Just a few interesting links today, since I'm hoping to spend a little extra time reading tonight. Have I mentioned before that I tend to get most of my reading done during the work week and not generally when I am at home? How weird is that? I squeeze in reading on my daily bus rides to and from work, during my breaks and at lunch and the biggest chunk of time is at the gym when I am walking on the treadmill or or using the elliptical machine (a good excuse to read plus no one can bother me, plus I get in a little exercise after sitting all day at a desk). Home time seems to be filled with the routine day-to-day tasks that I never seem to be caught up on and weekends just fly by. I feel like I blink and, whoosh, they're over. So I take whatever reading moments I can, and the thought of snuggling under a warm blanket tonight with a book is just too tempting to pass up.
So, without further ado, here are some cool things I've come across in my online wanderings.
Have you seen Melville House's The Art of the Novella subscription series? I think I'm going to do it. And go for the whole hog--an entire year of novella goodness. I've always admired the series but think I only own one (a short novel by Anton Chekhov). You can see the monthly list of titles here. What fun to know that there will be two novellas in my mailbox every month. This is a project in the making--can I read them both as soon as I get them? Only time will tell.
The International Impac Dublin Literary Award has posted the list of nominees for the 2013 award. There are 154 books which were nominated by libraries in 120 cities in 44 countries and 19 languages. This is truly an international award. Imagine reading that list of books! The judges have their work cut out for them I'd say. I've read a very paltry three from the list, but I have a good handful of other titles on my TBR pile. I plan on going through the rest of the list to see what other books there are to discover. (As if I need reading suggestions, but I can never pass up a good book list). You can read more about the award here.
I'm very much looking forward to season three of Downton Abbey, which airs in the US in January. I plan on watching the first two seasons again in the coming weeks so I'll be ready for all the drama the third season promises to bring. If you feel like reading a little historical fiction to put you in the mood (lots of authors seem to be capitalizing on the success of the show) check out Sarah's (of Reading the Past) excellent list of books. I'm already in line at the library for a few of these and will be checking out a few more.
Are you feeling festive yet, or is it too early? I've actually got most of my holiday shopping done, so I am planning on enjoying the month of December by avoiding the malls and reading some good books. I'm going to join Caroline and Delia's Dickens in December. I was just thinking how much I'd like to try and squeeze in a novel by Charles Dickens yet this year. I'm going to reread A Christmas Carol, though I'd love to try and read one of his other books. I've read very little by Dickens, but it might be a little too optimistic to think I could tackle another book by him next month. Out of curiosity's sake, though, I think I'll still look over the books by him that are on my shelf, just in case . . .
In January, when all the excitement of the holidays (and vacation time for me) is over, Iris and Ana are planning a Long Awaited Reads month. You know how you have that mental list of books that you absolutely cannot wait to read, but you never seem to get around to them? My own list is ever changing and very, very long. How would I choose? It's a great idea and I will probably have to pick out a book or two to kick off the new year with that I've 'been meaning to get to'.
It's a little scary to think how quickly the year is winding down, and worse thinking about all the things I still want to do (books I want to finish . . .). I haven't been thinking too much yet about reading plans for the new year, but maybe it's time to start. I see blog posts popping up already which I have been reading with interest (as well as the comments). I do have a few projects in mind, one of which I've already mentioned, but I do have a few others that are still under construction. At the very least I usually come up with a baker's dozen of books that I'd like to read in the upcoming year. This year's list was largely ignored (always the trap I fall into--coming up with a marvelous list and then reading something else, but still I make the list with so much optimism). Oh well, there's nothing wrong with coming up with a few reading ideas. Thinking about books and planning is almost as fun as the actual activity.
Just one more link. Here's the perfect stocking stuffer. Don't these look great? I wouldn't mind having a stack for my reading--a good way to note down a few reading highlights!