Miscellanea

Grrr...has it already been nearly three weeks?  Three weeks is just not a long enough check out time for library books.  I'm afraid I've got to return The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale with only the introduction read (and it looked so nice sitting on my nightstand).  I really do want to read it, but as I am so slow reading NF it's not a good idea to borrow NF books from the library (particularly when they can't be renewed).  I may have to dig out my remaining B&N gift card and just buy it. 

In the meantime...now for something completely different.  I've received a review copy of Jane Fletcher Geniesse's American Priestess: The Extraordinary Story of Anna Spafford and the American Colony in Jerusalem that I've decided to read next.  When I was first offered it I thought no, this doesn't really sound like me.  It seems to be a combination history (America and Palestine in the 1880s), religion (a Protestant sect called The saints), maybe a bit of women's studies (Anna Spafford) thrown in as well.  When I read the description more closely it sounded intriguing, and now that I've started it I'm sort of hooked.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

A fellow international book blogger has started posting a series of "Read and Tell" interviews.  She kindly asked me to take part.  You can read my answers here.  I'm looking forward to hearing other reader's perspectives as well.

I'm starting to learn how to catalog books at my work.  Actually what I am doing is known as copy cataloging (working with an already existing record and cleaning it up before it is exported into my library's online catalog).  I always thought I was a very detail-oriented person, but I have to say this is one of the most nit-picky things I've ever learned how to do.  There is a rule for EveryThing! I have no idea how I am going to remember it all (I'm going to start dreaming of call numbers and subfields and authority records).  I sometimes think surely there isn't enough room in my brain for yet another password or tiny bit of information.  I keep squeezing it in, and I wonder what is falling out the other side!

Earlier this month I mentioned that I lucked out and won a Penguin.  I never did get it in the mail.  I wonder if in the end US readers aren't included?  Alas, M. Simenon, no fear.  I will read you yet!

I sometimes wonder if I bore people to absolute tears with my chatter (are you even still with me or have you abandoned reading this post already?).  Is the minutiae of my reading life of any interest to anyone?  (Sorry, latest bout of self-doubt appears to be creeping in).  It's been very quiet around here, and I find myself wondering if I am on the wrong track.  What the right track is, I'm not entirely sure, but other bloggers seem to lead infinitely more exciting lives than I do--traveling, exciting hobbies, living in beautiful and picturesque cities--and if they don't have more exciting lives they write about mundane subjects in such a witty way that I'm engrossed from first word to last. 

I think I need a vacation.

Comments

[Eva]

I love your reading chatter! :) And I haven't received my Penguin in the mail either, but since my post office has apparently become a Bermuda Triangle, I thought I was the only one.

Don't you hate it when self-doubt rears its head up?! Sometimes when I'm writing about a book, I'm just like "no one is even going to read this, I'm just not getting the book across at all." And that's when I take a day or two off!

That review copy you got sounds really interesting: I'm coveting it. Of course, with the piles of books currently hanging out around my room, I don't *need* more books or anything!

[Sam Houston]

Not bored at all...it's almost like you're thinking out loud, one thing leads to another, and pretty soon we get an idea of what your world has been like. Kinda fun, really.

[Marg]

I always have self doubts about the content and direction and whether there is anyone out there, but we are, I assure you!

[Kay]

I think lots of people are already in the summer doldrums. Your "chatter" is not boring at all and I read every word. Don't always comment, but today I will.

Cataloguing...is unbelievably nitpicky. I don't do it, but I do handle any problems that we have at our branch and contact the main cataloguing people to fix things or whatnot. I am simply amazed sometimes. Good luck with that!

It's hard not to compare to other bloggers, isn't it? I feel that way at times and I feel bad about not writing entries more often. However, I've decided my blog is about me and my journey, so it's all good. Have a good weekend!!

[Angela Young]

I am with you ... I am not bored ... and I've just tagged you for a meme here:

http://writinglifeandtheuniverse.blogspot.com/2008/05/favourite-authors-at-moments-notice.html

Which, of course, you don't have to take up unless you feel like it.

[Nancy Dwinell]

Banish the self doubt! I find your posts interesting, informative and fun! I only wish that I read half as much (quantity) as you and even a small portion of your scope! I look forward to your posts. Thanks, Nancy D.

[Danielle]

Thanks for the kind words everyone--some days I just don't feel terribly inspired and I think it's reflected in how I write. Really this is all just sort of for me (my online reading journal) so it shouldn't actually matter, but it's hard sometimes not to compare myself to other bloggers, which is all silliness I know. Anyway, I've been in a bit of a gloomy mood, so must snap out of it. It's the weekend, it's sunny out (after a week of rain), and I have a stack of excellent books by my bedside, so all is good!

[Dorothy W.]

I always read your posts with great interest too -- no worries! I think blogging goes in cycles -- both of the blogger's own interest and of attention from readers. Blogging works like that for me, anyway -- things will feel exciting for one month and then the next nothing seems to feel right. I'm in my own little downswing at the moment, actually. We'll both get through it!

[Karin]

Thanks to hearing about it in your blog I 'won a Penguin' too but mine hasn't arrived yet either (in the UK) so maybe they are just being a bit slow about it.

[Danielle]

Dorothy--I think you're right. There is always so much to do in summer--I think everyone's attention is elsewhere. I know I always get fidgity with new seasons, so it is just a matter of working through them!
Karin--If you're in the UK and haven't gotten your book yet, then perhaps they've not yet mailed them and there is hope yet! I am looking forward to getting and reading the Simenon! What did you get?

[Smithereens]

Not boring at all! Actually, I thought about you this morning when I was at the library, checking out Lehmann and Elizabeth Taylor. Your recommendations are very precious to me, keep on with it!

[Danielle]

Smithereens--I'm very happy to know my suggestions are helpful!! :) Which Taylor and Lehmann did you get? As soon as I finish a couple of books I think I will pick up an Elizabeth Taylor novel as well.

[Pam]

Boring, smoring....I religiously read 2 blogs on a daily basis...and you're one of them. Because we speak the same language, that's why! So carry on!

[Litlove]

I don't think you've ever bored me, and I don't expect you ever will! I loved the interview, by the way. It's always so fascinating to find out a little more about one's blogging friend's reading habits!

[Alisia]

Yep, still with you and nope, your chatter is not boring!

[Danielle]

Pam--It's always nice to have a friend (virtual or otherwise) that has such similar reading tastes!!
Litlove--I love those Q&A's, too. I actually even like reading them when they are answered by people I don't know--as long as its about reading!!
Alisia--Thank you. I sometimes wonder as I am writing whether anyone finds it helpful or entertaining or not. It's nice to hear such positive feedback from everyone.

[tara]

Please do keep chattering!

I loved reading your Read and Tell answers. I did try the first Willig book in the series and was not impressed. It was a bit too silly for me, but that is just my opinion.

[Smithereens]

I chose Taylor's Wreath of Roses and Lehman's Dusty Answer. Will post about them when finished, maybe we can compare notes later on!

[Danielle]

Tara--I have a feeling, too, that it is going to be on the silly side. I think in the right mood it could be fun, but I always pick up something else.
Smithereens--I'll be reading Dusty Answer soon, so I look forward to hearing what you think. I'll get to the Taylor eventually--now I have a stack of her work to read through!