Jumbled Jungle in my Brain

One would think that, being a writer, when I'm under the weather I would write a lot, or at least read more. Alas. Yesterday, I sat all day and repeatedly employed the equivalent of the neti pot's cousin. I couldn't even focus enough to read the library book I have on Kindle. (Although I am excited about my newest novel that I've started. I'm seeing what happens when I pit an assassin and a pacifist as antagonists.)

But today, feeling more human than yesterday (and yesterday was an improvement on Thursday), I'm back to reading and am quite enjoying the continuing saga of The Ranger's Apprentice. Right now, I'm in the midst of book nine, Halt's Peril.

At first I was not happy with the change from the Ranger's apprentice being just that, an apprentice, to being a full-grown, graduated Ranger himself. Not to say I didn't want that to eventually, someday, at-the-conclusion-of-the-series happen, but...well, I expected it at the conclusion of the series. Not five books into a series of ten or so books.

But, I adjusted, and I quite like them all being grown up. Especially since the characters still work together most of the time. I would recommend, however, that if you like to read stories in a chronological order, read book seven, Erak's Ransom, before five and six, The Sorcerer of the North and The Siege of Macindaw, respectively. You'll enjoy more suspense that way.

And, for my Kindle, I'm excited. I just bought a skin and cover that came all the way from Hawai`i (...squeee!). I've got to go there someday. The cover is what I needed, but I bought this particular bundle for the skin. Pink plumeria flowers. Yay! A nice decoration without causing distraction while reading: perfect.

And, yes, I haven't forgotten that I still owe pictures of my reading nook (note: that's not an ereader, because I have a Kindle). I've been using it, so it is a little mussed from when I originally finished (and it looked gorgeous), but it's still very functionable and reasonably clean. That's the goal, after all.

...I'll never have anything spotless.

If Belle's Library Were Mine, I'd Probably Never Leave

You cannot ask me to go to the library without picking something up for fun.  It just won't happen, not if I have all of five minutes (and haven't somehow left my library card behind).

This week, I went to the library and left with two books for fun.  I was really trying to limit myself (well, I do have a half dozen books I bought after Christmas that I've been waiting to read for over three months).  This week's winners, hailing from the teen section, are The Cloud Chamber by Joyce Maynard and The Lost Years of Merlin by T. A. Barrow.

I was just browsing the shelf, not looking for anything in particular, and I thought, "Hey, I wonder what would be around where my books will (eventually) be shelved?"  And that's when I saw a familiar name.  My own.  Maynard.  But I don't know who Joyce is.  Still, long lost cousin or not, the writeup on her novel sounded interesting.  It sounds like a mystery.  Young Nate is juggling many (pre)teenagery things: baseball tryouts, a science fair project, tree house plans, and a girl who likes him.  But even with all that swimming in his mind, he can't get his mind off of the day he came home to the police surrounding his house, his dad bleeding and arrested, and his mom shivering.  And that's what I got from the back and inside covers.  Sounds like a fun summer read.

Merlin, I picked up because I didn't want to only take a book that bears my name.  I know that sounds silly, but it's true.  I took it home, though, because it also sounded interesting.  Merlin when he was young; who knows what kind of mischief and cool things he could have gotten into?  Also, I've recently seen the first episode of Merlin, which plays off of the same thing.  So, yes, I was intrigued by the different take.

I love libraries.  Now if I can just make sure I have time to read.

Library, The Bliss

This week I went to the library to pick up a book I had on hold.  I somehow managed to be an early bird and got there before it opened.  The outer doors were unlocked, but access to the library itself, well.  I had never seen the solid, oversized, garage-looking door shutting patrons out of the bliss of books in the morning before.

That may be a sad fact, since I am a writer, and supposedly an avid reader.  Shouldn't I get to the library as soon as it opens if not before?  But, alas.

I was surprised at the number of folks who were there early.  Several came in after I did to wait for the opening.  And when I arrived, three men in an elder generation (I admire you folks!) were sitting and standing around the small, raised table by the wide door, just chatting, waiting for the opening.  It was rather pleasant and relaxed, though I took no part in their group.  I could just imagine what the men were like, how they grew up reading every book they could grab, and how the library was a great place to meet and get more reading material.  The thought made me happy, whether it was true or not.

I hope I'm like that when I'm older.  Still getting together with friends, still active, still loving books.