Today begins our third two week cycle… so far all physically healthy. Mental health is hanging on by a thread…

Ok- I have two weeks of stuff:

Books:

Finished:

  1. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle- fun, but overworked a little
  2. Recipe for a Perfect Wife- hated this- tried to be preachy and failed miserably. The ending pissed me off.
  3. The Remains of the Day- Loved this book. I was resistant to reading it, but it was well done
  4. The Self Love Experiment: Fifteen Principles for Becoming more kind, compassionate and accepting of yourself- OMG this book was so bad. The author can’t get over being overweight and manages to bring it up probably every other page. The author is urging you to move on with life though she clearly hasn’t gotten over anything- If you love yourself you won’t read this book
  5. Valentine- I think this is Jenna’s book club. Not bad. Story is horrific but not a bad read. A little slow and heavy on message
  6. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist and our Lives Revealed- Fascinating. I’ve had this on my TBR for awhile because I was eh about it, but it’s really well written and interesting
  7. The Two Lives of Lydia Bird- I wasn’t even interested in one of her lives, much less two
  8. Such a Fun Age- (Reese’s book club) It will make an interesting TV movie or mini series for Reese…but nothing groundbreaking here
  9. Separation Anxiety- Ok- there is a chapter title Shelter in Place- so, probably not the best read if you are coping with anxiety right now, or not the best book if you are not coping with anxiety
  10. Topics of Conversation- OMG this book is so self righteous- There’s a scene where they’re trying to have a New Mom’s group, and one woman storms off because every women in attendance is a whiny baby, and really, that sums up the whole book. I’ve never been as embarrassed as I am to be a woman in 2020 as I was when I read about women in this book. If we are really like the women portrayed in this book, we need to take a good long look in the mirror…

Currently Reading:

  1. Deep Water- My daughter has a copy of this book and apparently it’s going to be made into a movie- pretty interesting (though I can confirm that I hate reading paperbacks)
  2. Conjure Women (Barnes and Noble book club) It’s ok so far- it alternates characters and I can’t always differentiate
  3. Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything- If you really want to change something in your life and are very logical, this book will help. if logic isn’t your strong suit, steer clear
  4. Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss- Easy to read because it’s more like a series of short essays. Interesting perspective. I think it was Jenna’s book club
  5. Untamed- Reese’s book club. Memoir essays. Sometimes the author makes awesome points, sometimes she doesn’t. Sort of like reading my blog every day…

Reading Next:

  1. Cosy; The British Art of Comfort
  2. The Art of Making Memories: How to Create and Remember Happy Moments
  3. The Women in Black

Television:

  1. Top Chef- Bravo (I don’t have a favorite yet)
  2. Spring Baking Champion- Food Network- no fave yet
  3. Food Truck Road Race- Food Network- no favorite
  4. World on Fire – PBS- I think I’m going to like it
  5. Call the Midwife- PBS I love this show
  6. Love Wedding Repeat- Netflix- My daughter needed to review this for her school paper- it’s a very average rom com, but passes the time

Dinner:

I continue to try to get creative with beans, tomatoes, pasta and rice- sometimes succeeding better than others…I venture to the stores twice a week. The stores have food, but they don’t have everything- for example, Target had tons of bread, but no rice or pasta. Eggs might start to become a problem. Disinfecting wipes are definitely a problem. I went to a Walgreens that is located in a more commercial area and scored a two pack.

 

55 thoughts on “Una – Highlights”

  2. Morning LA!
    Wow, you had a run on not so great books. #1 is on my shelf, others never heard of so glad I didn’t waste money. I’m making my way through The Clockmakers Daughter- Kate Morton, right now. Not bad in a modern/old gothic mystery sort of way.
    I’m saving Outlander to binge watch at some point so have turned to Little Fires Everywhere- Hulu I think. Originally a book that I didn’t read. The show is keeping me interested, although it’s predictable.

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    1. I read that book. Decent book, and that’s why I said that other Reese book is going to eventually be a tv series. such a Fun Age is similar to Little Fires in many ways. I’m reading more, and I’m just going through my TBR in order instead of picking and choosing. I also just hit a wall because the next 6 books on my TBR are scheduled for publication in the future. I’m obviously 26 books ahead of my reading challenge timeline….I’m probably going to hit my 55 book goal in a few weeks…Kate Morton is pretty good…like her basic style…

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    1. I never did it until this year…I didn’t think I could concentrate…It was sort of a New Years goal to try it, and oddly, I can’t believe I hasn’t done it before. I find my concentration is actually better

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      1. I am not so much with the titles. My husband keeps a running list as he buys his books but I am such a fast reader that I often read the same book in hard copy and then pick it out for my kindle. I borrow books at the library or use kindle.

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  8. I really enjoy your somewhat acerbic sense of humor. You’re very forthright and I like that. You make me laugh. You make me smile. I appreciate you. Just so you know. haha

    A couple of books I read over and over (usually months or at least a year between readings) are “Sullivan’s Island, A Low Country Tale”, by Dorothy Benton Frank. It’s a story about growing up in South Carolina during the 1960s. the author is smart, funny, and her characters are first rate. I recommend this book to everyone! I think you’d really enjoy it. I’ve had this book for many years so, caution, it’s far from a new release. It was published in 1999 so hopefully you can find it. Even all these years later the story is still relevant and has it all, drama, humor (lots of tongue-in-cheek humor), mystery, and more.

    Another is “The Wishing Year’ by Noelle Oxenhandler, which, as the name suggests, is about the author’s experiment with wishes. After her marriage breaks down and her life is in complete upheaval the author finds herself lost and searching. She meets a free-spirited woman who is her complete opposite in every way but the two become fast friends. Again, this is a book I have carried with me through many moves over the years. It was published in 2008 so, again, not a new release. But, if you can find it, it is an interesting read.

    I tend to read non-fiction more so than novels, but every now and then I pick up a gem like Sullivan’s Island and fall completely in love. So, if you get a chance to read either I’d love to hear your thoughts.

    Take good care and stay safe.

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    1. I like DBF. She’s a good writer who sets a good scenic picture, and writes relatable real characters. The Wishing Year sounds familiar….I may have read that! I’m usually a fiction reader, but wanted to actively start reading more non fiction (New Years goal) and in this case it’s been a life saver, being able to switch up genres. It’s keeping me mentally sharp! And thank you! Sometimes I’m funny….😉

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  9. I loved the Remains of the Day. I read it after the movie came out, and then I read it again about a year ago. Have you read any of his other works? I read “Never Let Me Go,” which is science fiction; a bit disturbing, but written well.

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  11. 😂😂 at the book reviews!!
    I have been wanting to read Maybe You Should Talk to Someone as well. In fact, I checked it out of the library (digitally), but haven’t read it yet 🤦🏽‍♀️.
    I have a 25lb bag of rice that I always buy from BJ’s wholesale. And I have some pasta. But wipes and gloves continue to elude me. At some point I’m going to run out of what I have. I’ve been making my own hand sanitizer with my aloe plant, alcohol and essential oils. I think it’s much better than what I get in stores. 🤷🏽‍♀️ Who knew.

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    1. I git gardening gloves at target. I wipe them down when I come in, and wash them at night. You should read Talk to Someone. It’s really relatable because the author is actually a real writer as well, so the book is really engaging and not shrinky

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  13. A few of the books you mentioned sounded beyond awful I don’t remember, do you ever DNF a book? I started one yesterday that may end up DNF. I really liked SUCH A FUN AGE which came highly recommend by a bookstore friend of mine. I also read REMAINS OF THE DAY when it came out, probably 25 years ago. Maybe more. My book group is meeting tomorrow night via Zoom to discuss ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE which is delightful.

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    1. I always finish books that I start, because I’m really careful about what I put in my TBR, so it’s always sad when a book I’ve been looking forward to disappoints me. But I love when a book I was less interested to read turns out to be awesome. So I had the best and the worst scenario lately.

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      1. I often read (listen to) a book that was recommended as a mentor text or example of a writing device that I’m interested in. I started one last week that’s so dated with pop culture references from 2005. The MC’s aunt worked for trump who ended up firing her unceremoniously. 😂

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      2. I tend to like blurbs about upcoming releases. If the topic interests me I’m a go. I also read different celeb book clubs, because that takes me out if my comfort zone. Then the three book clubs I belong to

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  14. I was so looking forward to Recipe for a Perfect Wife and Separation Anxiety, but they are on order from the now closed library. I’m loving World on Fire – the second episode tonight was very good.

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    1. I was looking forward to both those books….when you finally get them we’ll discuss… didn’t watch world on fire last night, but first episode was awesome. Looking forward!!

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  15. That’s a lot of reading , but it does pass the time quickly. I’ll have to check out the TV suggestions. We watched Love Wedding Repeat the other night. You’re right..very average but had some funny moments.

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    1. My thing is I need to be quiet because my husband is working and daughter is in class a lot. Reading is the best quiet activity. I thought World on Fire was well done. I didn’t watch last nights episode but I think it has potential.

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  16. Until recently I never failed to finish a book (apart from War and Peace, because I lost track of the characters and couldn’t be bothered to start again). That was 1976 and for over 40 years I read every book to the bitter end.
    Then I tried to read or re-read a lot of the classics – I managed Moby Dick but decided to leave Don Quixote halfway through. It was a liberating experience. I still finish most books, but now realise I don’t have to punish myself if it clearly isn’t for me.

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  17. I used to read A LOT. But at the moment not so much. TBH, I’m struggling as I can’t sit still for any length of time (need to get up at least hourly & walk or my leg muscles cramp). I make lots of video calls with family/friends who live alone and are struggling. Also Himself is home earlier most days now, and he tends to interrupts me …

    Thanks for the recommendation on Maybe You Should Talk To Someone – that’s been on my “should I?” list for a while.

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