I'M BACK AND JUST IN TIME FOR THE SPRING CARNIVAL!

Evie the Book Fiend is back, ready to read and blog her fiendish little heart out!

It's been a long time--too, too long. That silly thing called work got in the way, but now my nursing position is a little less demanding (I always did say my reading had a job problem) and it's my hope to start making my way through the stacks again.

Funny, working long hours never stopped me from accumulating books. Some people are shoe people, or purse people, or technology people. Me...I'm a book person all the way. New, used, bookstore, yard sale, thrift shop--I don't care. I heart me some books!

This is just a picture of one small shelf; hardly a true representation of my collection or what my house looks like. There are books everywhere. Honestly. Piles of them. I'm just not brave enough to post that picture yet. ; ) There's a reason why my husband calls me a book fiend. To me, books are a feast for the senses; I love to see them nestled together on my bookshelves, to hold them in my hands, hear the soft sound of pages turning, all the while getting swept away by the stories hidden within.

On a different note, around the blogosphere I've notice bloggers taking pictures of their most recent book purchases. This includes two of my favorite things: books and photography. I've recently discovered an awesome app, Hipstamatic, that takes photos but gives them the feel of an old instamatic pocket camera. Cool! As I play and learn more about it, I'll post more pictures, but here are some recent purchases.

Faithful Place by Tana French and Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr were both fantastic reads. Reviews forthcoming. I've heard nothing but great things about Game of Thrones by George Martin, so I'm looking forward to reading it if I can keep my nose out of the HBO series. Right now I'm reading The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht.

Please come back and visit as I'll be participating in the SPRING BLOG CARNIVAL May 1st through the 8th. (I hope the weather's nice!) I'm not beneath bribery: I'll be hosting a giveaway!

Hmm, what to choose...what to choose.

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(twists mouth, furrows brow)

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Just remember, carnivals are never quite what they seem. Some are shrouded in mystery and intrigue,

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promises and curses,

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with frightening creatures and fruit out of season

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(Laughs wickedly)

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Check back, good reader. If you dare...

Of More Time and Photographic Journeys

November has been a busy month with work and Nanowrimo, so hopefully I'll have more time to blah-blah-blog. My plan is to share pictures of Ireland interspersed with book reviews and whatever else leaks from brain to fingertips to keyboard. I don't want to waste anybody's time so let me get right to it!

With over 250 photographs and hours of video, I can't help but feel I discover a new jewel each time I look at my Ireland pictures. Fortunately, I can't hold you captive on my couch and force you to look at everything. Highlights only. Having said that, I feel my initial post on the Hill of Slane, County Meath is incomplete so I want to add to it.

The Hill of Slane (492 ft.) is a peaceful, dreamy place overlooking one of the loveliest parts of the Boyne Valley, and on a clear day you can see for miles. See the Ireland Pictures post below for a hilltop view. It's where St. Patrick chose to light the Christian Paschal Fire in defiance of Irish King Laoghaire. Next to the cemetery is Slane Abbey, dating back to the 15th century, the reason for the additional post.

At first glance, the remaining two-story stone walls look unadorned, but if you look closely there are faces gazing back at you.

This photograph shows the stone mason's skill at carving and building archways.

Next, we visited Monasterboice, an ancient monastic site with one of Ireland's tallest round towers, church ruins and beautiful Celtic crosses. The original site is said to have been founded in the 4th century by a follower of St. Patrick named St. Buithe. The small community thrived for centuries until it was seized by vikings in the 10th century. The Irish high king of Tara, Donal, regained the territory soon after, and is said to have single-handedly killed 300 of those pesky viking guys. The elaborately carved Muiredeach's High Cross, dating from 922, is in great condition. Once again, we arrived early managing to tour the site before a bus load of people showed up. Tourists...sheesh. :D

Monasterboice

Muiredeach's High Cross

If you think you're made of stauncher stuff than the average person, rent a car and make your own way. There's really no other way to travel. Your itinerary and hours are yours. Driving on the opposite side of the road with the driver's seat on the opposite side of the car makes for exciting times and the sheer terror--I mean fun-- of screaming your way through a foreign country along narrow, winding roads the size of a large sidewalk with stone walls on either side with no shoulder going 100 km but feels like warp speed should definitely not be underestimated.

Next stop: Carlingford

Slainte!