February 28, 2017

February Books

In the only other post I've written this month, I mentioned that I'm feeling really behind on life. True to that, I'm writing my February Books link up post three four days after I was supposed to post it with Carolann and all of the other members of our little book club!

My goal this February was to read 5 books and, if I finish the book in reading now by tonight, I'll have read three books. Luckily, I have more than just one book to write about today! Here's a look at what I've been reading:

The Last Days of Magic by Mark Tompkins -This book was fascinating. Historical fiction mixed with magic? Sign me up! It's essentially about the Vatican's quest to destroy all of the magic in Ireland. It was a long read and I enjoyed it and was surprised that the reviews on Goodreads were pretty negative. I'll admit that I bought this book because if the cover but I'm glad I read it.


Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff - This was a weird book. Throughout the entire first half, I had no idea what it was about but I was drawn to keep reading (whether that was because I started 3 days before my book club was meant to discuss it, or because it was actually an engaging book, I don't know). The book is about a couple who gets married very young and almost immediately after meeting. He tries to make it as an actor and she supports him. The first half of the book is namely Lotto's story, the second is Mathilde's and I was shocked to read the second half. It made me want to go back and read the first half again but it connects the pieces together in a very interesting, yet calculated way.

Our bookclub pick for this month was "A Man Called Ove," which I read a few months ago and never got around to posting about. 

A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman- I read this shortly after finishing My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry which I adored and I was worried I wouldn't love this 2nd book by Backmann as much but oh I couldn't have been more wrong. This book was heartbreaking yet so sweet and funny. It follows a curmudgeonly old man after his wife passes away. Ove isn't just a curmudgeon, he's well, kind of a dick and, of course, there's a reason why. When his new neighbor, an Iranian woman moves in across the street, it seems like she makes it her mission to knock on his door every day and through their surprising relationship, you learn all about Ove. Frederick Backman is quickly becoming my favorite author. I just picked up the sequel to My Grandmother and I can't wait to read it. If you aren't currently reading his books, you should be!


There you have it! What have you been reading this month? Have you read any of these? What's next on your to read list?

I'm hoping to catch up on my reading in March. Carolann sent me a box of books from my top read list on Goodreads for my birthday which was amazing! I've got a long international flight ahead of me in March and I'm hoping to catch up on some reading then...if I don't watch movies the entire flight! 

As always, Happy Reading!

February 13, 2017

First Coffee Date of 2017


If we were having coffee, I would tell you... that I feel so behind with life right now. On Wednesday, almost two weeks ago, while I was at work, my stepmom called me and told me that my dad had had a heart attack. Two and a half hours later, I was on a plane to Dallas. I brought one change of clothes and my running gear (which I never leave home without) with plans to stay in Texas for a night or two. When we learned that my dad would have to have open heart surgery, my plans changed. I ended up being in Texas for a total of 10 days. My dad is getting out of the hospital today and is doing great. I'm so glad I could be there but it was a very long time to be away for an unplanned period of time, especially for something that was as emotionally taxing as this. This was way different from the occasional 'Oops' vacations The Pilot and I take, which we usually plan around neither of us having anything to do in the immediate future.

I would tell you that while I was in Texas, I caught the flu. I spent Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at my sister's house with my 10-year-old niece, who also had the flu. Despite a prescription and a lot of meds, I don't feel any better than I did when I first got sick.

I would tell you that I ran once while in Texas, a grand total of 3 miles, and didn't practice yoga once. My legs are literally itching to run and I'm starting to get really nervous abut Disney being 2 weeks away considering I've now been forced to take 3 1/2 weeks off from training due to illness and injury.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you... that I really thought I would have my new apartment unpacked and in order by now and that I am so far from that, it's ridiculous.

I would tell you that I'm really grateful for my company's flexible work schedule because today is the only day this week that I have to be in the office, so I'll be able to fight off this flu while working from home the rest of the week.

I would tell you that I bought myself the "Year of Cozy" and I'm a little bit obsessed with all of the fun things I've been making. The book is organized by month and I did most of the January things and am hoping to jump on the February ones soon.

I would tell you that one of my New Year's Resolutions is to waste less. As someone who usually only cooks for one, I was embarrassed by the amount food I was throwing out on a weekly basis. While I had to throw out a ton of food after unexpectedly being away for so long, I'm really happy with how well I've done. I've been meal planning according to what I'm shopping for, focusing on rotating the same veggies or herbs into my meals for the week, and dating all of my leftovers so that I know when I need to use them. I also found a way to keep herbs like cilantro and parsley fresh for what's now going on 6 weeks, by storing them in a mason jar with about an inch of water, covering them with a plastic bag, and trimming the leaves every week or so.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you... that I feel like I have so much to do this week both at work, to catch up, and in life! Wednesday is my birthday and I'm really hoping I can just enjoy the day and feel somewhat caught up by then!

What would you share if we were having coffee?


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