"If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." ~Toni Morrison

Thursday, December 22, 2016

November Book Reviews

This November, I read.... wait for it.... a whole book.  That's right, I read one book in the whole month of November.  I know it's pretty amazing!  Here is my review.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

What's it about:  
"Lockwood, the new tenant of Thrushcross Grange, situated on the bleak Yorkshire moors, is forced to seek shelter one night at Wuthering Heights, the home of his landlord. There he discovers the history of the tempestuous events that took place years before; of the intense relationship between the gypsy foundling Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw; and how Catherine, forced to choose between passionate, tortured Heathcliff and gentle, well-bred Edgar Linton, surrendered to the expectations of her class. As Heathcliff's bitterness and vengeance at his betrayal is visited upon the next generation, their innocent heirs must struggle to escape the legacy of the past."  Amazon


My Thoughts:
First let's talk about the infuriating relationships.  There was not one relationship in theis book that I would support.  Some began out of spite, others were loveless, violent, or obsessive.  Not a healthy relationship in sight (until the very end, maybe).

Then, there's the nosy neighbor.  Most of the book is a housekeeper gossiping about the neighbors and former tenants of the house.  Why does the current tenant even care?  Doesn't the housekeeper think it's weird?  And how does she remember everything in such detail?

I was not really surprised by the unhealthy relationships in this book because of the setting.  The characters are so isolated; they had no choice but to get involved with each other in complicated relationships.

Definitely not the romantic story I was expecting.  I give the book 2 out of 5 stars.  I finished it and enjoyed it overall, but I will never try to read it again and have no desire to see a movie version, ever.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Currently... (December 21, 2016)

Currently...


Writing... Lists in my bullet journal
I've been transferring lists of addresses and TBR books from my old bullet journal to my new.  One of these days I will do a post about how I set up my bullet journal.

Reading... (Between Books)
I think I will start Pierced by the Sun by Laura Esquivel next.

Listening to... The Girl at the End of the World by James
 James' new album is really great.  I've been listening to it on Amazon Prime music.  Here's one of the songs:  "Nothing but Love"


Eating... Golden Grahams cereal
I bought a box of cereal this week, something I never do, and I just can't get enough of it.  Yum!

Drinking... 'Cot in the Act cider by Two Towns
We got a keg for winter break.  It's an apricot cider and it is yummy.

Wearing... my pjs
I am officially on winter break, so I have been wearing pjs as much as possible.

Feeling... excited
I'm going on vacation soon, to Costa Rica, and I cannot wait!

Weather... cold
Still cold here.  The snow went away, but it is cold.

Wanting... to reach my reading goal this year
but not sure that I can make it.

Thinking... about Costa Rica
OMG!  I am so excited!

Watching... Project Runway
I can't wait to watch the second part of the finale.  I'm not sure who I want to win this season.  I've been watching old seasons to fill the void while I wait.

Enjoying... Winter Break
It is so nice to have some time off work to relax and refresh.  

What are you up to?

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

What I'm Reading Wednesday #28 (December 14, 2016)

Currently I am reading The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton.
A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on

Anyway, here is my progress so far... 
2016 Goal: 32 books
Books Read = 28/32
Books from TBR list: 8
Series completed: 1
2016 Pinterest Board

January
1.  Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
2.  Foreign Gods, Inc by Okey Ndibe
3.  Dear Mister Essay Writer Guy by Dinty W. Moore
4.  Thunder and Lightning by Natalie Goldberg

February
1.  The Double Life of Fidel Castro
2.  Peeps by Scott Westerfeld (Started a new series)
3.  Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult (TBR)
4.  The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld (Completed a series!) 

March
1.  The Magician by Michael Scott (Book 2 of a series)
2.  The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr
3.  Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

April
1.  The Art of X-Ray Reading
1.  Doodle Art Handbook by Lana Karr
2.  Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

May
1.  Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (TBR)

June
1.  The Interior Circuit by Francisco Goldman
2.  The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
3.  Frida's Bed by Slavenka Drakulic


July
1.  The Beach House by James Patterson and Peter De Jonge
2.  The Haters by Jesse Andrews
3.  Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis (TBR)
4.  Room by Emma Donoghue (TBR)
5.  The Sorceress by Michael Scott (Book 3 of a series)

August
1.  Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness (Book 2 of a series)
2.  Armada by Ernest Cline (TBR)
3.  Wild by Cheryl Strayed (TBR)
4.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

October
1.  The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (TBR)

November
1.  Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (TBR)

December
1.  The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey


What are you reading this week?  How are your reading goals going?

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Teaser Tuesday (December 13, 2016)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a rand
om page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here is my teaser:
"As soon as I was born, the nurses whisked me away from the delivery room to explore a matter that was later described on an anonymous medical report only as a slight physical abnormality.  It wasn't long before the devout gathered in the light from the hospital windows, carrying candles and singing hymns in praise and fear.  All because when I was born, I opened my eyes then unfolded the pair of speckled wings that wrapped around me like a feathery cocoon."
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Currently.... (December 7, 2016)

Currently...


Writing... Reference letters
It's almost Job Fair time at school, so I've been writing reference letters for my students.  I finally got them all turned in yesterday.

Reading... The Girl with all the Gifts
I am loving this book!

Listening to... Te mueves tú, Se mueven todos
 This song has been playing over and over in my head since we have been listening to it in my Spanish 2 classes this week.

Eating... fresh veggies
We had homemade subs for dinner with avocado and kumatos and lots of other fresh veggies.  So good.

Drinking... Rhubarbarian cider by Two Towns
This one is my favorite!

Wearing... layers
It has been cold.  I am wearing so many layers.

Feeling... emotional
My surgery has been cancelled because of insurance issues, and now I have to find a new doctor.  It's difficult.

Weather... cold
We might have a snow or ice day tomorrow.

Wanting... to find an amazing new doctor
I hope it happens :)

Thinking... about that song
It really is stuck in my head.

Watching... The 100
We stopped watching for a while, but just restarted watching on Netflix.  Loving the third season.

Enjoying... Pokémon Go
I am having so much fun with this silly game.  It gets me up and out.  I recently caught my first Pikachu and a Ditto!   Exciting stuff!

What are you up to?

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Erin's Book Challenge 6.0

At the beginning of the new year, I will be participating in Erin's Book Challenge again.  There are new categories, and it is always so much fun to see what books everyone chooses.  The challenge runs from January 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017.

• 5 points: Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs



This one has been on my TBR list for a  while now.  It would be great to read it before seeing the movie.  Usually I end up doing it the other way around.



• 10 points: Read a book that starts with the letter “W”

Another one that has been on my TBR list.  I noticed someone else had chosen it for the challenge and immediately knew it would be my choice for this category.


• 10 points: Read a book with six words in the title.
The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

I love reinvented and updated fairy tales.  I am looking forward to reading this one.




• 15 points: Read a book that has a (mostly) green cover.
Matched by Ally Condie

This one is new to me but it sounds very interesting.  This is one of the reasons I love this challenge.  It introduces me to new books and authors.



• 20 points: Read a book with a homonym in the title
You by Caroline Kepnes

This one sounds scary.  I love scary books!





• 20 points: (Submitted by Linda) Read a book by your favorite author. 

I love Barbary Kingslover!  I am super excited to read another of her books.  How have I not read this one yet?


• 25 points: (Submitted by Christina) Read a book set in the city/town/state/territory/county/province where you live.

Another new to me book and author.  I think this category is the most interesting.  It will be fun to read a book set in Oregon.



• 30 points: (Submitted by Peggy) Read a “Rory Gilmore” book. 

I love Stephen King!  Another of my favorite authors.  




• 30 points: (Submitted by Stef Read a book from a genre that you’ve never read (or rarely read.)
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

I tried to read this book once before and did not get very far.  It is time to try again :)



• 35 points: (Submitted by Ferne) Read a book with time travel.
11/22/63 by Stephen King


This one has been on my TBR list for a while also.  Looking forward to finally reading it.