2016 Foodies Read Challenge

Even though I didn't make my goal on the 2015 Foodies Read challenge, I still want to try again in 2016. I'm going for the Sous-Chef level (9-13 books). Looking forward to trying again this year. To sign up, go here.

2016 What's In A Name Challenge

I enjoyed the What's In A Name Challenge this year so I wanted to do it again in 2016. The categories look harder in 2016. I'll be looking for book titles with items of clothing and items of furniture. This will definitely expand my horizons! To join the fun, go here.

2016 LGBTQIA Books Reading Challenge

Every year I always want to sign up for a LGBTQ reading challenge but never find one until I consider it too late (mid year). But I found one early this time. Yay! I'm going for the Orange level (6-12 books). To sign up, go here.

2016 Graphic Novel & Manga Challenge

I had fun with this challenge this year so I look forward to trying it again next year. I'm going to stick with the Bronze Age (24 books read and reviewed). I'm going to keep the same format, reviewing the books once a month. To sign up, go here.

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Take Me With You

This caught my eye. I haven't read too many travel books.

What did you get this week? Add your link below.

Paris, He Said by Christine Sneed

I picked Paris, He Said off the library shelf because I usually like a good book about Paris. And Paris, He Said was no different. It was a well paced story about an American woman moving to Paris for her much older boyfriend. This is not chick lit but more contemplative and introspective.

Jayne has been struggling in New York when she meets Laurent. Jayne would like to have more time to paint and sketch but she has to work 2 jobs just to afford her rent. When Laurent offers to take her to Paris and allow her time to devote to art, Jayne takes the chance. The story is mostly told by Jayne but Laurent has a few chapters.

While reading Paris, He Said, I kept thinking it was like reading something you wanted to savor. The story was so well paced, not rushed at all. But there's not a lot of resolution at the end. Sneed examines Jayne and Laurent's relationship as well as those around them and their own relationships with others. She raises more questions and lets the reader make their own decisions. If you like stories that wrap up neatly, Paris, He Said isn't the book for you.

Overall I enjoyed Paris, He Said, but the lack of a solid ending left me a little sad. I would have liked the end to give me a better idea of what happened to Jayne. But I liked Sneed's writing and would pick up another of her books. I was tempted several time to book a trip to Paris. Sneed makes you feel like you are there. Others who shared their thoughts on Paris, He Said: The Bookish and The Romantic and Largehearted Boy.

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Delancey

I'm determined to finish the Foodies Read challenge. I set 14 books as my goal. I've got six to go.

The Fortune Cookie Chronicles

Another one for the Foodies Read Challenge.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky.

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Happily Ever After

I was pretty excited to see this on the shelf at the library. But it looks like a collection of already published novellas so there might be nothing new in here. 

When A Scot Ties The Knot

I've been enjoying this series. Looking forward to another good read by Dare. 

What did you get this week? Share your below.

Teaser Tuesday- Winter by Marissa Meyer

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"She slipped into a pair of lightweight linen pants and a loose top, then pulled on her night robe so it would look like she was wearing her bedclothes underneath, She thought of this all day, the plan taking form in her mind, like tiny puzzle pieces snapping together."
pg 21 Winter by Marissa Meyer

November Goals Update

How did I do this month on my goals?

1. Make one meatless meal for dinner a week. Still trying to figure out the wheat and dairy free meal situation.

2. Continue working on my fitness and lose another 30 lbs. I had a non scale victory the other day. I had to sprint for the bus. Usually that would have left me panting for most of the ride to work but this time, I needed no recovery time. I'm building some serious endurance.

3. Go back to meal planning. This has been happening.

4. Schedule one do nothing, stay home weekend a month. I don't think I got a full stay home weekend but I did get a couple of days to stay home.

5. Plan one trip with Tai this year. We did 2 trips this year and no more for the rest of the year.

6. Get a will and other necessary estate planning documents. This will probably wait for next year.

7. Clean and declutter one room a month. I planned to do some on Thanksgiving weekend but time got a way from me.

8. Do one things for myself a month. Nothing this month!

9. Watch one older (pre-2014) movie a month. Can't remember but I think I did watch something.

10. Learn to make 5 Japanese dishes. I just realized I completed all 5 dishes: Yakisoba, Yamatoimo, Gyudon, gyoza, and Chashu.

11. Stop complaining and start sharing my gratitude. I've been a lot better about this.

12. Take 2 cooking classes. I took 3 classes total this year. Looking forward to taking more in 2016.

November Book Tally

The Art of Baking Blind by Sarah Vaughan
Get Jiro! by Anthony Bourdain
Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
Put Up Your Duke by Megan Frampton
Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid
The Sleeper and The Spindle by Neil Gaiman
Saga vol 5 by Brian K Vaughan
Gotham Academy by Becky Cloonan
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
I See You Make An Effort by Annabelle Gurwitch

Still slowly inching to 150. House hunting plus a lot of busy weeks at work have made reading harder to do. I've got a couple of 4 weekends coming up. House hunting is on hold through the holidays so hopefully reading will make a come back.

Stats:

What's In A Name Challenge: this month: 0 (challenge complete) YTD: 6

Graphic Novel and Manga Challenge: this month: 4 (Saga vol 5, Get Jiro!, The Sleeper and The Spindle), Gotham Academy vol 1)
YTD :51

Historical Reading Challenge: this month: 1 ( Put Up Your Duke) YTD: 19

Foodies Read Challenge this month: 2 (Get Jiro! and The Art of Baking Blind) YTD: 8

Total: 143

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

I decided to browse the classics section at the library and this is whay I picked up.

True Grit

I'e been wanting to read True Grit ever since I saw the newest movie adaptation. 

Lord of The Flies

Can you believe I got through high school without ever reading this?

A Room With A View

I wanted Howard's End but I haven't read this one either. 

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky.

November Graphic Novel Review

Saga vol 5

Still loving this series.

The Sleeper and The Spindle

Neil Gaiman does fairy tales. Just delightful. A little Sleeping Beauty, a little Snow White but all one gorgeously dark tale.

Gotham Academy vol 1
A little like Scooby Doo set in the DC universe. Not sure how it ties into Batman but cute story.