Listening | I’m close to finishing up “The Coming Storm,” an Audible original by Michael Lewis about weather predictions, government data, and the tension between a government that puts citizens first versus a government that puts commercial interests first. The piece is a bit of a preview to a book that Lewis has coming out in October, The Fifth Risk, that explores what happens when the people who are in charge of the government have no idea (and no interest) in how it actually works.
Loving | My job, doing social media for a public library system, is just the most delightful thing. There are always some unpleasant parts, but on the whole I love getting to promote and champion libraries and books and reading and all the great services we provide to the community.
Hating | August just sucks. Coming up on the two year anniversary of being widowed has been a hard idea to get my head around. I’m sure that’s contributing to my reading problems.
Pondering | This week I finally realized that 2018 is the 20th anniversary of the Harry Potter books! I don’t know how that didn’t make it on my radar, but it’s making me want to do a re-read of the entire series. I’ve read the first six books multiple times, but never revisited the seventh. It feels like it might be time for that soon.
Blogging | On the blog, I wrote about the tools and system I use to stay organized and get stuff done, and shared the towering pile of books I finished in July (and some upcoming September titles I’m looking forward to reading).
Anticipating | This afternoon a friend is hosting a BBQ, so I’ll be heading over there early to help get ready. I get a little nervous in big groups of new people, but I’m sure it will be a good time.
Happy Sunday, everyone! What are you reading today?
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I keep starting different books until I find one I can settle into. The third wayfarers books is out, by Becky Chambers!
I’ve got a bunch of books started — I really hope one sticks soon!
I usually just end up going with the flow and watching TV instead. I’d like to say I buckle down and read, but lately I’ve just been watching reruns of CSI on Hulu (which by the way, thanks – again- for turning us back on to it, with ER…another one we need to get back to). I’ll have to remind my wife about Making It. I’m sure she’ll enjoy it since she loves both Poehler and Offerman. As someone who works at a library, naturally I think libraries are great too, even though as you say “there are always some unpleasant parts.” And ooooh, Harry Potter’s 20th anniversary. It might be time for a reread, I agree.
I petered off with ER. I’m in the middle of S14 and want to finish it, but parts of it got so silly I’m not as motivated as I was before. I’ll have to just power through when the weather turns, I think.
Making It is a delight! The dynamic of the hosts is one of the most charming parts about the show, maybe even more than the crafting. It’s lovely.
Happy belated Sunday! I’m so glad you’re liking your job — you deserve to have the best job in the world! And I’m delighted to hear that Making It is good, as I am very much looking forward to watching it soon.
I’m also thinking of you this August, hon. I’m sorry you’re having a hard time with it — my good thoughts and love are with you.
I’ve seen the Great British Baking Show comparisons and they’re right about the format, but this is definitely more American — it’s just bigger and brighter and goofier, but in a fun way 🙂
Wait wait wait, it’s been TWENTY YEARS with HP??? I mean, I still remember reading the first book for the first time way the hey back in the day… so, logically, sure, it’s been 20 years, but my brain also cannot comprehend this concept.
As for your less-fun anniversary this month — just know that even if grief doesn’t exactly get lighter the longer you carry it, it does get less jagged and destabilizing.
I know, right! I can’t believe it’s been that long. They’re still just so ubiquitous in culture, it’s hard to believe it’s been that long.
Thanks a smart way to think about grief, it does evolve over time. Thanks 🙂
I listened to the entire Harry Potter series on audio a few years ago. It was so much fun to revisit the series and in a medium that I hadn’t experienced it in before.
Thinking of you during this month.
This was such a good suggestion, thank you!! I downloaded the first one earlier this week and it has been so, so great. I’m excited to revisit the series this way.
I too am quite scattered this summer with my reading & everything else. Just busy, so my reading has been slow. When this happens I think it’s okay to recognize it and just ease off for awhile. When things get cold again — then it’ll be easier to be inside with a book.
That is true, winter is a great time just hang out inside and read all day! I was feeling pretty organized earlier in summer, but August has been a struggle.
I haven’t really read anything new in a couple of months. I’ve decided to let American Marriage wait until the author visits our town next spring. That’s difficult, as I so want to read it.
I think that’s a good choice — I bet she will be so interesting in person!
I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since Potter came out. I love the series and we recently watched all the movies (in order of course) again.
August is hot and humid here – completely sucks. Only 3 more years until we can leave Florida and I am looking forward to that. Someplace with seasons instead of hot and hotter. And high speed internet!
I haven’t watched the movies in awhile — that might be a Christmas break project, they feel like a long holiday endeavor to me 🙂
I’m glad to hear your job is going so well – yay! I’ve been struggling the past couple of months to keep up with everything as I feel like there’s just so much going on so I understand the feeling of too many books and not enough attention. Hang in there! Oh and thanks for reminding me about Making It. I’ve got check that out!
Making It is so much fun! It’s not quite as charming as the shows it is modeled after, but Amy and Nick are so funny it mostly makes up for everything else. I love it.