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Saturday, January 15, 2011

New Year Possibilities

What I'm reading right now:

I'm rereading Kaminoff's Yoga Anatomy (but then, I'm almost always rereading my yoga books) and rereading Sharon Lovejoy's Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars (a wonderful book for parents and grandparents--so many great ideas).  These are both nonfiction and are good for rereading in short periods of time then coming back to later.

Also reading Except for the Queen by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder.  When I started it yesterday, I wasn't thrilled with the beginning and almost put it aside, but I'm so glad I didn't because when it got good, it got really good!

I've not been reading as much in the first couple of weeks of this new year because I've been so busy with other things.  You know, those new year things that seem to take precedence with the advent of a new year...cleaning, organizing, catching up with reviews, emptying book shelves and closets and drawers and purging the clutter.  It feels good to have a fresh start and a clean slate even when one knows it won't last long.

I do have a couple of books to review that I'll be getting around to soon.

This past year is not a reading year that I was particularly proud of as most of it was escape fiction; although there were some excellent books, most were not especially memorable.

I'm going to be making an effort to have a better, more varied mix of books in 2011.  I've ordered another copy of The Vigorous Mind  because I loaned my copy to someone who asked about it, and although I emphasized that I did want it back because I was using it as a reference, I've realized it isn't going to be returned.  I'm a little disappointed because I'd highlighted so many things in it including book titles and authors, but highlighting can be done again.

Some of my posts about The Vigorous Mind can be found here, here, and here.  It was a book that truly had an impact on my life and on my reading; I'm looking forward to reading this one again.  I was proud of my 2009 reading year, not so much in 2010.

Two books that I'm looking forward to reading:

Damage by John Lescroart - I love Lescroart's series and his characters.
Three Seconds by Roslund & Hellstrom, a series that I read about first in the paper and then saw that Nicole (Linus's Blanket) has it in her stacks.

9 comments:

  1. Here's to the new reading year, Jenclair. Isn't it great to get a fresh start every twelve months?

    Your experience with "The Vigorous Mind" is a reminder to me never to loan a book out that I want to ever see again. I've stopped loaning books...I give many away and protect my "keepers."

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  2. I get so disappointed when people borrow books and don't return them. My student intern did that. Frustrating!

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  3. I think it will be interesting to see what you highlight this time around and if the same parts will have resonance.

    As for Three Seconds I keep hearing that it is really violent but I also hear good things about hi writing team, so we shall see!

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  4. How frustrating that you aren't getting that book back! I hope you have a wonderful year of reading in 2011!

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  5. Sam - It is so hard to want to share what has been important and balance the human factor that means you may not get it back. I gave him another book that I'd ordered extra copies of to give as gifts, but he wanted to read that The Vigorous Mind as well. I'll be more careful in the future!

    And yes, I love the New Year concept. We can begin again at any time, but there is something about beginning with a new year.

    Christina - It is frustrating! It isn't just the price of purchasing a new copy, it is the connection with the original and the disappointment.

    Nicole - Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing how much resonates in the same way and what new catches my attention.

    I'm eager to try this team and hope the violence won't be too much for me--it all depends on how it is presented. I find writing teams interesting and spend some time wondering which partner is responsible for which sections.

    Dorothy - It may eventually return, but I'm no longer (after more than a year) expecting it. Thanks for the good wishes about 2011 reading!

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  6. Oh that's terrible that you aren't getting your copy back especially as you had marked it up. Ok, that's one new year's resolution for you - no more lending books :)

    I still haven't read any yoga books but my plan is to at least read one this year! I did two yoga classes this weekend and they were so lovely.

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  7. Iliana -- My new copy has arrived and my highlighter is ready, but I have several books in progress at the moment. Don't know how long I can hold out, though.

    I'm back to doing my morning sadhana every morning, and I just got back from a class. Feels great! Glad you were able to work in two classes this weekend!

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  8. I've been doing a lot of de-cluttering too, although for a different reason. I can't believe all the junk I've accumulated over the last ten years. Okay, so I can. It's embarrassing really.

    I keep seeing Three Seconds everywhere. I look forward to reading your thoughts on it when you get to it, Jenclair.

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  9. LF - Moving is a chore, more for having to decide what to keep and what to get rid of and how to get rid of it--trash or donation. I donated a lot of books to Good Will, the library, and an assisted living home near us when we moved last year.

    After a year in our new house, I'm wishing I'd been more hard-hearted in my purging, but find that I wish I'd kept a few things as well!

    I'm sympathizing with your decisions!

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