After that last post my brother called to check on me, because he is a good brother. Also, he wanted the set the record straight - it was only 10 pounds that he lost in two weeks. Oh, and he said if things get particularly bad, I should give hookers and coke a try. Or maybe it was coke, then hookers. Either way, I have a Plan B now.
I also spent a large chunk of my weekend on me. I did not do any laundry. I barely ran any errands. I didn't clean anything except some dishes and pots and pans. Mostly, I lolled around on the couch making a substantial dent in the Sookie Stackhouse box set that my boss gave me for my birthday. Those are the books the HBO series True Blood is based on, and they are a lot of fun. Sookie is a plucky heroine, and she lives in a world that is populated with very interesting people, including but not limited to vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, fairies and religious zealots. Sometimes she needs rescuing, but most of the time, Sookie charges in and takes care of business her way. I like that in a lead character. There's always a mystery to be solved, and usually some romance too. Sometimes bad things happen, and Charlaine Harris is not afraid to kill off a character if it is necessary, but in the end the bad guys generally get what is coming to them, and the good guys usually triumph. Very satisfying.
While I was watching the show, I was never fully able to get on board with Bill, the vampire who becomes Sookie's boyfriend, and now that I've read some of the books, I think I've developed a wee crush on the vampire Eric instead. Inasmuch as you can have a crush on someone who does not exist. Due to the fact that I'm a suspicious Yankee type, "Southern Gentleman" has always felt just a little bit phony to me - with the exception of Orry Main from North and South, who I thought was just dashing and gallant and dreamy in my early teens. Eric, on the other hand is sarcastic and obnoxious and has a wicked sense of humor, but also a sense of honor. Right up my alley. It probably doesn't hurt that thanks to the TV show, he looks like Alexander Skarsgard in my mind.
Anyway, thanks to my vacation in Sookie's world, I started the week feeling more optimistic and relaxed than I have been lately. If you're looking for some books that are lighthearted, well written, entertaining and a pretty quick read, I highly recommend them.
