Two Booking Through Thursdays

I had a post ready for today, but I liked this suggestion from Chris even better, so … thanks, Chris!

Here’s something for Valentine’s Day.

Have you ever fallen out of love with a favorite author? Was the last book you read by the author so bad, you broke up with them and haven’t read their work since? Could they ever lure you back?

It's pretty rare that I don't stick with an author once I fall in love with them. The only one I can think of in recent years is Zadie Smith. I read White Teeth and adored it. I couldn't wait to see what she came out with next. Then On Beauty was published. After I read it, I thought "What was that??". It was an extremely disappointing follow-up book, and I haven't been able to go back to her since.

And, here is last week's BTT, since I forgot all about it:

Okay, even I can’t read ALL the time, so I’m guessing that you folks might voluntarily shut the covers from time to time as well… What else do you do with your leisure to pass the time? Walk the dog? Knit? Run marathons? Construct grandfather clocks? Collect eggshells?

Well, taking care of a baby takes up most of my time, so at the moment I have very little free time. But, let's pretend I had more of it, this is what else amuses me:

• Hiking: I am a three seasons hiker. I also used to love going out in the winter, but after living in Australia for 4 years, I learned that I HATE the cold. I would rather hibernate. I'm really looking forward to taking Maya out on some trails in a few months, once I figure out how to change a diaper in the middle of the woods.
• Travelling: I love to travel. Before we started saving for a house, this is where all of our extra money went. We're tentatively planning a trip to Romania and Hungary in early fall.
• Cooking: One of my greatest joys is cooking a huge meal for my friends and families. This is how I socialize. :) I love to cook all sorts of ethnic cuisines I have learned from various friends and past refugee clients. My favorites are Ethiopian and Nigerian stews, Indian and Sri Lankan curries, and various dishes from Central and South America. I have recently been playing around with the Pennsylvania Dutch recipes I grew up with - but giving them a bit more pizazz. I have also been on a bit of a Jewish kick since my husband bought me this cookbook (haha - I still managed to mention a book in a non-book related BTT!)
  
• Sewing. This is a brand new hobby. Well, actually it's a re-discovered one. I liked to sew in my pre-teen years. I just got a new sewing machine, and I am hoping to get back into it.