Uninspired.

A bit of housekeeping this morning that probably should have been done last week. Barely two weeks into 2012 and I'm already behind. Sigh.

First, many thanks to everyone who shared holiday and new year wishes over the past few weeks. I appreciated it, very much.

Secondly, I am sorry for the lack of posting. It is part of a greater, multi-part problem, which primarily consists of:

1. I have read hardly any nonfiction over the past month.

2. I have read hardly anything, a re-read of Anne of the Island (by Lucy Maud Montgomery) at bedtime notwithstanding, over the past month.

3. I am not finding anything I want to read, fiction or non, and the coming crop of 2012 books bores me to tears. More on this later.

4. When I am not reading, I am not sure what to do with the blog. This will most likely be a bit of a long-term problem, as I quite simply do not have as much time for reading (or blog writing) as I used to. I could blame CRjr for this, as it turns out it is work to care for another human being, even a blessedly healthy, happy, little one. Instead I will blame the universe for not letting me be born into an independently very wealthy family. You know, the kind of family with copious spare time and the financial wherewithal to hire nannies with backgrounds in childhood development and a second language they could teach my child.

So, what to do? Well, one immediate solution that comes to mind was suggested by a commenter (thank you--you know who you are): it is time to have a Book Menage. But I'm currently at low ebb on ideas. Does anyone have any nonfiction or fiction titles they'd like to suggest, or possible themes? Please list them in the comments, and we'll schedule a Menage discussion. Beyond that there will be some other posts this week about reading and nonfiction in general--stay tuned!

Comments

[Care]

When I need ideas, I open my tbr in goodreads.com and see what pops.

My mother says Elizabeth Street by Laurie Fabiano is very good and it's fiction based on true events so I am sure we could find SOMETHING nonfic to accompany?

Another book I want to read is Alias Grace and I think that, too, is based on a true story. yes?
ok, after getting lost and getting frustrated at how many books I want to read, I must sit and think. :)

Something with Moonwalking with Einstein?

[Ruthiella]

Looking at my TBR list, I see Barbarian Nurseries by Hector Tobar. This is fiction, but since it deals with U.S. race relations, class relations, the justice system, illegal immigration, there might be a perfect NF companion out there somewhere. It is supposed to be REALLY good. It was published in 2011, so most libraries should have a copy. Mine does.

[laura]

I attempted to do a sort of book discussion group book menage this fall at the library, only so far no one has really shown up for the sessions. I'm probably going to cancel the spring sessions, but feel free to plunder from any of the groupings:

http://www.coralvillepubliclibrary.org/nonfiction-group

(I don't actually LIKE all the books mentioned--and a few I haven't read yet--but I thought they'd make for interesting side-by-side reading.)

[Citizen Reader]

Care, Ruthiella:
Most excellent suggestions; thank you. Let's all mull them over and see what we decide.

Laura,
What a bummer that no one showed up! I think it seems like a stellar idea myself. And interesting subjects/books you chose, too. Does your library have a reading blog? Could you do a discussion there instead? Are your other book groups well attended?

[Ruthiella]

I checked out Laura's books and they all look very good. I have read French Lessons and loved it. I will have to check out the other two in that group.

Any of the women in prison books would sort of fit with Alias Grace, since she is incarcerated (first chapter).

[Venta]

hey, cr. if you are feeling uninspired, maybe you could have some guest contributors. don't farmers help each other during harvest?

i love the idea of a menage!

[nan]

China Mieville's Kraken and The Search for the Giant Squid by Richard Ellis? The Beautiful Cigar Girl: Mary Rogers, Edgar Allan poe and the Invention of Murder by Daniel Stashower, The Mystery of Marie Roget by Poe and special bonus graphic novel, The Mystery of Mary Rogers by Rick Geary??? My sympathies -- there are few things I hate worse than that feeling of not being excited about reading anything. I'd suggest George R.R. Martin except I'm kind of bogged down in book 4 so I don't feel great about recommending it to someone in your current condition.

[Citizen Reader]

Ruthiella,
I too liked Laura's list. We'll have to see if we can't pick something off it. I have always kind of wanted to have a whack at Alias Grace.

Venta,
Well, that's an idea, and I've thought of it before. You're right that it might be a very good idea, but I have some, well, control issues (ask Mr. CR). Perhaps we could do some interviews with readers?

I too like the idea of a menage. We've GOT to make that happen.

Nan,
Thanks for the sympathies on the reading slump. Actually, both Kraken and the Richard Ellis books sound good--might make use of those suggestions myself.

[Care]

OH YES! to the ZERO and DFW!!!

I would probably pick the Orange is the New Black only because it might be a faster read than the other two women prison book - sounds most bleak.

[Brandon]

I haven't been doing any reading either, and I haven't wanted to. I knew my world lit class would turn me off reading for a bit, but I can't read over the holidays anyway. So I play video games.

I haven't quite figured out what to do with my blog. I can go weeks without ever thinking about it, and when I do think about it, it's along the lines of, "I should really do something about the blog." Pretty uninspired. I hardly read blogs these days. I haven't touched my Google Reader in months. So I can sympathize on a certain level.

[Sasha]

I'm not big on non-fiction, but I would read all of the selections on Laura's list. My first choice would be Women in Prison, followed by Methamphetamine.

[Katharine]

One vote for the "women in prison" theme, maybe I'll bring up my hard time in the discussion. Yes, you know a librarian that has spent a few hours in the po po.

[Marmota]

Personally, of the books on Laura's list I would prefer to read "Zero", but I don't know if you could find a fiction book to go with it. I will read whatever you have (Although it would be an exception to my goal of reading only what is in my house for the first 4 months of the year - Challenge from another book blog...)

[Citizen Reader]

Care, Sasha, Marmota--

Thanks for your votes. I'll figure out a Menage soon, I promise.

Brandon,
Yeah, you know how I feel. Blogging has been really great for a long time but it does sometimes become "just another thing to do" that you start resenting. At least I've had a little break. I just wish I felt more refreshed to come back.
Video game away. For what it's worth, I always enjoy your blog, inspired or not. Thanks for writing it.

Katharine,
I have GOT to hear that story sometime.

[laura]

We're going to try the next two discussions via Goodreads, when I get back from maternity leave, to see if we can drum up any interest that way. We'll see! I'm glad to read all the enthusiasm here--good to know SOMEONE'S interested!