Yesterday was a day where I did a lot of introspection thanks to lovely bizarre dream I woke up from. In the end I realize I need to make some changes in my life and per usual I turn to books to help me.
Both are highly recommended and great reviews. They do kind of go hand in hand with each other too. I am not sure which one to start with. Any recommendations?
Here is the pule of books I have so far for my summer bingo game by the BPL. I should have started doing this sooner!
One of the squares I am struggling with is a classic by POC. More like what consistutes a classic? Classics to me are books by Dickens and Bronte. I was looking for something more modern. Any suggestions?
The Boston Public Library is doing summer bingo! I love this idea but I have a ways to go (I only have a few squares done) to get all 25 squares completed! Any suggestions on books to fill this in? I did read and watch the Great Gatsby this summer (the new version with Leo and didn't love it). I have a month to go!
Does anyone else love this show? I recently discovered it and I know I am late to the game on it. It's amazing! It's a nice reality competition! British baking is so much different than American baking too. The flavors are so much different but the baking is so spectacular too!!! I'm trying to catch up on the older seasons even though they are out of order for the US.
I went to the MFA the other day and saw this beautiful version of the Qur'an on display in the Lands of Islam exhibit. No idea what version or what it says but it's gorgeous. Makes me want to read it so much more now!
Does anyone else have this problem? I finally got my bookcases pretty organized and I don't need anymore books. Yet all these books I have gotten immediately after organizing them. I have gotten then from all over, Amazon, the Christmas tree shop, Barnes and nobles, Harvard bookstore warehouse sale, Print (independent shop), MFA. I honestly have plenty of books to read without needing to buy anymore. I'm seriously running out of room!!!
pickThis book was so powerful and sadly semi relatable. It's the true life of a poor Irish Catholic family growing up in the projects of Southie. It covers all factors of race and socioeconomic issues, as well as police and government corruption. It actually explained a lot and put a lot of pieces together if things I have heard in the area from living here. These are the actually projects where most of the book took place.
Apparently its national mutt day! I don't call him mutt but here's my rescue pup squeezing in on the couch with me. Awesome reading buddy too :-)
#nationalmuttday
I have jury duty tomorrow and need also need to start a new book. Which one will help me get out of it? A good title (The Verdict or The Story of a Sociopath), a local true life crime book (All Souls), a book I have been dying to read (The Alienist), or a book in the series I was reading (Under a Silent Moon)??
This paragraph really stopped me when I read it. Having just heard another of my childhood friends (not close just grew up together) lost his battle with drugs and my brother losing another close friend the same way.
Reading buddy! He's not supposed to be on the furniture but I have him on a blanket so technically he isn't on It?
Another night of reading at my parents with the occasional hummingbird visitors. This is the only reason why I would want to own a house or live in the burbs. Hopefully I make something similar in the city at some point!
At my parents for a few days and found some old books I had stored there. I knew I went through an Agatha Christie phase and wasn't sure what books I had of hers. (Ignore the filter - used the one that highlighted the books the best)
My relaxing plans for the evening. New book, glass of wine, and enjoying the cooler air on my parents porch.
Does anyone have any ideas on what they do to track character's across series? I do like some character series by authors but when books come out so far apart, it's hard to remember the details, especially from earlier books in big series. Authors like Patricia Cornwall, Jo Nesbo, Micheal Connelly, Ian Rankin, etc.
Relaxing in the shade starting my first Megan Abbott book in this life oasis in the bustling city. Boston is amazing in that it has these little gems all over where you can relax and never realize you are in the city. It's rush hour in one of the busiest parts of the city and all I can hear are the birds and the water fountain.
pickWow. I have had this book on my tbr forever. My mother kept pushing me to read it and I kept pushing it off. It was sooooo good!! I then promptly watched the movie and the movie was so superficial compared to the depth of the book. The book was not what I was expecting but it was so good. I loved it.
pickI know everyone seems to have read this all ready but me but now I understand the hype! So good! Just as I was wondering where it was going, it all clicked. The concept is really interesting and makes you think.
I have fallen off with the #riotgrams due to family wedding and, well, life. But saw today's challenge was set near where you live. I have a lot of books set in Boston but both of these have Southie as a primary setting. The Given Day is by far my favorite book of all time and set in both South Boston and the North End (among others). Black Mass is literally set in the projects across the street from me - Whiteys old territory
I had a lot more #yellowcovers than I thought! This also represents a good smattering of all my loved genres. Most excited about the tagged book and can't wait to start soon! I saw the Boston Marathon documentary recently (highly recommend when they get distribution figured out) and it was so emotional and so inspiring. Came home and immediately ordered it. Bill Rogers is such a huge part of Boston! #riotgrams
Embarrassing #shelfie. They are in desperate need of organization. Anyone want to come help? Small apartment is leaving me with limited options :-( oh and I keep buying more books, hence the problem....
#riotgrams
bailedI borrowed this from the library on a whim and decided to try to read the day before it's due. I couldn't really get into even though I wanted to. Heard good things about it too! The choppy and slightly scattered writing style didn't work well for me. I am definitely willing to give it another try down the road.
Sidenote, I ironically broke a glass of red wine when I nailed on the book.
Got a personalized note when I got this purchase in the mail yesterday!
Stumbled across this book at Barnes and Nobles recently (on a trip I did not need to make) and dove straight in. Its set in Boston and does she know Boston. So many references I can imagine exactly where she is most of the time. Pretty accurate for the most part.
pickI finally finished this book this weekend and it blew my mind. It is an amazing book at how African Americans were treated in a daily basis, regardless of jobs. This book centers on the first African American cops in Atlanta and the treatment of them in the country and the city. Everyone should read this. Its actually a fairly easy read and is very eye opening. I would love to see the storyline continue. We should be like dogs and love everyone.
Well after about 3 days of playing with this, this is the semi finished product. I don't completely love it and it still needs some work but it is much better than it was. I also found some more books in another room and realized a family member has a few books pf mine still too.
Epic fail today. I went out with the intentions of finding a solution to my overflowing bookcases (basically I need a drill bit to make more holes for my extra shelves) and ended up at B&N. I needed up with 4 new books and still no extra room for them. So currently my whole apartment is disastrous. Books everywhere and in the process of mgmt replacing my fridge. Stuff is everywhere!!
Project for the night.... My book buying has been insane and my bookcases are desperately in need of love. Very much needed reorganization is needed and happening tonight. Extra shelves are hopefully going to help.
I may not have been reading much lately but I definitely have been buying! Almost all these books are recent purchases even though I have been on the same book for 3 months. They come from all different sources, although @BetterWorldBooks is probably my favorite- recycling discard books and funding literacy programs. I have so many books I had to buy extra shelves for my bookcases!!
When you are reading, eating popcorn, and not sharing lol
I am realizing how pathetically long it has taken me to finish this book and sadly not done. This is NOT a reflection on the book - it's amazing! Work has been insane the past few months and reading hasn't been a huge priority. New goal for the new year!!
I saw this book months ago when strolling through B&N. Of course I was drawn to it immediately because of the dog on the cover. even though it sounded good, I was on the fence since I think a lot of dog books. I finally caved and got it recently. Today I saw it was listed as one of the top 10 fiction books of the year by the Wall Street Journal!! Cant wait to start it!!!
Work has been an absolutely insane hectic mess the past few weeks. I havent had a chance to do much of anything except work. Trying to make some time for me and actually finish this book! Its so good!! Plus I have my best reading buddy and 90s music going. :-)
This seems like a perfect combo for tonight! so excited for this book!!
Needed to kill an hour or so after work before meeting up with friends so this seems to work! A bar attached to open space equals quiet space for diving into a new book and grabbing a drink. Weather is miserable so making myself avoid home :-(
Watching Gone Baby Gone again. Read and loved the book but the movie was pretty good. It was amazingly close to the book and done in very realistic way. Only downfall is the female character's attitude got combined into Casey Afflecks character in the movie. I didn't live in Boston when I read it and saw the movie the first time. (in Mass but not Boston) interesting to see it now that I am much more intimate with the city; -)
pickFinally finished and it totally lived up to expectations! I love Michael Harvey and his character Michael Kelly. Amazingly tough exterior, sarcastic tone, and heart of gold. This one touches on politics and made for decent timing given the upcoming election. For me Michael Harvey is the Chicago equivalent of Dennis Lehane's Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro (Gone Baby Gone series) series. Both are are amazing!!
Almost passed up a trip to B&N on my shopping trip today and so glad I didn't! I scored The Underground Railroad and A Gentleman in Moscow for half off! Sale started today. even the cashier was surprised by it. I have been eying both for a while and so glad to score both at half off!
Extremely long week this week. all I want to do is curl up with my favorite furball and relax. Almost done with my current read - which is easy and such a good read. Highly recommend!! (sorry for the not so great pic!)
I have had do work at home every night this week (hopefully ending after next week) but someone does not approve. He would much rather me be reading more too!!
Best Sunday night. Love this book, so easily pulled in! Now just need to make the time to read, which is not going to be easy in the next few weeks due to work (good thing at least!)
so-soI did not love this book which makes me sad because so many loved it. The story line was a bit stop and go and the twists were abrupt. I never really got into the story and it never made me want to read it. I am glad i finished it because the ending was good. I love European fiction but I don't know I would recommend this one. :-(
Perfect weather, gorgeous view, and a new book to start. Best way to have lunch!
Not loving this book so far but hoping some good wine will help me get through the last 75 pages or so.
Yet another Amazon deal and another topic I am a sucker - sports. Really need to finish my current read so I can move to something better!!
I have a weakness for dogs and book deals. This book is both. Usually these kind of books are super cheesy and not my style but the story looked halfway decent. Add a cute puppy cover and half price on Amazon and I was sold. The amount of books I have bought due to dogs is kind of pathetic lol. However, no regrets :-) curious to see how this one is.
Perfect Sunday afternoon at the 'rents. Did afternoon tea with my grandmother and now relaxing reading with some wine before heading home. I really need a balcony....
#booksandbooze
pickTek was not a fan of the book but I was! Great book that was very relatable on being a young girl finding her inner strength at that age and taking control of her life. Slightly concerned at a younger more impressionable kid reading this book at a younger age with the last few chapters seemingly glossing over some serious topics but otherwise loved it. Can't wait till the next one to come out :-)
Got a delivery from Better World Books!! I love this site! Environmentally friendly and saving books from the landfill. So cheap as well!! 9 books for under $35!! I really need to start reading more. My book buying has drastically out paced my book buying. :-(
