Kate Warren

My summer vacation was made up of a great deal of noise, some funky weather, a lot of stress, watching rented DVDs on occasion, and best of all: reading!

I began the summer determined to finish two ebooks that I'd started reading while school was still in session, and promptly got distracted.  This is not a fault of the authors, or the novels in question.  I am truly looking forward to finishing both of them.  It's just that I forget to use my eReader and I don't like taking it with me around the house because the chances of the kids getting a hold of it and breaking it are pretty high during the months of June, July, and August.  So I turn to my trusty friends, the paperbacks.

I put in some Georgette Heyer time, reading Faro's Daughter, which was short, and The Foundling, which was less so.  Both lovely reads.  I've never yet been disappointed by Heyer.  But the real distraction, reading wise came by way of my mother.  I know, "blame the mom" is such a stereotype, but I'm sure when I explain what happened, you'll agree with me that it's all her fault.

Mom has been watching Game of Thrones on DVD, and was asking me questions about it.  I'm not certain if she forgets that I've never seen the show, or just thinks of me as so brilliant that I should be able to easily follow, predict, and explain plots of which I know slightly more than nothing.  Probably the latter.  Anyway, I happen to have a paperback copy of the first book in the series on which the TV show is based. Bought it on sale for my husband because he'd heard something about the TV show and thought it could be interesting.  He never started reading it, so I decided I'd give it a go and maybe be able to answer some of Mom's questions.  That's how I got hooked.  

It was slow going at first but at some point the addiction kicked in and I devoured the book.  Then I went to the library and got the second book.  I finished that one so quickly that on the next trip to the library I got books three and four!  Now I'm onto book five.  The sixth volume is supposed to be coming out in late October, so I won't be reading it for quite a while.  Though I may drop hints about Christmas presents. :o)

I'd heard of George R. R. Martin before but never read his work.  Now I'm a fan, at least of this series, called A Song of Ice and Fire.  It's effect on me is unique in that I can call up vivid images of what I think these places look like, but I have not pictured myself there as I have with, say Regency England.  I do not recommend beginning this series unless you are prepared to go through all of the available books back to back.  


The only other reading I can remember having done over the summer is a series called Ellie's People, by Mary Christner Borntrager.  I read and loved the series as a girl and now I'm reading them to my children who are equally enthralled by the stories.


List, if anyone wants it:
Faro's Daughter  and The Foundling  by Georgette Heyer


A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance With Dragons (currently reading)  by George R. R. Martin


Ellie, Rebecca, Rachel, Daniel, Reuben (currently reading to boys), and Andy (currently reading to daughter) by Mary Christner Borntrager


Looking back over my list, it seems awfully small.  But then my summers are awfully hectic.  It's amazing I get any reading done when the weather is hot.  


Next up on my reading list are finishing A Heart On Hold  by the lovely and talented Sarah Barnard, and a bunch of books about autism.  If I'm lucky I may sneak in some writing too.


What did you read on your summer vacation?  And what will you be reading next?


Kate

Because it's too early and not hot enough yet for the dog days. 

July has begun.  I don't know where June went, but Camp NaNoWriMo is on again.  I am attempting to participate once again, though with a much lower goal.  This is the second of the month and I have yet to write a word towards the 10,000 I am planning.

I wish I could offer some words of wisdom, sage observations, or witty remarks, but I'm not doing all that well lately with my fibromyalgia.  My internet activities have been sharply curtailed so that there are days I don't get beyond checking email.  So my time is spent with the kids, helping them as best I can, doing a bit of reading when time and headaches permit.  Finally saw Les Miserables and I almost immediately started rewriting the lyrics to form a condensed version.  I made a dress for my daughter out of an old t-shirt, and it didn't turn out too badly.  I've rearranged a few things in the house, but haven't made any major changes.  Oh, and I've designed the dream bathroom for when I win the lottery (note to self: might want to actually buy a lottery ticket once in a while, as this would improve chances of winning).

I am very sorry to report that the local bookstore is closing.  The owners have been great friends and supporters to me in my writing.  There are many who will miss having a bookstore, myself among them.  This is the second, or perhaps third book store the area has lost.  Makes me wonder if our town just isn't big enough, or big enough on reading.  A sad happening regardless.

Switching to a more pleasant topic, for the upcoming holiday we'll be having a small cookout.  My husband will try out his new (used) grill and I will provide the potato salad and balloons stuffed with colorful confetti in lieu of fireworks.  We will also watch 1776, as has become our yearly tradition.

Here's to all my friends across the internet: writers, readers, artists of all kinds, and those who just like cruising websites.  Hope you're all having a wonderful summer.  And to those in America, have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day.

Kate