Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts

[Sawyer's first Halloween, as Han Solo]

I put up a quote from Barbara Kingsolver’s new book, Unsheltered, last night on Instagram, and it’s been fascinating to see how people have reacted. Kingsolver wrote, “A mother can only be as happy as her unhappiest child,” which I found extremely thought provoking (and might warrant a whole post on the matter when I’m done with this book). I think to some degree this is true, but always? I’m not convinced.

I wish I would have kept more of my books from growing up.  When I was young I would sell them to a used bookstore (shout out to Yesterdays Books! It’s still alive and kicking after all of these years) so that I’d get credit there and could buy more (I also used the library a lot).  You gotta do what you gotta do, when your allowance is less than five bucks a week.

I LOVE the “stacked” feature that Belletrist does, even when I’m not familiar with the author. I love getting to see how people organize their books and what some of their favorites are.

I redownloaded the Serial Reading app and am going to start trying to slowly chip away at a few classics that I’ve read before and have forgotten. First up: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Last Thanksgiving break I had planned on a little solo trip up to Hearst Castle but had to cancel it because I was in a car accident and felt like I needed to be fiscally responsible until the insurances sorted out who was at fault (not meeeeeeee!). This year I had planned on Sawyer and I going to Zion National Park for a few days, but our pool pump had to be replaced ($$$) and we spent almost $500 in vet visits on Chomsky…. all in the same week. So, once again, in order to be a mature adult, I have canceled my Thanksgiving plans. Honestly, it’s probably for the better- I have a lot to get done around the house and would like to take Sawyer to preschool a few days so I have some time to myself. I’m mad…. but not too mad.

I scored really, really horrible David Sedaris tickets for next month at UCLA. I have only read Calypso and am now resisting the urge to buy his entire back catalog. Maybe one or two collections, though. I love when I have an excuse to go to my alma mater!

I'm actually looking forward to all the actual Halloween festivities that start Friday and go for a week. Sawyer is Snoopy this year and we have a trunk-or-treat at his school Friday, pumpkin carving at some point, his class Halloween party, trick-or-treating at home, and then his costume parade a few days later. Like most holidays, having a kid has definitely made me appreciate it more!