It's been sort of a weird week and a tiring one, too, for some reason. I think all I can manage today is a mindless bullet-point post . . .
- Yay for the weekend. Unfortunately it is going to be a hot one.
- I have been spending my Sunday nights watching PBS--first Poldark (am nearly finished with the first book by the way) and then on to The Crimson Field.
- I'm completely wrapped up in the drama of The Crimson Field and very disappointed that the BBC didn't make a second season.
- This (coming from me) is going to sound a little shocking, but blue eyed men with Scottish accents (a la Captain Gillan) are pretty darn sexy.
- Why can't someone with blue eyes, a Scottish accent and of the male persuasion move in next door to me.
- If they did I would do a whole lot more yard work than I seem to be doing this summer . . .
- I started watching Sherlock on DVD (starting with season one of course) and am getting addicted to it. What a totally quirky show and one that elicits laughter and loud guffaws from me.
- I found this list of Quintessential American Fiction (according to the rest of the world) most interesting.
- I've only read 11 (and a half--one book remains unfinished and in my 'must return to these books soon' pile). It was interesting to see which books were repeated numerous times.
- I think I might play some Book Bingo, but more about that next week.
- More books about America--this time about the American West. That's actually a reading theme that has been tucked away in my mind--I pursued it a little last year.
- The Little House Books were meant to be part of that project. I left off with On the Banks of Plum Creek.
- So, when did this trend of Adult Coloring Books start? I had no idea, though I sort of noticed them a while back. Are they fun? A creative outlet? Should I buy one and give it a try? I used to love coloring books (and paper dolls, too) when I was little.
- Shiny New Books reminded me (actually I knew the date was coming up later this month) that the Booker Longlist will be announced soon. I was very curious about their predictions and jotted a few titles down.
- I have been disgustingly bad (even by my Very Loose Standards) about buying books. Must cut myself off. Hence writing titles down (what a quaint idea . . . ) rather than dropping them into virtual shopping carts. Which by the way, I had done with three titles, but then gave myself a stern mental lecture and quietly removed them. It certainly isn't as if I would read any of them the moment they arrived in the mail. But, oh, the joy of book mail.
- I DO already own The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters, which is the next SNB book club book, which they are going to discuss in the Fall. See, an excuse to read a book I own and have wanted to read and now can give myself leave to do. Anyone else want to read along?
- Ooh, and did you see their list of books that are being made into films? I already knew about Longbourn and can't wait. I'm thrilled to see Colm Toibin's Brooklyn is also being adapted--loved the book and liked equally as well Nora Webster, which I finished reading not too long ago and am hoping to write about next week.
- Can you tell I have spent a lot of time browsing Shiny New Books? Now I want to read the second Josephine Tey mystery that Nicola Upson writes.
- I swear I really don't watch much TV--I can go almost an entire day at home with no TV, no radio and if I am lucky just lots of blissful silence. But there are a few things I do enjoy watching, and one of them is the Israeli TV show called Srugim (which means "knitted" and I believe refers to the crocheted 'caps' religious Jewish men wear. Sometimes I stream an episode while working out since they are about 35 minutes long and that is how long I use some of the machines. There were three seasons and I am halfway through the first season. The show follows a group of religious almost thirty-somethings as they navigate the dating world.
- The show is set in Jerusalem. Ever since taking my classes on Israeli Literature I have wanted to go to Israel. I especially am interested in seeing Jerusalem. I am saving my money.
- Must get back to my Israeli literature, by the way--I have two in progress books with a stack of other unread books, and a couple of books read once that I am eager to read a second time.
- But one thing at a time. This weekend--short stories and now some nonfiction as well! I am reading something daily and have pulled a couple of books from my stacks that have essays or short literary pieces that would work nicely as quick reads and that I will tell you all about next Wednesday.
- So, yes, this weekend is going to be hot and sticky and I am dreading it (after a nice long week of mild temperatures), so I'll be staying in the air conditioning (after all no Scottish-accented neighbor to lure me outside). I hope to finish a mystery, read a few short stories and a little NF.
- Have a great weekend, however you plan on spending it!