198. Four Bonus Months of Newbery Reading!

Yesterday, I read a comment on Heavy Medal blog that when the commenter was on the Newbery committee, they didn’t read many Advance Reader Copies except a few they picked up at ALA Midwinter Meeting.

Normally, I don’t have any ARCs for a given publishing year until Midwinter Meeting myself. Next year’s Midwinter Meeting is in February.

Last week, our youth materials selector sent me an entire box of 2018 children’s book ARCs. (Sent to the library to consider purchasing.) So she is granting me FOUR BONUS MONTHS of Newbery reading! (Btw, anything nominated by myself or another committee member, I will read the finished copy as well. But this gives me a headstart.)

Since I’ve been super eager to start reading since April – this is such a gift!

I’m not going to mention any titles or any opinions. But I am SO EXCITED to be reading for the Newbery!

195. Newbery Committee!

Have I mentioned lately how happy I am to be on the 2019 Newbery committee?!

I was telling a new co-worker my story last week, including my difficult divorce – but I was able to lead into “And now I’m on the Newbery committee!” That would have never happened if I hadn’t gotten divorced – I was happy to work part-time without an MLS as long as I could afford to do that.

So now my story has such an exciting outcome, it’s just really hard to be angry about it.

And our Youth Services Selector says she has some 2018 Advance Reader Copies to send my way… so I can get started reading! Woo-hoo! I’m so excited about this…

194. Hiking

I do love going hiking. My kids know that, and agreed to go hiking with me, but I don’t know if they know that part of the reason I love to go hiking is that when I was a kid, the only time I got to do it was when we were on vacation going to Oregon. And often we would go to Silver Falls State Park to do it.

Growing up in the Los Angeles area, the idea that I can walk out of my house and walk in the woods still blows me away.

But it was extra nice to hike at Silver Falls State Park on this vacation. And I really believe that I remember South Falls – and going behind the falls – from a much shorter perspective.

Anyway, it was a lovely day for walking in the woods with my kids. And they didn’t even complain when we got caught in a rainstorm at the end!

182. Rest

I just finished a week of working six days in a row, with a program every day, including some new, challenging programs. This was my own fault. I set up the schedule. But I was TIRED.

So today, right after lunch, I took a nap and fell right asleep for two hours.

And now I feel rested! And it feels wonderful!

I’ve still got a tough week ahead. But at least it will only last four days long, and at least I’m starting out rested.

179. Solitude

I actually think that I will get married again some day. I may be deluded, but that’s what I think will happen.

In the meantime, what a gift it is to have time to myself in my beautiful home. Soon, I’ll be reading for the Newbery committee, but in the meantime, I can go for leisurely walks, spend time reading, and try to catch up on posting book reviews.

And play my music loud.

174. Sky Meadows State Park

I checked out one of the Nature Backpacks from Fairfax County Public Library – which included a free pass to any Virginia State Park.

The two closest state parks are Sky Meadows and Mason Neck. I checked weather, and Sky Meadows was 5 degrees cooler today. Unfortunately, I failed to realize that at Mason Neck, I probably wouldn’t have hiked up a mountainside in direct sunlight. But anyway, I had a lovely time, got a major workout, did not get heatstroke, and lost a lot of weight in the form of sweat!

But – it was a beautiful time! I hope to return – in Autumn or Spring or maybe even Winter.

170. Movie with a Friend

My friend invited me to see a 20th anniversary showing of The Fifth Element last night.

It was just tremendously fun!

My family had the DVD, and I know I’ve seen most of it. But I don’t think I ever sat down and watched the whole thing from start to finish – and you really need to in order to know what’s going on!

Anyway, it was just a fun evening, on a Sunday when we didn’t have our usual gaming. And I’d already gotten a call from my son.