So today was my last day at work. Now it becomes more clear why I didn’t want to come back from vacation right? Heh. It’s okay, it wasn’t a surprise. I work in human resources so I was actually one of the last ones to go and I’ve known about the layoff since the start of the year.

Do I have a new job? Nope. I’m going to take some time off and enjoy it. Granted that’s a bit scary because I have so many projects and things I want to do that I’m almost overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. I’m sure I’ll use up some of the extra time with reading but I’m looking forward to spending time on bookbinding projects and taking crafty classes. I guess this means I also have no excuses for not going the gym more often do I?

It did feel a bit odd to walk out today and to know that I don’t have to go back. I didn’t feel like coming straight home and so I ended up at the library. I figured being surrounded by books was bound to help and it did. I spent a nice afternoon reading. You know, the library could be my new office. They have free wireless hotspot, a cafe and plenty of comfy couches and new books. I’ll let you know how that works out.

I’ve been tagged! Thank you Stefanie. Here it goes:

Hardcover or paperback, and why? I love the look of hardbacks but I prefer trade paperbacks. They are easier to carry, less expensive and take up less room so I can usually carry two books around with me.

If I were to own a book shop I would call it… La Tertulia. I’m not quite set on the name but I do know exactly what it would look like. It’d be in an large victorian home. Each room would be devoted to a specific genre and one room would be the community room where we’d have Open Mic nights, book groups and author signings. Of course there would be a little cafe with yummy goodies.

My favorite quote from a book (mention the title) is… As much as I love quotes I can never remember them so I’ll skip this one.

The author (alive or dead) I would love to have lunch with would be… After hearing Isabel Allende at a book signing once I always thought she’d be a fun person to get to know. She’s funny and charming.

If I was going to a deserted island and could only bring one book, except for the SAS survival guide, it would be… Don Quixote! I think that may be the only way I’ll finish this book.

I would love someone to invent a bookish gadget that…would allow me to read faster. My bookshelves are overflowing with unread books.

The smell of an old book reminds me of… used bookstores or antique stores.

If I could be the lead character in a book (mention the title), it would be… I know Danielle and Dorothy mentioned Maisie Dobbs and I’m also going with that lead character as well. She is intelligent, adventurous and she solves mysteries. Plus it seems like a natural progression as when I was a kid I wanted to be Trixie Belden.

The most overestimated book of all time is… I really didn’t get all the fuss over The Da Vinci Code.

I hate it when a book… will feature a character who is supposed to be fluent in another language and to demonstrate this the author will drop in foreign words and/or sentences but the sentences contain major mistakes. Obviously I can’t tell this in all languages but I definitely pay attention when the author uses Spanish words. I have come across several books where the character is supposed to know Spanish and the author uses some Spanish phrases to add authenticity and yet there are mistakes. This definitely takes away from creating a credible character.

Now to tag five people. Kisane, Nancy, Matt, Andi and Les in NE you want to play along don’t you? Or if anyone else wants to play please join in!