Books

I used to read a lot pre-kids. Until recently though I don't think I've read a novel in about 5 years. Sometimes I just don't have the patience for it. Sometimes there are just too many distractions around here for reading - I certainly can't sit down with the kids around and quietly read a book! And with little ones that for a while didn't sleep through the night, picking up a book often put me to sleep!

Somewhat ambitiously though, I bought Eat Pray Love to read on our overseas holiday. I thought I might get an opportunity to read on the plane - that didn't happen, but I did find other times to get through it while we were away. With nothing else "new" available to read when I was finished with that, I picked up Pride & Prejudice which I've had sitting around for years. I hadn't actually read this one before, but I am a great fan of the story and of course of the BBC mini-series. I'd tried to read the book many times in the past, but for some reason couldn't get a rythmn going with it so never got very far. Maybe it was being able to picture Colin Firth's Mr Darcy that helped this time?! Not sure, but I flew through it and then hit the Book Depository for more reading material.

And now that I'm riding the bus for nearly 2 hours each week, I've decided I can use that time to really pick the habit up again.


So far I've read all but one of the above books in the last 3 months. I'm currently on The Book Thief, which is turning out to be quite intriguing. It's a lot longer than the others so it might take me a while to get through with only 2 hours a week to devote to it! If you haven't read The Lovely Bones, then I recommend you do, but have your tissues handy! I couldn't put that one down.

I do try to read a bit at home these days too. Now that the kids are getting a bit older and less dependent on me, it's easier to feel less guilty about taking some time out for me. Although it can be a bit difficult trying to read with a 2yo climbing on and off your lap! There was even a lovely moment last weekend where L and I were both lying on the couch together and reading our respective books, undisturbed. Bliss.

I did get another book that I wanted for Christmas too. Not a novel:


Even the kids are interested in this one! I know a lot of this is on the Bakerella blog, but the book is so cute and I needed a suggestion for DH for a Christmas present. I probably wouldn't have gone and bought this for myself, so a perfect opportunity to get my hands on it!

And I treated myself to something knitted related too:


I thought it was about time I learned how to do this so I can avoid Second-Sock-Syndrome in the future. I'm yet to give it a try, but I'm planning a DIY Sock Club for this year with the sock yarn I've accummulated, so hopefully this book will help me plough through those less painfully and with 12 PAIRS of socks to show for it! My only disappointment with this book is that the socks pictured on the front don't appear in the patterns in the book.

Do you like to read? Do you have any recommendations for me?