Book Stuff – Page 33 – Book Journey

The Books of 2015

Published on December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

2015. what a year.

One of my favorite anal-bookish things I love to do each year is keep track of my reading. I love to see the page count, the book count… I am a total dork when it comes to charts and all the bells and whistles. I love keeping track on Goodreads each year and setting goals… however I lost track of everything this year. I recall a big reading phase in late May and all of June just to keep my mind occupied… they were books with covers of cupcakes, and buildings, about friendships and businesses – safe books for me…. nothing deep but mind occupying. I can recall bits of plot lines, but can not remember titles or authors – I am almost sure I did not review them and have no idea where to begin so they are among the missing.

In all honesty I probably would not have even tried to see where I landed on Goodreads for this year if I had not popped on there a few days ago and seen a super cool page to all the books I had remembered to record this year. That love for lists and tracking sparked and I started to go through the ones I had not reviewed yet that I could recall. And managed to come up with somewhat of a worthy year of reading :

goodreads 2015 — click on image to go to report

I did not reach my goal that I set last year about this time, but I am surprised I was anywhere near it. I like to see the books that I rated high. I am not going to chat about them because honestly looking back they are all kind of blank to me (thank goodness for reviews!)

I do look forward to setting a goal for 2016. And on that subject, have you picked your first book of the new year yet? You can still join in the 2016 First Book Of The Year. Come on… you know your going to read a book….. 😉

Do you use Goodreads to track your books? Do you set reading goals?

Morning Meanderings…. Christmas After

Published on December 26, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)20 Comments

It is so crazy what sort of negative anticipation a day can bring.

I was not at all looking forward to this Christmas… the first one without my son Justin. We did not put up a tree. I did not cook. I did not purchase any gifts until December 24th when my husband and I went up town to find things for our son Brad who would be joining us for Christmas Day. Until that point I had avoided retail stores as I did not want to see the decorations or the happy people eagerly choosing the gift that would make their persons day.

I had been told, from those who has gone before me on this painful path that the anticipation of the “day/holiday” is usually much worse than the actual day. It is kind of hard to tell because I think by the time I reached Christmas Day I was numb. I did what I had to do because my son was here and we tried to carry on with a little normalcy. We watched TV and I gave Brad Justin’s IPAD knowing that I would never be able to use it myself and it would sit in storage until it was obsolete. We had to guess at Justin’s password and by using his password hints we were able to figure it out, clean out his personal notes and register it to Brad. We also logged him off of his Facebook which 8 months ago was unthinkable. As you can imagine it was a hard thing to do… but I know it was the right thing to do and Justin would have approved.

Al and Brad played cribbage on Justin’s cribbage board. Justin LOVED cribbage and Al and he would play for hours. It was sort of symbolic to use his board for the game. I felt as though he were including him.

In the late afternoon we drove to the Casino which honestly Justin would have thought was an awesome way to spend Christmas. We came up with that idea a few weeks ago as they have a seafood buffet. At the time of decision I kept saying “Oh, we are those people you feel bad for because they have no traditions on Christmas…” Once there, I seen my opinion on this was incorrect. The casino was packed but not filled with sad and lonely lost people as I had imagined but couples and friends hanging out and having a good time. Families were at the buffet and exchanging gifts and I had to change my attitude to maybe this was a nice way for families to enjoy a delicious meal and be together just as much as sitting at home around a tree.

Family traditions can be wherever you land.

I was wiped out by the time we came home around 8 pm. Being “on” all day and the constant knowing what is missing while you try to keep going forward is exhausting. I sat down and had a glass of wine out of a glass that Justin had made and hated that he was not here… and so glad I had climbed another milestone of firsts and made it through. Justin wanted me to be happy. I am trying kid… I am trying.

Thank you to those of you who sent me a Christmas card. That is so nice and I so appreciate your kind and encouraging words.

For those of you signed up to participate in 1st Book of the year, don’t forget to send me your picture! Looking forward to the post!

One Word….What Can A New Year Bring?

Published on December 17, 2015December 17, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)36 Comments

In 2013 I found a site that spoke of instead of having resolutions each year – choose a word. A life long lover of words… I LOVED this. I studied the list of words diligently trying to find the one that I wanted to represent me going into the new year and I came up with:

Embrace can have several meaning but the one I liked and wanted to follow was:

As I read that original post again this morning and this meaning that I just posted above, the tears run down my face. I could not have had any idea of what choosing this word would mean two years later… but there it is and I am thankful.

Last year, going into 2015 was a hectic time for me and I was ready for change. I did not even make a full post about my word but tossed it into a Looking Back/Looking Ahead post that also is difficult to read now. I had so much ambition… I was going to take 2015 by the horns and OWN it. My word, for 2015 was:

The meaning of this word is…

1. to rise or come forth from or as if from water or other liquid.

2. to come up or arise

3. to come into existence; develop

4. to rise, as from an inferior or unfortunate state or condition.

For me, this was my fresh start word… and by April. I thought I hated it.

When life changed for me forever, I looked at this word, which up until that point I wore on a necklace around my neck and thought “NO. This is not what I meant. I will never wear this again.”

And…

I took the word off of me.

In later April, I was given something that has a lot of meaning to me. It needed to go on a chain and as I looked through my choices of necklace chains my eyes stumbled on the chain that held my 2015 word… Emerge. The chain looked to be the right length and style. And quietly I knew…

Even in this. EVEN in this….

I must emerge.

I put the necklace back on. It has new meaning. A harder meaning. Not the energetic “Run with the bulls” attitude I came into 2015 with… but a more humbling one. I emerge. Daily. I rise… again. I put my head up, I wipe away my tears and I do this every day for my son. I emerge.

The necklace has gathered a few things this year. A couple of tags made for me by my friend Barb. The key I found when I was in Arizona, taking the trip over the dates that I would have been on with my son. The cross is from Honduras.

And so that is a L O N G introduction into the word for 2016. Here is the list but of course you can choose any word. I studied the list and looked up definitions and believe I am going with:

Definition….

Strength in the face of pain and grief

the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

moral strength to venture, persevere

I would love to have you do this with me. What is your word for 2016? How will you own it and why?

Dont Forget To Sign Up For First Book Of The Year!

Published on December 5, 2015January 1, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

Yes it is that time of year to start thinking what you will be reading into the New Year! Click on the image to go to the sign up post. I hope you will join me.

This is a sticky post until December 30th. All new posts are below.

Morning Meanderings…and then there were four

Published on November 25, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)7 Comments

A week ago I posted about a book club sort of thing that my aunt and I have connected over. Basically it started as visiting and coffee but our conversation led to books and I have been feeding her books I think she will enjoy and I so enjoy talking with her about the books once she has read them.

I am so excited about this common connection over books. It made me realize that there are a lot of dormant readers out there that just need the right book and the right person to connect them to the book to awaken that love of reading. A few months ago I did not know my aunt used to be a reader. Now, she is one again.

Last Friday my Aunt invited me over for lunch. I knew she was also inviting a couple of the neighborhood ladies, one who was a very good friend of my mom’s (Helen),and an older lady (Jan) I had not met yet even though she is my neighbor and has lived in that house for almost two years.

While preparing for the lunch I grabbed a few books to share with my Aunt. We had recently talked on the phone and I had told her my love for the book Delancey. I also talked to her about the book ROOM and how it was about to become a movie. I had two copies of ROOM so I grabbed them both in case Helen would like to read it as well.

After lunch I pulled out the books that I brought and much to my surprise, both Helen and Jan were chatting books as well. Helen took the additional copy of ROOM as well as Gone Girl which my Aunt had just finished. Jan showed an interest in the book Winter Street and I talked to her about what she liked to read.

I told them all about the post I had written about the book club of two and how exciting it was to have people in our neighborhood to talk books with. We joked about how the book club had now become four.

I believe the biggest kick I am getting out of this is that how easy it was to connect to others through books. I guess I should not be surprised- isn’t that what we all do here?

I mentioned before as I process through this I have something in the planning that I am still thinking through bit for now, I extend a small challenge to you. As you go about the holiday weekend, where ever you go – or whoever you see… I challenge you to bring along a book that you love and share with someone that book. Even if (especially if) they are not big readers. I would love to hear what happens.

The Residence by Kate Andersen Brower (BEST of 2015)

Published on November 24, 2015March 5, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

We all see the First Families as they go about what they do on TV. Speeches and events, there to celebrate triumphs and stand tall when the world has been shaken to it’s core…

The Residence gives us a peek into what we do not see. Told from the point of views of those who have worked in the White House, maids, cooks, butlers, florists, doormen and more share their stories of what it is like to work for the First Family.

Who makes their own bed in the morning, or insists on monitoring every meal, who watched personal expenses closely, and who frivolously needed fresh flowers in every room daily. What have these people seen through the years of working for the Presidents and their families? What stories will warm your heart and which ones will make you sad or shocked?

I absolutely devoured this book. I listened to it on audio and so enjoyed the narration by Karen White. Karen hit the ball out of the narration park! Beautifully spoken, each story was so interesting. Author Kate Andersen Brower shares the stories of those who spoke to her about their time working in the White House. Everything from the Kennedy Assassination and who stood alongside Jackie Kennedy as she came back home that evening still wearing the blood stained dress to Nixon’s resignation and how the Clinton household functioned during his impeachment. This book is a side to the stories you have never heard before, quite literally an inside scoop.

While one may think this may read like tabloid tell all, it does not. The Residence is a tasteful close up on the First families in good time and in bad. I learned so much while listening to this book. Highly recommended.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 10 hours and 16 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Harper Audio
Audible.com Release Date: April 7, 2015

Morning Meanderings… I Renounce My Review Status

Published on November 24, 2015November 24, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

Tuesday. 23 degrees in Central Minnesota and nice out. I know to some around the globe that is cold, but to us Minnesotan’s that is t-shirt weather.

WordPress is annoying me this morning with a new format. GAH. Liked the old one and this post has taken a painful amount of time while I figure out (AGAIN) where to upload the picture, how to link it, etc….

I think it was last week I was all like “Yeah, I am soooo going to catch up on writing reviews! I am on it!” And then….

nothing.

I can not even explain what happens these days where I believe I am absolutely going to get something done and then the day slips away and I do not know where it went or why I never did what I said I was going to do. It is not only here, it is in everything I attempt to do – I have a plan…. plan fizzles.

Today however as I look at the list of books I have yet to review and fear there are some missing that I can not even recall that I read let alone reviewed, I want to renounce that review status and come back to really chatting about books. REALLY.

Really.

Here is what I need to review:

Yeah. I look at these books and I want to tell you about them. Some I am so surprised I have not reviewed yet because I GUSHED about them in my head as I read. One for sure here is a best of 2015 for me. One is a huh… I don’t get the hype. I would say at least three here are a must read.

So reviews… I will write. (Yes, Yoda style)

On another sweet note (I really love sweet notes!) my order came in yesterday as I had mentioned and hoped….so what is it?

It is a new GPS watch the Garmin 220. I treated myself to the covetted watch as a way to (hopefully) get a little motivated. I have spent the last 7 months shutting down and I am struggling to find the motivation to get back on track with healthy habits. I was doing great at the beginning of the year and I want to slowly work my way back to taking walks, hiking, running, whatever…. This watch sets to my specifics, keeps track of heart rate, plans work outs, lets you know personal bests, uploads your workout to a site where you can keep track of your progress, etc…. I will keep you updated.

Off now to write a review – YES. REALLY. Trying to make lunch plans with my son Brad, and I hope to set up my watch to take out on a maiden voyage …. roads are dry, maybe I will go on a bike ride.

Morning Meanderings… Can You Believe It Has Been 5 Months?

Published on September 6, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)43 Comments

Sunday. It has been A WEEK. Emphasis on that. I have had great meet ups with friends, a bit of work at the library… and quite a bit of time to be at home and just work on breathing.

Friday marked 5 months without Justin. It is crazy how those anniversaries bring up so much pain and emotion. I knew going in that it would be a hard day and tried to plan for some little “to do’s to keep myself somewhat busy. The night before, these videos were sent to me from Honduras.

This was funds that were sent to Honduras in honor of Justin from friends and family and his co-workers. This is what those funds have done. This hitting right at the 5 month mark as you can imagine, brought tears of happiness, as well as deep pain as once again I try to contemplate this enormous loss to our family. Breathing in and out? Seriously… some days it is hard to do.

In bookish news, books did come in the house this week which I love. A house is not a home without books.

The beautiful flowers in this pic are from a good friend.

The Invincible s by Cecilia Galante (looking forward to it!)

Daughter of Sand and Stone by Libbie Hawker

The Game Master by Ian Copsey (looks fun)

The Hummingbird by Stephen Kiernan (This one is going to be something. I have a feeling.)

It’s Tough To Lose Your Balloon by Jarrett Kronsoczka

Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou (I am excited about this book that came with a cd of it read by the author!)

Jackrabbit McCabe and The Electric Telegraph by Lucy Margaret Rozier (Fun! and knowledge!)

Mirandy and Brother Wind by Patricia C McKissack (beautiful!)

The All I’ll Ever Want Christmas Doll by Patricia McKissack

Lots of good children s reads this week!

So my day is consisting of coffee… and cleaning up the book room, and organizing, and laundry, and mowing, and starting the canning process of all the apples in the yard AND hopefully a little reading. Two things coming up I will be talking about soon – Banned Book Week is the end of this month and yes I am hosting again and will have the post up this week to start your planning and sign ups AND next Sunday I am bringing back It’s Monday What Are You Reading.

Slowly… working my way back.

Have a happy Sunday all.

ARMADA by Ernest Cline

Published on July 23, 2015July 23, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

Zach Lightman takes after the father he has never known…. he is a gamer. Living alone with his mother, when he is not at school he loves to hang out on line playing war games with his friends. Escaping the reality of his own world while listening to loud 80’s jams is the ultimate way to complete a day.

Then, one day while looking out the window of his classroom he sees it. “It” being a space ship. Actually it looks a lot like a war ship much like the ones that he flies when playing the game Armada with his buddies. But that can’t be right. Clearly he needs to start getting more sleep.

Until… that space ship opens and the person who comes out of it calls Zach’s name.

What?

Turns out there is a very real war being battled, has been being battled for decades and now Zach is being called upon to help save the earth. Save his mothers life, his friends, and work to keep civilization going as we know it.

But Zach is just a teenager…. what can he possibly have to offer?

Full on geek on. When I first heard that Ernest Cline had a new book coming out I went coo coo for cocoa puffs. I adored his book Ready Player One. I read it and I listened to it on audio. Three times. Yes, three times. I quickly checked the audio version and had a double victory lap when I seen that it was indeed Wil Wheaton doing the narration.

Seriously, Will Wheaton could read the back of a cereal box to me and make it sound interesting.

As soon as (and I mean AS SOON AS) this book was released I downloaded the audio and began my adventure into audio. Let me say this… if you do listen to audio, even if you just dabble occasionally, audio is the way to go with this one (and Ready Player One for that matter but again I digress).

I enjoyed Armada on audio, not as much as I enjoyed Ready Player One but it was still a good listen. Armada is a much stronger war game book (not my thing) as opposed to Ready Player One being more of a strategy game… absolutely my thing. Also, Ready Player One’s awesome references to 80’s music, movies,and games made me giddy. I know, know… I really need to quit talking about Ready Player One. Did you hear it is going to be a movie? Ok, I will stop.

Armada is a good strong listen. Although as I mentioned I am not much on war games, Will Wheaton’s animated narration brought the story to life for me. What I didn’t think I would get… I got. In the end, the message is an impressive one… something I did not see coming.

I have heard mixed grumbles on this one but I for one enjoyed having Ernest Cline and Wil Wheaton match up again. Any time those two are brought together – I am in.

All in.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 11 hours and 58 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Random House Audio
Audible.com Release Date: July 14, 2015

Let’s Talk About The Queen

Published on July 19, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

I love this picture. This is my book club this past Tuesday after we had a great potluck dinner, talked books, and had our Queen event. We look happy. We look fun.

Even me.

Every July for the past hmmmmm… I don’t know how many years, we have had a Queen event. We dress up, we perform a talent (or not) and say why we would make a good Queen of the Book Club. It is all in fun, the Queen really only comes into play when we have a tie on books to read or when we can’t decide where to meet.

This year I went back and forth. Do I participate? I didn’t want to. I wanted to wear Capri’s and a t-shirt and take pictures. They would have understood. Yet I knew that Justin would be so sad to know I changed how I did life so I instead put on a prom dress, a little princess crown, looked up and said, “This is for you kid.”

Off to be a Queen participant….

It was a good time. We were at my friend Lori’s home. We discussed the books we had read last month (free read month) and then had our event. My “talent” was a story about a girl who decided to create a book club so she could expand on her reading. I ended the story with how after many years the group became so big they had to limit how many came and how close all the Bookies became to one another. Friends. Other talents were, speeches, songs, mime, a quiz, and even a violin playing rendition to The Devil Went Down To Georgia.

I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.

Our Queen for 2015-2016 is Brenda. If you look closely at her beautiful white dress you will see that the top (and along the bottom) is made from a book. She will be a wonderful Queen.

Bookies — A few of us had a little “after party” at a nearby pub… an ongoing tradition after the Queen event. After you are all dressed up – you should have somewhere to go. 😉