Bookish (& Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on April 23, 2015

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

1. Did you ever have “that” kind of a day- where everything is BLAH? I am having one. My solution- I am going to the library.

2. Does anyone have the Kindle Unlimited? I am tempted-but-Is it worth it? I figure I impulse buy at least $10 worth every month any way.

3. I started reading The Martian yesterday- I am only 5% in-my question is- Does it get good? I am up to the part where he is figuring out how to make water. My eyes are glazing over like they did back in high school during Chem class. I hated Chem. I actually hated Walter White BEFORE he started making the meth.

4. I am listening to The Illiad narrated by Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), the new Beast. I love him, but am not sure his proper, clipped British accents gels with the rough and tumble Agamemnon and Achilles.

5. Speaking of the Beast, did you see the complete cast for the upcoming live Beauty and the Beast? It is AWESOME! Click here. Be my guest.

6. Last night my father in law came over and I made a nice big dinner- sauce with meatballs and sausage, manicotti, Italian bread, and salad, with cheesecake for dessert. I had a meatball. :-((

7. I went to my first high school track meet this week. My son decided to give it a try this year to keep in shape. He is doing hurdles and high jump.

That was two hours of my life I will never get back.

8. We are shipping up to Boston (aahhhh) to visit some colleges. I am very excited- to not make beds for a day or so.

Off to the library to feel better!

Bookish (& Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on April 16, 2015

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

1. I am heading to an author luncheon this afternoon and I am very excited. My sister and Mom will be there too. The author is Regina Calcaterra and her Book is Etched in Sand– about her difficult childhood in Long Island.

This is actually my first author event and I am very excited!

2. I picked up the audiobook of The Illiad at my library yesterday because it is read by Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley from Downton Abbey) and everyone seems to think I am crazy.

3. My husband continues his audiobook reading and I couldn’t be more excited. After he finished The Stand, I had a problem finding a good one at the library for him to read next, so I grabbed The Paris Architect– a historical fiction I had read last year and enjoyed. Next up is The Book Thief for him. I will bring him over to our side!

4. I am rereading The Handmaid’s Tale (again) because my daughter is reading it for her English class. While at first I thought it might be a tough read for 15 year olds, I applaud the teacher for picking it. I am excited to see how my daughter and her friends like it and what they think about it. She just started and already had a cool insight- the handmaids are named after their commanders.

5. I think spring might actually be here in Northern NJ! My daffodils have finally bloomed and I sat outside and read yesterday afternoon.

6. The hubby and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary this June and decided to celebrate by renting a house on the beach in OBX with the kids and the dogs. While not terribly romantic, it makes sense- they are teenagers and this will probably be the last big anniversary with them living at home.

7. We are toying with the idea of renewing our vows on the beach. My daughter will be the maid of honor and my son the best man. The yellow lab will be the flowergirl and the chocolate the ring bearer. Sound cheesy, but I am actually getting a little excited by the idea. Now I just need to make it happen. Ideas are much appreciated.

8. And because of #7, I have to get in shape quickly! When I told my daughter, she didn’t understand why. She said this way there was more of me to love. She should go into politics.

9. Tomorrow I am off to Atlantic City. This is probably one of my least favorite places to visit, but my Mom LOVES it and it is her birthday. To celebrate, we are staying over and going to see Frankie Valli. Yes, it seems he is still alive. There had better be LOTS of wine involved.

10. And the NHL playoffs have begun, which means I get a whole lot of reading time in the evenings- excerpt when the NY Rangers are on of course. We actually scored tickets to Saturday nights game- so excited. My daughter was invited to this big party by a very popular girl. She was so excited to be invited and immediately said sorry, she can’t make it- wouldn’t want to miss the game!

Bookish (& Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on April 9, 2015

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

1. I have been totally absent from blogging for 2 weeks (actually for over a month now) and I am sorry. I have been busy, but I mostly blame laziness. I am hoping that the warmer weather will inspire me to clamp down and get motivated!

2. I am starting to stress a little about the whole college thing with my 16 year old son. Why? Because he is totally disengaged!! He is an extremely smart kid, but he really wants nothing to do with starting the whole process. I can’t believe it.

3. With all the stress, I decided I needed to get myself back to exercising. I went for my first real run in almost 6 months, and finally went back to yoga today. I was getting relaxed, until some woman decided to start making what I can only call sounds of “interns pleasure”. At first, I laughed. Then, I was a little jealous.

4. I felt like I was in a reading drought, after it took me so long to reread The Stand, I am cruising now! Among other books I have read these past two weeks, I finished The Little Paris Bookshop and The Magician’s Lie- both were so awesome! Now if only I can make myself sit down and write reviews. I blame Trivia Crack to be honest.

5. I have to take my son to the ENT for chronic nosebleeds and clogged ears. Maybe when he is fixed he will be excited about our upcoming trip to visit schools in Boston. Or I can leave him there. In Boston.

6. I have a Book Club meeting at the high school next week. The teacher picked a book I haven’t read and do not plan to- Alice Paul: Claiming Power. My library doesn’t have it, and its over $15 for the kindle. Not gonna do it. Has anyone read it? Share some key points?

7. I am in need of some good recommendations for audiobooks for my husband. He finally finished The Stand, and I want to keep him going. HELP!!

8. Since he is reading audiobooks and I like to also, I was considering joining Audible. $22 for two books a month sounded pretty good. Any opinions? I am not sure if it is worth it, but my library has an astoundingly bad selection of audiobooks, so I need to do something.

Hope to be posting much more next week!

Bookish (& Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on February 19, 2015

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

1. Too cold…too much snow…for too long. Enough! And if I have to read about the poor bastards in southern Florida who are actually cold, I might hurt someone!

I think the wind chill is supposed to be in around -25 today.

2. So the boy got his permit and…hasn’t drove a lick! What is going on here? I think the kids where I live are more than happy being chauffeured around by the parents, and are in no big rush to drive. While I get it, how the heck are they going to learn is they don’t practice???

3. I posted a review this week of an ARC that I really didn’t like. I was actually considering not posting, since I do value that this was someone’s hard work. I just felt that I had to be honest. What do you think about posting reviews of books that you REALLY didn’t like (i.e.. loathed)?

4. I am reading Jodi Picoult’s newest- Leaving Time. Maybe I just haven’t given it enough time (ha ha), but I am not as into it as I thought I would be. Has anyone else read it? What did you think?

5. I was invited to join a new book club. I am a little hesitant, as it looks like it will be just like the other BC I was a member of- no one ever read the book. They would drink wine and talk about their kids and school.

6. My mother just told me she is reading The Girl on the Train, so it is official- everyone is reading that but me. I don’t know why I have put it off. Does it live up to the hype?

7. We skied last Sunday when the wind chill was a balmy -25. It was actually lots of fun. We had to make sure that NO skin was exposed, which was pretty challenging. At one point on the lift, I pulled the mask off of my face and my daughter said that my hair, which had gotten wet from condensation, had frozen. The hot chocolate with rum was especially tasty that day!

8. Mockingjay is finally available on iTunes, and my daughter has had too much homework every night to watch it with me. So, do i just say-screw it-and watch it without her? Or actually be a good mom and wait?

9. The happiest state in the country is- Alaska. Probably because it’s warmer there than it is where I live, damn it!

Seriously, that is pretty cool. I think it’s because there aren’t that many people to annoy you there. Moose aren’t annoying. Bears, maybe.

So how is everything going by you? Staying warm? What are you reading?

Bookish (& Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on February 5, 2015

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

1. I am TOO excited by the news that Harper Lee “found” the sequel for To Kill A Mockingbird! I pre-ordered it. Didn’t you always wonder what kind of woman Scout grew up to be?

But I am not too sure about the title-Go Set A Watchman?

2. My son is taking his required 6 hour driving lessons this weekend. I am a little scared. Can I still by a car that doesn’t have a navigation system? Or maybe one without a radio at all? I better go buy lots of bubble wrap!

3. I almost laughed myself to death when I read this-

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/texas-boy-suspended-bringing-ring-power-school-article-1.2099103

A little boy in Texas was suspended for making “terroristic threats” because he brought in a replica of The One Ring and told a classmate he was going to make him disappear.

Really?

I loved Book Riots take on it-” Looking at the facts of this case, I think the school authorities did the right thing. In fact, I think they might have let Steward Junior off light. The only thing that stopped this kid from carrying out his kiddie-sized terrorist plot was a lack of understanding about how to properly use The One Ring. Putting it on someone’s head won’t work. You have to put it on their finger, duh. Just think if Steward had succeeded. The poor victim could have been permanently traumatized from all that evil Sauron mojo that screws with the mind of anyone wearing the ring.”

4. Ok- measles outbreak? Can I get this shit?

5. I have a real reading problem. Whenever I read a Stephen King novel, I want to keep reading King! I read Needful Things last week-it was good, not great, but then I immediately started looking for another King novel. So I picked up The Dead Zone-LOVED it! And then stared looking again. I had to force myself to pick up an ARC that has been sitting there giving me the stink eye. Help!

6. We have had a few storms (and a few no shows-hello Blizzard of 2015) Every time I see snow in the forecast, I make sure I have: 1- soup ingredients, 2- wine and 3- books. Seriously, I ran errands the other day right before it snowed- the wine store and the library. I have issues.

7. My husband and I have been invited to a wine tasting at the home of one of his work colleagues. I have never met any of these people and I am wondering what I should wear? Keeping in mind I have been acting like a hibernating bear these past two weeks, I can’t even imagine getting dressed up.

8. We had friends over to watch the Super Bowl, and while I love football, I really love watching the commercials. The Fiat one was awesome, but I want to know- where can I find that farmer from the Budweiser puppy commercial?

My snowbound hibernating brain doesn’t have anymore thoughts today!

Bookish (& Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on January 15, 2015

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

1. I watched the new show Empire. I know I am dating myself, but did it remind anyone else of Dynasty? Cookie is the new Alexa Carrington!!

2. I saw this on Shelf Awareness’s FB page-and swooned. I loved this book-and Hugh Jackman.

3. I have been in a little bit of a slump with the ARCs I have been reading. Not really enjoying all that many-until this week. I read Unbecoming by Rebecca Sherm in one day and I loved it! I can’t wait to write the review. Have you read any amazing books for review lately?

4. I booked a trip for my family over the kids’ spring break. My 16 yr old son and 15 yr old daughter wanted to go to-Disneyworld. With a side trip to Universal for some HP fun. While I am excited about going to HP world for the 1st time, I thought-Really? Disney again? But then I realized this might be the last time for a good long while, so if they want to go-ok. I can’t believe how much they love going to Epcot and walking around the different countries.

5. I am reading Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald- is it me or is this his BEST novel?

6. Looking forward to getting some skiing in this weekend! If it has to be cold, then I want to at least be able to ski.

7. I love my gym (as much as anyone can love a place you go to torture yourself). It has great treadmills I use during the winter, fun spin classes, and an awesome hot yoga class. I HATE going to the gym in January. Everyone with a New Year resolution to lose weight is there. Good word- get off my freakin treadmill!

8. Another thing I hate about the gym- the yummy mummies. I saw a woman yesterday on the machines “working out” with about 5 other women. Forget that they were working out there jaws about 100x more than anything else. One woman had full make up on-fully done up- a beautiful top bun, and sunglasses on top of her head- working out? My age- not some 20 something home from college. Really?

I guess I don’t actually love the gym- so scratch that.

9. I actually succeeded in my Goodreads challenge for 2014 and read 100 books. I was so happy. I upped it to a whopping 115 this year. I should have made it 200, because really, failure is failure, whether by a little or a lot.

These are all the thoughts in my head. I am off to find an empty treadmill, then to hot yoga, so I can witness how much more flexible and agile everyone else is in the class. While sweating my ass off.

Bookish (& Nots So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on December 4, 2014

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

( a week late)

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

1. I think it is a proven corollary that the more I read, the less I post. I am so sorry! Between the holidays and all the reading I am doing, the post has fallen to the bottom.

2. Speaking of holidays, my turkey ROCKED! It was so awesome, and everything went so nicely-except everyone was late due to crazy traffic because of all the snow we got. I even went temporarily insane and said I would host next year.

3. Fast forward to Monday, and BAM! my back goes out. Three days later as I walk out of the Dr.’s office with some nice muscle relaxants, he tells me it’s probably from all the lifting from hosting Thanksgiving. Ha! I have a Dr’s note to excuse me now!

4. I read Revival, King’s latest. I loved it, but it definitely left me feeling very down. And a little creeped out.

5. We booked a trip to Lake Placid to ski this month and we are all so excited! Lake Placid is one of my absolute favorite places.

6. My teenagers are the worst to buy Christmas presents for. “What do you want?” Them- “I don’t know.” Argh! How about some Legos and an American Girl Doll??? No, its- Taylor Swift tickets and a PS 4. Right.

7. My daughter is away with her school to participate in the Model Congress at Yale this weekend. I cried for almost 15 minutes after I dropped her off. Yes, I was the crazy lady crying in the car next to you.

8. I am so close to my goodreads 100 books in a year challenge. I need some great recommendations for quick reads. I am determined to complete it this year. Last year, I read 99. Damn.

9. I also need to jam the reading in while trying to get ready for Christmas in a condensed timeframe due to above mentioned trip and back issues. Can I give everyone a coupon for a hug??

10. We got our Christmas tree this past Saturday from the tree farm we have been going to for 20 years. I love holiday traditions.

So-any recommendations? Books? Gifts for teen boys and girls?

Bookish (& Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on November 13, 2014

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

1. Have you ever reread a series that you read a long time ago? Did you ever think-hmmm, it’s not as good as I remember it being? I am rereading the Vampire series by Anne Rice because I want to read the new one she has coming out- Prince Lestat. It’s not as good as I remembered it being? Or maybe knowing the story already takes away from it?

2. I am hooked on audiobooks now, but I realize how important it is to have a great narrator. Burial Rites was amazing, but the next one I tried? I was yelling at her in the car- terrible.

3. I came down with a pretty severe case of laryngitis after cheering on my son’s football team in the freezing cold last Friday night. At first I just sounded like Harvey Firestein, but then I totally lost it. It actually scared Jack- the chocolate Lab. He kept looking for whatever was making that strange noise.

4. I am in my second week of realizing I am gluten intolerant. I am not happy with all I cannot eat. But wine doesn’t have gluten. Neither does chocolate.

5. What is it about turning 14 that makes putting laundry- clean, folded laundry mind you- away?? Why is it preferable to leave it until almost everything you own is in the damn basket?

6. I went to put Revival- King’s new novel- on hold at my library’s online service the day it came out. There were already over 80 holds! WTF?

7. In the next two weeks, we have: a field hockey team dinner, a football team dinner, a baby shower that I am hosting, an overnight guest, and then Thanksgiving, which I am also hosting, then more overnight guests. And then we are getting our Christmas tree that Saturday, so my daughter can be with us. That is way too much.

8. Not all green tea is created equal.

9. I read Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarity. It was SO SO good. I don’t know why was surprised- I loved The Husband’s Secret. It was even better than that.

10. I am listening to The Drop by Dennis Lehane. The narrator talks in a boston accent when someone is speaking. It is so much fun! But I am afraid people look at me strangely in the car as I laugh.

Bookish (& Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on October 30, 2014

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

1. I went to a new book club this week (more about it tomorrow). A teacher at the kids’ school was the guest speaker. I want her to choose ALL the books I read.

2. I drove my kids (16 and 14) to school-20 miles away. It wasn’t until about 10 minutes into the ride, me chatting away, that I realized they both had their headphones one. Teenagers suck.

3. After the headphone incident, I decide to try my very first audio book on these car rides. I went to the library and took out Burial Rites, which sounded like a good book, that I just haven’t been able to push myself to read.

I LOVE IT! It is so well read.

Can anyone recommend another audio book?

4. I am landing a baby shower for my husband’s sister. Do not ask why. One thought- baby shower games can border on moronic. Plus we are having a co-ed shower. These men are going to run for the hills if I don’t reign this in. We will have a baby pool- that’s it.

5. Not book related- but I think I am becoming Gluten intolerant. One cracker and I am in agony. Or someone is slowly poisoning me.

6. Halloween is not fun without little kids. And I can’t seem to find a good costume for 80 lbs chocolate Lab that he will keep on.

I wish I could do this-

7. I read the sequel to The Bone Season called The Mime Order last week. I don’t know why, but I love both of these books. They are confusing, strange, and I am not sure I am understanding everything. I still love it.

Well, I need to walk above mentioned Lab, and mail invites for above mentioned shower, and figure out dinner for above mentioned sucky teenagers.

Bookish (& Not So Bookish) Thoughts

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Posted on October 2, 2014

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds. Head over there and check it out!

It has been SO long since I participated in this awesome meme hosted by Christine! I am so excited to be able to join in again!!

1. I just finished (as in an hour ago) the gargantuan Under The Dome by Stephen King- 1,072 pages long. I picked it up on Tuesday, got to about page 175 and thought about putting it down. I am so tired of reading right now, but WOW! So here are a few thoughts I have about the book.

2. Stephen King is awesome. That being said- how does he imagine ALL the characters he outs in his books? I thought The Stand was filled to the brim, but Dome might actually have more.

3. While I loved it, I did have one complaint- Jim Rennie. I know he is supposed to be the bad guy, but he was totally awful. Many of King’s “villains” have something good about them- John Torrence did love Danny, but Rennie was just bad, very bad.

4. I actually watched 2 or three episodes of the TV show last summer before I lost interest, but just from that I am thinking that the show is a bit different front the book. If any of you have seen/read both, tell me how they compare.

5. I have read the following by King- The Shining, The Stand, The Green Mile, Bag of Bones, The Long Walk, 11/22/63, Salem’s Lot, Different Seasons, Mr. Mercedes, Doctor Sleep.

What should I read next?

Was also thinking of trying Joe Hill- any recommendation?

6. I don’t know why, but these past few months I have loved my reading, but writing reviews-or actually even trying to write any posts at all, has been so daunting. Has anyone else gone through this? Any advice?

7. I can’t wait for fall sports to be over at my kids’ high school. The schedule kills me. They leave at 6:30am and get home 12 hours later- if there isn’t a game- then who knows when.

8. Just watched the last episode of How I Met Your Mother with the family- I know we are slow. Man, my kids were pissed!! I knew what was coming, but really? You spend 8 years introducing the character, only to kill her off? Not good.

9. Finished one series and started another- with hubby only-Breaking Bad. You really have to get through the first episode and push on, huh? That first one is crazy! But I am sure it gets better, right?

10. I can not wait to see Gone Girl! Probably won’t happen, since the last movie I saw was Catching Fire, but it still looks good!