This Weeks Books (week ending 3/26/17)

This week I finished...

The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer
Well, my nine year old niece was right, the second one was better than the first.  I will have to read the third to see if the second was the best.  I really enjoyed it.  I love how one of the protagonists (I am trying not to give anything away) used compassion and empathy to defeat the evil.  It is written for kids and it is good.  I have heard the audio book is good too (my nieces like it and they have high standards for audio books having listened to Jim Dale read HP many times).  If the size of a book intimidates you, don't worry, although thick it is a quick read once it gets going (and it seems to speed up too).

Recommendations

I Recommend...

Every so often friends ask me to refer a book to them.  Some you can read below as I read them this year.  But some of my recommendations are books that I read before 2017.

My current top 3 recommendations are:

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Especially for anyone into gaming or that grew up during the 80s.  It takes a little to get into it, but not as much as Game of Thrones.  After reading it, there are things you may question.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
This lives with you for awhile.

Americanah by Ngozi Adichie
It is written beautifully.  It is eye opening and amazing.  And it was just chosen as the One Book One New York book, which means if you are in NYC there will be lots of events around the book.  Even if you aren't in NYC, you should read it.
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/mome/initiatives/1book1ny.page

I also recommend:

Three books I read fairly recently.  They were gifts I received at Christmas...
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (from my 12 year old niece),
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (from my 9 year old niece),
and Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey which I got from my best friend from home.

and anything by Rainbow Rowell (start with Eleanor & Park, if you have the choice).

As I recommend other things to other people, I will add them.

This Weeks Books (for a few weeks)

For the week ending 3/19/17

So I could say I didn't finish any books this week, but I did.  I listened to a really corny Hallmark romance that I found on Hoopla.  I listened to it as I walked to school or work or as I ran errands.   I did read a bit of some other things, but nothing else got finished.  (So I fessed up and this weeks picture will be non-existent as you don't need to know the title of the book ;-))

For the week ending 3/12/17

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater.  

It is the last book in the Raven Cycle series.  It tied everything up.  It was a little darker than the other books and it was good.  I don' think it fits into any of the book challenge categories.  I did listen to this as I drove or walked.  

A Big Dose of Lucy by Marthe Joceyln.  

The protagonist is a 16 year old mixed-race orphan in Canada during the 1960s.  It is a story of gumption and courage.  It turns out it is something I had on one of my many book lists.  It also fits the all points-of-view characters are people of color as the whole thing is told from her point of view.   I enjoyed it.  There was a moment i put it down for almost a week as I thought something bad was about to happen and I didn't want to read it.  I had to remind my self it was a book for kids so what i thought might happen, probably wasn't going to - I picked it up again, and i was right - it didn't happen.  #readharder

March 12th was book club - I didn't finish the book in time and it is good (it is still not done- darn school).  

For the week ending 3/5/17

Alas, no books were finished the week ending March 5th.  Books were read, but none were finished.

This Weeks Books (books finished the week ending 2/26)

Zeros by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lasagna, Deborah Biancotti
So this counts as a book by several authors for the #popsugarreadingchallenge.  It is just something I saw at the library.  It took a little while to get into, but once in, it was a little hard to put down.  Granted with studying, I would set the timer and make myself put it down to go read something a little less thrilling such as Physiology.  But after reading that or doing physics problems, it would be my reward.  I am figuring out balance.  I can easily see this book becoming a series, as I liked the characters and would love to know where their relationships go.  I don't know, superhero-wise, where they can go.  We shall see.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Yes, I have read it before.  This time I listened to it.  I haven't read it since it first came out in 2007.  I realized I had read the first few books several times and listened to some of them as books on tape while traveling.  The last few I hadn't, so although I knew the ultimate ending, I didn't remember all that happened.  Still an amazing book.

This Weeks Books (Books finished in the week ending 2/19)

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
I don't think this fits into any of #popsugarreadingchallenge or #readharder challenge, but oh, well.
I really enjoyed it.  The few of Mr. Gaiman's books that I have read all seem dark.  In my imagination, they take place in dimly lit or overcast places.  I enjoy them.  I love that he has put together several different versions of this book over the years, and that the version I read was his favorite.   I like that people still adjust things after they are published.  Granted this probably causes librarians palpitations as the publishing dates all vary.  I would recommend it.  I want to hear the BBC radio version of it; I believe I read that James McAvoy is in it as well as Benedict Cumberbatch.  Granted, I may wait a bit, as I just read it.

Unf*ck Your Habitat by Rachel Hoffman
I read a review of this and thought, hmmmm... gotta love the title.  I like how it meets you where you are.  It has helped.  I am not perfect; and it has helped.  It has some good ideas.  I enjoyed listening to it.

This Weeks Books (books finished the week ending 2/12)

None.  None got finished this week.  (and then school started the 13th)

This Weeks Books (books finished in the week ending 2/5/17)

Making Life Easy: A Simple Guide to a Divinely Inspired Life - Christiane Northrup, M.D.
I listened to the book on tape.  It was much more "airy, fairy" than I had anticipated and I loved everything it had to offer.  Dr. Northrup breaks everything down into to doable steps.  I ended up buying a copy to  use as reference (as following steps from an audio book involves a lot of transcription).
#popsugarreadingchallenge - audio book & book by someone I admire.

Leviathan Wakes - James. S. A. Corey (actually Daniel Abraham & Ty Franck)
I don't normally pick up science fiction on my own, but when someone recommends it, I always enjoy it.  I will have to check out the tv show (word has it, the second season has just begun), and the novella about Fred.  I enjoyed how the point of view alternated between two characters, with the exception of the epilogue.  (thank you Liane - great gift)
#popsugarreadingchallenge - a book with multiple authors (which I didn't know until I read the interview in the back of the book) & a book by an author who uses a pseudonym (the reason I didn't know it was two authors)

Dumplin' - Julie Murphy
I enjoyed this book.  Perhaps I read it too fast, but it felt like something was missing.  Perhaps her body confidence and general confidence wasn't established or thoroughly enough so that when it wavered and escaped her, it didn't feel missing.  I enjoyed all the characters and how death was dealt with - an ongoing process.  It occurs to me that this could easily be made into a film and the confidence could be easier to establish without beating one over the head with it.
#popsugarreadingchallenge - a book with a title that is a character's name (does nickname count?)

This Weeks Books (1/29/17)

So for #popsugar I could go with that it is a book involving travel as they did fly about a lot, or a book about a character who is a different ethnicity than me.  Either, both.  For the #ReadHarder challenge, it qualifies for nada.  And I enjoyed it; it is the sequel to Crazy Rich Asians.  It feels like there could be third as not everything was wrapped up.  I would enjoy it; I like the characters.

This Weeks Books (1/23/17)

The Portable Veblen - Elizabeth McKenzie
This I chose for book club.  It is lovely.  Her use of language was beautiful.  The more I read, the more I liked the characters and enjoyed the book.  This counts for two of the #popsugarreadingchallege as it has a non-human POV and it is a book about an interesting  woman.

The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club- Gil McNeil
This was a quick read and thoroughly enjoyable.  It counts as part of the #popsugarreadingchallenge as it was recommended to me by a librarian (does it still count if the librarian is your friend?)

Champion - Marie Lu
I read this before but must have read it too quickly as I wasn't completely sure until 2/3 of the way through and even then I couldn't remember the ending until I got there.  It is a good conclusion to a trilogy.

Books of 2017

books read the first week of January
if I had realized, I would have also tagged it #popsugarreadingchallenge as one counts for a novel set in wartime.  And I would have tagged it #readharder as it takes place within 100 miles of where I live.

This last weeks books
(actually book- singular)
#readharder from the bookriot read harder list #15 (Read a YA or middle grade novel by an author who identifies as LGBTQ+)

Reading in 2017

So last year and the year before, I took the Goodreads Reading Challenge, where you say how many books you will read in the coming year.   (Okay, so I just checked and I have been doing the Goodreads Reading Challenge since 2011).  I always read more than I commit to and doing the challenge has me record each book I read (or listen to).  I have enjoyed it.  As you may know, I love book lists.  And in the spirit of book lists and expanding my reading (not necessarily more, as I will be in school for portions of the year, but in diversity), I am taking on 3 other reading challenges.  Two are lists, well all 3 are lists, but one requires reviews to win.  I don't know if I care about winning, but if I am going to play, I might as well follow the rules and be eligible.

In no particular order...

The BookRiot Read Harder Challenge with #ReadHarder

The Popsugar Reading Challenge with #popsugarreadingchallenge

The 2017 Back to the Classics Challenge

So feel free to look here and see what I am reading.

Last year, I started posting pictures of the books I had read and listened to each week.  I posted them on Instagram and Facebook and usually tweeted them too with the hashtag #thisweeksbooks.  (I am @KathleenMK)  I will continue doing that and adding the appropriate hashtags from the challenges above if they apply.

I am not a book worm; I am a book dragon.
(yes, I am a dork)

If you are looking for a reading challenge and none of these speak to you, check out this list of 20 from BookRiot.

I have seen this quote several times on Facebook in the last few weeks, if not months.  Every time I've seen it, it brought to mind something that I really hoped I would not have to let go of and yet I knew on some level in my heart and in my head that I would and I should.  At least let go of how it was.

Today I let go.  It is sad.  I will probably go through many spaces of sad and mad for awhile.

I know I loved largely.  I hope I lived gently, albeit perhaps a bit too meekly.  And I hope I am letting go gracefully; not "nicely" but gracefully and truthfully.

I just found this unpublished.  It was written over a year ago.  

musings in the rain...

As I walked in the rain this evening, which in Southern California is a rare treat, I realized almost everything I was wearing had been given to me.  I felt very loved.  My hat was knit by my Grandmother.  My rain slicker was bought for me by my parents, right before I started college.  My sweater is a hand me down from my step-mom.  My jeans are hand me downs from my very tall friend, Cindy.  My socks were a gift from a student (I believe); and my rain boots were a Christmas gift from my sister.  The only other items, my underwear and my new Giants t-shirt, I bought.  I feel very blessed an thankful.

As I walked I passed the museum that currently has an exhibit from a famous tattoo parlor (I kind of assume it is pictures of the tattoos), I wondered if having images of things you love or art created by those you love all over your body creates the feeling of being engulfed in love.  My tattoos are small and not engulfing, so I don't know.

Then in that way that happened during walks, I wondered what other tattoos I would want.  The two that came to mind were the Blue Ghost (a symbol from my childhood) and the word "breathe." breathe would go on the side of my middle finger, serving the double purpose of reminding me to breathe if I ever got hotheaded enough to flip the bird.  I don't know where the blue ghost would go. Where does a blue ghost live on your body?

More August Thanks

Things I am thankful for yesterday and today...

Yesterday, I got to see one of my best friends from college.  I hadn't seen her in 6 years.  She has a beautiful family.  We didn't get to spend much time together, and I am grateful I got to meet her family and have lunch with them.

Today, I had lunch with another friend, whose body I had just worked on.  And I am still tankful for my crystal clear vision and the bookcase I built last week.  And I am thankful for a "yes."

I am thankful for the books I read the last 2 days and their refuge and escape.

I am grateful for the brainstorming ideas for marketing that Victoria came up with tonite on the phone.

I am grateful I took the little steps of action I made today.

I could keep going and it is time for bed.

Thanks

So August is about thanks.

As it is already the 6th, I have a bit of catching up to do.

8/1/13. I am thankful that I get to do massage for my wonderful dentist and her staff.

8/2/13. I am thankful for Bay Cities Deli and their Godmothers and that these sandwiches make people so happy.  I am also thankful for discovering a new (to me) really smooth, yummy, gin - Plymouth.

8/3/13. I am thankful for my wonderful students and how they are sinking into their bodies and their beauty.  I am thankful I got to share in a 3 year old's birthday celebration.  And I got to have a drink with a good friend and catch up on the spur of the moment.

8/4/13.  I am thankful for the Home Girls naming a style of chilaquiles after me (they way I always order it).  I am thankful, I got to celebrate, even in a wee way, my friend's upcoming birthday.

8/3 & 8/4/13.  I am thankful both mornings, I had wonderful breakfast company.

8/5/13.  I am thankful for my sight.  The plaque that was on the capsule that holds the lense was cleaned off with a laser and WOW is my long distance sight clear.  Truly a miracle.

8/6/13.  Thankful to wake up and not need my glasses to see!  Thankful that I have a new massage job coming up beginning in September and the people in the office are lovely.

(Have I ever said I like lists? ;))

Thankful #11

I am thankful for "my boys."  Mostly, I am thankful that last night I got to see them for the first time in a very, very long time (too long).  I am also thankful that I got to meet all of their children.

thankful #10

I am thankful for these little blondes that wake me up when I stay in San Francisco.  They have been know to sit next to my bed and watch a clock until it is time to wake me up.  Even if I want more sleep, I smile at the sight of them.

Thankful #9

I am thankful for my family.  My dad called from Europe today (granted that made me a little worried until I picked up the phone and he'd just called to chat).  And my sister just got back from a family trip so I got to talk to her for the first time in a week (which is a long time for us).  So, what I am grateful for is familial communication. :)

Thankful #5 through 8

I am thankful for a few things today...
5. I am thankful for visiting friends that I got to dine and hang out with. (yummy and fun dinner and wandering).  I am also thankful that they are the type of friends to whom I can say just about anything.
6. I am thankful for the teachers that also act who are willing to jump in to sub when I get a gig.  Hugely thankful.
7. I am thankful for the reike work I had done today.  I feel so much more grounded.
8. I am thankful that my mother raised me as her "beautiful child" so that I have never doubted my beauty.  Even when I was at that "awkward stage," I figured I was beautiful even if people couldn't see it.

Thankful #4

Okay, I get two today.  I am thankful that I got taken out to dinner by my best friend and her daughter.  It was fun.