Time // 10:10 a.m.
Place // My desk/office
Eating // A banana and some grapes
Drinking // Cranberry blood orange tea
Reading // Since I didn’t get a chance to write an update post last Sunday, I’m not quite sure which books I finished last week compared to this week. But it’s been another two weeks of amazing reading.
I managed to finish all of Margaret Atwood’s sci-fi trilogy — Oryx and Crake, Year of the Flood, and Maddaddam. Getting to read all three books right in a row was incredibly satisfying. I love the way Atwood started with a microscopic view of this dystopian future then slowly expanded it through the series. It’s brilliant, but what else can you expect from Atwood.
I’ve also finished three other books — Visiting Tom by Michael Perry, Why Have Kids? by Jessica Valenti and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. I think the sixth Harry Potter book may be my favorite book of the series so far, and I can’t wait to dive into Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this month.
Watching // I had a crazy busy week at work, so I didn’t get to watch much television this week. I did finish up Orange is the New Black this morning, which I ended up liking a lot more than I thought I would after the pilot episode. Once the series opens up from focusing on the main character, it gets much more interesting.
Listening // I did a lot of driving last weekend, so I caught up a bit on my favorite podcast, Pop Culture Happy Hour. I also, finally, finished the audio book of Insurgent by Veronica Roth. It was really a chore, which was disappointing after how much I liked the first book in the trilogy, Divergent.
Blogging // I’m in a bit of a funk/internal debate about how to keep this blog going and evolving as my life continues to change. I’ve got lots of ideas floating around, but nothing solidified or settled on. It’s a little uncomfortable to be in the midst of, but it’ll be good once I make up my mind.
Promoting // Sarah over at Citizen Reader is hosting a giveaway for Stacy Horn’s wonderful new book Imperfect Harmony: Finding Happiness Singing with Others. I really liked this book, so if you’re in the market for a copy hop over and enter the giveaway!
Hating // Mosquitoes! Still! I went to a party on Friday night that was outside and ended up with a horrendous number of bites on my feet and ankles. They itch and hurt and are making me a little cranky.
Loving // We have had some amazing summer peaches the last couple weeks. I am eating so many I may end up turning a little bit orange.
Avoiding // I’ve let my personal e-mail get a little out of control lately… I need to do some replying and archiving and whatnot sometime today. Have an overflowing inbox gives me weird anxiety.
Missing // Last weekend my sister and I went to the Minnesota State Fair, which was lovely. I haven’t been to the fair in years because, in general, I hate traffic, crowds and being outside when it’s super hot (three qualities that are almost a given at the State Fair). But Jenny and I took a shuttle over to the fair early in the morning and managed to do all the things we wanted to before it got really hot or the crowds got to bad. It was a great day and I hope I can find a way to go again next year.
Anticipating // I am so excited to spend this afternoon watching football! I have three fantasy football teams this year — Ron Swanson, Dumbeldore’s Army, and (my personal favorite) Touchdownton Abbey. I’m hoping at least one of them will do well, but who knows.
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I’m with you on the funk. I want to change my blog to match the current me, but I’m not exactly sure of what I want to do. It’s still a thinking in progress but I hope something will work out. I hope you have some good success with it too.
That’s part of my issue — I want to blog a little more about other things, but I don’t quite know how to do that (or if blogging more is really the answer).
Here I am complaining about the weather but at least I don’t have to deal with mosquitoes! Eek! 🙁 It seems like everyone is loving Atwood’s trilogy especially the last book, I may need to give it a try. It’s okay to be in that in-between state with blogging. It’s just a part of growth. I hope you end up with some ideas that leave you excited. Enjoy your week.
I thought they were gone for the year, but clearly I was mistaken!
Just want to say that I found your blog a couple of months ago (through Book Riot) and have been enjoying your check ins. I finally finished “Seriously Funny” this week (one of my Shelf of Doom books) and am making serious audio headway on “Thinking Fast and Slow” I wasn’t in the mood for dystopia when Oryx and Crake came out but am now seriously contemplating the trilogy once I finish “Siege and Storm.” But mostly wanted to say that I miss the Minnesota State Fair – I grew up walking distance from the Fairgrounds and worked two summers on the Space Needle and just had a sense memory flashback of the smell of mini doughnuts and deep fried cheese curds. Although my favorite times on the fairgrounds were walking my dog in winter and letting him run across the empty snow covered Midway.
I am so behind with my Shelf of Doom books. I don’t even think I’ll get to a third of them… I am such a fail at challenges!
Those are wonderful fair memories! I haven’t gone to the Fair in years, so this was really fun. Thanks for commenting!
I hate mosquitoes too but they sure do love me. I’ve never been to a state fair. I think a lot of us “old-timers” are wondering how to keep our blogs relevant.
Is there such a thing as a six year itch in blogging? There must be for everyone I know rethinking and re-evaulating.
Touchdownton Abbey! LOL, that’s great!
My e-mail inbox is such an utter disaster that I’m surprised I can ever find anything in it. When I was in high school I’d usually just pick up and get a new e-mail address rather than even attempt damage control. Alas, now I’m a grown-up and that’s not really a great option…but I can dream. 😉
Our local fair (I say local like it’s pretty rinky dink, but it happens to be local and also the largest in Pennsylvania) is coming up in two weeks. It’s great having a fair in the fall – the crowds and the traffic are still there, but at least we get to eat our bizarre deep-fried treats while enjoying cooler weather. Can’t wait!
Happy Sunday and good luck with your fantasy football!
We had our county fair in August and the weather was just beautiful — cooler than it was the week of the state fair. We have a few fall festivals that I’m excited to go to this year 🙂
Well, you saw what I’m doing with MY blog!!! Haha! I am throwing in the towel for now. I’m worn out. I feel like I need to be able to keep track of my books somehow…Goodreads? Not sure. Have to figure that out in the next month.
I’m seriously wanting some of that Cranberry Blood Orange Tea!!
I’ve thought about a hiatus, but every time I think about stepping aside for a bit I get sad, so at least for me that’s not the answer. But I hope it helps you! I use Goodreads for my reading list (and to remember what I have to review) — it works well for that.
I feel like I need to make some changes to my blog too, although right now that might really just mean I need to get more organized, haha. I’m very excited to see where you go with yours 🙂 Good luck to all your football teams!
I may need some organization too. My system fell apart over the summer and I need to get back to it.
I’m so ambivalent about the Margaret Atwood trilogy! I haven’t read her before and I’m not much of a sci-fi/dystopian future kind of person… what would you say to newbies? Worth it?
If you’re new to Atwood (and don’t love sci-fi), I don’t think it’s the place to start. You’re much better off trying one of her more realistic books — maybe The Robber Bride? Atwood writes amazingly well about female friendship, and that one in particular is wonderful.
Three fantasy leagues! You are a woman of stouter heart than I. I have one fantasy league and one work pickem league, and that’s probably the max I can manage. I am desperately committed to succeeding at pickem but the first week has been very touch-and-go so far.
But whatever. FOOTBALLLLLLLL. I missed it so, so, so, so much. I watched the Saints-Falcons game this afternoon at a bar and screamed my throat raw (v v tense game), and I have no regrets.
Three was a poor decision 🙂 I can really only put emotional effort into one or two. After a couple weeks I’ll decide which one I care about a focus my energy there. I usually watching the Vikings games with a sense of horror and sadness at how embarrassing our QB is 🙂
The bloodsuckers are out in full force here too. Horrible! I can’t stand going outside for any reason, especially because it’s so hot.
I’m no football fan, but I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
The mosquitoes were horrendous in July, but I thought they’d gotten better… clearly I was mistaken!
I keep telling my mom and her boyfriend that they need to watch Orange is the New Black. I specifically told them that the first episode wouldn’t win them over, but did they listen??? NOOOOO. Urg.
Hoping the mosquito bites heal quickly. I do everything I can to get Greyson in the house quick at night. He gets eaten up in no time.
The Boyfriend and I didn’t enjoy the first episode at all, but it really does get more interesting after that. Piper’s just kind of blah in the beginning.