When you read that title, make sure you have the Black Sheep song and the image of the Kia hamsters running through your mind, ’cause it’s certainly running on a continuous loop in mine. In fact, we’ve watched the commercial so much on YouTube that it pops up as one of my most frequently viewed pages when I open Google Chrome.
Not very bookish, I know, but it cracks me up every time. Maybe I should’ve just titled this post “Word.” It fits both the video and it’s bookish.
Okay, moving on.
Yesterday I got together with Danielle (from There’s a Book) for lunch. We spent almost two hours talking about all things bloggy, and after the craziness of summer is over, we’ll be making it a monthly event. You all are welcome to join us, of course. 
But you’d have to find your way to SLO. We’re hoping our other local, Gwen of Chew & Digest Books, will join us…it’s too bad she was out of town this time. I’m so excited to have a local gang! Now if only we had a local indie bookstore.
This week’s reading consisted mostly of Purge (unfortunate title, as it’s not about what one might initially think). Purge is set in Estonia, and I was pretty much confused the whole time as I don’t know much of anything about Estonian history and there wasn’t much detail provided. Now I’m reading The Tricking of Freya, which is awesome in its detail of Icelandic culture and history.
Speaking of world culture, I’m having a bit of a crisis regarding my own reading challenge, the World Party Reading Challenge. I seem to have lost interest. With all of it…the commenting (bad Softdrink!), writing the posts, and reading the books. How bad of a person am I if I cancel the challenge? And it’s not just my own challenge. I finished the Women Unbound Challenge, but I seem to have fizzled on the others. And I know the year is far from over, but I think reading challenges are the thing that pushes my brain into “life is too chaotic and I can’t keep track of everything” mode. Trust me, it doesn’t take much.
Even though I’m no longer excited by the challenge, I am excited by my next read-along…The Brothers Karamazov! Look for the details on that puppy soon…we’ll be starting the read-along on July 10th. We won’t be posting weekly this time…more like every 3 weeks. You should think about joining us (this one is the brainchild of Trish, so blame her for the choice!)!
And that about wraps up my Sunday Salon. I have no plans for today, other than write a few more posts and finish The Tricking of Freya. And then I think I’ll go stare at the bookshelves and contemplate what I want to read next.
I obviously don’t watch enough TV – that commercial was totally new to me. You’re so lucky to have a local gang! I want one, too!
Yay! I’m so so excited to have a monthly meet-up! It’s going to be fabulous! I meant to email you and tell you thank you again, for the book and lunch! I always love getting together and the book/bag was an added perk, so thank you!
OMG…I LOVE that commercial! Ever since you sent it to me on twitter I’ve been playing it for the kiddos all the time and they love it too. SO so funny!
Good luck picking your next book! I’m sure you have plenty of great ones to pick from now!
The1stdaughter´s last [type] ..A Bit of Me(Me) – Animals?
*pouts* I want a monthly meet-up! Though I did recently discover another book blogger lives in town when we joined the same book club. How’s that for a small world?
Sorry to hear that about Purge I was kind of looking forward to it. Enjoy contemplating what you want to read next!
Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last [type] ..Faith and Fiction Saturday: Apocalyptic Fiction
Why don’t you and the local gang OPEN a local indie bookstore?!!! Oh and be sure to serve coffee and cookies….
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..June 19, 2010 – Juneteenth Day
I hope I like The Tricking of Freya as much as everyone else seems to! It’s a bit out of my comfort zone.
I’ve found that I get really bored of hosting or following any sort of challenge for longer than a quarter. That goes for goals, too. It seems quarterly is a good way for me to set upu my stuff. I might just do that in the future…
I need to read The Brothers Karamazov but I am so bad about following through with read-a-longs.
That’s okay if you cancel a challenge. I did it last year. No one was maintaining that particular challenge so I was like, why bother. But if you don’t mind another Estonian novel, I do recommend Mati Unt’s Things in the Night. It comes with a handy introduction so you know what’s going on.
I also have no plans today either except read a bit.
EL Fay´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon
I love it when I don’t have anything particular lined up to read next, and I can go and gaze at my bookshelf. I read a lot of library books, and I sometimes forget that I actually own a bunch of wonderful books too!
Jenny´s last [type] ..Diana Wynne Jones Week: 1 August – 7 August 2010
Okay, I hadn’t seen that commercial and that just cracked me up, LOL. Too funny!
You and Trish are going to tackle TBK???? Wow, you ARE brave!
And no, it wouldn’t be horrid of you to cancel your own challenge….these things are supposed to be fun, not a chore. One of my challenges this year was cancelled and I totally understood….sometimes life just gets in the way. Anyone who doesn’t understand that can just get over it, LOL.
Michele@ A Reader’s Respite´s last [type] ..In which we concede a point….
I may drop a couple of challenges that I am just not into right now. It is perfectly okay! I’m am envious of your local meet-up, sounds like great fun! Have a great week, Jill.
Jill, it’s up to you if you decide to cancel this challenge. I just posted a review last night for June’s book, but I wouldn’t feel the world had ended if I didn’t continue the challenge; as you probably know I’m not much of a challenge person anyway
! And it was something I went along with only because I like those type of books (multi-cultural) anyway.
Lucky you having a book blogger posse in your area! The only other book blogger I know in my area is Eva, and we *still* haven’t met — things seem to come up.
forget coffee and cookies at that blogger-run-indie-bookstore … wine and cheese bar, please!
I’m struggling with challenges, too. I’ve been blaming my lack of focus on the kids’ hectic schedules this last month of school. Tomorrow is the last day, then I’ll have no excuses.
And, are you joining my TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD readalong next month?!?
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..Mark your calendars for Book Blogger Appreciation Week!
Okay, the minute I read the title in GR I started singing that song. I almost died when I read that you really were referring to it! Great minds and all that.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon: The Awards Pages
I’ve never seen that commercial before. Oh my goodness. It’s like Alvin and the Chipmunks suddenly became rapping city kids, except better.
I have never seen that commercial but now you have transported it into my head…. I may be practicing their hip dance moves too….. maybe…
Cool about connecting with local bloggers. I want to do that!
Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last [type] ..It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
your get together with others in the area sounds like a great thing. wish i lived close by
diane´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday
My daughter thinks that commercial is so darn funny.
Good luck with your read-along. I tried Brothers Karamazov in high school and it was…difficult.
Ti´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon: Beach Day!
So cool that you have a little group of bloggers that is local to you!! I am also thinking about joining the challenge. The Brothers Karamazov has been sitting quite neglected on my shelf for a long time. It would be great to get to read and discuss it!! Have a great week!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Girl In Translation by Jean Kwok – 304 pgs
Pointing that finger at ME??
Ok, I guess I’ll take the blame.
Honestly, I’d like to cancel my two challenges. I have no interest in them anymore and I think my lack of interest has trickled to the participants. I feel awful about it but I just can’t wait until October when they’re over! My mom asked me last night about the 100 Mile Fitness and all I could give her is an “eh.” Are you guys carrying that on or is it fizzling. Again, I hate to say I just don’t care, but…
I AM excited about Brothers K, though! Hurrah!
Trish´s last [type] ..Remember When? Before Cell Phones