NOT YOUR USUAL SUSPECTS

A group blog featuring an international array of killer mystery, suspense, and romantic suspense writers. With premises and story lines different from your run-of-the-mill whodunits, we tend to write outside the box. We blog several times a week on all topics relating to romantic suspense and mystery, our writing, and our readers. We welcome all comments and often have guest bloggers. All our authors can be contacted separately, too, using their own social media links.

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Julie Moffet . Cathy Perkins . Jean Harrington . Daryl Anderson . Nico Rosso . Maureen A Miller . Sandy Parks . Lisa Q Mathews . Sharon Calvin . Lynne Connolly . Janis Patterson . Vanessa Keir . Tonya Kappes . Julie Rowe . Joni M Fisher . Leslie Langtry

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Festive Lull

I always think this is one of the best days of the year. We’ve (hopefully) had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends and we’re preparing to welcome in the New Year. In our house, we enjoy the ‘lull’. Me? I love to curl up in front of a roaring log fire with a glass of something tasty - wine, whisky or a long gin and tonic - and lose myself in a good book. 
It has to be a very special book though.
Over the course of a year, I snatch the odd hour here and there to read. I might read for an hour or so in the evening or a couple of hours over the weekend. Today, though, it’s ‘me’ time. It’s still the holiday so I can read all day without thinking of chores or writing. That, for me, is the height of luxury. 
Today’s special book is THE LONG DARK TEA-TIME OF THE SOUL by the late, great genius, Douglas Adams. It features holistic detective, Dirk Gently, and is a comic fantasy mystery. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read this book, but it makes me cry with laughter and is my favourite book of all time.
So think of me today, sitting in my armchair in front of a roaring log fire with a glass of something tasty to hand, enjoying THE LONG DARK TEA-TIME OF THE SOUL. Again.
How will you be spending today? Will your day be as restful as mine? And if you had to choose a really special book to read, which would it be?
I hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas and I wish each and every one of you a very happy New Year!

16 comments:

Lesley Cookman said...

What I really ought to do is finish the book due for delivery on Friday. As only half way through I don't think it's going to happen. As it is, I shall go shopping (for cat food) and light the fire...

Unknown said...

Lesley, thanks for stopping by! The book's due on Friday? Yikes. Um, good luck. :)
I've just realised I need to go shopping for cat food too. Well, unless they can survive on chocolate and wine...

Wynter said...

Oh, that sounds good! But I'll be running errands with hubby then trying to get some writing done. Have a great new year.

Elise Warner said...

Sounds as if writers and cats go together. Inspiration? The holiday is a perfect time to catch up on reading. So many books, so little time.

Marcelle Dubé said...

Actually, Shirley, I'd hoped to be doing exactly what you propose today, but I'm so close to finishing my current work in progress that it's consuming all my attention. So reading is relegated to snatches of time, yet again.

HelenMWalters said...

I love the Dirk Gently books as well and have read both numerous times. Enjoy!

Toni Anderson said...

Shirley--I love Douglas Adams but never read that particular book. I must pick it up.
Today I have organized playdays for kids, booked dog in for first vet appointment, tried to sort my IRS number and I'm not feeling great. It was supposed to be a 'lull' day, LOL! I'm hoping to write.
I should clean for NY party--but then again maybe not :)
Enjoy!!!

Unknown said...

Wynter, hi! Oh, you're making me feel guilty now. Hope you managed some writing. Happy New Year to you too!

Elise, that's what I love most about the holiday - reading without feeling guilty. :)

Marcelle, I know the feeling. If the wip is calling, you can't ignore it. I'm about to start another so I can 'plan' and read at the same time. Right? We'll see!

Helen, thanks. Dirk Gently is a brilliant creation, isn't he? I keep saying I'm going to write like Douglas Adams when I grow up. ;)

Toni, sorry to hear you're feeling poorly. Get well soon!
Yes, do pick up the book. It's hilarious!
Good luck with your busy day.

Maureen A. Miller said...

I like what you are doing today, Shirley. Can I come over? :)

Having just returned from a blizzard, I am climbing my way out from a pile of laundry that could challenge Everest.

BUT!!!! My other half gave me a Kindle for Christmas. So yes, there will be reading.

Shelley Sly said...

I like the "lull" too. Unfortunately, I have a cold, so I'm spending my days off resting and drinking fluids. But luckily I also have time for a book or two. :)

Unknown said...

Maureen - yes, come on over. I have mince pies and enough chocolate to last us till March. Well, maybe not March, but you get the picture...
Hm, I have an Everest too. It's hiding in the guest room.
Enjoy that Kindle!

Shelley, you have my sympathy. Feel better soon. Yes, please of fluids and plenty of R&R. Hope you're enjoying a good book or two!

Julie Moffett said...

Spent the day filming a horror movie with my teen (he penned a 38 scene script). So, instead of lull, my house was filled with boys and hockey masks, chain saws, and an awful lot of laughing for a horror movie. But now is "me" time and I'm going to cuddle up with my new Kindle and choose one of my many new Carina downloads to read... :)

desere_steenberg said...

This was a great post thank you for sharing it with us! The books sounds stunning ! Happy new year to all !

Unknown said...

Julie, that is so funny. What a great way to spend the day!
Santa did a good job delivering all these Kindles, didn't he? Enjoy!

Desere, thanks for stopping by and a very happy new year to you too!

Clare London said...

I'm so late getting back to my online commenting, you've probably finished all that chocolate by now LOL. We're still hunting the house for a missing bag of presents - and it's not like I have a huge house, so the whereabouts are a big mystery at the moment. But I like this "lull" time too, it's the time when you can genuinely forget what day of the week it is. I'm catching up with my JR Ward reading at the moment, some self-indulgent vampire time :).

Happy new year and all the best for 2011!

Unknown said...

Clare, how exciting! When you find that bag of presents, you can have a second Christmas.

Have fun with the vampires. :)

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