If a blogger blogs and there's no one around to read it, has anything been written?

Neil Gaiman recently wrote a blog entry titled "The Unblogged Life", which certainly describes me in the past month. After returning from our vacation, my wife and I made a monumental decision, which has taken up most of my time and forced me to venture outside the house far more than usual. We have begun the adoption process.

I'm told that children are not something you just jump into, not like buying a house or a car; you have to plan and prepare for the eventual upheaval of your life. No more so is that evident than with adoption. In Ontario, there are rules stacked on rules, with more rules peaking out from beneath tables, ready to trip you up if you aren't careful. We've begun the process with a few weekends’ worth of classes, as well as with many articles and books.

And the forms! I've never seen so much paperwork! Not only "sign-here-please" forms, but full on essays on our lives, delving into our childhood, our marriage, our families, our parental views, what we had for breakfast and so much more. It's invasive, it's time-consuming, but in the end, it is all worth it.

So now you perhaps understand where I've been, what I've been doing and why, in the next few months, postings will be sparse. I haven't, however, been lapse in my reading. Here are some of the books I've read in the last month, which come highly recommended:

The Alchemist: A short book, but a poignant one about following your dreams and never giving up, and perhaps realizing that it was never about the destination, but about the journey. Also, never be too wrapped up in yourself that you miss the signs the world gives you (And before you ask, I’ve already tried. I can’t go to Dairy Queen just because I saw the commercial. “Honey, it’s a sign that I need ice cream!” “No, it isn’t dear. It’s a sign that you watch too much TV”).

The Book Thief: One of the best books that I've read in quite some time. A unique narrative flow (it is narrated by Death, who jumps through the years to tell the tale and interrupts with his own interpretations and views), yet, instead of jarring, it is wholly appropriate given the subject matter. It is sad, funny, haunting, memorable and heart-warming. The prose flows like honey, making even the bitterest scenes go down easy. There are many things to take away from this book, but what hit me the most was the power of words; the impact they have en mass and for individuals. This is essentially a love letter for the written word and a warning to use words carefully, because an errant one can not only hurt, it can kill.

Smoke and Mirrors: A fantastic short story collection by a master of his craft. What strikes me the most about reading any work by Neil Gaiman is the extent of his imagination and the boundlessness of what he can conjure up. He makes connections with words that few of us can see, and no matter how many times I read the same tale, I am always entertained in a different way. His books, short stories, etc., are like sitting in front of a fire, listening to an old man who you just met, but who seems vaguely familiar, tell you a story that takes you back to a time where all things are possible. Oh, and since Neil Gaiman is English, I always picture the old man with an English accent. Classes up the joint.

Whiteout Vol. 1 & 2: Two excellent comic book collections, featuring a murder mystery and a “high speed” chase respectively, both taking place in the harsh climate of Antarctica. Wonderful characters, superb art and a hard-nosed US Marshall all make for an enjoyable trip.

Blankets: Not all comics need be superheroes, procedurals or genre specific. This graphic novel, clocking in at more than 550 pages, tells the tale of the writer/artist's childhood, his first love and his relationship with his brother, his family and the world. It is a character study, which must have been cathartic to create. Craig Thompson bares his soul; his pain as a troubled child and an awkward teen; his struggle with religion; and the overwhelming urge to follow his heart. I haven't read many non-superhero, non-genre related graphic novels / comics, but this one definitely proves that, like books, this medium has something for everyone.

Calvin and Hobbes: I've had this collection for a few years; my wife got it for me for my birthday (I still feel bad that I asked for this, as I was unaware that it weighed over 20 pounds. My wife literally had to drag it back to her office over lunch). I have already read through the collection at least twice, but I was compelled to pull it out again a few days ago after I felt the need for some "comfort food". Starting with Peanuts when I was very young, comic strips have always had a way of calming me down, relaxing me instantly. Each strip transported me to a simple world. A monochromatic world, in most cases, where site gags ruled and the sarcasm and characters flew off the page. Calvin and Hobbes was one such collection, the imagination and ingenuity oozing from each panel. For me, whenever life seems to get overwhelming, whenever something's bothering me, I know that I can open up a page of this book and lose myself in an age of innocence. That, for me, is heaven, and it is one of the reasons that I so enjoy not only comic strips and comic books, but the written word in general, no matter where I find it.

And so, my wife and I continue our adoption journey, one that will keep me busy, keep me up at nights, and keep me from writing, but it is a journey we will make together, and one we will happily make. And in the meantime, I'll lose myself in the words when I need to and pop my head in occasionally to let you know that I haven't forsaken you, my legion of fan.