All that time I spent reading over the holidays (while not writing), yielded some new recommendations.

1. Blind Submission, which I’ve already mentioned, was wonderful. Set in the publishing world with a heroine who loves books and seems to just know how to make them better, it has a little bit of everything: romance, intrigue, suspense, mystery. And through it all, there is witty repartee, snarky asides, and larger-than-life behavior. Side note: also interesting is the author’s website and the other books, all memoirs, that she has written.

2. Hex Marks the Spot. I haven’t read a cozy mystery is quite a while, but I was intrigued by this heroine who is apparently an empath (able to feel/experience what others are feeling). While I enjoyed the story, its quirky characters, and the hint of a bad-boy romance (which I assume will be developed more as the series continues), I was actually surprised that there wasn’t more focus on the heroine’s ‘gift’ as an empath. Still, a fun read!

3. The Wright 3, follow-up to International Bestseller Chasing Vermeer, which I greatly enjoyed. This second novel did not disappoint, and I have to admit to being fascinated by the apparent workings of the University of Chicago’s Laboratory Schools, where author Blue Balliet worked as a teacher, not to mention the carefully crafted mysteries for middle-graders.

I’m currently reading the forward in Exultation of Larks (quite long), and I have two books on hold at the library for those moments when I’m not writing (or otherwise occupied). They are Dangerous Admissions by Jane O’ Connor and There’s No Place Like Here by Cecelia Ahern, whom I love.

I’ve only made two resolutions:
1. Finish this book by School’s Out, and to do that
2. Write at least two hours every day. So…if I only have two hours on the computer, and I’m writing…the math requires that I don’t blog…or visit.

Which is all very sad. But I really need to pick up the pace here. Enough of this lolly-gagging. I have stories that need to be written. (See previous post).

So, to sum up, I’m writing and the blog must bear the brunt of the time constraints. But I’m still here, will visit when I can. Please be patient with me.

Your blogging friend,
Alyssa

I had a lovely lunch out with friends yesterday–the usual suspects in the group are three women with whom I have the common denominator of only boy children. Yesterday another friend came along–she’s the mother of two girls and a boy. It was me, a friend and her seven-month-old little boy, a friend and her three-month-old little boy, and the ‘mother of girls’. (My third friend, mother of boys, showed up a little late from a doctor’s appointment with her three-year old little boy.)

The first announcement came quickly. The mother of girls is pregant, due in August. I suddenly felt a little outnumbered. Then my friend showed up from the doctor. Turns out it was the obstetrician, and she’s pregnant too, due in August! So now I’m sitting there with two pregnant women, two babies, a toddler, and two new moms. The two new moms are focused on baby products, doctor visits, etc. The two expectant moms are comparing due dates and whatever else. I’m sitting there focused on my grilled chicken alfredo hoping none of it is contagious! Just wow!

This is even more interesting to me because almost a year and a half ago, I had a Girls’ Night Out and posted this:

I was shocked to discover that all three of them were considering having another baby. They all wanted to try for a girl (even though, of course, they would love a boy). I was the only hold-out. I figure I have enough to deal with two rowdy, rambunctious boys, and fate would probably deal me another, leading to deeper, more prevalent forehead wrinkles, and many more premature gray hairs. Oddly enough, all three of them told me that they felt sure, certain, that if I tried again, I’d have a girl.

Anyway, when I got home, I was telling my husband a bit about the evening (a discussion of elephants, pole-dancing, carbohydrates after 3pm…), and I mentioned how they all wanted to try for a another baby. I told him that sounded like a great idea for a book–four women get together for a GNO, three decide to try for another baby, and the fourth gets pregnant. I thought the friendship dynamic would be great. He says, “I don’t like this idea at all.” No creative vision, I tell you.

So, current count: all three went for it, two boys so far, third baby is unconfirmed.