Books Magazine
As July winds down, I feel that the days when I took the picture above are father and farther away. Now is the time when the responsibilities of my life begin their encroachment; yesterday I saw my first Back-To-School ad. The days of sitting in my bed with a big mug of LaVazza coffee, and a kitty next to me as I read, are drastically dwindling.
But, what a fun summer it's been! When I get discouraged about blogging, and I do sometimes wonder why I feel so compelled to write about what I read, I realize that the reading I do with you more than makes up for it. I can't believe I've read six books for Spanish Lit Month. Thank you for hosting, Richard and Stu!
1. The Nautical Chart by Arturo Perez Reverte 2. The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz-Zafon3. The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vasquez4. Barcelona Shadows by Marc Pastor5. The Summer of a Dead Toys by Antonio Hill6. The Tunnel by Ernesto Sabato
And I've read several books for Paris in July, thanks to my cohosts Tamara and Karen:
1. Paris Was Ours by Penelope Knowlands2. My Friend Maigret by Georges Simenon3. The Secret of Chanel No. 5 by Tilar Mazzeo
I haven't forgotten about my own Japanese Literature Challenge 8, in which Carola of Brilliant Years won Darkness of Summer by Takeshi Kaiko. If you feel so inclined, please join in the shared read of Haruki Murakami's latest book, Colorless Tzukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, from August 12 to September 12. (Note the list in my sidebar.)
As for non-bookish things, my beloved son is in California for two weeks of training with the Marines. He will come back looking tan and fit after carrying an eighty pound backpack through the mountains and eating 2,500 calorie MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). It makes me happy that he is strong and independent, living on his own now, even though I miss him sleeping in the room across the hall.
My husband is working in the garden. Maybe it's a good thing he doesn't read much; he gives me a beautiful environment wherein I can sit. ;)
There are two weeks left in which to have coffee with my parents on their patio, or impromptu lunches with friends at the Arboretum. There are still a few books, okay more than a few, I want to read before school begins.
But for now it's important to sit and relish today, remembering the boat above rather than the ads which will appear on television tonight.