Tag: Link List

savoring {february 2020}

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My theme for 2020 is Savor.  I have found that generally I’m not fully present to enjoy anything (and I do mean anything) that happens to me.  I am seeking to make some major improvement this year in that area. Life is too short not to. Here on the blog, this translates to a monthly blog post that I have entitled Savoring;  curated content that I’ve enjoyed recently and that you might enjoy too. Here are some quotes, pics, and an ad that I slowed down and noticed.  I had to. I have to have something to share with you guys. Lol

Savor by Shauna Niequist

  • While walking in Barnes & Noble last year, after choosing my theme for 2020, I saw this book, Savor by Shauna Niequist. Well, you know I had to get it.  I have really enjoyed the daily readings.  You might to.
  • For those of us who have already dropped the ball on our New Year’s Resolutions, NPR has a poem about it. It’s quite good. Check it out.
  • One of the highlights of 2019 was being a part of the inaugural Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Retreat and meeting my tribe. One of them, @jamie.of.all.trades, mentioned that she received James Clear’s newsletter, 3-2-1. Clear is the author of the book, Atomic Habits, which is on my TBR list.  I can’t remember Jamie’s exact words but it was something along the lines of “the most useful newsletter I read”. I subscribed and I am inclined to agree. Here’s one of his quotes: “The fastest way to raise your level of performance: Cut your number of commitments in half.” – James Clear

Never Arrive. Lisa CogdonSpeaking of newsletters, Mary Laura Philpott is a writer and author of I Miss You When I Blink, my 2019 favorite non-fiction book of the year. I subscribe to her monthly(ish) newsletter, A Book, a Link, a Song, and a Picture and the January pic was by Lisa Congdon. Lisa is an artist, illustrator and the author of eight books. Another artist/writer to fuel my current fascination with artist/writers.

 

  • Finally, the funniest Super Bowl ad, to me. My mom disagreed.  I have often wondered what I did before tech. What do you think?

enjoy life…

how can i read more books?

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To Kill a Mockingbird

So, the Great American Read Finale aired last night and America’s Favorite Book is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  I must confess that I have started it a few times but have not finished it.  But since it is America’s Favorite Book, I guess I must! There were many selections on the list that I have not read yet and I would really like to devote some of the Holidays and some of 2019 to tackling those picks.

To that end, the last Link List of this series, This Bookman: Meditations & Miscellany is devoted to finding ways to make more time to engage in reading.  Modern Mrs. Darcy was kind enough to give us her tips on how she finds time to read. And Charles Chu wrote a post that went viral about and entitled, The Simple Truth Behind Reading 200 Books a Year.

At this point in my life, I am averaging around 35 books per year.  I have already reached my goal of 38 books this year and will undoubtedly add more before the year is out.  A part of me wants to read 100 books in 2019 and according to Chu is very possible. Doing his math, I would need 208 hours to read 100 books.  That seems like a lot.  However, per the stats on my iPhone, during the past 7 days I have spent 12 hours playing Candy Crush and other assorted games. Kind of puts it into perspective, doesn’t it? If I read instead of playing Candy Crush, I would knock out 100 books in 4 months. Hmm!  I just don’t know if I’m ready to commit to that though. What do you guys think I should do?

What about you? What would be the most books you would want to read next year?

til tomorrow, enjoy life

Catch up on the rest of this series.

re: modern mrs. darcy

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Pic. Anne Bogel

It is only fair that the first link list of this series, This Bookman: Meditations and Miscellany, will take you to the guru of my reading life, Anne Bogel at Modern Mrs. Darcy.  Her book, I’d Rather Be Reading was the catalyst for this series of posts. If you have visited my site at all, you have read about her.  Anne is amazing. If you want to jumpstart your reading life or wish to be more intentional about reading more, I highly recommend that you visit her site on a very regular basis.

Every year, she has the MMD’s Reading Challenge, where she challenges us to read a wider variety of books than we would not normally read.  This year’s categories included: a classic you’ve been meaning to read; a book in translation; a book of poetry, a play, or an essay collection; and (my least favorite and one I found to be the most difficult) a book nominated for an award.

Her Summer Reading Guide is one of the highlights of my year, and I always pick 3 or 4 to specifically indulge in every summer. Check out this past summer’s guide. I adored The Ensemble, a debut by Aja Gabel.  Check out my quick review.

In addition, she has a podcast, What Should I Read Next, which I can NOT listen to regularly or my TBR (list of books that I want to read) would be more out of control than it already is.  It’s a great podcast and one of the few to which I subscribe.  She interviews one guest who tells her three books they love, one book they hate, and what they are currently reading and Anne does a little literary match-making, telling them which book they should read next.  Yes, I have applied to be on the show.  No, I have not been accepted. (sob)

Below, I have listed several links to some of her content pertaining to enhancing your reading life.  In addition, every Friday’s she posts, Links I Love, which directs to additional great book content on the interwebs.

  • 15 Audiobooks That Enhance Your Reading Experience – I like the tangible act of reading: the smell of the book, the turning of the page. If I was going to try an audiobook, it would only be on Anne’s recommendation. It might work for you so you should check it out.

Hey! Let me know some great content on the web regarding reading and books, so I can check it out.

til tomorrow, enjoy life

Catch up on the rest of this series.