January Book Wrap

Last year I was pitiful in my reading.  I set a goal to read 50 books and fell just shy of that goal.  This year my goal again is 42 (sames as 2013).  As you read at the end of December, I have a plan this year.  A good start to the books reading goal.

I started the month off not with my January pick but instead with a book that was gifted to me.  Liz gave me Seeing Redd (book 2 of The Looking Glass Wars).  I did enjoy this book but it became obvious quickly that this would never be a stand alone read and that it was written as a middle book.  I thoroughly enjoyed the character arcs and the storyline itself progressed in a most enjoyable fashion.  I am slightly addicted to all things Alice so I am always happy to enjoy a re-imagining of my favorite classic.

My book selection for Jan was Hollow City by Ransom Riggs. This is the sequel to Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children and just as creepily enchanting. This book picks up almost exactly where the first one let off. Kudos, for no missing beats. Hollow City is a journey book and that makes it jam pack with adventures. I loved the characters, I am not going to spoil anyone read so that is all I will say. Sadly, this is another middle book and leaves off with another cliffhanger. That being said, I was not disappointed in this ending. It just felt right. I look forward to book 3.

Next month's book to read will be the new SAA's book First Frost. This will be her first true style sequel. She will be doing another story set in the realm of Garden Spells, Bascom NC and featuring the oddly delightful Waverly girls. I am trying not to read too much on the new book but I did want to reread the magic found in Garden Spells. I melt. This books just makes me melt into smiles and giggles. I love Bay, Claire and Sydney. I feel like I know them. This books is always a pleasure to read.

I love that I have access to a digital library.  It means I can try new series without the hideous cost.  My last book of the month was Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard.  This is a "teen" book but I enjoyed it.  I still dislike when teen writers go too simple, which this book did on occasion.  I really enjoyed the main character Miss Fitts and her evolving arc during the book.  The story was action packed once it was going and had at least one good surprising twist in there.  I would say give this book a chance but be ready to want to continue the series.

Currently reading:

Realisations

A few weeks ago I had an eye infection. Oh, it was nothing serious mind you.  Just that infection/irration you get from eye make up that has gone too long.  So, I spent a week without make up.  I decided since I wore so little make up that I would not bother if I could not do my eyes.

That was a very long week.  This surprised me.  I felt more exposed that week.   It seemed like with one glance people would be able to see all my flaws, not just those on the outside but the inside ones as well.  By the end of the week I was more comfortable but not really.

I decided to buy new make up since I had to throw out my old stuff.  Last time I purchased eye shadow had been in the summer, light and bright colors.  This time it is winter and thus the colors are darker.  That is taking some adjusting.  Since I was buying new eyes I decided to replace the lip stuff too.  I got a tube of Revlon Certianly Red, I wanted to be brave and adventurous plus I want it for a photo session.  I carry it with me constatnly (in fact it is sitting next to the keyboard).  I have yet to wear it.  I did also buy a cheaper rosey pink color that I have been wearing.  I just wonder why I am not confident enough to wear the RED.

Certianly red Vs. Riverside Rose

Book Discussion

This sis not my reading recap.  That will be on the last day of the month.

This is talking about books.  May be not specific books but just bookish talk.

I am addicted, enthralled and obsessed with books set in the Southern US.  It is where I am from and what I know.  I can relate to these books so easily.  So, in my mind these books should be relate-able for everyone.  But, recently my best male friend's (Roach), wife (Mrs. Roach) read my favorite author who specializes in southern magical realism.  I will get into magical realism in just a bit.  The Peach Keeper grabs me and does not let go, I fall hard into the book and do not want to leave.  For her it was a good read but nothing too great.  Which is fine.  To all their own opinions.  It did make me think, is my reaction to the book because I can identify more with the community depicted in the book?  It has created a whole paradigm shift in my mind as to what books I think I will like.  Thank you Mrs Roach for sparking this thought.

Now, magical realism.

I was intrigued when I started seeing books I really enjoyed tagged with this monicere.  I just had to find what it was.  Off to the GOOGLE!

Magic realism or magical realism is a genre where magical or unreal elements play a natural part in an otherwise realistic (often mundane) environment. Although it is most commonly used as a literary genre, magic realism also applies to film and the visual arts.(wikipedia)

Magical realism is fiction genre in which magical elements blend to create a realistic atmosphere that accesses a deeper understanding of reality. The story explains these magical elements as normal occurrences, presented in a straightforward manner that places the "real" and the "fantastic" in the same stream of thought. (GoodReads.com)

There are many more definitions and explanations but these were taken from wikipedia and good reads because they were the most concise and most easily understood.  This genre developed first in Latin American literature but has since really moved outward.  I have seen Sarah Addison Allen and Ransom Riggs novels tagged as magic realism.  I am wondering who else falls here.  My obsession with pure fantasy may lend to me enjoying books in this genre. To me, magic realism sounds like a mixture of fantasy and standard literature.

Immortality?

I am at lost what to post this week.  The post Holiday life is a bit dull at the moment.  So, I turn to the writing prompt book for some inspiration.

10. You are given the option for immortality.  Do you take it or do you decline?

My gut reaction would be to decline this gift.  I cannot think of a more depressing thought than constantly living with the heartache of losing those around me. 

I know that living forever would mean witnessing many great events and with time possibly particpating in those events as well.  What if through my immortality I could be the first to visit the far off planets.  To step foot on Mars or Titan or to go even further.  The thought of seeing man return to the moon, succeeding in world peace, or countless other events that will not realisticly happen in my lifetime.  

But, there would always be the spectre of death around an immortal.  Not thier own but instead the deathes of all the people they have known.  I would not be able to handle that aspect of immortality and thus would decline.

How would you have answered?

A Crafting update

I am thinking that the first of the month will be my crafting update.  This will be my time to tell you what I have been creating.

Raven was nice enough to tell me about Ravelry about 2 months ago.  I am ADDICTED to this website.  If you are a knitter, crocheter or similar go and sign up.  The site is free and loads and loads of stuff on there.  Thank you Raven for my new time sink.

Last month was taken over with making Jason's scarf take 1.  I am planning on redoing his scarf with good wool instead of acrylic.  But, this was a good project to learn the Tunisian knit stitch on.  I am also crafting "Daisy" Slippers from the Granny Square Slipper pattern,

Jason's tasseled scarf

daisy inspired granny squares

My other crafting time has been taking over with bread making.  I have been perfecting my simple bloomer bread that I saw on Sorted Food.  I have made it several times and each is more successful than the last. I have not quite gotten the full bloom yet but I am gonna keep trying.