Kauai is the oldest island in Hawaii, and the most lush & tropical. The majority of the island is inaccessible by car, so to really see the full beauty of the island you have to get out of your car and off of the roads. Britt and I saw it by air, boat, zipline, and… Continue reading Hawaii Part 2 – Kauai by helicopter
Happy Birthday, Kurt Vonnegut
The only time I ever cried when hearing of a celebrity death was finding out that Kurt Vonnegut died in April 2007. He is one of my heroes, and the world was better because he was part of it for a little while. His birthday was November 11, Armistice Day. “Many people need desperately to… Continue reading Happy Birthday, Kurt Vonnegut
Hawaii Part 1 – Our Kauai cottage, and those heavenly sunrises
Here’s the thing: Hawaii is ridiculous. It’s so unimaginably beautiful. It’s something you can’t fathom until you see it for yourself. Everyone I met that lives there is happy and relaxed. I’ve never been one for tropical vacations – I dislike very warm temperatures and I get bored laying on a beach after about 30… Continue reading Hawaii Part 1 – Our Kauai cottage, and those heavenly sunrises
2013 Five Book Bucket List Challenge
At the beginning of the year I set a reading goal on GoodReads: Read 80 books in 2013. It was somewhat arbitrary, but reasonable. In 2012 I read 63 books, which was a 5 year low. I didn’t think I could crack 100 though, so I set my goal in the middle. Tonight I finished… Continue reading 2013 Five Book Bucket List Challenge
Weekend Reading
Hello, Sunday evening. This was my first weekend home since Hawaii, and I relaxed like a boss. The soundtrack to my weekend was the beautiful and mellow “Autumn Leaves” by Vince Guaraldi. It’s finally cool enough to have a candle lit, which makes the apartment feel snug and cozy. The crisp air and strong winds… Continue reading Weekend Reading
Welcome to Night Vale
The podcast Welcome to Night Vale has been a hit for over a year now, which makes me officially late to the party. But everyone who I say “OH MY GOSH DO YOU LISTEN TO WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE I LOVE IT SO MUCH” to says, “huh?” so I feel like it’s still appropriate for… Continue reading Welcome to Night Vale
Independent Bookstores: A love story
There are many noble reasons to shop at independent bookstores. Supporting local businesses, good for the economy, etc. etc. etc. But the main reason I buy all of my books at indie bookstores is a very selfish reason: I love being in bookstores. Indie bookstores are some of my favorite places on the planet. I love… Continue reading Independent Bookstores: A love story
One Summer by Bill Bryson
I only made it to Book Expo for one day this year, and missed the Bill Bryson event that I most wanted to attend. I thought I was out of luck and wouldn’t be able to get an ARC of his new book, One Summer. Then I met the world’s nicest person at BEA in… Continue reading One Summer by Bill Bryson
The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
This morning I read The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri. My experience was the very definition of not being about to put a book down. I sat on my couch and drank coffee until I finished it. I ate leftovers for breakfast and ordered lunch on Seamless so that I didn’t have to stop to cook.… Continue reading The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
Thoughts on Traveling Sprinkler by Nicholson Baker
Traveling Sprinkler was just released last week and is the sequel to one of my favorite novels, The Anthologist. I included it on my list of fall book releases that I’m most excited about, and in my Weekend Reading post. I started it Friday, read it in the hammock on Saturday afternoon, and finished it… Continue reading Thoughts on Traveling Sprinkler by Nicholson Baker
Weekend Reading (delayed flight edition)
When life hands you huge travel delays, well… more blogging and reading time! A plane part is flying across Michigan as I type to fix our plane in Grand Rapids. Then I will eventually fly to Detroit myself and then on home to Brooklyn. It’s a beautiful Saturday and I’m rooting for my Spartans to… Continue reading Weekend Reading (delayed flight edition)
How to Live by Arnold Bennett
Moreover, you cannot draw on the future. Impossible to get into debt! You can only waste the passing moment. You cannot waste to-morrow; it is kept for you. You cannot waste the next hour; it is kept for you. I said the affair was a miracle. Is it not? You have to live on this… Continue reading How to Live by Arnold Bennett