Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thanksgiving

This year, if I am thankful for anything, I am thankful for family. Up until recently, I have associated that word with blood but, unfortunately, it has become increasingly apparent just how skewed that way of thinking really is. Blood does not make someone love you. It does not mean that they will not turn on you, given the opportunity, or attack and blame you for things that have gone wrong. A family is made up of people that care for you, despite your faults, and do not use them against you; those that remain by your side even when your back is turned and do not lie to your face in an attempt to gain something in return. So, even though the upcoming holidays will be more bitter than sweet, I am very, very grateful to those that have offered their love, encouragement and sympathy these last few weeks. To my parents and siblings, friends, coworkers, members of our church's congregation and random, long-lost acquaintances that have shown up at our door with prayers and support: you are all my family and I love you.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Monday, November 10, 2014

Monday Blues

If Friday is my favorite day of the week, then Monday would be my least. Waking up groggy and disoriented—tired no matter how many hours of sleep you received the night before—is never a good start to the week. And yet, that is the vicious cycle of "Monday." Unlike Friday, there are no moments of promised relaxation and quiet to look forward to; no time to sit down and gather your thoughts between one day and the next. There are only yawns and droopy eyelids, long work days and early mornings. Even before I manage to pull myself out of bed, I am longing for the comfort of warm pajamas and a soft blanket once again. Mondays make the week seem endless, the situations more stressful and the headaches more pronounced.

I yearn for Friday.

Friday, November 7, 2014

October 2014 Wrap-up


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22642971-the-body-electric?from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13638125-vicious?from_search=true

(click on the book to be taken to Goodreads)

1. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4) by J.K. Rowling: Still amazing. Still five stars.

2. The Blood of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus #5) by Rick Riordan: Rating = 4.5 stars. I have to say, I was a little disappointed with this book. Quite a few things were left unanswered and open-ended, and it seemed that things wrapped up a bit too quickly/nicely. Definitely not one of Rick's better books.

3. Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores by Jen Campbell.

4. The Body Electric by Beth Revis: Rating = 3.5-3.75 stars.

5. Vicious by V.E. Schwab: Disturbing, creepy and so, so good.


Began, but did not finish in time:



. . . . 

October Stats:

Read 5.25 books
Read 2,028 pages

Upcoming Releases:

The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin -- November 4, 2014




So many good books were released this month! I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Teaser Tuesday [November 4]


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. All you have to do is grab your current read, open to a random page, and share two teaser sentences (that don't give too much away).


This week's teaser:

"Now isn't the time to change yourself to fit into the world," Clancy said, his voice raw with whatever thoughts were storming beneath his skin. "You should be changing the world to accept you. To let you exist as you are, without being cut open and damaged."

In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken (page 234)

Top Ten Tuesday [November 4]


Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they update their blog with a list of ten things that have to do with a predetermined topic.


This week's topic is: