Hiatus

A quotation come to mind right now as I post this from one of my favourite novels (and movies), Sense and Sensibility, from that overbearing but delightful codger Mrs. Jennings:  "Ah, Pooter.  Still alive, I see."  Replace Pooter the parrot with Teacher/Learner the blogger and there you have the initial reaction you must have had upon seeing this post on your Google Reader after nearly three months of no posts.

I have had a wonderful (though exhausting) time teaching a grade 1/2 class for the past 10 weeks and am happy to report that I will be continuing in the same position with a new group of students from September to May.  That means that book blogging during the school year will be very limited.

I don't want to say goodbye or even farewell but I will, to be fair to all who come here (and I miss your comments, your posts & your literary kinship), I am announcing that I will have to take a hiatus from book blogging.  My posts will be sporadic for the next year or so.  I will likely have to bow out of reading challenges (as much as it pains me to) and will have to make time to read in the real world when I have the time, energy, and love to do so.

I sure hope that I can return to this world.  It has rekindled a love of reading in me that I hope will continue as I enter a much more demanding workforce.

Thank you all for your support and well wishes :)

"Crazybusy" Work Just Got "Crazybusier" & Here's Why!

I had a successful job interview two days ago and am starting a full-time, long-term teaching job from Monday until the last day of school (a far cry from an average of 3 substitute teaching days a week!), so this is just a fair warning that my blog activity will be sufficiently curtailed for the next 10 weeks. 

I will try my best to get caught up on my reviews, but I don't expect I will have the time to post Monday memes or visit and comment on all your progress and wonderful reading material :(

I whole-heartedly promise to be back full throttle in the summer.  Thanks for your patience & please know that I am still around...just a bit busy in the non-virtual world at the moment :D

Happy reading as always!

A Quick Monday Check-In

It's been a crazybusy (I say it in one breath, so I'm inventing a new word--it definitely should exist, right?) work week and I have a job interview tomorrow!  *Crosses fingers*

I'm still reading The Count of Monte Cristo, which at 1100 pages and change isn't going to finish anytime soon (I'm at page 250).  I was hoping to catch up on my backlog of reviews...*was* being the keyword since I haven't done any yet for the month of April!...so here's hoping that will happen this week.  Or I might have to dip into something shorter that I can finish and get my reading groove back on.  I wouldn't say I'm in a slump exactly...more like a sleep :D

Enjoy your week :)

March Wrap-Up & Missed Monday Meme

Work has been very busy this week, so here's a quick update while I'm thinking on it:

BOOKS READ IN MARCH:  (4)
Contact- Carl Sagan
Persuasion- Jane Austen
The Eyre Affair- Jasper Fforde
Coraline- Neil Gaiman

REVIEWS IN MARCH:  (3)
Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte
Seriously...I'm Kidding- Ellen DeGeneres
11/22/63- Stephen King

And now for the (belated) Monday meme:

Read This Week:  (1)
Coraline- Neil Gaiman
I loved his use of language and the mood he created was eerie and fascinating.  Some of the story was a bit "meh" for me.  I think I would have liked it better if I had the opportunity to read it as a child.

Currently Reading:  (2)
The Count of Monte Cristo- Alexandre Dumas
Technically a re-read this time with an unabridged edition.

My Life- Bill Clinton

Reviews This Week:
11/22/63- Stephen King

Next to Read:
It will probably be a week or two before I can finish Count of Monte Cristo, so I won't decide that now and let spontaneity take over :)

11/22/63- Stephen King



Purchase:  Amazon | Chapters

Published:  2011
Pages:  849
ISBN:  9781451627282
Genre:  Historical Fiction, Thriller

Started:  Jan. 11, 2012
Finished:  Jan. 30, 2012 (20 days)

Where Found:  Xmas 2011 gift
Why Read:  It's the latest Stephen King book...um, do I need any other reason? ;)

Read For:  What's in a Name 5 Challenge--Something on the Calendar (1/6)

Summary:  A high school English teacher in 2011 steps through a time travelling portal to 1958 with the intent of rewriting history by intervening in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Review:

Marketed as a reimagining of the socio-political day the music died, November 22, 1963, you may be surprised to find that the assassination and events leading up to the shots fired from the Book Depository in Dallas, Texas with suspicions surrounding the grassy knoll plays a supporting role.  The story is more about the butterfly effect: how a single decisive event leads to countless outcomes in unfathomable ways.

The book is highly ambitious with a seamless transition from 2011 to 1958 where Jake's journey begins.  He discovers other tragedies and problems that he has the influence to change for the better...as long as he doesn't inadvertently change the outcomes of other people's fate.  Cultural, political, and social atmosphere is tweaked for historical accuracy in such a way that contemporary readers who may not have lived during that time (including yours truly) can get a close-up glance of attitudinal contrasts between past and present.

I really enjoyed where the story went and wasn't at all disappointed that the story of Lee Harvey Oswald and JFK's assassination blended into the background as Jake's imprint on other, fictional characters' fates made up most of the book.  His relationship with Sadie was a lovely touch and just how (if he even can) prevent the assassination against the obstinate nature of time and space keeps you guessing.

It was written in a way that stretched the scope of what constitutes a Stephen King novel, often to the point of forgetting that he wrote it, much in the way I thought of Bag of Bones.  I was impressed with it for very different reasons than other books of his I've read and reviewed, and I would count it as a definite must-read.  The Green Mile still remains my favourite King book with Bag of Bones, Different Seasons, and Carrie up there as well, but this is one fine addition to his catalogue.

Rank:  (A)- Excellent, Highly Recommend

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly meme hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey.

Read This Week:  (1)
The Eyre Affair- Jasper Fforde
Wow, this was one awesome ride!  So unique.  Can't wait to review it...but it'll be backlogged.

Currently Reading:  (3)
The Count of Monte Cristo- Alexandre Dumas
After loving the abridged edition (not knowing it was abridged until finishing it!), I'm reading the full version.

Coraline- Neil Gaiman
I took this to work as the above book is too heavy to lug around.  Intriguing so far.  Liked the movie.

My Life- Bill Clinton


Reviews This Week:
None :(

Next to Read:
I'm probably covered for the next week, probably two.  I need to catch up on my reviews...


Have a great week of reading...and everything else, of course :)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly meme hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey.

Read This Week:  (1)
Persuasion- Jane Austen (A)
Loved it :)  I'm officially hooked on Jane Austen.  It goes to show how timeless her work is.

Currently Reading:  (2)
The Eyre Affair- Jasper Fforde
It's quite a world to settle into at first but now that I'm used to it, it's getting good!

My Life- Bill Clinton
New goal:  Finish this book by my 50th birthday :D  Just kidding...I just need to read a chunk at a time and I should be able to (finally) finish it.

Reviews This Week:  (1)
Seriously...I'm Kidding- Ellen DeGeneres (B)

Next to Read:
No idea...I'll keep my options open & go with what jumps out at me first :)

I also posted about joining the Classics Club this week and you can view my TBR list for this 5-year challenge.  Thanks again Jillian for hosting :)


Have a great week of reading, everyone!

I'm Joining the Classics Club!

Jillian @ A Room of One's Own has created a fantabulous (don't you just love that word?) challenge of sorts called the Classics Club.  The basic idea is to read 50 or more books within 5 years from joining up, post a list, link up your review of the book to your list, and post your virtual happy dance comment at the Club when you accomplish your goal.

In looking at my lifetime TBR list, I have come to two conclusions:

1)  I had better live to be at least age 100 to get through them all and then catch up on what I've missed on since ;)

2)  I have a boatload of classics on my list, because I am smitten with them.

I have made a list of 50 as an initial goal, including classics I'm planning on getting to this year for reading challenges and some re-reads.  I have over 250 (!) classics on my TBR list but I really need to
clear off my shelves before I can make room for more...*she says* :)

Visit my Classics Club TBR 5-Year List for my choices.