This January was another milestone for our family. After a couple years gone, we moved back to Ireland in early January 2013 and if a recent email to my sister provides any evidence, we're all pretty happy with how things are turning out. We've been Irish residents for four years now, Asher and Ella having spent more than half their lives here. We're planning a birthday party for next month, making plans for next year and settling into this rental house as it becomes ours more and more every day. Still, January is a hard, dark, cold month and even yesterday's freak, glorious snowfall has receded from view, the only hint being random remnants of melting snowmen.
So let's talk Books! TV! Music! And all the things I'm loving this month...
READING...
I was chatting to a friend at church on Sunday who suggested he should be reading more. "Me, too," I sighed, exasperated with myself. I do read, but I rarely finish. This has been my default mode since college days. Read as much as I can to get the gist, and if I'm not all in, close the book and move on to the next.
For instance, I slogged through Chasing Francis for months, only reading about halfway through it. A favourite among many fine, intelligent people, I just could not get into this book. It became a bone of contention, chewing on the bits that just did not sit right with me (an unmarried pastor in America? Never heard of one. A crisis of faith leading to an extended and glorious Italian holiday? Sign me up). I worried there was something wrong with me when so many people I admire seemed to love this book and it all just felt so fake - so obviously fiction - to me. My husband, on the other hand, picked it up last week and finished it in two days. "Karen," he said. "I totally get why you didn't like this book. It's a man's book." Harrumph.
But I was bound and determined to finish Death Comes to Pemberley and having persevered to the end, I stand by my December assessment. I'm also reading Into the Woods (a book on story, not the fairy-tale mash-up musical) and plan on following along with Hollywood Housewife as she reads (or rereads) a dozen classics this year.
Let's be friends on goodreads.
WATCHING...
This month's Irish movie selection was The Guard, cementing my stance as a strange sort of Brendan Gleeson fangirl. This movie was so dark and funny, and every scene was infused with vibrant colour.
On telly, we're watching the Irish home improvement show Room to Improve and The Voice Ireland. Also, Broadchurch. Need I say more?
LISTENING TO...
Get thee to Noisetrade and download a live James Vincent McMorrow album. I've fallen back in love with singing out-loud in the car again, so Sara Groves, KT Tunstall and the Civil Wars are back in rotation.
SUBMITTING...
Do you know what I did not realize when I chose submit as my one word? How much freaking editing was involved. For real. Writing is one thing, but when you consider submitting it for publication, editing becomes a roller coaster of self-doubt and psychosis.
However, I'm happy to report January was mildly successful on this front. I had pieces published in Vox Magazine, Vital Magazine and my usual gig at Velvet Ashes (sense a theme?). I'm also considering some big submissions in the near future which I will tell you more about... later...
LOVING...
Freak snowstorms and the unmitigated joy my children find in them
Kids back to school
A clean kitchen and friends over for coffee
Also friends who come over and don't mind when it's a disaster zone
Finally completing my writing nook; no way we can move now
A library with a gorgeous view
Motherhood in an Age of Terrorism
Doctor Who nights and a bit of soul care with a friend
Seeing more of the sun again
Surprise emails from my sisters
The kids and dog enjoying a gloriously fresh day on the beach
The Problem with Immodest Pastors
...and anniversaries...
Linking up with Leigh Kramer for What I'm Into. Affiliate links included.
What were you into this month?