Saturday, January 16, 2010

The $28.49 vacation

I'm sure you've had days when you've wished for just a quick one-day away. A quick no-muss, no fuss, no travel, no plans vacation.

For me, that was today. Yesterday was exhausting, tomorrow I need to prep for the busy week ahead.

It was a lovely day out, sunny and cold but not windy. I thought about biking to Coney Island because Coney Island in January is nice. The boardwalk is close to empty, the ocean is calming as always.

I thought about going to the Met and getting lost in the Greek statues.

I thought about cleaning (but not for very long!)

What I ended up doing was staying home, conquering the couch and reading the first four Sookie Stackhouse books. Of course I've known about them for a long time. I'd read other books by Charlaine Harris, and I knew the Sookie books were very popular. I just hadn't actually read any.

And of course I fell in love: Sookie's voice is charming and she's the kind of character you'd want to spend time with. The plot sucks you in from the start and never lets go. They're fast paced without ever veering out of control. It's like being driven at breakneck speed by a skilled race car driver.

I gotta tell you, it was the best $28.49 vacation I've ever had. I've always been a Charlaine fan, now I'm a Sookie fan as well.

Here's the link to her site in case you are the only reader left in America who doesn't know Charlaine Harris.

Refreshed, I am now off to crush hopes and dreams!

11 comments:

Laurel said...

Ah. Sookie Stackhouse. Now you are one of us, one of us.

I "found" them about nine months ago and could not believe I had gone so long in ignorance. What fun!

Unknown said...

Ooh, you might have been crushing my dreams! I'd better go check the inbox. ;)

I've had the Sookie books on my stack to read for quite awhile as well. To be honest, I'd forgotten about them until now. Glad you mentioned it. :)

Anonymous said...

I took a reading vacation yesterday, too. And I feel revitalized today!

Becky said...

I love the Sookie Stackhouse books - I was addicted in minutes :D

Anonymous said...

4 books in a day?

Anonymous said...
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mallard said...

At the risk of sounding anti-reading (which I am not), isn't that kind of a busman's holiday? On second thought, I guess not. You're more used to slushier material and bloody chum.

Still, should you feel the need for a mini-vacation next week I recommend the Tim Burton exhibit at MOMA. As inadequate as this word is, I'm still going to describe it as neat.

Alternatively you can get into a move before noon at the AMC near Lincoln Square for only $6. Then you can get hotdogs at Grey's Papaya for lunch and a hot chocolate at Jacques Torres. A long walk in the park afterwards to alleviate the guilt of indulgence and I promise you still won't be ready to go back to work.

Ronda Laveen said...

Well, if you ever need a massage vacation, give me a hit.

Anonymous said...

That's exactly how I felt when I read them! I actually enjoy discovering a series "late," because then there are (hopefully) several books, and the "vacation" lasts longer :-).

Venus Vaughn said...

Oooh, congrats on discovering the charm and joy that is Sookie. I love her plain-speakin', vampire lovin' & hatin' ways.

I try to space out my series reading, so I'm only on number 8 (From Dead to Worse) even though I started reading her in late '08.

Here's to more staycations that cost less than $30.

Kate said...

Venus is right. Pacing oneself is essential. Otherwise you find yourself without more Sookie books to read and this is bad.

I have been rationing them. Started reading about a year and a half ago and am now on book five (Dead as a Doornail).