Goodness. It seems like WEEKS since I've posted. Not quite that bad, but still. The reasons for my abrupt leave of absence?? Well....a couple I guess. First of all, I was sick last week. And not just a sniffly little cold either. I was completely down-and-out, flat-on-my-back, in bed with the flu! Of course, there were those wonderful moments when I was draped over the toilet, because I couldn't keep anything down for long. And a fever of 102 didn't help. Sheesh. I was hurtin' pretty bad for about 3 days.
I'm FINALLY feeling better. The older I get, it seems the longer it takes to recover. Of course, working 70 hours a week can catch up to a person pretty quick. I have a feeling that was a major part of me catching a bug...and it hanging on so long. The things we do to keep the electricity on, I tell you.
But another reason I haven't posted in a bit, is a little harder to define. I've been in this funk lately. Not only with reading, but blogging as well. And I hate it. I hate not feeling the bliss of picking up a new book, or the excitement of logging on to the blog to check in with all my friends. But that's exactly what was happening. I know part of it had to do with being sick. But I also think a part of it is due to the stack of ARC's I have piling up. From Advanced Copies to Blog Tours, it seems I have over-extended myself a bit. Not that I haven't enjoyed the books I've received....because I have. I do, however, think it has ruined the spontaneity of just picking up a book because. Because I want to read it. Not because I'm on a schedule, or because I owe someone a review. But because *I* want to read it.
So today, I think I took care of the problem. And how, pray tell, did I do it? I took a trip to the library. With that trip, I fell back to the kind of books I enjoy the most....fantasy and young adult literature. Books I've been dying to read. 8 books to get me "Back in the Saddle", so to speak. Without further adieu, here is my first addition of "Library Loot":
I have been wanting to read this book for SO LONG. First of all, it's Neil Freakin' Gaiman! Haven't I already established he is one of my 3 favorite authors?? If that isn't enough of a reason to read this, how about the fact this book won the 2009 Newberry Medal?? I haven't read a Newberry that I have disliked...and all the fantastic reviews make me pretty sure I'm going to love this one!! Enough said!
Rise of the Evening Star is Book 2 in the Fablehaven Series. Although I wasn't over the top about Book 1, I found enough good in it to continue the series. Why not sooner, rather than later?? It seems when I put off continuing a series, I never actually get back to it!
Magyk by Angie Sage is Book 1 of the Septimus Heap Series. I love, love, LOVE the covers of the books in this series! Not really a great reason to read a book, I know. But I can't help it. I'm drawn to cool covers. Besides, the reviews of this series are fantastic, and I'm totally looking forward to this one!!
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr is another series starter. YA Urban fantasy.....dealing with the fae, and the faerie world. Yep....this is what I meant when I said "back to the books I love". Right up my alley, this one is. And like the others, I have read some fantastic reviews of this series.
Looking for Alaska is actually a book I have on my list for Dewey's Challenge. And even if it wasn't, between Chris and Nymeth's wonderful reviews of this book, I still would be dying to read it!! John Green seems to be the man of the hour, and I figured I might as well start with this one.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins hit my radar about eight months ago when I read a review that Stephen King wrote about this book. He liked it. And if it was good for Uncle Steve, then it's good enough for me. Especially since I love dystopian books! Also, I'm using it as a selection for the What's in a Name Challenge.
Purple Hibiscus is another Dewey Read. I'm also using this as a selection for the Orbis Terrarum Challenge. Besides, with all the fantasy I picked up, a little seriousness is necessary.
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (who really is a woman) is another book I've been wanting to read for a long time. I read her first book, Prep, a few years ago and loved it. Besides, I'm using this as a selection in the What's in a Name Challenge.
So.....if this doesn't bring my funk to a grinding halt, I don't know what will!! I also requested a couple of graphic novels through Inter-library loan. Can't wait to get those in!
26 comments:
Getting sick sucks! Glad you're feeling better! I've heard good things about all of these books but I LOVED The Graveyard Book and Wicked Lovely. Hope you enjoy your new books :)
'course we remember you! Sorry to hear you were sick. That's an awesome loot...I hope those help you get over your funk!
Tink - I hate being sick. And I really REALLY hate throwing up. I think I'd rather break a bone!! But I'm finally feeling better. I hadn't even heard of Wicked Lovely. I liked the cover...it was an impulse check-out!
Nymeth - Thanks for not forgetting me!! Yeah...I think I see a light at the end of the funk tunnel! Let's hope, anyway.
I hear ya. On the flu and the funk. I have no idea what to blog about this week. I got nothing.
I hope you enjoy the new books!
Oh man, I'm so sorry you were soooo sick, Stephanie! And I hope that lovely pile of library loot breaks through the funk. Funks are no fun!!! I can't believe you were about to get The Hunger Games...our library systems hold list for that one is a mile long. Which is why I finally just gave in and bought it. ;) Can't wait to hear what graphic novels you're getting.
Proofread before hitting "publish" Debi! I, of course meant "able to get" not "about to get".
I can totally relate. I have been sick AND having the same exact feelings. Plus, I also reverted to my favorites, YA and Urban Fantasy. I just read and really enjoyed The Hunger Games.
Hope you're feeling better and back on track soon!
I know what you mean about overextending yourself. A trip to the library always puts me in a better mood and you got some really good books. I've been meaning to read a bunch of these for awhile now. Enjoy!
Hi Stephanie! I'm sorry you had the flu, but hope you are better now. I understand missing the just picking up a book to read because you want to - not because you have to. That's one reason I haven't tried harder for ARCs. I'd love them, but I feel like I don't have time for the responsibility that goes with them. Feel better!
This is such a perfectly timed post. We all just got over being sick (I second the 'I'd rather break a bone than throw up' sentiment!). Also, I have a huge stack of ARCs (10 or so) plus another 10 TBR pile books and 20 library books. I'm so overextended it's not even funny, and I find myself avoiding reading, even though I have a ton of great books available. I like getting free books by way of ARCs, but the timeline and responsibility is getting to me too. That and it feels like I will never make a dent in my 800+ item TBR list. Sorry to ramble, it's just comforting to hear that someone else is feeling the same way I am.
I'm so happy to hear that you're feeling better, and good for you for getting back into the swing of things. I totally know what the reading and blogging funk is like, and it's a terrible feeling. But the best way to get out of it is to do exactly what you're doing: reading books you absolutely know you'll like. I have "The Graveyard Book" on my nightstand as we speak, calling my name. Is it possible we're the only two in the blogosphere who hasn't read it yet? :)
Have fun with all those wonderful books!
So glad to see you back and to hear that you are finally feeling better. Being sick is no fun!!
Just a side note . . . I've got Magyk sitting on my TBR list and cannot wait to read it. I really need to finish the books that I've got in my pile so that I can get to that one. I will be excited to read your review of it!!
Glad you are feeling better, and that you have been able to get back to the books you love! I was just thinking about you the other night thinking you had been a bit quiet.
I'm happy to hear that you are feeling better! I hope that you get back into the writing groove...I have the American Wife in my tbr pile, and hunger games is receiving praise across the blogosphere....and that Alaska book looks great too.
I'm sorry you were sick, but I understand the ARC funk feeling. Enjoy your library loot!
Glad your getting better! I really enjoyed American Wife.
I agree that having an obligation to read a book takes the fun away, I hope this is what you need!
Sorry that you were sick but glad that you are felling better. I hope you get out of your funk soon.
The Hunger Games is a GREAT, GREAT book! I literally could not put it down and finished it in eight hours. Amazing book. I've already put the second book on my Wish List. Enjoy!
I love both Wicked Lovely and the Hunger Games...I hope you'll post your thoughts! :)
Oh Stephanie you poor thing. The flu and a crazy work schedule! I'm hoping you are well on the road to recovery.
Regarding the funk... yea, I know what you mean. I have taken some steps to cut back on some challenges, weekly events, ARCs and that sort of thing. It doesn't mean I don't do those - I mean, I have fun. But, like you said, sometimes all those become obligations and take away the fun. So I hope your library loot pulls you out of the funk. You've got some great books there so enjoy them!
Oh Steph...70 hour work weeks? I'm so sorry :( These funks can just be miserable and I'm sorry you're going through one...just got out of one too. Big hugs from down south! On the positive side, you got an amazing selection of books!! Seriously, sometimes I think we're book twins :p
wow, big haul !
I've read the Fablehaven books and they are enjoyable.. also enjoyed the septimus heap books..they both are for young folks but enjoyable just the same.. always a welcome break when the next in the series was released..
Lots of great books there! I really liked Wicked Lovely, The Graveyard Book, and Looking for Alaska! I am sure you are going to, too!
Glad you are feeling better! Being sick is never fun...
So glad you're feeling better. I know exactly how you feel about being in a funk - I've been feeling a little like that as well. My secretary is out with the flu, so I think maybe I might be coming down with it too. Or, maybe just sympathy flu. New books! Yipee. Enjoy.
I hear ya loud and clear. I feel very similarly! I've been in a book blogging funk lately. Bleh.
We definitely missed you, Stephanie! Enjoy those books!
I too have been avoiding my tons of unread books at home and have been splurging at the library. I think it's ok to do that. :)
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