And my September reading continues to be choppy and unfulfilling. I spent last week desperately trying to finish a book I thought I’d love, but ended up getting sick of. Over the next few weeks, I need to get my hands around our new school/activity routines and how to fit in some good reading.
On a better note, I re-started physical therapy for my back/SI joints/abductor injury after aggravating it a bit unpacking boxes during our move. I tried a new-to-me therapy called dry needling that involves inserting a needle into my pain points and jigging it around to release the muscles. Sounds awful, but it’s doing wonders.
#Buildsarahsbookshelves Library Update
I’m putting together a very selective library for my new (but small) built-in bookshelves and am sharing each book I acquire on Instagram (follow me at sarahsbookshelves)! And, I’m trying to acquire all these new books at rock bottom prices.
So many new books are coming in every day now for the bookshelves! I’m now starting to think about how to organize the shelves and am sifting through all the advice I’ve received. The Havenly has a simple guide for “styling” your bookshelves (I kind of hate this term, but it’s apparently what interior designers use) that recommends arranging your books by color. I have a pretty awesome red pile coming together…
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I finished reading…
The Twelve-Mile Straight
Man. This book. I think I could’ve loved it, but it took me so long to read it that I just wanted to be finished by the end. More to come in a discussion post.
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I’m currently reading…
The Cuban Affair
I’m about 25% through DeMille’s latest novel about the Cuban Thaw, which also debuts a new main character (Mac McCormick). So far, McCormick is pretty similar to DeMille’s old main character (John Corey) and The Cuban Affair
Upcoming reading plans…
The Best Kind of People
I’ve already peeked at the first few pages of this novel about a well-liked prep school teacher who gets accused of “sexual impropriety” 
I was reading…
One Year Ago: I was reading one of the biggest hits of 2016, but it was kind of a slog for me.
Two Years Ago: I summed up my Labor Day vacation reading.
How was your reading week?
I have the Cuban Affair on my list too. I know what you mean about a book taking so long that all you want to do is get past it. I’m all about audios these days — it seems I have little time to sit and read but plenty of time to run errands, walk, clean, etc. with my earbuds in.
My bookshelves have no organization at all. I have to laugh at the idea of styling your books, but I bet it looks kind of cool.
Well – I never would have thought of styling before I met my friend the interior designer. Plus, I don’t actually own a lot of books b/c I read almost exclusively electronically. I actually had to buy books to put on the new shelves!
Glad you’re finding time for some good audio listening! I’m trying to balance my podcasts and audiobooks…and failing on the audiobook front.
Sorry to hear your Sept reading continues to be underwhelming! I hope something awesome comes along for you soon. I’ve found that several of my anticipated Fall reads aren’t drawing me in and I’ve already abandoned them pretty quickly, it could just be me being picky though:)
Ugh – that’s terrible news! I was hoping you had something good for me! I did add Castle in the WAter to my TBR, though.
oouch! The needle idea sounds like it would hurt, but I guess it forces your muscles to relax. I like your book ‘styling’ ideas. I hope you enjoy your fall reading.
I’m looking forward to your Twelve-Mile Straight discussion post. Like you, it took me forever and I don’t feel like that was really fair to the book, but still…much to talk about! Super curious about The Best Kind of People, so look forward to you vetting it.
The needle thing sounds a little scary, but when it comes to back, I say anything that works! Hope you find your routines this week and get some solid reading time.
Well, it gets briefly discussed in the context of a larger post. Coming tomorrow in this week of Debbie Downer posts from me!
I would love to style my shelves, but I have too many books and not enough creativity, I think! The rainbow style is so pretty, but it would be so hard for me to break up my author/genre organization!
I always thought I’d organize by some category like genre, but I do like the way this looks. And I weirdly don’t have a lot of books b/c I read 100% on my Kindle. So, I actually had to buy books to go on these shelves.
I’ve lingered over books because of other things going on in my life and do think it affects my enjoyment of them so I get what you mean about The Twelve-Mile Straight. You’ll get into a good routine soon.
Amen. I hope I’m not jinxing myself by putting this in writing, but I feel like we hit our stride this week. Things seem to be calming down.
Hi Sarah. I’ve been following your blog for awhile now and have gotten some good recommendations from you. I’m really curious about The Best Kind of People and am going to add it to my TBR. Good luck with your continuing therapies and building your home library.
Thank you and glad you left a comment! I’ll be starting Best Kind of People soon and I just heard it won some award. Fingers crossed it works out 🙂
Ooh, the idea of the needles freaks me out a bit…LOL. But whatever works. I have had back and neck problems for years, and tried a variety of things (including surgery). Even cortisone injections.
Hang in there!
I love those red books! Of course, The Handmaid’s Tale is a favorite…but my copy is an e-book. The Bill Clegg book, which I enjoyed, was an ARC…and I don’t hang onto them. (Unless they’re e-books).
Hope you enjoy The Best Kind of People.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
I considered cortisone shots, but know their effects are temporary, so am trying some other things that are more permanent before resorting to that.
All my ARCs are e-books…actually all my books are e-books. I actually had to buy books to go on my new shelves. A book blogger that has no books…interesting.
Your books are all new to me. I’m glad your treatment (which really creeped me out) is working is for you. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Pretty soon I’ll have to figure out how to sort and display our books once they come out of storage. A bunch of them will also be going to local schools. Come see what I’m reading
Exciting!! I definitely donated a ton of my old books during my move.
Dry needling sounds a bit too horror story to me, but I am very glad is working for you! Also, kudos to you for even trying it!
That is so disappointing about the Henderson book. Now, I am glad I don’t have a copy of it. I don’t need yet another book that becomes a slog.
At least the needles go in my back, so I can’t see them!
Slogs are definitely no-goes for me right now.
I swear I’m like the last person not on instagram – but I am going to have to click around to see your shelves! Sounds super fun. I’m now curious about the Best Kind of People but the topic also makes me worry – I am going to have to wait for your review!
This sounds like a full September for sure- the needling aside! I don’t keep my books- People think librarian should love to keep books…It is sort of like a baker who gets sort of sick of the donuts.I still love reading but the books I have read are done for me- Sacrilege or not, it saves space! The red and color theme as pure decoration is lovely though!
I hope the books your reading improves by the end of the month! I want to see your shelves, so I’m now following you on Instagram.
I’m sorry to ask what’s probably a dumb question, but where do you get your dry needling done? Is it your normal PT or do you go to an acupuncturist? I slept funny on my neck two nights ago, and the back of my neck and upper back really hurt and don’t respond to ibuprofen.
No problem! It’s part of my regular PT, but you have to have a specific prescription for it and not all therapists are certified in it. You have to find a PT that does it. I’m also on prescription anti-inflammatories, which you might want to try if the ibuprofen isn’t working.
Hi Sarah…I am reading Lies She Told that you recommended. Loving it. Hard to put down. thank you.
Glad you’re loving it, but I haven’t read it! You must be thinking of the Book of the Month Club post where I share what I know about each pick…but many times I haven’t read the book yet.
Glad to hear your new PT is helping! Your project to fill your bookshelves sounds like a ton of fun. Having more shelf space than books sounds like an awesome situation to find yourself in 🙂
Kind of weird for a book bloggers, but I kind of like the notion of adding to them over time.