Saturday, November 6, 2010

The Sunday Salon -- News and More

Lately life is moving at such a quick pace and I can barely keep up! I'm packing most of my things to put them in storage while I try to figure out what to do next in my life, and I've also been in process of getting rid of quite a bit of stuff. What amazes me is how out of control the book habit had become. I've given away several hundred books, and I still have so many! It's shocking! If ever there was an argument for ereaders this would be it. It would be nice to have the books that I don't care about having a hard copy of suddenly go digital. But alas. I just know there's no chance in the world I could ever read all these books, and there will always be new books I hear about that I want to read, so I'll just have to be really hard on myself about which ones I'm likely never to open. There are few of my read books that I have any conflict over, I generally have a strong feeling for whether or not I want them in my permanent library.

So much to share though! I don't know if you've been keeping up with the podcast I do with Nicole, The Underground Literary Society, but we've posted several episodes and have an awesome rest of the year planned as well. You might be interested in checking out our showcase of October books, our episode on ghosts where we interviewed Karen Bence and Deborah Noyes, and our international mysteries episode where we talked to Ake Edwardson and also Jen of Jen's Book Thoughts. I always have such a blast with these interviews and Nicole and I often have to edit liberally because there's so much good stuff to chat about.

Additionally, the Inspys judges are busy reading the shortlists and winners will be announced on December 13th. In the meantime, we've been sharing interviews with Inspy nominated authors which has been a blast. Be sure to check them out, they provide some great insight into the creative minds behind some great books!

For Allie of Hist-Fic Chick and Nicole of Linus's Blanet Harrowing Historicals event, I reviewed Jane-Emily by Patricia Clapp. Allie posted my review, so please check it out if you can!

Also, Jodie of Book Gazing who I think is very awesome took over Buy Books for the Holidays and has been posting some great lists of books over there, so I hope you pop over and see what's going on there. Jodie is also doing a women in sport month on her blog which promises to be lots of fun, so I hope you're reading her blog!

Yesterday, I announced the new format for Faith and Fiction Saturday Round Table and if you're a Christian blogger I hope you'll consider applying.




I've been thinking a lot about my reading goals for the rest of the year and especially next year. There are still several books I'd like to read this year and with major publications and websites releasing their top books of the year, I'm even more anxious to fit several in. Also, seeing the insane number of books I own and do actually really want to read makes me think I need to be more organized in my reading next year.

Are any of you making plans for your reading for the rest of the year? Does your reading time slow down with the busyness of the holidays?

Amy

Comments (15)

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Phew - you sound as busy as I am! Are you planning on moving - or is the packing stuff away just in case?

I'm realizing that I have a few challenges I won't be completing - I could wear myself out trying to finish them, but I'm also attempting NaNoWriMo this month, so that's not going to happen.

My reading plans for the rest of the year are to keep reading one "for me" book and one review book. Then, for the two weeks of our Christmas break from homeschooling, I'm only reading what calls to me, no review commitments. :)
2 replies · active 751 weeks ago
I am moving but am currently without destination. Will be staying with family until something changes, I guess. :(
I'm sorry! The job situation hasn't picked up, I guess? This economy really stinks all around, doesn't it?
You are one busy lady! Good luck with all that's going on. My reading definitely slows down this time of year, but not as much as it did when Vance was younger.
1 reply · active 751 weeks ago
Why yes I AM thinking about goals for next year (saying this just after I posted my Salon, which outlines my goals for next year...). :D I'm looking forward to hearing what you're thinking about yours.
1 reply · active 751 weeks ago
Your goals are great! Maybe I should also make some hard goals for myself. We''ll see!
I'm right there with you with the fast pace of life and barely being able to keep up. I admire your ability to separate yourself from so many books, though! I need to but have been avoiding it. I also hang on to books I have read, so it makes the chore even more tedious. But as people have reminded me, if I really really want to read the book LATER, I can find it at the library. Why didn't I think of this sooner? Possibly because I don't have to use the library because I have so many books! ;)

Reading goals. I want to read books I WANT to read next year. Less obligation and more pleasure. Good luck with the packing.
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
It's funny because books going out of print is like my biggest fear! I also don't use the library because of the books...I've been meaning to write about my experiment with using the library again this year and how it failed.

I'm with you on no obligation reading!
Wow, you are busy! I am impressed you've been able to keep up with the read along! I have definitely been thinking about reading goals for the coming year as well. This was the first full year I've documented my reading so it's really given me a whole new perspective on things.
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
Our sections aren't too long which really helps and I've been trying to prioritize it. I look forward to hearing about your goals!
Brooks J. Young's avatar

Brooks J. Young · 751 weeks ago

Hi Amy!
I'm a new follower of your blog. Although I have several blogs, I'm starting one for my love of books.

I wanted to say, 'hello' and I am praying for you. I know how it feels to be in a place where I have to move in with family. It's a season of growth. If you can take your time, pray and enjoy the journey. God is doing something for you in the midst of it all.

Twitter: @literarybrooks <--New account
jennygirl73's avatar

jennygirl73 · 751 weeks ago

I forgot about your podcast! I'll have to check that out.
As for my reading, I plan to read from my stash and the library and read for me. Very limited ARCs, and back to basics. Make reading fun and spontaneous again :)
I also am surprised at just how out of hand the book collecting has gone at my house. I have more than I will ever be able to read, and the time is soon approaching when I will have to make some cuts, but oh, it is going to be hard! I think it can get out of control pretty quickly, and in my case, it has. I am beginning to go the e-reader route, but still have a lot of books to contend with over here!
Thanks so much for the mention Amy - love the lists that people sent to me for Buy Books for the Holidays and hopefully next month will be discussion topic and lit charity month over there (figured people need the lists in Nov so they have them in time for shopping).

My plans were to read more books by male authors, before the end of the year to even up my gender balance for 2010, but that's not really working out as (shockingly) books about women in sport are written by women :)

Storage implies you're moving on to new things, hopefully they're good things and we'll hear more about them when everything is set.

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