whatcha readin'? 2021 {goal 35::book 5}

March 8, 2021 Arlene Giddings

I always have.
I remember working at the Barn (university bar)
when she played there.
I was working the door
and complained to everyone
going in and coming out
that I wanted to be inside…
I wanted to see her…
I wanted to meet her…
I wanted to be her best friend.

Finally, I think someone must have told her
because she came out
and gave me a bone crushing hug.
And then, I was happy and stopped
whining which likely made
everyone else happy, too.

But I digress.

I have had 2 of her books on my list
for a long time…
but didn’t realized that there was an
earlier one so, being the
meticulous “read/watch
everything in order” person
that I am, I had to get it.

And it was good.
I learned a lot about her that I
did not know and it was interesting
to read about her journey…
and about her family.

I can’t wait to start the next two books.

4 ♥s out of 5
NEXT UP:: THE LITTLE BOOKS OF LYKKE- MIEK WIKING

whatcha readin'? 2021 {goal 25::book 4}

March 1, 2021 Arlene Giddings

Well.
This is not my usual kind of book.
I am not even sure where it came from
but I do know that
I didn’t realize until
far too far
into it
that it’s a series.

You think
18th
would have given it away,
right?
heh.

So I don’t really enjoy
grisly bits and I didn’t know
who was who or what the
backstory was so
it was ok…I mean….I could
understand what was going on…
I’m just not sure
it’s my kinda thing.
:)

But you never if you like something
til you try it, right?
I mean…except things like cottage cheese.
I never tried that but
I KNOW I won’t like it.
Heh.

2.5 ♥s out of 5
NEXT UP:: FALLING BACKWARDS- JANN ARDEN

whatcha readin'? 2021 {goal 35 - book 3}

February 22, 2021 Arlene Giddings

I can’t lie.
I completely struggled
with this book.
I am not sure why…I have read
Toni Morrison before.
I felt like my brain was thick and obtuse
and the words just would not
connect for me.
I’m 100% that it was not the fault of the book
but fully that of the reader, in this case, being me…
possibly lack of understanding on my side…
of phrases, of wording…
I just really struggled to grasp
what was going on
and who was who
and what things required
attention and importance.

I struggle to give it a rating
as I honestly feel the issue with me
and not the actual book

NEXT UP:: THE 18TH ABDUCTION - JAMES PATTERSON

whatcha readin'? 2021 {goal 35-book 2}

February 15, 2021 Arlene Giddings

I started playing with meditation
back before the separation but have definitely
used it a lot more since.

It falls in line naturally with how I am.
I enjoy sitting in silence
or with some soft instrumental music
or nature sounds.

I found this book gave some interesting insights
and some tips and ideas that I will definitely try.

I know I do not practice this enough
and would benefit from a more regular practice.
Something to focus on in 2021.
♥

4 ♥’s out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥’s
NEXT UP:: Song of Solomon - Toni Morrison

2020 Book Round-Up

January 18, 2021 Arlene Giddings

I read 31 books this year….
including one computer science text book
cover to cover.

My goal was 30 so did it
but
just by the skin of my teeth.

I am not going to write about all of these
but I will say that I absolutely loved
The Sisters Brothers
and I absolutely
did not expect to.

But it was funny and sweet
and so well written
and violent and I was
completely drawn in.

Other favorites were
Untamed but it took me a long time
to read for some reason…

American Dirt but
then I was almost afraid to
write about it…
all I can say is it made me
think about things in another perspective.
Whether that is a fair or true perspective
or a perspective that should have been
given by someone who has not
lived that life, I honestly don’t know.

From the Ashes I struggled with
at first but then became very
caught up in this man’s story…
heartbreaking, frustrating, illuminating.

And…
in case you were wondering,
the computer science book
was a little dry…
heh.

Now onto the goal for 2021 - 35 books….
Yeeesh. I better get reading. :)