Year-end reads

"Books are delightful society. If you go into a room and find it full of books---even without taking them from the shelves, they seem to speak to you, to bid you welcome." - William Ewart Gladstone

The past few weeks, I neglected to keep my blog updated. I tried to but somehow, I wasn't up to the task of writing another post. Ideas come to mind but I wasn't focused enough to sit down and write.

I've been reading a lot lately though. So I'm torn between taking the time off from reading in order to write. Anyway, enough of that. I'm sure you don't check out my blog just to read my tirade about not writing often.

If there's one thing that I never get tired and bored of doing over and over again, that is, reading. I know, I've  made mention of this before. I just love being on my own, in between the pages of a good book. I have this plan to list down all the books I read this year but I'm not sure if I'd ever get down to it. So allow me to share the latest books I've read so far....

Winter of the World ( Ken Follett )
Second installment from the Century trilogy. I enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed "Fall of  Giants". The 900+ pages didn't stop me from forging on ahead and read every page.

The Racketeer ( John Grisham )
John Grisham is one of my favorites. I read all his works, except for a book or two. I can't remember the titles though. But I always make it a point to read whatever new book he has written. "The Racketeer" is the latest and you're in for a thrilling read with this one.

The Zoo ( James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge )
This is the fourth book I've read from James Patterson. Usually it just took me a day or two, tops, to finish reading it. I always feel like I'm watching a movie when I read his books and gets me right in the zone of "can't put it down until I get to the last page".  "The Zoo" deals with the idea of animals running amok and attacking humans. It is scary. And the irony is, we are to be blame.

The Secret Keeper ( Kate Morton )
The latest one from Kate Morton. If you've read "The Forgotten Garden"; "The House at Riverton" or "The Distant Hours", then you know what to expect. Kate Morton has this talent of creating an intricate web of suspense that leave you wanting for more, by this I mean, staying up late at night to read one chapter and end  up reading two chapters more.

Anyway, there goes my year-end reads. I'll take a break for a few days before starting again at the start of 2013. And it will give me time to brush up on my writing too. Hopefully.

"You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend." - Paul Sweeney 

Older and thankful...

I turned 36 a few weeks ago. I can't say I feel any different than last year. Of course, it doesn't escape my attention that I'm a year older now. I always look forward to my birthday no matter what. The past year has been a mixture of happy times ( my birthday, for one, that is ) and not so happy times. It entailed a lot of changes in my life. Someone I know passed away. I learned to drive and got my driver's license. Had to look for another job and had to pack my stuff and move again. Despite all that, I have so much to be thankful for. I'm grateful for where I am right now, in my life.

I get to have my cake and eat it too while at the same time, holding on to my beer. And have coffee with Baileys on the side. I'm a happy camper. :-) [ Thanks to Rita.] 

 I realized that things happen for a reason, though most of the time, it's way beyond me. I learned that crappy times don't last long, in the same way, that happy times don't last forever. Still it pays to remember that, there's always that light at the end of the tunnel, only if I know how to look and have patience at the same time. It's a huge comfort to have those happy memories to look back to whenever I feel down.

Turning a year older is an accomplishment in itself. I can't stress this enough. And there's that feeling of being "extra special" even if  just for one day.

Enjoyed sparkling wine with my sister and cousin. ( And other stuff not shown. )

I'll look forward to what this year has in store for me. Hopefully, I still get to run from time to time and do new stuff. Who knows...