Sunday, August 1, 2010

Sunday Salon - Why Do I Get Up So Early on Sundays?


I wish I knew. Actually I do- it's so I get my workout in early and can spend the rest of the day doing as little as possible. But sometimes it would be nice to sleep in!

This past week has been busy and fun. I missed Ilie Ruby's reading in Brookline on Monday (I have her book, The Language of Trees, to review, and she's a local writer) but I did get to the Harvard Book Store's Fall Winedown event on Thursday. Fun! This event was a preview of fall titles presented by sales representatives from Random House and Harper Collins, and what a great presentation. All but one of the books were new to me, and considering how many fall galleys I brought home from BEA I was impressed! Some of the highlights:
  • Must You Go, by Antonia Fraser, a memoir of her life with Harold Pinter,
  • C, by Tom McCarthy, a novel which has been longlisted for the 2010 Booker Prize,
  • First Family: Abigail and John Adams, by Joseph J. Ellis,
  • Laura Hillenbrand's new book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption,
  • The Bells, by Richard Harvell, a novel about a castrato singer, which Random House rep Michael Kindness raved about,
  • and At Home: A Short History of Private Life, by the wonderful Bill Bryson.
The reps did some fun giveaways including books but also things like CDs and other themed items. We also learned about the amazing series of readings and events that Harvard Book Store has lined up: David Sedaris, Salman Rushdie, Paul Auster, Tony Blair in conversation with Tina Brown, and more. It's going to be a busy season!

Today? Today I'm going to continue reading Gary Shteyngart's new novel, Super Sad True Love Story, and Avi Steinberg's awesome memoir Running the Books. I have to check my list of to-reads but I think after the Shteyngart I'm going to take a break from current releases and read a couple of short novels and older things. But I'm going to be a while on the Shteyngart! It's a fun book but after The Frozen Rabbi I'm looking forward to something less affected. What are you reading today?

I hope you have a great Sunday. More Sunday Salon here.

15 comments:

Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chick said...

I'm reading Tapestry of Love and The House of Mirth. Both very good and quiet books. Sometimes I need that every now and again!

nomadreader said...

I'm really looking forward to C, which I hope to read soon as part of my longlist reading. I plan to get to Super Sad True Love Story in September. I'll look forward to your review!

Tasha said...

I'm curious about Super Sad True Love Story, so I'll be checking back for your post on it.

Unknown said...

I am reading something different. The Castaways, A chick-Lit kind of novel. After reading a depressing book I need something upbeat. Have a great Sunday. it has been awhile that I have a Sunday off. It feels great.

bermudaonion said...

The Winedown sounds like so much fun! Thanks for sharing the highlights with us.

Trisha said...

After reading this post, all I can focus on is that you get up early to work out! I really need to start that. :)

Alexia561 said...

I'd love to sleep in on Sundays, but then I probably wouldn't get anything done. *sigh*

Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) said...

I actually like getting up early on Sundays. Boyfriend sleeps in, so I have a couple of hours of uninterrupted time where I really can't be expected to be anywhere else.

Harvee said...

I like the title of the book, the Language of Trees. Must look it up. Here's what I'll be doing this month: My Sunday Salon.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I was supposed to get a copy of The Language of Trees, but it hasn't arrived yet.

You have a lot of fun activities going on there...and I have the same problem of not being able to sleep late on Sunday.

Here's my Salon:

http://laurel-rainsnowsaccidentallife.blogspot.com/2010/08/sunday-salon-august-1.html

Frances said...

Coveting your new Bryson and Super Sad True Love Story but not your early rising habit. :) Fantastic fall events coming up too! Would especially like to hear Auster read.

Just picked up Mrs. Tim of the Regiment, the last title I have to read in the first set of Bloomsbury Group re-issues. Happy reading!

Zibilee said...

Oh wow! If you get the chance to see Sedaris I highly recommend it! All these special events sound so cool! I hope you enjoy the new Shteyngart, and that you have a great week!

Care said...

Just finished Fingersmith and now on to Zeitoun by Dave Eggers.
:)

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

Oh that sounds like so much fun!

Anonymous said...

My favorite thing about Sunday (and Saturday too!) is sleeping in. Even better would be grabbing a coffe once I wake up and snuggling back in bed with a good book.