"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2



Friday, August 19, 2011

What Kind Of Reading Mood Are You In?

This week, I’ve been off of work. The strangest thing happened. I drove down to Indianapolis to pick up my son and when I got out of the car, I couldn’t straighten up. My lower back was killing me. I'd been having back pain for a few weeks, but this was different. I thought for sure something was out of place.
When I got home, I tried to do a few laps around a nearby track, hoping it would straighten me out. No luck. I went about 25 steps and had to go back to the car. Monday morning, I went to the doctor. He diagnosed me with severe back strain.
“Severe back strain? I haven’t lifted anything heavy in the past few days.”
I guess when I first started to feel the twinge a few weeks back, that’s when it happened.
“Well let’s see…what did I do a few weeks back? Work?”

Wow. Apparently I did something at work (I do lift things there) and the strain just got worse because I didn’t take care of it. Who knew? If you feel a constant twinge of pain in your back, do yourself a favor and baby it!
So, the doctor gave me a shot to relax the spasms, two prescriptions, and a week off of work. The first two days were strict bed rest only. Being confined to the bed is not for me. I’m just a grumpy patient. Anyway, I'm feeling much better and will return to work after the weekend.
There were a few positives to this back strain ~ having the time off of work is nice, especially since my son will be leaving for college this Tuesday. 
I'm nearing the end of the final read through of my book. Yay! It’s going quicker than expected.
I also joined Goodreads. I’ve only been on a few times. I’m just getting the hang of it – feeling my way around.

So much to do online when confined to bed!
I also ordered three books from Amazon:
The Doctor’s Lady by Jody Hedlund     
The Colonel’s Lady by Laura Frantz  
Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott    
I’m looking forward to reading these books. I think by the picks, you can tell what kind of reading mood I’m in. The order should arrive by Tuesday. The books all sound like winners. I just don’t know which one to read first!
What are you reading? What kind of reading mood are you in at the end of this summer? Anyone else on Goodreads? Can you give me some pointers on using it? I would love it.
Between you, me and the gatepost,
Loree

I hope everyone got a chance to stargaze last week. One night we counted 11 meteors.


29 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey sweets...Sorry about your back!! Hope you feel better :) As far as my reading mood? I read anything and everything. Though I LOVE fantasy of (almost) any kind, I'll read whatever looks good. I recently picked up The Time Traveler's Wife and plan on beginning it this weekend. I know I'm behind on the times, but hey...so many books, so little time. And yes! Goodreads is fun...pretty much because I love seeing how many books I have ;) I don't get much into the groups, though I should, because I think that's the purpose, LOL, but I love registering for giveaways and reading reviews of books on my TBR list. Find me!

Loree Huebner said...

Charissa: The Time Travler's Wife is good. Much better than the movie!

Thanks for the talk on Goodreads.

Keli Gwyn said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your back troubles, Loree. My hubby has tweaked his a number of times, and I can tell from watching him that it's quite painful. I hope your recovery is going well.

What a great list of books to read. I've savored two of them and look forward to reading the third. All three authors do a fabulous job of storytelling. They're some of my faves. (Yes, Jody is my CP, so I'm biased, but her book is great. I'm reading it for the third time--in print form--and I'm loving it all over again.)

Jess said...

Sorry to hear about the back strain! Hope you feel better soon :) As for my reading mood, I'm kind of in a middle grade fantasy kick right now. Have a great weekend!

Deana said...

Wow, I hope your back gets to feeling better, but at least you have time to read! Sometimes I just wish I could lay in bed for some reason:)

As for my reading mood, I wish I had one. I haven't had time to read much lately and it is making me grumpy. i'd better get to it!

Jessica R. Patch said...

Love goodreads. I can keep up with what I want to read and what I've already read, as well as leave reviews and make new friends!

I'm reading the Edge of Grace by Christa Allan right now. Fabulous book. I've heard all sorts of wonderful things about The Colonel's Lady. It's in my goodreads TBR pile!

Loree Huebner said...

Keli: Thanks, I'm doing much better today. Amazing what a little rest can do!
I can't wait to read Jody's book too. I loved The Preacher's Bride...and I loved your Friday Flashback blog post on penny candy...such great memories.

Jess: Thanks for the well wishes. It's getting better, day by day. You have a great weekend too! Enjoy your MG fantasy kick!

Deana: Welcome here! Thank you also for the get well wishes. I hope you get your reading mood back soon.

Thank you all for stopping by!
Enjoy the weekend.

Loree Huebner said...

Jessica: The Edge of Grace sounds great. I'll check it out. Thanks for your opinion on Goodreads. I'm liking it too.
Thanks for coming by today.

Laura Frantz said...

Loree, Hope this finds you much better and enjoying whatever blessings Friday holds for you! It means so much that you'd take time for TCL. I've read Rosslyn's book and really enjoyed it. Her historical tie to a real place and real people made it even more interesting. I'm looking forward to TDL by Jody, too, as I've always been fascinated by the Oregon trail and the Whitman history. You and others have mentioned some other books I need to take a closer look at, too. That's the fun of blog hopping! Endless inspiration:)

J.L. Campbell said...

Glad to hear your back in on the mend. I have a chronic back condition that flares up sometimes. You're right, it just gets worse after I feel the first twinge and decide to ignore it.

I'm on Goodreads too. I think I go by my own name. I'll friend you if I go on there before you do.

Didn't realize meteors are so common. I've never seen one.

LoRee Peery said...

Hi Loree, do I know back issues. I blew a disk in the early 80s that
"healed" and then acted up in 1993. I lived with chronic pain until fusion in 2004. That gave me a new lease on life.
I'm almost finished reading The Help, and suggest that anyone with a heart read it. I either laugh, or cry, there isn't much in between.

Mark said...

Glad I came across your blog:) I'm big into American history as well (and do Civil War reenactments in California). Very cool blog!

Loree Huebner said...

Laura: How sweet of you to stop by!
I am feeling much better. I look forward to reading your novel.

J.L.: Thanks. I'll look for you on Goodreads. I loved that Lover's Leap lighthouse on your blog.

LoRee: I LOVE it! Another Loree! Welcome here! The Help sounds good. I love to laugh and cry! I'll check out book. My son just saw the movie and he gave it a thumbs up.

Mark: Welcome here too! Thanks for the compliment on the blog and commenting. Please stop in again.

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Loree, I just joined Goodreads not that long ago, too. When you figure it out I'd be interested in hearing all about it.

Two of yours are on my TBR list, I'll have to look into the third.

I sure hope you're back is better soon!

Loree Huebner said...

Eileen: I hope to figure it out. If you do first...let me know...haha! Thanks for the get well wishes. I'm feeling better. You have a great weekend, and I loved your tag-line.

Unknown said...

Hope you feel better soon :)..I know what a bad back can be like, so definitely baby it now! As to reading, I've taken a fancy to Alice Munro these days...

Loree Huebner said...

Damyanti: Thanks for the well wishes. I am babying my back.

I've not read Alice Munro but know of her short stories, as well as The Bear Came Over the Mountain.

I'll put her on my "to read" list. Your book is also on my "to read" list! Have a great Sunday!

Charlotte Brentwood said...

I feel your pain - literally! On Sunday night I put my back out when I bent over to pick up my cellphone charger off the floor. Agony. I went to the physio the following morning and she gave me a good pummeling. Now, with the help of lots of exercises, I'm nearly better. It makes you appreciate your back!

I'm reading "Homecoming" by Cathy Kelly. It's started off a bit slow for me but I'm going to give it a fair chance.

Loree Huebner said...

Charlotte: Oh my gosh...feel better! Ouch! I'm seeing a spine specialist next on the 30th. I feel better but something is just not quite right. Maybe some exercises will help.

I'm not familiar with Homecoming. I'll look that one up.
Take care and feel better soon!
Thanks for stopping in.

Unknown said...

You're on Goodreads! Yay!!! I'll have to find you :-) Ooh, and I heard Laura Frantz's The Colonel's Lady is a good book. Haven't read it yet though.

Loree Huebner said...

Gwen: Yeah, just joined Goodreads. Still trying to figure it out. I got the books I ordered and I think I'm going to start with Laura's book this weekend.

Loved chapter 7 :)

Eileen Astels Watson said...

I sure hope you're back is better by now, Loree!

Loree Huebner said...

Eileen: You are soooo sweet. Thanks! I am feeling better.

Jessica Nelson said...

All of those sound great! And on my TBR list. My mood is annoying me right now. It's picky. *sigh*

Jessica Nelson said...

Oh yeah, and I hope your back continues to improve. Ouch!

Jayne said...

Loree- Glad to hear you're feeling better. It's never easy being confined to bed, but a good book and the internet sure help!
I'm reading short stories (Donald Barthelme). It's all I can fit in at the moment. ;)

Loree Huebner said...

Jessica: I hate when I get in a picky mood. It's tough to decide.

I've been reading about General George McClellan (I know, BORING) for the last month for an article hubby and I are writing, so I needed some inspirational romance...ha ha...I think I went overboard!

Thanks for the well wishes on my back. I am feeling better and thanks for putting in your two cents! :) Always love to hear from you.

Jayne: Welcome here! Thank you for coming by and commenting. Short stories are great when the time is limited. I read short stories from time to time. I also love quick history articles.

Once again, thanks for popping in.

Sarah Forgrave said...

That's a great list of books! I've been in a funny-book mood lately. I guess I'm so stressed I just need to laugh. :)

Hope your back feels better soon!

Loree Huebner said...

Sarah: Welcome here! I think when I'm stressed I need to laugh too. It lifts the spirit. Thanks for the well wishes and thanks for stopping in and commenting. So good to have you here.