Happy New Year everyone! I hope your year has started off right. As the fireworks were going off last night I didn’t think I was going to make it through to midnight but I managed to stay away and wish my loved ones a Happy New Year and opened up my first read of the year.
A dear friend who knows me too well gifted me Upstream by Mary Olive and I thought what a perfect way to start my reading year with this collection of essays. I never read essays so this helps me get out of my comfort zone and a book that focuses on nature and the power of observation sound like a good way to start the year.
“Sometimes the desire to be lost again, as long ago, comes over me like a vapor. With growth into adulthood, responsibilities claimed me, so many heavy coats. I didn’t choose them, I don’t fault them, but it took time to reject them.”
I really like these lines and have a feeling I’ll be jotting more as I continue to read.
Today has been a nice quiet day. We went out for Indian food, spent some time at the bookstore (another New Year’s day ritual) and I had a nice time catching up on some blog reading this afternoon. I can’t believe my time off is almost over and soon it’s back to the office so hopefully I can take advantage of another free day on Monday and read a bit more.
Oh and last but not least my husband gave me two fabulous bookish gifts this Christmas. I got Literary Listography: My Reading Life In Lists. The journaler in me loves this already. And, he also gave me Flow Book for Paper Lovers. I love these special Flow editions. This is my third one and it almost seems bigger than the others. Can’t wait to play with the paper.
I finished off my audiobook from last year yesterday, so now it is all a fresh start!
Happy New Year! Those Flow books do look intriguing.
Happy New Year! I’ve got Upstream on my wish list… glad you’re enjoying it.
Ah, the journaler in me is also quite interested in the book your husband gave you: Literary Listography. There never seems to be quite the definitive way that I want to go about doing this; as I decide, it’s good to peruse other’s methods.
Happy New Year, Iliana!
I, too, am interested in Literary Listography. I’m a list maker and think I’d enjoy simply reading about ways to make list making more than a series of authors or titles. I can’t wait until you write a little about it. I am also fond of good personal essays, and Mary Oliver would not only have interesting things to say, but would be able to say them beautifully!
Oh gosh, all your books sound wonderful! I keep meaning to read Mary Oliver. Her books sound wonderful; despite being essays! And a book of lists! Love!
Happy New Year, Iliana! Here’s to another great reading year in 2017! 🙂
I love that quote, Iliana. I feel that way too sometimes. I hope you enjoy your new books! I’ll have to check out Literary Listography: My Reading Life In Lists.. Happy New Year, Iliana!
You made it up until midnight? I didn’t even try because I knew I wouldn’t make it. Happy New Year! It sounds like it is off to a good start!
Happy New Year, Iliana! The Flow book looks lovely! I was not aware of Flow books until your post. 🙂
I’ve been eyeing that Mary Oliver collection of essays since it first arrived in the store. Thanks for sharing that passage; I’m definitely intrigued!
We had a relaxing New Year’s Day after flying home from Oregon the day before. Now we’re back into the swing of things, but struggling with a little jetlag. Not enjoying the cold (6 degrees, currently!) weather, but it makes for good evenings of curling up with my books. I’m reading an oldie right now – Rosamunde Pilcher’s “Coming Home.” It’s a lovely comfort read, which is perfect this time of year.
Happy New Year to you, Iliana! Here’s wishing for a peaceful 2017…
Mary Oliver’s books are just the sort which should be gifted, aren’t they?
Hope you have a wonderful year ahead!
Happy New Year! Both of the books you got from your husband sound fantastic!