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The Perpetual Page-Turner

The Perpetual Page-Turner

Book Recommendations and Book Lists For Adults And Kids

Home | about me | Sometimes When I Can’t Read I…..

Sometimes When I Can’t Read I…..

May 11, 2011 - Updated May 7, 2019 // 24 Comments

….have impromptu photo sessions with the love of my life. What was just supposed to be snapping one picture for something for Ginger (which you should watch out for on Thursday I believe) turned into fun times and grass fights.

But really, as most of you know the past week or two has not been full of very good times for me with my dog being put down and Mothers Day and my brain just can’t even slow down enough to read. When this happens I know I must do things that bring me the simplest moments of joy — like silly photoshoots, laying in the grass and just listening to music and just BEING, or take a warm bubble bath with an insane amounts of bubbles and a glass of wine.

Months ago I would have never have been ok with my lack of reading or my posting deliquency….I would be two steps away from having a full blown panic attack. But I’m at a place right now where I’m just trying to enjoy things. I’m going to enjoy blogging and the wonderful community…not stress myself out over it. When my mind is ready to focus, the books will be there and so will all my amazing readers. No pressure blogging is seriously rocking my socks off right now.

What things do you find yourself doing when you just can’t sit down and read?

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Filed Under: about me

About Jamie

Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

Previous Post: « A Motherless Daughter On Mother’s Day
Next Post: Review: The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen »

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  1. A Novel Affair says

    May 11, 2011 at 12:59 am

    I seriously love these pics! So sweet. Sometime you need a break… Don't take life so seriously and you'll enjoy it more. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  2. Heather says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:04 am

    These photos are covered in awesome sauce. Love. That. Hat.

    Reply
  3. Midnyte Reader says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:07 am

    Look how cute you are! The times when I find I can't read, I watch tv or torment my Sims.

    Reply
  4. Bella says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:27 am

    They are awesome pics!

    I've been going through that phase of not wanting to read so I've been catching up on shopping and catching up on some DVDs

    Reply
  5. Ginger @ GReads! says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:42 am

    I love these pics & seriously can't wait to post your feature on Thursday <3 Right now I have A LOT of downtime & I'm trying to enjoy every last bit of it. It's awesome when you have the time to LOVE what you're reading, and not feel rushed or pressured to read something.

    Reply
  6. Library Gal says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:42 am

    Lovely Pics and on Stephanies Blog too- you look fab! When not reading I totally get lost in movies. I love them- all sorts of different types of film and I could watch them for hours and hours and hours. . .

    Reply
  7. Michelle (my books. my life.) says

    May 11, 2011 at 2:47 am

    You are so adorable. I hope things get easier for you and you find your reading mojo soon.

    Reply
  8. Lauren M says

    May 11, 2011 at 3:44 am

    Those photos are ADORABLE! It looks like you had a great time taking them! šŸ™‚

    When I can't find the time to read, I'm usually listening to music, bothering my cat, or doing things with friends.

    Reply
  9. the story siren says

    May 11, 2011 at 11:13 am

    you are so GORGEOUS!!!

    Reply
  10. christina says

    May 11, 2011 at 11:21 am

    These pictures made me smile. Love them!

    Reply
  11. Lu @ Regular Rumination says

    May 11, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    I'm so glad that you've found some blogging peace, even if the rest of your week hasn't been so great. Blogging should not add to the stress in your life, it should take it away.

    Reply
  12. Jen (Makeshift Bookmark) says

    May 11, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    This is the cutest freaking post. Can I please look like you?

    Reply
  13. Loni says

    May 11, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    The pictures are lovely, it's looks like a gorgeous afternoon. If, for some strange reason, I can't read, I usually either spend time with my hubby or play video games. This is all assuming my toddler is sleeping.

    Reply
  14. Pam says

    May 11, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    Great pictures! Sorry for all your strife. I wrote a personal post this week too which is a no go on my site. šŸ˜›

    Reply
  15. Jasmine (The Reading Housewives) says

    May 11, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    This doesn't answer your question at all, but…

    I JUST FINISHED ANNA THIS MORNING AND OMG!??!?! I loved it. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  16. Sarah says

    May 11, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    Beautiful pictures!

    When I'm feeling too stressed out or overwhelmed, I really like to get in some solid me time. Sometimes that involves telling my bf to play his game for a while so I can be alone, or sometimes it involves us going out and doing something just for fun. Walks, bubble baths, and spider solitaire are all great ways to just empty your mind and detox a bit.

    Reply
  17. Monica says

    May 12, 2011 at 4:48 am

    Great pictures! I'm glad to hear you're taking a more balanced approach to your reading and blogging. Sounds healthy to me. We all need a break sometimes.

    Reply
  18. Christina / Book Addict says

    May 12, 2011 at 11:25 am

    I love this post! It's so cute. Your photos are gorgeous and I adore your hat. I'm sorry you have been going through a rough patch lately. I hope things start looking up soon. Will you be going to PAYA again this summer? I hope so. Have fun at BEA. I'm so jealous!

    Reply
  19. Christina / Book Addict says

    May 12, 2011 at 11:25 am

    I love this post! It's so cute. Your photos are gorgeous and I adore your hat. I'm sorry you have been going through a rough patch lately. I hope things start looking up soon. Will you be going to PAYA again this summer? I hope so. Have fun at BEA. I'm so jealous!

    Reply
  20. Christina / Book Addict says

    May 12, 2011 at 11:25 am

    I love this post! It's so cute. Your photos are gorgeous and I adore your hat. I'm sorry you have been going through a rough patch lately. I hope things start looking up soon. Will you be going to PAYA again this summer? I hope so. Have fun at BEA. I'm so jealous!

    Reply
  21. Jamie says

    May 12, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    Aww you guys. Thanks for all the nice comments and for sharing your own things that you do when you just can't read!

    Reply
  22. Holli says

    May 12, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    You two are adorable! I'm glad you are doing well Jamie…. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  23. Peaceful Reader says

    May 21, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    Love the hat. I blog surf when I'm not able to sit and read. It makes me feel ADHD-hmmm, yet happy.

    Reply
  24. Mandee @ Compelled By Words says

    November 16, 2012 at 1:05 am

    These photos are so pretty! Love it!

    Reply

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A book recommendation for all my historical fictio A book recommendation for all my historical fiction readers - The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My holy grail historical author came through for me again. I can’t express how much I cared for and was pulled into the lives of these women living in a boardinghouse in DC during the McCarthy era just as much as I was racing to find out what happened in this house. The tension mounted as we got to what actually happened?? Masterful. Truly. #historicalfiction #bookrec #bookrecommendation #historicalfictionbooks @williammorrowbooks
Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Day and hit up new faves @maveybooks and what used to be my second home when I lived closer @childrensbookworld which was so nice to be back home 🄹🄹

Book shopping is great but I can’t express how incredible building community is and indie bookshops do just that. I always wanted my own version of Cheers and, while not a bar where everybody knows my name, CBW was that place for me for almost a decade when I built community by going to YA book events there and moderating events. And while I am not able to get there as often as I was before I became a mom and we moved further away, It’s been so special to be able to share this beloved space with Riley.

These indie bookshops are so vital to our communities and I know everyone’s situation is different so this isn’t to shame but That Website can’t replace what can be created in these book spaces. Shop local when you are able! #indiebookshop #bookshop #bookshopping #independentbookstore
Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technic Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technically ATMOSPHERE but I feel like between my stories and my dedicated post to it, I’d rather talk about the book I read before it but didn’t update y’all on.

The Trouble With Anna — I enjoyed this delightful little historical romance about a heroine who is carving out her independence only to find out, when her grandfather dies, that he tied her inheritance/future to marrying her best friend’s brother — a not-so-happy surprise for both of them. I could understand why they both had some guardness/walls up and I enjoyed watching them slowly start to lower them.

Mayhem and the Mortal - I’m not too far into this romantic fantasy but it is one of my most anticipated that came out last month and I’m excited to dig in more.

Hamnet — I know, I know. For April I decided not to make a traditional TBR list of books I wanted to read but instead give myself some prompts to guide my reading (bc I’m overwhelmed with all my choices at hand) without feeling rigid. One of the prompts was to read a book I HAD TO BUY but is still unread. So going to finally get to it. Have you read this one or watched the movie?

What are you currently reading?
I had been waiting for the perfect time to read th I had been waiting for the perfect time to read this one after Random House sent me a finished copy as TJR is a longtime auto-buy author.  I found myself caught up in all the space joy and wonder and feeling quite parasocial about the Artemis crew...I decided now was the time.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

I hadn’t really known what it was about but I didn’t really need to given its TJR & the fact it was 1980s NASA & astronauts.

But this book was about love to me - romantic love, platonic love, familial love, love for something bigger than yourself, love for the person you are & are becoming, love in the face of obstacles, love for what lights you up.

Having been invested in real life astronauts & their journey lately really made this book even more vivid to me — seeing the bonds of the crew so deeply, feeling the fragility that exists while they are doing this wondrous & crazy thing that often still boggles my mind that we can do.

And, hardest to put into words, that feeling of awe in the expansive nature & capabilities of love & the universe that I felt when a husband named a crater after his late wife which doubly helped me understand how Joan & Vanessa felt looking back at earth.

It made me sob & feel everything about being a human so deeply basically from that Frances/Joan phone call at 86% of the way through until the final words. Like could not breathe.

*might be a tiny bit spoilery so beware:

I think the way she wrote this was so impactful bc we start out knowing something bad happens &it’s not even that far when we know that some of them def won’t make it back & some are alive in peril.

I was like ā€œoofā€ when *it* happens early on. But each and every chapter where we learn more about these ppl & their relationships felt agonizing & I was retroactively grieving for them more deeply every turn of the page.

The hurt and grief just compounds from a moment that was sad from the jump to something that had dug in deep to me.

To know what happens right before this mission makes the mission control bits even more excruciating. Makes the peril a character is in hit even harder than just ā€œoh that must be scary!ā€. 

I loved it. I needed it bad.
The theme of Q1 was ā€œjust go with itā€ — it being m The theme of Q1 was ā€œjust go with itā€ — it being my reading whims, quirks and troubles.

Interesting things:

1. January started out rough. I only read 1 physical book and leaned very heavy into audiobooks only. At first it was distressing that my brain -thanks to current events and their effect on my mind - couldn’t work out how to sit down and read with my eyeballs but I was like…let’s just roll with it and wait for it to pass. So I waited and enjoyed a ton of audiobooks.

2. I don’t think I’ve ever read so many thrillers and mysteries in a quarter. It’s a genre I love but I’m normally quite more balanced. However, it’s what I was craving and what my brain was tolerating so…I just went with it.

3. I have always been a reader led by my moods (both how I feel reading wise and personally). This quarter was FERAL. Like the most feral mood reading ever. I couldn’t even categorize it. I’d decide on one book enthusiastically and suddenly I was like…absolutely not that.

4. I read way less fantasy than normal which was WEIRD but I felt like I also wasn’t surprised given my brain space.

5. I really started to resent people even more who said ā€œit’s a book account stop talking about politics etcā€. Babe, I’m a human who gives a shit but ALSO this has and always been an account of MY reading life. And my reading life was profoundly affected by the things that were going on in this country. Like they have been before - whether it’s been current events or things like having a kid, being depressed, slumps, etc.

6. I return to the fact that, for me, I am happiest when I pay attention to my reading whims. The end of the month I had a very specific reading mood (wanted time travel element but not a heavy time travel book) and I decided to pick up A Rip Through Time at the end of the month and I’m now halfway through book 4. Having the best time ever!!! 

Anyways, tell me how your reading life was in Q1! Fave books? Biggest surprises??
New historical fiction books on my radar for April New historical fiction books on my radar for April and I feel like there is quite a bit of variety. Any of these on your TBR? #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfiction #newbookrelease #newbookreleases
Being someone who reads based on their ever shifti Being someone who reads based on their ever shifting reading moods (sometimes very feral) makes library holds and tbrs very hard. It’s the worst when 5 weeks ago I would have gobbled the library hold up but now when the hold comes in I’m like…I think not. #readersofinstagram #readerproblems #librarylife #librarybooks #moodreader
I love when I just absolutely nail it on the first I love when I just absolutely nail it on the first try when trying to satisfy a super specific reading mood - Kelley Armstrong’s A Rip Through Time definitely nailed what I wanted. Time travel but didn’t really want too time travely…just more of a vibe or catalyst for some fun. If you love a good mystery, some time travel shenanigans and a great cast of characters, I highly recommend this book. #bookrec #bookrecommendation #bookreview #mysterybooks #historicalmystery #kelleyarmstrong
🌸 Some romances on my personal radar for April. 🌸 🌸 Some romances on my personal radar for April. 🌸

Beyond excited for a new Kate Clayborn, Kasie west, rainbow Rowell, Jenn Bennett and Beth O’Leary - I’ve enjoyed these authors in the past.

My historical loving heart is most excited for The Duke and How To Fake It In Society.

I love an emotional romance so The Art of Loving You is high on my list plus I’ve heard great things about this author.

I’m intrigued by Fast Lane especially since it’s being adapted for a tv series. I’m seeing comparisons to Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series which I did love!

Which new romance books are piquing your interest or are on your TBR? #romancebooks #newbooks #romancebooktok #romancereader
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Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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A book recommendation for all my historical fictio A book recommendation for all my historical fiction readers - The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My holy grail historical author came through for me again. I can’t express how much I cared for and was pulled into the lives of these women living in a boardinghouse in DC during the McCarthy era just as much as I was racing to find out what happened in this house. The tension mounted as we got to what actually happened?? Masterful. Truly. #historicalfiction #bookrec #bookrecommendation #historicalfictionbooks @williammorrowbooks
Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Day and hit up new faves @maveybooks and what used to be my second home when I lived closer @childrensbookworld which was so nice to be back home 🄹🄹

Book shopping is great but I can’t express how incredible building community is and indie bookshops do just that. I always wanted my own version of Cheers and, while not a bar where everybody knows my name, CBW was that place for me for almost a decade when I built community by going to YA book events there and moderating events. And while I am not able to get there as often as I was before I became a mom and we moved further away, It’s been so special to be able to share this beloved space with Riley.

These indie bookshops are so vital to our communities and I know everyone’s situation is different so this isn’t to shame but That Website can’t replace what can be created in these book spaces. Shop local when you are able! #indiebookshop #bookshop #bookshopping #independentbookstore
Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technic Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technically ATMOSPHERE but I feel like between my stories and my dedicated post to it, I’d rather talk about the book I read before it but didn’t update y’all on.

The Trouble With Anna — I enjoyed this delightful little historical romance about a heroine who is carving out her independence only to find out, when her grandfather dies, that he tied her inheritance/future to marrying her best friend’s brother — a not-so-happy surprise for both of them. I could understand why they both had some guardness/walls up and I enjoyed watching them slowly start to lower them.

Mayhem and the Mortal - I’m not too far into this romantic fantasy but it is one of my most anticipated that came out last month and I’m excited to dig in more.

Hamnet — I know, I know. For April I decided not to make a traditional TBR list of books I wanted to read but instead give myself some prompts to guide my reading (bc I’m overwhelmed with all my choices at hand) without feeling rigid. One of the prompts was to read a book I HAD TO BUY but is still unread. So going to finally get to it. Have you read this one or watched the movie?

What are you currently reading?
I had been waiting for the perfect time to read th I had been waiting for the perfect time to read this one after Random House sent me a finished copy as TJR is a longtime auto-buy author.  I found myself caught up in all the space joy and wonder and feeling quite parasocial about the Artemis crew...I decided now was the time.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

I hadn’t really known what it was about but I didn’t really need to given its TJR & the fact it was 1980s NASA & astronauts.

But this book was about love to me - romantic love, platonic love, familial love, love for something bigger than yourself, love for the person you are & are becoming, love in the face of obstacles, love for what lights you up.

Having been invested in real life astronauts & their journey lately really made this book even more vivid to me — seeing the bonds of the crew so deeply, feeling the fragility that exists while they are doing this wondrous & crazy thing that often still boggles my mind that we can do.

And, hardest to put into words, that feeling of awe in the expansive nature & capabilities of love & the universe that I felt when a husband named a crater after his late wife which doubly helped me understand how Joan & Vanessa felt looking back at earth.

It made me sob & feel everything about being a human so deeply basically from that Frances/Joan phone call at 86% of the way through until the final words. Like could not breathe.

*might be a tiny bit spoilery so beware:

I think the way she wrote this was so impactful bc we start out knowing something bad happens &it’s not even that far when we know that some of them def won’t make it back & some are alive in peril.

I was like ā€œoofā€ when *it* happens early on. But each and every chapter where we learn more about these ppl & their relationships felt agonizing & I was retroactively grieving for them more deeply every turn of the page.

The hurt and grief just compounds from a moment that was sad from the jump to something that had dug in deep to me.

To know what happens right before this mission makes the mission control bits even more excruciating. Makes the peril a character is in hit even harder than just ā€œoh that must be scary!ā€. 

I loved it. I needed it bad.
The theme of Q1 was ā€œjust go with itā€ — it being m The theme of Q1 was ā€œjust go with itā€ — it being my reading whims, quirks and troubles.

Interesting things:

1. January started out rough. I only read 1 physical book and leaned very heavy into audiobooks only. At first it was distressing that my brain -thanks to current events and their effect on my mind - couldn’t work out how to sit down and read with my eyeballs but I was like…let’s just roll with it and wait for it to pass. So I waited and enjoyed a ton of audiobooks.

2. I don’t think I’ve ever read so many thrillers and mysteries in a quarter. It’s a genre I love but I’m normally quite more balanced. However, it’s what I was craving and what my brain was tolerating so…I just went with it.

3. I have always been a reader led by my moods (both how I feel reading wise and personally). This quarter was FERAL. Like the most feral mood reading ever. I couldn’t even categorize it. I’d decide on one book enthusiastically and suddenly I was like…absolutely not that.

4. I read way less fantasy than normal which was WEIRD but I felt like I also wasn’t surprised given my brain space.

5. I really started to resent people even more who said ā€œit’s a book account stop talking about politics etcā€. Babe, I’m a human who gives a shit but ALSO this has and always been an account of MY reading life. And my reading life was profoundly affected by the things that were going on in this country. Like they have been before - whether it’s been current events or things like having a kid, being depressed, slumps, etc.

6. I return to the fact that, for me, I am happiest when I pay attention to my reading whims. The end of the month I had a very specific reading mood (wanted time travel element but not a heavy time travel book) and I decided to pick up A Rip Through Time at the end of the month and I’m now halfway through book 4. Having the best time ever!!! 

Anyways, tell me how your reading life was in Q1! Fave books? Biggest surprises??
New historical fiction books on my radar for April New historical fiction books on my radar for April and I feel like there is quite a bit of variety. Any of these on your TBR? #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfiction #newbookrelease #newbookreleases
Being someone who reads based on their ever shifti Being someone who reads based on their ever shifting reading moods (sometimes very feral) makes library holds and tbrs very hard. It’s the worst when 5 weeks ago I would have gobbled the library hold up but now when the hold comes in I’m like…I think not. #readersofinstagram #readerproblems #librarylife #librarybooks #moodreader

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