If I had one wish granted....
It would be to return to Durban, a city on the Indian Ocean on the Eastern Coast of South Africa. I can recall waking to the sound of the Ocean hitting the sandy beach and the smell of the salty air still lingers in my olfactory memory. On my last visit I only had one day in Durban and I spent it wandering alone enjoying the pleasant vista. It was one of those perfect days.....
At this point in my life I do not have the resources to vacation in South Africa, the place that I truly consider my second home. However, my memories keep me smiling. Since I am unable to have a transatlantic getaway, I have been vacationing in my home, a staycation if you will. Traveling by plane, train and automobile, losing loved ones, and a job have kept my mind running and I've needed to take a break.
For the past few days I've spent limited time plugged in to the internet have read six books in as many days. Reading has been my favorite pass time for as long as I can remember and I have loved being lost in the world of mystery, murder and vampires. If you are a fan of vampires, I highly recommend the Sookie Stakehouse series - the HBO series True Blood is based on these books by Charlaine Harris and I've read three of the books so far and am off to purchase a few more.
If you like shows like Bones, you might enjoy the Kay Scarpetta mysteries by Patricia Cornwell. I have been a fan for a very long time and just read the latest - Scarpetta. I've also read the latest book by Tananarive Due, The Living Blood. If you love science fiction you might enjoy her books too. This book is the last in a series about Immortals that have healing blood....
Finally, I was introduced to a new author, Diana Orgain. Her book Bundle of Trouble is a "maternal instincts mystery" and follows the antics of Kate Connolly, the mother of a newborn that decides to become a P.I. during her six weeks of maternity leave because she can fathom returning to work. I loved the book and cannot wait for the next one. This book was a gift in my speakers bag from Type A mom and it was the first book I read on my "staycation."
My staycation is coming to an end soon - this weekend I am speaking at Blogolicious and next week I head to Vegas for Blog World Expo and SITScation. I will post again soon, but for now I am enjoying being enthralled by the fantasy world of my books.
We all need to unplug sometime.....
Comments
Enjoy your staycation till the end! I adore falling asleep and waking up to the sounds of the waves, but these days the closest I can come to that id turn on my dream machine ;-)
ALL good recs, in my humble "I read for enjoyment only" opinion.
Best,
Diana Orgain
it's been waaay too long since i've been over here!!
such a great photo.
i've been mostly unplugged lately as well. just been dealing with so many changes and internet has somehow fallen low on my list of priorities. imagine that, lol!
this staycation you speak of sounds divine. i'm especially all for getting lost in a good book.
A friend is actually sending me part of the Sookie series since I am loving the HBO series.
The book you recommend sound interesting.
I sooooo wish I was going to Blogoclious this weekend. No funds to make it. Enjoy it!
I am a True Blood fan but I have only read up to and including the one that involves my hometown of Dallas. I just don't read like I use to anymore. I am a fan of those Stackhouse books though. I think we need that escape sometimes.
-Francesca
The feeling you mentioned about South Africa, regarding the memories, is how I feel about Hawaii and Jamaica... and Turks & Caicos. Okay, anywhere near the ocean. LOL. The memories make me smile as well.