The Sunday Salon: Trying to Read

My reading life the past couple of weeks has been totally suffering. It's been really hard to concentrate on it during the personal crisis we've been facing with the passing of my brother-in-law. Although, I find it interesting that my sister-in-law is begging me for books to read to help her get through this. I said to her, "I'm having a hard time focusing on a book, so I wonder how you'll be able to!?" She said, "I know, but I want to try, and to get involved in someone else life right now sounds wonderful." So I did give her a stack and I hope it helps.

Meanwhile, I've been slowly making my way through The Count of Monte Cristo... finally finished it a couple of days ago. It shouldn't have taken me so long, because it's actually quite easy reading (this abridged version is at least.). Anyway, we'll be discussing that for book club this week, so look for more on that later.

I've also been reading Bohemoth by Scott Westerfeld, which is currently on the treadmill. I'm really enjoying that one right now too. So far, I'm managed to leave it on the treadmill, to entice me to go walk and read. We'll see how long it lasts until I can't stand it and take it off just to read and finish it!

In the mail I got an ARC for The Winter of Our Disconnect by Susan Maushart. What a fascinating  concept to me! She and her three teenagers took six months off from technology. I read the first chapter and am anxious to continue on to see how they survived this experiment!

From the library, I've been reading Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody. This is a teeny little book that should only take me a little bit to read, so I hauled it around with me yesterday while I went to several dance performances of my daughter's. So I've got a good start on that and it's going well so far.

Also, I've read a couple of chapters in The Riddle by Alison Croggan for the Pellinor read along. Not sure I'll make the deadline coming up this week for that one, but I'll see how it goes and try to keep up!

Then I had a birthday! Yep, and Jenny gave me a couple of books: White Cat by Holly Black and A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin, both of which I'm really anxious to get to, so wish me luck in fitting them into the line up! And thanks again Jenny!

So, as you can see, I'm trying with the reading thing despite the hard times. But, it's not been too easy lately.

P.S. Also for my birthday I got the first season of Castle! Can't wait to join the fan base for that! And also the soundtrack to Prince of Persia, which I'm loving. (Both of those came from my friend at work, and made me realize I talk too much and she totally knows exactly what I've had my eye on!) Then, my husband surprised me with a leather jacket, which just recently I was thinking how I'd like one, but hadn't even voiced it out loud. Interesting how that works!

P.P.S: Don't forget to sign up for the Book Blogger Holiday Swap! It's very fun so don't be left out! I think today is the last day to sign up so head on over right now!