Advent Virtual Tour 2011

It's that time of year again.  Perhaps it was the snow that fell on Wednesday, that has brought Christmas to mind.  I think it was also seeing Arthur Christmas today with my children.
 
  A very sweet, fun movie that reminded me that Christmas - or this season for those who celebrate something different, this time of year as the old year winds down and the new year is just on the horizon - this time of year is filled with love and looking both forwards and backwards.  I came out of the theatre and quite suddenly, felt ready for Christmas in our home. Tomorrow we are putting our tree up, and I have been baking tonight to get ready for it.  I won't say any more, because I am still working out all I am going to put in my post for the Virtual Advent Tour.

Yes, it is also that most fun time of year, here in blog world, time for the Virtual Advent Tour 2011. I am excited to once again be participating in this most fun virtual tour of Christmas on all of our blogs. I love going to see what each of the participants has chosen to write about for that year. Recipes, tree decorations, Christmas ties, riding on the snow, music - whatever we like, and are in the mood to celebrate for that year.  I have signed up for  opening day for the Advent Tour.  Stay tuned, Dec 1 is almost here!  It's not too late to sign up, either.

I haven't been reading very much for the past few weeks. I am making my way through Mortal Love, by Elizabeth Hand.  I like parts of this book, though parts are also bothering me - not all artists are mad!  Art isn't crazy making!  - so I'm finding a bit of a tough go, because I love, absolutely adore the Pre-Raphaelites, who are in the background in this book (so far anyway, I'm a little over halfway through).  I wish I loved it, like Nymeth did (her review is splendid, so I linked to it), and the book reviewer at the bookstore I picked the book up at - she adored it too.  Perhaps going through the emotional states of a separation is not the best time to be reading about madness and art! As I am a writer and poet, some of what this books says is interesting about how the creative urge attracts hangers-on, too, and how it is difficult to draw the line between having a life and giving one's all to art - is there a line?  what happens when we draw one?  or don't draw one?  Questions that I ask myself as I try to do both.  It is good, I'm just not in love with it, and that I find disappointing. 

I did pick up Howard's End is on the Landing by Susan Hill.  I have just started it.  I have to say I had a very odd reaction when I started reading it:  I imagined doing what Susan Hill did, not buying any books for a year.  A whole year!  I think I panicked.
 
  No books - and so many I am waiting to come out in paperback in the spring!!!  I think I almost had an anxiety attack at not buying any books for a year.  So, while I love the idea of just reading what I own and I know I have enough books on my shelves to keep me busy for at least a year without any new ones, it's not the right time for me to do it yet.  So it got me thinking.....Have any of you thought of not buying any books for a year, and reading what is on your shelves, instead?  Not just for a month, or a season, but a whole year?  Are any of you feeling a little wiggly and uncomfortable at the idea of not buying any books for a year?

46 days left.....

That's right.  46 days left until this horrible year is over with.  I shouldn't say horrible, I should say 'year that challenged me and stretched me and made me realize what I needed."  In other words, one of those years where so many things fall apart.  I wasn't going to say anything here, but I see now of course that it's affecting even my blogging.  My husband and I separated in the summer.  We are still in the midst of sorting everything out.  I am trying valiantly to get to my 100 books total, and write fabulous reviews of the really good books I've been reading, but I'm a private person, and as much as this separation is good in the long run, it's emotionally draining and I can't think of bookish things to write about yet.  I love my books, I just can't write much at this time.  So please bear with me, I miss all of you and will be back as soon as I can.  I won't say I'm taking a blogging break!  I'm not!  I'm sorting my life out, and reading as much as I can to help me stay as centered as I can.  I really wish it weren't affecting my blogging, but it has. 

So stay tuned.  In the meantime, Nymeth has a lovely post up today on Christmas bookish shopping.  It's fabulous. I want it all!  those mugs with books!  and I will be back as soon as I can.