The Sunday Salon: Climbing Over the Wall
July 12th, 2009
Last week I wrote about hitting the “Reading Wall.” I think that I’ve climbed over it and am back on a normal reading pace. However, I remember certain months that I just read one great book after another and I haven’t had that feeling about the books that I’ve been reading lately. Because I’m over the wall and reading at a good pace again, does that mean that I’m enjoying it? I’m not sure. I haven’t had a 9 out of 10 or 10 out of 10 in a while. Oh where, oh where are my LOVE-LOVE-LOVE books?
I have a stack of books that I’ve purchased that I’m hesitant to start reading. I should give my review books my priority first, right? I’m wondering if I pick up a “purchase” if it’ll be a 10 out of 10. Do I rate books higher when I am excited about reading it before I crack it open? Do I rate books higher if I’ve heard so much about them and then subsequently purchase them? In my heart, I don’t think so because there have been some fantastic books that I’ve won or gotten as an ARC that I’ve just loved. So… is it just by chance that I’m reading a lot of 7 out of 10’s lately? Or, is it my mood? I’d hate to think that my mood is making me enjoy my reading less. Even more so, this feeling of questioning myself just sucks!
I got some great feedback from fellow bloggers on my “Reading Wall.” I’m going to slow down, smell the roses, and really try to be open minded to the next book I crack open! Yes, that’s the next goal now that I am over the wall!
This Week’s Reads
This week, I reviewed:
In My Mailbox for Review
I received A Year of Cats and Dogs by Margaret Hawkins, The Last Days of The Lacuna Cabal by Sean Dixon, and This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper.
Contests
You CHICKLIT FANS… the CONTEST has a few more days. You still have a chance to enter!
Reading Challenges
On . Kaye’s 100+ Reading Challenge… I’m at 94 books read. Therefore, my statistical update for this challenge is that I’m 94% completed with 53.22% of the year completed. This puts me ahead of schedule by 40.77%. I really am almost there! Only 6 more books to go. I can do that by the end of summer, no problem. This will be the biggest challenge I’ve ever completed! Can we say, “Snoopy Dance?”
ANM Got an Award!
Have you visited Bloody Bad Book Blog? I’ve been a follower/reader for many months now and I always enjoy Trin’s blog. First of all, she’s got all kind of mad talent with web design and she’s always got something new and fun to share on her blog. (I appreciate that because I know how hard it is doing it all). Just look at her rating symbols (# out of 10)… super cool. Second, she’s just got such an organized blog. I can always find what I’m looking for with ease. I really like what she did with her awards in her sidebar (it’s groovy… check it out). Anyway, Trin gave me an award! And, this weekend was the perfect weekend to give it to me for many reasons…. I was so stoked!
Here’s the award:
“The Humane Award is to honor certain bloggers that are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn’t for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. This award is to thank them for their growing friendships through the blog world.”
So, I am supposed to pass this onto an unknown amount of other bloggers. Trin chose 6, so 6 it is for me as well. Who I love love love and am giving this award to are:
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- Marie at The Burton Review. Thanks to the Bloggisiesta thing that Natasha Maw hosted earlier in the year, I would have never have gotten a new Blogging Buddy! Marie mentioned that she didn’t grab one one of those, so I volunteered. What I love about Marie’s blog? She’s got it set up all green, “Irishy,” and super organized. She provides honest reviews that are cleverly written. She’s a beautiful person inside and out and she’s a great mom!
- Lenore of Presenting Lenore. Now, I’m sure many of you are regular readers of hers. I’m totally addicted to Emmy and Finn, her two beautiful “kittehs.” She’s got an amazing blog which hosts A+ writing and super reviews. No matter how popular her blog is, she takes time for her readers and that means so much!
- Cathy of Kittling: Books. Cathy has grown so much as a blogger in the past year! She commits to the blogging community by dedicating a weekly posts to other bloggers. It’s called Scene of the Blog. She h0sts pictures of fellow book blogger’s desks so we can envision where our friends sit and write to us. She’s also got my favorite weekly meme Friday Feud. It’s just like the gameshow where you have to name a popular answer that nobody else has said before you. I love playing that one! Anyhow, she’s as kind as she is talented and is much deserved of this award.
- Mishel of Mis(h)takes. I’m a regular reader of this book blog. There is just something about this blog that resonates with me. Simply, I just enjoy it! She participated in most of the memes and is active in the blogging community. She’s always got a new post to read and the effort she puts into her blog is super evident!
- Florinda of 3 R’s. Most of you know Florinda. Her very popular blog always has good stuff to read. My favorite post of hers is on Saturdays when she hosts her Weekend Review. She links to all kinds of neat articles she’s read during the past week. But, the way she does it… it just takes you on an adventure. Florinda is just as kind in person as she is on her blog. She’s got an awesome doggie and is an animal lover (which I love love love!).
- Alyce of At Home With Books. Alyce knows that she’s just about my favorite blogger out there! I feel a friendship with her that is irreversible! I never have to think twice about what I say to her because I know that she accepts me for who I am (craziness and all!). She’s always there for her fellow bloggers and has always been there for me! Her blog is totally awesome and I love her posts with her husband and boys. They are cute little ones! Oh, and she’s a musician! Gotta love a musician!
Thank you, Trin! Really… thanks!
On TV
The Bachelorette
Another week with a great episode on ABC! I loved this show nearly as much as last week’s. This upcoming week she’s taking them to Maui and narrowing it down to 3 guys. I really enjoy writing these reviews and absolutely LOVE your comments even more! If you’ve missed this week’s review, you can check out my wrap-up from this week.
At Home
Since I posted my Sunday Salon post early last week (i.e. prior to July 4th), I didn’t get to post any 4th of July pics. Here are a couple of the kids at the parade.
At The 4th of July Parade: Colie is on the right in the hat
DeeDee is on the right (pink shirt) and Lisa's Munchkin is in green shirt
My daughters were more-than-hormonal on the 4th and it took Colie the better part of the day to snap out of it. I want to know when they will go back to their normal selves, please! We went swimming and played until midnight andthey had a good time. My favorite part of the day was hangin’ with my GIRL LISA and talking all kinds of gossip. She’s so easy to talk to! I’m lucky to have her as a friend!
Other than the 4th… I’ve had some personal stuff going on this week that just ate me up, ALIVE! So, I don’t have any fun stories to report. I did haul my butt into the gym and wrote a post about it on Friday.
I’ve been so sad all week because I learned that my change in website address has caused me to be lost on Google Reader and Blogger. Missing my “peeps” out there in Blogger Land, I went through my blog roll and reader and visited all of my favorite sites to let them know that I’m not dead. If I missed you and you’re catching this only via The Sunday Salon Feed, you can see the details on how to fix the links/feed here: http://anovelmenagerie.com/2009/06/30/blogging-update/. The good news was that I realized that there are several bloggers that I am following through Blogger/Google Reader that weren’t on my blog roll. I’ve since updated and added y’all. If I missed you, please email me so I can get you on there. (It’s good to be linked on other sites as it increases your SEO! OH, yes it is!)
This week was my 2nd edition of my new feature.. The Score… a weekly post about a musical artist and song that I appreciate. This week was The Platters’ “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” I’m a sucker for classics! This upcoming week I have a COOL surprise and will be giving away a CD!
And, for the movie lovers, this week’s Monday’s Movie was Last Chance Harvey. I have NO IDEA what I will post for Monday… but, I’ll figure something out.
Oh, and one last thing… I got highlighted on Cathy’s Scene of the Blog this week. I really like her blog and read it regularly. You can check it out HERE.
As always, my thanks to all of you for reading not only this post, but the others as well. Your readership means the world to me! AND, your comments are invaluable to me!
Posted in Personal Blogs
15 Responses to “The Sunday Salon: Climbing Over the Wall”
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Name: Sheri
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Bio: Welcome & Thank You For Visiting!!! Hello... I'm Sheri, the proud keeper of my own personal menagerie consisting of twin daughters, 2 poochies, 3 kitties, and 3 fish tanks. To learn more about me, please visit my "About" Page where you can also access my BOOK REVIEW POLICY.
Sheri, I am glad you like my blog. I try to keep it neat and organized. That is the kind of person I am and if my blog was a mess I would freak. I really appreciate when people stop by and comment like you do. I means everything to me.
I am about to watch a movie but I will be following your links in a bit to get to know your favs better. By the way you made that list and all the comments so quickly!
Trin´s last blog ..Some Awards
Thank you so much for the kind words. I swear I even teared up! Emmy and Finn and running around here somewhere. I have to try to capture some of their antics for posterity! <3 you!
lenore´s last blog ..Barcelona Recap and Nothing but Ghosts Excerpt
I fear that often my mood has everything to do with how I receive a book. It’s a sucky thing, but we are human and that is just the way it goes. While I was on vacation, I read two books that were not exactly happy reads…very dark with serious subjects. I generally am tough about things like that, but at this particular time, I did not fully appreciate being dragged through the muck. I am glad to hear you climbed the wall, and those 10’s will find their way to you!
Congrats on the award! I know some of these bloggers, but will have to check them all out!
FYI, I just had to tell you that “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” is one of my all-time favorite classic songs. Every time I go to an establishment that has a classic crooner at the microphone, I request this song, without fail. My favorite version is by Bryan Ferry.
Have a great Sunday!
Sandy´s last blog ..An Observation…
First off, thank you so much for the award, and especially the nice things you said along with it
. You’ve given me a couple of new blogs to check out, too.
I always feel that conflict between the review books and “my” books too. In some ways, I think it’s good; I’ve read some stuff because I’ve “had to” that’s turned out to be excellent, and it may be making me less mood-driven as a reader. But I agree that when you’ve read several great ones in a row, it may feel like the next few don’t measure up – it’s a toughie.
Have a great week!
Florinda´s last blog ..Weekend Review 7-11-09
A lot of bloggers seem to be in a reading funk right now – I do think some of it is the heat and distractions of summer. I don’t have a girl, so I don’t know when they get past the hormonal thing, but they must – we did, didn’t we? I hope things in your personal life get better. Take care of yourself!
Kathy´s last blog ..Review: Home Repair
Unfortunately I think mood plays a huge roll in reading whether we want it to or not. I know I have to try not to read as much when I’m crabby because I am too irritated to sink into the book, even a good one. And why ruin my reading experience if I don’t have to? Now I know that reviewing, and having made commitments changes things (at least it does for me) but sometimes I take a break from the review books and just feeling that slightest bit more in control helps. Nevermind that I requested the review books based on my own taste and would have been likely to have bought them myself at some point! Hmmm. On reflection, it appears I am a bit of a reading whack-job!
Kristen´s last blog ..Giveaway day 4 winner
Yes, I wondered where your blog went on my reader! Glad to find it again, since I love your articles so much!
I think mood ***definitely*** affects response to books. If I am sad or mad or even blah, there is just nothing that pleases me. The very next week, I will laugh and cry over the same book.
So glad to find you back!!! :–)
rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – Review of “American Lion” by Jon Meacham
Thank you so much for your kind words and the lovely award! I love the new look of your blog! I can’t believe I missed your reviews this week (it was such a busy week here), so I’m going to read them momentarily. I didn’t make it through The Wish by Ali Sethi, so I’m especially curious to see what you thought of that one.
Alyce´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon – July 12
It’s your buddy
You sound like you are feeling bit better {I hope so!} And I thank you so much for making The Burton Review a part of your Award List, and your nice compliments on the ol’ blog.
I noticed your own blog changes, they look elegant and not overstated.
I think with summer upon us that the reading mood shifts.. and when you get a clunker like The Wish Maker that sets you back, and it is enough to get you in a bad mood! And yes, personal life seeps into your reading/reviewing mood because we are not robots.
As you said, step back and smell the roses. Enjoy the kids. (i.e. do not try to kill them) I must admit to already ‘losing touch’ with my daughter at age 7.. she is in her own world, and if she lets me know what is in that world from time to time I am blessed.
And most important: how about reading a book that you want to for a change?? bring back the passion, and the pleasure of reading!! When did we start to treat it like a job? I understand the responsibility we feel towards our ‘affiliates’ but would it really hurt to sneak in a book that you can read just for you? HMM?? Take care.. love you, and keep up the good work.
Marie Burton´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon ~ Socially Online
Hey Sheri, it’s nice to have you make in my google reader! Now to catch up sometime this week. Hope you have a good week!
Darlene´s last blog ..Sunday Stuff & Pic of Buddy, Flowers
I am glad you are no longer hitting that reading wall, Sheri. Hopefully you will discover a “love it!” book soon. I’m good at second guessing myself too when it comes to whether my mood is affecting my enjoyment of a book or it’s really just the book. Is there a way to really know?
Your doing great with the 100+ Challenge! I wondered at the beginning of the year if I could pull it off, but didn’t want to throw my hat in the ring because I knew it wouldn’t be likely. Now I know it definitely won’t happen. Good thing I didn’t sign up then! LOL
Here’s hoping this week will be better for both of us then this past one!
Congratulations on the award – very neat. I updated your links, so glad you emailed me about it. You are doing great with the 100+ challenge. I’m not far behind you. I know what you mean about hitting the reading wall. Which is why I backed out of a lot of challenges and just taking it easy and meandering my way through books. Have a great week.
Robin of My Two Blessings´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – A bit of this and a bit of that!
Thanks, y’all! I’m smiling. It’s good to be “back on your radar!”
Sher
I must say that I like the new look!
I know what you mean about not finding a really outstanding book. I haven’t for a long time but that changed with The Shadow of the Wind. I cried over that one ending. I really did because the prose was just so beautiful that it physically hurt me to put it down.
I hope you find that special book soon. My book group and I had a conversation about this very same topic because they said that our list this year sucks. Well, I wouldn’t say that it sucks. I mean, the books have all been discussable but not “wow” reads. My feeling is that there really aren’t that many fabulous books out there. We need to read these others once in awhile so that when we read that perfect book, we can appreciate and bask it its perfection.
Ti´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon: Vacation Wrap-Up
I see you are reading Jane Green’s the Beach House. I am excited for your review! I am doing a giveaway of this book this week.
Sheila DeChantal´s last blog ..Monday Mind Game… What is a funny memory involving a book?