Monday, May 4, 2009

Books and the sun


After spending Labour day not working, it's back to the work routine this week. Which I don't find so bad because I managed to truly rest body and soul, body by laying in the sun and mind by reading. Last week I was starting to get worried because I no longer felt the need to read anything (that is a terribly worrisome state for me because it signifies sth is very wrong since I read to relax and I do it all the time). And from all the things I can choose from (having quite a lot of books in my room) nothing seemed interesting. So, I was saved when I got a call from Algoritam last week that some of my ordered books have arrived and having a long weekend to read them. :)

I finally got my hands on Deadly desire by Keri Arthur (Riley Jensen series, book 7) and I liked the fact that Riley's love life got complicated (again) but in this book she managed to keep the one relationship (I'm keeping my fingers crossed to survive the next books), living. We'll see what happens in the next Riley installment that should be out sometime in October I believe.

I also got my hands on another of Mary Balogh's historical romance, Simply perfect. The moral of the story is you're not too old to find love when you're 35 and a spinster school teacher. lol :) And good clothes and hats, a positive outlook on life, some strength of character and a good hair-dressing maid are what is needed to transform a non-descript woman into someone of beauty. Sounds familiar?

The third book I'm only halfway through is First king of Shannara by Terry Brooks. Usually I'm scared of starting to read fantasy series because when they are good I can't stop and I do have everyday obligations that cannot be put aside just because I can't stop reading. :) You wouldn't believe how often I am faced with that problem... I first came into contact with TB when reading his Genesis of Shannara trilogy and I loved it. He writes somewhat differently from most of other fantasy writers I read (similar to Raymond Feist) in the manner that the story proceeds fast and you do not follow every day occurences through the book (that sometimes makes me lose interest which almost happened with Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series). Anyway, this is just a prequel, so what follows is another good trilogy for which I will somehow have to pace myself and read it as I usually read.

Regarding sniffing during the weekend, I didn't do much of that - sun cream being the reason (smells too strong to get a good feeling what something else might smell like). I did try Cococabana by PdN after reading Abigail's post on it. I thought I'd get more coconut from it but I don't think that detracts anything from the loveliness of this. I was trying to figure out which note is the one that smells similar to sth in Eau Turquoise which displays it more prominently and which is why I cannot bear to wear it, but I was unsuccessful. Smells aquatically-sweet and it's an understatement when I say aquatic is not my thing. :)

I did finally get my hands on some of Andy Tauer samples and I look forward to smelling them more conscientiously. I kept smelling Reverie en jardin and thinking something here smells so familiar but unfortunately, couldn't figure it out. Like I said, they deserve more of my time. :)

4 comments:

  1. Oh, yes, not only does the sunscreeen usually smell strong and interferes, but also, that salt water/sun-warmed skin/suscreen combination you get at the end of the day is simply unbeatable :) Certain scents layer particularly well with that scent I have to say...

    As for reading, I simply can't devote concentration on anything lately as I am studying so much for the University... In my free time reading needs to be completely mindless so I have resorted to spending an inordinate amount of money on magazines, something I never used to do before!

    Glad you're back :) Hope the weather took a turn for the better. Although reading about sunscreen I guess it did :)

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  2. I didn't need to use as much sunscreen as I wanted, but even a little was enogh. The weather was better than expected (it is still not summer after all) and I'm already looking forward to the following long weekend at the beginning of June. Then it's going to be warm enough for swimming as well... Only 5 weeks to go. And that will be the perfect time to take out my Bronze goddess oil and edt. :)

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  3. I used to read a lot several years ago... but with time I find that I need a more passive way to relax. I spend the whole day processing information (work related) and reading became for me just another source of more information to process. That's a pity... because I enjoy a good book and I find it inellectually and emotionally stimulating... Maybe my brain capacity is becoming more limited with age... lol! But you are amazing - you read so much. How long does it take you to finish a book? I've been reading East of Eden for already 3 months *blushing*

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  4. Well, it really depends on the book. If I'm reading romance, I don't concentrate as hard and kind of glance over descriptions so it takes I'd say 5-6 hours. I'm kind of addicted to reading, I don't really watch TV much, I read to relax. And I seem to be a dreamer so books are a natural escape for me. Although, I'm scared that a time in my life will come when there will not be enough time to spend reading (shudders). I hope you find again the stimulation you once had and not just information. :)

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