Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

You probably all know this by now, but I started graduate school last week.  I am going to be pretty busy doing all the necessary reading and writing for school, so I just want you all to know that my blog might suffer a bit for it.  I'll keep posting a Poem of the Week, and I will always post reviews of the books I read outside of class (or, if it's interesting and long enough, a book from class).  I'll also try to do some fun stuff occasionally.  I will no longer recap my reading with a month-end review, as they will become too messy and full of academic excursions.  Also, I promise not to talk too much about my graduate program in this blog, as I want to keep it to the business of reading for pleasure.

Thanks everyone, and keep reading!

Apologies

Hey everyone!  Sorry that this blog has been so quiet in the last few weeks.  I am currently sans internet, and I haven't had much time to find places with wireless where I can easily post blog entires.  But, I am happy to report that things should start to return to normal by the end of the week.  Up first, a review of F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Short Autobiography.  So look forward to that geekfest!

Happy 2011!

Welcome to a new year, everyone. It's time for New Year Resolutions, and I have a few myself. On the personal front, I've got the usuals: losing weight, managing my money better, etc. On the literary front, I've got much more specific goals. 2010 was the year I realized the entertainment potential of genre books, but it wasn't a very intellectually-fulfilling year for reading overall. So in 2011, I want to tackle more classics. When I was a teenager, 80% of my reading time was dedicated to old, famous novels. I miss those books, so I hope to tackle at least one good one a month. To be super-specific, I want to read at least one Shakespeare play and one Faulker novel, as they are both writers I was exposed to too early in life and didn't understand or like at that time. I want to see if my opinions have changed as I've gotten older and wiser.

This isn't to say that I'm done with Trashy Reads or Neil Gaiman or teen books, of course. I plan to read a couple more Gaiman books in the coming months, and I have a very awesome pile of historical romances stacked on my desk. I hope to continue supplying this blog with reviews of books from all kinds of genres. It's what makes my life (and hopefully yours) interesting.

What about you guys? Do you have any books on your to-read list that you absolutely are determined to get to this year?

Some Notes

Hey, everyone. Other than posting reviews and poems, I feel like I've been pretty out of touch with this blog. So I thought I'd send a few notes your way to reassure you that I am getting this thing under control again.

• I promise to get some more fun content back on here. I've been missing my lists, occasional passages, and random thoughts as much as I hope you have. I'm also going to do more open letters to writers, both dead and living. Since I've changed jobs, I've slacked off in the fun department, so I hope to return to more exciting posts soon.

• Next week is Fitzgerald's Birthday. Like last year, I'll be celebrating with a week-long look at all things Fitzgerald. Also, I'm tackling an enormous Fitz biography which might take me awhile to finish.

• Finally, look at this website! http://www.lettersofnote.com/ It's a blog of random letters from various people at various times. A new letter is posted every weekday, and it is awesome. I'm particularly obsessed with the literary heavyweight's letters, although I am also a fan of this sweet letter by actor/nerd Wil Wheaton. Enjoy!

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions about things I should add to this blog, I am always happy to hear them. Post in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

Congrats, Dana and Matthew!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to post a quick note letting you know I won't be posting anything for the next four or five days. So there won't be a new Poem of the Week on Sunday or any new reviews. I'll be out of state, but I have a pile of some very exciting books coming with me, so expect an onslaught of reviews later next week.

I'll be going to Alabama for the wedding of one of this blog's most loyal followers. I know it's going to be an awesome time. So enjoy your weekend, everyone, and congratulations to Dana and Matthew!

Apologies All Around

Sorry I have been updating so infrequently. Unfortunately, it's not going to get better for another week. I am in the middle of changing jobs (I'm starting work at a library next week - huzzah!) and visiting friends in various places, so I haven't had much time to read or blog. But I promise after I get settled in a week or two, things will be back to normal pace.

Also, since I am out of town this weekend, there won't be a Poem of the Week on Sunday. Sorry.