quick lit – next page, please {may 2018}

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Quick Lit {May 2018}It’s been forever since I have done a Quick Lit post so I am going to discuss the books that I have read since January, how I am doing with the Modern Mrs. Darcy’s (MMD) 2018 Reading Challenge, and what is currently on my night stand.

Read

  • Origin by Dan Brown. I enjoy all of Dan Brown’s novels and looked forward to this one with great anticipation. I had to wait forever for it to become available at my local library but I finally got my hands on it and ate it up. I wish I had all the knowledge that Robert Langdon has in his brain about semiology.  I don’t want to know about signs and symbols but it would be really cool to be a recognized expert on something. I would love to meet that guy one day. And yes, I know he’s fiction. MMD Category: A book by a favorite author
  • Sing Unburied Sing by Jessmyn Ward. I read this one for the Rocket City Mom Book Club and wrote a full review. Liked the message of the work; not necessarily the story.  Ultimately, this book encouraged me to continue to write and share my stories. MMD Category: A book recommended by someone with great taste. Thanks, Stephenie!
  • George Lucas: A Life by Brian Jay Jones. I love a good biography and this one, albeit unauthorized, is right up there. I love reading about how movies are made behind the scenes and how creatives create.  Plus, I like Star Wars! Win-Win. MMD Category: A memoir, biography, or book of creative non-fiction
  • Grace (Eventually) by Anne Lamott: I have a confession to make. I use to strongly dislike the work of Anne Lamott, outside of her classic Bird by Bird.  My friend loved her and got me to read another one of her works for a book club that we had together. However, I saw this one at my local library’s annual book sale and picked it up for 50 cents.  I adored loved title and enjoyed the book, as well.  Anne writes authentically and honestly – two qualities I adore in writers and in people. MMD Category: A book of poetry, a play, or an essay collection
  • How I Write: The Secret Lives of Authors by Philip Oltermann. This is a gorgeous coffee table compilation of popular British authors answer to the question: what do you need to write. Answers ranged from caffeine to one specific chair.  I’m tempted to add this book to my personal library. No MMD Category
  • Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton. I’ve got a confession to make, I avoided reading this book for over a long time. It was very arrogant and stupid of me; I thoughts, what could a woman who couldn’t ultimately save her marriage have to tell me about trying to save her marriage? Boy was I wrong! This book isn’t just about marriage; it speaks to anyone who wants to live a more authentic life. I adored this book. No MMD Category and I don’t care.
  • The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. Another one for the Rocket City Mom Book Club so full review on this one. Ultimately, to me it was OK. One of the main characters suffers from postpartum depression and I admired Lapena tackling that in a novel. No MMD Category

Currently Reading

  • The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Ever since I studied Homer’s Illiad, I have been fascinated with the story. Madeline approaches it from a different angle, a perspective I never thought of before.  I am soaking this one up and made the mistake of thinking that I would read one more chapter before bed at 9:30 PM.  Didn’t put it down until 11:30 PM; always the mark of an excellent back for me.
  • When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön. In Love Warrior, Glennon discusses a passage of this book and its impact on her life. It made me curious and I decided to pick it up.  Besides it fulfills the MMD Category: A book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own.
  • Art of the Memoir by Mary Karr. Taking this one very very slowly. I don’t think I am ready for this.

What have you been reading?

enjoy life…

what i’m into – that’s keeping me sane {april 2018}

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what i'm into {april 2018}Per my March edition of What I’m Into where I mentioned the need for premium, April was dedicated extensively to putting that in my proverbial gas tank.  While this month has been a world wind of traveling and activities, I have come to the end revived and inspired for what’s to come.

First up, was a trip to my parents’ lakeside condo in Daytona Beach, Florida where we met up with my sister and her family (I met my nephew for the first time ever!). It was a family reunion of sorts and it was wonderful.  My BIL taught me how to play Dominos.  I think I surprised him by posing a bit of a challenge.  He had to step up his game to beat me; something I don’t think he was expecting.  Let’s be clear, he did ultimately beat me.

Then it was off to Vegas where I accompanied the Hubby on a business trip to the annual NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Convention.  We got to stay at the Wynn, my favorite hotel on the strip on the 53rd floor with views of the strip.  A lovely hot stone massage and room service on one day added quite a bit of premium into the tank.

To commemorate the entire vacation, I went to the local Kendra Scott boutique, and used the Color Bar to design a unique piece to wear to remind me to do the things that I need to do to stay sane. A huge thank you to Rebekah and Noel for their help. I wear it almost every day.

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Inspired, I returned home determined to take some time to do the things that have been “niggling” at me to get done: cleaning out the garage, spring cleaning the ceiling fans and blinds, etc.  I am proud to say that I have made some real progress in that arena.  I finally purchased and installed a floating shelf (I had courted it for three years and the Hubby did help install it) in my son’s/guest bathroom and it looks absolutely amazing. It elevates the entire bathroom.  Once again, I don’t know why I don’t do these things right away? Three years for a $13 shelf!

April has been a very good month for me and I am excited to continue to grant myself permission to put premium in my tank in May.

I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer’s What I’m Into so check it out and see what others are up to as well as tell me how you are including some premium in your life.

enjoy life…

 

what i’m into – that’s keeping me sane {march 2018}

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March! What a month! But I march on and the things below kept me sane.

  • Happy Women’s History Month! It was enlightening to hear and read about the contributions women have made in history across all media outlets this month. CBS ran segments during commercial breaks featuring women’s contribution in the STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). I particularly enjoyed them.
  • Books, books, and more books – I hadn’t been reading very much recently but rectified that this month. I will never understand why I stop.  Books are awesome! This month alone I finished four books: a biography, a thriller, a literary novel, and a book of essays.  I am back in love with the written word and it is keeping me sane.
  • Barnes & Noble – Continuing the literary trend, I spent a few mornings in March here: drinking hot beverages to stay warm (the temps have dipped recently) and poring over magazines. This is something I have always liked doing but never made time for; it is going to become a regular occurrence in my life from now on.
  • IKEA – Hubby and I took a day trip to IKEA this month. I was specifically going to purchase a candle in a scent that I have gotten before; they apparently don’t make it anymore (sad face). But I took a risk and bought three new ones.  So far, this peachy one smells nice and cheerful.  I have brightened several dreary days with it.

 Ultimately, March has taught me that I MUST do whatever I need to do to stay sane.  I have this warped idea that I should be able to survive, no thrive, with just one spiritual exercise in the morning and then get to get on with my day.  But what I have learned is that I may need multiple exercises: running/walking, candles, writing, reading, etc. to thrive and be who I need to be in this world.  My Hubby told me that I need to understand that I am an engine that runs on premium gasoline, so I should stop insisting on putting regular in the tank and complaining when things don’t go well. Here’s to a lot of premium in April.

Per usual, I am linking up with Leigh Kramer and the tribe to discuss what we’re into.  Check it out over there and tell me what keeps you sane in the comments below.