My ‘practice’ journals and hobby journals are helping my progress. I’m finding myself wanting to play longer and more often on my instruments. Even the violin. I’m still trying to figure out tightening and loosening and rosining the bow.
Now NaNoWriMo. I’m three days behind. I hope to catch up but I am enjoying the story.
America’s Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History by Dana Bash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Libby is a wonderful way to read books, especially if you are financially challenged. I rarely find myself in this position. I didn’t finish before it was due. And there was a waiting list. So, I had to let the book go back. Today, I listened to it on Audible at the speed of 2.5. Dana Bash narrates quite well at normal speed and surprisingly well at chipmunk speed. Still, I only got to 75% before the book was pulled.
All that to say, this still was an interesting history lesson. Remember, I am not a history person. That and chemistry, or geometry, just bored me in school. But Ms. Bash did a fantastic job keeping my interest. I had no idea all that had happened. I probably would have done better at a different time reading this and still have come away with anxiety.
Anyway, I’m on the waiting list to finish the read later. I will update this review when I finally get the chance. Meanwhile, if you get the chance to read or listen to this book, I think you will find it quite educational yet engaging to the reader.
I’m going to piano, because you don’t want me to forte around.
Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Where did I hear about this book? I have no idea. But it was a welcome change. I only found the Kindle version at first. And reading this with Text-to-Speech on my older Fire worked out quite well until my Fire died. Then, I was in a tailspin to figure out how to read it. I learned that you can set up TTS on your cell phone. I set it up, but the British TTS’s voice on the phone was horrid. I didn’t know how close to the end, but I wanted to read this while I still remembered what happened. I picked up the Audible version. I did enjoy the voices of the main characters. But sadly, I finished the book within half an hour.
However I read it, I did love this story. It’s a little different than other space travel science fiction books. I don’t like a cliff-hanger. This wasn’t quite that. But I felt the book ended too early. Now, I have to wait for the second and third parts to be published. Maybe I’ll wait for the third one and reread them all.
Maybe, like me, you need the diversion. Try this sci-fi. You might like it, too.
Lovely One: A Memoir by Ketanji Brown Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As soon as I can, I will buy this audiobook. I was charmed by Ms. Jackson’s way of telling a story. I love her ability to show her deep faith and fair justice. Oh, and her ability to sing hymns. If I weren’t supposed to be getting to sleep, if I weren’t supposed to be quiet so my husband could sleep, I would have been singing along. She has a beautiful voice both musically and in narration.
Autobiographies mean more to me now that I’ve written my own. And now, I look for different things in what I listen to. I have to admit that those who seemed to cause their problems without learning the lessons of that action are not as interesting as those who learn not just from their mistakes but take note of what happened to others. Ketanji is exceptionally intelligent. She loves learning.
This audiobook made me feel as if I were having coffee with her. She is so interesting. This is a book I highly recommend, especially the audio. I got this one through Libby.
Found on Facebook
Chill out! Just because we had a tiny bit of snow on Halloween,
Doesn’t mean it’s Winter.
But we can’t lie around like that person. Sigh! I miss summer. Okay, not the extreme drought, or constant fires, but the beaches, time to swim. Time with friends. Friends still with us, and those chillin’ on the other side.
For the Halloween, All Saints Day, Dia de Los Muertos, Samhain celebration/tradition, I just consider it a remembering, I wrote letters to friends, family, God. It helped my deep depression to bring my spirit to a level of energy. Their spirits seem near enough even if I can’t hear what they are saying to me.
When I felt the need to listen, I pulled out the new Yarn Tarot Cards a friend gave me last year. Just like the pictures above help me communicate, pictures, archetypes, (look up the psychiatrist, Jung) help unlock our brains to communicate with ourselves and others.
I had hoped the Yarn Tarot would have patterns to knit or crochet–they missed a good chance! Rather, these are pictures similar to Rider -Waite cards that can spark my imagination. Other people need more elaborate pictures.
We all need that help, prompts. I had a teacher in grade-school who had a box of pictures to help out creative writing. In college, I learned you can pick up any book. Randomly, open close your eyes, pick a spot. The sentence or scripture you land on is something to ponder or write about. Most of the time it guides you. But as my dad would say. Watch out for being too literal. After all, Scripture says, “Judas hung himself.” “Go, ye and do likewise.”
But my stream is meandering as it often does.
The wisdom I gleaned remind me to be calm. To not jump to conclusions
In other words:
CHILL
Journaling my many hobbies has helped a lot in a lot of ways. But some things are hard to quantify. Or know of ways to talk about. Outside of pictures my yarn crafts just grow or are frogged back. The diamond painting doesn’t reflect well in journals either.
Then there’s the boring things like stationary bike time/distances which doesn’t change much. Duolingo has its own goals and rewards so I don’t journal. Although… Maybe it’s time to take notes and keep track of new vocabulary?
The piano journal is helping a lot! If I read the notes from my last run of a piece I see the problem spots. If it’s a big problem I start there then play the song. I’m beginning to love my piano time. That’s worthy of a FINALLY!
Oh, and my violin journal is freaking out with successes. No, I’m not ready for Carnegy, but full tunes. Not feeling like hiding the instrument in the closet is PROGRESS!
That’s probably enough for now.
Oh, NaNo is started but I need to get another 800 words before bed. I have no title or know where it’s heading. Best get busy!
I hope however you celebrate the 31st of October (and November 1st) it is happy and fulfilling.
Mine has been full of journaling and memories. Oh, and the traditional layer of snow to start the morning. Halloween always seems to be the first snow that sticks a minute (Getting ready for the night of writing dangerously, NaNoWriMo)
You Can’t Be Serious by Kal Penn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was fun. And educational. And laugh-out-loud-after-everyone-was-asleep funny. Sorry, dear.
I’m really sad that the book ended. It was the distraction I needed. As a humorist, Kal Penn sees serious matters that a lot of people do, but he can find the levity in it all.
I remembered Mr. Penn from House. I hadn’t seen the movies he was in, so for me, there was only the author and his voice. And I enjoyed both thoroughly.
I highly recommend this audible book.
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 100 books for the 2013 Reading Challenge! 115 of 100 (115%)
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 225 books for the 2012 Reading Challenge! 225 of 225 (100%)
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 200 books for the 2011 Reading Challenge! 204 of 200 (102%)
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