I love new years, don’t you? For some reason, I find them so cathartic, so refreshing. The unknown adventures in the days to come fill me with such hope, such anticipation. 2009 was one heck of a year. I can’t wait to see what 2010 holds for my family and me!
Speaking of family, we are officially back from vacation. Being gone for eleven days was wonderful, but I was more than anxious to get home by the end of it. There was no major family drama to disrupt the vacation, with either my immediate family or with the in-laws, but I have to say I missed my routine, my dogs, my things. Most importantly, I missed the quiet. Seven kids and four adults in one household on any given day was enough to drive me to distraction. All of us were thankful to pull into our driveway last night and sleep in our own beds.
Today saw me just catching up. Trips to pick up groceries and other supplies, weeding through the stack of paperwork and bills that piled up while we were gone, and just getting organized after having unpacked everything last night. I’m going to try to go to bed early tonight, but I have a feeling that my body is still on Central Standard Time and vacation time. That alarm at 5:00 AM tomorrow is going to be a very rude awakening for us all. (I’m not even going to think about what is awaiting me at work tomorrow. No need to put me in a bad mood on my last day of vacation.)
I finished The Swan Thieves on the drive home, Elizabeth Kostova’s second novel. I’m still thinking about what I want to say, but my initial impression was that I liked it a lot. She has a way with words that requires the reader to read carefully and slowly, savoring each word. I got that impression with her first novel, The Historian, and I was equally impressed with this one. The plot was interesting, and I definitely learned more about oil painting and painting in general than I ever thought possible. It kept me reading for hours while in the car, which is always a good thing. I hope to write the review this week.
Has anyone heard of Examiner.com? I finally bit the bullet and started perusing various job sites for writing positions. Examiner.com showed positions available, so on a whim, I applied to be a book reviewer for the Cincinnati area. I was accepted less than two days later! I’m supposed to write my first article this week, but honestly, I have no idea what to write. I was told that it should be more formal than a blog, so I believe I am going to pull a book I recently reviewed and polish it up a bit for submission. But if anyone else is doing something similar and has helpful hints on how to get started, I am all ears.
I have no idea what else is on the horizon for me this week. At this point in time, I just want to get caught up with everything, including my Google Reader, reviews, and prepare for Bloggiesta this weekend. I also need to start studying for that third exam; I decided over the holidays to push the exam date back until sometime in February in order to allow me to keep my sanity for the month. Between work and everything else, I know this week is going to fly. And that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Have a great week, everyone! Happy reading!
Bermudaonion – It helps to have a husband who loves to drive.
Your so lucky you can read in the car! I hope to read The Swan Thieves soon, so I'm glad to see it's so good.
Thanks, Diane! I'm hoping to write the review this week in time for its official release date.
Stephanie – Happy New Year! I tried to keep up with my blogging friends over the holidays but only managed to skim through the posts without commenting. I'm trying to get better about managing my time so that I can do a little of everything.
I did like Gregor, but you are right. It was a bit too childish. I might surpass the rest of that series, unless Connor really takes to it. I did really like The Lightning Thief and was eyeballing the second book last night. A read-a-long would be fun!
Nicole – I can't wait to see what you thought of it. I think it definitely lives up to her first book. I'm going to try to get the review out by the publication date, which is this week, I believe.
Book Dilettante – Not being able to read on long drives is the worst! Good luck finishing your book. I will definitely check out your post!
Thanks, Natasha! I can't wait to get some reviews and extra posts under my belt.
Molly – Yes, I'm still not certain about the site or the demands. I have to write my first article tonight, so we shall see. The instructions say no first person and no opinions. I say, how can I write a book review without giving my opinion? It will be interesting.
I absolutely loved The Historian. Sufficiently creepy but also amazingly detailed – I immediately wanted to go back and live in Europe again. You must let me know what you think of it when you finally read it!
Can't wait for your Swan Thieves review. Glad to here you liked it.
Happy New Year, Michelle!! I have been completely ignoring my blog and blogging friends over the Christmas holiday. Not intended, but just happened. And while I don't have time to read all your posts right now (but I will later today or tomorrow), I just wanted to stop in and say HI!!
I did see you read Gregor! I loved it…although it is geared at a younger audience than I usually read. I HAD to read it though. When your son says you HAVE to read something (and is truly excited about it), then it's a must read! He's bringing me the Percy Jackson series next!! Although not perfect, the series seems to be fun, exciting, and has a lot of good points for kids to read. Would love to do some read-a-longs with the girls!
I read The Swan Thieves as well and really enjoyed it a lot. I have to get hopping on my review.
Tried to read on a long drive home too, but the snow and ice got in the way and I was too busy watching the road even tho I wasn't the driver 🙂 I'm still reading the same book I was before the holidays but am almost done! Hope you visit my Sunday Salon weekly round-up.
I'm so excited that you'll be doing the Bloggiesta! Can't wait to see what you get accomplished.
Oh my goodness — in two days you heard back with a writing job? That is fantastic! Maybe I should check out that site 🙂
I am really hoping to read The Historian in the first part of 2010. It has been sitting patiently on the shelf for months. I anxiously look forward to reading your review of Swan Thieves.
I am glad you had safe travels – and drama free vacation.