It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been and plan on reading over the week. Recently taken over, this meme is managed by my Kathryn at the Book Date.
My week:
Slow week as I was home for the holidays and not riding the train, but managed to finish up All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven and a few more chapters of my reread.
Current reads: • Fishbowl - Bradley Somer • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (reread) - J.K. Rowling
Coming up this week:
Digging into Fishbowl and really enjoying it. Also downloaded My Drunk Kitchen by Hannah Hart, but not sure if I will get to it.
Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
Honestly, I can't quite remember everything that arrived over these past months...or how they all came to me, but below are just a few peeks into what found its way home while I was resting from blogging.
These were from a local store that sells used media (books, CDs,DVDs, etc.), as well as new of course, for reduced prices.
A little non-fiction, this is they guy who wrote and sang that song at the end of Good Will Hunting, Miss Misery...
What a great way to celebrate my return to blogging after a few months of silence!
Though I spent quite a bit of time this weekend cleaning up after the holiday and "lazin' like raisins", as I call it, I was able to get through a few chapters of my Harry Potter reread and was able to finish up my current read All The Bright Places by Jennifer Nven. Reviews to come soon, of course.
Thanks for letting me take part and get my feet wet once again in our little blogging pool!
I haven't been doing much couponing recently. First of all, we have a basement full of good stuff! And with the new job, the longer hours, and traveling via train (and no longer via my own car) it's hard to work up the energy to make it happen.
But I've always got an eye out for a good deal!
Perhaps one of my best to date was this Thanksgiving's turkey! At work, they gave us $25 coupons for Butterball turkey. With our BJ's membership, we were able to get a lovely 23 lb. bird for about $25.35. Coupled with my coupon, our amazing turkey for 12+ cost us a whopping $0.35!!!
I guess it's day three of this challenge, but I started late Thursday, so for me it's really day two. Thursday was just way too much to consider reading.
Yesterday, I spent most of my day "vegging out". While there was a good chunk of reading, there was a lot more TV (I hate to admit). But after this week, I needed to just REST!
Today is rainy and overcast here, which is kind of nice as its sidelined hubby's "we must get out and do something, because I've been sick all week and doing nothing but sleeping and sitting on my tush". I really needed another day to rest and can always use more kitty snuggle time. And, not surprisingly, I needed to do more laundry and more dishes!
I'm enjoying finishing up a reread of the fourth Harry Potter book (Goblet of Fire) and am working my way through All The Bright Places, which is an enjoyable, easy read so far. And, I am appropriately thankful for these gifts!
Here are the details: There are no rules to the weekend, we’re simply hoping to devote a good amount of time to reading, and perhaps meeting some of our reading challenges and goals for the year. We thought it’d be fun if we cheered each other on a bit. If you think you can join in, grab the button and add your sign up post to the link-up below. If you don’t have a blog, you can sign up the comments or sign up using a link to your Twitter account or Faceboook page!
Twitter: #thankfullyreading
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Today, I am thankful for surviving preparing dinner for 12 on my own while hubby fights a cold (I refused to allow him to touch any of the food), despite the fact that I am well known for my "if it don't come in a box or bag, I ain't makin' it" cuisine! But I did it...appetizers, turkey (hubby helped), stuffing, taters, yams, green beans, carrots, creamed onions, gravy (all admittedly with help from Dad). And it was good! Unfortunately, hubby now knows I am actually capable of "real food" (as my nephew-in-law, recently home from his first year of college, called it - as I always did!).
And I am thankful to be back to blogging! I will do my best to catch up and keep up...though it's doubtful I will meet any of my annual challenges. Oh well, it's the thrill of the ride, right?!
I figure a reading challenge (and some desperately needed down time) is the perfect place to start!!
If you are interested in other Salon posts, visit the Facebook page to get links. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.
Life:
Hey all, sorry I've disappeared of late.
After all my extra effort at work in the spring (and unpaid overtime), it's just not a great fit. Some of the job is working out fine and other parts not so much. I guess this happens sometimes with jobs changes. It's all very, very stressful and frankly sad.
My boss seems committed to working it out, which is nice. I'm not clear how, and miss much of my old job duties, but clearly I have to keep paying my mortgage...so I'm doing my best (while keeping all options open). Only time will tell.
But, needless to say it's hard to focus on blogging when every day you are emotionally and mentally drained by the time you get home. I am hoping (and sending out daily prayers - I welcome any extras that you might have to share) that I will be able to clean up this mess quickly and move forward in wonderful ways. But until then, I'm just treading water.
Otherwise, all is pretty good. Hubby is good, house is good, summer is good, and life is good. The babies are doing great! They have both grown quite a bit and are finally totally settled. They are clearly still ferals, shy to noise and quick movements, but they cuddle willingly and soak up the love we give them. I'm the luckiest kitty-momma in the world to come home to them each day.
Blogging:
I am still reading. In fact, probably more given it's ability to let me disappear mentally. And I am still reading your blogs behind the scenes, as always. But for now, I need to remove the stress of blogging and keeping up the blog for sanity's sake. I will be back....don't remove me just yet! Once all at work calms down I will catch up, I promise.
Genre: Fiction Rating: 3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.
Book Source: Borrowed from a friend Recommended if you like: Historical fiction, Stories of Hawaii What Its About: The Kalama family have lived a happy existence in their native and idyllic1890's Honolulu, Hawaii, until one day their youngest daughter Rachel develops a rash on her leg. Rachel's mother is horrified and tries desperately to make sure Rachel hides the rash. But through a careless comment, Rachel's sister shares the horrible infomation that her sister is a leper, suffereing from leprosy. Rachel is quickly shuttled off to the local hospital and held for months while doctors try to save her. Eventually, seven-year-old Rachel (a bit of trouble maker, she is a child after all), is deemed a lost cause and sent to Kalaupapa, an isolated leper colony on Moloka'i island. Rachel spends most of the rest of her natural life on Moloka'i watching friends and family come and go, struggling to understand why her mother has disappeared from her life without writing or visiting, and dreaming of that day when she will get to leave the island and reunite with her mother, siblings and a child that she bears who is taken from her before the child can be infected. It is only in her old age that Rachel finally learns the fates of her sister and brothers and the depth of her mother's love.
The Bottom Line: A beautifully written, historically accurate, story of those who found themselves inflicted with leprosy in those days and times.
Genre: Memoir Rating: 3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.
Book Source: Library Recommended if you like: Memoirs, 1980's What Its About: In his first book, Rob Lowe shared with readers his life history, how he got into acting, his experiences in Hollywood, and his struggle with partying and alcohol. And 1980's teens swooned and read in droves. Years older and wiser, Lowe's new book shares older and wiser stories from his adult life, post party-boy. His new stories focus on issues such as coaching his children's basketball team, learning about his genealogy, seeing his first son off to college for the first time, and ultimately how he has learned the importance of and what a gift his marriage and wife are. It seems he is maturing, as are his fans, and he shares his experiences with pride and acceptance.
The Bottom Line:
When I first saw this title, I thought... "Hmm, sounds like he will be talking about relationships." His title would have, perhaps, been more aptly named "Love Life!" An exclamation, or direct order, rather than noun. An older and more mature Rob Lowe communicates perfectly with his older and more mature fans. As with his first title, after reading you are left with more of an understanding and absolute respect for this man. Well written and exceptionally entertaining!
Title: Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner
Author: Judy Melinek/T.J. Mitchell
Genre: Memoir Rating: 3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.
Book Source: Library Recommended if you like: Memoirs, medical stories/books, stories about 9/11 What Its About: An interesting new look at death, Working Stiff is the story of Judy Melinek, a up and coming doctor who discovers that her passion is not where she expected. While she likes medicine, she finds working in a hospital setting less than desirable. She opts to explore the option to study pathology. She is awarded the opportunity to train as NYC medical examiner. She begins her training just before the September 11 attacks and quickly gains experience and knowledge in her field. Dealing with daily NYC death, with causes ranging from shootings and stabbings, to drug overdoses, to natural causes, Melinek learns the ropes of working in a profession that many could not imagine. She develops not only her medical and legal knowledge, but also her ability to separate the world of death at work and life with her burgeoning family.
All of that experience is tested when on September 11th, her entire world is shaken as she walks to work and see a large plane flying very, very low. Too low. Upon arriving at work, she is informed of the events unfolding and spends the next months in the proverbial trenches with her coworkers assisting with the horrific recovery effort. Ultimately, she finds her place in her new field and
The Bottom Line: Interesting look at the every day life of a medical examiner and the trials they face in their work. Melinek shares the truth behind the glamorized depictions seen on shows like CSI and Law & Order.
Title:Etched in Sand: A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island
Author: Regina Calcaterra
Genre: Memoir Rating: 3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.
Book Source: Library Recommended if you like: Memoirs, stories of struggle, stories about children
What Its About: Regina Calcaterra's rags-to-riches story of growing up in Manhattan with her multiple siblings suffering at the hands of a neglectful, abusive, alcoholic mother for years before being able to find a way out. Calcaterra's mother repeatedly leaves her children home to hit the local bars and returns months later to discover that her daughters have kept themselves and their siblings alive by stealing food and nailing windows shut for safety. Calcaterra eventually manages to be the first in her family to attend college, going so far as to get her law degree, and goes on to an admirable legal career in New York politics and activism.
The Bottom Line: Well written and heartbreakingly honest, Calcaterra's story shares a childhood of horror while giving the reader hope that there hope beyond adversity.
Young Hedley, Artists Hoggard, Howes, and Poederooyen, Writers
I'm tired of waking up at 5AM My boss has lost his freaking mind again I'm getting so sick of the same routine And living out somebody else's dream Another zombie coming back to life, Only 20 but I'm feeling like I'm 45
Better burn out than fade away So come and have a drink on me On me, on me
We were young, having fun Used to party all night long Jumping up and down and getting crazy, Banging our heads to AC/DC We were young, turn it up Used to party til we'd drop And we wouldn't stop until we'd see the sun We were young Young Young Young Young
I'm tired of dressing up and stressing out I'm guessing messing up's what I'm about Kicking and screaming inside my head A white picket fence, you blink you're dead. Another zombie coming back to life, With the beat like a bomb in the blinding lights.
Better burn out than fade away, So come and have a drink on me, on me, on me
We were young, having fun Used to party all night long Jumping up and down and getting crazy, Banging our heads to AC/DC We were young, turn it up Used to party til we'd drop And we wouldn't stop until we'd see the sun We were young
Hey hey hey! Time is ticking, they say Hey hey hey! Not a minute wasted Hey hey hey! It's better to burn out than fade away
We were young Young Young Young Young
We were young, having fun Used to party all night long Jumping up and down and getting crazy, Banging our heads to AC/DC We were young, turn it up Used to party til we'd drop And we wouldn't stop until we'd see the sun We were young, Having fun Used to party all night long Jumping up and down and getting crazy, Banging our heads to AC/DC We were young, turn it up Used to party til we'd drop And we wouldn't stop until we'd see the sun We were young
Genre: Fiction Rating: 2/5- Just okay. Choose with extreme prejudice.
Book Source: Library Recommended if you like: Fiction, Mysteries What Its About: Nick Dunne met his wife, Amy, at a party and despite losing contact with her for a year eventually reunited, fell in love, and married. Their "perfect" life carried on in New York City until both Nick and Amy lost their jobs. Then Nick's mother developed cancer and Nick dragged his wife to his home town of North Carthage, Missouri - quite a change for a born and bred New Yorker. Amy and Nick do their best to adjust to their new lives, despite arguments and struggles. Neither are happy, but both seem to be trying, perhaps. Until one day, on Amy and Nick's fifth-year anniversary, Amy disappears. Out of the blue, she is gone. There appears to have been a, questionable, struggle in their home. The police quickly focus on Nick and pull out all the Missouri "stops" to locate her, or a body. Clues, including an anniversary scavenger-hunt (a tradition between them), lead both the police and Nick to come to conclusions about what happened to Amy. But...
The Bottom Line: This book sounded like such a great concept. It was so very hyped by so many! But... In the words of Patricia at American Thinker... "Gone Girl was one of the best books I had read up until the last few pages. Then it became the worst book I'd ever read..." Agreed. Ugh! What a waste!
Love, Me Collin Raye, Artist Skip Ewing and Max T. Barnes, Writers
I read a note my grandma wrote back in 1923 Grandpa kept it in his coat and he showed it once to me He said, "Boy, you might not understand but a long, long time ago. Grandmas daddy didn't like me none. But I loved your grandma so."
We had this crazy plan to meet and run away together Get married in the first town we came to and live forever But nailed to the tree where we were supposed to meet instead I found this letter and this is what it said
If you get there before I do, don't give up on me I'll meet you when my chores are through I don't know how long Ill be but I'm not gonna let you down Darling, wait and see
And between now and then til I see you again I'll be loving you, love me
I read those words just hours before my grandma passed away In the doorway of a church where me and grandpa stopped to pray I know I'd never seen him cry in all my 15 years But as he said these words to her, his eyes filled up with tears
If you get there before I do, don't give up on me I'll meet you when my chores are through I don't know how long Ill be but I'm not gonna let you down Darling, wait and see
And between now and then 'til I see you again I'll be loving you, love me Between now and then 'til I see you again I'll be loving you, love me
Between now and then 'til I see you again I'll be loving you, love me.
Title: Called: Hello, My Name Is Mrs. Jefferson. I Understand Your Plane Is Being Hijacked. 9:45 Am, Flight 93, September 11, 2001
Author: Lisa D. Jefferson
Genre: Memoir Rating: 2/5- Just okay. Choose with extreme prejudice.
Book Source: Purchased Recommended if you like: Stories about 9/11, memoirs What Its About: Lisa Jefferson, a GTE Airphone supervisor, was taken by surprise on September 11, 2001 when an employee informed her that a man on the telephone system was informing them that he was on a plane that had been hi-jacked. She took over the call, thinking there must be a misunderstanding, and soon found herself speaking directly with Todd Beamer. Beamer, one of several passengers including Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett and Jeremy Glick, who formed a plan to take try to recover the plane from the hijackers, shared with Jefferson what was occurring and explained the plan. She spoke and prayed with Todd, a Christian, until, during his final moments, she heard him state the now infamous words "Let's roll!" shortly before the plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field. Jefferson recalls these moments with Todd and hearing the doomed passengers on Flight 93 and discusses how this event greatly effected her life.
The Bottom Line: Overall, Jefferson's story is very interesting and touching. However, her story only represents about half the book. And, her interaction with Flight 93 was considerably less. She shares quite a bit about how her life was changed after this event. Already a Christian, this event seems to have strengthened her belief in God... that's it. The remainder of the book was input from others who lost loved ones on 9/11. While valuable stories, I was interested in hearing much more about Jefferson's experiences, more of her conversation with Beamer, and felt cheated when it was cut short. To be fair, such a dramatic event probably made it difficult to remember many specifics... but overall, I just felt cheated. Well written though, this one's worth it if you are really into stories of 9/11, otherwise there are better accounts of that day out there.
I Will Remember You Sarah McLachlan, Artist Sarah McLachlan, Seamus Egan, and Dave Merenda, Writers I will remember you Will you remember me? Don't let your life pass you by Weep not for the memories
Remember the good times that we had? I let them slip away from us when things got bad How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun Wanna feel your warmth upon me, I wanna be the one
I will remember you Will you remember me? Don't let your life pass you by Weep not for the memories
I'm so tired but I can't sleep Standin' on the edge of something much too deep It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard
But I will remember you Will you remember me? Don't let your life pass you by Weep not for the memories
I'm so afraid to love you, but more afraid to lose Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose Once there was a darkness, deep and endless night You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me light
And I will remember you Will you remember me? Don't let your life pass you by Weep not for the memories
And I will remember you Will you remember me? Don't let your life pass you by Weep not for the memories Weep not for the memories
Just your average reader, blogger, singer, theater geek, web designer, crafts junkie - living in the Boston area with a wonderful husband and two precious new kitties (and of course my cherished memories of a Diva Kitty).
