I’ve been making some progress in my reading challenges but find that I’m not much in the mood to write up reviews. What can I say, I’m just enjoying my vacation. But yesterday, I wandered into the city center, browsed in the bookstores, had a delicious cappuccino, and finally was able to put a few words together on some books. Maybe I was just lacking some caffeine – ha.
The big news is that I finished my Southern Reading Challenge. Yay. Of course a big thank you goes to Maggie for hosting this challenge.
I read Sights Unseen by Kaye Gibbons, Gods In Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson and Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. I can’t say which book I liked best to be honest because all three were very good and very different. Some had a bit of sadness, a touch of magic and/or a wild romance but they all had a lot of Southern charm. You can click on each title for my reviews.
Also Dolce Bellezza recently announced the third Japanese Reading Challenge and yes, I’m joining it again. It was one of the few challenges I finished last time so I must join again. You only have to read one book between now and January 2010. How easy is that? I haven’t decided which book(s) yet but I do know that I’d love to try another Banana Yoshimoto novel or another by Haruki Murakami. I have books by both waiting on my shelves so we’ll see which I end up choosing.
Hmm, I think I need another cappuccino now. I guess a walk back to the city center is worth it, and besides I’ve gotta work off all those baked goods I’ve been eating. Hee.
So, how about you? How are your reading challenges coming along?
Congrats on completing the South Reading Challenge and yay for joining the Japanese Reading Challenge! It’s the first time I’m joining but I can foresee it’d be lots of fun! I’d most likely end up with a Murakami book, though I can’t decide what to read at this point of time!
As usual, the pics are great!
Hope you’ve a great weekend! 🙂
Melody – Thank you! And, yay, I’m so glad you are joining the Japanese reading challenge too. I forget, have you read any Murakami before? If you haven’t I highly recommend Sputnik Sweetheart. Hope you have a wonderful weekend too! 🙂
I am doing fine on my reading for challenges, but like you I am struggling with the reviewing aspect!
I wish I was there with you! Those pictures make my heart sing even without the cappuccino!
You’re very good writing reviews on your vacation! Of course if you get to sit in a coffeehouse to do it, I might, too! 🙂 I’m afraid I’ve given up on any challenges (except personal projects) this year. I will join in on Carl’s RIP, but otherwise I’m just letting my reading go where it will. Lovely photos–what a nice little town!
I’m loving the pictures you’ve posted so far! I so wish I was there right now instead of here, melting! Glad you’re joining in the Japanese Lit challenge again. 🙂
Wow, that is a quaint and beautiful city center!!! Congrats on the completion of some challenges…I’m going to do the Japanese Challenge too!!
I am loving seeing your photos from Germany! Looks like you’re having a wonderful time.
Yummy, capaccino!!!
Your picture looks so Germany..so European. I really miss that part of traveling outside of the US.
Congrats on your completion of the Southern Book Challenge. I think I finished it too. I’m so bad, I have to check.
Keep having lots of fun. The reviews can wait. 🙂
Way to go on your Southern Reading Challenge! I finished that one as well, and also just marked off the WWII Reading Challenge. I still have one more left on my TBR Challenge, one more on my Classics Challenge, and still need to read my Japanese one (just got the book at Borders today!). You don’t worry about your reviews, just have fun! You can walk off the pastries when you get back!
Wow, great work on the challenges. Sounds like you are having a great visit. Have a cappuccino for me.
Marg – I feel like I’ve been struggling all year with that! Keep on doing great with your challenges 🙂
Bellezza – I wish I could have all of you my bloggy friends over here for cappuccino and books. Wouldn’t that be sweet 🙂
Danielle – There is that right? haha… I don’t blame you for staying away from challenges. I have been doing pretty well with mine compared to other years but have been thinking of just doing personal projects next year. We’ll see. By the way, I can’t wait for Carl’s RIP Challenge too 🙂
Tanabata – Thank you! You don’t know how great it is to get a reprieve from the Texas weather. We were melting there for the past two months so it’s nice to come to warm days and cooler evenings. Great to hear you are joining the Japanese challenge too! 🙂
Staci – It really is a nice city center. That’s what I love about German towns, they all have these beautiful city centers where you can walk around shopping, taking pictures and of course stopping off at a cafe to relax and people watch!
Tara – Thank you! And, yes, I’m really enjoying my vacation. We are spending a lot of time with my husband’s family, a lot of time reading and just enjoying the days.
Wisteria – I know, I love cappucinnos here. For me it always seems so hard to travel in the States because it just takes forever to get out of Texas! haha… Here we do quite a bit of day trips and such and it’s so nice to discover other places. And, I agree, the reviews can wait 🙂
Sandy – Yay you girl! You are doing great on your challenges. I’m sorry I haven’t stopped in to visit so I don’t know what book you are reading for the Japanese challenge. It’s going to be fun though!
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) – I will have a cappuccino for you today 🙂