Category: books & reading

what i read : july to september 2014

Still not a ton of books for the past few months, but my reading has been picking up again lately! I’m excited to write more about books here going forward.

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry – What can I even say about this book? It’s an epic western and totally deserving of its Pulitzer. The characters were amazing. Even when nothing was really “happening” I just enjoyed their company. Lots of it I found funny, but then suddenly something very dark and sad would happen. It left me with an ache that is hard to describe. (5 stars)

Dark Hope by Monica McGurk – Kind of a Twilight knockoff only with angels & demons. A bit boring in parts, but the female lead was strong without being stupid and afraid without being a victim. Full review here. (2 stars)

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty – I have discovered that there is a type of “chick lit” that I like, and it is the kind written by Liane Moriarty. There are a lot of heavy topics addressed here, but it is still somehow a fairly light and easy read. I really enjoyed the characters and it felt smart and witty. The way she ends chapters makes you want to keep reading. There was a huge moral dilemma presented, and although it worked out in a way that probably never would have happened in real life, it got me thinking. (4 stars)

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver – I had to force myself to read past the first chapter because the teen girls it focuses on (including the main character, Sam) were really the worst. I’m glad I pushed through, because as Sam relives the same day of her life seven times (no explanation for why, which kind of bugs me, but whatever) she changes and we see her friends in a new way as well. There are obvious morals here, but they are good ones. (4 stars)

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares – This was a fast and fun read, but plot-driven to a fault, I think. The scenes were choppy and neither the characters nor the setting were fleshed out in any meaningful way. But still a nice mix of time travel, dystopia, and teen romance. (3 stars)

The House Girl by Tara Conklin – Excellent writing and descriptiveness. I enjoyed the back and forth chapters between characters (one modern-day young lawyer, one slave house girl from the 1800’s). Not something that sucks you in right away, but I found myself immersed in it before long. (4 stars)

October 2, 2014
working mama files : amanda nelson from book riot

Working Mama Files is an interview series designed to support and encourage working moms along the path to having a fulfilling life.

Today I have Amanda from Book Riot joining me! I discovered her from her (now defunct) book blog and have enjoyed keeping up with her since we share taste in books, and also because she is just super interesting, smart, and funny. I link to Book Riot all the time, so I’m excited to have her here today!

Who lives in your house?

Me (obvs), my husband, my 3-year-old twin boys (Rhett and Atticus), my cat Finnegan and my hound dog Othello.

Will you tell us a little about your current job and how you ended up there?

I’m the Managing Editor of BookRiot.com, the largest independent literary website in North America, I have no shame in saying. I run the day-to-day operations of the site, and the social media. I got here through my (now defunct) classic literature blog- I started blogging around the same time as Jeff O’Neal, Book Riot’s founder. We were reading each other’s blogs for awhile, and he approached me to be one of the initial contributors on this crazy book site he wanted to start. I went from weekly contributing, to being part-time staff, to full-time staff over the next two years, and I just started running the joint at the beginning of July.

Your job is mostly internet-based, so do you work from home? If so, how do you handle childcare? How do you like working from home versus outside of it?

I do work from home! The boys go to a sitter from 9 a.m until noon, and then they come home and nap until about 2:30. I start my work day at 6:30 a.m. (my husband handles breakfast and getting them dressed and to the sitter), so by the time they wake up from nap, I’ve put in a full day- though I can rarely resist doing a bit more work stuff after they go to bed. I LURVE working from home. I’ve worked in office settings outside the home before, and I never enjoyed them. I like setting my schedule, working around the boys, being able to take a random Friday afternoon off to go do whatever.

Okay, twins! From your perspective, are there any unique issues having to do with twins and working?

Just that they do mostly everything developmentally at the same time. So when they were teething, it was two kids teething that I had to deal with in the middle of the night. When they were potty-training (which we just finished up with a few months ago), they were both doing it at once, so when they were at home I would have to juggle that. But I don’t think I have any real issues that anyone with two kids (especially two young ones close in age) doesn’t have.

Since you manage a website all about books, reading, and publishing, it seems like you have to read a TON in addition to your editing and writing duties. In reality, how much do you read in a day, week, month, year?

Never as much as I want to! I try to read at least an hour or two at night, after dinner, while my husband wrestles around with the boys. I tend to read for several hours on Saturdays, and Sundays after church, in an attempt to “catch up”. I’m always in five or six books at once, and I keep an audiobook going in the car and while I cook dinner. I’d say I get through three or four books a week? Goodreads tells me I’ve read 62 books so far this year (though 10 of those probably are graphic novels, which take about half an hour to get through).

I hear lots of moms say that they don’t have time to read anymore and that they miss it. How do you fit it in?

I shove it in, heh. My husband understands that I’m a better human to be around after I’ve read a bit at the end of a day, so he occupies the boys after dinner while I do that. Audiobooks are really helpful for getting a book in in those crevices in your day- folding laundry, driving, walking the dog. But I know that my situation is singular because of my job, so I don’t expect any parent (or any person, really) to read as obsessively as I do. I’d say just make it a priority at least once a week to take a quiet hour, outside of the house if you have to, to read alone. Put it on your calendar.

I’m curious – when do you buy a book versus using the library? Do you use an e-reader or subscription service? Do you listen to audiobooks?

I use all those things! I’m an equal opportunity book getter. I’ve had an Audible subscription for three months, and I tend to get through exactly one audio book a month. I have a Nook, but I rarely use it- I use my iPhone to read e-galleys (electronic review copies from publishers), and I have an Oyster subscription. I use the library for reading new books that I didn’t get in galley form that I’m interested in, and then if I loved it, I’ll buy it for my shelves. I’m at the library at least once a week. I will say that I almost never buy ebooks- if I’m going to spend money on a book, I want to be able to see it on my shelf. That’s a weird personal quirk.

Do your boys like reading so far? How do you encourage them in it? Do they have any favorite books (or do you, for kids)?

They do like reading (or being read to, really, at this age)! They see me doing it a lot and want to “copy” me, and of course we have books everywhere, so it’s sort of what they know. I take them to the library once every week or two weeks and let them pick whatever they’re interested in, and I try to buy them books that are about things they’re interested in at the moment (we have a lot of books about trucks and dinosaurs right now). They love anything Curious George, Olivia, anything about Thomas the Train. I (predictably) love the BabyLit books, and they loved those when they were smaller, but are getting too big for them at this point. My absolute favorite kid’s book right now is Bear Snores On– it’s so sweet.

What has been your biggest struggle, doubt, or resistance so far being a working mom?

My job isn’t a typical 9-to-5, and is something I love doing and am thinking about a lot, so I’m always worried that I’m not giving the boys enough time or attention- something every working mom worries about, I know. I just tell myself that it’s important that they see me out doing something I am passionate about, and then I try to set aside time without my phone or computer around to just BE with them every day.

In your experience, what is the best part of being a working mom?

Doing something I love and care about, and modeling what that looks like for my kids.

Do you have any practical tips or ideas to pass along that help you lead a more joyful, fulfilling life?

Read Getting Things Done by David Allen! It taught me how to stop trusting my brain to hold tasks and dates and ideas, and how to get all that stuff down into an organizational system (I use the Omnifocus app, but plain pencil and paper will work) so I could free up brain-space for creativity, new ideas (for every aspect of life, not just work), or just for hanging out with the family without always feeling like I was forgetting something. Oh, and force yourself to go to church even when you don’t feel like it. I never regret it.

Now a few questions for fun…

How do you like your coffee? Or are you a tea drinker?

Both! ALL THE CAFFEINE! I’m an iced coffee, two raw sugars with half-and-half drinker, usually with breakfast. In the afternoons after lunch, I have a black tea latte (I make all this at home, usually).

What was the last good book you read?

I recently finished The Silkworm, the second mystery novel J.K. Rowling wrote under her pseudonym, Robert Galbraith. I’m seriously loving these books- I’m a sucker for a good whodunit.

What’s on your nightstand?

About a million things! Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics, about the history and art of comic books. The first book in Robert Jordan’s high fantasy Wheel of Time series, The Eye of the World. Toni Morrison’s first novel, The Bluest Eye. David Mitchell’s The Bone Clocks, which comes out in September.

Favorite social media site?

I’m a Twitter addict. I can’t be stopped.

Can you recommend one blog you read?

I love Anne over at Modern Mrs. Darcy– her blog is this wonderful combination of life, books, kids, organization, clothes. She pushes all my buttons!

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Thank you so much Amanda! Connect with her at Book Riot (they also have a podcast and a YouTube channel where Amanda makes appearances) and Twitter.

September 8, 2014
book review + giveaway : dark hope by monica mcgurk

Yes this is a sponsored post and I was given the book as well as compensated for my review, but I promise I was only asked for my honest opinion! And I would never do otherwise. So feel free to skip this or check it out! You may like it.

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I agreed to review Dark Hope by Monica McGurk for three reasons:

1) I spent most of the summer reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry which is an epic western. It was awesome, but with something like that I always want to follow it with a completely different reading experience.

2) I am no stranger to some YA fantasy. In fact it’s probably one of my most beloved genres.

3) It was recommended for fans of Twilight and while that phenomenon certainly ran its course, I remember when I first read it (before the craze began) I was kind of obsessed with it for awhile, bad writing and all. Although I have changed a lot since then, I thought I’d give this one a try.

So this is the first book in a trilogy they are calling the Archangel Prophecies. It centers around a girl named Hope who was abducted when she was 3, but was then mysteriously rescued and only left with a Mark that no one seems to understand. Her parents’ marriage fell apart and she grew up in the home of her overprotective dad. Fast forward and she is now sixteen and living with her mom for the first time with some new freedom. She befriends an emancipated teen named Michael who is unusually interested in her.

The main plot, as I said, revolves around Hope and her involvement with a supernatural war for the keys to heaven. (Of course there is a dangerous romance as well.) But there is also a subplot regarding human trafficking of minors. It was a little strange and felt a bit cobbled in, but I do appreciate the awareness that it could bring to the subject.

I liked that in general, Hope was a strong character who wanted to give the benefit of the doubt to her parents and her friends. She was able to be appropriately afraid of her situation but never strayed into victimhood. For the most part she didn’t do or say anything completely idiotic.

But I know why it was said to be in the Twilight tradition. I could write an entire essay on all of the similarities between the two, but I’m not going to. Just know that this takes a lot of inspiration from the former, and it makes sense once you know that the author got her start in writing Twilight fan fiction. (Side note: I’ve never read any fan fiction, have you? I’m not against the idea of it. What kind would you read?)

You also have to be willing to suspend belief as far as religion and angels go, no matter what your faith (or lack of). The world here is built around a combination of sacred texts from all traditions – not just the Bible – as well as myths. I can go with it, although I found the “guardian angel” aspect a bit silly.

Overall I wouldn’t say that this was the right book for me at this point in my life, but it was a fast and easy read. The end of it left a lot to be resolved and I have found myself thinking about it a week later, wondering what will happen. If you are a YA fantasy fan, you might want to give it a try. Also check out the author, Monica McGurk, on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest – she is a big advocate for women and works actively against human trafficking.

As you might have guessed, I have a copy to give away! If you’d like to enter, just leave a comment stating that you want to be entered in the giveaway and I will pick a winner on Monday, September 1.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

August 28, 2014
what i read : april to june 2014

Alright, I’m still in my huge reading slump! Only four books in three months! That’s incredibly low for me and it bums me out. I mean, obviously I have less time now than I did before Liam came along, but I do have time. I’m just choosing to use it in other ways, like blogging, crafting, sleeping, or planning. It’s fine, I know that the enthusiasm ebbs and flows, but I am looking forward to it coming back. Anyway, here is what I did read:

Joyland by Stephen King – Stephen King is just such an amazing storyteller. This was a good coming-of-age story with an interesting setting, likable characters, a little mystery, and a satisfying & touching ending. (5 stars)

Lexicon by Max Barry – I super enjoyed this book. It was the first one in awhile that made me just want to sit down and read it straight through (although of course that couldn’t happen, but I read it a lot faster than my usual). It has such a cool premise, lots to do with human psychology and how we are influenced by words. There is a slight sci-fi bent to it but nothing crazy. It jumps around in time which kept it interesting although I do feel like I need to read it again to get it all straight. There is a bit of romance which I won’t say no to. A good amount of suspense, mystery, and action. Just all in all really fascinating. (4 stars)

Allegiant by Veronica Roth – My biggest complaint about this is that I found it boring. I was in favor of the expansion of the world and exploring the greater issues behind their factions and cities, but I felt like the bigger conflict was hastily thrown together and just didn’t work well. I found that I was having to force myself to read because it just wasn’t interesting me. Further than that, I had an issue with the alternating points of view. I see why it was necessary and I liked the insight into Tobias’s mind to an extent, but his voice and Tris’s were so similar that I kept forgetting whose chapter I was in and getting confused. Obviously I wasn’t satisfied with the ending but I’m not mad about it. Anyway, glad I pushed through so I could see what happened, but definitely ready to move on.

It Starts With Food by Melissa and Doug Hartwig – This is the book that inspired my whole30. It was extremely educational and interesting, and has changed the way I think about food and so far I’m sold on this lifestyle. Their attitude was completely nonjudgmental, encouraging, and hopeful. At the same time it made me want to eat clean while also not feeling guilty about the way I’ve been eating. I liked that they addressed the science behind food as well as the psychology. There are a ton of resources, plans, and ideas so it makes doing a whole30 seem obtainable.

July 8, 2014
what i read : january to march 2014

Wow, I can’t believe I only read four books in the last three months. You would think that being on maternity leave I would’ve read a ton but in reality I was busy catching up on TV and other projects. I regret nothing.

Longbourn by Jo Baker – This book was my jam. It’s Pride and Prejudice from the servants’ point of view, but totally stands on its own as a story. Loved it and highly recommend. (5 stars)

Margot by Jillian Cantor – A hopeful and compassionate story that explores what Anne Frank’s sister Margot’s life might have been like had she lived. Simple and straightforward but I liked it. (3 stars)

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers – I was disappointed in how repetitive this book was and how much it dragged in the middle. I appreciate the message and I was deeply moved several times, but I guess I’m not used to Christian fiction because it wasn’t subtle enough for me. (3 stars)

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns – Gives a good overview of what life in a small southern town might have been like in the early 1900’s. Told from the point of view of a 14-year-old boy who I really liked, and all the characters were endearing. It was funny and interesting, but the end got kind of serious. Just don’t read it expecting any kind of accurate portrayal of race. (4 stars)

April 10, 2014