a different, better fourth book

The last time I posted (sorry for the delay!), I'd been cranky about Megan McCafferty's disappointing fourth book. I'm pleased to report that Ellen Emerson White's fourth book about Meg Powers, Long May She Reign, is much better. I'm not sure how she maintained Meg's voice over all those years, or successfully bridged the gap between 1989 (when the third book about Meg was released) and 2007, but she did. I suspect I'll have more to say about it later, but it's late. Also, I was very sick when I read it, so I'll wait until after I finish re-reading it. I suspect I'll have a clearer view of the book then.
It really has been a long time since I posted - I don't think I've ever gone so long without blogging here. My vacation seems very very long ago. As it happens, I'd brought quite a few books along, but read only one or two. It was extraordinarily difficult to find time to read, and the vacation was tiring and stressful. (How much of the stress was due to my churlishness varies, depending on whom one asks). If I ever needed confirmation that I could never be on Survivor or Big Brother - and I didn't, I assure you - this last vacation would have clinched the matter. Reading is my default activity when I am stressed out, as an almost sure-fire stress reliever. So if I can't read - well, turns out it's not pretty. Especially with odd eating patterns added to the mix.