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April 25, 2007

Reading list

Ever since I stopped working at the bookstore, I have been oddly inspired to read. When I worked there, day in, day out, surrounded by books of which I had read a teeny fraction, I was overwhelmed by choices. Too much! Too much! All I had to go on were customers' statements, and let us face it, my reading tastes stray a bit from your typical Midwestern older lady. Besides, the last thing I wanted to look at when I got home was another damned book, after I'd spent all day hauling them around like chattel.

I am rediscovering my joy. Albeit in kind of strange ways.

In the last week, I've read no fewer than seven books. A couple were part of the giant haul I bought on my last day in the store, the rest were borrowed from friends who not only delight in talking books with me, but understand about that whole not having endless amounts of spare cash and bookcase room.

Those books? What were they? I'm glad you asked!

Grave Peril, Jim Butcher
The Circle Trilogy: Morrigan's Cross, Dance of the Gods, Valley of Silence, Nora Roberts
The Exorcist, William Blatty
Legends, compilation of short novels by every fantasy author ever
Holly, Jude Deveraux

There wasn't a one among them that wasn't compelling, and while I love the Harry Dresden novels with a deep corner of my cold little heart, I have to say--that William Blatty sure can story him a good yarn. It was like reading the best poetry, in book form, with a chilling quality that saw in a bottle of holy water by my bed.

There's a distinct vampire theme to these books, all save the Jude Deveraux, although the one thing that would have made that book better was a few references to Mr. the Impaler. I can't say why that is. Sometimes I'll just gravitate to a theme and run with it. But I was battling my own personal demons, and maybe these stories helped garner a little of my courage.

I won. That says something, yes?

Quickies

It's been something of a chaos station around here, for about a month now. It hasn't been laziness keeping me from updating, but a desire to let the air clear before sifting through it.

I quit my job at the bookstore minutes after securing a new position, also retail, but much, much better. I'd lost enthusiasm. And when that goes, it is time to move on. So I did. Finally.

Blake and I traveled to New Orleans last month, enjoyed ourselves immensely, and came home to a fresh outlook.

Yoggy is still doing just fine, unless she is a superb actor. And as she is a cat, I kind of doubt that.

I am at peace. The peace was hard-won, but it is worth it now.