Home is where the cat is
I’m at my parents’ this weekend for a quick unplanned visit brought on by what I dearly hope I’ll eventually be able to describe as a family scare, though only time will tell. All is well for now, though, and I’ve mostly been spending my time doing this.
It’s been a funny year for me. In many ways my life has panned out exactly as I hoped, but more and more I’m haunted by the realisation that there will never be a time when everything I love is within easy reach. Even a good choice usually means giving up something is what I’m saying, and there are times when that’s easier to deal with than others.
Anyway, I’m not here to drone on, promise. I also don’t want to announce a blogging break, since staying away from things I enjoy hasn’t exactly proved a winning strategy for coping with hard times for me. Instead, I come to appeal to your virtual company: tell me, what are you reading, what do you hope to pick up next, what are you excited about?
As for me, I broke into my Long-Awaited Reads Month stack early and started A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge. I think this was the right choice.
Here, have more cat:
It’s been a funny year for me. In many ways my life has panned out exactly as I hoped, but more and more I’m haunted by the realisation that there will never be a time when everything I love is within easy reach. Even a good choice usually means giving up something is what I’m saying, and there are times when that’s easier to deal with than others.
Anyway, I’m not here to drone on, promise. I also don’t want to announce a blogging break, since staying away from things I enjoy hasn’t exactly proved a winning strategy for coping with hard times for me. Instead, I come to appeal to your virtual company: tell me, what are you reading, what do you hope to pick up next, what are you excited about?
As for me, I broke into my Long-Awaited Reads Month stack early and started A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge. I think this was the right choice.
Here, have more cat:
Well, good luck with the family scare. And play with the cat a bit for me.
ReplyDeletex
I hope things work out at home. I love that cartoon - I do that a number of times a day too. In bookish news I've had a little binge at a 50% off book sale and have some lovely secondhand books, including some Muriel Spark, Sylvia Townsend Warner, and a couple of volumes of Joan Wyndham's diaries. Very pleased with that little haul.
ReplyDeleteYvann: Thank you so much x And will most certainly do!
ReplyDeleteVicki: I think the cat's slightly suspicious expression in the last panel is my favourite thing. And yay, that sounds like a most excellent haul! I can't believe I've yet to read any Sylvia Townsend Warner.
*hugs* I hope things turn out okay. Hopefully the cats will be able to comfort you a little.
ReplyDeleteKitty! I hope everything pans out ok...
ReplyDeleteAnd viz divertisments of a bookish nature--I love this time of year because of the Christmas book shopping! I almost never buy myself books, so I love the chance to shop bookishly for my loved ones, and go through my own wish list assessing what I really want, and how much to ask for.
I am trying to decide if I want a loved one to order the new Terry Pratchett book for me from Amazon UK--the Book Depository refuses to awknowledge it is out yet.
Firstly, KITTY!!! Gorgeous. :)
ReplyDeleteSecondly, *hugs* and *love*!
Lastly, and you'll love this one, I'm reading A Game of Thrones AND At the Mouth of the River of Bees by Kij Johnson. I've only read the first story so far, but it's love. She is such an amazing writer! I am also listening to the second Flavia de Luce book, The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag. For some reason, I was craving a cozy mystery. Odd.
Hope things are well soon.
I sure hope it does turn out to be a scare. I'm sending positive thoughts your way.
ReplyDeleteCATS!
ReplyDeleteI hope everything works out and that you and your family are all okay.
I am kind of panicking about exams in very non-bookish things, so I'm not reading much, but I picked up Good Omens and I'm trying to read som Simone de Beauvoir (I don't want to lose ALL my French).
Lots and lots of love, to you and your cats!
Sending good thinks your way, though really, how does one top a cat? One doesn't. I love that last photo.
ReplyDeleteI am reading Mary Stewart's Thornyhold. Melwyk used the words "sweet witchiness" to describe it in a blog post and I put the book on hold IMMEDIATELY. So far I feel this was a good move. On tap I have Will Ferguson's little Christmas memoir Coal Dust Kisses, which I am very much looking forward to. I love to do a little holiday reading at this time of year.
CAT!
ReplyDeleteLuck with everything - hope all turns out okay.
ReplyDeleteGreat kitty picture. I will share with you my kitty's reminder = kitties always know best.
OMG that cat is awesome! Cats are good for the soul is what I say. I will pray that your scare is nothing but that. I guess I see what you're saying about trade-offs in life. My son and I have been discussing the idea of embracing what we have, and not being annoyed at what we don't. For me, there is always one thing out of balance and I tend to focus on that. My little therapist tells me that needs to stop :)
ReplyDeleteI hope that it indeed turns out to be a scare - hope everything turns out okay.
ReplyDeleteLove the cartoon - I can't help myself when I see an adorable bundle of sleeping cat, I have to go over and at least pat her. Love how the cats eyes pop open in the last frame of the cartoon.
I'm currently reading a Lee Smith book - she has such a great storytelling voice. I think I may join the Long Awaited Reads month and it's funny that vicki above should mention Joan Wyndham, as her books "Love Lessons" and "Love is Blue" are in my planned docket for Long Awaited Reads.
I'm sending all of the positive thoughts that I can spare in your direction. :)
ReplyDeleteZ and I are reading HP and the Goblet of Fire together and he's really into it! I'm worried it might end up a bit scary for him later on but he's a pretty tough kid. Otherwise, I'm already thinking about those Long Awaited Reads too. I might pick one up sooner than later.
Even a good choice usually means giving up something
ReplyDeleteaw yes this is so so so true and one of the harder parts of life, imo.
Anyway, I hope everything works out friend and enjoy your cats!
I have so much I want to read I have no idea what I'll be dipping into next, hopefully something good!
Sending good thoughts your way, Anna!
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I'm reading several books but I feel like I can't seem to finish one. With that in mind, I just picked up some graphic novels at the library! Maybe I'll finish those faster!
Hope things turn out okay. I too am looking forward to a new year... I need a do-over.
ReplyDeleteHope your family scare stops being so scary soon!
ReplyDeleteI just started reading The Book Thief. It's been waiting on my shelf for a long time, and now that I'm seeing all the movie previews, I decided that now is finally the time!
Aw cute cat. I know it's been a tough year for you; it has for me, too. Hopefully next year will bring better things!
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm reading The English Girl. I'm not sure what I'll read next. Maybe Ripper by Isabel Allende.
Iris: Thanks, friend *hugs* Like I said on Twitter I'll be in touch soon.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte: Oooh, that's an excellent idea. Making my Christmas wishlist and picking presents for friends is always am effective distraction. As for the new Terry P, I actually got an e-mail yesterday saying it would be waiting for me at the library when I got back, which is excellent news. I was #14 on the holds queue just a week ago. I knew Discworld fans would read it fast, but this surpassed my expectations :P
Heather: yay! That does make me very happy :D And I usually crave cosy mysteries around this time of year, so that makes perfect sense to me. Lastly, I know this is a bit random and sappy, but just thanks so much for being you. Whenever I feel blah about blogging I remember that it's how I met people like you and I feel better straight away <3
Kathy: Thank you so much!
Arrela: Thank you, darling <3 Good luck with your exams! Good Omens is a good distraction from stressful times. And eep, so my great shame I still haven't read any Simone de Beauvior.
Kiirstin: I love how that photo captures his expression. "Sweet witchiness" is indeed an irresistible phrase! If I'm not mistaken we have that one at the library, so I might have to look for it.
Bookgazing: :)
Caitlin Martin: Yes. Yes they do.
Sandy: Your son is clearly sensible! It's the whole road not taken thing, I guess. I'm happy with my life, but I know very different choices could easily have led to a place where I'd be just as happy.
Christy: Ha, I know - that's the little detail that makes it so great. You can tell the cat's going "What do you want, human?".
Kristen: Thank you <3 I'm actually really, really been craving a Harry Potter reread. I'd planned to watch all the movies over the Christmas holidays but that won't be quite the same. Let's see whether I manage to resist.
Amy: Sigh, life. Why so hard? I mean I know things are not terrible, but it would be so nice to be able to reconcile all those different possibilities and paths.
Iliana: That's always a good plan! I just finished a mini graphic novel marathon and it was just what I needed.
Sheila: You and me both. Fingers crossed that we both have a good 2014.
Megan: Thank you <3 And yay, The Book Thief!
Tasha: Yes, fingers crossed. Really sorry you had a tough year as well :(
Well, thank you. I'm a wee bit blushy now. :)
ReplyDeleteCat? I find myself asking for Cassandra's attention more and more of late. Hope all turns out well. I just finished Transatlantic and am now reading The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.
ReplyDeleteCats do make everything better. I picked up the second Hilary Mantel book, Bring Up the Bodies, because my daughter (who is in London this semester) has talked about it so continually I feel like I need to have read it by the time she returns (Dec. 14).
ReplyDelete"There will never be a time when everything I love is within easy reach."
ReplyDeleteI think this is a realization we all have to come to. It's not that you can't live a life that you love, it's just there are too many things we love in life to fit them all into our world.
But cats (or puppies) do make the world better!
*hugs* I am hoping it all turns out to be just a scare. I've been thinking of you a lot this year and will continue to do so, hoping things come out better for you soon.
ReplyDeleteI agree on life. Choices are hard, and nothing is clear-cut.
As for reading, I just finished 11.22.63 and remembered why I love Stephen King so much. I also earlier this month read and completely adored Eleanor & Park. Must read every Rainbow Rowell book ever now.
Oh, cute little kitty! All the best in your plans.
ReplyDeleteA several-days-late good-luck internet hug to you, Ana! I will keep a good thought for your family. It is hard and awful to be living somewhere far away from your family when there are family things going on that you want to be on the spot for. I will hope very much that the scare is just a scare, and nothing of substance. Hugs, hugs, hugs.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait for Max to get home so I can show him these pictures!!! :D
ReplyDeleteBut even more I can't wait until you have the very good news you're waiting for!!! *HUGE HUGS* Love you, darling!
I hope everything is okay and it was just a family scare, since I've wandered late onto the scene.
ReplyDeleteFor every path we take, other paths close to us. The further I wander towards publishing, the further away I wander from library science. While the universe is infinite, our experience of it cannot be, and we must make our peace with that as we can.
Take care of yourself! I am very out-of-the-loop on things apparently! I really need to blog hop more!
ReplyDeleteHeather: <3
ReplyDeleteGavin: Calpurnia Tate! I've had that on my TBR for far too long.
Jeanne: I hope she's having a nice time! My own semester abroad (seven years ago now, eep) was wonderful but went by much too fast.
Melissa: Too true.
Meghan: *hugs back* Thank you so much. It's been a challenging year, even if it was also full of things I'm grateful for. And yes, read Fangirl! Rainbow Rowell is just the best.
Jenny: Thank you so much <3
Debi: Thank you, darling <3
Clare: Yes, very true. We can't live all the potential lives that would make us happy. I guess that's part of the appeal of books - vicarious chances to experience all those "what ifs".
Kelly: Thank you - I've been trying to.