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 Book of Salt

I added The Book of Salt after reading Books for Living.

Patience & Sarah

I was looking for LGBT historical fiction and I found this.

1920

This one sounded good. 

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

Weekend Cooking: Creamy & Crunchy by Jon Krampner

I picked up Creamy & Crunchy because who wouldn't want to learn more about peanut butter. I do enjoy a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a good peanut butter cookie. But Creamy & Crunchy didn't hit the spot.

Krampner has a conversational tone but sometimes it rubbed me the wrong way. Sometimes I felt that I was a someone's house and he was recounting what he learned and every time I thought it was over, he'd find someone else to tell me. There are plenty of facts about where and how peanuts are grown. Some debate over who invented peanut butter (Not George Washington Carver) as well as the loss of regional brands that were made for specific tastes. There's even a chapter on peanut butter in music. I admit I skimmed a large portion of the book.

There are some interesting peanut butter recipes through out the book like Elvis' favorite peanut butter sandwich. I'd hoped to make one but time got away from me. I do love a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich with strawberry or grape jam. What's your favorite way to enjoy peanut butter?
This was my second read for the Foodies Read challenge.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth  Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

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.

Binti

This one looks good. Very excited to read it.

Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

A favorite. Looking forward to the graphic adaptation. 

Whiskey Distilled

I actually found this one on a display for St Patrick's Day. Excited to learn more about my favorite beverage. 

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.

Heroine Complex

This one looked good.

When We Collided

Reloot.

Scarlet

Interesting looking graphic novel.

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

February Update on 2017 Goals

Prepare to do something physically challenging in 2018. I've rolled my ankle again so walks are shorter. I'm going to the doctor to see what can be done about my wobbly ankles!

Be able to park my car in the garage by December 31, 2017. Made almost no progress here. 

Add yoga back into my life at least once a week. I went to yoga-once this month. I want to go back once my ankle feels better. 

One hour a day without technology (no phone, no computer, no tv). Still doing pretty goiod about this one. Tai and I have been reading after dinner, just listening to music.

Add more art into my life. Added some art museums to my Instagram feed. Enjoying learning about new artists.

Get back to meal planning. We did Blue Apron one week this month. Really helped with the meal planning. 

Take more pictures. Still sucking at this. I don't always like the prompts. 

February Book Tally

The Mothers by Brit Bennett
Pancakes in Paris by Craig Carlson
You Can't Touch My Hair by Phoebe Robinson
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple
Lost In NYC by Nadja Spiegelman
Paper Girls vol 2 by Brian K Vaughan
Carrie by Stephen King
Jessica Jones vol 2 by Brian Michael Bendis
Lena Finkle's Magic Barrel by Anya Ulinich

Much more productive month. A lot of good reads this month. Feeling like I'm back on track. Plus I got one read towards the Foodies Read challenge. I really want to finish that challenge this year.

Book Stats:

Foodies Read: 1 (Pancakes In Paris) YTD: 1

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

Read Harder: 1 (The Mothers) YTD: 1

Total: 15

Just Juliet by Charlotte Reagan

I picked up Just Juliet after seeing some good reviews on Goodreads. I'm glad I did. Just Juliet was a sweet story about first love.

Lena is 17 and a senior in high school. She has a boyfriend and does well in school. Lena figures she'll go to college, get married, have kids, and become a teacher like many of the other girls in her town. But when Lena meets Juliet, Lena discovers that she might not want those things after all. Juliet is artistic and spends a lot of time making her own clothes. And the rumor is that Juliet is gay. Lena's never met a gay person before but she knows she wants to become Juliet's friend. Lena and Juliet seem to have a lot in common-art, horror movies, video games. The more time Lena spends with Juliet the less time Lena wants to spend with anyone else. But does Lena like Juliet as a friend or something more?

I appreciated how real Lena, Juliet and the other characters were. Reagan takes the time to let the characters tell their story. I also loved the epilogue which provided the happiest ending for all the characters. I really enjoyed Just Juliet. Others who shared their thoughts on Just Juliet: Life of A Crazy Mom, Every Book Counts, and The Nerdgirl Reviews.
This satisfies the Read a LGBTQ romance novel for the Read Harder Book Challenge.

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.

Norse Mythology

Squee! Gaiman and Norse Mythology. Let me clear my schedule. 

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

Books for Living by Will Schwalbe

I choose Books for Living to satisfy the Read Harder challenge: Read a book about books. I don't really like reading about books. Either the author likes to shame the reader for not reading great works of literature or they talk about books so obscure that maybe 5 people read them. Schwalbe strikes a balance. He talks about books I never heard of in a way that made me want to read them. He doesn't shame, rather offers his opinion or other's opinion about why you might want to read a book. His tone was conversational. Plus his own love of reading oozed out of the pages and made me want to read more.

Books for Living added to my tbr pile. It was an enjoyable read and one you could read a little at a time. I hadn't wanted to read The End of Your Life Book Club but now I might. Others who shared their thoughts on Books For Living: 20somethingreads, Lit Lovers, and Linda's Book Bag.
This satisfies the book about books category of the 2017 Read Harder Challenge.

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.

Elmer

I'm always looking for graphic novels written by POC. 

The Edge of The Orchard

I like Chevalier and I was excited to see a new book from her on the library shelf.

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

50 Things About Me

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:30 a.m. 

2. How do you like your steak? medium rare 

3. What was the last film you saw at the theater? Lego Batman (I liked the Lego movie better)

4. What is your favorite TV show? Brooklyn 99 

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I like where I live now. 

6. What did you have for breakfast? yogurt, a vita top, and coffee. 

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Japanese

8. What foods do you dislike? calamari, most clams

9. Favorite Place to Eat? a sushi restaurant 

10. Favorite dressing? Ranch 

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? Honda Fit

12. What are your favorite clothes? sweatpants

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? France

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? full 

15. Where would you want to retire? No need to move, I would stay in Washington State.

16. Favorite time of day? early evening

17. Where were you born? in a hospital 

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? football

19. How many siblings? 1 half brother

20.Favorite pastime/hobby: reading

21. Bird watcher? no 

22. Are you a morning person or a night person? night 

23. Do you have any pets? a dog

24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Nothing comes to mind

25. What did you want to be when you were little? Screenwriter.

26. What is your best childhood memory? Riding in the car with my parents on our weekend adventures. My dad loved exploring, my mom loved shopping so we always did a little of both each weekend.

27. Are you a cat or dog person? dog

28. Are you married? Yes 

29. Always wear your seat belt? Yes 

30. Been in a car accident? nothing serious. Just fender benders.

31. Any pet peeves? being dismissed or ignored.

32. Favorite Pizza Toppings? artichoke hearts, olives, onion

33. Favorite Flower? hydrangeas

34. Favorite ice cream? bubble gum

35. Favorite fast food restaurant? Panera

36. How many times did you fail your driver's test? none 

37. From whom did you get your last email? work

38. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? restoration hardware

39. Do anything spontaneous lately? filled out this questionnaire 

40. Like your job? yup

41. Broccoli? I love it 

42. What was your favorite vacation? victoria, good food and plenty of relaxing

43. Last person you went out to dinner with! Tai

44. What are you listening to right now? office noise

45. What is your favorite color? purple 

46. How many tattoos do you have? zero 

47. What time did you finish this quiz? 11 am. 

48. Coffee Drinker? yes

49. Favorite Fandoms? Harry Potter, Firefly, Star Wars, Deadpool

50. Marvel or DC? Marvel

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.

Creamy & Crunchy

Another one for the Foodies Read challenge.

This Book Is Gay

This one was on a list of recommended LGBT books.

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.

Under Rose-Tainted Skies

This was on a list of new books about mental health issues. 

Daily Life During The American Revolution

My interest in the American Revolution continues. This one looks like a textbook. I hope it's not dull.

Ghosts

I've enjoyed Telgemeier's other graphic novels. 

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

The Love List

What I'm Loving This Year:

 ♥Houdini

♥Marvel Movies

♥Sparkling Water

♥Prime Rib

♥Long Drives

♥Sweatpants

♥Curling up on the couch with Tai

♥Sleep

You Can't Touch My Hair And Other Things I Still Have To Explain by Phoebe Robinson

I picked up You Can't Touch My Hair because I thought it sounded interesting. I'd never heard of Robinson until I picked up this book. I'm glad I did. Because while Robinson hits you with some hard truths, she makes you laugh too.

Robinson has been on tv, podcasts, and stand up. I'll definitely be looking for her work more. I have to say the first chapter of her book was the hardest for me. As a non-black person, I struggled to read her hard truths about what black people in the United States go through. Robinson explores a lot of struggles that POC and women go through throughout the book. Most of it is done though humor but she still hits hard. I learned a lot while reading You Can't Touch My Hair and would recommend it for others who are learning about what POC women go through on a daily basis.

I hope Robinson writes more books and continues to perform. I enjoyed her voice and will seek out ways to hear it. Others who shared about You Can't Touch My Hair: Lower East Side Librarian, The Book and I, and Midnight Book Girl.

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 feel like the slump might be ending.

Rin Tin Tin

I enjoyed Orleans' other books. Plus I like reading all things dog right now.

Square Meal

For the past 2 years I've had difficulty finishing the Foodies Read Challenge. I love food related nonfiction. I'm trying to bang that one out early. I always get sidetracked.

The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily 

I enjoyed Dash & Lily's Book of Dares so I was super excited to see this sequel. 

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

Pancakes In Paris by Craig Carlson

I picked up Pancakes In Paris on a whim. I do love reading books about Paris and pancakes are delicious. This seemed like the perfect book. I haven't heard of Breakfast In America but when I go to Paris, I'll check it out. I'm glad I picked it up. I enjoyed Carlson's story.

France and in particularly, Paris, had long been a part of Carlson's life. His sister spoke a pidgin French to annoy their father. Carlson took French in school and later studied abroad in France. But what made a former screenwriter open a restaurant in Paris when he had no restaurant experience. Each time he came to Paris, he missed the traditional American diner experience. I love a good diner so I loved hearing about how Carlson researched diners. Plus Carlson's voice is so conversational. I felt like he was just telling me a story.

Pancakes in Paris is the kind of food memoir I like. Plenty of personal stories, honest stories about how hard it is to open a business, and funny stories about living life and finding yourself. Others who shared their thoughts on Pancakes In Paris: The He Said She Said Experience, Eat. Live. Travel. Write, and Seattle Book Mama.
This is my first read for the Foodies Read challenge.

The Mothers by Brit Bennet

I added my name to the miles long hold list for The Mothers because folks were raving about it. I was not disappointed. Bennett's debut novel is amazing. I certainly enjoyed reading it.

I want to tell you all about The Mothers. Introduce you to the characters but I'll spoil too much. And I could never do Bennett's characters justice. This is a book you'll want to savor. Bennett's writing is beautiful. These gorgeous character jump off the page and steal your heart. They feel like people you know, maybe even you. Nothing felt contrived to me. The Mothers felt real, like something I was watching happen. I can't wait to read her next book. Others who shared their thoughts on The Mothers: The Beauty of Literature, That's What She Read, and Reading Books Like A Boss.
This satisfies the Read A Debut novel category for the 2017 Read Harder Challenge.

January Update on 2017 Goals

Prepare to do something physically challenging in 2018. Walking Houdini has been the most exercise I've been getting. I'm doing more than 10,000 steps a day. I might increase my step goal next month. And I'm looking forward to warmer days to get my bike out.

Be able to park my car in the garage by December 31, 2017. I got rid of a bunch of stuff through my buy nothing group. I hope to take a load of stuff to a thrift shop next month.

Add yoga back into my life at least once a week. I've done some poses but not really practiced for a substantial period of time. 

One hour a day without technology (no phone, no computer, no tv). Getting better at this. It's hard to walk Houdini and look at my phone. On the weekends, I leave my phone upstairs while I'm downstairs and vice versa. 

Add more art into my life. I went to the Seattle Art Museum early in January to see the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit. 

Get back to meal planning. I'm not planning out the whole week but I'm still cooking at home a whole lot. 

Take more pictures. I stuck at this. By the time I get home it's dark. Hard to take pictures. I'm hoping to do better this month. But some days I completely forget. 

January 2017 Book Tally

The Infamous Heir by Elizabeth Michaels
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
Rose & Thorn by Sarah Prineas
What Happens Under The Mistletoe by Sabrina Jefferies

Such a dismal month! I've been slumping hard. I've been having difficulty reading. Nothing interests me. I hope this turns around soon!

Book Stats:

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

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

Read Harder: 0 (none this month) YTD: 0

Total: 5