Sailing to Another World Via a Friend's Couch

Where was I again? That's right, after sleeping over at a friend's house, I sat in her living room. Via my Kindle for Android app, I read The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 2) by Rick Riordan.

The author had so carefully crafted the story that, for a moment, I forgot everything. My immersion in the story transported me alongside Percy and friends as they battle evil in several challenges in an effort to rescue a friend and save their half-blood camp.

Until, of course, my friend's daughter awoke and cried out into the darkness out of fear.

The feeling so well crafted by Riordan, among many other authors, compels me. I perpetually am in the middle of a book while looking for something to read when I'm done with the current title.

Recently Finished:  The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

The first installment of the Daniel X series got mixed reviews on GoodReads.com but I enjoyed it. I like to keep light reading on my phone for moments when I have 5 minutes of waiting. This book fit the bill perfectly.

Currently Reading: Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters by N.T. Wright

I wrote about this book last time as well. This volume requires some thought after reading each chapter. To fully digest it will take some time, but I enjoy books which make me think. Books which challenge (or affirm) what I believe and why can only help me grow in my faith.

On deck: ???

The current plan is to watch the Harry Potter movies up to the 7th before starting the book. At this point I'm uninterested in the characters but am committed to seeing the series through.


Otherwise I have no plans for the titles on my nightstand beyond "to read." 

Of course for the library holds, I'll take those as they come available to me. I'm currently using 12 of the possible 15 holds placed on a variety of titles. Hopefully they won't all become available at the same time.

What are you reading this week? Anything I should add to my must-read list?

Books, Books, Books: A Three Things Thursday post

After focusing on what I haven’t been doing in Tuesday’s blog post, I thought I would switch it up and share something I’ve been stellar at these past few months. READING. Every year on Goodreads I set a yearly goal for myself.

In my first year of tracking (2012) I surpassed my book-a-week goal, reading 64 over 52 weeks. The next year I upped my goal to 75, and fell just 2 short. Last year started off slow, but then I picked it up and finished with a respectable 59.

This year, I set my goal at 60. By April I was over half way there (counting audiobooks). At this point, I’ve consumed 101 books, with 58 of those being actually read by me (either a print or ebook). Barring anything horribly tragic in the next couple of days, I think I’ve got this in the bag.

Currently Reading

1. I’ve been on a roll lately listening to autobiographies (in audiobook form, of course) of comedians as well as humor essay compilations. I mostly listen during my commute, or while doing mindless data entry at work. These lighthearted tales keep my mood upbeat despite the mundane.
   
   Photo credit: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25154938-neil-patrick-harris
   
   
   Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris, read by Neil Patrick Harris is no exception. He had to alter the Choose-Your-Own format for the audio structure, but his team did a good job with their workarounds. Of course having him perform the books, rather than just a straight read makes it enjoyable as well.
   
2. My current fiction read (Kindle loan from my library) is Sea of Monsters – Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Book 2 by Rick Riordan. I’m only a couple of chapters in, so I can’t really speak to this particular story, but I loved the first book.
   
3. On a more serious front, I’m also reading Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters by N.T. Wright. I try to always have a non-fiction Christian book in the stack. This is a bit weightier than I am accustom to, but I enjoy his writing style. Having never read Wright, I trust his words based off associations with others I’ve read including Scot McKnight and Timothy Keller.

What are you reading these days? Have you finished any must-reads which I need to add to my list?

FTL of Books

Since being chosen to be a part of the For the Love by Jen Hatmaker launch team, I've started incorporating the phrase into everyday conversation. Hence forward FTL = For the Love.

I love books.
I love the library.
I love characters and stories and new places.

I have a short attention span.
I have a 25 minute commute.

I have grown immune to music as anything more than ambient noise.

Enter my friend Kristi. 
She discovered the voodoo magic that is electronic library lending, and was gracious enough to share such wisdom with me. Thanks to her generosity, I'm a 18 books ahead of schedule for my reading goal.  

Is counting audio books cheating? I'm leaning toward yes, but they sure help pad my stats. And after last year's dismal reading performance, I want all the help I can get!! 
 
A tutorial vlog about how to sign up and use this service would be super-cool-awesome, but given the restrictions of residing in this county, I doubt it would be helpful for my readers. Of course if you are a lurker who knows me in real life, I'd be more than happy to talk you through it.

What I'm Reading Now

I received my paperback copy of For the Love, so I'm rereading it. This round, I'm taking a chapter a day during my morning Bible study to think on the chapter.

A friend recommended Dean Koontz's novel Lightning to me, so I requested it as an ebook. As with a regular library, there are only so many copies (or licenses in this case) to lend out. I had to wait a bit, but the book became available a couple days ago. If this is any indication of other work by Koontz, he has a new fan!

Currently Listening

I decided to take a break from the Brennan Manning kick I've been on lately and am currently listening to Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling. Like her work on the TV show The Office, this is a funny, fluffy book. Perfect for my drive to work, or listening to on my solo lunchtime runs (now that my training buddy is on injured reserve).

Recently Finished Titles

As evidence by the picture, Artemis Fowl is my new guilt pleasure read. While I'm slogging through book 5 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I flew through the first 2 books in the Artie series.

 Help a girl out! Who is your favorite author? Anything that you've recently found so compelling you couldn't put it down? Or annoyed the snot outta your friends on social media thanks to your numerous quotes?

#ForTheLove - What I'm Reading Wednesday

In prepping for this blog, I thought I had done a series of posts on reading 7: a mutiny against excess by Jen Hatmaker. Apparently I have one post from 3 years ago where I quoted the book, but nothing more.

excess = picture of my junk drawer. get it? 

Fast-forward to a couple of weeks ago. Mrs. Hatmaker - okay who are we kidding, everyone who reads her stuff feels like they are her bestie and calls her Jen - put out an invitation on social media. Looking for plain Janes (my words, not hers) to preview her new book For the Love, and provide endorsements.

I'm sure I won't be picked. ~  Doesn't hurt to try. ~ What do I have to lose?

Then, last Monday morning I got the email. I'm in! I'm one of the 500 #chosen. Just like that, I had a link to the ebook and an invitation to the private Facebook group.

while this picture was old, i truly was asked to climb on a desk by my boss one day

Of course Monday also involved me being pulled in a billion directions. I mean they actually wanted me to work whilst at the office. #FortheLove A pile of petty little annoyances and hurts piled up in my personal life.

Don't they know?
Have they not heard?
Leave me alone - I have a book to read!!

The book and the subsequent Facebook posts have been like balm for my soul. Is that cliche? I kinda don't care - its the truth. I finished the ebook a few days ago.

Now I wait, highlighter in hand, for my hard copy to arrive. In one of the book's chapters, Jen describes life as a balance beam act. In order to successful complete the routine, a gymnast must play to her strengths and know what to let go. Rereading this book and hanging out with 499 of my newest girlfriends on Facebook? Totally #OnTheBeam

Change of Pace - A What I'm Reading Wednesday post

My bookworm aunt passed a Nelson DeMille along to me. Despite the 600+ pages, I was encouraged by the smart-mouthed nature of the lead character. Had I found my new favorite author? After 200 pages, I had a good handle on the characters and setting, yet somehow I wasn't drawn to the book. As with earlier in the year, the absence of a plot was a glaring omission in this book.

What's a girl in a reading slump to do? Head to the library of course!!! I picked up several books in the adult section, but ended up walking out the one pictured above.

With talks of A Wrinkle in Time movie making their rounds, I decided to check out a middle school favorite. Its been years since I read the book. I couldn't find it, but instead picked up a few other classics.

I know nothing about my final two selections. As I was wandering the stacks, the titles jumped out at me. I'm excited to see what they are like. At the very least they are guaranteed to be quick/easy reads!

What do you have holding your bookmark these days??

Bookworm Goals - An Update

Last year, I set a goal for myself to read 75 books in the year. I fell behind late in the fall. I lost track of counting, and realized my error a couple days before December 31st. Rounding out the year with 72 books, I decided to tackle 75 for 2014.

Enter this book: 

Despite having the recommendation of my sister's 6th grade class, The Book Thief felt like wading through molasses. I liked his style of writing, but couldn't pin down why I wasn't enjoying the read. It wasn't a difficult selection, there was just nothing drawing me back.

When I finally finished it (after 2 whole months), I was put off reading for a while. While I have Divergent in my possession, I hesitate to read it. The recommendation came the same was as The Book Thief did. Everyone who reads it loves it. But what if I don't?

I'm very thankful to have access to 2 libraries - the local public library as well as my church library. While all too often "Christian" fiction is a genre made up of people who couldn't cut it in the secular world, there are a few authors I love. Terri Blackstock, Dee Henderson, and Ted Dekker each write books I devour when given the opportunity.

Recently, my mother found a couple of novels of theirs we have yet to read. Yesterday I was home sick (just the sniffles) and devoured not one, but two novels. I don't like characters and plots getting jumbled in my head, so I didn't start a third. But given that both were done before 4, I was bored the rest of the day. 

Even still, I'm a bit behind. I returned a Carl Hiassen to the library today and have Jane Green on deck next. Of course still in the pile from my last trip to the library is Sue Grafton. 

I've got plenty of vacation time built up (and a workaholic husband I can't convince to get away with me), so maybe I'll take several days off this summer to read by the pool. 

Any fast/light/enjoyable books recommendations for me?

What I'm Reading Wednesday - Book Thief

I started reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak at the first of the year. I'd heard good things about it and I wanted to read it before the movie came out. Almost 2 months later, I finished it last night. It took me as long to figure out what I didn't like about it as it did to finish it.

Early on, I asked Facebook if I should press on. Does it get better? Is it this way the whole book? I got mixed reviews, so I pressed on. After all, who wants to be a quitter?

The book isn't a difficult read. In fact, I like his writing style. Although dealing with a difficult subject, it isn't hard to read. The pages seemed to fly by. When I could sit down and make myself read. And I'm not the kind who has to be forced to read.

Last night, I decided to read other people's less-than-favorable reviews. I found someone else pin down what had escaped me for 550 pages.  "Nothing happens then {spoiler}." In other words, this book lacked plot.

YES.

While I liked the characters, I wasn't passionate about finding out what happened to them. Because as I read, nothing was happening. I kept reading, believing once the back-story was set up, the action would begin. But it never did.

Enough people liked the book for it to be made into a movie, so I won't tell you not to read it. But its definitely one of those love-it-or-hate-it kinda books. If you get 100 pages in and find yourself struggling. Give it up. Then email me and I'll tell you what you missed in 100 words or less.

What I'm Reading Wednesday - 2014 Goal Edition

Last year, I set a goal for myself to read 75 books. I felt short of the goal only making it to 72. My total averages over a book a week, so I'm not going to be to hard on myself for not quite reaching it. I'm trying again this year to read the same number, but having a bit of a slow start.

Completed in 2014:

Unconventional by JJ Hebert
(fiction)

I liked the characters and found them relatable. Maybe because I (a Christian) met my husband ( an agnostic) on MySpace back in the day (kinda tells our age and the age of the book.) There were parts I wondered what the book's point was. Finished, I'm still not sure, perseverance? But something about the characters felt comfortable, familiar. Maybe a good book club book. Something I'd like to talk thru with someone. I feel like there is more to the story I'm missing.

Kissed in Paris by Juliette Sobanet
(fiction)
I just finished this one last night, and it was everything I love in a book. Lighthearted and fun. The story was predictable, but in a way that didn't discourage me from reading. I didn't realize this was the 2nd in a series, and had no trouble with the story having not read the first.

Currently Reading:

When Godly People Do Ungodly Things by Beth Moore
(non-fiction)

I'm only a few chapters into this one, and I'm struggling a bit. Being such a heavy subject, Moore tries to set the book up in the first few chapters. I'm only in chapter 3, but find myself wanting her to move on with things. Perhaps its because the subject matter is foreign to me. She makes a strong distinction between sins of rebellion and sins of supernatural temptation. Rebellion is more familiar to me, and NOT the focus of this book.

The Patriarchs by Beth Moore
(non-fiction)

This is one of her classic Bible study workbooks, and I'm only on day 1. I'm excited to delve in and see where this particular journey through the Word will takes us.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
(fiction)

I hesitated in starting this book. Give the setting (Nazi Germany) and the narrator (Death), I kinda dreaded this one. Too many people recommended it for me to skip it, though, and now I see why. The story and characters are easy to follow. While the subject matter may become heavy, the reading process doesn't feel that way. I look forward to reading it. 


What are you currently reading??

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Fiction

Showdown (A Paradise novel) by Ted Dekker

Love Dekker's books. This trilogy ties in with his Circle trilogy (Black, Red,  and White) but having read those books isn't pertinent to understanding the Paradise trilogy. The only confusing part is that Showdown, Sinner, and Saint were published in one order, yet he recommends reading them in another. Having followed the recommended path, I already know what happens to several of Showdown's characters. Still, I put the book down with 60 pages left last night - knowing if I didn't stop while I could, I'd stay up all night to finish.  His books are that good.

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

I've been reading on this one for a while now. A book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, I'm using them as Lewis intended - reading it to quiet my mind before bed. I've been on a fiction kick lately, and reading my daytime book-of-choice at night. The goal is to finish this one before year's end.

Just Finished:

Through the Fire by Diane Noble

A light hearted mystery about a Pastor & his wife who agree to work at a new church in a new area. The day they arrive in town, they find the church engulfed in flames. I read this book over the Thanksgiving holiday and it was just the right amount of fluff needed in combination with a story line that actually advances. Reading the book in small snippets didn't hamper my enjoyment.

Non-fiction

The Life-Changing Power of Prayer by T.W. Hunt

I've been reading this book a few pages at a time during my morning devotional. I'm about 10 pages from finishing and its mostly a meh. Nothing particularly wrong with it, but nothing I haven't read in other books by other authors. I think its time for me to stop reading about prayer and start doing it more.

Beyond Ordinary: When a Good Marriage Just isn't Good Enough by Justin & Trish Davis

I'm in the early pages of this book. So far I've just read the basics - how they met and the early stages of their marriage. From what I understand, the book will cover troubles they have encountered along the way (which are fairly universal to most marriages) and how to overcome them. More on this one when I've gotten further along.

Just Finished:

The Exodus Road: One Wife's Journey into Sex Trafficking and Rescue by Laura Parker

As you can imagine, this was a tough read. Not in style, but rather in content. I'm a bit ashamed to admit I'm glad to be done with this short book. Now I can give them a bit of money and return to life with my head in the sand. (Totally not the path the book recommends.)

Is That All He Thinks About???

Yes ladies (and gents?) we're going to talk about it today.  

You know.  It.

IT.

Please let me start this book review by saying I'm a prude through and through.  As in wear-my-suit-in-the-hot-tub at my house. In my side yard.  With my husband.  Where no neighbors can see us.

So when my Once Upon the Internet friend Marla Taviano offered a free copy of her book in exchange for a review, I hesitated.  What if someone sees me reading it?  I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea or anything.

I mean for goodness sake - the book came wrapped in brown paper packaging! ;) 

I found parts of this book embarrassing but that's probably more a commentary of myself, rather than the sections in question.

Taviano doesn't take herself too seriously, which is something I love about her writing style (this book included). She never comes across as holier (or sexier in this case) than thou, but rather a work-in-progress muddling through like the rest of us.

The book's primary theme (sex aside) is selflessness - something I'm prone to buck against. She hits the reader with some challenging material, while maintaining an easy-to-read format.  Some of her points didn't sit well with me.  Not sure if its because I disagree, or because she's right and I just don't want to admit it.

Her best piece of advice (in my opinion) - PRAY.  Seriously.  About IT, about marriage, about your relationship, about everything.  I took this piece of advice early in the week - big surprise - it actually worked. 

The prayer went something like this "God - I don't like my husband very much right now.  Could you do something about that?"  I came home to a hubby who (despite having a full/stressful day) greeted me with his good mood.  The mood became infectious.  I ended the day adding a couple of different things he did to my thankful list.

And no "IT" didn't have anything to do with the mood. 

Bottom line: I consider Taviano a marriage mentor, despite the face she and I have never met in real life.

How much?

I'm currently reading the book Enough by Will Davis Jr.  In one section of the book, he asks his readers to consider what they would grab if told their home would be destroyed in 30 seconds.

 

I know its a question Jaime has blogged. (Although in a quick look through recent posts, I wasn't able to find the link.  Too lazy for more than that.)  The author suggests the things we would grab in the heat of the moment (figuratively or literally as the scenario may be) are that which are most important to us.

 

Thinking this through for myself netted an unsure answer.  I've always thought I would grab a the dirty clothes hamper - practically speaking its the quickest way to ensure you have clothing to wear in the days to come. 

 

My jewelry box is also high on the list.  Most of my jewelry is costume, save a few pieces Jay has purchased for me.  However, the value isn't found in the amount paid for the items.  I have quite a few necklaces and broaches that belonged to my great grandmother.  Every time I wear them, I think of her, and my heart smiles all day.

 

Living in 2 houses at once (with only some of my things at each house) made me reconsider what items I use daily.  I've already taken several boxes of stuff that we can live without to the thrift store.  Another large box (full of pants Jay no longer needs) waits in the closet to be taken to the Knoxville homeless ministry.

 

On several occasions, packing and unpacking has felt like a chore.  Material things I would have once considered blessings began to become burdens.  I wasn't eager, excited, or even desperate to unpack those items.  It was just stuff.  Junk even. 

 

I'm not even close to answering the question "Just how much is enough?" Heck - I'm not even finished with the book! Davis has confirmed my conclusion in my surpassing "Enough" into the land of "Too Much."  Not because I want to wear a potato sack or eat dinner on the floor, but because I don't want my life to revolve around acquisitions.  I want to experience adventure, and if I'm honest, sometimes stuff just gets in the way.

 

How do you define "enough"?

Have you purged your house for rarely used items recently?

How often do you clean out your closet?

Book Review: Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach...

...and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up!

I received this book to review with the understanding I would post a review on May 1st (the books release date).  In the process of moving, it got misplaced before I had a chance to read it.  I was the goody-two-shoes in school, so missing a due date to an assignment bothered me.  I emailed the company and let them know my review would be a little late.  I have yet to receive hate mail from them, so maybe they understand things happen.

Without further adieu, my review:



The (longest eva) title had caught my eye, so I was looking forward to the unique take on a story I've heard all of my life.  I hadn't had a chance to preview the book before first reading it to my 5 year old nephew.  I tried to get a read on him, but kids that age are difficult.

  Not knowing much about children's literature, I worried that the book was too long for a kid.  However,  my nephew didn't have a problem sitting through the reading.  I very much enjoyed the illustrations.  The takeaway, like the Biblical story of Jonah, is about trusting God's will for your life.  Its a message I hope my nephew learns sooner, rather than later in life.

My only other concern about the book was the "Christianese" language used by the author.  As a "churched" person, I knew what the author was trying to say, although I'm not sure the language is truly speaking to a younger crowd.

What I can say is that he told me he liked the book, and sat still the entire time I read it - a huge compliment coming from a rambunctious little boy. Also, I asked if he wanted to keep it and he said yes.

Overall it looks like this book was a win!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Who Doesn't Have Fun with Books?

I missed last week's What I'm Reading Wednesday (hosted by Lindsay).  As an update, I've finished off all 4 of my books in the "currently reading" and then some.  Bringing me to 12 complete out of my goal of 75 for the year. 

cover	title	author	isbn	isbn13	asin	num pages	avg rating	num ratings	date pub	date pub (ed.)			review	notes	recommender	comments	votes	read count	date started		date added	date purchased	owned	purchase location	condition	format
checkbox	position	cover	title Lord, I Need Grace to Make It	author Arthur, Kay	isbn 1888655526	isbn13 9781888655520	asin	num pages 247 pp	avg rating 4.50	num ratings 2	date pub Jan 01, 1990	date pub edition Dec 28, 1996			review None[edit]	notes None[edit]	recommender none	comments 0	votes 0	# times read 0	date started Jan 27, 2013 [edit]		date added Jan 27, 2013	date purchased (add)	owned	purchase location (add)	condition (add)	format Paperback [edit]
checkbox	position	cover	title Letters To A Young Evangelical	author Campolo, Tony	isbn 0465008313	isbn13 9780465008315	asin	num pages 288 pp	avg rating 3.75	num ratings 103	date pub 2006	date pub edition Nov 28, 2006			review None[edit]	notes None[edit]	recommender none	comments 0	votes 0	# times read 0	date started Jan 26, 2013 [edit]		date added Jan 26, 2013	date purchased (add)	owned	purchase location (add)	condition (add)	format Hardcover [edit]
checkbox	position	cover	title Good Christian Bitches	author Gatlin, Kim	isbn 1401310702	isbn13 9781401310707	asin	num pages 291 pp	avg rating 2.84	num ratings 1,025	date pub Oct 31, 2008	date pub edition Jan 17, 2012			review None[edit]	notes None[edit]	recommender none	comments 0	votes 0	# times read 0	date started Jan 26, 2013 [edit]		date added Jan 17, 2013	date purchased (add)	owned	purchase location (add)	condition (add)	format Paperback [edit]

All books about Christianity...kinda.  Kay Arthur's book is my morning devotional.  Tony Campolo is a revolutionary Christian author I've read since I was a teenager - he really challenges (in a good way) what I believe and why.  And of course GCB is my guilty pleasure "fluff" reading.  I'm not very far through any of the above, so its too soon to tell if I'd recommend any of them.



If you are on Good Reads friend me! If you don't know what it is - check out www.goodreads.com.