Sunday, May 6, 2018

What Are You Reading Today?


RETIREMENT

It's not just the end of the school year for me; it's the end of my time as a school librarian. I'm retiring in two and a half weeks.

It was a nice little feeling of closure when a woman stopped by my library yesterday. She was in my very first class as a teacher, forty years ago, and her daughter came to our school when I was a librarian. She was at the school, helping her daughter register her granddaughter for next year. She was sad I wouldn't be there, but she was happy for me.

I'll never stop working to encourage literacy and critical thinking in this world, but it is time for me to pull over into the slow lane and spend some of my last years reading and thinking and writing on my own.

What do you think? Shall I take down my bun and toss aside my dowdy glasses and suit on my blog header? I need to contemplate this.

ITALY PREP

Much as my retirement looms closer, so does our trip to Italy. I was dismayed to discover that my suitcase has to be minuscule to fit in the overhead bins on Air France, so I had to purchase new baggage for the trip and I'll have to pack carefully to avoid going over the twenty-five pound weight limit.

My Duolingo is progressing nicely. I'm now 38% fluent in Italian.

I've now read and reviewed 13 books centering on Italy.




We have our agenda lightly planned for our two week trip. We are hoping to visit some museums and some historical sites, take a bike ride through the Tuscan vineyards, and take a cooking class in Lucca. We left lots of spaces for roaming and writing and painting while we are there.

It won't be long now.


What are you reading today?


What is the Sunday SalonImagine some university library's vast reading room. It's filled with people--students and faculty and strangers who've wandered in. They're seated at great oaken desks, books piled all around them,and they're all feverishly reading and jotting notes in their leather-bound journals as they go. Later they'll mill around the open dictionaries and compare their thoughts on the afternoon's literary intake....That's what happens at the Sunday Salon, except it's all virtual. Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week's Salon get together--at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones--and read. And blog about their reading. And comment on one another's blogs. Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon, an excuse to put aside one's earthly responsibilities and fall into a good book. Click here to join the Salon.

The Sunday Post is a meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news and recap the past week.

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page. We share books that we found in our mailboxes last week. 
 It is now being hosted here.


Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which you can share the books you've acquired.


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is now being hosted at The Book Date.


29 comments:

  1. What a nice story about your time as a librarian! I know you are excited, but also it will be poignant. That trip to Italy will likely help. LOL

    As to your header, I wouldn't change it, but maybe you could have a second picture with that librarian in a hammock or something. Ha! And as to my reading, I'm in Antarctica with Cold, Cold Heart. I met the author at the Malice Domestic conference. Had such a good time. Working on my week of posts now. They will up on May 14-18.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am sad but also happy to be retiring.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts about my header.

      I’ll be seeing you after your short break.

      Delete
  2. SO excited for this next chapter in your life. I know retirement will be full of many exciting adventures - and the trip to Italy is just the beginning :) I look forward to reading ALL about it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Best Wishes on your retirement! Now is the time to sit back and relax and just enjoy! :)
    Have a great time in Italy. I will get there one day. I want to visit my family, they have been here but I haven't been there yet.
    Have a wonderful week, Deb! Happy Reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have family in Italy, too. I feel certain I will connect with Italy. It is in my blood.

      Delete
  4. How lovely that you were able to chat to the lady whose granddaughter is about to start in September. You've certainly earnt the right to ease over onto the 'slow lane' though I've put the phrase in quotes, because I'm guessing that in a handful of months, you'll be rushing around with full days and wondering how you ever managed to fit in a job... Yes - the weight restriction always does my head in when planning for a flight, though I can't believe your holiday is now so close! I hope you have a fantastic time:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I wouldn't change it, you'll always be a librarian at heart. Enjoy your retirement and the end of the dreaded Monday morning!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It was very bittersweet when I retired from my job at Barnes & Noble. I was only there 10 years, but it was my dream job and I knew I would miss my coworkers and the "regulars." The first couple months were a little hard, but my husband and I both got in our retired groove and haven't looked back! We are loving our new life and keeping very busy. Never a dull moment! I know your trip to Italy will help with the transition and before you know it, you'll be wondering what day it is. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That’s how I feel about leaving my job.

      Delete
    2. In some ways, Deb, it feels like grief. Just accept your feelings for that particular day/moment, but know that it will eventually pass and you will once again find joy in life.

      Delete
  7. Happy retirement! I have discovered a whole new life post-retirement...and for me, it has been thirteen years (from my second retirement). After I retired from my primary career 17 years ago, I took on a second one for a private agency, and that was a delightful change from my government job.

    Traveling...I hate that whole packing thing and the security lines. I hope you enjoy your time in Italy.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd let your hair down for retirement...in terms of your header and IRL. :) When exactly is your trip to Italy?

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so excited for you and your upcoming retirement! You've obviously had a wonderful run in education, which means you are more than deserving of some time to yourself, your friends, and family. And Italy, of course. I think when you get back from Italy, you should change your header. Something to reflect this new stage of life. Perhaps you reading in some beautiful Italian park or building.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Enjoy your last few weeks of work. I can’t wait to hear more about your Italy trip. Maybe you can change the blog header so that the librarian is on vacation instead of working :). Have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Glad you had a lovely time as a librarian! I hope your retirement goes well!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays

    ReplyDelete
  12. I didn't realize you were retiring until I read this post. So far my retirement hasn't held all that I dreamed it would but the flexibility is so freeing...and of course, the not having to do the mundane tasks is nice, too. Congratulations. When do you leave for Italy?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’m sorry you are not wild about retirement. I hope that does not happen to me!

      We leave in two and a half weeks.

      Delete
  13. I am loving my retirement. It is an adjustment though. Your trip to Italy will be a nice transition. I'm rather facing the same dilemma on my YA blog - Ms. Martin Teaches Media. This isn't true anymore but I haven't been inspired to search for a new title and do a redesign of the blog. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm sure leaving a job of so many years has to be bittersweet, but you've earned some time to kick back your heels, for sure. Enjoy that trip to Italy!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

    ReplyDelete
  15. Deb congrats on your retirement. I would LOVE to work as a librarian or in a book shop. Just being constantly surrounded by books and getting first glance of new releases...what a dream!

    How lucky to be going to Italy, I'm sure you will enjoy all the beauty that's Italy.

    I don't think you necessarily have to take your current header down, unless you want a change. Despite no longer being a librarian, that headed depicted you and you are still you despite the job change.

    Once again enjoy Italy! I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. Well done in being over 30% fluent in Italian. It's extremely hard to learn a new language.


    Paperback Princess

    ReplyDelete
  16. I like your header but I can understand the desire to change things up. My son enjoyed the bit of Italy he saw last month. What am I reading?

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a lovely story! I imagine you have some bittersweet feelings about retiring but how wonderful to have the trip to Italy to look forward to! I read Eating Rome when it first came out and made a note to reread it before I went to Italy. It was gorgeous! Hope you're having a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am hoping you'd do some posts after your trip. Looking forward to that.

    ReplyDelete

I hope you will leave a comment so I know you have visited. If you stop by my blog, I will always stop by yours.

Note: Disqus commenting is only available on the web version of the blog. Please switch to the web version if you are using a mobile device.