Citizen Reader on hiatus.

Ah, spring. That time of year when my thoughts turn to eradicating dandelions from my lawn by digging them out by hand.

I know that's a stupid way to spend time, but I find it relaxing and it's pretty much the only yard work I do, besides edging the driveway and mowing the lawn. Now, you might say, what does this have to do with reading? Well, nothing, on the surface. But lately I have been feeling the desire to read and not write anything about what I'm reading. It may in fact be the influence of Helene Hanff; I know she wrote for a living but I get the feeling she did a lot of reading just for the joy of it, so I've decided to take a little break from writing myself. The fact that my house could really use a spring cleaning (it hasn't had one in seven years) and I've got a few looming deadlines has nothing to do with it.

I won't be gone long and when I'm back I hope to have a few exciting reading-related announcements. In the meantime, might I suggest such reading material as The Reader's Advisor Online or this great argument about libraries and the Dewey Decimal system, not to mention any of the wonderful reading blogs listed over in the sidebar?

Thanks for your patience. And now, you'll excuse me? I'm off to become death, destroyer of worlds, to a yard full of dandelions.

Comments

[Tripp]

Ah, good luck with that. Dandelions are a terrible bane.

[Sarah]

You'll never keep up with them but it is cathartic to try - digging in the good earth and all that.

[Citizen Reader]

Tripp, Sarah,
It's a complete exercise in futility, as Mr. CR and I like to joke that our neighbors on either side are aspiring dandelion farmers. But sometimes I like to take on good meaningless physical activity. Other people have sports; I have dandelions.

[Brian]

And this after I finally read your beloved Hanff! Mentioned in a post today only to be mocked by my ignorant co-blogger. She was a treat this past weekend - thanks for being persistent in recommending her.

[Citizen Reader]

Brian,
YAY!! In a weird way, I feel inspired by Hanff to be a better reader and writer--which is why I'm taking a wee break, to try and come back with fresher material.

Can't wait to go read your post, even the dandelions will have to wait while I read yours. Isn't Helene the BEST? I'm so glad you gave her a try.

[Melanie]

Enjoy your break. We've given up on the weeds in our yard and are focusing on the grass in our garden.

[Citizen Reader]

Oh God, the garden. I looked out at it and its tangle of tomato vines that I never pulled at the end of last season, and decided to give up on it for this year. All it usually grows is quack grass anyway.

Good luck in your grassy garden!

[Angelique]

Have fun! You'll be missed so come back soon, okay? Btw, reading Population: 485 and love, love, loving it! Thank you so much for the recommendation.

[Citizen Reader]

Thanks Angelique; I won't be gone long. I'd miss the comments too much, that's where the real fun action is!

I'm SO glad you're liking Population: 485. Isn't it awesome? I feel like I've done some good work this spring, shamelessly book-whoring it up for Helene Hanff and Michael Perry. Make sure to read "Truck: A Love Story," and "Coop" by Perry too, but I would suggest taking a little time between them and spacing them out like treats. That's what I'm doing with Hanff; I haven't yet read her book "Q's Legacy" because I'm saving it for a time when I can read it straight through and savor it.

[Laura]

You'll be missed - your blog has become one of the few I check just about every day. I just picked up Population:485 today from the library. Looking forward to it!

Fight the good fight!

[katharine]

There is nothing more satisfying than the pop of releasing the yellow weed from the earth. I love digging those suckers out. Have a nice reading break!

[Venta]

Enjoy your reading and dandelions, CR. You deserve it, but I'm looking forward to you coming back.

[Citizen Reader]

Thanks, Laura--do pop back in and let me know what you think of the Perry, okay? I'll be curious to hear.

Katharine!
You've got it exactly right; nothing "pops" the way a dandelion does when you yank it out. The dandelions are my fun weed--I've got some new spreading crap in my backyard that spreads by root and won't pull out for anything! Very frustrating.

AND HEY--how was WAPL? I hope you had fun!

Venta,
You're awesome. I look forward to coming back and will do so as soon as possible.

[bybee]

Keeping a nice balance like this will benefit your writing in the long run. Have fun. Of course, the selfish side of me is grumbling because I've just discovered your wonderful blog and now you're taking a break...

[Citizen Reader]

Bybee!
No worries. I won't be able to be gone long, as you can already tell from my blabby post above. :)

[Laura]

Wow! Population: 485 was a lot of fun! I read it in one day; I couldn't put it down! I think I'll buy it for my brother - he's not a reader, but I think he'll like this one. Thanks for the rec! Hope the dandelion battle is going well!

[Citizen Reader]

Laura!
I'm SO glad you liked Population: 485! I'm not really a believer in "sure bet" books (knowing that every book is bound to have someone, somewhere, who hates it) but I think Perry's is as close as you can come. The great thing about it for non-readers too is that it's not too long and intimidaing and it reads fast.

I couldn't be more pleased. If we've gotten one person to read Michael Perry or Helene Hanff (and I feel like we have), I feel like my work here is done.

[Laura]

Population:485 turned me into someone who puts exclamation points at the end of literally every sentence! It's gotta be good because I hate exclamation points!

I've got Helene Hanff coming through interlibrary loan . . . can't wait!