Some February Things

In case you missed me just a little, I'm still here.  February is not going as well as January did, as far as reading goes.  I've read a few things and I have several books partly read.  One of the books I read  was the latest Bill Bryson book, The Road to Little Dribbling.  I'm pretty sure there's no 'Little Dribbling' in Great Britain, but wouldn't you like to live in Mousehole (pronounced 'mowzel')?

Some reviewers have complained that this isn't a particularly funny book, as many of his have been.  I think that's true, but I think I know why.  Bryson and I are the same age and grew up with similar values.  Today's world tries us severely.  We both mourn the death of community, as well as individualism.  That sounds like a contradiction, but it isn't.

It makes us sad to see beautiful buildings and landscapes ruined in the name of progress.  We shake our heads at the inefficiency and insanity that seems to rule today.  Don't get me started!!  He can summon up some humor every now and then, but I have to admit that this book left me feeling even more depressed than I usually am.

In February, I also read a work of historical romance.  Okay, it was an out and out bodice ripper, called, get this, The Rogue Not Taken.  I haven't read one of those since I was a teenager.  I think I can wait a few more decades before reading another, although it was a fast and sort of fun read.

I also read A Faint Cold Fear by Karin Slaughter.  I thought I was really enjoying it, but by the end, I was tired of the characters and a little confused by the outcome.  I'm not sure I know who the murderer was.  Or were there two murderers.  I can be a trifle dense.

I mailed off our tax info to the nice man who does our taxes and I sent off two e-mails about an ongoing issue in my neighborhood.  Now the balls are in other people's courts and I can, I hope, settle into reading again.

I hope you're having a good February.  Goodness, it's half over already!