"Lite" Reading

There are times in life when all you want is something fun to read. I'm on vacation this week and found that deep, profound literature, or technical work related tomes were just out of the question as reading material. I discovered a light diverting "read" (on audio tape) to accompany me on my tasks this week - the Sookie Stackhouse stories of Charlaine Harris. I am by no means a devotee of vampires or other mythical creatures, but I have to admit I'm liking Sookie a human telepath and her unique set of friends, family, and enemies. I started with a set of short stories on a playaway book device, (These books only require a pair of earphones plugged in and you are all set and good to go. Great for walking, or keeping you company while doing housework, gardening, or my favorite needlepoint) and have moved on to another,  Dead and Gone. One other factor to liking this book series may be the performance given by the narrator, Johanna Parker. She has a gentle Southern accent for Sookie, and "voices" for the other characters.

My plan for the day includes work in the yard (thank God it is finally sunny and warm) and following Sookie on her journey of battling evil vampires out for her blood, the love interest (also a vamp) who is after her blood and more, and the evil fairies who want to punish her for being who she is. What fun!

Asimov Write's Mysteries?

In keeping with my resolution not to buy books this year, I've been spending more time amid the stacks of my local library. Lo and behold there I discovered something I did not know - Isaac Asimov wrote mystery stories! I was first introduced to Asimov by a friend during my freshman year of high school when she encouraged me to read his Foundation series. I continued to read several other sci-fi novels and short stories by Asimov, therefore, it was a pleasant surprise to discover his "Black Widowers" mysteries. Many of the stories in his Puzzles of the Black Widowers originally appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.

I'm currently on vacation this week and enjoyed reading this collection of stories over the past two days. I needed a break from "serious" literature or work related reading matter.

Still Reading

I started this blog around the New Year with every intention that it was to become a resolution of sorts. As with all resolutions or goals, life takes over and they are thrust onto the back burner. The urge to write has come upon me today. I've already completed a quick post to my "gardening blog." I find myself with the time to write today as I enjoyed yesterday's snow day from work getting caught up with household and work related chores. Finding myself with time today, I don't know what to do. Can't work in the yard because I must wait for the new snow to melt and the mud to firm up again. The house doesn't need as much attention because I cleaned yesterday. I have time to spend with my books and my writing.

Speaking of reading, I find myself drawn lately to light material. Fun things to read. Nothing too challenging. Perhaps I want the escape from my world into a different life. Jasper Fforde's new Thursday Next book was a fun read (actually a fun listen as I took it out of the library as an audio book). I just finished Alexander McCall Smith's The World According to Bertie  a continuation of his 44 Scotland Street series. I had started reading it a while back and found the character of Irene, Bertie's mother, so exasperating that I had to put the book down. Perhaps it is because I have met some of those mothers in the real world. Talk about your helicopter parent. This woman is a Black Hawk. I am sticking to my resolution of not buying any new books and I am continuing to make it through the collection of books that I have here so I sat down to finish this one in spite of Irene and her shenanigans. Makes you sympathize with the children of these types of parents. Just when I start to worry I don't work hard enough at being a parent I read an example of over the top parenting and realize I am doing a damn fine job with my children.