The things I love:
* Rainy Days- I love the jolt of humidity (since we have so little) for just a day or two and then back to the blessed dryness.
* New challenges- I love when you first make a choice, decision or have a project given to you and you have to figure out how to get to your desired end result. I love that initial jumble of ideas and thoughts and making plans. I love making plans.
* E-books- I love them. I love having one at my fingertips at any moment without having to add the bulk of a sometimes un-needed book, since I only like to read long ones apparently. I love that I can whip out a favorite quickly and enjoy it.
* Un-expected Hugs- mostly from kids, because lets face it an unexpected hug from some random strange guy is not really as appealing as it is scary. But I love little arms that wrap around and the moments of happiness that come. There is nothing like it.
* Spoiling nieces and nephews- I freely admit I don't get to do it as much as I would like, since I don't have many close to me, but you just ask my sister Robin and she will tell you I have stuff for Caius every time I see him. In fact, I have a bag full of stuff for Caius and the new baby that is months away. It will be like Christmas morning the next time I see them. If I had more nieces and nephews around I would spoil them as much. I spoil the other kids in my life just as much.
* Personal Training with Zach- I wish you guys could spend one session with Zach. I wish you could see the things he has me do! I wish you could see what a change in my muscles has happened in the last few months with the guidance of Zach. He is big and scary looking but can't raise his voice to save his life! It is great to push to the point of dripping sweat and muscles giving out and him pushing just that much further and you realizing you just barely had it in you. And the next time, do almost twice as much as the time before, and smiling through the pain. Nothing better.
* New deodorant- Not something you think of, but I hate to buy I just complain to myself that if I didn't stink I wouldn't need it and what a load of pumpernickel it is to spend $7-$8 dollars on the stuff. So new means I don't have to buy it for a while and that makes me happy.
* Notes from Old Friends- there is nothing like notes from people you knew best when you weren't your best self, not always your worst, but not as refined as you like to think you are now. That they like you enough to keep in contact or recontact and have things to say makes me smile. Not to mention the little things about them you remember and the memories that we associate with them. Always the obscure, but fun nonetheless.
* Free Bagel Day- I love bagels, I do. I always have. I do not buy bagels. I do not need the temptation because I would make bagel pizzas, bagel bites, sandwiches and all sorts of other bagel concoctions with them around. So I look forward to the once a month free bagel day at work. I get to indulge in one of my favorite things (and I do love cream cheese too...all kinds!) for free without having to fight the urge to have buy them I just think to myself, "its almost free bagel day!"
* Freshly colored hair- it doesn't matter the color, the method, it just matters that for at least a week I can look in the mirror and not see grey.
* Fall- it is almost here. I already have the decorations ready to put up, the apple cider ordered, planning thanksgiving dinner, Halloween parties, corn mazes and a bon-fire or two. I am pouring over new sweater purchases and allowing myself the chance to glance at the new coat selections. I am excited to try a couple of new soup recipes I have found this summer in the most yummy bread bowls. There is nothing better.
* Lunch with my friends/family- my friends are my family. Since I have a lack of family around, my best friends are family. I am so lucky to get to share lunch with my dear friend Liz regularly and of course Logan. It makes me pretty happy to know that a chance to spend some great quality time with them for an hour or so comes so regularly. I get to enjoy lunch with Logan today and Liz on Friday (maybe Thursday). I am pretty stinkin' blessed.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
What to Read...
Well, thanks to Autumn I decided to put together my list of "good reads". This of course gets updated and changed regularly. Keep in mind I like big books and books that have lots and lots of sequels and volumes. I like some biographies, some histories and have recently delved into fantasy. Don't knock fantasy my friends, it is like taking an amazing trip and gets your imagination working. At least for me. Ok, so here is my list.
1) New Spring: The Novel by Robert Jordan (fantasy). It is a prequel to a series, but is a great stand alone as well. Relatively short, 378 pages, it is a fast and fun read. In fact, it was the one I stayed up all hours reading. You can always get involved in the series, or not. But a good fun book.
2) The Blue Castle, L.M. Montgomery. From the Author of "Anne of Green Gables" this is a great story. A very short read at 208 pages it is a thought provoking and entertaining read. The places and people come alive to me. But if you haven't read all the AOGG books (there are 7 I believe, don't quote me though) read those too. Easy to understand and she is a great story teller.
3) The Last to Know by Wendy Corsi Staub (suspense). Do not under any circumstances read this book alone at night without your husband or someone else at home. This is a page turner that kept me up many a night, even after re-reads. An ending you don't see coming and so easy to read. Her early books are good, but her later books unfortunately are filled with profanity and sex. Which for some people isn't an issue but I get enough of that without needing to read about it.
4) October Sky (Rocket Boys) by Homer Hickam. This is a true story that had a movie made about it. The movie was great, the book...better. Much more detail and you feel it more. Not that the movie didn't make it feel it, it did, but it is more with the book. At 428 pages it is a bit longer, but a great read.
5) Mother Teresa No Greater Love. This biography details the life of this amazing woman. While I am not catholic, the way she was so dedicated and believed so fully in what she was doing was inspiring. I bought this book and it is well read. People look at me a little funny when I pull it out sometimes, but it is a very inspiring book.
6) Selected Poems of Rainer Maria Rilke. I have a version of this book that has the orginal german and english translation...very cool. There is something about this poetry that draws me in. This book also has a comentray that intrigues me. Talks about Rilke and his life and where and when he wrote the poems which make them more meaningful to me I think.
7) Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I have a very old copy of this book that orginally belonged to my great grandfather and it is priceless to me. I could see the delicate pages being turned by him (of whom I have a few memories). This particular set of poetry is just so perfect to me. Not that it is perfectly written or amazing ideas...but the emotion you can feel is amazing. Worth getting a copy and purusing.
8) In the Glass Room by Roger McGough. This is simple, plain english poetry. Easy enough for kids to read and entertaining enough for adults to enjoy. Written in the 70's I am sure there are reasons for that, but I really enjoy it. I'll share a quick one with you:
Chicken
Some nights
when I've had a few
I ask the world
to take off its coat
and step outside.
Luckily for you
its always chickened out.
See, easy, funny odd poetry. Which my friends is very me.
9) You: The Owners Manual. Ok, maybe I didn't pay attention in high school...or I copped out and took Marine Biology and concepts of physics but I never really did the anatomy thing. I don't like guts and blood. So this easy to read and understand book that shows no guts, just cute animated germs and the like is perfect for me! I understand better why things happen and how it is connected to other things. A great basic guide to your body. It was a fun read too. I was shocked, but I enjoyed it.
10) The Host, Stephanie Meyers. I had to put a number ten...nine just wasn't right. I read twilight and while I enjoyed it, didn't love it. Too young for me. Good story basically, except for the stupid ending (still a little miffed about the stupid renesmee name and jacob). So when some one told me to read this book, I was more than a little wary. I went into it expecting more bella and edward type drama and finished it annoyed that it had ended! So different from twilight but in my opinion so much better. This book really shows off her writing talent and her crazy imagination. I may be made a Stephanie Meyers fan after all.
Ok, so those are my ten must reads. Pick one or two or go for the gold and read all ten. If you read even one, let me know what you thought of it. Everyone has different taste so I am not at all offened if you don't want to, but I really enjoy them. I like all kinds of books so there should be at least one that intrigues you.
Happy reading everyone!
1) New Spring: The Novel by Robert Jordan (fantasy). It is a prequel to a series, but is a great stand alone as well. Relatively short, 378 pages, it is a fast and fun read. In fact, it was the one I stayed up all hours reading. You can always get involved in the series, or not. But a good fun book.
2) The Blue Castle, L.M. Montgomery. From the Author of "Anne of Green Gables" this is a great story. A very short read at 208 pages it is a thought provoking and entertaining read. The places and people come alive to me. But if you haven't read all the AOGG books (there are 7 I believe, don't quote me though) read those too. Easy to understand and she is a great story teller.
3) The Last to Know by Wendy Corsi Staub (suspense). Do not under any circumstances read this book alone at night without your husband or someone else at home. This is a page turner that kept me up many a night, even after re-reads. An ending you don't see coming and so easy to read. Her early books are good, but her later books unfortunately are filled with profanity and sex. Which for some people isn't an issue but I get enough of that without needing to read about it.
4) October Sky (Rocket Boys) by Homer Hickam. This is a true story that had a movie made about it. The movie was great, the book...better. Much more detail and you feel it more. Not that the movie didn't make it feel it, it did, but it is more with the book. At 428 pages it is a bit longer, but a great read.
5) Mother Teresa No Greater Love. This biography details the life of this amazing woman. While I am not catholic, the way she was so dedicated and believed so fully in what she was doing was inspiring. I bought this book and it is well read. People look at me a little funny when I pull it out sometimes, but it is a very inspiring book.
6) Selected Poems of Rainer Maria Rilke. I have a version of this book that has the orginal german and english translation...very cool. There is something about this poetry that draws me in. This book also has a comentray that intrigues me. Talks about Rilke and his life and where and when he wrote the poems which make them more meaningful to me I think.
7) Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I have a very old copy of this book that orginally belonged to my great grandfather and it is priceless to me. I could see the delicate pages being turned by him (of whom I have a few memories). This particular set of poetry is just so perfect to me. Not that it is perfectly written or amazing ideas...but the emotion you can feel is amazing. Worth getting a copy and purusing.
8) In the Glass Room by Roger McGough. This is simple, plain english poetry. Easy enough for kids to read and entertaining enough for adults to enjoy. Written in the 70's I am sure there are reasons for that, but I really enjoy it. I'll share a quick one with you:
Chicken
Some nights
when I've had a few
I ask the world
to take off its coat
and step outside.
Luckily for you
its always chickened out.
See, easy, funny odd poetry. Which my friends is very me.
9) You: The Owners Manual. Ok, maybe I didn't pay attention in high school...or I copped out and took Marine Biology and concepts of physics but I never really did the anatomy thing. I don't like guts and blood. So this easy to read and understand book that shows no guts, just cute animated germs and the like is perfect for me! I understand better why things happen and how it is connected to other things. A great basic guide to your body. It was a fun read too. I was shocked, but I enjoyed it.
10) The Host, Stephanie Meyers. I had to put a number ten...nine just wasn't right. I read twilight and while I enjoyed it, didn't love it. Too young for me. Good story basically, except for the stupid ending (still a little miffed about the stupid renesmee name and jacob). So when some one told me to read this book, I was more than a little wary. I went into it expecting more bella and edward type drama and finished it annoyed that it had ended! So different from twilight but in my opinion so much better. This book really shows off her writing talent and her crazy imagination. I may be made a Stephanie Meyers fan after all.
Ok, so those are my ten must reads. Pick one or two or go for the gold and read all ten. If you read even one, let me know what you thought of it. Everyone has different taste so I am not at all offened if you don't want to, but I really enjoy them. I like all kinds of books so there should be at least one that intrigues you.
Happy reading everyone!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Like Jo
I just finished reading Little Women again yesterday. Oh, how I love to relive life through the eyes of Adventurous Jo, Silly Amy, Wise Beth and Loving Meg.Each time I read it I identify with a different character and this time Jo and I shared the bond.
I feel like Jo, an affinity toward young boys who just need a little extra love and support. How fun would it be to run a home for boys? Maybe in the day and age it is a little more scary but the older I get the more the idea of adopting and building a family that I might one day have, appeals to me.
It made me want to watch the 90's version of the movie with a yummy Christian Bale. And of course to read Little Men, which is about Jo's boys and life at Plumfield.
I love books.
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