So you probably noticed that there wasn't a new post up yesterday. Unsurprisingly, the holidays have hit - and they've hit hard. I don't really know what leisure time is anymore; and no, I'm not exactly complaining. I like being busy! Though this week was a bit too much; hopefully next week won't be as bad.
Because I find myself in the rare position of not having a Weekend Recommendations prepared for today, I thought this would be a great time to do a personal update for the month. And actually, I am going to start trying to do this every month. We'll see how it works out.
Life has been crazy busy. I have finally joined the ranks of the officially employed, and I am happy to call a local bookstore my workplace. Fulfilling my dreams one step at a time. Some of my Readers know that I used to volunteer at a local library, which I've done for nine years. It was hard leaving that behind, but I have always wanted to work at the bookstore I am now employed at, so I couldn't have left the library for a better position. And as all retail workers know, Christmas is a big time for stores, hence why I have been so busy, busy, busy.
However, I have also found one small problem with working at a bookstore. Each day, I am surrounded by new books, most of which I have on my TBR and to-buy lists. I also have money, and the bank is only a literal step away. Guess where all of my income has been going? That's right - books! November was so bad that I had to put myself on a book-buying ban. I have to read five books on my TBR shelf before I can buy a new one. And so far, I am sticking to it pretty well. Oh, I have been sorely tempted these last two days, but I've persevered so far! I only have to last until the end of December, then I will let myself do a rather large book haul as a reward (which I suppose kind of defeats the purpose of a book-buying ban . . .)
Despite being so wonderfully busy, I'm finding time to read. I haven't been writing nearly as much as I would like to, but after working for so long on my first novel, a break probably wouldn't go amiss. I've finally brought my TBR pile down to a pretty manageable size - mostly because I had to return a bunch of library books before I could get to them. But don't worry! I'm still going to review those books; just at a much later date than I initially planned. But this is a good thing! Because now I can start at Square One and actually begin a monthly TBR list. That's right, people - The Reading Hedgehog is officially joining the ranks of Readers who have a planned reading list per month. I should have done this a long time ago!
And of course, I've been up to Christmas preparations! I started my Christmas shopping early, and I'm glad I did. This year is Hedgie's first Christmas! I will do my very best to get some Christmas pictures of him, especially with his prezzies (yes, I bought my hedgehog presents. Just because he's a small mammal doesn't mean he doesn't enjoy Christmas as well). The weather here has been very cold, so whenever I'm off work, he curls up in my sweater pocket while I read in my chair - with a cup of cocoa, of course, and gingerbread.
Other than that, nothing much has been going on! Some of my Christmas plans involve seeing The Nutcracker ballet, and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (for the record, I'm seeing it for Martin Freeman, who everyone seems to forget about. And Benedict Cumberbatch, of course, even though he's just doing a voice-over in this installment). There's going to be lots of baking, gift wrapping, and Christmas carols.
What are some of your Christmas plans?
I think a monthly reading list will be a good thing for you to do to help you get your monthly reading goals finished. I know when I'm busy, setting myself a schedule always helps me get more done. (oddly enough, I always seen to get more done when I'm busy than when I'm not).
ReplyDeleteRight now, I'm just making money, but I have family coming on the 21st and I'm working on procuring the rest of my christmas gifts. And of course I'm going to see Desolation of Smaug ;) And there's way too many elves in this movie all the most awesome actors are getting forgotten. At least in marketing.
I hope Bilbo has a good christmas!
The reason I never did a monthly TBR list before was because it's hard to plan what to read when one is relying solely on the library. They don't always get everything in on time. But now I'm actually buying a lot of my TBR books (I know, I swore off faith-buys, but I can't help it!), so I can plan it better now.
DeleteI just have to buy Bilbo's and my dad's presents, then I'm done. There are way too many elves; I'm worried that they're going to steal Bilbo's moments. My sister and I are going to go see it on the 15th. Smaug! Ahhh, I'm so excited! :)
I don't know when I'll get a chance to see it yet =( I definitely have to see it within the first week, but because I haven't officially been put on the schedule at work, and even if I am, I can be called in anytime, I don't know when I'll get the chance yet. I'm hoping the majority of elves is mainly just them advertising ;)
DeleteI know how you feel. My book-buying addiction also seems to be getting worse instead of better. Any chance your employer does some sort of employee lending program? I know some B&N stores let staff borrow hardcovers (without the dust jackets). I was at The Strand in NYC yesterday ... nearly walked out with 15 books. But it would have killed my wallet and, more importantly, my arms. And I can just imagine the looks on the faces of security at the 9/11 Memorial. Yeah, good call keeping it down to three. But there were so many books calling my name!
ReplyDeleteOh well, it's a good thing I don't go there often or I'd be broke. Time to restrict myself to BWB special sales again, especially with several Christmas presents still to buy. Not too many major Christmas plans. I'd like to see the new Hobbit movie at some point and catch sushi one night with my cousin; but other than that, work, library tutoring, trying to work up the nerve to continue the NaNoWriMo project (which at 50k is only half done) and work.
At least you're getting to help people enjoy reading, even if all that retail is a strain on the sanity. I turned into that mildly creepy shopper listening in on your conversation at The Strand the other day; a girl and her mom were looking helplessly at the shelves and talking about Ally Carter and I couldn't help myself. Asked whether they were looking for the Gallagher Girls, spotted the right spines, grabbed the ladder, climbed up and watched them walk away happily with three books from that series and one from Carter's new Heist Society. I was proud. :)