Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Slow Down and Savor


 Join me on my writing journey each week as I post to the Tuesday Slice of Life sponsored by Stacy and Ruth from Two Writing Teachers.

 Some of my fellow bloggers have pointed out the importance of living in the moment.  As August looms around the corner, it's easy to get caught up in the frenzy of back-to-school planning.  I intend to continue a favorite practice of reading on the deck as a reminder to slow down and savor the precious days of summer.

When I read book reviews, I immediately request the book from the library.  I collect tall stacks of books for my reading pleasure, and when I finish a book, it's time to determine which book will be chosen next.  One of my saddest tasks is returning unread books to the library.  But since I'm not one of those folks who can read a book a day, I am often required to return unread books (can't renew them when other patrons have placed holds on them).  When discussing books not chosen, I've been known to comment, "I checked out that book once, caressed it and wanted to read it, but had to return it!"

Here are the books that have I've been lucky to slow down and savor on the deck this summer:
Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate - Great novel-in-verse
What the Moon Saw by Laura Resau - I loved the author's descriptions, especially her emphasis on the sense of smell.
Same Sun Here by Silas House and Neela Vaswani - Letters written between two pen pals
Bigger than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder - Can a magic bread box ease Rebecca's pain?
The unBEElievables by Douglas Florian - Fabulous picture book of poetry with snippets of nonfiction
Leaving Gee's Bend by Irene Latham - I absolutely loved this one and I'm hopeful for a sequel.  Ludelphia lingers in my heart!
An interesting connection is that the first three books all deal with immigrants to the United States!

And I've finished two adult books:
South of Superior by Ellen Airgood - I love books set in small towns, plus lots of new learning about Lake Superior!
Rin Tin Tin:  The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean  - A book club choice, don't bother

And here's my double wide stack of books I want to read!  Each book screams to me, "Pick me, pick me!"  The last time I shared a stack of books, Elsie and Ruth prodded me to read Because of Mr. Terupt which I loved!  Which book would you move to the top of my pile?
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16 comments:

  1. drferreriblogspot.comJuly 24, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    Ah the pleasure of a stack of books in the summer. I've been reading lots on my Kindle app but I do miss the stack of books on the table filled with anticipation and expectation.

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  2. AnonymousJuly 24, 2012 at 7:00 AM

    Love your lists and your stack!! Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Amanda VillagómezJuly 24, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    I smiled reading your post because I have a book right now that is due tomorrow. I have been debating whether to try to finish it or if I would rather read other books in my TBR pile, knowing that I have less than a month left to my summer break.

    Enjoy the rest of your summer reading!

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  4. elsieJuly 24, 2012 at 2:37 PM

    So which book wins the "Pick me" honor? You do have a challenge and I can't recommend any (sorry). I miss the luxury of this bonus reading time during the school year. Enjoy your choice on the deck (if it's not too hot out there).

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    1. RamonaJuly 25, 2012 at 2:19 PM

      Elsie, I stopped by the library yesterday to pick up MORE books and The One and Only Ivan was there. Since I didn't get it read the last time I had it, it took priority and won the honor!

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  5. MichelleJuly 24, 2012 at 4:22 PM

    I smiled reading your post and looking at your book stacks because I, too, do the same exact thing! I have about 30+ books checked out from the library that I know I'll never be able to read before they are due. I sadly return them as I pick up a new stack of books and the cycle repeats. :)

    We have many of the same books waiting. . . I've heard great things about (but haven't read yet): Summer of the Gypsy Moths, Laugh with the Moon, and The Lions of Little Rock.

    Thanks for sharing today and connecting with a fellow book hoarder! And, no, that's not a bad thing! :)

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    1. RamonaJuly 25, 2012 at 2:20 PM

      I'm thinking I may move The Lions of Little Rock to the top of the pile. I love historical fiction and I've heard good things about it.

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  6. Lola WritesJuly 24, 2012 at 4:36 PM

    Thank you for sharing. Some of the books are now on my to-do list.

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  7. Beverley BairdJuly 24, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    My problem is that I buy books or pick them up at yard sales - so my stacks are always there! Every week I get more titles and add to the list of books to read. But what an enjoyable way to spend the summer! have fun reading!

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  8. LibraryDragon/StorykeeperJuly 24, 2012 at 8:59 PM

    Books! They are my joy and my achilles heel. They are stacked everywhere waiting - to be read; waiting to be reread; waiting to be given away, waiting to share with a friend. Waiting!

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    1. RamonaJuly 25, 2012 at 2:21 PM

      You nailed it with the words my joy and my achilles heel! Books wait all over my house too!

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    2. AnonymousJuly 25, 2012 at 10:46 PM

      Here is another link for the Black Bicycle Corps http://nrhc.org/history/25thInfantry.html

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  9. AnonymousJuly 25, 2012 at 12:15 AM

    Thanks for the good insight into some books that are unfamiliar to me. As for what to read next, I really liked How to Steal a Dog. Ah, the joy of having the time to read!

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  10. wakeupandwriteJuly 25, 2012 at 1:19 AM

    I'm going to be in the same boat soon. I don't have kids books in a pile but I did happen to request a few too many adult books from the library and they all came in at once - people must be reading things quickly this summer. I just finished Tamar by Mal Peet and I'm in the middle of Empire of the Summer Moon. There are two more waiting!

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    1. RamonaJuly 25, 2012 at 2:24 PM

      Now I have to check out your adult titles. I actually host my book club in August so I'm currently reading an adult book, My Name is Mary Sutter. It's set during the Civil War.

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  11. Amy RuddJuly 25, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    I've been seeing Laugh with the Moon popping up a lot on twitter! That would be my suggestion. I haven't read it yet. It's so hard to find the time to read this summer. I've been focusing more on writing than reading...can't do it all right?

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