Erin Reads – Page 15 – Notes on Books & Life

Sunday Salon: In Which I Am No Longer MIA from Book Blogging (!!!)

So. It’s been a while. Like…10 months. When I quit blogging on Erin Reads back in mid-2012, I wasn’t sure I’d ever post here again.

But I’m back. Heck yes. *fist pump* *happy dance* *high five*

There’s a story, of course, that leads from quitting to reviving. Read on and you shall hear it. I’m also laying down some ground rules for myself before I move forward. And a few things — like where you’ll find me on Twitter and other fascinating tidbits — have changed. We’ll get to all of that.

But first, may I just say: Holy cow, am I happy to be back!

Why I Quit and What I Was Doing Instead of Blogging

Almost a year and a half ago to the day, I cut my posting on Erin Reads back drastically. A couple of months later, I all but gave up book blogging altogether. I was dangerously close to burnout and needed a break. And I had a new project I was working on, to which my free moments were given.

Taking a break in the woods (erinreads.com, photo by michael pollak via Flickr) — photo courtesy of michael pollak

For a long stretch of time, I did not blog about books. I did not track my reading in any way (and so, sadly, have no record of what books I actually read during that time). I didn’t even read that much. The only book discussions I really had were with my monthly IRL book group. It was a detox of sorts, I think.

Instead, I worked on my new site — Remade By Hand — which now houses my editing services. I experimented with running an Etsy shop. I blogged about non-book topics on my new site. In short, I took a massive book blogging break.

Why I Came Back to Erin Reads

When early 2013 rolled around, I realized I missed having a record of my reading. So I set up a couple of reading-focused Pinterest boards: one for books and the other for audiobooks. At least this way I had a record of what I’d read. I could even put a few thoughts about a book in the comment field of its pin. And that approach worked for a while, even as those thoughts gradually got longer and longer.

Except the discussion was missing. I found myself wandering over to book blogs I used to read. Would anyone know me if I commented? I felt like I didn’t know anyone in the book blogging community anymore, so much had changed. At least I had my book group.

Then my husband and I moved cross country. Goodbye, book group. Perhaps it sounds overly dramatic, but I felt like my last remaining tie to diehard readers had been severed.

Shelf of books (erinreads.com, photo by jayneandd via Flickr) — photo courtesy of jayneandd

A couple of weeks ago, an alarm popped up on my Google calendar: the Readathon, my very favorite event. I already had plans for the weekend, but — brace yourself for some serious cheesiness — the thought of all those readers reading at the same time across the world warmed my heart. I wanted to spend the whole day blissfully emerged in a book, knowing hundreds of others were doing the same. I wanted to track stats and do mini-challenges and post my answers to the end-of-event survey. I wanted to be part of that community again.

The proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back was my friend Joel. He is seriously into curating. Like, way into it. He basically curates is whole life, and he’s writing a book about how you can (and why you should) curate yours as well. And I realized that on top of serving as a way to connect with other readers, Erin Reads is my curation system for the books I read or listen to. I can read my own review of a book from three years ago and it comes back to me with startling clarity. Pretty cool, considering I can’t even list the books I was reading (but not tracking) at this time last year.

Community. Curated reading. I wanted them both.

So yes. I’m back. I’ve even given Erin Reads a makeover. And the elation I feel as I type these words is amazing. I’m seriously grinning like a nut right now.

The Rules

I’m laying down some ground rules for myself. Hindsight is twenty-twenty, as they say. Looking back, I can see why I burned myself out so badly. And I’m hoping that by not doing those things this time around, I’ll be able to keep Erin Reads active and enjoyable to write. So here’s where I’m starting from.

Rule #1: Be Intentional about Book Acquisition

Most book bloggers will tell you one of the perks of the trade is the stream of galleys you receive from publishers for review. And I’m not gonna lie…it’s pretty awesome to have someone send you free books. But the pressure to read everything I received eventually meant I was no longer in control of my own reading choices. Yuck.

Then there’s the general book acquisition madness. I used to be a library sale addict, bringing home ten or twelve (or more) books every weekend. My TBR list was forever inflating at a terrifying pace because of all the books I read about on other blogs. I felt eternally behind, under pressure to read faster and more.

This time around, I will be more intentional about what books make it into my sphere. I’ve actually been reading almost exclusively from my own shelves for the past six months or so, which is ridiculously amazing. I hereby give myself permission to continue doing so.

Rule #2: Skip the Challenges, Reading Goals, and Obsessive Stat Tracking

Chart (erinreads.com, photo by kevin dooley via Flickr) — photo courtesy of kevin dooley

Challenges were never really my thing, tempting as they always sound. But oh man. I got really, really into reading goals and stat tracking once I found the book blogging community. I counted every page, tracked numbers in a spreadsheet, and looked forward with relish to the end of each year, when I could write up my big annual stats post. And while my reading goals definitely expanded my horizons and the tracking made me more aware of what I was reading, they also put constant pressure on me. Eventually, I just got sick of picking my next book to fulfill some challenge or goal. And I got tired of keeping track of Every. Little. Thing.

So for now, no challenges. No reading goals. No stat tracking (aside from maybe counting up the number of books I read each month and picking a favorite). When the urge to start one (or more) of those up again strikes, I’ll reevaluate.

Rule #3: No Rules (Except for These Three!)

I’ve tried posting on a schedule. I’ve tried planning my reading out ahead of time. I’ve tried creating projects to encourage myself to read more classics, for instance, or to read along with other people. I love my projects. And I know I’ll feel the pull to post at least on a semi-regular basis. But I also know forcing myself to do either, especially as I’m getting back into blogging, would be a mistake.

In the beginning, then: no posting schedule, and no projects. Nothing but me, talking about the books I want to talk about, when I want to talk about them. And we’ll go from there.

The Practical Stuff

Alright. So I’m back. With some ground rules. And I’m feeling good about the whole thing.

There have been a few changes around Erin Reads, though. Here’s what you need to know:

I’m no longer @ErinReadsblog on Twitter. Come hang out with me @erinkurup instead!
Speaking of social media, G+ and Pinterest have seriously taken off, huh? I’m on those, too, if they’re your cup of te.
The RSS feed is the same, but I’m now using MailChimp to deliver posts by email. If you were subscribed to posts before, I’ve moved you over, so you don’t have to do anything. (In fact, I hope this post came right to your inbox!) If you want posts by email, get ’em here!

I Need Your Help to Get Back in the Loop!

I’m counting on you to tell me what I’ve missed. Tell me in the comments: What’s the absolute best book you read (or listened to) in 2013? What’s your favorite book blog to read? (And if I haven’t met you yet, what’s your blog?) What else has happened in the past year and a half that you think I should know?? Help!

Thoughts on “Lunch with Buddha” by Roland Merullo

Lunch with Buddha by Roland Merullo (cover)

I received a copy of Lunch with Buddha by Roland Merullo from TLC Book Tours for review.

About the Book:

It’s been six years since brothers-in-law Otto Ringling and Volya Rinpoche took their first road trip together in Breakfast with Buddha. Otto has recently lost his wife, Jeannie, to cancer, and his family and his sister’s have met on the west coast in order to scatter Jeannie’s ashes. The painful ceremony concluded, the rest of the family boards a train back to North Dakota, where Rinpoche (a world-renowned spiritual leader) and his wife (Otto’s sister) run a retreat center on the Ringling family’s land. Otto and Rinpoche climb into Uma, a rickety old pickup truck donated to Rinpoche by one of his devotees, to drive the new acquisition the week, give or take, back to North Dakota.

Thus begins the chronicle of a memorable road trip, one that mixes quirky Americana with spiritual teachings, a food-obsessed New York City editor with a Buddhist-like monk, the pleasure of simple things with the bottomless pain of losing a loved one. Through unlikely circumstances and in the moments he least expects it, Otto begins to grapple with what has come to pass…and what is still to come.

My Thoughts:

Lunch with Buddha is the third of Roland Merullo’s novels I’ve read (Breakfast with Buddha and American Savior being the first two), and I found it no less delightful than the others. Though it is the sequel to Breakfast with Buddha, by no means must you read one to appreciate the other.

There is a quality to Merullo’s writing that is subtle yet unique, so that reading the first paragraphs of Lunch with Buddha felt familiar somehow — even though it’s been several years since I read something from Merullo’s pen. His style is, if you can imagine it, a blend of fanciful and practical, imaginative and down to earth, good sturdy storytelling grounded in reality yet laced with the loveliest of metaphors and moments. I had, in fact, forgotten how much I enjoyed his particular blend.

Merullo also has a knack for creating characters. His are never so crazy that you can’t recognize in them some familiar archetype: the doubting, practical protagonist; his woo-woo sister; a pair of mostly good children; an enigmatic monk. Yet never do they feel stale. Merullo manages across the board to breathe fresh life into his cast, to make them unique without rendering them unrecognizable. I find it quite enjoyable to spend time with them.

Because Otto narrates the story, we get to know him best. Born and bred in North Dakota, having spent most of his adult life in New York City, he is a practical man, almost cynical at times — and yet there is a yearning in him to hear what Rinpoche has to say. The book ventures, at times, quite far into the realm of spirituality, yet because Otto is our guide, it doesn’t feel like too much. Maybe it’s because we know the blend of curiosity and skepticism ourselves. Add to this Otto’s efforts to cope with his wife’s recent passing and you have a complex, endearing, very human narrator.

Volya Rinpoche is an excellent complement to Otto. Stout and fearless, enigmatic and jolly, he dispenses maddeningly opaque bits of wisdom in broken English and at seemingly random times. He is a constant source of both frustration and delight, for both Otto and the reader. And the way in which he interprets the spiritual lessons in ordinary events for Otto is superb.

There is very much a spiritual side to Lunch with Buddha. What I appreciate about Merullo’s approach is how seamlessly he integrates his exploration of the less concrete side of existence into the fabric of the narrative. It doesn’t feel like a stretch, like you’re reading two different books whose anecdotes have been interspersed. And there doesn’t seem to be much of an agenda, beyond allowing Otto (and, through him, the reader) to explore the worldview of one Volya Rinpoche. This added layer provides depth to the characters and the story without hampering the tale.

Overall, I found Lunch with Buddha to be an enjoyable, relaxing, enlightening read — gentle, funny, touching, and full of food for thought. I’m happy to have been reminded to check out more by Roland Merullo!

Those are my thoughts. Check out Lunch with Buddha by Roland Merullo on Goodreads or LibraryThing! You can also check out the rest of the tour stops for some other bloggers’ perspectives.

Your Turn!

What novels have you encountered that combine big themes into something really enjoyable to read? If you’ve read others by Merullo, what should I pick up next?

It’s Readathon Day!

So!

Despite being MIA lately, I realized my very favorite event — the Readathon, of course — was happening this weekend, and I could not bring myself to miss it. So here I am, ready to read!

My goal for the day: get through as many library books and/or short, potentially donate-able books as possible. (I’m working on purging my shelves.)

I’ll be updating here occasionally, adding on to the bottom of this post. It’s good to be back! Happy reading!

Update #1:

5.5 hours in. It’s been a pretty relaxed day so far. Got started on actually reading late, and just took a break for some life-related stuff. So far, I’ve read half of An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (excellent so far!) and listened to a chunk of The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande (fascinating!) while quilting. Grocery shopping and lunch coming up, then perhaps I’ll listen some more while cleaning the apartment. I love audiobooks!

Update #2:

12.5 hours in…aaaaand I might be done. It’s been a really laid back, half Readathon day. I did finish The Checklist Manifesto and took a really good chunk out of An Abundance of Katherines. I also finally started some Robertson Davies, loading The Fifth Business onto my iPod to listen to while I cleaned. The rest of my night will be spent quilting and watching me some football.

I hope everyone’s had a great Readathon so far and gotten lots read! Thanks for the comments!

Thoughts on “Cel & Anna: A 22nd Century Love Story” by Lindsay Edmunds

Alright, guys. Remember when I said I was taking an indefinite break from reviewing? Well, I just read a book that made me change my mind. I came across Cel & Anna because the author, Lindsay Edmunds, is in my book group. It’s not the sort of book I usually pick up. But man, am I glad I made an exception!

About the Book:

Cel is a computer. A Celebra, to be precise — a worker computer designed to serve a human in his or her home. Cel belongs to Anna Ringer, an UnderWorlder who escaped her humble beginnings through a stroke of luck and some in-demand psychic abilities.

One day, though, Cel does something unexpected and unheard of: he seems to acquire consciousness, confessing all kinds of un-computer-like things — including his love for Anna. In trying to sort out what’s happening, Anna finds herself seeking the help of her neighbor, Taz Night, a shy computer genius with a rare penchant for real food instead of society’s usual Food+ fare.

And the more this unlikely trio explores the situation, the weirder and more dangerous things get.

My Thoughts:

I cannot tell you how delighted I was by this book. It’s sci-fi, of a sort, but not like most of what I’ve read. Edmunds is clearly interested in our relationship with machines and about the direction we are heading together. Through her novel, she explores some really fascinating themes involving technology, human beings, and the natural world. The images she conjures for the reader are all the more impactful because of how deftly she plays with what we expect to see.

The three main characters — Anna, Taz, and Cel — hold the story down just fine by themselves. But Edmunds introduces very real secondary characters as needed, including (but not limited to) a government flunkie, a rural innkeeper, and Anna’s spiritually inclined car. And the book is funny — there were several times when I actually snickered out loud, usually at something Cel said. He is not at all what you might expect from an ascended machine, and yet he is also absolutely perfect.

The Author’s Thoughts

I always enjoy hearing a little bit of background about a novel from the author, so I asked Lindsay Edmunds if she’d like to contribute a few thoughts on Cel & Anna. Here’s what she has to say:

My understanding of high tech is like Marilyn Monroe’s understanding of millionaires in Some Like It Hot: irresistibly attractive but occupying another plane of reality altogether. So how did I come to write a high-tech science fiction novel?

The roots of Cel & Anna reach back into the mid-1990s. I was living in Washington, DC, and already owned my second Mac. Personal computers were about to change the world forever and everyone knew it. Memories of that time informed the plot of Cel & Anna, which features another hinge in history: the ascension of a machine into life.

The oddest moment of inspiration came when I was formatting the paperback version. I had a crystal clear dream that told me to set the text in Caslon. That was odd because I didn’t own the font and didn’t know what it looked like. Still, it was a vivid dream. Furthermore, it was the only one I had. That is why the print edition features this elegant and graceful font.

So yeah! Cel & Anna by Lindsay Edmunds — worth a read, even if it’s a bit of a deviation from your usual reading fare. Check out Cel & Anna on Goodreads (you can read an excerpt there, too). If you’d like to visit the author at her internet home base, head over to Writer’s Rest.

Cel & Anna is available as an ebook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

Your Turn!

What was the last book outside your usual reading comfort zone that absolutely delighted you?

Reading Buddies Wrap-Up: “Possession” by A.S. Byatt

Well, Reading Buddies, here we are at our last (at least, for now) wrap-up. How did you like Possession by A.S. Byatt? It seemed, to me, an acceptable way to close out the past year and a half of reading together. I wasn’t totally sold on it at the halfway point, but it won me over in the end.

Beware — as always, spoilers are fair game!

I really didn’t know what to expect going in. I bought a used copy at a library sale because Amanda was quite adamant about her love for it. I can’t say I adored it, but I was, overall, rather impressed.

I must admit, the inclusion of all the correspondence and textual evidence annoyed me at times. I felt like the passages were so long and slow to read. But! I grudgingly appreciated that Byatt gave us all the pieces. She did not, as most writers do, include only a key phrase or two. She constructed an entire body of text on which to base her story, and she revealed that corpus to us pretty completely. So, though I found it slow to read through, I would not have wished it away. I think it’s one of the things that makes Possession stand out.

I was a bit disappointed to realize I was able to guess most of the plot twists and mysteries in advance. I can’t usually do that. I do think a lot of the evidence was there, though. I knew Christabel was talking about Blanche, not the child, when Ash disrupted the seance. I knew her child was alive and had a hunch one of the prominent characters would turn out to be a descendant of him/her. That sort of thing. I wonder, though, if part of the characters’ slowness to realize these things was perhaps because of their proximity to the people involved. They were so intimately familiar with their respective poets, so steeped in the accepted “facts,” that they were slower to see the errors and truths than the reader.

I liked how we didn’t hear the end of the contemporary story. What did Roland decide? Did Maud get the papers? Where did the papers end up? What happened to Cropper? I realized, as I finished the book, that it wasn’t about them. We got a touch of closure with Roland and Maud’s relationship, but that was it. And I think that’s fine.

I also very much enjoyed how LaMotte and Ash grew from stiff, lifeless historical figures under careful academic study into intricate human beings, alive and complicated and flawed. What is so cool is that Byatt achieved this effect almost exclusively through the use of letters and poems. The poets themselves — and other characters, like Ellen — are almost never seen first-hand by the reader, and yet they come so gloriously to life.

Which brings me to my central question: Why did Byatt include those few scenes set during the poets’ lifetimes? Why did the reader get this glimpse of truth when the characters themselves did not? I’m not sure I liked those parts. I think I would have preferred to get the story along with the characters, to leave the gaps empty or have them filled in, at least partially, by other textual evidence. Am I the only one who feels that way?

So! Overall, really glad I finally read this one. I hope you are, too. I’ll be honest — it’s made me wonder what other fascinating stories are hidden in correspondence and the like!

If you read along, or if you’ve read Possession in the past, what are your thoughts? I’d love to hear them!