Sunday, January 30, 2011

Sunday Salon-January's Accomplishments, February's Goals, and My Husband's Blog

I didn't have any specific reading goals for January- I designated it "free read" month, meaning I could read what I wanted without respect to review obligations or release dates- and I have to say it was pretty great. Having said that, I did read one 2011 release (The Fates Will Find Their Way, by Hannah Pittard) and one book I'd agreed to review (Hygiene and the Assassin, by Amelie Nothomb) but those were things I wanted to read anyway. I took the time to read a few more 2010 books like The Bells and Drinking at the Movies as well. Overall I'm very satisfied with the month.

February will be devoted entirely to reading 2011 releases, once I fulfill my pledge to read a Booker Prize winner at the start of the month, probably Moon Tiger. Today I'm reading Tinkers, which I'm enjoying, and finishing up a comics collection. I've been really behind on my graphic novel reading lately and need to change that!  I think I've given up, at least temporarily, on Wandering Stars. Just not for me, at least not right now. It's not going in my latest round of weeded books, so that's a good sign.

I'm taking a writing class at Grub Street in Boston, a well-respected writing studio that's produced many successful writers. I'm learning about the short story in an introductory fiction class, which I chose because I've been writing fairly regularly for several months but I don't think I really know what I'm doing! Although this class is focused on the short story, I'm hoping to learn some elements of craft that I can apply to my novel writing.

And I'll have lots of time to write since as of Tuesday I'm out of a job. My year-long contract with the Association of Jewish Libraries is up after tomorrow and I'm continuing to look for work. I've had a couple of unsuccessful interviews so far and doing my best to comb this very lousy job market for something. Problem is, I'm not really sure what I want. A bookstore, a library, something with books or publishing or social media. Anybody got any ideas? :)

My husband is blogging now too- he's serializing his own novel at The Matter of Dreams. It's a science fiction thriller about the dream world, government conspiracies and the power of love. Read it!

Have a great Sunday. More Sunday Salon here.

18 comments:

ImageNations said...

Great reading. Sometimes I envy the way you can decide to read all these new releases, if I want to I would have to wait for a year or two. lol. But then I know I would read a review from you.

I have also dabbled in the short story genre though without any proper learning except those I pick up from my readings. I am happy to hear you are writing consistently but also sad that you would be out of contract soon. The job market is as you described, Lousy.

I would pass through your husband's blog. It's always good when both of you are into reading.

Leora said...

"as of Tuesday I'm out of a job" - oh, dear. Good luck with it all.

I have more and more web work (I build and manage websites)... social media needs of companies seem to be growing. But that may not be what you really want to do.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with the job search. I hope you find something you love.

rhapsodyinbooks said...

How cool about your husband serializing his own novel. I will definitely stop over there. And I'm sure your skills won't go unused for long, no matter what the job market is like!

Trisha said...

Job searches are so stressful, especially now. Stay sane and good luck!

gautami tripathy said...

I am going to check your husbands' blog!

Here is my Sunday Salon post!

Booksnyc said...

Good luck with the job search - I know it must be trying right now!

And congrats on the writing class - good for you for pursuing something you really want to do!

Frances said...

Someone with your talents will quickly find a job. Or maybe the full-time author route is opening in front of you? And your husband too! Off to check out his work. Good luck, Marie!

Erin said...

Good luck with the job search! I hope you find something that fits you well :-)

I like how you set goals for particular months; I don't think I'm disciplined enough to do that myself, but I enjoy seeing what you decide on!

mrs peel said...

I hope you'll find the job of your dreams soon !
I wish I were as organized as you are in my readings! I'am always tempted and, one book leading to another, I'm most of the time far from the tentative list I had in mind !
What did you think about Amélie Nothomb's novel ? She is a very popular writer in France, and in the same time, very criticized ! No middle : people love her books or hate them! Usually, I love them (The hygiene and the Assassin is one of her books I didn't read though)/

Zibilee said...

Oh Marie, I am sorry to hear that you are out of work. I know it can be stressful trying to find a job in this market. I hope that something comes along soon that is a perfect fit for you. I am also going to be checking out and following your husband's blog, as I am very curious about this story! Have a great week, and try to stay as stress-free as possible!

Suzanne said...

Good luck with the job search.

I look forward to seeing your review of The Fates Will Find Their Way. Based on the reviews I've read so far, I think I'm in the minority who disliked it.

Rebecca Reid said...

yeay for "free reading" months! I decided to try for that every month this year. :)

Jeanne said...

I've been looking for work too, and today reviewed a book that helped me decide one career path is really not for me, although it was a very entertaining book about a prison librarian.

bookmagic said...

Sorry about your job but I bet you will find something you really love. taking writing classes sounds like fun.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I missed this post on Sunday, but wanted to congratulate you on your January. Hope you find a new job that you will enjoy.

Kathleen said...

Good luck with your job search! I think any job related to books would be a dream job for me!

Anonymous said...

good luck on the job hunt; wish I had some good ideas on leads for you.

started at the beginning of your husband's blog, enjoying it so far. thanks for sharing.

Enjoy your Writing class, I hope it will be helpful and fun. love short story.

~L