Sunday, January 4, 2015

LP: Custom Book Plates

LP = Little Project
Sizzling Sunday night...
My middle guy received several books for Christmas and finally settled in to start reading one of them to me on Friday evening.  He considers the book a legitimate "big kid" book ("Mom, can you believe I am reading a book about a fourth grader?") and is very proud of himself.  He even mentioned wanting to bring the book to school for silent reading time.  Wanting to build on his enthusiasm, I suggested we customize some book plates.
 

Avery makes a lot of labels in cool shapes now and has a website where you can customize them.  I use the labels and site all the time for personal and volunteer projects.  Both of my boys chose designs for book plates this afternoon, and we printed them out.  I used the Kraft paper labels, the same ones I used for Christmas gift tags, but I think the colors would have been more vivid with white labels.  Regardless, the boys were pleased.  This is about a ten minute project (maybe longer the first time you use the site or if you are indecisive).

I did a set for myself as well and stuck the first one inside Matt Haig's The Humans.  I can't remember when I first heard about The Humans, but I began following @matthaig1 on Twitter about a year ago.  I enjoy his tweets so much (and had enjoyed one of his earlier novels, The Radleys) that I ordered The Humans as a treat to myself.  I cracked the spine this morning and am intrigued so far.  Hoping for some cozy fireside reading time after I hit "Publish" on this post.


Disclaimer Two:  I bought the labels myself at Office Depot.  This post is not sponsored (but I'm open to such a post, Avery.  I really do use your labels all the time).

Friday, January 2, 2015

No Target Practice in 2015

Back in my mommy blogging days, I posted my New Year's Resolutions each year.  I'm still deciding what I want to do with this new blog (well, not new exactly, but mostly neglected/never quite up and running) and how much I want to share about my life beyond books, snacks, and projects.  I have some resolutions about faith and prayer and about being a better wife and mom that I won't expand upon here, but I thought I'd share a few of my more concrete resolutions for 2015.

1.  Stay out of Target.  
I've heard of others (like my sister-in-law) trying this, and I think it would do me and my checking account much good.  If I see something I really fancy (like a C9 workout top -- I love those) or there is something one of my kids wants for a birthday or something, I can order from target.com.  But in 2015, I will not be popping in for one or two items and leaving a couple hundred dollars poorer.  I love "stuff," especially the stuff at Target, but I think I'd feel stronger and more clear about the distinction between wants and needs if I stayed out of the stores for a year.

2.  Read more books that don't sound like books I would like.
I talked about this in yesterday's post about my 2014 Reading Highlights.  I want to leave my comfort zone a bit more when choosing books.

3.  Write more regularly. 
Figure out if I want to commit to this blog or not.  I miss connections forged as a result of putting thoughts and words out into the world.

4.  Make some doctors' appointments. 
I am (years) overdue for my annual exam/pap smear and for a dermatologist visit.  Inexcusable.  I also don't have a regular doctor.  Time to stop using the CVS Minute Clinic as my main health care provider.

5.  Cut back on my Diet Coke consumption. 
I left this one purposely vague because I don't know if I can do it.  Actually, I suspect I can do it, but I don't know if I want to do it.  Let's just say that if I can aim for three or fewer DCs per day, I would be feeling pretty good about my progress.

I have plenty of ideas about fitness, food, cleaning, and organization, but I'm just going to vow to do the best I can and remember that my home, my body, and I are all works in progress.  Inch by inch, life is a cinch; yard by yard, life is hard.

Any resolutions for 2015?  I'd love to hear about them.


Thursday, January 1, 2015

2014 Reading Highlights

I read some good books in 2014 and a few great books as well.  I know what I like, and I mostly stuck to that this past year.  It's time to be brave again, to leave my comfort zone and read some books I'm not sure I would like.  Aren't those often the books we end up loving?

In no particular order, here are the Highlights of my 2014 Year in Books ...

Disclaimer:  in most cases, I am borrowing heavily from my own GoodReads reviews for the blurbs below.  Second disclaimer:  only some of the books below were published in 2014.

Hmmm ... looks like I don't own physical copies of many of my 2014 highlights.

Favorite Reads of 2014
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
This book was my first big read of 2014 and looking back at my GoodReads, I can see that I copped out on my review, which was:  "WOW."  The Goldfinch is a WOW book though.  Long, but worth it.  Loved all of the settings from NYC to the outlying ghost town Vegas suburbs to Amsterdam and was rooting for Theo even when I did not like his choices.  32 hours and 29 minutes of listening were heavenly, thanks to the masterful narration of David Pittu (his Xondra, Theo's dad's Vegas girlfriend, was supreme).  

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
This book makes me want to go back in time and be a better teacher.  Not that I was a bad teacher, but I wish I had been a Mr. Terupt.  Written for young readers, Because of Mr. Terupt is a powerful reminder (for readers of any age) that we can never fully appreciate the battles others are (often silently) fighting but we CAN find the courage to be kind, to reach out, to forgive, and to give others the benefit of the doubt.

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
A lovely, lovely book that I just inhaled.  The author describes it as a book for book lovers, and I agree.  This book prompted me to read one of its inspirations:  Daddy Long-Legs by Jean Webster and its sequel, Dear Enemy, both of which are available as free/inexpensive ebooks.

This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett might be my favorite living writer.  This collection of essays includes thoughtful, exquisitely crafted, honest essays about her family, divorce, marriage, faith, the LAPD, writing, friendship, her dog, and much more.  If you aren't yet an Ann Patchett fan (trust me, you will be once you start reading her books), I'd start with Bel Canto, State of Wonder, and Patron Saint of Liars.

Want Not by Jonathan Miles
This novel about want and its partner in crime, waste, is masterfully written.  Miles forces readers to think about waste (and want) in many iterations without ever being heavy-handed and without reducing his characters to types.  In my past life, I would have loved to write a paper on this novel.

Seven for a Secret by Lyndsay Faye
Lyndsay Faye is some kind of genius.  History, mystery, beautiful writing, and memorable characters.  This novel is the second in a series about Timothy Wilde, a detective in the fledgling NYPD.  The first, The Gods of Gotham, was fantastic, and I am eager for the next installment.  If you listen to audiobooks or want to try them, Stephen Boyer's narration is flawless and, when voicing Timothy Wilde, dead sexy.

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
J. K. Rowling is not a bazillionaire by accident.  I eagerly await the third title in the Cormoran Strike series as I can't wait to see the friendship between Robin and Strike develop. Robert Glenister narrates the audiobooks, and he is perfection.

Love, Nina: Despatches from Family Life by Nina Stibbe
Nina Stibbe was a nanny in London in the 1980s.  This book contains the letters she wrote home.  I love reading about London, about literary people, about English majors, about funny people, and about households/families very different from my own -- so this book was, hands down, a five-star read for me.  I laughed out loud so many times while reading Nina's letters.

Mrs. Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn
What if the Queen of England took the train on her own while wearing a hoodie?  This heartwarming British book was exactly my cup of tea.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
This book is everywhere and for good reason.  Great read!  My new favorite of Liane Moriarty's novels (and I've enjoyed all of them).

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Ove is a crotchety old man who is tired of living.  And you know what?  Living right (working hard, saving money, helping others, following rules, being honest) is tiring.  I just loved Ove and his story.  Laughed and cried.
  

The Book Whisperer:  Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller
When I was a high school Language Arts teacher, I would have struggled to implement Miller's philosophies within the required framework and curriculum, but I can see that it would be worth fighting to try to make it work.  As a parent, I found ideas and inspiration for nurturing a love of reading in my kids.  I like how confident and straightforward Miller is in sharing her passion for reading and readers.  This book fired me up in a good way!

A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin
I thoroughly enjoyed this expertly plotted, twisted tale.  Great psychological thriller.

Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute
This book just made me happy.  It's the story of a good, good man who has a great adventure.  I did not love it quite as much as I loved Shute's A Town Like Alice, and I think others might find this novel slow.  Pace was just right for me.

And a few more titles ...
Creepy, Compelling Reads -- these books are page turners with interesting female characters:
Mother, Mother by Koren Zailckas (if you think your own mom is crazy ...)
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica (Chicago setting!)
Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore (family secrets of the super rich, forbidden love)

The Books of Shauna Niequist -- A friend and fellow book lover/former English teacher recommended Niequist's books to me.  Cold Tangerines, Bittersweet, Bread and Wine ... I've loved them all.  Niequist's spirituality is tangible and her writing is honest and humorous.

2014 Books from Some of My Beloved Authors -- 
The Matchmaker (sniff, sniff) and Winter Street (first in a trilogy, hurry up with #2) by Elin Hilderbrand
All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner (ended too soon, but packed a punch)
The One and Only by Emily Giffin (left me a little WTF overall, but couldn't stop reading)
The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes (delightful)
Landline by Rainbow Rowell (not as awesome as Eleanor and Park or Fangirl)
Us by David Nicholls (honest look at marriage, Nicholls' novels are funny and real)

The Memoirs of Jennifer Worth --  Call the Midwife was one of my 2013 favorites.  This year, I finished the series with Shadows of the Workhouse and Farewell to the East End.  Bloody brilliant and inspirational to boot.  Read this series to learn about history (London's East End, post WWII), midwifery, and humanity.

Graphic Novels -- This genre is new to me so I don't know exactly how to evaluate these books.  I read Smile and then Sisters by Raina Telgemeier on the recommendation of my eight year-old and enjoyed them both!  I also enjoyed Seconds (for adults) by Bryan Lee O'Malley.

This post would be more visually attractive if I had taken the time to track down and paste cover images for each title, but I'd rather spend my time reading!

What were your 2014 reading highlights?  I'd love to know.  Love to read the reading lists of others?  Check out Modern Mrs. Darcy's link-up of 2014 reading lists

2014 Year of Books

FICTION
Beachcombers by Nancy Thayer
(audiobook, narrated by Karen White)

A Glass of Blessings by Barbara Pym
(ebook)

Divergent by Veronica Roth
(ebook)

A Crowded Marriage by Catherine Alliott
(ebook)

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
(audiobook, narrated by David Pittu)

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
(audiobook, narrated by Dan O'Grady)

Famous Writers I Have Known by James Magnuson
(audiobook, narrated by Kevin T. Collins)

Roomies by Sara Zarr
(library book)

The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles by Katherine Pancol (in translation)
(library book)

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
(paperback)

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
(ebook)

One More Thing:  Stories and Other Stories by B.J. Novak
(hardcover)

No Fond Return of Love by Barbara Pym
(ebook)

Making It by Helen Klein Ross
(ebook)

Lexicon by Max Barry
(audiobook, narrated by Heather Corrigan and Zach Appelman)

Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park
(audiobook, narrated by Julia Whelan)

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
(ebook via Nook app)

Pioneer Girl by Bich Minh Nguyen
(audiobook, narrated by Bernadette Dunne)

The Thursday Friend by Catherine Cookson
(ebook)

Under the Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan
(audiobook, narrated by Kirsten Potter)

Mother, Mother by Koren Zailckas
(ebook, via EPL My Media Mail)

A Circle of Wives by Alice LaPlante
(audiobook, narrated by George Newbern, Betsy Zajko, Betsy MacNamara, Deanna Hurst, Kyle Garcia)

Want Not by Jonathan Miles
(ebook, via EPL My Media Mail)

This One is Mine by Maria Semple
(ebook, via EPL My Media Mail)

The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger
(library book)

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
(audiobook, narrated by Robert Fass)

To Die For by Joyce Maynard
(ebook)

Seven for a Secret by Lyndsay Faye
(audiobook, narrated by Steven Boyer)

You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz
(library book)

Emily Dennistoun by D.E. Stevenson
(audiobook, narrated by Emma D'Inverno)

Soy Sauce for Beginners by Kirstin Chen
(ebook)

Daddy-Long-Legs & Dear Enemy by Jean Webster
(ebook)

Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler
(audiobook, narrated by Scott Shepherd, Ari Fliakos, Maggie Hoffman, Scott Sowers, Gary Wilmes)

Celia's House by D.E. Stevenson
(audiobook, narrated by Leslie Mackie)

The One & Only by Emily Giffin
(audiobook, narrated by Sofia Willingham)

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
(audiobook, narrated by Richard Morant)

A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin
(audiobook, narrated by Mauro Hantman)

Night Music by Jojo Moyes
(audiobook, narrated by Clare Corbett)

Stargazey Point by Shelley Noble
(ebook)

The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand
(audiobook, narrated by Erin Bennett)

Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
(audiobook, Playaway via EPL)

That Part Was True by Deborah McKinlay
(audiobook, narrated by L.G. Ganser & Katherine Kellgren, CDs from EPL)

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
(audiobook, narrated by Robert Glenister)

All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner
(library book)

Mrs. Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn
(audiobook, narrated by Simon Prebble)

The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
(audiobook, narrated by Elizabeth Bower, Ben Elliot, Nicola Stanton, Steven France)

The Odds: A Love Story by Stewart O'Nan
(hardback)

Guests on Earth by Lee Smith
(audiobook, narrated by Emily Woo Zeller)

The Vacationers by Emma Straub
(library book)

Landline by Rainbow Rowell
(hardback)

Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead
(ebook via EPL)

I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You by Courtney Maum
(library book)

The Hundred-Year House by Rebecca Makkai
(audiobook, narrated by Jen Tullock)

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
(audiobook, narrated by Caroline Lee)

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
(audiobook, narrated by George Newbern)

Fathermucker by Greg Olear
(ebook)

Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher
(library book)

We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas
(audiobook, narrated by Mare Winningham)

The Position by Meg Wolitzer
(ebook)

The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
(audiobook, narrated by Sartaj Garewal)

Small Blessings by Martha Woodroof
(library book)

Seconds by Bryan Lee O'Malley
(library book)

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
(ebook via EPL)

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
(audiobook, narrated by Juliet Stevenson)

The Four Graces by D.E. Stevenson
(ebook via EPL)

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
(ebook via EPL)

Pride and Prejudice* by Jane Austen
(audiobook, narrated by Flo Gibson)

Mrs. Tim of the Regiment by D.E. Stevenson
(audiobook, narrated by Christine Rendel)

Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes
(library book)

Just Patty by Jean Webster
(ebook)

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
(ebook)

Us by David Nicholls
(audiobook, narrated by David Haig)

Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay
(ebook)

Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute
(audiobook, narrated by Frank Muller)

Reunion by Hannah Pittard
(audiobook, narrated by Julia Whelan)

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
(hardcover)

The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood
(audiobook, narrated by Lorelei King)

Home for the Holidays (Mother-Daughter Book Club #5) by Heather Vogel Frederick
(hardcover)

Amberwell by D.E. Stevenson
(audiobook, narrated by Lesley Mackie)

Looking for Alaska by John Green
(audiobook, narrated by Jeff Woodman)

Windfallen by Jojo Moyes
(audiobook, narrated by Michelle Ford)

Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman
(ebook)

 Katherine Wentworth by D.E. Stevenson
(audiobook, narrated by Lesley Mackie)

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
(audiobook, narrated by Scott Brick)

MEMOIRS, ESSAYS, and OTHER NON-FICTION
Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller
(ebook)

Still Foolin' 'Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys by Billy Crystal
(audiobook -- CDs from library, narrated by the author)

A Lady in France by Jennie Goutet
(ebook)

Fakebook:  A True Story of Story.  Based on Actual Lies by Dave Cicirelli
(ebook)

Sister Mother Husband Dog:  Etc. by Delia Ephron
(ebook, via EPL My Media Mail)

This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
(library book)

Little Failure by Gary Shtenyngart
(audiobook -- CDs from EPL, narrated by Jonathan Todd Ross)

Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman
(audiobook, narrated by Cassandra Campbell)

Bread & Wine:  A Love Letter to Life Around the Table, with Recipes by Shauna Niequist
(hardback)

Love Life by Rob Lowe
(audiobook, narrated by the author)

Stuffocation by James Wallman
(ebook via Nook app)

Cold Tangerines:  Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of Everyday Life by Shauna Niequist
(ebook)

Brain on Fire:  My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan
(audiobook, narrated by Heather Henderson)

Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered by Austin Kleon
(library book)

The Smartest Kids in the World:  And How They Got That Way by Amanda Ripley
(audiobook, narrated by Kate Reading)

Bittersweet:  Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way by Shauna Niequist
(paperback)

Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan
(audiobook, narrated by Kelly Corrigan, CDs via EPL)

I Don't Know What You Know Me From:  Confessions of a Co-Star by Judy Greer
(library book)

Something Other Than God  How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It by Jennifer Fulwiler
(ebook)

Delancey:  A Man, A Woman, A Restaurant, A Marriage by Molly Wizenberg
(library book)

Ham:  Slices of a Life, Essays and Stories by Sam Harris
(ebook)

Love, Nina:  Despatches from Family Life by Nina Stibbe
(library book)

My Mistake by Daniel Menaker
(ebook)

Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett
(ebook)

The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller
(paperback)

Notes from a Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World by Tsh Oxenreider
(ebook)

Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham
(ebook)

Yes Please by Amy Poehler
(library book)

Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth
(audiobook, narrated by Nicola Barber)

Smile by Raina Telgemeier
(library book)

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
(library book)

Walden on Wheels: On the Open Road from Debt to Freedom by Ken Ilgunas
(audiobook, narrated by Nick Podehl)

The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz
(ebook)

Domestic Affairs: Enduring the Pleasures of Motherhood and Family Life by Joyce Maynard
(ebook)

Farewell to the East End: The Last Days of the East End Midwives by Jennifer Worth
(audiobook, narrated by Nicola Barber) 


* indicates a re-read.

Unless otherwise noted, most ebooks are via Kindle app and audiobooks are via audible.com.  EPL = Elmhurst (IL) Public Library