Happy Sunday, everyone! Thanks for bearing with me and my new-found busyness. The new job (in a bookstore again, since some of you asked) is going very well, though that plus class has effectively wiped out both my reading time and my blogging time. Luckily, I’ve somehow amassed a backlog of reviews, which shall come in handy as we go into the crazy holiday season!
So, here’s the plan. Over the next couple of months, nearly all my reviews will be of books I’ve read before today. They’re mostly written, so there’s no chance of a book fading in my memory before I write it up. I’m really happy I have enough reviews accumulated to cover a chunk of time, as not having the burden of reading and writing away is a huge help right now. They also make it possible to focus my now limited time on some reading-related things I’m excited about.
First, Reading Buddies is doing a couple of books I’m looking forward to for the end of 2011: The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins for November and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne for December. (January’s book hasn’t been chosen yet — cast your vote in the sidebar poll now!)
Second, my IRL book group is reading The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell for their early December meeting and The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver for early January. Both of those are on my shelf and on my TBR list, and I’m glad to have a reason to pick them up.
Third, I have to finish War and Peace for Jillian’s readalong! I fell of the one-chapter-a-day wagon long ago, but I’d still like to make it to the end by the time 2012 rolls around. So, when I’m not reading one of the above books, I’ll be spending some quality time with Tolstoy.
Depending on how much extra time I have, I may read something by Jane Austen for Advent with Austen. Perhaps as an audiobook? My listening will remain mostly unscheduled, so I have some flexibility there.
If you’re interested in reading any of the above books, let me know and we can sort of coordinate. Obviously, the Reading Buddies books will get their usual dual posts plus Goodreads thread, but I’d be happy to have company for The Sparrow, The Lacuna, and/or Jane Austen as well.
So. What does all of this mean for Erin Reads? Nothing much will be different. The reviews will keep coming and Reading Buddies will go on as usual as I finish up the semester and get used to my new schedule. As much as I want to reply to all the comments you have left over the past couple of weeks, the list keeps growing, and though I’ve read them all, the backlog is now to the point that I’m rather overwhelmed. I’m hoping to start back up again soon. I’m also hoping to get back to reading blogs on a limited basis — at this point, my Google Reader is far beyond the 1000 mark, and for sanity’s sake, that Mark As Read button is looking more and more likely. (If you have a not-to-be-missed post, please tell me about it so I don’t miss it!) But! I am still here, and I thank you for continuing to hang out with me, and I will try very hard to be around as much as I can.
While I sell books today, tell me what is new or exciting in your life! (And if you’re one of those Energizer types who can juggle three lives simultaneously AND have a post go up every day, please share your secret!)
Sounds like you are having some wonderful adventures! It can be so hard to strike the right balance between life & blogging, sounds like you have a great plan to help you. Enjoy all of it!
I might join you on the reading buddies in December because I’ve wanted to reread The SCarlet Letter for quite some time. I’m not sure where my brain and mood will be so I can’t commit definitely, but I will try. π It’ll be nice to get to participate!
I suck at juggling my lives and having even 3 posts go up a week, so I’m lurking by to discover secrets. Looks like I’ll have to try back later… π It’s excellent that you already have a bunch of reviews ready to go…wish I did! I’ve got the books that need reviewing, but the reviews are not getting written so much…
I have, however, beat back my Google Reader to a mere 915 posts unread, which is totally doable today. Hah!
I fell off the chapter-a-day wagon with War and Peace in July! I have half the book to read by the end of the year, but I’m thinking I can do it. π I’m definitely not the Energizer Bunny type, so I have no advice. Except that I never feel guilty hitting the MARK AS READ button. I mean, we do what we can do, and life comes first. π
So glad that you got the perfect job for you! I would love the chance to work in a bookshop, but would probably come home with no paycheck and lots and lots of books! I am glad that you have a backlog of book reviews and that you are able to handle things as they come! Good luck in the new job!
For someone who has little time to read these days, you’ve sure got ambitious plans! I’m lucky right now to get through a book a week; so frustrating! Good luck with the plans!
Looks like you have some good books on the horizon. I’ve had The Lacuna on my TBR shelf for a long time (I bought it when it was first released) and I want to read it in January for Orange January…So, I’ll be interested in seeing what you have to say about that one!!
I lost my war in War and Peace back in May, but you have inspired me to get back into it and finish!
A bookstore job?! I’m jealous! I hope you write a few posts about it. Good luck with the new job!
The only thing new for me is that I’m writing a blog post a day and for some reason, I only want to read non-fiction. Have a great week.
I imagine it’s a great feeling to have a whole bunch of reviews ready to go…I’ve never had that feeling. π
Congratulations on the new job! Don’t worry about keeping up with the comments – sometimes real life is far more important π I look forward to hearing about the books you’ve read at some point, but don’t stres about it. Have a wonderful Novemer!
Good luck with finding the balance! Whenever I get busy, I always have trouble getting things done, and that ‘mark as read’ does get to looking tempting.
I’ll be especially interested to see what you think of The Lacuna. I own it but have been too scared to pick it up!
Your new job sounds great! And I forgot to tell you how beautiful and cute your kitties are. I’s happy for you and Nila that she’s back living with you. Cats make wonderful companions when you’re reading.
You have some great books lined up for th next couple ofmonths.
Don’t worry about comments or visiting blogs…just do what you can…sometimes the demands of life don’t leave a lot of time for the extras…so long as you’re happy & you sound happy!
How lucky that you have a backlog of reviews. I do not and therefore the ol’ blog goes at lengths of time without updates. Whoops. School is just too busy. (So, no, I’m not the Energizer bunny type.)
I do hope I can join in on both of Reading Buddies selections for the rest of the year. Good luck with your plans!
Ooh, I have the Woman in White downloaded from Librivox. I might try to pick it up this month. π
I hope you get some folks to join you in reading The Sparrow! It’s one of my absolute favorites, and I co-hosted a group read of it in 2010.
I’m behind the curve on blog-reading and -posting myself, so I know how you feel–I think a lot of us do!
Oh I totally relate-to the lack of reading and the lack of time to blog and comment and reply to comments. Not the backlog of reviews. I’d LOVE to be able to relate to that. π Can’t wait to hear what you thought of The Woman in White and Scarlett Letter. Love both of those classics, even though they’re very different.
Glad the new job is going well!!
I love The Sparrow and hope you do too π