2015 Book Stats

How many books read in 2015? - 42, which is 7 less than last year and 10 less than my goal of 52.  This was a hard year of focus for me.  It seemed like I'd sit down and fly through a book in a day or it would take me an entire month.  For some reason, I lost my joy in reading.  I think it has a lot to do with other life crazy things and I think I had a lot of anxiety about some topics I was reading about it and it made it hard.  Reading is emotional and apparently I was a wreck this year!

How many fiction and non fiction? I read 2 memoirs (nonfiction) and 40 fiction.

Male/Female author ratio? 25 females and 10 males (tried not to double count any)

Favorite book read in 2015? this is so hard... I was more generous this year with my goodreads 5 star rating it appears but have tons of 4 stars.  I think my top three that I turned around and recommended to others would be Lucia, Lucia by Adrianna Trigani, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, and Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlin.  With a bonus 4th of The Long and Faraway Gone by Lou Berney. 

Least favorite? Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

Any that you simply couldn’t finish and why? Broken Trust, it just wasn't hitting me and I meant to keep picking it up and I didn't.

How many books from the library? 8, which is up 1 from last year.   

How many books read did I purchase? 6 brand new (down from 9 last year, thought I feel like I bought more books ha), 2 were used from the book sales the previous year

How many were gifts? 2

How many borrowed from others? 1

How many were given to me for reviews? 15, up 4 from last year

How many books read on kindle? I read a half book in the Linda Castillo series on the kindle and that is it.  I did purchase a book for 1.99 when there was  sale but I haven't read it yet. And I have a new kindle fire.

Any re-reads? Nope

Which countries did you go to through the page in your year of reading? United States, France, Cuba, Egypt, England, Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Italy, and Germany I do believe.  It's hard trying to remember if characters traveled other places.

Which book wouldn’t you have read without someone’s specific recommendation? Not so much recommendation but for book club, Can you Keep a Secret? and The Haunting of Hill House

Which author did you read the most of? Linda Castillo

What was your best reading month? January I read 5 but a lot of months I read 4.


What was your worst reading month? November.  The only books I finished were the chapter books I read with my kiddo!

2015 Reading Goals - revisited...

1. Read 52 books - Nope, I'm at 42.  And I will not be finishing my last book by midnight.
2. Read a book by Hemingway - I kind of forgot I said this. :p So, no.  I do know which one I will read whenever I get around to it!
3. Read one autobiography - I read memoirs but not really an autobiography.
4. Clear off my shelves. - I did manage this.  I have donated over 40 books. 

2016 Goals
1. Read 52 books.
2. Complete the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge.
3. Read more books that I own and continue donating.
4. Post more on the blog. 

How many books did you read this year? Did you complete your 2015 reading goals? What are your goals for 2016? Which author did you read the most of? What was your most recommended book? Any you couldn't finish?

2016 Read Harder Challenge and other book goals

I will admit that I am not good at keeping goals.  Making them, yes.  I am not accountable to myself.  Even when I make it public.  Last year I know a lot of people who started and some that finished the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge.  Last year, it did not appeal to me at all.  I don't know if it was the categories or just that last year was hard and I couldn't commit to anything. 

2016 is not last year.  It's a new year and a new goal.  I am excited about this challenge and I spent way too much time today looking at my goodreads TBR list and thinking and looking at books on my bookshelves to help me cross off books that I own that I've never read.  A twofer if you will.

So, I still have some categories blank.  I have some that I know I will be able to fill with a book I read to Isla so I'm kind of leaving it up for grabs.  I am sure I may change my mind on some of theses, so my plan is not set in stone. 

The majority of these books are ones I own which is how they got here...

Read a horror book: Shutter Island but I am up for suggestions on this.

Read a nonfiction book about science: The Immortal Life of Henriette Lachs

Read a collection of essays: Me Talk Pretty One Day (I think... )

Read a book out loud to someone else: Pirates Past Noon (Magic Treehouse for the Win!)

Read a middle grade novel: The Last Newspaper Boy in America

Read a biography (not memoir or autobiography): Eight Eight Years with Sarah Polk

Read a dystopian or post-apocalyptic novel: Uglies

Read a book published in the decade you were born:  I can't decide on this one.. I was born in the 80s.. any suggestions?

Listen to an audiobook that has won an Audie Award: Yes Please! by Amy Poehler

Read a book over 500 pages: The Poisonwood Bible

Read a book under 100 pages:  I am going to put an Isla book here or a book I found I own called Abraham and Sarah Todd

Read a book by or about a person that identifies as transgender: Being Emily

Read a book that is by an author from Southeast Asia: First they killed my Father: A daughter of Cambodia Remembers

Read a book of historical fiction set before 1900: The Red Tent

Read the first book in a series by a person of color: Blanche on the Lam

Read a non-superhero comic that debuted in the last three years: Lumberjanes

Read a book that was adapted in to a movie, then watch movie. Debate which is better: Suite Francaise

Read a nonfiction book about feminism or dealing with feminist themes: I know why the caged bird sings

Read a book religion (fiction or nonfiction: The Shack

Read a book about politics, in your country or another (fiction or nonfiction): ???? can't decide

Read a food memoir: Garlic & Sapphires:The Secret Life of a Critic in disguise

Read a play: ??? no idea

Read a book with a main character that has a mental illness: ??? I'm sure I own one but I couldn't easily find one.. not sure..

So that is my plan for this year.  And my usual, read 52 books in a year. 

What are your goals for 2016? Do you plan on doing any reading challenges? Any suggestions for an 80s book? Politics? Mental illness? Any I should change?

Choosing Books

I was listening to a Books on The Nightstand podcast and they were discussing how you choose books and it got me thinking about how I pick books and wondering about how others do too.  I think my process has evolved as technology as changed and as I’ve grown as a reader.  I used to find books solely by browsing shelves in the library, trying to remember the name of an author I’d enjoyed before and sometimes remembering a mention by a friend.  Sometimes I’d check out the lists of books to try out that the librarians had put together.  Or I’d be in Barnes and Noble wandering and doing the same thing.  In college I’d usually pick up books on the 5.95 and lower table just because of price, the cover (gasp) and maybe what it said on the back.  If I read all of it.

I have a back cover reading problem.  The more I know about the book, sometimes I am less inclined to pick it up and read it.  Weird.  Even then, sometimes for book club I may have read a blurb about it but when I get the book in my possession I very rarely read the jacket cover or the back.  I just jump in. 

Now when choosing books I tend to utilize my friend’s on goodreads suggestions.  I’ll scroll through and notice what books they read and usually if they get a 4 star or more  I may read the blurb.  I also will read whatever book is picked for my book club.  I’ve also started using podcasts, mostly the Book Riot podcasts, to add to my growing TBR list. 

I also used to read a lot of book blogs and get suggestions from them.  Now, I don’t get as many suggestions from them only because I rarely sit down daily to read blogs anymore.  When I do catch up, there are only a few blogs where I go all the way back and see what they posted and book blogs generally aren’t the place I go now.

I am weird too in the sense that when books are ALLL THE RAGE, I shy away.  I may read them years later unless book club forces it sooner.  I feel I am more picky with those and tend to not like them for a weird reason but if I wait and read it later when it DOES sound good to me, I usually love it.

What I don’t usually do when choosing books is read the blurbs from other authors.  I don’t really care what another author says about another book. I only look at those AFTER I’ve read and loved a book to maybe get another suggestions on an author or book I should check out that may be a similar taste.

Covers also win me over.  Cheap books win me over.  Authors I’ve already enjoyed win me over.  Books a friend whose reading style fits mine who recommended it usually will win me over.  And if I glance at goodreads and it has generally good reviews, I’ll check it out too.

I have over a 1000 books on my TBR list on goodreads.  I rarely go edit it because I have the best of intentions.  Maybe someday it will resonate and I will grab that book. ;)  I do so badly at reading the books I’ve stocked up on from used book sales that I need to go looking their more often!

I think I’m pretty comfortable in my reading bubble and I know that I’ve struggled a lot in 2015 to read as much as I want so I don’t tend to try out different genres or authors or styles just because I should diversify my reading.  I get the importance of reading diversely but I also understand the importance of keeping something I enjoy, something that I enjoy.

I am going to attempt a reading challenge in 2016.  And I know that I am not good at keeping personal challenges with myself but I am trying for some accountability with my book club friends and I have shelves of books that need to be read.  More on that later.

How do you choose books? How has the process evolved? What is one way to turn you off from a book?

What's in my Purse?

I love bags.  I used to carry two with me when I was teaching.  A purse and a bag for my stuff.  Then my friend started selling Initials Inc. and I had changed jobs but I was still carrying two bags.  I really don't need to carry two bags.  So I hosted a party because... BAGS!  Now I have a behemoth sized tote that I carry everywhere.  I wish I would have had this idea yesterday, but then again I do not.  It would have been more embarrassing.  I had more trash ha.  So, this is what is in my purse minus the usual 34234 receipts, my water bottle and my planner.  Since I take those out when I get to work every day.  And on another purse note, I think I need to get a purse organizer.  Or maybe I don't really need to carry my life with me.

I like big bags and I cannot lie... It's huge.  I can fit everything in it.  And I am a disaster in a store trying not to knock people out with it ha!

 

 

 

Inside view of my stuff...

 

 

All the stuff out of the bag..  You can tell I have a child and I like to read..

 

 



 

up close of my sunglasses.  so glad I splurged on prescription ones this year!

 

 

my nerdy gloves.

 

 

I think I have too many crayons in my purse.. And I may need to steal these fruit snacks soon! ;)

 

And, I love these pictures.  I just upgraded my phone over the weekend to a Samsung S6 edge and love it!

 

Do you carry a big bag? Small bag? No bag? What do you usually carry with you?

 

 

 

A few random things..

Shamelessly stolen from the wonderful Nora. ;)

 

Things I’m new to: feeling like an old lady.  I’ve been having feet issues for over a year and I’ve tried different shoes, tried walking differently, stopped working out and overall I’m still having foot issues.  Now somewhat new issues.  It’s really bumming me out and messing up with my life so I know I need to get it under control and will try to make an appointment in January but I kind of need a new family doctor unless I can use the PA I saw last year and get some kind of referral from her to whatever.  Also, my hip.  The last two months my hip has been all weird and sore.  I’m slightly concerned that I’m dying because I’m a hypochondriac but I just keep plugging away. 

Things I don’t understand: Why people support a certain man running for president.  I refuse to write his name in this space.  He is a racist.  He is not funny.  I cannot understand how one can support him and I will be removing those people from my social media life soon because I cannot handle knowing I know people who think that is okay.

Things that make me giggle: my husband and his mispronunciations of everything.  OH MY LORD.  THE man sees beginnings of words and makes up the ending.  Or he totally uses the wrong word for a situation.  He’s been making me laugh for like a week straight now with his crazy.

Things that make me happy: My daughter.  Every day.  <3 span="">

 

Give me what you got.. What's something new to you? What don't you understand? What's making you laugh/happy?

 

TGIF!

Man, I miss me some TGIF TV shows.  Step by Step, Hang Time..... I also remember when SOMETIMES I could stay up past 10 to watch a little bit of 20/20.  Ahh.. to have a 10pm Friday night bedtime ha. 

 

The high of my week was completing the #mileaday challenge every day!! It really took all I had tonight to get on it after the kiddo went to bed.  I had changed into my workout clothes after dinner but we watched a movie, played dominos, legos and ate popcorn.  But I did it.  And I told myself, it's cool, just do a mile and be done, but I ended up deciding to run after walking 7 1/2 minutes and next think you know I did 31 minutes and over 2 miles!

 

 

I took this picture on Thursday morning because I knew it was probably my last pretty non snow picture of 2015... good bye warm fall.. 

 

The low of my week was my babe coming home from school and telling me her little buddy said she didn't want to be her best-friend anymore.  My kiddo seemed okay by it and said they were still friends and they still played but they weren't 'best' friends.  Yeah.  I kinda hate that kid now.  ;)  I did tell her that I didn' think that was very nice and I would find new friends because that's just being hurtful.  She's brought it up a couple times but really seems okay.  Thursday was also rough because it had been 6 years since my grandma passed away.  Then in other child deep thoughts she came out with.. "some people dont' have moms... why?" I didn't end up needing to get into details but it was still sad.

 

The book I’m reading is I'm trying to pick which book to start so that will be determined over the weekend.  Can't make up my mind if I want mystery or what.

 

For my workouts, I completed 

• Sunday – 2 mile walk/run, 10 squats, 25 jumping jacks
• Monday - 1.5 walk/run, 3 sets of crunches, 3 20 second planks
• Tuesday – 5 min warm up, 1 min run, 90 second run for 20 total minutes, 15 squats, 30 jumping jacks
• Wednesday – 5 min warm up, 1 min run, 90 second run for 20 total minutes, 15 squats, 30 jumping jacks, and then 3 sets of weights for arms
• Thursday – 1 mile walk/run, 20 squats, 35 jumping jacks
• Friday – 2.09 mile walk/run

The best money I spent was my delicious dinner at Ruby Tuesday's on Thursday.  I had the New Orleans seafood.  It had yummy fish and shrimp with a creole sauce.  Yum Yum.  They did sadly change up their salad bar and I wasn't as in love with it as normal, but still good!  And honestly besides that, Taco Tuesday, groceries and gas I didn't spend any money this week.  Oh wait.. I did make my United Way donation!  That is definitely money well spent!

 

My plans this weekend include I had a baby shower tomorrow and then I am hoping the weather is at least outside walkable for during nap time.  Then I plan on putting on my sweats and watching football.  Sunday I am making a meal for a friend's family as part of a meal train after a big heart surgery and meeting up with some people for donations for my work's clothes closet for clients and their kids.  I also think I am going to stop at Marshalls and Michaels.  Hoping that works out.  I do need to do a ton of laundry too.  Blech.  And clean the kitchen and bathroom.  And decide on Stitch Fix. 

What plans do you have for the weekend? What are your weekend workout plans? What book are you reading?

Indecison 2015

While in the shower after completing Day 5 of #mileaday challenge (woo woo) I was contemplating what I was going to post about today.  I knew I also had to try to decide what to do about my Stitch Fix box so I went to go look at my lovely box after my shower.  And I took pictures.

My indecision was helped as I touched and looked at them again.  I really liked my box.  I always like my box.  I've only really been disappointed once but then I got hooked up with my awesome stylist, Heather again.  My problem is always spending the money on alll the pieces.

This is the burgundy Anita skinny jean.  They fit.  They are soft and they look nice.  I'm not like these are the best pants ever.  So I'm pretty sure I will return them. Which stinks because I want colored pants but I just don't think these are the one.  Great color though.

 

 

This Lizzy Colorblock sweater is soooooooooo soft.  Like I ate itchy sweaters and this is the extreme opposite.  I really can't wear it to work though because I really only have black pants or blue pants and this is blue.  I could wear it with jeans but I'm also not sure the stripes across the middle are my friend. 

 

 

This dolman is probably what I will keep.  It's soft.  It fits and it's light enough I could layer with a cardigan or wear alone.  I have a navy problem lately and stitch fix isn't helping when they keep sending me blue shirts ha.  Then I keep the problem of what to wear them with!!!

 

 

This is a market and spruce chambray top which I AM IN LOVE WITH.  But it doesn't fit my boobs and I wish it covered over my butt better.  But I love the neckline. LOVE LOVE LOVE.  I am so sad this can't be mine.

 

I love this cardigan too. It's sooooo soft.  Love it.  But it's white.  I spill coffee on myself like every day.   I have a 4.5 year old.  It has pockets!!! And plus also it's kinda long on me and makes my butt look bigger.

 

 

The style cards.  I love Stitch Fix.  Yeah, it's more money and yeah, I love most of everything and then only buy one thing but my wardrobe is getting better! And my town still sucks for clothes shopping.

 

 

What should I do? Do you use Stitch Fix? I have a few more days to think before I check out and I am for sure gong to try on again tomorrow night but I was too sweaty / hot earlier.

 





What I Ate Wednesday

Nobody likes a bragger but I'm going to do it anyway.  I'm down 4 pounds since Sunday! Now while hopefully that was because I had out of control bloat and yuck from my period and I wasn't that heavy anyway, it is VERY motivating for me to see success.  A long way to go, but seeing that number going down is such a motivator for me.

This morning I tried out this new instant steel cut oatmeal I picked up last week.  I usually do a quick rolled oats in the microwave but it has not been tasting good to me and I know oatmeal keeps me full longer so I decided to try this as a shake up.  I liked it but I don't think the kiddo did.  Whoops.  She also had orange bell pepper and raspberries from our garden with a glass of water.  I drank coffee. ;)

a little gritty, but okay..

 

At my desk I sipped on my coffee and drank water while I wrote up a report and then I snuck into a Halloween trail mix bag a coworker made.  It was heavy on peanuts with a few goldfish crackers and even fewer pieces of candy corn.  I ate about half of the bag.

 

 

a similar bag because I didn't decide to post this until 10 minutes ago..



 

 

For lunch I had a small helping of leftover turkey spaghetti, carrots, celery, orange pepper with dill dip, yogurt, and a handful of chips with more water.

 

 

This afternoon I was driving around the country back from a home visit when I really needed to walk because my hip was throbbing and and so I stopped at a small town grocery and walked around and got an avocado to make guacamole with dinner and picked up an Honest Organic Peach Tea to drink on my way home.  It was delicious. 

 

 

For dinner since it was still like 70 degrees we grilled.  We told the kiddo that we were having sausages (she claims to hate hot dogs) but really we grilled hot dogs and made chili dogs.  I may have had two.  They were delicious.  We also had some chips and guacamole, peas, raspberries from our garden.

 

 After dinner we spent five minutes cleaning our bedroom where I was able to convince my husband to sell 5 pairs of pants on a local b/s/t page and donate a pair and donate a shirt.  Woot woot.

 

Tried on my Stitch Fix box pretties and I am in looooove.  I wish I had all the money to buy it all.  I got an AWESOME chambray top that I had an instant love for but it just doesn't fit my hips or boobs right waaaaaaaaaaah.  It's so pretty.  I love it all.  I know I will send back the cardigan for sure because it's a white color and umm I can't do that much white in an object. I spill my coffee on the daily, plus it's a bit too long.  But it is soooo soft. Major first world problems. I love my stylist, Heather.

 

Then I read some Pete the Cat to my kiddo, we did some stickers, watched some TMNT, read from our chapter book and she went to bed and I went to the treadmill.  Day 4 #mileaday and I did 1.31 miles.  Woot.

 

Now we are catching up on the CMAs.  And I am dying laughing at two of my faves Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.

 

What yummy things did you eat today? Did you workout? Do you watch the CMAs? What are some of your favorite colored pants?

 

 

Today's wins..

1) I reallly reallly wanted a pop today but I was trying to hold out for 4 more pounds before I 'celebrated' with an afternoon pop (a bad habit I've taken up) but it was SOOOO pretty out that I didn't want to head back to my office after a visit yet so I swung by a 7-11 and got a SMALL fountain coke, a cheese stick and smart pop popcorn.  The win is the small coke (not a large) and the fact that I didn't get the snickers that I REALLY WANTED and would have usually gotten.

2) We had planned on eating leftover chicken and dumplings but my kiddo's new shirt came from zulily and it was pretty much our subliminal message all day and my husband called me on my way home for a 'last call' for Taco Tuesday.  We HAD to do it.  I mean it was meant to be. ;)

Awhile ago she was eating dinner at our friends house and they asked her what she thought her parents were eating.. she thought a moment and said, "Tacos! Cuz today's Taco Tuesday!" then she thought again and said, "Oh, bummer!" cuz she was missing out.. or so she thought hahaa. So now Tuesday basically = Taco Tuesday.  The cutest thing was when I showed her this shirt she read it to me immediately!!

 



So we went and had a fun family time.  The win is that I still got on the treadmill for 1.33 miles! While I don't recommend running after Taco Tuesday, I am glad I did it.  I did a 5 minute warm up walk, then did run a minute, walk 90 seconds for a 20 minute total on the treadmill.  I also did 15 squats and 30 jumping jacks.

3) I really connected today with a client who I hadn't quite made a connection with and that was a major win.

4) I got to start another chapter book with my little bookworm today.  We started, Dinosaurs Before Dark,t he first in the Magic Tree House Series.  I've always success with preschoolers with this series so I can't wait to get her hooked! We just finished, The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl and before that we read The Runaway Mouse by Beverly Cleary.  I can't wait until she's a bit older so we can read the Little House series!

What did you have for dinner on this Tuesday? What were your wins today? What chapter books did you read with your parents as a kid?

Five minutes a day keeps mama sane...

I just made a new saying that should go viral and be known for generations.... Five minutes a day keeps mama sane.. Or alternately Five minutes a day makes mama go insane.. either way could break a day I'm sure. ;)

I am so glad that tonight during dinner my HUSBAND was the one who brought up our five minutes of cleaning.  My insanity the other night may have shown through.  So we after we finished dinner we set the timer on my phone and set it work on in the kitchen.

My husband unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, my daughter took art supplies back to the office and put random toys away as well as threw things away for me.  I cleared off the table of random crap and wiped it down, took 3 folding chairs downstairs and put away the random goody bags from Halloween we amassed.  It was not clutter free at the end but it looks better and makes me feel better.

I cheated a bit and did the dishes that didn't go in the dishwasher right afterwards and wiped down all the counters again.

Tomorrow we tackle the living room.  I know it needs to be vacuumed so we will need to work fast picking up items from the floor.  We did a good job keeping it picked up over the weekend but there are Legos and old newspapers that need to be taken care of.

In #mileaday news, I completed day 2! I ran/walked 1.5 miles and then did 3 sets of 15 crunches and 3 sets of 20 second planks. 

 

yes, another yay I worked out selfie!

My feet were screaming at me this morning when I woke up.  I am fairly certain I have plantar fascitis and I really need to take care of it.  I was doing much better and then I go and move my body again.

I also drank a lot more water today and my head feels clearer and I am not as tired as I usually am on a Monday so I feel good about that.

And one positive of daylight savings? I was able to drive home to a beautiful sky and sunset.  I may not walk at night after work again for 4 months but maybe the sunsets will keep me through.

Do you still get the newspaper delivered? What's your least favorite chore? Did you work out today?