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Infinite Country by Patricia Engel | Thoughts

   Published : 2021   ||    Format : print   ||    Location : Colombia ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆   What was it about the country that kept everyone hostage to its fantasy? The previous month, on its own soil, an American man went to his job at a plant and gunned down fourteen coworkers, and last spring alone there were four different school shootings. A nation at war with itself, yet people still spoke of it as some kind of paradise.. Thoughts : Infinite Country follows two characters - young Talia, who at the beginning of this book, escapes a girl’s reform school in North Colombia so that she can make her previously booked flight to the US. Before she can do that, she needs to travel many miles to reach her father and get her ticket to the rest of her family. As we follow Talia’s treacherous journey south, we learn about how she ended up in the reform school in the first place and why half her family resides in the US. Infinite Country tells the story of her family through the other protagonist, El

The Sunday Salon (Looking forward to June) -- June 5, 2011


The Sunday 
Salon.com

Wasn't that quite the disappearing act? My last post went up more than a week ago - I have to say I was shocked to open up my blog today and still see my post about last weekend's exciting then-upcoming trip staring at me. What? It's already been 8 days since that?

I distinctly remember making faces from behind,
but I'm glad none of those got caught
(Click picture for full size)
I did have a fabulous time in Myrtle Beach! And, I went parasailing! Which is a very daring thing for me since I like my feet planted on a safe realm at all time. But no, I don't have pictures of that. We forgot to ask the crew about how to get the pictures that they took. I have to say - it is so peaceful up there. No noise, no distractions! I could even have gone up with a book, settled down in the straps holding me up and just read. The guy on the boat wasn't lying when he said it's mostly relaxing up there and there was no need for nervousness. Of course, he failed to mention that he will be happily dropping us into the water for a teeny second (just in case we got too comfortable up there). Other than that, my friends and I just spent some good time at the beach (the weather was really pleasant - not hot at all) and explored the Broadway at the Beach, which was a really nice place to hangout at. We also played a round of fun golf - I never thought I had it in me!

The view of the beach from the pier
(Click picture for full size)
I drove back home only on Tuesday morning, dressed up for work right away, headed to my desk with my coffee mug, and spent the next eight hours desperately trying to keep my eyes open and my head unfuzzy. I spent the rest of the week, trying to unplug myself from the hangover of my weekend trip and trying to settle into the boring routine of everyday life. And read.

After a lackluster May, it feels great not to be in the reading dump anymore. I'm letting myself read whatever I'm in the mood for, rather than stare at a schedule. I did make a list of books that I would do well to read this month - I already started reading Shantaram for a readalong. In addition, I have been juggling between Elie Wiesel's The Sonderberg Case (which is mesmerizing my senses) and Ellen Airgood's South of Superior (which isn't hooking me that well). Next picks are most likely A Visit from the Goon Squad (I eventually caved in after my dilemma couple of weeks back) and The Time Machine. I will also be reading State of Wonder during the latter half of the month - something I am really looking forward to, since Bel Canto is one of my favorites ever.

Hopefully, it's going to be back to regular blogging and reading this week. What's happening at your end?

Thanks to my dear friend, Piyush, for both photos!

Comments

Misha said…
What a funny picture! Love it! :D
I'm glad to hear that you had a fantastic time. I could never do something as daring as  parasailing! Bravo! I can imagine how difficult it must have been to get back to the normal routine after having such an exciting time.
You have a great reading list planned. I hope you enjoy all the books (I am really curious about A Visit from the Goon Squad).
hcmurdoch said…
It sounds like you had such a great time! I went parasailing with my daughter in Hawai'i a couple years ago. We did a tandem, which was so much fun. You're right, it is quiet and peaceful up there
JoV said…
Oh Goodness! I wanted to go parasailing for ages!! I just never found the chance. It's amazing sometimes to come back to the blog and found out it is passed 1 week without blogging. it never ceased to amaze me either. I read Shantaram early last year and love it, although a tad too long. I am reading A visit from the Goon Squad now, look forward to hear what you think about it. Bel Canto? I'm not feeling the same as you did. It was meh for me. :)
Meghan said…
Well, it sounds like you had a fantastic time anyway! I've never been parasailing and I think it's unlikely given that I don't know how to swim. I'm not sure I've gone a week without blogging since I started seriously. I'm not quite sure what I'd do with myself! 

I'll be interested to hear what you think of A Visit from the Goon Squad. I've had my eye on it for a while.
I have State of Wonder on my wish list.  Ann Patchett gives good read!  Thanks for sharing your adventures...they sound wonderful.

Here's

MY
SUNDAY SALON POST
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks! :) I can't wait to dig into those books! The ones I'm reading are so good too!
Athira / Aths said…
I did a tandem too with my friend! It was fun! He was really scared that I will be the cause of his fall into the sea, lol!
Athira / Aths said…
You should go parasailing! It is fun!! It's so fabulous to be so high up in the air!

Aww, sorry that you didn't much care for Bel Canto - I'm going to have to check out your thoughts about it!
Athira / Aths said…
I don't know how to swim either. Well, I do, but only in shallow water and then also for short laps. Toss me into the ocean, and I'll die of panic, more likely. You should definitely go parasailing! It's fun!
Athira / Aths said…
You're welcome!!  I can't wait to read State of Wonder! Her Bel Canto was so amazing!
ChewDigest said…
You are so cool with your parasailing! I haven't tried it yet, but secretly long to every time I see them doing it on my walks. (that and kite surfing!)
Debnance said…
Zowie! Parasailing! Very neat.

Here's my Sunday Salon.
Monique Howard said…
Parasailing sounds like so much fun.  Taking a break from work is always good, but it so hard to get back into the grove once you return.  I totally feel you on the reading dumps.  I am trying to dig myself out of one now.
You're much braver than I am.  I would never try parasailing!
Bibliophilebythesea said…
Well, it sounds like you had a great time. Returning ti work after ANY vacation is always tough --i think.
christa @ mental foodie said…
I have State of Wonder in my pile for this month too - I haven't read any of her other books but heard good things so I thought I'd give it a go! Can't wait to see what you think. Parasailing sounds just perfect! I like my feet on the ground too but maybe I'd be brave enough to try given the chance, now that I know it's more relaxing than scary :)

christa @ mental foodie
Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com said…
How fun! And look how cute you look!
Athira / Aths said…
You should!! It is so much fun! I don't think I would do kite surfing though. But after you do it, you can try to motivate me. :)
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks! It was so fabulous!
Athira / Aths said…
I hope you are able to get out of the reading rut soon! It totally sucks being in one. Even your favorite books may look uninteresting.
Athira / Aths said…
Haha! I never thought I would ever do parasailing. I'm glad I didn't cower too much.
Athira / Aths said…
Always! I wish life was a vacation. But then, we would need a break from vacation.
Athira / Aths said…
You should give parasailing a try! It is such a fascinating experience. I can't wait to start State of Wonder either.
ashbrux said…
Sometimes its nice to take a break, especially after a vacation. I spent most of last week recovering from  BEA and now this week it's just been work, work, work. I haven't read at all. Maybe tonight I'll finally be able to get some in.
Athira / Aths said…
I take breaks more often nowadays, but then many are driven by some issue or the other. Still, I like it, I'm glad that I no longer tie myself to a schedule - that allows me to enjoy blogging!