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.

The Art of Being Normal 

Really looking forward to this one.

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

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.

Grace

Good sounding historical fiction.

You Know Me Well

LaCour and Levithan? Sign me up.

What did you get this week? Share your loot below.

Ascension by Jaqueline Koyanagi

I spotted Ascension on a list of books with POC main characters. Alana, the main character, is not only a POC but gay and disabled as well. So rare that you find a book with a character being any of those things much less all three. I did love Alana but still had a few problems with Ascension.

Alana is an engineer. Currently, her and her aunt eek out a living on a small planet servicing  spaceships that come in. Alana's sister, Nova, helps them out. Nova works as a spirit guide, helping people die and providing guidance for the wealthy. Nova doesn't want Alana to be an engineer but being an engineer is all Alana's ever wanted. One day a spaceship comes looking for Nova. Alana stows away and starts a new adventure. Will Alana be able to help the ship's crew find Nova?

Alana is strong. Although she has Mel's Disorder and lives in constant pain, she still wants. She wants to fly. She wants work on ships. She wants to love. Stowing away on the ship got in the sky. Alana fights to stay on the ship, help the crew find her sister. The other crew members are just as wonderful as Alana. They are all wonderful. No one's perfect and they all have their own wonderful struggles. I see this is the first in a series but Koyanagi has yet to write more. I would like to see more about Alana and the crew of the Tangled Axon.

I had 2 problems with Ascension. Koyanagi took a long time to build Alana's world. In fact there were a lot of things that weren't entirely explained. But since this was the first in a series, I assume more will be explained later. The second was the ending. While I see why Koyanagi did it that way but I didn't like it. That had a lot to do with the fact that I didn't feel like the world was fully explained. I do hope that Koyanagi writes more. She's started an interesting world. Others who shared their thoughts: Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, A Dribble of Ink, and elisabethsheff.
This was my fourth read for the LGBTQIA reading challenge.

Five On Friday

Full Circle

Tai and I have been using Full Circle for several years now. It's not a traditional CSA where you get what's available. More like a tailored grocery store. We get the sprout box. Although in the winter I sometimes scale down to the seed. I love being able to add other items like fresh bread, meat, and dairy products. 

Naked Pizza

Another find due to our new home. This pizza place is close to where I get off the train. I love their pizza. We usually get the Omnivore (meat and veggies) and a pepperoni.

Converse
My boss thinks she got me into Converse sneakers but I've been a Converse fan way back. I remember when they were $10 at Chubby & Tubby. I have a hard time paying $40 for them now so my pile is small but I do love them.

Parchment Paper
In an effort to reduce the amount of aluminum we ingest, I've taken to lining my baking sheets with parchment. I use it under meat, cookies, roasted veggies. I rarely use aluminum anymore.

Burr Grinder
I'm pretty serious about my coffee. I'll talk more about my coffee obsession in later posts but first my grinder. I grind my own coffee before brewing. I bought a burr grinder a few years ago after reading that it was better than the blade grinders which I used to have. I've noticed a better, more rounded taste since we switched. This is the one we have which I've been happy with.

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.

Ash & Bramble

Another Cinderella retelling. I admit the cover caught my eye.

The Cosmopolitans

Another interesting sounding one.

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

Five On Friday

Nalgene bottles

Everyone's got their favorite water bottle and this is mine. I have a dozen 32oz bottles but I recently bought Tai and I one of these which I always get comments about.

Lips Sync Battle
I loved Lip Sync when it was on Jimmy Fallon but love it more that it's now that it's own show. So funny.

Habit Burger Grill
One of the best things about a new place is all the new food joints. Habit burgers have quickly become my favorite burger, a very close second to my favorite Red Robin.

Flavor God Everything Spicy

I love this stuff. I put it on everything. Sprinkle on chicken, shrimp, or veggies. I use it on ground beef when I make tacos.

Dave's Killer Bread White Bread Done Right

I'm super picky about the bread we buy. Ideally I'd like to find a local bakery but this bread works in a pinch. It feels more substantial than plain old white bread.

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.

Bloodline

Tai's been reading a lot of the books that got released around The Force Awakens. But I'm excited about this one because it deals with Leia and Kylo Ren.

Bright and Distant Shores

This one sounded interesting but it's huge! 

Jam On The Vine

On my ongoing quest to read more books about POC and POC authors, I stumbled on Jam On The Vine. Looking forward to it.

What did you pick up this week? Share you loot below.

May Book Tally

Cold Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Heir To The Jedi by Kevin Hearne
Jubilee Manor by Bethany Hagen
Dark Reign by Andy Diggle
Deadpool: The Ones With Deadpool by Paul Scheer
The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean
Guardians of The Galaxy vol 1 by Brian Michael Bendis
The Siren by Keira Cass
The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman
Staked by Kevin Hearne
The House You Pass On The Way by Jacqueline Woodson

Twelve! That's more like it. Not every thing is put away in the house but it's livable. Plus May had less events and more downtime. June's looking the same.

Stats:

Graphic Novel Challenge: 3 (Dark Reign, Deadpool, Guardians of The Galaxy)  YTD: 6

Foodies Read Challenge: 0 (none this month)  YTD: 0

What's In A Name Challenge: 0 (none this month)  YTD: 1

LGBTQIA Reading Challenge: 1 (The House You Pass on The Way)  YTD: 2

Total: 33

Random Questions

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Anything coffee. 

What was the last thing you ate?
Sushi

What CD is in your CD player right now?
CDs? I haven't bought a CD in years.

How many keys are on your key ring?
Too many. I've tried to pare down to the necessities-house keys and car key plus my work key card.

How much money do you have in your wallet?
$18

List two bad habits that you have. 
My bad habits are: procrastinating and picking my nose. Totally gross, I know.

What's your birthstone? Would you change it?
Garnet (January). Nope I've always loved it. 

If you had one day to live, what would you do?
Have a huge party and hang out with all my friends. 

Do you know what your name means? 
Yes, Linda means "pretty" in Spanish.

Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes?
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It really changed how I eat and buy food. 

What would you do if you had a million dollars?
Pay off the house, travel, replace the Camry, continue making improvements on the house. 

Are you good at Chess?
Nope. Never learned. 

Would you rather be rich or healthy?
Healthy. 

Would you rather have the power to be invisible or the power to read minds?
Be invisible. I don't want to know what people are thinking.

Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
Open. 

Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?
Sometimes. If I think I will actually use them, I will. 

Have you ever peed in the woods?
No. 

What is your usual bedtime?
I like to be in bed by 9pm. But I usually fall asleep around 9:30pm.

Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?
Target. We have one less than a mile from the house. 

Whats your favorite color?
Purple.

Five On Friday

The Sounder Train

I love my train commute to and from work. It's super fast. Plus I love seeing that mountain from the window. I just wish there were more seats. It's so crowded.

94%

I adore this trivia game that reminds me of Family Feud. There's no timer so I can play a little or a lot.

Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee

I bought the mocha and the vanilla flavors at Target. Both are delicious. I add some creamer and almond milk. It's a delicious treat.

Dream Soles
I picked up something similar without the lace at Walgreens. The Walgreens ones are more cushy but these are great too. I bought mine at Ross for $3.  They provide a little bit of cushion and make all your shoes 10x more comfy. 

Smart Bracelet
I wanted a fitbit but I wasn't sure if I would like wearing one. I haven't worn a watch since high school so I bought this cheapie. But I love it. It tracks my steps, monitors my sleep, and notifies me of phone calls and texts. I keep thinking of upgrading to a fitbit but this one works so well that I haven't made the switch. The battery lasts about 4 days and is easy to charge. 

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.

Lady Renegades

The last in the Rebel Belle series.

Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink
A fun looking YA.

Ash
Ash has been on my to read list forever.

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