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A New Way of Living | Weekly Snapshot

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I don't know about you guys but this has been one of the longest weeks ever. With schools closed and work moved to home, this has been a new way of living. When the changes and shutdowns came just before last weekend, there was no time to really process the information. Within days, life had changed. And then on Monday, I reported to work, from my home, with kids also at home. It was when Friday finally rolled along that I felt the gravity of the situation, how we'll be rarely getting out for weeks, if not for months. How schools were likely going to be closed for months. How work still had to be done remotely or worse, there was no work to do anymore due to layoffs or a shutdown. How there was not going to be any dining in restaurants for months.


That was a very sobering thought. I didn't sleep until 1.30am that night.

How are you all doing? What are some of your tips to keep your sanity on while we get through this very difficult time? Some of you are in places that are …
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Yet another Monday! (Feb 20, 2012)

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It's Monday! What are you reading this week?

Sheila @ Book Journey wants to know what we're reading. I'm only too happy to oblige!

Dance Lessons
This Saturday, husband and I went with two of my best buddies for a strenuous but really wonderful and amazing three-hour mountain hike to the Sharp Top peak in the Peaks of Otter area nearby. The view that greeted us once we reached the top was so breathtakingly beautiful that we could have sat there all day. The weather was perfect too, and quite the contrast with Sunday's cold snowy day. Not that I'm complaining - I'm thrilled that it snowed finally!

This week, I started reading Dance Lessons by Áine Greaney, for the Indie Lit Awards shortlist. I have just one more book to go after this and will be done with the shortlist by the end of this month. So far, it's been an interesting list of books, and I can't wait to start voting!

Which pages were turned...
-  I finished reading Ryan David Jahn's The Dispatcher hours ago - a book I chose simply because I loved his Good Neighbors to death. I enjoyed this one but it didn't pull me in the way his previous book did.
-  I am still reading Eli Gottlieb's The Face Thief - which is really good so far, I'm just not getting enough time to read it with all the other reading commitments.
-  Short Story of the week - Bohemia (click for my review) by V.S. Naipaul.

...And other news
-  Review: American Dervish by Ayad Akhtar
-  What the rest of February looks like.


Happy reading!


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Comments

Alita said…
I haven't heard of any of the books on your lists this week! I hope you enjoy the last book on the Indie Lit Awards shortlist.
February 19, 2012 at 10:23 PM
Sheila (Book Journey) said…
Dance Lessons sounds fun!  And how awesome to be on the Indie Lit Awards reading the books!
February 19, 2012 at 10:27 PM
Jennifer G. said…
My husband and I wanted to hike Sharp Top when we drove the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive several years ago for my birthday, but we didn't.  I think it was raining or something.  We'll have to get back up there someday!
February 19, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Mystica said…
American Dervish is on my wishlist as well.
February 19, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Tea Time with Marce said…
I have never been hiking but would love to just to experience the view.  I'm going to read my 1st graphic book from one of your recommendations.
February 19, 2012 at 11:02 PM
Helen Murdoch said…
The hike sounds amazing. I haven't hiked in so long since I got a horrible case of poison oak the last time I went (ended up on prednezone and everything!)
February 19, 2012 at 11:12 PM
MarthaE said…
Your hike sounds lovely - glad the weather was nice.  I liked the title for The Face Thief but it sounds a little dark. I'll be curious how you like it.
Have a great week. 
February 20, 2012 at 12:27 AM
bermudaonion (Kathy) said…
I'm still getting used to the idea of you having a husband.  :-)  I've heard Dance Lessons is wonderful!
February 20, 2012 at 8:34 AM
Emily said…
I think we live in the same corner of the world!  I bet the Peaks of Otter look lovely today (although I'm not sure I want to drive the parkway right now.)

In other news, I recently tagged you in a silly game of blogger tag.  Don't feel obligated to play along!  I just wanted to let you know that you are loved :)
February 20, 2012 at 10:05 AM
zibilee said…
It sounds like you had a wonderful hike, and I imagine the view was beautiful! I am eager to hear what you think of The Face Thief. It was quite an interesting read, but at points it made me so mad!
February 20, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Vasilly said…
I can't wait until you're able to talk about all the books you're reading for Indie Lit. I haven't heard of Dance Lessons but the cover looks interesting. Happy reading.
February 20, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Leeswammes (Judith) said…
I only heard of Dance Lessons because of the Indie Lit Awards. I hope it's good. I still need to read one more book for the Speculative Fiction genre and then I can start voting too!
February 20, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Abbi Hart said…
Hope you have a great reading week!
February 20, 2012 at 6:31 PM
Crystal @ I Totally Paused said…
The Dispatcher sounds both interesting and scary.  I may have to try a different one by that author, I've heard good things about him but stuff about kidnapping freaks me out!
February 20, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Athira / Aths said…
I'm definitely enjoying reading the shortlist. Can't wait to read the start voting.
February 20, 2012 at 9:21 PM
Athira / Aths said…
You should definitely come back to hike! It was so beautiful and so worth it!
February 20, 2012 at 9:22 PM
Athira / Aths said…
I hope you enjoy Green River Killer! I loved the book!
February 20, 2012 at 9:22 PM
Athira / Aths said…
Oops! That can be quite scary. It's been a while since I hiked too, so that added to the enjoyment. 
February 20, 2012 at 9:22 PM
Athira / Aths said…
LOL! Me too sometimes. Haha!
February 20, 2012 at 9:22 PM
Athira / Aths said…
There are points that are frustrating, but I think overall I'm enjoying it.
February 20, 2012 at 9:23 PM
Athira / Aths said…
The book is also interesting. I can't wait to discuss those books either.
February 20, 2012 at 9:23 PM
Athira / Aths said…
That was the first time I heard of Dance Lessons too. I'm curious about how it goes.
February 20, 2012 at 9:24 PM
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks! I hope so too.
February 20, 2012 at 9:24 PM
Athira / Aths said…
I will be curious to hear what you think.
February 20, 2012 at 9:25 PM
Athira / Aths said…
Face Thief is somewhat dark and intriguing. I'm curious to check how it ends.
February 20, 2012 at 9:28 PM
Athira / Aths said…
Oh, the parkway is probably no fun now, but it was perfect on Saturday, before the snow! 
February 20, 2012 at 9:31 PM
Athira / Aths said…
It is somewhat scary, but it was fast-paced too. I liked it somewhat, but not too much.
February 20, 2012 at 9:33 PM
Lisa Sheppard said…
 I'd really like to get reading some of the Indie Lit short list books but I'm trying so hard not to buy any books!
February 20, 2012 at 11:13 PM
Pussreboots said…
We also went to the mountains this weekend, but we didn't do much hiking. We mostly played in the snow. Since I was outside enjoying nature, I didn't get much reading done. Please stop by to see what I'm reading now.
 
February 21, 2012 at 12:59 AM
Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com said…
Ooooo a hike sounds so good to me right now.
February 21, 2012 at 9:10 PM
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