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.

Forge

I enjoyed Chains. I'm looking forward to continuing the story.

All Or Nothing

Reloot. 

God In Pink

Sounded interesting.

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.

Eight Flavors

I heard about this on NPR and it sounded good.

As I Descended

I've enjoyed Talley's other books. I want to read more of her work. 

Carrie

I decided I need to read more King this year. 

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

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.

Mastering My Mistakes In The Kitchen

I grabbed this off the library shelf. Always looking for ways to become a better cook.

Pancakes in Paris

Another food related one. But how can you pass up that tile?

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

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

I added Chains to my library hold list because I'm interested in reading more about the American Revolutionary War. I am a fan of Halse Anderson. I like the fact she doesn't flinch from hard topics like slavery. Chains was a fantastic book and I look forward to continuing the trilogy.

Isabel and her sister, Ruth, are slaves. Isabel remembers being taken from Africa and the journey across to America. Ruth was an infant and didn't remember. Isabel and Ruth were lucky to have a kind mistress but when she dies, her mistress' kin sell her to a family in New York. Isabel and Ruth are thrust into the middle of the war. Isabel is fighting for their freedom as American fights for hers.

I enjoyed Chains. Halse Anderson gives you so many details it felt like I was right there with Isabel. The characters were very fleshed out. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy. It's a shame how little I know about American history and hope this helps me learn more. Others who shared their thoughts on Chains: YA BookCentral, SavvyVerse & Wit, and Rhapsody in Books.

Book Riot's 2017 Read Harder Challenge

A lot of these are definitely going to challenge me.

1. Read a book about sports.
2. Read a debut novel.
3. Read a book about books.
4. Read a book set in Central or South America, written by a Central or South American author.
5. Read a book by an immigrant or with a central immigrationnarrative.
6. Read an all-ages comic.
7. Read a book published between 1900 and 1950.
8. Read a travel memoir.
9. Read a book you’ve read before.
10. Read a book that is set within 100 miles of your location.
11. Read a book that is set more than 5000 miles from your location.
12. Read a fantasy novel.
13. Read a nonfiction book about technology.
14. Read a book about war.
15. Read a YA or middle grade novel by an author who identifies as LGBTQ+.
16. Read a book that has been banned or frequently challenged in your country.
17. Read a classic by an author of color.
18. Read a superhero comic with a female lead.
19. Read a book in which a character of color goes on a spiritual journey (From Daniel José Older, author of Salsa Nocturna, the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series, and YA novel Shadowshaper)
20. Read an LGBTQ+ romance novel (From Sarah MacLean, author of ten bestselling historical romance novels)
21. Read a book published by a micropress. (From Roxane Gay, bestselling author of Ayiti, An Untamed State, Bad Feminist, Marvel’s World of Wakanda, and the forthcoming Hunger and Difficult Women)
22. Read a collection of stories by a woman. (From Celeste Ng, author Everything I Never Told You and the forthcoming Little Fires Everywhere)
23. Read a collection of poetry in translation on a theme other than love. (From Ausma Zehanat Khan, author of the Esa Khattak/Rachel Getty mystery series, including The Unquiet Dead, The Language of Secrets, and the forthcoming Among the Ruins)
24. Read a book wherein all point-of-view characters are people of color. (From Jacqueline Koyanagi, author of sci-fi novel Ascension)

Full House Reading Challenge Wrap Up

I completed this challenge. I love these bingo card challenges.

By Author You Wish Was Better Known: Achy Obejas
Had Laugh Out Loud Moments: Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Way Out of Comfort Zone: Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
Self Challenge: Dirty River by Leah Laksh Samarasinha -Piepzna
New Author To You: Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas

Published in 2016: The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
Book Club Worthy: At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen
Family Relationship in Title: Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne (I'm really stretching family relationship)
Memoir: Cooking As Fast As I Can by Cat Cora
Would Make A Good Movie: Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C Wrede

Book from series you love: Staked by Kevin Hearne
Color Word In Title: A Red Rose Chain by Seanan McGuire
Book You Bought: Landline by Rainbow Rowell
First in a series: The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean
Library Book: My Brown Eyed Earl by Anna Bennett

Debut Novel: When Reason Breaks by Cindy L Rodriguez
Author's surname starts with same letter as yours: Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
Setting beings with a B: Make It Count by Megan Erickson
You'd Like To Change the cover: The House You Pass on The Way by Jaqueline Woodson
Published in 2015: Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole

Thought Provoking Book: Another Brooklyn by Jacquline Woodson
You didn't want to put it down: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler
Author outside own country: Fredrick Backman (A Man Called Ove)
A dominant color on cover: The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman (blue)
Been on TBR list "forever": On The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

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.

New year, new challenges.

Wrinkles

I saw this one at the bookstore and read a few pages. Seemed interesting.

Big Bad Breakfast

I love breakfast. Always looking for more ideas.

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

2017 Goals and Update on my 2016 Goals

Ha ha ha ha! I didn't even come close to doing any of my 2016 goals. I didn't buy a bike until the end of summer. I barely rode it but did ride our stationary bike a bit. Moving took up most of my year. And I've still got boxes to unpack. I never made it a zumba or other dance related class. I still have a ton of mental clutter (although I'm working on disposing of those negative tapes).  My 2017 goals are a lot smaller.

Prepare to do something physically challenging in 2018. Either STP, Tough Mudder, or a 5k. I need to get in shape and I like having an activity to do rather than trying to lose a certain amount of weight.

Be able to park my car in the garage by December 31, 2017. The garage still has lots of boxes. A lot of stuff I need to find a place for. A lot of stuff needs to go.

Add yoga back into my life at least once a week. I love yoga. It's like a massage for my soul. Even if I have to do it at home, it's better than nothing.

One hour a day without technology (no phone, no computer, no tv). I spend way too much time mindlessly staring at a screen.

Add more art into my life. Go to the art museum three times a year. See more plays. Find ways to let art into my life.

Get back to meal planning. Life's easier when I know what I'm making for dinner.

Take more pictures. I'm going to do those photo of a day lists like Fat Mum Slim. Any you would recommend?

2016 was quite a year. I'm looking forward to making 2017 a great one.

December Book Tally and 2017 Book Goals

The Girl Who Ate Everything by Christy Denney

Hang A Thousand Trees With Ribbons by Ann Rinaldi

Iron Man Noir by Scott Snyder

The Doctor Wears A Stetson by Anne Marie Novark

Island Dressed by Roderick J Robison

Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C Wrede

How To Say I Love You Outloud by Karole Cozzo

Instant Pot Cookbook by Vanessa Olsen

The Secret Lives of Baked Goods by Jessie Oleson

The Last Chance Christmas Ball edited Mary Jo Putney

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

December was a good month. Although I thought the month was longer and I would have more time to read more books than I did. Always my downfall. I always think I have more time to read than I do.

Stats:

Graphic Novel Challenge: 1 (Iron Man Noir)  YTD: 30

Foodies Read Challenge: 3 (The Secret Lives of Baked Goods, Instant Pot, The Girl Who ate Everything)  YTD: 7

What's In A Name Challenge: 3 (The Doctor Wore A Stetson, Hang A Thousand Trees With Ribbons, and Island Dresses)  YTD: 5

LGBTQIA Reading Challenge: 0 (none this month)  YTD: 6

Total: 108

How Did I Do on My Goals?

-Participate in the Foodies Read Challenge.
I fell short on this one again. I was aiming to read 9-13 and I only read 7.

-Participate in The Full House Reading Challenge.
Complete!

-Participate in What's In A Name Challenge.
I missed the month in title challenge.

-Participate in the LGBTQIA Books Reading Challenge.
Complete!

-Participate in the Graphic Novel & Manga Challenge.
Complete!

-Read 150 books.
I adjusted this midyear to 100 which I completed.

My 2017 Bookish Goals

-Participate in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge.

-Participate in Foodies Read Challenge.

-Participate in What's In A Name Challenge.

-Read 125 books.