How’s everyone doing and what exciting books are you reading? I’m back from my little break. I had a good time visiting my mom although I didn’t get a chance to go to any of my usual haunts in Dallas aside from going to the public library every so often to check on email. I so miss my old library, that was really the best with its comfy chairs, cafe and shelves of new books. Anyway, I didn’t have much time at the library either so that’s why I’m so behind on blog reading, emails and all of that but I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone.

I did get back to Austin on Thanksgiving actually and we’ve just been hanging out and I’ve been busy creating some books. Tomorrow I’ll probably bust out the camera and do all the picture taking but for now I’m going to spend the evening with my books.

I have finished some books and I really will tell you about those soon. I feel like I’m always saying this! I just need to figure out how to get a 48 hour day. ha. But, waiting for me were a couple of books which I’ll be eager to read. Here are the new books:

• Rowan of the Wood by Christine Rose & Ethan Rose. This is a YA novel about a 12-year-old outcast who lives with a foster family and to escape his life he loses himself in books. I already like the premise.
• Being Written by William Consecu. This is the story of Daniel Fischer. He’s a character in a book and is determined to get the author to write him a bigger part.
• Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors. A historical novel of seventeenth-century Hindustan, where the reigning emperor, consumed with grief over the tragic death of his beloved wife, commissioned the building of a grand mausoleum as a testament to the marvel of their love – the Taj Mahal.
• City of God by Beverly Swerling. Another historical novel but this one takes the reader to the streets of Manhattan as the nation struggles to find a compromise between slave and free.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

We spent most of the day at the East Austin Studio tour and had a great time. I lost track of how many artists’ studios we saw but one that stood out in my mind was that of a bookbinder. All of her books were leather bound and with some great textured paper. I saved her card somewhere as I may have to treat myself to a nice journal.

As we were driving back home my husband and I dreamt about one day having a real studio. Right now one of our bedrooms is dedicated as our project room but it’d be nice to have more room and of course be able to decorate. Well, hopefully one day.

Anyway, I’m going to take a little bloggy break because I need to work a bit on adding stuff to my shop and I’m off to Dallas to visit my mom and friends. I’m hoping to stay away from Paper Source but I can’t promise. I have heard that Dallas has a new independent bookstore so I’ll have to check that out.

I am taking a few books with me which include: Who by Fire which I’m about half way through and am enjoying it. I’m racing through Anatomy of a Boyfriend, which I’m finding to be such a good depiction of all the angst of first love. And, I’ve got a wonderful mystery going on, The Blackstone Key, which is one of my books for the First in a Series challenge.

I hope everyone has a great week ahead and if you celebrate Thanksgiving enjoy it! I’ll be back, hopefully with lots of reviews, by next weekend.