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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: A lazy mornin' with coffee


The Sunday 
Salon.com

Today is one of the days when I'm not feeling particularly bookish - things are slowly getting busy here and I'm trying to not feel that busy. I am still reading - thank goodness for that - so I haven't got into any funk, but the next two months look insanely busy to me that I could use a time blinder-of sorts that doesn't let me look so much into the future. But then, it is that season - Thanksgiving, Christmas, vacations, family time, winter, did I say busy vacations?

This week, I'm going to New York to visit my brother, after 9 months. While that's not a huge timeframe by any scale, it has been a rocky phase for him managing his health and studies, that I am looking forward to it. I am writing a couple of reviews for the week, but since writing posts in advance is not my kind of thing (I'm just lazy that way), I am looking forward to staying off the internet (mostly) for the coming weekend. Thank you, Google, for 'Mark All as Read', even though that leaves me mostly guilty.

Next month, I'm going to India for a quick 'vacation', after more than two-and-a-half-years. Why exactly? Scroll down. It's going to be busy, horribly, that I'm already looking forward to coming back. There's a ton of shopping to do, which is leaving me with dread. I like shopping for myself, but not for anyone else. There's the whole Will they Like it, Will they not? phase that's just terrifying. Worse than that is the What should I buy? phase. Never fun, because everyone else is also shopping at the same time.

But most importantly, my fiancé and I are getting married in January! That's the whole reason things are very hectic. The planning's been going about for a while - luckily, my dad's organizing the wedding in India and I don't have to worry about the logistics, but there are still a lot of things to think about. I'm not the girly-excited-about-the-wedding-day kind of person, and I'm not into building up fanfare, but it's still going to be a big day. So, if you don't see me around as much as usual over the next couple of months, you know why! So, there's my big announcement for the day!


Comments

Jackie said…
Congratulations! I hope all the planning goes smoothly and you have a fantastic day! Make sure you let us all see the photos afterwards. Such exciting times. Good luck!
Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com said…
OMG you're getting married in January! WHOA! You go girl! Please tell me you'll be sharing some pics? 

Have fun visiting your bro :) and congrats!
Vasilly said…
Congratulations! I'm with JuJu: you have to share pictures with us. Have a safe trip! 
softdrink said…
Congratulations! And try to have fun amidst all the business!
rhapsodyinbooks said…
Wow, congratulations!  I'm for pictures as well!  :--)
Samantha 1020 said…
Sounds like you have a couple of exciting and busy months planned!!  Congratulations :)
Stephanie said…
How exciting that your wedding is just two months away.  It will be here before you know it!
Aarti said…
Yay for your wedding!  I think it's totally fine not to be the "this is the biggest day of my whole life and everyone else's life, too" kind of bride, and more of the "Yay, big happy day!" bride.  Probably less stress for everyone, including yourself :-)
Bibliophilebythesea said…
Congratulations of the upcoming event - wishing u both much happiness. Have a wonderful holiday.
bermudaonion (Kathy) said…
Oh my gosh, I had no idea you were engaged!  How did I miss that news?  How very exciting for you!!  Congratulations!
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks so much! :) I won't have my official album ready by the time I come back, but I will make sure some I get some unofficial pictures ready!
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks so much! :) I won't have my official album ready by the time I come back, but I will make sure some I get some unofficial pictures ready! I am looking forward to the NY trip!
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks so much! :) I won't have my official album ready by the time I come back, but I will make sure some I get some unofficial pictures ready!
Athira / Aths said…
Definitely on my plan of must-do's! Let's hope things don't get too mad.
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks so much! :) I won't have my official album ready by the time I come back, but I will make sure some I get some unofficial pictures ready!
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks so much! It is going to be insanely busy! 
Athira / Aths said…
It will! Time's just flying, and it speeds up around this time. 
Athira / Aths said…
I agree! There's less worrying about what happens if something goes wrong/bad, etc. :)
Athira / Aths said…
Thank you! I got engaged just a few months back, but I didn't announce it anywhere, that's why. :) 
Jake said…
I am so excited for you!! Congrats on the wedding news.

I can't wait to read about India, it is very high on my bucket list.
Leeswammes said…
Congratulations, how nice! So is your fiancé also from India? Or is he going to get a shock at the wedding? :-)

My colleague (from India) had 1,000 guests at her wedding and it went on for several days. That's a bit much if you don't like a lot of fanfare! Hope it's going to be a great day!
Care said…
Congrats!   Are you SURE you want to read Neuromancer instead of some girly bride prep book?!  (sorry, couldn't resist)  No, really congratulations!  I just celebrated 23 years with my wonderful guy so I toast to your happiness.  Safe travels!
Ash said…
Congratulations on getting married in January! It will definitely be a big day. I must say I envy you not having to worry about the logistics though. 
zibilee said…
Oh, Congratulations Aths! I am so happy for you! I am also glad that you have such good family to organize things for you! I would love to see photos when all is said and done! It sounds like you have a great deal going on right now, and I am sending peaceful prayers to you. Don't worry about the blog. We will all be here when you get back!
Ti said…
I am that girl. The girl who is not "girly" over a wedding and who loves to shop, but not for myself. I hear ya on all levels. I can't help but be excited for you on this end though. Congrats!! I wish you both the best that life has to offer. 
Lenasledge said…
Congrats on your wedding. How wonderful! And you are taking two trips, one to New York, my favorite place to visit. And India, a place I would love to visit. I hope you have a grand time. 
Niranjana Iyer said…
Congratulations! January is probably the best time for weddings in India, so you are on to a winning strategy. Wishing you both much happiness!
Helen Murdoch said…
Congratulations, I wondered if that was coming when you referred to a big announcement! That is awesome and I hope you enjoy the process of all that is to come. Enjoy the time in India, being with family, and celebrating this new phase of your life.

How was your visit with your brother? Is his health getting any better?
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Shelleyrae @ Book'd OUt
OMG, how exciting Aths.  Congrats on the wedding, your going to be a bride and and wife, how absolutely lovely.  Enjoy your time with your brother, 9 months, I just cannot believe how time flies.  So glad your still reading, so when you have time to share with us, I look forward to it.  BIG SMILES
J.G. said…
Oooh, congrats and best wishes for much happiness to you and your beloved.
c b said…
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have fun visiting your brother! christa @ mental foodie http://mentalfoodie.blogspot.com/
MedeiaSharif said…
Congratulations, Aths.  :)

I hope everything else works out for you travel and family-wise. 
trish said…
AH! Congratulations! What a whirlwind the next couple of months will be!
Athira / Aths said…
Luckily, he is from India too, lol! We might have close to 800-1000 guests, but it's going to be a single day event. In North India, wedding celebrations do span many days, but in South India, they are usually just for a single day. So, phew!
Athira / Aths said…
Haha! Congratulations to you too! 23 years is an awesomely long time! :)
Leeswammes said…
Oh good, one day with 1,000 guests sounds busy enough for me. I hope it'll be a really good day. 
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks! I am definitely glad that my parents are organizing it. I doubt that I can do much from so far away.
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks, Heather! I will try to post pictures as soon as I am back! :)
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks so much, Ti! I'm looking forward to it too.
Kim @ Sophisticated Dorkiness said…
Congrats, that is so awesome! It'll be a hectic but fun couple of months, I'm sure. 
Delia said…
Congratulations, Aths!
It's been a while since I came by for a visit on your blog and now I come and see the BIG announcement! I am so very happy for you and wish you and and your future husband all the luck in the world. I would love to see you on your big day - I have no idea about wedding customs in India but I've always wanted to visit the country. It's on my "bucket list". Maybe someday. :)
Care said…
It sounds longer than it seemed.   You know...  The older you get, the faster the ride.
Athira / Aths said…
He seems to be doing fine now, but he did have a rough last few months. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things go better for him from now on.

Sorry, took me a while for me to reply to you - only just getting to my email backlog.