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?