What I'm Reading Wednesday #14 (December 13, 2017)

This week finds me still reading Extracted by RR Haywood.  I started out strong and then lost a little steam along the way.  I am still hopeful that I will meet my goal of 32 books this year.  I have a couple of weeks left.  Fingers crossed!

Here's my progress so far:
2017 Goal: 32 books

Books Read = 28/32

Books from TBR list: 6

Series completed: 0

*Erin's Book Challenge #6:  8/10  0/Bonus Round (Final Score)
**Erin's Book Challenge #7: 5/10  0/Bonus Round (Final Score)
BC = Book Club book

January

1.  Midair by Kodi Scheer

*2.  And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (TBR)

February

*1.  Christine by Stephen King

2.  The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens (yup, I started a new series)

March

1.  The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens (second book in the series)

*2.  Wonder by RJ Palacio (TBR)

*3.  Matched  by Ally Condie

*4.  Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (TBR)

April

*1.  The Ancient Ones by Kirk Mitchell

*2.  The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

*3. The Breaking Light by Heather Hansen

May
*1.  11/22/63 by Stephen King (TBR)

2.  Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
3.  The Vines by Christopher Rice

June
0 books read :(

July
**1.  Yo by Ricky Martin
**2.  Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

August
0 books read :(

September
1.  The Passage by Justin Cronin (TBR) (BC)
**2.  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (TBR)

October
1.  Dualed by Elsie Chapman (BC)
**2.  Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig
3.  Breathe by Sarah Crossan (BC)
**4.  Little Town Lies by Anne Strieber

November
1.  Portrait Revolution by Julia L. Kay
2.  Interference by Amélie Antoine
3.  Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
4.  The Night Bird by Brian Freeman
5.  Skinny Liver by Kristin Kirkpatrick

December
1.  Art and Soul Reloaded by Pam Grout

Currently Reading:
Extracted by RR Haywood
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

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

I'm Sorry, NaNoWriMo. But It's Over...

Dear NaNoWriMo,

I'm sorry but it's over between you and me.  We've had a good run, but you're just not the right fit for me anymore.

I want you to know that it's not you; it's me.  Really.  You're a fantastic challenge!  Every year you help thousands of people to write novels.  Some folks even end up as published authors because of you.  I honestly don't believe I would have ever tried writing a book if it hadn't been for you.  Now I have three partial manuscripts and many more ideas banging around in my head waiting for their turn to meet paper.

I remember when I first met you.  It was 2009.  I was laid off, depressed, and searching for purpose when all of a sudden you came along.  You inspired me.  I planned.  I dreamed.  I wrote over 12,000 words.  That was the most I had written in a long time, maybe ever.  You gave me hope.  I am forever grateful for that.

I have clung to that hope for eight years now.  Every year I think I can do it.  I believe I can do it.  I can write 50,000 words in 30 days.  But it's time I admitted the truth, to you and to myself.  That kind of writing is not my style.  It does not work for me.  I prefer a more laid back approach to writing.  If it takes me years to finish my first draft, I'm ok with that.

So, I'm sorry NaNo, but it's over.  Next November I will ignore all the people chatting about you online.  I will go about my normal routine without you, and everything will be ok.  I will keep writing, but on my schedule.  You will move on and help thousands more people realize their dream of writing a book.

It's for the best.  I promise.
Love,
Lisa

Interference by Amélie Antoine

What it's About:  

Gabriel and Chloé are young, married, and in love.  They live a near perfect life until Chloé, who is very athletic, mysteriously drowns.  Gabriel is left to deal with the tragedy alone.  He joins a bereavement group where he slowly learns to deal with his wife's death and meets a beautiful photographer, Emma.  As Gabriel and Emma start to build their relationship, new revelations about Chloé emerge, changing Gabriel forever.  Will Gabriel be able to move on and start a new life with Emma or will Chloé's death haunt him?

What I Thought:

Wow!  Wow!  O. M. Goodness.  This book!

I almost put this book down.  I almost stopped reading.  I almost gave up.  But I am so glad that I kept reading.

Each chapter of Interference has three parts, each one written from the point of view of one of the three main characters.  The story is revealed to us through the experiences of each of these characters.  In the beginning of the book, one of these characters is already dead.  I found this detail very annoying at first and almost stopped reading the book (I don't always like books that are narrated by ghosts), but I am glad that I kept reading because the twists and turns that the plot takes kept me guessing until the very last page.  I think this book is the best example of the unreliable narrator I have ever read.

I don't want to give away any details.  No. Spoilers.  Which is really hard to do when talking about this book.  O. M. Goodness.  You just have to read this book.    You just have to read it.  

2017 What I'm Reading Wednesday #13 (November 29, 2017)

November was a great month for reading.  I've already read 5 books this month and I still have another day.  Only 5 more books and I will meet my goal for this year!  I walked to the library today, so now I am reading three books at the same time.  I'm sure it will work out :) Anyway, here is my progress so far... 

2017 Goal: 32 books

Books Read = 27/32

Books from TBR list: 6

Series completed: 0

*Erin's Book Challenge #6:  8/10  0/Bonus Round (Final Score)
**Erin's Book Challenge #7: 5/10  0/Bonus Round (Final Score)
BC = Book Club book

January

1.  Midair by Kodi Scheer

*2.  And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (TBR)

February

*1.  Christine by Stephen King

2.  The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens (yup, I started a new series)

March

1.  The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens (second book in the series)

*2.  Wonder by RJ Palacio (TBR)

*3.  Matched  by Ally Condie

*4.  Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (TBR)

April

*1.  The Ancient Ones by Kirk Mitchell

*2.  The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

*3. The Breaking Light by Heather Hansen

May
*1.  11/22/63 by Stephen King (TBR)

2.  Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
3.  The Vines by Christopher Rice

June
0 books read :(

July
**1.  Yo by Ricky Martin
**2.  Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

August
0 books read :(

September
1.  The Passage by Justin Cronin (TBR) (BC)
**2.  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (TBR)

October
1.  Dualed by Elsie Chapman (BC)
**2.  Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig
3.  Breathe by Sarah Crossan (BC)
**4.  Little Town Lies by Anne Strieber

November
1.  Portrait Revolution by Julia L. Kay
2.  Interference by Amélie Antoine
3.  Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
4.  The Night Bird by Brian Freeman
5.  Skinny Liver by Kristin Kirkpatrick

Currently Reading:
Extracted by RR Haywood
Art and Soul Reloaded by Pam Grout
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

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

2017 What I'm Reading Wednesday #12 (November 15, 2017)

today by loca4crafts

I am well on the way to reaching my reading goal for the year and I still have a month and a half to go!  Anyway, here is my progress so far... 

2017 Goal: 32 books

Books Read = 25/32

Books from TBR list: 6

Series completed: 0

*Erin's Book Challenge #6:  8/10  0/Bonus Round (Final Score)
**Erin's Book Challenge #7: 5/10  0/Bonus Round (Final Score)
BC = Book Club book

January

1.  Midair by Kodi Scheer

*2.  And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (TBR)

February

*1.  Christine by Stephen King

2.  The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens (yup, I started a new series)

March

1.  The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens (second book in the series)

*2.  Wonder by RJ Palacio (TBR)

*3.  Matched  by Ally Condie

*4.  Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (TBR)

April

*1.  The Ancient Ones by Kirk Mitchell

*2.  The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

*3. The Breaking Light by Heather Hansen

May
*1.  11/22/63 by Stephen King (TBR)

2.  Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
3.  The Vines by Christopher Rice

June
0 books read :(

July
**1.  Yo by Ricky Martin
**2.  Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

August
0 books read :(

September
1.  The Passage by Justin Cronin (TBR) (BC)
**2.  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (TBR)

October
1.  Dualed by Elsie Chapman (BC)
**2.  Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig
3.  Breathe by Sarah Crossan (BC)
**4.  Little Town Lies by Anne Strieber

November
1.  Portrait Revolution by Julia L. Kay
2.  Interference by Amélie Antoine
3.  Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Currently Reading:
Skinny Liver by Kristin Kirkpatrick
The Night Bird by Brian Freeman

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

NaNoWriMo 2017 Update #1: It's not going well

Oh, NaNoWriMo, how I love you, and how I hate you.

Why do I do this to myself?  Why do I come back year after year and attempt to write 50,000 words in a mere 30 days?

It's the definition of insanity, right?  Trying the same exact thing over and over again, expecting different results?

I really thought that this year would be different.  I am not working, so I have all the time I could possibly want.  In the past, time has been one of my big excuses for not doing well in NaNoWriMo.  

"November is a really busy month for teachers."

"Thanksgiving really throws me off my game."

"I just don't have the time to write 1,667 words every evening after working all day."

Well, now I don't have that excuse.  I have been home every day of November, so far.  I have been sitting in my living room, less than 10 feet from where my computer lives.  I have multiple notebooks and pens sitting on a table next to me.  I have no excuse!

I even made a fantastic and beautiful NaNoWriMo tracker in my bullet journal.
Inspired by Boho Berry.  She's amazing!

You can see from the photo: It's not going well.

Maybe NaNoWriMo is not for me.

As you can see, I have written a total of two days so far this month.  Yes, you read that correctly, two days!  That's a total of 1,681 words.  Almost halfway through the month, and I have only 1,681 words written.

Maybe I will start a writing spurt mid-month and reach my goal by the end of the month.  Writing spurts are a thing, right?  I sure hope so because I need a NaNo miracle!

What about you?  How is NaNoWriMo going for you?

Do you believe in NaNo miracles?

NaNoWriMo 2017

NaNoWriMo and I have some history.  I first discovered the challenge in 2009.  I had been laid off from my job and I was excited to find something to occupy my time.

It.  Was.  A.  Disaster.

First I lost my planning notebook while subbing.  Then I got my job back (which was a good thing) and, all of a sudden, I had no time to write (which was a bad thing).  Needless to say I lost NaNo that year, but that did not stop me.  I have a lot of ideas and I keep coming back to NaNo to explore them, either as a traditional participant or as a rebel.

Last year I took a break from NaNoWriMo and this year I am back!

NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, occurs every November when large numbers of people attempt to write 50,000 words of a novel in 30 days.  Many of those people are successful; many even write more than the required 50,000.  I, however, have never won NaNoWriMo.

But this year, I am confident!  

• I had surgery in early October and I will be at home recovering for the whole month of November, which means I have all the time I need.  
• I have an interesting concept stolen from a nightmare that a friend had.  It involves flying tarantulas.  Yes, you read that correctly... Flying.  Tarantulas.
• I even have one full week of planning time before November begins.

I am pumped!  Wish me luck.

By the way, if you are interested in following my progress, stop back by this blog for updates, visit my NaNo author page, or follow me on Twitter.

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year?  

Tell me about your novel and add me as a writing buddy!

The image "Tarantula Arachnid Nature Wildlife Hairy Spider" by Max Pixel and "Wicca" symbol are both licensed under Creative Commons Zero - CC0.

2017 What I'm Reading Wednesday #11 (October 18, 2017)

It has been a while since I last posted about my reading, but I promise you, I have been reading, silently, although not completely alone.  In July I started a new round of Erin's Book Challenge on Facebook and I started out strong.  I completed two books from my challenge list in one month, one of them in Spanish!  Then I decided to start a book club with a coworker.  She needed some motivation to read more, so we decided to read The Passage... Why did I agree to read such a huge book in the middle of my challenge?  I don't know; it seemed like a good idea at the time, and the book was awesome (yes, I do know that I just started another series!).  

Anyway, I now have about two weeks to read the last 6 books on my challenge reading list!  Oh, and I am also reading book club books...  I'm confident.  I can do this... I think...

Anyway, here is my progress so far... 

2017 Goal: 32 books

Books Read = 20/32

Books from TBR list: 6

Series completed: 0

*Erin's Book Challenge #6:  8/10  0/Bonus Round (Final Score)
**Erin's Book Challenge #7: 4/10  0/Bonus Round
BC = Book Club book

January

1.  Midair by Kodi Scheer

*2.  And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (TBR)

February

*1.  Christine by Stephen King

2.  The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens (yup, I started a new series)

March

1.  The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens (second book in the series)

*2.  Wonder by RJ Palacio (TBR)

*3.  Matched  by Ally Condie

*4.  Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (TBR)

April

*1.  The Ancient Ones by Kirk Mitchell

*2.  The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

*3. The Breaking Light by Heather Hansen

May
*1.  11/22/63 by Stephen King (TBR)

2.  Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
3.  The Vines by Christopher Rice

June
0 books read :(

July
**1.  Yo by Ricky Martin
**2.  Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

August
0 books read :(

September
1.  The Passage by Justin Cronin (TBR) (BC)
**2.  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (TBR)

October
1.  Dualed by Elsie Chapman (BC)
**2.  Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig

Currently Reading:
Breathe by Sarah Crossan (BC)

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

Sorry for the Absence

Wow!  I have been gone from this blog for about 3 months now.  I promise you my time has not been wasted.  I have been thinking and planning a lot, trying to improve the content of this blog.  I think I have finally found my direction.  I will be back with new posts soon, starting with some of the fun things that I have been doing this summer.  I am working on a new posting schedule and other possible updates.  I thought about changing platforms but have decided to stick with Blogger for now.  I'm really looking forward to spending more time with this blog.  Let me know if there are any specific posts that you would like to see in the near future.

See you soon,
Lisa

TeaTime Chat (May 17, 2017)

If we were having tea, I would tell you that I am really enjoying the spring.  The weather has not been perfect here in Oregon, in fact we have had a lot of rain, but when the sun is out, it is perfect.  My husband and I have been working in our garden as much as possible.  We have weeded and planted veggies and flowers.  My favorite right now is this beautiful columbine.  I swear that every day it is a little different and a little more beautiful.

Columbine in my back yard #project365 #flowers #gardenersofinstagram #garden

A post shared by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on May 6, 2017 at 4:24pm PDT

If we were having tea, I would let you know that my favorite tea is Barry's.  I grew up with it and I have now become kind of a snob.  I have a hard time drinking any other kind of tea.  I have to special order my tea on Amazon, can't find it in any of the stores.

If we were having tea, I would tell you that work is going well, but that springtime is the worst time to be a teacher.  The summer vacation is in sight, and no one wants to be working in a stuffy classroom.  Four weeks seem like an eternity and too little time all at once.

If we were having tea, I would tell you about Wednesday Friendsday.  My friend and I recently started spending time together every Wednesday afternoon.  It has been so much fun.  Last Wednesday we went for a walk, and the week before we went out for pretzels and root beer.  It is something I look forward to every week.

If we were having tea, I would tell you that I really miss my cat.  She died on January 9th, and I think about her every day.  She used to consume so much of my life.  Now I have extra time to relax in the evenings and I have the freedom to leave the house more, but I miss that fuzzy little thing.  I will definitely have a cat again soon.

If we were having tea, I would tell you about the book I am reading.  It is about journaling and creating an illuminated journal.  It is a beautiful and inspiring book.  I hope that one day my journal will be that beautiful too.

What's going on in your life?

Quotable Books: The Breaking Light by Heather Hansen

I read this book as an e-book on my Kindle.  I got it as part of the Kindle First  program.  As a Prime member, I get to choose one book each month from a list of new releases.

What it's about:

In a stratified society where contact with the sun is a luxury reserved for the elite, those kept prisoner in the darkness will do anything to find the light. Arden-beautiful, street-smart, and cynical-is one of the citizens of the lowest Level, known as Undercity, of an off-world colony. A blackout band traps Arden in her district, but as sister to the leader of the most powerful gang in Undercity, she has access to Above.

There she meets Dade, one of the few lucky enough to be born into the sun-kissed families who reside in the Towers soaring above the rest of the city. But life isn't perfect in the sky. Dade, desperate to escape his upcoming arranged marriage, has a secret of his own, and he's willing to risk everything for it.

An unlikely romance develops between the two teens-but their love faces opposition from above and below. When her gang pressures Arden to help break the grip of the elite and end Dade's interference with their drug trade, she is forced to make a deadly choice between love and family loyalty. But will the brewing class war destroy the world around them first?

What I thought:

I really enjoyed this book.  It's a different look at the future, and I thought it was a fascinating idea.  Especially in this day and age, where we hide from the sun, sunscreen and skin cancer, it surprised me to read a book where sunlight was saved for the elite. 

The main character is an intelligent and strong female, another reason to love this series.  Although she falls for the handsome, rich man, there is more to her life than the romance.  She has very difficult decisions to make about where her life will lead.

The basic story line is the story of star-crossed lovers, like Romeo and Juliet, but the ending is different although still full of tragedy.  The book ends with a cliffhanger that left me wanting more.  Surely some pages were missing?  No such luck.  I guess I will have to find the next book in the series to find out what happens next with Dade and Arden.

Have you read this book?  What did you think?

2017 What I'm Reading Wednesday #10 (May 10, 2017)

I am currently reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.   It's an easy read, and I expect to finish it quickly.

Anyway, here is my progress so far... 

2017 Goal: 32 books

Books Read = 12/32

Books from TBR list: 4

Series completed: 0

*Erin's Book Challenge:  8/10  0/Bonus Round (Final Score)

January

1.  Midair by Kodi Scheer

*2.  And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (TBR)

February

*1.  Christine by Stephen King

2.  The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens (yup, I started a new series)

March

1.  The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens (second book in the series)

*2.  Wonder by RJ Palacio (TBR)

*3.  Matched  by Ally Condie

*4.  Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (TBR)

April

*1.  The Ancient Ones by Kirk Mitchell

*2.  The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

*3. The Breaking Light by Heather Hansen

May
*1.  11/22/63 by Stephen King (TBR)

Currently Reading:

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

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

Erin's Book Challenge 6.0 Has Ended

Once again, another round of Erin's Book Challenge has come to an end.  April 30th was the last day, and I did not complete my 10 books  :(

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

This book was so much better than the movie!  I enjoyed the vintage photos throughout the book, and the story was compelling.  I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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

Wonder by RJ Palacio

OMG!  The feels!  This book made me cry more than I have ever cried when reading a book.  I loved the story.  I had medical problems as a child that have followed me into adulthood.  Maybe I saw a little of my childhood in this book.

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

I didn't get to read this one but I still want to read it.  Soon, hopefully.

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

I liked this book.  I will definitely read the next book in the series.  The innocent teenager voice threw me for a loop at first, but I quickly got caught up in the storyline.

• 20 points: Read a book with a homonym in the title

You by Caroline Kepnes

Changed to:  The Breaking Light by Heather Hansen

I couldn't find You at the library, so I switched to a book I already had on my Kindle.  I really enjoyed the book!  And what a cliffhanger ending!  Now I have to read the next book in the series.

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

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

I love Barbary Kingslover!  And what a nice surprise to discover that the book featured two of my favorite artists, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.  I loved everything about this book!  The language, the characters, the re-imagining of history.... and, of course, it's Barbara Kingsolver!  What more need I say?

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

Ancient Ones by Kirk Mitchell

I liked this book.  It was a good mystery, and I liked reading about Native American traditions and life.  The characters felt real.  At first I thought it was going to be a Christine type book, but turned out to be a very human problem.

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

Christine by Stephen King

I love Stephen King!  Another great book by a great author.  I loved everything about it.  

• 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 liked this book.  Good storytelling.  I like how all the different stories connected and showed how one decision can affect so many lives.

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

I finished this one, but not in time for the challenge.  I started it before the challenge ended but did not finish until May.  It is a huge book!  And the ending.  OMG!  The ending was so sad, and so beautiful.  Loved it!


I almost completed the challenge this time.  I was only a little over one book away from reading all ten books on my list.  I am excited to try again when the next book challenge rolls around.