It wasn't my usual fare, but very enjoyable.
I highly recommend carving out a little time this summer to dig into a good book.
Like most moms, finding a bit of time to steal away and read is not always practical, not always a priority.
By the time I finish cleaning the house, cooking, carpooling and quizzing people for upcoming exams, I find it hard to keep my eyes open when I get into bed.
Let alone read anything...other than a blog, of course
Needless to say, over the past few years, my pleasure reading, has all but ceased.
Then this past weekend, we headed to the beach for a little getaway.
The ocean view was spectacular and the weather was glorious.
I was so wowed by the serenity of nature, so relaxed and calm, so unwilling to miss a moment of it all, that I completely unplugged, physically and metaphorically.
It was wonderful.
I strolled, sat, conversed, sunned (with my hat and SPF) and read.
It was simply divine.
I had forgotten how much I really enjoyed reading, getting lost in the words, in someone else's story.
With each turn of the page, I settled deeper into the moment and let go of all the spinning that usually occupies my head. I was hooked all over again.
Sun, sea, sand and a book. It was the perfect summer recipe.
So, what was I reading?
What was eliciting this complete state of rapture?
Fifty Shades of Something? Mysteriously missing fiancés or wives?
Classic British romances set among castles and aristocracy?
Nope. It was Rob Lowe.
I had read a blog post (go figure), an excerpt from his newest memoir, as he recounted the last days at home before sending his eldest son off to college and I actually wept.
Perhaps, it was because I have kids who will be taking me down the same road very soon.
Perhaps it was because we are contemporaries, and even though I do not know him, I have seen so many of his movies, I feel as if I do.
Mostly though, I think, it was because the writing was good, really, really good.
Apparently, this was not his first rodeo.
He'd already written a book.
Stories I Only Tell My Friends was his first memoir and, would you look at that, the library had a copy all set to go. It received very favorable reviews, so I decided to give it a shot. I'm glad I did.
I'm still not done with the book.
Vacation is over and I have been thrust back into the reality of the last weeks of school and all of the craziness that goes along with them.
However, I am determined to finish it and make time each day to read. Surely I can carve out twenty minutes for me.
Update: Here are a few more books for summer.
Even at home, it'll be like a teeny vacation for a sliver of every afternoon.
Dreamy.
Now if I could just figure out how to get hotel housekeeping to show up.
Do you read for pleasure as much as you'd like?
Looking for more book recommendations?
Oh I so rarely find the time to read either, but I do enjoy a good book when I get the chance. Sounds like you had a fabulous vacation at the beach.
ReplyDeleteIt was a super vacation, thank you! I hope you get a chance to put your feet up in your lovely living room and read a bit, too! :)
DeleteHi Kim, I used to read all the time before I took up knit/crochet and blogging. I miss it so much and love reading on the beach. I hope to do more over the summer.
ReplyDeleteJulie
I think that happens to all of us, Julie, one hobby takes over and leaves little time for the others! Right now, blogging and crafting seem to be out front. It was nice to read though...I hope you get a chance! :)
DeleteI have found that I don't read books as much as I used to... Now I do my reading on-line in the form of blogs. It seems that it's only on vacation that I can really be out of the routine enough to relax and read. Some ladies from church have a book club... and have asked me to join, but they read a lot of non-fiction, and I prefer fiction. So far, I've sidestepped the issue w/ schedule conflicts when what I really want to say is "No thank you, I'm not interested." [How very unsocial of me, I know!] Anyways, I love Karen Kingsbury, and similar authors. Vacation is coming soon. I'll have to go to the library and stock up! I might look for the Rob Lowe book too. I've always admired him when I see him interviewed. He seems to have a nice family -- something we have in common [grin]. Thanks for bring up this subject Kim! I thought I was the only one who didn't read so much anymore. ~Sally
ReplyDeleteSally, your comment made me laugh! I recently dropped out of my neighborhood book club, because they were all about fiction and I am a non-fiction girl!! I am apparently as unsocial as you! Funny! I love my friends and I really did try to enjoy reading the books they chose, but between kids and blogging, reading a real book is a rarity. If I am going to sit down and crack one open, it had better be something I enjoy!! If you read the Lowe book, let me know if you like it! :)
DeleteOh, I adore that view! That's what it would take for me to read a book again -- sad but true. I used to read books in one sitting, but since I started writing/blogging, my book pile is feeling neglected. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a gorgeous view! It was actually hard to focus on the book pages! ;)
Deletesun . . . sea . . . sand . . . a book . . . sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI actually took some time for myself and sat in the garden reading today. I was reading the first novel of a good friend. Unfortunately, it was not very good, but I am happy for him that he published a book.
That's exciting! I would like to publish a book someday! When I was teaching I wanted to write children's books. Now I would like to write about home décor or crafting. For now, it's the blog! :) Have a super week...and I hope you get to read something you like soon! ;)
DeleteGlad that you got a little vacation time in and had a chance to unwind and relax. Nice. It has been a long time since I did much reading from an actual book.
ReplyDeleteIt had been way too long for me, too, Lorri! I am glad that I found the time to get reacquainted! ;)
DeleteI read an hour and a half or two most nights.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds just lovely, Su! I am hoping that summer will include more book time! :)
DeleteI'm glad you got a nice break...and time to read, ahhhhhhh luxury!!
ReplyDeleteA botched cataract surgery ended my book reading days, but I do still like to look at magazines and décor books that have pictures :^)
Blessings to you,
J
Oh J, that must be so frustrating! Do you ever listen to books on tape? Every now and then, when I get the book itch and just don't have the time, I pop one in and mop along to a great tale! :)
DeleteI used to read for pleasure every day, Kim, finishing at least one novel a week. That was before the internet took over my life. :( Now I rarely read the way I once enjoyed so much, and I hate that I have allowed that to end in my life. Like you, when we get away I do read books for pleasure, but rarely do I do so at home. By the way, the last two links you shared this month at ERITH were dead links. I've deleted them, and invite you to try linking up again. The first link you placed is fine. Hugs, friend ~ Nancy
ReplyDeleteI loved reading, too, Nancy. The internet has taken over, hasn't it! I miss books!
DeleteA very interesting question that caught my eye as I recently started reading more books again versus blogs / what a difference :) It's due to the season :) Out on the porch with a book in the springtime...can't beat it :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, Deb! The warm weather and porch do call for a book! It certainly was the reason for my return to books! ;)
DeleteYour get-away sounds wonderful! I keep a running list of books I want to read. The list is getting longer and longer but it seems I'm reading less and less. Rob Lowe is such a great actor and handsome too!! I've heard about his latest book, it sounds pretty great.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised I liked the book so much, Stacey. I think it was because it was filled with so much nostalgia and it was an easy read! Sounds like you already have a pretty long list, but I recommend it!
DeleteKim, I tend to read in spurts. With my nest empty, I have more time than you, but share that being tired issue at night. It's a great way to go to sleep, but I find I don't remember what I've read then! Anyway, I'll go for a couple of weeks, reading almost nonstop, then I take a break until I find something to draw me in, and It starts all over again.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find your reading time again.
Nancy, you made me laugh! I often have to go back and reread portions of a chapter the next day, because I was "sleep reading"!
DeleteIt is hard to steal me time when the kids are running around :) Glad you had a chance to recharge and catch up on your reading! I try to read at least 30 mins (book vs. blogs lol) a day but not always successful. Thanks for linking to our Relax link up :)
ReplyDeleteIt's very hard to read with the kids around and I never sit during the day, so bedtime is ideal...if I can stay awake! ;) Thanks for popping by!
DeleteI try to get a little reading in every night, but, I completely dose off by the 5th page...the book falls over, I wake up in a start...I hoping to get more reading in the summer. Rob Lowe, eh? Hmmm...I'll have to investigate! xoxo Jen
ReplyDeleteI was surprised, Jen, but turned out to be a pretty easy (and very light) read!
DeleteI can totally relate to your joy of reading. I love it too. I read at night. It doesn't make me sleepy at all. It is the best time for me since there are no interruptions. I've always liked Rob Lowe...I'll have to check out his books. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, D
ReplyDeleteYou should check it out D! I was pleasantly surprised! I am jealous that you don't fall asleep. Books are narcotic for me when my head is on that pillow!! ;)
DeleteI don't read anything like I use to. Mostly blogs, magazines, or design books. Funny thing, I read when I'm on vacation also. Just find that you have some time. Especially if you are on a long plane ride. Sounds like a very good book! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
The dishwasher, the laundry and the vacuum aren't beckoning when we're on vacation, I guess! ;) It was a good book, finished it and I am bent of making time for his second memoir...any day now! haha! Have a great weekend, Jann!
DeleteInteresting post! I think the internet has taken over as our "reading" for a lot of us. I used to read lots of books and enjoyed it immensely. Need to make time to unplug and get back to it.
ReplyDeleteDD
I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed books, the longer story, until I unplugged! I have committed to doing it more often and so far, so good! :)
DeleteReading has definitely changed for me too. I used to read several books a month. Now I usually only read my book club selection each month. And I was the go-to person for new book ideas, but I'm not nearly as up on new books as I used to be. No doubt blogging has made a big impact on my reading time!
ReplyDeleteIt's a funny phenomenon isn't it, Sharon? I actually dropped from my book club, even though I love those ladies, but it was just too difficult to find time to read the books as a new blogger. I got sucked into the web and it's hard to crawl back out! ;)
DeleteI really get this~~the part of suddenly finding yourself lost again in a book after so long. I go in spurts. For me it's not so much that I'm busy with kids, cleaning, etc., but I always find another 'easier' way of relaxing. Looking at your television or computer is about as mindless as you can get! I do love when I get on a roll, though and I have several books on my night stand.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Kim. Hope you had a lovely time away!
Jane x
Aside from blogging, I am not on the computer much and I don’t love tv, so reading and music and are my favorites. I do need to make more time for it though. Those relaxing summer days are just catching up with me now! Hope you have had some of them by the lake!
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