The Sunday Salon - The Return

I have made very little reading progress this past week. This fills me with with a combination of feelings as frustration and acceptance mingle. I have to remind myself it is okay to take break from reading once in a while. Having a new phone to distract me isn't helping matters. But really I have been reading, just not finishing any books.

I did finally finish a book last night. I loved the first book in The 13th Reality series. I don't know why it took me so long to get that last 100 pages done, but I felt relieved to have the book done. I hadn't finished a book in almost a week.

I am also working on the audio of Scott Westerfeld's So Yesterday. I decided to read this book after finding out it was of particular influence in Cory Doctorow's Little Brother. There is definite style similarities between those two novels. Westerfeld has this masterful way of pausing the story to expand on a moment with factoids. It is part of what I enjoy the most in his writing. Doctorow explored the same concept but not as effectively. Instead of being this awesome nerdy quirk Doctorow manages to sound didactic. It was really interesting to read these books relatively close together.

Biblio File is having a blogging birthday bash where she encouraged her readers to take 5 hours out of their weekend and read something they had a deep desire to read. This was hard for me because I have this running list of books I want to read by the end of the year; as soon as a book gets on the list a certain amount of obligation goes along with it. It was recommended that we read in our favorite spot. What is your favorite spot to read? I really like reading laying down, particularly in bed. I prop up about 5 pillows and flip on my reading lamp. I grabbed Cherry Heaven, a book I have been eager to read yet constantly find excuses to push aside. This book is the companion novel to the spectacular Diary of Pelly D. Per her instructions I also curled up with my blanket and a steaming cup of coffee. What a great gift she gave all of us.

I have also read a short list of particularly interesting articles and posts.

Facebook Promotes Literacy
E-Readers Just a Fad
Gainman reading The Graveyard Book on tour
Should YA be taught in classrooms?

Have you read any great post or articles? Or maybe you wrote one? Leave a link on the comments.