Monday, June 13, 2011

Bookish Monday Mewsings

After four weeks of being back at work, I think I have finally settled into a morning routine. It can be a bit of a challenge with a newborn who keeps her own schedule, eating and sleeping on demand. She's slowly finding her own regular pattern--not without a little help from mom and dad--now that she's reached that three month mark. And so every work day, I rise before the sun, change and feed Mouse, and get ready for work. I admit to lingering with Mouse and rushing through my own routine--but it's worth it. At the end of the day I rush home to be with Mouse--no one better stand in my way! The evenings seem too short before it is bath and then bedtime.

I used to always say that a reader will always make time to read, no matter how busy he or she is. And I still believe that. At least to a degree. I now more fully understand how difficult it can be to make the time juggling a full-time job and a baby in addition to keeping a house. As a result, takes me quite a while to get through even one book. But I am reading! And I am slowly beginning to blog again. I am finding my rhythm, you could say.

At the moment, I find it easier to read books on my nook. Perhaps my not having unpacked my books yet has something to do with that? It is also easier to hold and turn pages with one handed. I still love my paper books, however. I haven't completely gone over to one side or the other.

This weekend I tweeted: A friend told me I need to relax more (she's right). Suggested I give up reading murder mysteries (not gonna happen).

Despite my friend's advice, this past weekend I was able to finish Mark Billingham's upcoming Bloodline and am about to begin L.J. Sellers' The Sex Club, the first in the Detective Jackson series. Yes, they are murder mysteries. I can't help it if I turn to mysteries and suspense novels for comfort. Perhaps it is the whole good triumphs over evil or the fact that such novels grip me and don't let go until the very end. If it's a good mystery anyway. Regardless, I enjoy reading a mystery. (Did I mention that my friend's reading tastes tend to lean in the James Patterson direction? She means well though, and I love her for it.)

Also on the bookish front, I recently took advantage of a special Unbridled Books was offering. Twenty-five e-books for twenty-five cents. The sale lasted only a short time and was offered at specific independent bookstores. I have several of the publisher's books already and ended up purchasing eleven titles for my nook:

The Distance Between Us by Masha Hamilton
Wolf Point by Edward Falco
Small Acts of Sex and Electricity by Lisa Haines
Shimmer by Eric Barnes
The Unnatural History of Cypress Parish by Elise Blackwell
The Good Doctor Guillotin by Marc Estrin
The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
Stranger Here Below by Joyce Hinnefeld
The Journal of Antonio Montoya by Rick Collignon
The Green Age of Asher Witherow by M. Allen Cunningham
The Phantom Limbs of the Rollow Sisters by Timothy Schaffert

As if I need more books.

What are you reading at the moment? Have any new books come your way recently?


© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

18 comments:

  1. I would have loved to take advantage of the Unbridled Books offer! There were quite a few books on the list that I want!

    You will get into a routine in due course!

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  2. It does take a little while to establish a new normal when you bring a baby home, but it sounds like you're settling in nicely. It won't be long before you're reviewing kids books!

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  3. I always tell first time moms that you can not possible overestimate how much longer everything will take. Everything will start to fall into place soon for you, and you'll get a good feel for what you can realistically do. (If you're me, you'll ignore this and think you can do more, but you'll know it's impossible before you start.) You think it will be possible to read and hold a baby but even that takes practice. I find it much easier to read books on my iPhone than to read paper books while nursing.

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  4. Marg - I wish it had been open to other countries as well. I am looking forward to reading them.

    Kathy - It was much easier when I didn't have to worry about a routine. LOL Being back at work makes it a bit more challenging.

    I am debating whether to dedicate a day to children's books. That'll be a way's away yet though.

    Lisa - LOL I am a lot like you then. Trying to do more than I possibly can. :-) I seem to be managing okay. It helps that I don't have to get her ready for the day--I put her back to bed after I feed her and hope she lets my husband sleep in a little before she wakes him up.

    I know what you mean about it being easier to use the phone than read an actual book. My phone was my lifeline during those early months and still is. I can't get to a computer very often and so I use my phone instead. And my nook has come in handy when it comes to reading books.

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  5. I can imagine that it is probably hard for you to find uninterrupted reading time when you have the baby, a full time job, and a home to take care of, but I think it's really neat that you are still able to read some on your Nook. And I wouldn't worry about your penchant for reading murder mysteries either. Some of those books are excellent!

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  6. Glad to hear you are still finding time to read. I can remember when my son was a baby that those reading times were precious and few and far between. Sounds like you are settling in to a nice routine and enjoying your baby girl!

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  7. Heather - It helps too that they don't require a lot of brain power. LOL

    Kathleen - It may take me a few weeks to read one book, but I am glad I at least can manage some reading. :-)

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  8. As I discovered during several occasions of having my right arm in a sling last year, it definitely is more comfortable to read one-handed on an e-reader!

    You'll find more reading time after a while, because I can't imagine it NOT being a priority for you. It's just slipped a little ways down the list right now, which makes perfect sense, especially since your return to work has cut into your time with Mouse :-).

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  9. Oh, I wish I had known about that sale! I have a shiny new Kindle and am mostly reading books from Project Gutenberg on it, but I should try to be more on top of e-book sales, especially at indie stores!

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  10. Oh, I well remember those days! Although I always had one book in progress, I didn't read very much during the baby days - when I could find time, I'd usually end up nodding off!

    If I had an e-reader, I would definitely have taken advantage of the Unbridled Books offer -so many great titles on that list!

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  11. Reading your post brings me some wonderful memories, Wendy! :P I'm glad to hear you've settled down in your routine and that you find some time to read.

    I look forward to your reviews on those books you bought! Sounds like a great bargain to me! :)

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  12. Honestly though, how could you pass up that type of deal! I can see why the Nook would be handy right now. Being able to read one-handed is top reason why I read my Kindle at lunch!! I totally understand about getting into a routine...now, you'll be able to add in a little you time!!

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  13. Florinda - I am really grateful that I have an ereader these days!

    Maggie isn't too cooperative yet when I try to read to her, but it's understandable given she doesn't understand what I'm saying. She likes the pictures though. I opened one of the boxes of books the other day and we admired the covers together. The more colorful, the better. :-)

    Aarti - Hopefully they will do something like that again--or perhaps another publisher might try it! I wouldn't have known about it had I not seen it mentioned on Twitter, to be honest.

    Carrie - Haha! That happens to me too. I only get so far before I find myself dozing off. :-)

    Melody - Thanks, Melody! I wish my work schedule allowed more free time to read sometimes. :-(

    I am not sure when I'll get to the new books, but hopefully it won't be long.

    Staci - The sale was too good to pass up! I am looking forward to having a little me time again. I adore Mouse, but it's nice to have time to myself now and then.

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  14. New babies make for a huge adjustment when it comes to just about everything. I tend to turn to thrillers and murder mysteries myself when I am stressed or in the midst of a reading slump. I'm glad to see that you are coming back to blogging..you've been missed!

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  15. Samantha - I am glad I am not the only one who turns to mysteries and thrillers in stressful times. :-)

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  16. My reading changed so much after Gage arrived, but making time for bloggging is what kept me sane! You can't wait to rush home everyday to Mouse, but after my hubby arrives home 11 hours after he left I am ready to hand baby over for an hour or two! Gage was soo grumpy today. nothing made him happy, until Dad came home early. And what have I heard for the past month? dadadadadadadadadadada :)

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  17. Stacy - I have a feeling the only time I'll actually have to write is when I have a slow moment at work. Finding time at home is next to impossible since I can so rarely get to the computer.

    I know what you mean about being ready to hand the baby off--I felt the same way when I was home with Mouse. My husband would walk in the door and I was ready for him to have some father/daughter time. :-)

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  18. Your Nook has a new collection of books added to it. Yay! My Kindle is bursting too and I've been neglecting it. Very bad.

    I'm sure you'll try your best to squeeze in as much reading as possible whenever time permits. I'm trying to do that too but failing miserably.

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