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Easy reading

I have to start off by saying thank you to our good friend Tufo and my lovely mother in law for giving me some books that will keep my sanity in check and my busy mind occupied. I just finished reading James Patterson's new Alex Cross novel and it was just ok like every one of his novels has been for the past 5 or so years. I love the Alex Cross books but in recent years, the author has gotten lazy in his writing. It even feels as if the character has taken on the persona of the author. Back in the early 2000s, all of his books were page turners with some seriously shocking endings. Now I feel like he is mailing it in. I think this is what happens to writers who are so prolific and popular with mainstream audiences. Readers want more and so the author feels forced churn it out as quickly as possible often sacrificing quality for quickness. In this money driven, more is more society it is unfortunate that good writing gets sacrificed. Even though I still read these books, they are shadows of what his early books were when he actually seemed to care.

I also started reading, "A Game of Thrones," the wildly popular, fantasy, somewhat geeky series that has taken over my husband and my in laws. Half the reason I'm reading it is to be involved in the incessant conversations but I also hate that people are reading things that I haven't. Usually I'm the one recommending things and up on the latest in book trends and its kinda killing me to be out of the loop. The books aren't exactly my type of reading but I'm willing to give it a go and so far its pretty good. The characters are interesting, the writing is good and most importantly, its fantasy so I won't be curled into a ball after reading it feeling as if there is no reason to live.

In other news, things have been going well for me and I'm knocking on wood. Having made it through some of the toughest times of my life over the last few years I notice myself feeling insecure and uncertain lately because things are going well, not in spite of it. I guess because so many unexpected not so good things happened, I'm nervous about it all going wrong again. I know its no way to live but I'm not really sure how to stop the feeling except to do what I have always done: take one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time and do the best I can. I've gotten to spend time with family lately and that is always nice - I had dinner with my brother, sister in law and nephews a few weeks ago which was great and then I met my sister in Manhattan for the day last week. Despite us having to run for her bus like always, we had an amazing time. Then yesterday we spent the day with my in laws for my mother in laws birthday in the Bronx which was also really nice. I count my blessings these days and family is certainly a big one. Also, spring is coming and the best months of the year are right around the corner. Spring always makes me feel as if things will be ok so maybe my over all sense of doom will start to disappear with the warmer weather and green trees. Knock on wood for me!

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