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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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The Week in Books (2/4 - 2/17 2013)

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What a slow couple of weeks it has been here. I have been reading all kinds of books - home decor, knitting, but not much fiction or nonfiction. Thankfully, I'm in no rut. Plus I'm in the middle of two intriguing books, just that they are moving slow for no fault of theirs.

Where'd You Go, BernadetteThis week I read...
- Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple: Easily going to be one of my favorite books of this year, I'm still astounded by how close I came to not reading this book. Thank goodness for all kinds of must-read lists. If you haven't thought of reading this one yet, you. simply. must. read. it.
- The Fault in our Stars by John Green: I resolved early this year to finally read this book and see why the whole world of readers is raving about it. Having finished it, I can see what the fuss is about. While I didn't love it fully, boy, you have to be an unruffled person to not be affected by it. The subject of this book is sadly too personal in my home and I found it tremendously difficult sometimes to keep reading.

The Casual VacancyCurrently I'm reading...
- The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling: Last year, while I was busy with packing and moving, I had read and enjoyed a few chapters of The Casual Vacancy. Written in true J. K. Rowling style, I could see the tons of similarities in her writing both in this book and the Harry Potter series. Unfortunately, the book went back to the library unfinished, with my promises to read it soon. This Valentines Day, the darling husband surprised me with this book and a B&N gift card. So far, I'm still retracing my old steps but I'm almost getting to the unread sections.

- We Bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee: I don't know what it is with narrators that switch their tones suddenly from the mellow to the loud but the narrator of this audiobook has been switching volumes often. Other than that, We Bought a Zoo is actually quite wonderful to listen to. This is the first memoir I'm reading after a long time, and it doesn't feel as bad as I worried it would be.

Purchased...
Don't you just love looking at collectibles editions? I found a few that I really wanted to buy from Barnes & Noble (The Arabian Nights, Gray's Anatomy, War of the Worlds) but decided to wait a bit before grabbing any. Instead, these are what I grabbed:
- Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
- The Submission by Amy Waldman

Abandoned...
- Three Graves Full by Jamie Mason: This book started out well, truly well. Until the characters started acting stupid and not worth their professions or abilities. Such as detectives making such horrible guesses.

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Comments

Tanya Patrice said…
I've got to read Bernadette too - so many rave reviews, and it's been sitting on my shelves unread and unloved!


Tanya Patrice
Girlxoxo.com
February 18, 2013 at 7:49 AM
Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com said…
Awesome list! I can't wait to try the top two. One I own and the other I need to pick up soon.
February 18, 2013 at 9:18 AM
bermudaonion(Kathy) said…
I loved Where'd You Go, Bernadette? too! We like to hear about decorating and knitting books too.
February 18, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Tina Reed said…
Loved Fault but cried much while reading it. I have The Submission but have not been in the right mood to read it.
February 18, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Helen Murdoch said…
I am torn about the JK Rowlling book. I've read decent reviews, but haven't felt the need to read it... maybe I should. And I'll look up Bernadette as well!
February 18, 2013 at 12:28 PM
Vasilly said…
Ack! I'm going to have to get that Bernadette book! You're probably the fourth blogger today to mention it. ;-)
February 18, 2013 at 9:01 PM
Athira / Aths said…
I hope you enjoy it! It's really fun!
February 18, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Athira / Aths said…
Hope you enjoy both of them! They are definitely wonderful books.
February 18, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Athira / Aths said…
I should probably talk about them more! :)
February 18, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Athira / Aths said…
Yay! Hope you like it. It's a really fun book!
February 18, 2013 at 9:16 PM
Athira / Aths said…
I love Jhumpa Lahiri. I can't wait to start this book.
February 18, 2013 at 9:16 PM
Tea Time with Marce said…
I didn't know We bought a Zoo was a book, lovely family movie. Fault in our Stars was memorable.
February 18, 2013 at 9:16 PM
Athira / Aths said…
I was worried about the okayish reviews too, but I am definitely enjoying this book a lot probably because of her trademark wit - which is what made me love the Harry Potter books too.
February 18, 2013 at 9:17 PM
Athira / Aths said…
I have also not been in the right mood to read The Submission for a while, but every time I catch a review of that book, I feel like I must read it. So I'll save it for the right mood. :)
February 18, 2013 at 9:18 PM
Athira / Aths said…
I definitely plan to watch the We Bought a Zoo movie after finishing the book, which I am enjoying a lot.
February 18, 2013 at 9:19 PM
IntrovertedJen said…
I have several of the B&N leather editions, including the Arabian Nights. They are just gorgeous.



I almost checked Unaccustomed Earth out from the library yesterday but I didn't. I'm sure I'll get to it soon. Enjoy your week!
February 18, 2013 at 10:50 PM
Judith (Leeswammes) said…
I really loved The Casual Vacancy. How nice you got a copy from your husband. Hope you'll enjoy it!

You're the so-maniest person going on about Bernadette. I almost feel I have to read it. :-)

Have a great week!
February 19, 2013 at 2:53 AM
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