Moving Ahead, Bookishly and Resolutely

Reading and Writing

My concern over how much of my life would have to be given over to Tolstoy has abated considerably. Anna Karenina, while very long (closer to 800 pages than to 700 in the edition we’re reading), clips right along. That may be in part because I’ve read it before, but also Tolstoy’s style is very modern, in that he jumps right into the story without elaborate, preliminary scene-setting. The last chapter I read last night was the horse race. I didn’t exactly remember but still pretty much knew what would happen, as the mare’s sensitivity was so like Anna’s.

My winter writing is underway. So far I feel I'm warming up rather than producing, practicing scales rather than composing anything of lasting worth, and that feels okay. Sooner or later, I'll hit my stride and stop thinking about what I'm doing. That's when writing is delicious, when it just happens, like weather, and I happen to be in the right place to experience it. But that's what "showing up for work" is all about, being in that place, ready for the miracle.

Another Resolution

I knew I was forgetting something else I’d resolved, but it is this: From now on, I’m only buying fair trade coffee, and a trip to Oryana, the food co-op in Traverse City, on Monday took care of getting that resolution off on the right foot.

Still Ordering Books

For the last two winters, Dog Ears Books was closed for three months. This year, we’re staying open! Hours are shorter (and only four days a week--see calendar at right), but we are very much in business during Snow Season and still ordering new books for our customers, too. This is my plan—to welcome orders in person (in the store), by phone or by e-mail and to process (i.e., actually send in) orders on Monday evenings or Tuesday mornings, for delivery that same week. I’m writing this on Tuesday and sent in my first book order of the year this morning. (That felt good.) Later in the week I’ll tell you what was in that order.

Summer Reading 2011 Is On the Way

You’ve already read about Loreen Niewenhuis’s book, A 1000-Mile Walk on the Beach, coming out in March. Loreen has promised to come sign books in March, and we’re plotting a bigger event for the summer, details to be posted when I have them. You’ll want to read this book, and yes, you’ll have to wait until March. Now word comes of another occasion for summer reading enjoyment, the fourth Emily Kincaid mystery from Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli, Dead Dogs and Englishmen, coming out in July. Not until July, Elizabeth? Yes, we have to wait that long for the latest from the lives of Emily Kincaid and the intrepid Deputy Dolly. Well, anticipation is a good thing, and delaying gratification builds character. Keep telling yourself.

New Links to Other Blogs

Please note a couple of new book-related sites in the blog list at right, Lifetime Reading Plan and Wynken de Werde. (Don’t worry—both sites are in English.) Check them out and get back to me. Were you inspired? Intrigued? Enlightened? Intimidated? (What do all these words have in common?