The Sunday Salon – Back in Business
So it wasn’t that long of a blogging break, but I’m feeling a little better now. I just needed to get away for a couple of days I think. As for reading, I’m lucky if I’ve read 100 pages this past week. With work and migraines, reading time has been close to zero. Still reading Voodoo Season right now and I’m THRILLED to find out that it’s actually the second book in a series. But it works great as a stand alone too. Then I’m working on The Photographer which is a fantastic graphic novel/photo memoir.
I have a tour coming up this week for Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and I’m afraid that I didn’t love it. But I’m still going to do my post as I think it had a lot to do with my current state of mind, not the book. It was certainly written beautifully and nearly everyone loves it…I think it was just a little too slow paced for me right now. But more on that on Thursday.
I’m going to try to do my book coveting post sometime this week as there are LOTS of books that I’m coveting right now :p Isn’t that always the story over here. But there are so many books that I want to go and pre-order! 2009 has been a really good year for books. I always think, there’s no way that next year is going to be as good as this year when it comes to books, but it always turns out that it is. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for us all in 2010! Can you believe I’m talking about 2010 already? Where has this year gone so far?!
I also want to do the Weekly Geeks post for this week so hopefully I’ll have something up on that too. This weeks geeking out is all about literature from your hometown or about your hometown, and living in New Orleans, I have an abundance of that! Mostly horror novels. Those are some of my absolute favorites. I just love horror stories set in New Orleans…our city lends itself well to that. In fact, the book I’m reading right now, Voodoo Season, is all about the decendant of Marie Laveau, our famed voodoo priestess. It’s good stuff, trust me!
Trish also had a really interesting post up today about talking about your book blog with other people and I’d like to respond to that sometime. It’s something that happens all too often in real life….you mention your book blog and just get strange looks from other people. It also sort of relates to that IRL friends vs. Blog Friends debate. I’ve actually had somebody yell at me and tell me it was really weird that I considered bloggers friends and shouldn’t share my personal life with them…you can imagine what my response was to that :p
Anyway, I don’t really have much to say today…just wanted to check in and let everyone know what’s going on, that I’m back, I should start commenting again soon, and you can expect a few posts for a change from me this week! What I’ve learned from my little blogging break….I have to slow down. Blogging for me started as a place to talk about the books I read and just escape and sometimes it feels like I’ve made it a job…I’m not going to do that anymore. I need to stop overcommitting myself because that’s when I get burned out. I want the 2007 blogging Chris back :p And he’s coming back…
Hi baby boy.. i’m glad to hear that you are beginning to feel better. not so glad to hear you were having migraines again…
If you think you are doing bad this month reading all I can do is laugh… I have just begun my 3rd book for the whole month! Much to do with packing and writing lists of things not to forget to do etc… but reading just went down on this list of “to do’s” for a while here…since david passed away each month has gotten slower and slower with my reading. I don’t expect it to be much better for a number of weeks after I get to fla. It will take a bit to settle in.. I have already ordered my at&t dsl (still keeping aol and aol email) so I hope the modem is there when I arrive.. if not I will scream! since I will have no tv or computer until the following week!
Anyway.. I do know that at times we tend to make our blogs “a job”..but it happens when we are “way too busy” and refuse to give anything up until we can make time again.. we know this is our enjoyment and so fight not to make “this” what we have to give up. Eventually things calm back down and we seem to have time for it again though (thank goodness) :O)
Feel better Chris.. DO NOT GIVE ME MORE TO WORRY ABOUT YOU HEAR ME?!! *slaps Chris on the back of the head* (gotta love NCIS *smirk)
Deslily, Thanks for the smack on the back of the head…I needed that
I really think that things will get better for you once you start to get settled in in FL Pat…I really hope so at least. I’m sure your reading numbers will pick up again! But that will probably take a few weeks. I did get your email the other day with your new number by the way and I updated it! Sorry I didn’t respond…everything’s suffered lately. But I’m feeling much better now. I can’t wait until you’re all settled in in FL. That’s going to be so nice for you! Big hugs to you Pat!!
Glad you’re feeling a bit better!
I need a week to detox from the online world, but I think it will keep for sometime this summer. Sometimes it definitely feels like a job…but it’s one I love.
Have a great week!
Sorry to hear about your migraine, but so glad to see you back!
Yuck. I feel bad that you’ve had migraines this week. I really think that they are possibly one of the worse types of sickness. I mean, really, cuz if you have a sore throat you can still read, right? But headaches, especially migraines, are right up there with, I don’t know…swine flu? Okay, I jest, but y’know.
I’m glad that you are enjoying the Voodoo book and since you mentioned it’s a series, I might just be ordering that one pretty soon. (The book coveting posts and the new YA books for Florida have inspired me to place a gluttonous order on Amazon sometime this week).
Hope you’re feeling better. Take it easy. I’m new to all of this blogging stuff (I feel that I can still say that after five months because I still keep screwing up my layout! LOL) but I can already see how I start feeling stressed when I haven’t reviewed books that I’ve read, etc. Yuck!
(Haha, I totally ruined it, but my comment was about to be full circle with the “yuck”. Oh well.
)
Amy, It’s a job that I love too :p I really don’t know why I complain :/ I just get burned out sometimes…not all that often though. I think that when life in general gets stressful EVERYthing becomes stressful…ya know?
Lu, thanks…I am feeling better now though!
Christina, Yeah…the migraines suck :p I’d trade them for swine flu for a week if it meant I’d never get one again, lol. Voodoo Season is fantastic! I think the first book in the series is called Voodoo Dreams and that one is actually a fictional telling of Marie Laveau’s tale. Looks great. I know what you mean about all of these book coveting posts! They are indeed dangerous, lol. I am feeling better now though, thanks. Drugs work wonders! don’t burn out too early! Give yourself a break when you need it…if you don’t feel like reviewing a book, then don’t :p
Glad you’re feeling better, Chris! Sorry about the migraines … as you know, I can relate all too well. On a better note, though, I agree wholeheartedly about what a great reading year this has been! I’ve read more this year than ever (and some really good stuff!) and it is definitely due to reading so many wonderful book bloggers, like yourself.
I’ve learned that I have to slow down a little and I’m glad that you’ve recognized some things during your break that will prevent you from burning out (a lot of us seem to be feeling that lately).
Never read anything from/about New Orleans, as silly as that is. Loved Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, though–but that’s Savannah.
It is interesting about blogging friends v. IRL friends. I share things here that I would be very reluctant to share with personal friends, but yet others don’t seem to get how one can be true friends with someone online. Anyway–would love to hear your thoughts on the ole debate!
Hope you have a good week! and hmmm–am I just missing the place to subscribe to follow up comments?
I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better.
I’m looking forward to 2010 too. I already know of four books I can’t wait to get my hands on!
Betty and Boo’s Mommy, I know
How have your headaches been recently? Hopefully better than mine have been! I notice that I’ve read so many more books this year than others too! I’m totally thrilled with that!!! And thanks 
Trish, Definitely…slowing down is a GOOD thing
I’ve noticed that so many people have been burning out lately and I don’t want that to happen!! We all need our breaks though. Never read anything set in New Orleans?! I have to send you a package, lol…you don’t know what your missing. Are you a fan of horror at all? If so, Anne Rice’s The Witching Hour is amazing. Not really scary, just very atmospheric. I’ll post my thought on the IRL friends vs. online friends later in the week. To sum it up, there is no difference! I’m totally with you on that one. I share stuff online that I don’t even share with some of my IRL friends. I just feel a real kinship with so many bloggers. And thanks for pointing out the RSS issue with comments! You’re not missing anything :p I never added it to the code! I need to fix that!!
Memory, LOL…it cracks me up that we have lists of books that we want already that aren’t coming out until 2010 :p I have my own list, trust me :p
Sorry to hear about your migraines. Trust me, I know the feeling. Shesh. Truthfully, I’m feeling so old these days. As you know, I’ve been really busy at work. I haven’t had a lot of time to take off and relax. In fact, this Thursday will be the first full day off I’ll have had in 3 weeks! I gotta stop with the “woe is me” postings and comments, but right now my shoulder is off the hook bothering me. It’s funny, because I have a slight tear in my rotar cuff…but it hasn’t bothered me much the last 6 months. But this week it is KILLING me. I have an appointment for a cortizone shot on Friday. That tells you how bad it must be because I seriously hate needles. In fact, I’d do just about anything to get out of shots!
I haven’t read Trish’s post yet, but I will. As busy as I am, I’m pretty sure I have more blogging friends that IRL ones. I just don’t have the time to keep up with people. And except for maybe 2 people, I’m way closer to you guys than IRL friends. That sounds really weird to say, but it’s true!
Oh, man, I’m sorry about the migraines! I’ve been working so hard and sleeping so much I haven’t done much reading, either (I’ve read about fifty pages in The Latent Powers of Dylan Fontaine). So you beat me even with everything you have on your plate! I’m glad you’ll be back to blogging, too. I’ll take slowed-down Chris over no Chris any day.
(The book is good so far, by the way!)
Sorry to hear about your migraines, Chris
I hope you feel better soon!
I’m so excited that you’re going to post a literary tour of New Orleans
Please include lots of pictures! I bet the post will be dangerous for my wishlist, but I can’t wait to see it.
I no longer enter any discussions about whether or not friendships formed online are “real”. I’ve been doing it since I was 14, so it’s not even an interesting conversation anymore. Just same old, same old. It’s so funny to me how people are so quick to make grandiose statements like “people blog because they feel lonely and isolated”, which are inevitably followed by heads nodding sagely. Yeah? Why do you think that guy who lives two apartments away from you goes down to the bar for a drink every evening? Why do people connect with one another, why do they make friends, why do they make small talk with strangers on elevators? But of course, that’s “socializing”. Very healthy and normal and proper, unlike blogging.
Sorry…I let my sarcasm out of the bag
That voodoo book sounds like such fun!
Oh and the blogging and friends issue…I don’t really mention book blogging to most of my rl friends. They know I have a blog, but that’s about it. I talk about my blogging buddies with my mom, and she seems to understand.
The thing about moving frequently is that you get used to long distance friendships with people you see very rarely, which I think is part of why my mom understands.
hi Chris! Just wanted to stop by and say hello. I’ve really slowed my blogging down, too – April took it out of me, I think! but I feel bad that I haven’t ‘made my rounds’ so to speak. My reading qty is off, too. Anyway, do what you gotta do and I wish you readable books and happy sunshine, Care
I’m so glad your mini break helped boost your spirits! You’re right, I think a lot of us have been in “that place” lately. And I think taking these breaks can be a very healthy thing!
The whole on-line/face-to-face thing is so goofy. And of course, we all feel that way, as we all have been blessed with such wonderful on-line friends. And you know, I even hate that term! When I think of you or Ana or Eva, etc. I don’t think “on-line” friend, I simply think “friend.” I mean seriously, what is a friend? Someone you can talk to about things big and small, someone who makes you laugh, someone who supports you. Someone who when they’ve got good news, you feel on top of the world, and when they’re having tough times, you’re hurting right along with them. Yep, I’ve NO question that you’re as real a friend as there can be! Of course, that doesn’t mean that I don’t really hope we do meet in person one day!
I cannot wait for your post on New Orleans lit. I really can’t believe how little I’ve actually read…especially since New Orleans simply has to be one of the most intriguing cities in all the world!
And Nymeth, I’m glad the sarcasm escaped…I really enjoyed it!
Glad to see you are still around! Breaks are good things, huh? I tend to take a lot of them… not all intentionally!
Anyway, I actually don’t really specify where I know people from. If I am talking about something that I read on a blog, I tend to just say ‘My friend said…’ and leave it at that. My friends know I blog and stuff, but I just group everything together. I think I might get a bit more specific with the c.c. because he knows both sides a lot better because he watches me blog! He doesn’t have ‘online’ friends, but he never says anything to me about it. He’s good like that.
I have too many books I want to read. I don’t even have to think about the ones that I want to buy. lol I could post every Sunday just books on my TBR pile and probably not run out of books…
Maybe that’s what I will do! Books I own I want to read and books that I want to get… A half and half post. I actually think I should go update my blog!
Steph, You know…I don’t know HOW you do it! You go through so much yourself and you’re so overworked yet you always maintain such a happy disposition. I need to take some lessons from you!
Renay, Ooh, ooh, ooh! You’re reading Dylan Fontaine!!!! I get so damn nervous though when people read books that I really love :p Especially when it’s people like you that I think are totally cool. Hope you keep having fun with it !
Nymeth, I will indeed post lots of pictures! But I doubt that I’ll post about much that you haven’t read :p It’ll mostly be Anne Rice and Poppy Z. Brite :p and then there are books like A Confederacy of Dunces and all of Tennesee Williams’ plays..like Streetcar named Desire! I have to say Nymeth that I LOVED your sarcasm
It’s exactly how I feel…I’m right there with ya!
Eva, Same here…I have one friend that I talk about blogging with, aside from that I don’t really talk to anyone about it. My mom totally gets it too :p She knows who all my blogging friends are and I talk about them just like they’re anyone else in my life!
Care, Hey! How are you? I think April took it out of a LOT of people…I’ve noticed that blogging has just gone down so much!
Debi, It really did help! I’m learning that taking a break from blogging is a good thing indeed! I love your talking about friends! I couldn’t agree with you more Debi. You’re so totally right on. I’ve had fantastic friends online that have actually been more supportive than some of my IRL friends. You included
Kailana, yep, I’m not going anywhere :p I just needed a little break! I’m like you…when I’m talking with other people who don’t know I blog, I don’t specify that they’re a “blogging friend” They’re just a friend
You should start doing posts on your TBR pile 
That would be fun!
Blogging does feel like a job, sometimes. I’ll have to read Trish’s post. I recently mentioned that I’m a book blogger to a real human (har) and felt like such a weirdo! The fact that the person I said it to merely said, “Oh?” and turned away probably added to that sinking feeling. I’m still feeling burned out, so I’m just posting my tour posts and blog-hopping a little. I hope I’ll be feeling better in time to write up reviews of Simon’s book and SLOB for Thursday. I wouldn’t bank on it, right now. What do you say to your suicidal patients beyond, “Breathe deeply?” I could use some talking down off the cliff edge.
Nancy, Don’t make me come down there and drag you to the psyc hospital, cuz I will :p That’s what I tell my suicidal patients….”I’m keeping your ass here..you’re not going anywhere”….ok, maybe I’m a little more kind than that. In all seriousness though, take care of yourself. No commitments are worth your sanity. Spend a day doing what makes you happy, even if it means putting off things that seem important. I hope you feel better soon Nancy!
Slowing down sounds like a good idea, Chris. (If you ever need help chasing you off and slow down… I’ve become very good at shouting “Shoo” at people.) You are important too. And I will presume to speak for everyone and say that we’d rather you take prolonged time off to think and rest and do other stuff that makes you happy than force yourself to blog because you feel you ‘must’. That’s not healthy. (Well, usually. I’m sure there are times and people which/who just need a push to get that first step taken and then it’s uphill from there…)
And that person who yelled at you is a git. *sighs* I don’t think there’s aught I can say about friendship that others have already said, though. I think of my online friends as friends first and ‘online/blogging’ last. And that’s all I’ll say about the matter or I might start ranting… Just… *hugs* Try not to let it get to you too much, sweetling. They’ve probably just never had friends who lived far away. Some people just need to experience something to realise what it’s worth and what the truth of it is.
Shanra, It’s a deal…If I need a break, I’ll have you tell me to “shoo”
The person who yelled at me really aggravated me at the time. I guess that if people have never made online friends, they wouldn’t understand, but it still drove me crazy that people think that way!
*holds broom at the ready and salutes* Yessir! ^-^ And I totally do not blame you for being aggravated! It’s true, if you’ve never made online friends before it can be a hard concept to understand. I think it took my parents a while to understand, but I think they’ve got it now. Now they’re just bemused every time I come down with a package and go “Where’s that going then?” ^-^
Much better today, thank you. I think I’m going to continue to have a week of being completely useless and then I’ll attempt to act like a human, again.
Not big on the horror, but I don’t mind atmosphere as much (hmmm…although I guess atmosphere has a lot to do with why horror is so scary). I haven’t tried Rice, but one of these days I’ll take the baby steps.
She’s not in New Orleans anymore, is she?
Shanra, LOL LOL…I know that feeling ALL too well :p My mom always wonders where those damn packages are going to :p
Nancy, I’m so so so happy to hear that you’re doing a little better
You had me worried there…I need a week to be useless too :/ That can really be a good thing sometimes!
Trish, I think you’d actually like Anne Rice! She’s not like in your face scary. Have you read The Historian? Her writing isn’t like Kostova’s, but think that type of novel! Nope, she’s not in New Orleans anymore…she had initially moved to Kenner, a suburb of New Orleans, but now she’s in Los Angeles.
Yep, not sure I would deal kindly with someone yelling at me in general, but especially about blog friends not being real friends. That is about as silly as it gets. I often think people who feel that way would consider having met someone once and then corresponding with them by mail/email/phone as ‘real’ friends and would never see just how similar that is to what we do.