What I'm Reading: May 31, 2018

What I'm Reading Wednesday is a monthly feature where I share what I have been reading.  Feel free to share what you are currently reading in the comments (I love comments and book recommendations!).

Reading Goal for the Year:  50 books

Currently Reading:  All Quiet on the Western Front

Total Read So Far:  13/50 books

January 2018

1.  Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

2.  The Short Drop by Matthew Fitzsimmons

3.  Evelyn After by Victoria Helen Stone

4.  The Likeness by Tana French

February 2018
1.  The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon
2.  The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

March 2018
1.  Into the Thickening Fog by Andrei Gelasimov

April 2018
1.  Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley
2.  Pretty Girls Dancing by Kylie Brant
3.  The Lake House by James Patterson

May 2018
1.  Spare Parts by Joshua Davis
2.  Say You're Sorry by Melinda Leigh
3.  Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

Well, I completed Erin's book challenge and read another three books in the month of May.  I am excited for another challenge to begin July 1st.  Categories will be revealed tomorrow!  Can't wait!

Do you have a reading goal for the year?

What are you reading? 

I am an Obliger

Yes, I know this post is late.  Memorial Day threw me off.

Hello, my name is Lisa, and I am an Obliger

"An Obliger?" you might ask.  "What is that?"

According to Gretchen Rubin in Better Than Before, "Obligers meet outer expectations but struggle to meet inner expectations.... Because Obligers resist inner expectations, it's difficult for them to self-motivate--to work on a PhD thesis, to attend networking events, to get their car serviced.  Obligers depend on external accountability, with consequences such as deadlines, late fees, or the fear of letting other people down."

Rubin also identifies three other tendencies: the Upholder, the Questioner, and the Rebel; but as I read this part of the book, I was in shock.  "That's me!," I thought.  "OMG!  That is so me!"  I still can't believe that someone pegged me so perfectly.

So, what does this mean?  How does this affect my life?

Well, it means that I have  a difficult time meeting all the goals I set for myself.  I need accountability.  I am trying some different methods of holding myself accountable.  I am using trackers and offering myself rewards if I continuously meet my goals.  I am very purposefully setting aside time for each activity in my day.

If I continue with this long enough, this could become a habit, and I will no longer have to think about it.

But maybe that is wishful thinking.

After all, I am an Obliger.

The Likeness by Tana French

From the Back Cover:
"In the "compelling"* and "pitch perfect"** follow up to Tana French’s runaway bestseller In the Woods, it's six months later and Cassie Maddox has transferred out of the Dublin Murder squad. But an urgent telephone call beckons Cassie to a grisly crime scene. The victim looks exactly like Cassie and carries ID identifying herself as Alexandra Madison, an alias Cassie once used as an undercover cop. Suddenly, Cassie must discover not only who killed this girl, but, more importantly, who is this girl?" 

What I Thought:
I saw my double once, as a child, on vacation in the west of Ireland.  We were driving on a country road, and she was walking in the sunshine.  At the time I wished I could have stopped to talk to her. Now I wonder what her life was like.  Did she have the same struggles and successes that I have had?  How different were our lives?  I can't imagine what I would do if I saw my double's dead body?

When Cassie now only saw her double's dead body but also found out that her double had been living the life of one of her former undercover personalities, curiosity must have taken over.  Imagine sneaking into your double's life and taking over where she left off.  It would be so tempting.  And her life was so different.  I felt it pulling her in and surrounding her in its comfortable rhythm.

The book did drag at times, but I feel it was reflective of Cassie's desire to allow the investigation to drag on, so she could wallow in her new life for a while longer.  I figured out the true murderer long before Cassie did but, again, I think she hid the truth from herself as long as she could.  She did not want to rush back to her real life.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and recommend it.  There are times where the story slows and the reader can put the book down and take a break.  Other times it keeps you on the edge of your sear and you won't want to put it down.  I can't wait to read more Tana French.

Have you ever read a book by Tana French?  What did you think?

Any book recommendations?

Lockdown! This is Not a Drill!

Monday Musings is a weekly post where I write about whatever is 

currently on my mind.

On Friday morning the school where I teach went into lockdown.  It was easily the most terrifying day of my life.

At 9:40am, class had just begun.  My students were signing into their Chromebooks, and we were joking about what would happen next in our weekly video series, Mi vida loca.

And then it happened.

"This is not a drill.  Lockdown!  Lockdown!"

My mind immediately went blank.  The students were ready.  Our drills had worked.  They knew what to do.  But I had to stop and think.  "Lockdown.  That means the threat is inside the school.  We have to hide from the window in the door."

The lights were already off in the classroom since we were preparing to watch a video, and I always keep the door locked.  There were just a few more steps to complete.  I turned off the projector and my computer screen and directed the students to close their Chromebooks.  We all moved to one side of the classroom and squeezed in tight, hoping to keep ourselves hidden from the small rectangular window in the door.

As I huddled with my students against the wall, I glanced around the room and quickly realized two things: there is nothing even remotely weapon-like in my classroom, and all the water bottles and Chromebooks on the desks made it painfully obvious that people were hiding in that room.  

I was scared.  

My 21 students were scared; some of them were crying, all of them were on social media exchanging messages of love with each other and passing on the latest rumors about what was going on.

"Someone brought a gun to school"

They already knew more than me.  For the first and only time in my life I wished I was part of their group chat on Snapchat.  I felt so lost.  How was I supposed to protect them when I didn't even know what was happening outside our room?

The door shook.  We all stopped breathing for a minute.  Whoever it was moved on down the hallway.  "It was the police," one of my students reported.  He showed me a picture of all the police cars outside the high school.  Three different departments had come to help us.

We stood against that wall for almost two hours before the lockdown ended.  The police took three suspects into custody  No shots were fired.  No one was injured or killed.  In that sense, we were lucky.  

I held it together for the rest of my work day.  Then I went home, took a shower, and cried.  I am not generally an emotional person, but the stress of that day was too much.  I am still happy that there is nothing weapon-like in my classroom; I am happy that we all emerged from the experience unharmed; but I am sad that this now seems to be part of my job description.

My Inner Critic

Monday Musings is a weekly post where I write about whatever is 

currently on my mind.

A recent assignment for the Ninja Writing Challenge involved visualizing my inner critic and the place I would send her when writing my first draft.  I had never really thought much about my inner critic before, so this task was very interesting to me.

My first thought was that my inner critic definitely wears glasses.  I imagined that she probably looks just like me, but with big, thick-framed glasses.

Then a clearer picture started to form.  

I'm pretty sure that my inner critic is a version of my 8th grade English teacher, Mrs. Claus.  Yes, that was her real name, Mrs. Claus, no relation to Santa, although she did always wear red.  Red from head to toe.  

I think my inner critic is a lot like Mrs. Claus.  She wears glasses to prove that she is smarter than me.  She is short and sweet, like my writing should be.  She wears red, like the pen that she is marking my text with.  Her clothing is impeccable, like her editing skills.

But where can I send Mrs. Claus when she gets in the way of me finishing a first draft?  Well, I think I will send her to the North Pole.  Maybe she can reunite with Mr. Claus.  She can correct the elves' grammar and proofread the toys' instruction manuals until I actually need her.

Goodbye Mrs. Claus!  I will need your help soon, just not right now.  Oh, and thanks for publishing that poem I wrote as an 8th grader.  I didn't appreciate it then but you made me believe that I could be a writer someday.  Thank you for that.

What does your inner critic look like?

Ninja Writer Challenge Starts Tomorrow!

Monday Musings is a weekly post where I write about whatever is 

currently on my mind.

I am starting a new writing challenge tomorrow.  I already have my new notebook, a pen that brings me joy, and I've listed the challenge goals on the first page.  I really like having goals for a new notebook.

From what I can gather, the challenge should require about 30 minutes of my time each day during the month of May: 10 minutes of writing, 10 minutes of reading, and 10 minutes for the daily challenge.  

I am excited to start this challenge (I am always excited to start a challenge); my concern is that, as usual, I will not complete the challenge.  I am hopeful that I can follow through with this challenge - 30 minutes a day seems like such a small commitment.

Dear reader, I would love a gentle nudge to help me stay on track.  If you are interested in joining the challenge and becoming my writing buddy, visit this link.  I look forward to a month of writing with you.

What I'm Reading 2018: April 25, 2018

What I'm Reading Wednesday is a monthly feature where I share what I have been reading.  Feel free to share what you are currently reading in the comments (I love comments and book recommendations!).

Reading Goal for the Year:  50 books

Currently Reading:  Pretty Girls Dancing by Kylie Brant

Total Read So Far:  8/50 books

January 2018

1.  Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

2.  The Short Drop by Matthew Fitzsimmons

3.  Evelyn After by Victoria Helen Stone

4.  The Likeness by Tana French

February 2018
1.  The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon
2.  The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

March 2018
1.  Into the Thickening Fog by Andrei Gelasimov

April 2018
1.  Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

Well, my reading year was off to a great start but I am definitely slowing down.  With only five days left, I have one and half books left to read in order to complete Erin's book challenge.  I know that I can do it, if I really focus and read.  The question is, will I do it?

Do you have a reading goal for the year?

What are you reading? 

Spring Has Sprung!

Wisteria 

Spring has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest, and it feels amazing!  I came home from work today and sat in the backyard listening to a podcast about creativity.  I doodled a little, nothing I'm super proud of.

I thought about the newest writing challenge I am planning to participate in and dreamed about the new notebook I will buy for the challenge.  Should I buy something special or just a regular old composition book? 

I thought about all the creative ideas and energy hidden inside me just waiting to burst into bloom, like the gorgeous wisteria that hid under our ancient, overgrown grapevines for years. 

I feel hopeful that this spring is just the beginning for me, that all my creative ideas will become something more this year, that I will find success.

If you are interested in joining the Ninja Writer Challenge, here is some more information.  Let me know if you join up.  I would love to have an accountability partner for this challenge.

Confessions of a Nail Biter: Disaster has Struck

Monday Musings is a weekly post where I write about whatever is 

currently on my mind.

Disaster struck this week.  I destroyed all but two of my nails.  I can tell you how it all started but I cannot explain how it went so far.

Earlier this week, my nails began to break.  I had missed my weekly manicure because I was sick and working eight hours a day.  It's hard to paint your nails, even to apply nail strengthener, when you are completely exhausted.  My nails are so weak that without polish, they just break.

When the first nail broke, I reacted well and used  a nail file.  I was proud.  But then another nail broke.  The edges were uneven.  The nail was catching on things.  I started to bite.  Then the next nail broke, and I continued to bite.  Then I started some preemptive biting.  I'm pretty sure this nail is going to break soon; I better take care of that.  And now my hands are in a bad place.  Some of my nails, I could salvage.  Others are destroyed, red, painful, damaged.  I can't explain why I didn't stop myself.  I was aware of what I was doing.  I carry a nail file in my purse, everywhere I go.  And even after those nails were completely destroyed, I still kept biting.  I am not sure what happened.  I was obsessed.

This is so hard.  I am using this blog to keep myself accountable to my goal.  I will beat this habit.  

Monday Musings 4/9/18

Currently...


Writing... nothing
I have not written anything in months.  No editing either.  I keep thinking about getting started again.  Maybe a new notebook is needed..... hmmmm.

Reading... Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley
It's such an interesting book.  I have had a hard time reading recently because I was so sick I could not pay attention to words on a page, but now that I am feeling better, I am getting back into the story.

Listening to... Lady Gaga
I love her newest album, Joanne.  It is the perfect album to sing along with, anytime of day.

Eating... Low-calorie food
My husband and I are trying to be more healthy and lose some of the weight we have recently gained.  At this point we count calories for about half of the week, easing into this new diet.

Drinking... so much sparkling water and tea
Since I got sick, I have been trying to hydrate as much as possible, and the tea helps my throat.  It doesn't hurt that they are two of my favorite beverages.

Wearing... my pink cat dress
Today was a beautiful spring day, and I decided to show my crazy cat lady a little.  I wish I had gotten a picture of myself in my cat dress with my cat mug.  Pitiful.

Feeling... frustrated
I have been trying to draw every day, but recently I find it hard to think of something to draw so I just stare at my sketchbook and pens and never draw anything.  Frustrating!

Weather... sunny
Today was a beautiful day, almost 70.  It made me dream of summer.  Unfortunately it will be raining again tomorrow.

Wanting... to complete Erin's Book Challenge
Less than a month to go and I have 2 and a half books to read.  I am hopeful.  I think I can do it.  If my fear of completing projects doesn't get in my way.

Thinking... I'm almost completely healthy again
I still have a cough, mostly when I talk a lot, but overall I feel so much better.  Yay!

Watching... American Gods
Loved the book!  And I am really enjoying the first season of the tv show.  I'm on the last disc and can't wait to see what cliffhanger the season ends with.

Enjoying... hidden object games
I'm obsessed recently.  I love hidden object games!  I could play for hours.

What are you up to?
Have you watched American Gods?  What is spring like where you live?
Do you have a reading challenge you enjoy?

The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon

From the Back Cover:
"Spain.  A land of eternal passion and enceasing bloodshed.  From the vengeance of a pitiless tyrant, four women flee the sacred, once-safe walls of a convent:  Lucia, the proud survivor harboring a murderous secret form the savage clan wars of Sicily...

Graciela, the beauty still unpurged of guilt from one reckless, youthful sin...

Megan, the orphan seeking perilous refuge in the arms of a defiant Basque rebel...

and Teresa, the believer haunted by a faith that mocks her with silence.

Leaving innocence but not hope behind, they venture into an alien, dazzling world, where each will encounter an unexpected destiny -- and the truth about herself."

What I Thought:

"Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of our Lives."

From the moment I chose this book from my bookshelf, those words echoed in my head.  I chose this book for Erin's Book Challenge for the prompt to read a book by an author whose first and last name start with the same letter, and the Days of Our Lives reference was very appropriate.

I think it was a combination of the book's title and the cover art that first made me think of that famous, long-lived soap opera (which I used to watch religiously, by the way), but once the story got going, I soon realized how much like a soap opera this book actually is.

It all starts with nuns running away: from a life of crime, from their sexuality, from the man who rejected them, from the unknown.  Add in the evil, violent general and a group of handsome terrorists, and voila!  You've got action, adventure, romance, twists, turns, everything a soap opera needs.

The characters were predictable.  Sex was used as a weapon.  The people who should be good guys were bad.  The ones who should be the bad guys were good.  Some characters had happy endings and some did not get what they wanted.  It was a soap opera, and I loved and hated it all at once.

One of my goals for this year is to pass the books that I read onto another reader.  This will be the first book that I pass on.  If you are interested in getting your hands on this book, please leave a comment.  Next Wednesday, I will randomly choose one commenter and mail the book to him or her.  If no one comments, I will donate the book or take it to a used bookstore.

Do you like soap operas?

Have any good book recommendations?

Don't forget to comment if you would like to receive this book.

I'm Sick and Other Random Thoughts

Monday Musings is a weekly post where I write about whatever is 

currently on my mind.

1.  I am sick.  I have been sick for over three weeks now.  And it just keeps going.

2.  Last week was spring break.  We went to Las Vegas for a few days.  We stayed at the Aria, which was beautiful and amazing.  We went to see the Cirque Du Soleil show, Love, based around Beatles songs.  It was awesome.

3.  I was sick while we were in Vegas for spring break.

4.  I didn't blog for a week because I was sick.

5.  Am I complaining and whining too much?  I feel like I might be complaining and whining.  I'm just so sick and tired of being sick.

6.  It's really hard to be back at work when you're still sick.

7.  Don't worry.  I will survive.  Hopefully, I will be healthy soon.

8.  Did I mention that I hate being sick :(

What I'm Reading 2018 - March 28, 2018

What I'm Reading Wednesday is a monthly feature where I share what I have been reading.  Feel free to share what you are currently reading in the comments (I love comments and book recommendations!).

Reading Goal for the Year:  50 books

Currently Reading:  Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

Total Read So Far:  7/50 books

January 2018

1.  Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

2.  The Short Drop by Matthew Fitzsimmons

3.  Evelyn After by Victoria Helen Stone

4.  The Likeness by Tana French

February 2018
1.  The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon
2.  The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

March 2018
1.  Into the Thickening Fog by Andrei Gelasimov

Well, my reading year was off to a great start but I seem to be slowing down. 

Do you have a reading goal for the year?

What are you reading? 

Evelyn, After by Victoria Helen Stone

From the Back Cover:

"Evelyn Tester is sleepwalking through her suburban life—until a late-night phone call startles her awake. Her husband, a prestigious psychiatrist, has been in an accident. And he isn’t alone.

Suddenly Evelyn’s world isn’t as tidy as she thought. And in the midst of it all is Juliette, not only her husband’s secret lover but also his patient. If news of the affair were to get out, it would ruin more than just Evelyn’s marriage. Although it’s a bitter pill for Evelyn to swallow, protecting her family means staying silent—even if, as she begins to discover, the night of the accident has consequences far more dangerous than the unmasking of an affair.

But the more Evelyn learns about Juliette’s picture-perfect life—complete with a handsome, unsuspecting husband—the more she yearns for revenge…and satisfaction. Her growing obsession fuels her rage, burning away her complacency. What will be left of her after it flames out?"

What I Thought:
Oh, Evelyn!  What would I do if I were put in your position?  I honestly don't know.  I have dealt with cheating and dishonesty in my life but not at the level that you did.  I can understand the decisions you made.  I can understand the devastation you felt.  I can understand the need to build yourself up at others' expense.

Oh, Evelyn!  I cannot imagine the pain and grief and anger you felt.  I cannot imagine how good it felt to have something beautiful come out of that ugliness.  I cannot imagine how it felt when that good thing returned to the ugliness.

Oh, Evelyn!  You have made me think.  You have made me wonder what anger and grief could do to me.  You have made me wonder if I can find my happy ending.  I am glad that you found yours.

Have you read this book?

What did you think?

I am a Nail Biter

Monday Musings is a weekly post where I write about whatever is 

currently on my mind.

I am a nail biter.  I have been a nail biter for as long as I can remember.  Throughout my childhood, I had no nails to speak of.  My fingers were always in my mouth.  I was never proud of my hands or my nails.

As I have gotten older, I have become more successful at growing my nails.  I usually have a few months of healthy (as healthy as they can be after years of biting and picking) nails, then one will break.  I will start to pick and bite.  Picking and biting.  Picking and biting.  Until all my nails are gone.  Sometimes I can limit myself to one or two nails, usually a thumb and an index finger.

In the last ten years I have had two serious finger infections.  One tested positive for MRSA.  Both were scary experiences; I have an artificial hip and have to take all infections very seriously.  Each time, there was no wound.  The doctors determined that the cause of the infection was my nail-biting.  My most recent infection was only two months ago, mid-February, and I knew that it was time to take control of this problem.

My thumb on Day 1

Day 1:  As part of my Year of Yes!, I decided to say "Yes!" to my nails.  I gave myself a manicure and painted my nails a bright shade of pink.  This makes it a lot more obvious if my nail is headed towards my mouth.  My left thumb was my shortest, most ragged nail.

My thumb on Day 18

Day 18:  At the days passed by, I was making progress.  I had not bitten a nail, not even one.  I had picked at the skin around some nails, but things were definitely getting better.  I was maintaining my manicures and using all of my nail polishes.

My thumb on Day 30

Day 30:  My nails are growing.  My skin is healing.  This may be the best decision I have made this month.  My nails are still really weak and two of them broke this week.  I picked up my nail file instead of biting or picking.  I have successfully gone a whole month without destroying a nail!  I am using that finger infection and my hip health as motivation to keep going all year.

Wish me luck!

Have you ever tried to quit a bad habit?

What I'm Reading Wednesday - February 28, 2018

What I'm Reading Wednesday is a monthly feature where I share what I have been reading.  Feel free to share what you are currently reading in the comments (I love comments and book recommendations!).

Reading Goal for the Year:  50 books

Currently Reading:  Into the Thickening Fog by Andrei Gelasimov

Total Read So Far:  6/50 books

January 2018

1.  Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

2.  The Short Drop by Matthew Fitzsimmons

3.  Evelyn After by Victoria Helen Stone

4.  The Likeness by Tana French

February 2018
1.  The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon
2.  The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Well, my reading year is off to a great start.  I am working on book 6 of the Book Challenge by Erin.  

Do you have a reading goal for the year?

What are you reading?

Book Challenge by Erin 8.0 - My Reading List

Another round of the Book Challenge by Erin has begun, and I am off to a good start.  For this round I am trying to mostly read books that I already own. Here is my reading list for the challenge:

Freebie - 5 points
Pretty Girls Dancing by Kylie Brant

Starts with the Letter L - 10 points
The Likeness by Tana French

Mostly Red Cover - 10 points
The Short Drop by Matthew Fitzsimmons

Character's Name in the Title - 15 points
Evelyn After by Victoria Helen Stone

Book Riot's 100 Must Read Books with Plot Twists - 20 points
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

House or Home in the Title - 20 points
The Lake House by James Patterson

Author whose First and Last Name Start with Same Letter - 25 points
The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon

Originally Published in a Different Language - 30 points
Into the Thickening Fog  by Andrei Gelasimov

Action Takes Place on a Form of Transportation - 30 points
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Character Suffers from a Debilitating Physical Illness - 35 points
Magonia by Maria Danvana Headley

Have you ever participated in a reading challenge?

What I'm Reading Wednesday - February 7, 2018

What I'm Reading Wednesday is a monthly feature where I share what I have been reading.  Feel free to share what you are currently reading in the comments (I love comments and book recommendations!).

Reading Goal for the Year:  50 books

Currently Reading:  The Sands of Time by Sidney Sheldon

Total Read So Far:  4/50 books

January 2018

1.  Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

2.  The Short Drop by Matthew Fitzsimmons

3.  Evelyn After by Victoria Helen Stone

4.  The Likeness by Tana French

Well, my reading year is off to a great start.  I am hopeful I will meet my goal this year.  

Do you have a reading goal for the year?

What are you reading?

The Short Drop by Matthew Fitzsimmons

From the Back Cover:

"A decade ago, fourteen-year-old Suzanne Lombard, the daughter of Benjamin Lombard—then a senator, now a powerful vice president running for the presidency—disappeared in the most sensational missing-person case in the nation’s history. Still unsolved, the mystery remains a national obsession.

For legendary hacker and marine Gibson Vaughn, the case is personal—Suzanne Lombard had been like a sister to him. On the tenth anniversary of her disappearance, the former head of Benjamin Lombard’s security asks for Gibson’s help in a covert investigation of the case, with new evidence in hand.

Haunted by tragic memories, he jumps at the chance to uncover what happened all those years ago. Using his military and technical prowess, he soon discovers multiple conspiracies surrounding the Lombard family—and he encounters powerful, ruthless political players who will do anything to silence him and his team. With new information surfacing that could threaten Lombard’s bid for the presidency, Gibson must stay one step ahead as he navigates a dangerous web to get to the truth."

What I Thought:

The Similes and Metaphors.  The author's writing was easy to read and chock full of unique similes and metaphors.  He brought a vividness to his description that I appreciated.

Gibson.  The protagonist is an interesting character.  He has a unique past.  He has definite motivation to solve the case.  He is a good guy.  He doesn't let his bitterness invade his life.  He doesn't go crazy for revenge.  He is a genuinely good guy, and I love his diner obsession!

Knowledge.  The author seems to have done his research.  He sounds very knowledgeable about law enforcement, politics, black ops, hacking.  

Compelling Story.  The plot has good pacing and enough complications to keep it interesting.  At times I felt like I knew where the story would end, but I was wrong.  The ending left room for another book while still feeling resolved.

It reminded me of Scandal, one of my recent Netflix binging obsessions.

I really liked this book (I mean, it reminded me of Scandal, need I say more?).  I will definitely read the next book in the series and I recommend the book to anyone interested in political-intrigue-thriller-type books (especially if you like Scandal).

Have you read this book?  What did you think?