In the High Peaks
















Monday, June 29, 2015

Trying Hard to Be Back Again

This will be a very brief, modest post. Although this year has seen me hectic and busy virtually all the time, I will say my usual, "Thank goodness for books, thank goodness for the reading habit," which has made it possible for me to endure the tempest. As I stated in a post earlier this year, I am undergoing a career change, and as much as I'm welcoming it, the switch has not allowed me time to do anything but study and prepare. Enough of that for today.

Believe it or not, I've never read Maisie Dobbs, nor a single one of Jacqueline Winspear's series or her other WWI novel published last year (2014). Just this afternoon, after eight hours of work, I relaxed with the very first in the series, entitled Maisie Dobbs, and almost couldn't stop reading. It's a surprise to me I've never read one, but when I think of all the books in the world I've read since its publication in 2003, I understand. Maureen Corrigan, the premier book reviewer for National Public Radio, had this to say upon the publication of the tenth anniversary edition of the original Maisie Dobbs.

My birthday in early June brought with it a Kindle Fire to add to my Nook HD. The Fire may seem superfluous, but it comes with lots of Amazon Prime goodies and incredible Amazon music possibilities (!), which made the $99 for the Fire too hard to pass up. I still love the Nook, but Kindle Fire has its uses, so I'm using both. It has come to the point where I begrudge the public library's loan periods and fines. I'm such a mood reader, always have been, that with e-books, many of which I can get very, very inexpensively, it only makes sense to read e-books. I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but it's becoming increasingly true that I only want e-books. The prime exceptions to this new rule are dense historical works with footnotes and bibliographies, dense historical novels, and science non-fiction.

I hope to be catching up with all of you soon.

6 comments:

  1. So nice to see you, Judith. A career change is exciting but can be all-consuming, too... good luck!

    I listened to the first Maisie Dobbs book years ago and enjoyed it so much. Not sure why I've never gone back for more. My kindle is my best friend these days... with inexpensive books and adjustable font, I don't seem to be using the library as much either.

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  2. JoAnn,
    Thank you so much for visiting and for your comments! It's true about the adjustable font--and the back lighting. I find I can read so much more quickly, mostly because I can see so much better. Looking forward to visiting you over at your blog.
    Judith

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  3. I'm so glad to see you back, a belated happy birthday! Good luck with the new career.

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  4. Oh, Katrina!
    Thanks so much for the good wishes. I'm so glad to be back, and I hope I am truly back at last.
    It's time to raise my head above water!
    Judith

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  5. Good to see that you are back, Judith. I hope the future will be a bit less hectic and that everything goes well with your career change. Cheers!

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  6. Hi, Thomas--
    Thank you for the good wishes. This summer is extremely hectic because of an intensive course I'm taking, but after August 31st, I know I'll be able to catch a breath. In the meantime, I hope to post at least once a week. I haven't achieved that yet, but I hope to. I'm constantly reading, though!
    Thank you!
    Judith

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