Saturday Review: Valentine’s Day edition

Just to give y’all a heads-up: there may be a drop-off in the posting pace around here during the next few weeks. The Busy Season (audit time) is coming around at work, and considering that, my family, and other responsibilities, I may have to cut back my appearances here at The 3 R’s from six days a week to three or four. This does NOT make me happy, but I do value my mental health (and I hope you do too!), so I’m trying to prepare and keep things manageable.

New arrivals in Google Reader
Sassymonkey Reads
She Reads and Reads
Anna Jarzab (you may know her from books she’s publicized via Authors on the Web, but she’s also a blogger and soon-to-be-published author herself)

Across the Blogiverse

Happy Valentine’s Day! Well, maybe “happy” is a matter of perspective…but you can still have fun in bed (it’s not what you think!), have fun if you’re single, and maybe even get a little love from your kids. Also: the ghost of Valentine’s Days past

Losses and life lessons, enforced by a bad cop; a four-year-old interprets home, love, and babies; a three-year-old interprets underwear

Some suggestions that might actually help car salesman sell cars in the current economy

The White House (yes, the one in D.C.) is hiring!

Blogging: it’s about friends, and sometimes it’s like Friends. But do you ever think it’s like high school – and would that be a good thing or a bad thing?

Ways to avoid and address blogging burnout (so far, so good…); ways to change bad blogging habits; reflections on blogger insecurity (an all-too-relatable condition for me, I’m afraid); and not a blog item, but sort of related: 10 reasons why Facebook is for old people

A phishing expedition to be wary of – be attentive when shopping online, y’all!

“Middle class” might depend on the middle of where – but there’s a whole task force looking at questions related to that very topic

Blogthings Quiz of the Week: Are we communicating here?
You Communicate Passionately

You speak from the heart. You can’t separate your feelings from what you’re saying, even in a professional context.
You tend to speak dramatically, with lots of passion and emotion. It’s easy for you to get swept up in what you’re saying.

You like to connect with people early on so that you can personalize what you are saying to them.
When you converse, you try to find common ground and harmony. Even if you disagree with someone, you try to emphasize where you agree.

I think this one is pretty true for me, even in writing – have you noticed my use of italics?

Bookmarks: Reading-related reading

I’ve been enjoying the new “Reader Spotlight” feature at Maw Books Blog – have you checked it out? Natasha selects one of her frequent blog visitors, shares some of her best comments, and gets to know the commenter – I think she’s an excellent interviewer.

A discussion on book bloggers and overexposure – when every other blog is talking about the same book, is it a word-of-mouth phenomenon or marketing?

Because “book bloggers” don’t have exclusive rights to blogging about books: YA fiction, public libraries, and Carrie Bradshaw; also, going “underground” with Neil Gaiman, and Popdose‘s books they love – do you share any of their favorites?

Whether you’re on the lookout for it, or looking to avoid it: a quick guide to spotting Christian fiction

Books on (surveillance) tape, via Not Always Right:

Library | Allentown, PA, USA
Me: “**** Library, how can I help you?”
Caller: “Yes, I have some books that are due tomorrow, but I need to keep them longer.”
Me: “Okay, ma’am. I’ll need your name so I can renew the books.”
Caller: *scandalized* “You need my what?”
Me: “Your name, ma’am. So I can call up your account on my computer.”
Caller: “You have my account?! How did you get that? Do you have my Social Security number?”
Me: “No, ma’am. I mean your library account. When you came in to get your library card, you filled out a form with your name, address, phone number, and email, so that we can contact you if you ever have overdue books. We don’t have your social security number.”
Caller: “Well, I’m not giving out my name to a complete stranger over the phone!”
Me: “Okay, ma’am. Perhaps you could give me the titles of the books?”
Caller: “Why do you need to know what I’m reading?! The books are due tomorrow! Just renew them!”
Me: “I’m sorry, ma’am, but there’s no way I can look up books by the due date. Without your name or the titles of the books, I can’t help you.”
Caller: “You’re trying to steal my identity! I’m calling the cops.”
Me: *giving up* “You do that, ma’am.” *hangs up*
Co-worker: “You should have told her we put cameras in the books.”

Books that caught my eye this week:
The Only True Genius in the Family, by Jennie Nash

Happy Valentine’s Day, and if you’re lucky enough to have this as a three-day weekend, enjoy it!

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6 comments

  1. I wish it was a three day weekend! And I may need to do what you’re doing and cut back on posting. Wonderful round-up as always Florinda…I still think you’re the best at this!

  2. Kathy (Bermudaonion) – I read your blog; I believe that :-). Glad you tried out the quiz!

    Amy – We’re just lucky; the kids are off from school, and both my and my husband’s offices are closed this year (his wasn’t last year).

    I hate to cut back, but I’m pretty sure it needs to happen for a little while. And I’m glad you’ve started doing a roundup too!

  3. Being gainfully employed in this economy is important (in any economy), so we will all understand if you’re posting less often. You’re in our Google Readers and Blogrolls … we’ll wait. We’re not going anywhere. 🙂

  4. B&B's Mommy – Thanks, it’s great to know I won’t be deserted :-). I figured you folks would be understanding, but since I’m usually around so often, I just thought I should let y’all know it might dial back a bit.

    Wendy (Literary Feline) – Thanks. We’re getting a new audit firm for the second year in a row, which always makes it even more interesting.

    As long as I can keep Google Reader under some semblance of control, the Saturday links will continue. I accumulate them as I go through the week, so it’s pretty easy. As always, I’m glad you enjoy them!