Book of the Month: November

You may have noticed that there wasn't a Book of the Month in October. That is because October was crazy busy and I only finished one book. Is it really winning if you're the only one playing?

In November I started reading more ebooks on my desktop during my free time which means I read nine books in the month of November, three of which were graphic novels. (I can't believe my stack of graphic novels I got in September is still staring at me.) I read a wide variety of types of books in November, most of which I enjoyed but not all.

My favorite book I finished in November was actually the book we read in our book club, "The Handmaid's Tale." This is classic feminist literature that I had somehow never gotten around to before but I'm glad I have now. And what a year to read this book... When your reality is starting to feel more like a dystopian future, this sort of thing just doesn't seem that far-fetched. This book sucked me from the beginning. Reading this book felt like taking great, gulping breathes of air after being under water. It felt like taking a disaster preparedness course. Now I at least feel like I know what to look out for. It freaked my shit out.... but I liked it.

(So far this year I have read 41 books and 26 graphic novels.)

For more regular updates on my reading habits, follow me on GoodReads.

Book of the Month: September

During the month of September I finished five books, two of which were graphic novels. I completed my GoodReads challenge for the year which was to read 50 books. I am now up to 55. 33 of the 55 books read are not graphic novels. I think this means I should try to read 22 more non-graphic novels by the end of the years. It is only early October and I am in the middle of three books at the moment so this seems like an entirely obtainable goal. The reason I wanted to read less this year was so that I could try new things and I think I have achieved that. I've learned about pastry baking, I've had my first baking gigs, I got a new job, I wrote some children's stories and short stories. The stories may never see the light of day but I am happier for having written them. I feel like it has been a productive year. Sure, it has been emotionally tumultuous but that has just kept a fire burning under me to remind me that I could always be doing more to improve myself.

I started reading a biography about Neil Gaiman at the same time as I started reading, "The View From the Cheap Seats," and what I learned is that I would rather read absolutely anything Neil Gaiman has written more than I want to read some unknown write about him. Sure I may not know the true and exact story of his childhood through the eyes of an outsider, but I know the fantastical story the way Neil tells it and that is so much better in my opinion.  "The View from the Cheap Seats," is a collection of non-fiction writings from Neil Gaiman. Some of the selections are introductions for other books, musical tours, reviews of shows, personal works, etc. There is a wide variety of subjects and even if you don't have any prior knowledge about the topics of which he writes, all are a delight to read.

Book of the Month: August

August was a really good month for books! I finished eight books, four of which were graphic novels, one of which is a writing work book that I have been working through since October of last year, one of which was a re-read of "To Kill a Mockingbird," all of which were delightful in their own way.

While some of the books I read were technically better than, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," I did not enjoy any of them nearly as much as an overall experience as I did this book. I was a reluctant Harry Potter fan as a child. I had acquired the first three books as gifts from my grandmother as they came out. I have always been a reader, Amazon wish lists haven't always existed, I often was gifted books from Hot Picks! section of Costco. Nothing wrong with that. I've gotten lots of great books that way. But Harry Potter was POPULAR so that automatically made me think it SUCKED. I didn't want to like a popular book. I liked liking weirdo books that no one else was reading. (See also: Why I just read my first Jane Austen book this year.) So they sat on my shelf for a long time.

When I was a kid, ever summer for our vacation, my parents and I would take big, three-week long road trips all over the country. We saw many many national parks, very few tourist traps, everyone in the country we're related to, we saw A LOT out the window of our car. The trips were fantastic! I loved them! But you can't look out the window for three weeks so I brought books. Lots of books. I filled a crate with basically all the books I owned that I hadn't read and it usually wasn't enough... I'd usually read 10 - 15 books in a three week period. Ereaders hadn't been invented yet so I had to lug everything I wanted to read with me from home and after all the good stuff that I was super stoked to read was done with, I'd be left with the dregs. All the books I owned and hadn't read that I didn't care about got read on these trips. I didn't always enjoy them but I finished them because that's what I had.

 Harry Potter was part of the dregs. I have never been more happy to have been wrong about something. After that trip, I was a fan for life. I dressed up and waited in line for both midnight book releases and midnight movie releases, I asked my mom to make me wizard robes, I was hooked. And when the series ended, it was like a friend had died. I cried. I couldn't believe that this thing that had become such a huge part of my life was over. I was losing friends. A whole book full of friends. But the bright side is that Rowling was fairly young when she wrote the Potter novels and she has not been felled by any horrible ailments, thank Dumbledore. There was always a chance I'd get to see my friends again but I didn't dare hope. I didn't want to be disappointed when it didn't happen.

Having the opportunity to read a Harry Potter novel for the very first time again was such a joy. Sure, it is a play and not a novel and some things are lost and the story isn't as strong or complicated as I would have liked, but it was a Harry Potter book! With Ron! And Hermione! And Ginny! And Draco! It didn't matter that I wanted to punch Harry in the face, I was just happy to have him with me again. Being a play, it was a quick read and I cried when it was over because well, it was over... and who knows if I'll get another. It isn't perfect, but it is a story that is mine.

Book of the Month: July

July only saw five books finished and honestly, while nearly everything was good, there wasn't really a stand out from the bunch. I do have a stand out of what I did NOT like that I finished that month! I severely did not enjoy "Radiance," by Catherynne M. Valente. Despite all of that book's positive reviews, I found it to be an entirely bewildering and frustrating process. After our book club discussion, I gathered up a couple other books that have vexed me and traded them in for something that will hopefully be more agreeable when I get around to reading it.

I have followed Alan Cumming and his career since high school. He's played a loveable dweeb in some fantastic movies and honestly, I find him incredibly attractive. This is not one of those all-encompassing memoirs that take you through every moment of a celebrity's life starting at conception and ending at, "...and today I finished writing this book." This is a very focused story. This is the story of the tumultuous relationship that Alan has had with his father for the entirety of his life. Yes, we do get to see a young Alan grow up and have successes and struggles, but they all relate back to his father. His father's reactions, his father's rage, his father's temper, his father's undiagnosed mental illness. It is a heartbreaking emotional roller coaster as Alan tries to film a television show about his family history while dealing with the very present strife between he and his father.

Absolutely beautifully written and a totally captivating story. I hear that Alan has more stories in the works and I look forward to reading them very much.

Book of the Month: June

In the month of June I finished five books and only one of them was a graphic novel. I read some kind of intense non-fiction in June and I am glad to follow it up with things much lighter and fluffier... Well, for a little while. The non-fiction on deck is looking a bit tumultuous in ways that only non-fiction can be.

My favorite book completed in June is "Wild Swans," by Jung Chang. It is the story of three generations of women living through times of great change in China. It starts with the grandmother who was a concubine to a warlord, her daughter who was part of the uprising of the communist party, and her granddaughter (and author of the book) who lived through the cultural revolution and the time of Chairman Mao. This book is incredibly tense and heartbreaking at times, but it is an absolutely fascinating story. The cliché goes, "Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it," and I think this is a good example of that. Reincarnations of horrifying political powers do not always come back speaking the same language. I would challenge anyone who thinks that Mr. Trump has some really good ideas to investigate a little into the life of Chairman Mao. Many of his ideas for making China Great! sound awfully familiar and I admit that I had to put this book down and walk away from it at several points as the similarities were simply too apparent.

I recommend this book to anyone who has any interest in history, China, or simply how women have been treated in history. It is an absolutely worthwhile read.

Week 1: Follow Up

How many days this week did you do morning pages?
I didn't write on Friday because it was a very busy day and I just kind of forgot.

Did you do your artist's date this week?
I went to Brookings with my husband on Sunday. 

Did you get out on your weekly walk?
Yes and I look forward to going on more now that it is summer.

Were there any issues you felt were significant to your self-discovery?
I got two job offers this week and after the Orlando shooting, I have rededicated myself to spreading love.

Bookof the Month: May

In the month of May I finished five books, none of which were graphic novels. I've gotten to the end of my re-reading of The Sandman series and I've been rationing content to myself. Most of the books I finished were longer or more dense books that took a bit longer than normal to read or I had been sitting on for quite awhile for one reason or another. While all of the books I read in May were enjoyable in their own way, the one I enjoyed the most was read in nearly one sitting.

I am one of those people who receives a jury summon every three months like clockwork while my husband gets maybe one a year. This past month was the very first time I've ever been required to actually report in spite of the frequent requests. I brought two books with me, "Daring Greatly," which I was finishing up for my book club meeting and "The Argonauts," which was Emma Watson's pick for her book club. I sat in the courthouse basement for approximately four hours before I was dismissed. Thank goodness. They wanted to hook me into a six week long trial and that just wasn't happening.

"The Argonauts," is one of the most beautifully written memoirs I have ever encountered. It made so much sense when I later learned that Maggie Nelson is a poet by trade. The entire book breathed and flowed like a poem. It was delicate at times, tender like a kiss, and acid on the heart at others. The story is intimate. Maggie is experiencing the bodily and hormonal changes of pregnancy while her partner is experiencing the bodily and hormonal changes of transitioning from female to male. Their love for each other, their existing child, and their child to be is warm and tender and the way Maggie captures their experience is perfect.

This book broke my heart and sewed it back together. It has been a month since I read it and I'm getting misty-eyed just thinking about it. If you would like to borrow this book, I would be more than happy to lend it because I want everyone to read it.

Week 11: Check In

1. How many days this week did you do morning pages?

I wrote my pages every day though they often were not done in the morning. But they got done and that's what matters!

2. Did you go on an artist's date and where?

No, I didn't do an artist's date this week. I usually do them on the weekend sand we spent the weekend with Chris' dad and step-mom.

3. Did you go on your weekly walk?

Yes I strolled around old town and a bit around the neighborhood.

Week 11: Writing Tasks

Taking Heart

1. the smell of new books
2. the smell of old books
3. a good cup of tea
4. iced tea in summer
5. dark, dark chocolate
6. the smell of yeasty pastries rising
7. rain storms
8. thunder
9. an evening or afternoon where I am not expected to do anything
10. Harry Potter books
11. grey slacks
12. the Tea Girls paintings
13. people with equally twisted senses of humor
14. gay movies full of hope and love
15. hot, lavender scented baths
16. soft, non-itchy yarn
17. new pens that write beautifully
18. when someone you love enjoys something you cooked
19. live music
20. live theater
21. singing along to musical soundtracks at the time of my lungs
22. receiving non-bill mail
23. peach juice
24. lemon ice cream
25. cuddles

Week 10: Check-In

1. How many days this week did you do morning pages?
I did not write on Friday because I was home packing to leave town and making cupcakes.

2. Did you do an artist's date this week?
No I don't think I really did. I worked my butt off last week. I had a bunch of interviews and I did prep for future interviews and we went to visit the in-laws. No, I didn't really take me time.

3. Did you get in your weekly walk?
I did go on a short walk to the post office and back. That will have to suffice.

4. Were there any other issues this week that felt significant to you in your self-discovery?
Having to re-focus to finding a job and trying to make money causes me to forget to write sometimes.

Week 9: Check In

1. How many days this week did you do your morning pages?
Yes I wrote every day.

2. Did you do your Artist's Date?
I went out with a couple of friends and talked about books and movies so I think that counts.

3. Did you get in your weekly walk?
I did. I was home alone on Friday night so I did a nice long neighborhood walk. I met a friendly black cat on D Street which was pretty great.

4. Were there any other issues this week that felt significant to your self-discovery?
Job hunting has been getting me down and I've been finding lots of distractions lately.

Week 9: Tasks

Exactly the Way I am

1. I like my weird sense of humor
2. I like my eyes.
3. I like my too-long arms.
4. I like my positive outlook.
5. I like my creativity in the kitchen.
6. I like my pasta sauce.
7. I like being the cupcake lady.
8. I like my love of books.
9. I like that I am who people call for advice on tea.
10. I like that people call me for advice on cooking.
11. I like that I can self-entertain easily.
12. I like my lust for adventure.
13. I like that I don't ming losing games but just enjoy playing
14. I like that I am compassionate with others.
15. I like that people think I am intellectually older than my age.
16. I like the joys I find in food.
17. I like my drive for happiness.
18. I like my writing ability.
19. I like my hair (even the gray ones.)
20. I like the easiness of my personal style.

Take a Little Pity on Yourself

1. IT was generous of me to give a friend a free place to live for nearly a year.
2. It was thoughtful of me to make scarves and leave them around Old Town for the homeless this winter.
3. It was nice that I help my friends put their wedding together.
4. I was a good friend when I did not take a friend's drunken ramblings personally.
5. I was sensitive when I checked in on my friend who was having a rough time emotionally.
6. I did a good job when I was gracious to the person turning me down for a job.
7. I was very professional about an employer canceling my interview because they hired someone else.
8. I went beyond the call of duty when I baked a second wedding cake because my friend left out the first ones and ants got to it.
9. I deserve a thank you for all the momming I've done for young kids in the band.
10. I should get an Oscar for not yelling at the bank when they didn't find the $20 their ATM ate.

Week 8: Check-In

How many days this week did you do morning pages?
Every day

Did you do your artist's day this week?
I played in the park with my friends for an entire afternoon. It was great.

Did you get out on your weekly walk?
We started to but it was cold and we turned home.

Were there any issues you felt were significant to your self-discovery?
I feel like the anxiety caused by job hunting is hindering me creatively but I am doing my best to battle it for good.

Book of the Month: April

April was not a strong month for actually finishing books. I finished three books and they were all graphic novels and honestly, they were all my favorite. (I read Ms. Marvel vol. 1, Squirrel Girl vol. 2, and Sandman vol. 9) However I decided that Squirrel Girl could not be my favorite book of an entire month twice... Even though I'm totally in love with Squirrel Girl and will never stop being amused by the title, "Squirrel You Know It's True." Also, they now know me as the Squirrel Girl girl at my favorite local book/comic shop. (Ask me sometime about my Squirrel Girl/Deadpool movie idea. Call me, Marvel!)

Squirrels and girls aside, my favorite book of the month is The Sandman volume 9: The Kindly Ones. I am nearing the end of my re-read of the entire Sandman series and the building of my own collection as I read borrowed books the first time around. (Doing the same with Fables.) This is such a beautiful installation to the Sandman story. The love between The Endless is very apparent and the close ties between Death and Dream are both beautiful and heartbreaking. This is a series I have been in love with for quite a long time and I am sad to have it come to an end again. Volume 10 is sitting on my shelf and I believe that is where it will stay until I can find the perfect Saturday afternoon to consume the thing whole in one sitting with a pot of good tea.

May is already better for finishing books. I started several books in April that are a bit more time consuming than most either because of length or because the content just needed extra special attention. But I have been able to give them the attention they need and will be able to move on soon.

As always, if you want thorough updates on my reading habits, find me on GoodReads!

Week 8: Writing Tasks

Make Something for Someone Else, No to be Somebody

Chris - add lots of love notes and memories to our memory jar
Sophie - learn how to make vegan creme brulee
The Band - make them green and gold scarves for football games
Ladies' book club - bake them tasty treats for each meeting
Margarita - sing her songs and bake her cookies

Week 7: Checking In

1. How many days this week did you do your morning pages?
 I did not write on Friday because we went out of town. I wrote the rest of the week.

2. Did you do your artist's date?
I think the beer festival and camping with friends counts as an artist's date.

3. Did you go on your weekly walk?
I walked all over hill and yon for beer this weekend.

4. Were there any significant issues the week for your self-discovery?
I realized once again that I have amazing artist friends who are very supportive and encouraging of one another and that is fantastic.

Week 7: Tasks

Easy Does it, But Do Do It

Switch my winter clothes for my summer clothes
Dust the ceilings
Clean out the refrigerator
Clear the countertops
Sort through the basement

Geography

What culture other than your own speaks to you? Russians
What age other than the one we’re in resonates with your sensibilities? The 1930s
What foreign cuisine feels like home in your palate? Italian
What exotic smells give you a sense of expansion and well-being? Indian food
What spiritual tradition intrigues you beyond your own? Buddhism
What music from another culture plucks your heartstrings? Celtic
In another age, what physical age do you see yourself? mid-30s
In another culture and time, what is your sex? gay man
Do you enjoy period movies? Or movies, period? Not terribly keen on my period movies. Loved “The Great Gatsby,” though.
If you were to write a film, what age and time, what place and predicament, would you choose to explore? Homosexual musician in new york in the 1930

Learning to Navigate the Learning Curve

1. Bake fresh bread
2. Drive stick
3. Use a Mac
4. Photoshop
5. Spin poi
6. Beef wellington
7. haikus
8. be a people person
9. ice skate
10. be more aggressive

Week 6: Check in

1. How many days this week did you write?
I missed Monday because we were on the road home from LA. I wrote every other day.

2, Did you do your Artist's Date this week?
Staying in and recharging my batteries will be my artist's date this week. I did go to yoga though which is good for my brain.

3. Did you go on your weekly walk?
I lost three pounds from dancing this weekend but no, I did not go on my walk. It's raining here. Yes, still.

4. Were there any other issues this week that felt significant to your self discovery?
I feel like the universe may be guiding me toward kitchen arts for awhile. I still want to write, but it doesn't seem like a priority at the moment.

Week 6: Writing Tasks

A Room of Your Own

1. I could sit in Bittersweet and eat pie and drink cider.
2. I could bring a folding chair to the beach.
3. I could sit in the rose garden at Sequoia Park.
4. I could make a little nest in a redwood tree stump.
5. I could turn a closet into an office.
6. I could come into the shop later.
7. I could designate a day just for creative work.
8. I could cat sit for a friend and bring my writing.
9. I could make the most of my husband going out of town without me.
10. I could cafe hop all around town.

Communing with Community

1. A daily ritual I could take in community is taking a walk around my neighborhood.
2. A community paper I could read is The Lostcoast Outpost.
3. A community store I could support is Eureka Natural Foods.
4. A community concern I could support is taking care of the homeless population.
5. A community service I could volunteer is working the local NPR station's phone drive.

Interestingly, I live in a very community focused area and these are all things I already do on a regular basis.

Book of the Month: March

I read seven books in March, five of which were written by women, two of which were graphic novels (one was a graphic novel written by a woman!). I actually read several things that I found somewhat disappointing this month which is unfortunate but I suppose it was good to get them all over with in one go.

My favorite book from March was "The Bell Jar," by Sylvia Plath. This is a feminist classic and I have been meaning to read it for quite some time but had never made time for it. I assumed it would would be like many other feminist classics and be kind of awkward, uncomfortable, and somewhat man-hating. I was very pleased to find this wasn't the case! While the story is quite twisted and sad, I found this slice-of-life story to be incredibly interesting. It entirely captured my attention.

This month's Women Reading Women selection was "The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance," by Elna Baker. The Our Shared Shelf section for March was "All About Love," by Bell Hooks. I found the Women Reading Women book to be fun and witty. I did not enjoy "All About Love." I found it to be both heavy-handed and dated.