What's Up Wednesday- July 10th





What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what's up.  Should you wish to join, check out Jamie's or Erin's lovely blogs and sign up with the link widget at the bottom of the post.


WHAT I'M READING


This weekend I picked up SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo. It was a very fun read. Perfect for hammock reading and holiday escapism. The only quibble I had with it, is that there was a very, very simple solution to a stalemate in the book that could have saved hundreds of lives. I wanted to slap the characters for not thinking of it. I won't spill the beans because it's a spoiler, but I will do this....*grumble grumble*

One thing I loved about the book was it's rather unusual world setting that had a very eighteenth century Russian feel. It reminded me how much I love that setting and so I promptly downloaded ANNA KARENINA to reread. Reading Russian novels during the heat of the summer is perfect, because how lovely to read about sledges and ice skating when it's ninety degrees and sweltering. Plus, I'm hoping Karenina will last me more than a measly two days. (I love being in the middle of a book. I'm saddened when they're finished and I hate to have to find a new one. I just want to be in the glorious middle all of the time.) After rereading Karenina, I plan on watching the most recent movie adaptation again with Keira Knightley, which if you haven't seen it...Go Watch It NOW. (I'll wait) It's absolutely STUNNING! And oh those costumes!



WHAT I'M WRITING


After finishing my rewrites on July 1st, I've done very little else in the writing department. I think I needed to take just a small break before going through the whole MS again and fixing things. Plus there was so much going on this weekend. I kept getting lured away by invitations to go boating, and fantastic hikes and of course holiday parties. (Have you tried to say "no" to a party lately...it isn't as easy as it should be.) At one point, I was summarily kidnapped and hauled physically out of the house.

I hereby promise to be better this week and tackle a few things. I won't bore you with the list, because it's almost identical to last week's 'to do' list. *cough cough* *looks sheepish*


WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO





I've always loved fireworks. I have very fond memories of going to the 4th of July fireworks with my noisy boisterous tribe family when I was little. My mother, who is still a child at heart when it comes to fireworks, would camp out for hours with us so that we could get as close as physically possible. So the silver and gold was right above our heads and ash rained down on our faces. 

Sarasota is a wonderful town if you happen to love fireworks. Because not only do they shoot off fireworks for Everything (Groundhog Day, Father's Day, etc. etc.) but they also pull out all the stops on the 4th. You can take your pick of going to 6 different beaches to see them and the reflection out over the water is fantastic. This year, we went to a friend's house who lives right on the bay. My favorite part was floating on my back in the still, blackness of the water and watching the explosion of sparks above me. Seeing fireworks with your head underwater and the noise silenced is almost surreal. 


22 comments:

  1. Hehe - saying no to parties is hard. :)

    And love the pictures of the fireworks! I'm not a huge fan, but I have so many fond memories of the Fourth growing up and I want my kids to have the same. Also, I think I need to try watching them from the water. That sounds neat!

    Taking a break from a story is healthy. And great for the subconscious. So enjoy!

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    1. I think the fact that you want your kids to have experiences, even if it's not your thing, makes you the world's most awesome mom. :)

      And yeah, I don't have friends that will LET me say "no" to parties. I suppose I should be grateful, but I get A LOT less writing done.

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  2. Yay for fireworks! My kids are total pyros and had so much fun setting off some in our backyard. I enjoyed Siege and Storm and am about to dive into the sequel!

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    1. Is it wrong that I want to have kids just so I can have an excuse to light off fireworks?...well that and to have someone who is excited about Christmas morning. (Yeah, it's probably very wrong.)

      And I'm going to have to pick up Siege and Storm. A lot of people said it was even better than the first one.

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  3. I love that you watch fireworks will IN the water! I watched them at my local beach so seeing them above the water was pretty cool.

    Enjoy all the parties! It's always good to take a break after a draft so there's nothing to feel guilty about. :)

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    1. If I start feeling guilty about not touching my MS for the whole holiday weekend, I'm going to come back and read your comment. :)

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  4. See, just one of the reasons you and I get along so well - we both love when things are blowing up!!! My family was the very same way when I was a kid - I have NO idea how my mom did it, lugging 4 kids around with all their crap, all the way down to Seattle and to Gasworks Park to watch the show over Lake Union. But she did it every year and I think quite possibly, those might be some of my most favorite memories.

    And you SO have to read the sequel to SHADOW AND BONE - SIEGE AND STORM. Seriously, Kris, I think I liked it even more!!! I totally agree that I absolutely loved the world she built around her characters. And, um, I haven't read ANNA KARENINA yet. I know, I know...and my dad's side of the family is Russian, what a disgrace, right? One of these days...

    So...ISIS. Ready to swap-o-roo yet???? I can't wait to get my hands on Naked Boy. Huh. I'd reword that, but seriously, why? :) I'll be sending you WTWF in the next couple of days - perfect timing to re-read your MS.

    Hope you have a wonderful rest of your week, K. xoxo

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    1. You totally crack me up! Can't wait to get your little paws on Naked Boy, huh? Well, I best get cracking then. *makes whip cracking sound* *fails miserably*

      And how is it that you haven't read Anna Kerenina? That's kind of like saying you've never read War and Peace. Although, I think Anna Kerenina is actually better.(I'll probably anger the literature gods by saying that though, and be pelted with tomes) You should see the movie though, if for nothing else, just to swoon over the costumes. The cinematography is pretty swoon-worthy too.

      Hope your week is splendid too! xo

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    2. Ummmm, I haven't read WAR AND PEACE, either. Epic fail, I know. It's just so...so...big. Oy.

      And I was totally here this morning and your blog so didn't look ANYTHING like it does now!!! I love it, K. - so purrrrrrrrttttttyyyyyy. Kinda like Naked Boy. *pets his chest affectionately* Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Damn hormones.

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    3. Yeah, but both volumes are excellent paperweights, or if you have to bludgeon the odd intruder....

      Any yes, I've been mucking about with my blog (again). I'm not done, but the html was making my eyes bleed. (so I'll add the other pages later) I really should be writing instead of redesigning my blog, but ya know PRIORITIES.

      And you are absolutely Adorable when you're all jacked up on hormones. That "pets chest affectionately" part made me snort laugh in a really attractive way. :)

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  5. Your 4th sounds great. Sometimes I wish everyday was a holiday. Maybe we should just live that way.

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    1. That is the Best Plan Ever!!! If you ever run for President on that platform, I will totally vote for you. :)

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  6. Watching the fireworks from the water sounds pretty cool. I haven't read ANNA KARENINA I guess it just intimidates me to even try. But one day I will.

    Have a great weekend!

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    1. You should read it! It's actually very good.

      And you know, you've read series that are much shorter. It just looks daunting to have it all in one volume. :)

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  7. I absolutely LOVED the jewelry (and costumes) in the latest Anna Karenina adaptation. I swear, I was just drooling over the glittery jewels and at the end, I said to my husband, "I couldn't take my eyes off those necklaces (& earrings, & bracelets!)" He said...."What jewelry?" I wanted to kick him.

    Anyway, I must confess (and don't tell my boss...it's not really something a librarian should reveal), I've never read the book. Nope. Maybe it's something I should really pick up. *thinking about it* *still thinking*

    Hope this week is just as fun as the last!

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    1. Oh I know!!! I'm going to watch it again after I finish the book just to drool over the costumes. I make costumes on the side, so I'm a bit obsessed with things like that.

      And the book is free on Kindle, if that makes a difference. You know, if you're still thinking about it. *grin*

      Hope your week is lovely too!

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  8. Those photos are AMAZING! Wow, I'm so inspired! Thank you so much for sharing!

    Sometimes a break is every bit as important as writing.

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  9. Okay, now I'm trying to remember what all happened in SHADOW AND BONE, and if I even noticed this simple solution you referred to. Curious...I so wish I had time to reread it before getting to my copy of SEIGE AND STORM.

    Those fireworks look incredible, and watching them from the water sounds even better! Glad to hear you're enjoying your summer, and hey, a break from revisions is a good thing!

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  10. Those firework photos are beautiful, Kris!

    I have SHADOW AND BONE sitting on my shelf and I've yet to pick it up. I've heard wonderful things, but I guess I haven't been in the mood. Hopefully that changes soon because I find the premise very intriguing.

    Best of luck getting back into the swing of writing in the coming days. :-)

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  11. Fireworks often go off in celebration in my small town, although most of the time they aren't sanctioned :) And there doesn't even need to be a holiday - people just like blowing things up, I think.

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  12. Now I'm super curious about the SHADOW AND BONE thing. I might have to pick your brain because it's killing me! I loved the Russian flair to it as well. I've never read ANNA KARENINA, but I probably should sometime. It might actually be on my list of classics that I'd like to tackle at some point.

    I think it's important to allow yourself to get lured away to enjoy other fun stuff sometimes. Sounds like you had a great week, so it wasn't wasted. :)

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  13. I thought SHADOW AND BONE was good, but it didn't grab me by the collar and make me crave more. It's one of those books I found to be technically good, not too romance-heavy, with an interesting world... but missing something in the voice and the MC to make me want to read the next in the series. That's my take, for what it's worth.

    It's been a while since I went to a live fireworks display. The last one was one July 4th a number of years ago, in a park with a live orchestra. It was pretty cool. :)

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