The Sunday Salon
So much on my mind, Bloggers…
I have a lot on my mind today. I’m thinking about the state of our nation’s economy, the plane crash that injured DJ AM and Travis Barker yesterday, my kids’ & our tough day yesterday, my friends, and my week. I have soooo much reading to do this week… not because “I have to,” but, rather, because I want to. There are so many books on my “nightstand” that I can’t wait to get to, that it’s almost as if I can’t wait to finish the ones that I’m on. Thinking about it, that really isn’t fair to the current read(s), because I’m not savoring the experience of that particular work of art. I need to work on that aspect of my book reading and blogging.
How do all of y’all bloggers get through these works so fast and write so accurately and beautifully about them? You must, must, must share your tips with me!
Right now, I’m 1/4 of the way through The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. 
It is a very descriptive and well written book, so far. It makes me wonder how much time this author spent on research as this novel ties back to many historical facts and literary works. In any event, this book is a very visual book and the characters are living creatures in my mind’s eye. However, I can’t picture the narrator (the burn victim). My mind just can’t wrap around what he must look like after his horrendous accident. Perhaps later in the novel, I will come to picture him. My daughter chose this book for me to read and she can’t wait until I finish it. Her twin chose Water for Elephants for me and I’ve already finished that one… so, in order for me to like this one “as much as her twin’s choice,” I must devour it just as quickly… yes, surely I must!
Speaking on Water for Elephants, I’m not sure that my review of the book came across too favorably. This book is a NY Times #1 Bestseller and has been very widely read and reviewed. So many people expressed just how much they LOVED this book, that I think I expected MIRACLES to jump out from the pages. Having these preconceived ideas about the novel, I think that I was a bit let down during my read. As I explained in my blog, because I went into reading this book with very high expectations, I don’t think that it had a chance of meeting them. Also, because of this, my review wasn’t quite as favorable as many of the other’s reviews… nor was my opinion of the book. The feedback I got on my review made me think a lot about how I will approach other books and my mindset about them going into the read. Also, I think that I may just need to wait to read others’ reviews of the book until after I’ve read it. That way, I’ll have no preconceived ideas. Then, when I review the book, I should go and read others’ reviews and link their reviews to mine in my blog. Yeah, I definitely think that’s what I’m going to try next time if I plan on reading the book. I’m a new blogger and I’m still learning this stuff… yeah, definitely learning.
Next on the nightstand is a book that I thought about purchasing after its review in People Magazine. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.
The inside cover describes the book as:
“Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn’t simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life’s ordeals.”
I’m so hugely into doggies that I couldn’t help but to order this very well-read novel and push it up in my “List of Books to Read.”
Another book that I purchased today that will most probably beat others to the “Top of the List” is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
(In Hardcover at Amazon.Com for $14.93). I listen to Oprah’s radio channel on XM Radio, pretty frequently, while driving in the car. Maya has her own talk show on there and she’s an interesting lady. One of the other radio show hosts on this channel was telling a little bit about Maya’s story… the hardship she endured as a child and how she stopped speaking aloud for a considerable amount of time. The story, as recounted by this talk show host, pulled at my heartstrings. This book was recommended and I just kind of forgot about it. While visiting Apooo’s book blog today, I was perusing her list of authors and reads and was reminded about Maya Angelou and this book. I ordered it on Amazon.com today and it will be here on Thursday.
Lastly, although most of you amazing bloggers out there have already given it your shout outs, I owe mine, as well, to My Friend Amy and the incredible week she hosted in the BBAW (Book Blogger’s Appreciation Week)! I had a blast with all of the contests. I hosted two contests and am happily sending out prizes tomorrow. It was so much fun and I honestly don’t know how she managed to do all of that work in one week. She’s amazing! Did she sleep at all?
This week’s goals:
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Finish The Gargoyle
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Read Racing in the Rain
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Get that job that I interviewed for and so badly hope for (fingers crossed, prayers welcome)
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Get more sleep
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Exercise regularly
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Did I say “get more sleep?”
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Make 2 amazing dinners for the kidlets
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Pray every day
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Be thankful for my life
Have a great week, bloggers! Thanks for all that you have been and all that you are in my blogging experience!
Sher
Posted by Sher 
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