B ...blogged out
L ...lethargic
A ...apathetic
H ...hard... to get back into blogging after being away so long
I think I have been in a late summer funk these last few weeks. I haven't felt like communicating with both online or offline-world friends. I haven't been doing anything creative and barely constructive with my time. I am a boring blah person these days with not much to say.
I think late August into early September is just never my time. It's sort of like March is not a good time of year for me--energy-wise.
Like March, I am feeling done with the season and eager to be refreshed and into a new season. As if I need some crisp autumn air to re-energize me.
August(and now early Sept.) to me is humid, tropical air, replete with hurricane weather,
dried out vegetation,
a tired and dragged out look to the landscape.
I haven't been doing much of anything, other than work and flopping down onto my bed at night to read. I have read some very good books--all summer, in fact. So there's a good thing.
I think I have read more books in the last two months than I did all last winter.
The books I have read are as follows:
*The Tutor by Peter Abrahams
A sinister psychological thriller in a Stephen King vein, but with a kind of lame ending.
*The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
The perfect summer "thumpin' good read".
Sort of a A.S. Byatt-lite type book. I'll be looking to read more novels from Morton in the near future.
*I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak
This was listed as a "Young Adult" book, but was recommended to me by a bookclub friend, after we read Zusak's excellent "The Book Thief" two years ago. All this time, she has been pleading with me to read this book and I finally got around to it last week. I am glad I did--it was funny, whimsical and moving at the same time.
*The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larrson
Even better, I think, than the first book in the series. Just could not put this one down--was even reading this with breakfast!
*A Year In The World by Frances Mayes
How did I not know what a wonderful writer Mayes was until this summer?! I picked this hardcover book up for a dollar while up in the White Mountains at a library book sale, and simply swooned over her evocative travel and food writing, especially the chapters about Portugal, Naples and Sicily. I'll have to read her books about Tuscany now, too.
*Little Face by Sophie Hannah
A promising psychological thriller that petered out towards the end.
*When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson
Another good one from a favorite author of mine-a mystery with a difference, meaning literary depth and interesting, real main characters.
My next book from my pile(which I have whittled down from a tall tower to a small, manageable one)is "The Girl With No Shadow" by Joanne Harris--the sequel to "Chocolat".
I'll start that tonight. We are supposed to have some heavy wind and rain(from Hurricane Earl, churning up the coast, but staying further out to sea) which would make my ideal reading-in-bed scenario(I love reading in bed, while the rain and wind lashes the windowpanes).
Here's some video footage of the waves off the coast of my town from earlier today:
10 comments:
I have been feeling the same way about blogging. Just doing the bare minumum. Hopefully that will change.
I did read "The Forgotten Garden", as well. It was most excellent. My Mom is going to read it next.
I have also been reading the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series (before the movie comes out), which is rather good.
Right now I am reading "The Princess Bride" (50th anniversary edition) and laughing ALOT!! Such a good story, even in book form!
Glad to read a post from you regardless. Hope the storm is not too bad where you are!!
oh i've missed you : ) so glad you're back. i totally get the blah feeling. i am more than ready for summer to be over and fall to be here. it is hot. muggy. humid. awful.
good tips on books to read. i'll have to add them to my list.
don't stay away so long next time ok??
Hello Again! Hope you've battened down the homestead and can read through the storm. You've been quite a bookworm this summer.
So good to see you back!
My son is having a horrible time - much like March. Change of seasons, waning daylight, etc. I had always known it was a 'classic symptom', but now I see it up close - the kid is in rough shape. Ack.
I have been in the same mode as you - not so productive, but reading up a storm! I love your mini-book reviews. I've been reading fluffier stuff - girly books, like Emily Giffin, and the True Blood series. I've been sampling books on my iPad too - will be ordering more as my stack dwindles down. And it's pouring now (thanks, Earl)... time to go to bed and read something.
Happy Hurricane/Tropical Storm!
Tina...You are forgiven for leaving us if you promise not to do it again until the end of March. Thanks for all the good book reviews. Today is a perfect September day with crisp fall air to energize you. Enjoy the holiday weekend. xo, Rosemary
I have been feeling really BLAH lately too. At least you've been reading, I haven't even been doing much of that. All your books sound good and I'm glad I decided to catch up on blogs today.
I hope you get re-energized soon. I'm going on vacation later this month so I know that will help me get out of my funk.
Welcome back Tina!;) I recognize the sentiments, sometimes one just want to be. Not be doing stuff. whether it is creative or not.;) I always listen to my body, at times rest from people is the best rest of them all.;)
I dislike September only for the reason that it means the end of summer...
I am impressed with all the books you have read! I used to read a lot, I have no idea why I stopped. Lack of time I think.
LOVED the clip! I guess that it is Earl that brought these waves by... The surf is fantastic and awe evoking. I love the ocean in any sense and shape.
Hope your Sunday is tranquil dear friend and thank you for your endearing comments yesterday.;)
xoxo
Amanda,
I also passed "The Forgotten Garden" on to my mother to read.
Hurricane "Earl" turned out to be nothing--was too far out to sea to affect us other than some big waves for a day.
~Why..thank you, c.k.! I missed being here and reading my fav. blogs(such as your's)
I will try to be a better, more consistent blogger from here on in. I really think the humid hot weather affected me as a whole--I hate air conditioning, as necc. as it was, too--hated being in my house with it on or off, so think that had something to so with my mood lately.
~Barb,
Yes, I thought it should be the other way around--winter seems like it would be ideal "book reading season", but it turns out I was in the mood to read more in summer(it was heavenly doing that lying in a hammock in the shade).
~Erin,
I am so sorry to learn the late summer has not been a good time for you son--that is tough on you, too, I am sure.
I don't know Emily Giffin--will have to check her books out....
~Rosemary,
I will *try* to be better at maintaining my blog, and already the crip air(I was actually cold out at 8:30 this morning on a walk with the dog!)has me feeling like my old self again and communicating and cooking and baking and cleaning the house.
~JarieLyn,
You too, huh?? I'll have to come around your blog as well--to see what's up.
~Zuzana,
Yes, Earl brought the wild seas, but nothing much else(which is good)--it stayed further out to sea than expected, and we got off very lightly(hardly any rain even).
I have had a similar state of mind, only mine is because there has been WAY too much rain around! Though necessary around here (after a 2009 of drought and extremely high temperatures), it's simply too much at this point, and it's causing way too much trouble. Curiously, though, as September hit, I've been getting creative, and my mood has changed a bit...I'm painting rooms in my house, writing letters (finally!), reading a lot...I love the last few months of the year, and I think it's reflected in a lot of thing. I think that's good! Are there signs of Autumn yet? Maybe that could cheer you up! You are, after all, born in this orange and pretty season :-)
have a great day!!
I have had a similar state of mind, only mine is because there has been WAY too much rain around! Though necessary around here (after a 2009 of drought and extremely high temperatures), it's simply too much at this point, and it's causing way too much trouble. Curiously, though, as September hit, I've been getting creative, and my mood has changed a bit...I'm painting rooms in my house, writing letters (finally!), reading a lot...I love the last few months of the year, and I think it's reflected in a lot of thing. I think that's good! Are there signs of Autumn yet? Maybe that could cheer you up! You are, after all, born in this orange and pretty season :-)
have a great day!!
Post a Comment