Jennifer Crusie's Blog, page 117

This is a Good Book Thursday, August 20, 2020

This week I tried a lot of new books and read several that I won’t read again. They were good enough to read once, not to revisit; the worlds and characters just didn’t draw me back. Still not sure why some books do that (I have many theories, of course) since the genres are so different. Must just be good writing and great world building (Rivers of London, Murderbot, the Ivy Years, Kissing Ezra Holtz, Red White and Royal Blue, the Campion mysteries, etc.).

What did you read this week?

Working Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Today I am clearing out the living room and measuring for the white board I have been lusting after for months. Stop lusting, start doing, Jenny.

What did you do this week?

Labyrinthitis, the Sequel

So I woke up this morning with labyrinthitis. Again. The good news is that (a) we’ve been here before so I didn’t panic and call 911 and (b) it’s a much milder case. But there was a point as I was throwing up that I thought, “What the fuck, universe, what did I ever do to you?” Because this has not been a good month. Well, except for Kamala Harris, that was good. And the weather has been beautiful. But Milton is still gone, which seems impossible, and my e-mail is still downloading about a hundred e-mails a day that I did not ask for (just got one from Woodsmith Magazine as I typed this) and now I’m dizzy and nauseated and supposed to stay away from screens. My life is screens. Come on, universe, cut me a break here.

On the other hand, there’s always a bright side.

Most of the stuff that’s downloading into my inbox is crap, some of it in languages I can’t understand and alphabets I can’t recognize, but there’s some interesting stuff in there, too. Since I check each one before I delete it to make sure it’s not from a financial institution (latest e-mail: New Braunfels Smokehouse) I look at each one and I’ve learned some very interesting things. (Kitchen Stuff Plus just welcomed me to their list.). Mostly that the number of subscriptions out there is astounding, most of them nothing I ever want to see again. But it’s not porn or viagra (thank god for spam filters) and aside from Etsy, nothing seems to be compromised (fingers crossed and don’t you dare, universe). (Bobbi Brown Canada welcomes me to their list.)

And my friends are a constant blessing. My delightful BFF and fellow writer Patricia Gaffney just had a garage sale (in a pandemic, go figure) and sent me this:

“no one at our yard sale yesterday bought the object I am about to send you. It’s too precious for Goodwill. No one deserves it as much as you.

You’re welcome.

”

She did not send a picture or otherwise identify the object. Considering the things I have loaded her down with over the years, probably the worst being an almost life-size animatronic pony, I am, as I wrote back, very afraid. (Books-a-Million wants me to claim my 15% off.). But I am also intrigued and it’s good to have something to look forward to besides more unwanted e-mails (Brainwave Shots just arrived) and wanting to barf every time I stand up. (Missy Empire is now in my inbox.)

There’s a lovely gentle rain falling outside, and I have two girl dogs snoozing calmly beside me, and since I’m lying down, the room is not spinning, so I’m going to count all of this as a win. Nothing but good times ahead. September is my favorite month of the year, I’m sure it’s going to be all good things.

Positive.

My glass may have a crack in it, but it’s still half full, damn it. (Natchez Shooters? Really?)

Happiness is Wherever You Can Find It

Good books. Balmy weather. Great friends.

Where did you find happiness this week?

Admin Alert: My E-mail was hacked

If you get an e-mail from me, don’t open it. I have no idea what’s going on, but it’s not good.

They even hacked my Etsy account, which strikes me as insane, but then hackers, what are you gonna do?

In the meantime, I’m getting hundreds of “Thanks for signing up e-mails” from all over the world, making me look much more cosmopolitan than I am.

It’s just not my month. But then I don’t think it’s anybody’s month. Hope all of you are doing great, sorry to be such a lousy hostess. I’m SURE things will get better. Nothing but good times ahead . . . eventually.

HWSWA: Subplots

New post on HWSWA: Subplots.

Trying to be more specific this time, Jinx! Thank you for the head’s up.

This is a Good Book Thursday, August 13, 2020

Have you ever noticed how there’s usually at least one book by a favorite author that you don’t like? It’s not the writing because, obviously, same author. I figure it’s because those books don’t have the right white space for you to move into, there’s something about them that makes you step back and refuse to engage so the book lands with a thud. I’ve been doing a lot of rereading of authors I really like and there’s always at least one that I get halfway through and think, “What the hell?” and start to skim and finally skip to the end. It doesn’t put me off the author, but it does make me more careful before I dive in.

Or maybe that’s just me.

What did you read this week?

Working Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Today I’m going to get organized, and other lies I tell myself.

What did you do this week?

Happiness Sunday: Not As Easy As It Looks

It’s another beautiful day here, and I’m spending it with two dogs who are THRILLED to be outside . . . lying in the grass. Simple pleasures.

What made you happy this week?

Saturday Stuff

First, thank you all for the kind words about Milton yesterday. I still can’t believe he’s gone, and you were all a great comfort in remembering him.

And then of course the new HWSWA is up, this time on Escalation and Expectation.

Thank you all for being part of Argh.