I Need More Nonfiction in My Life--And to Get Moving

I like Lisa's (from Lit and Life) perspective on joining challenges this year, that they are not so much challenges but rather reminders to herself of books she wants to read. There are quite a few nonfiction books collecting dust on my shelves I have yet to read, but would like to. It is time I pull them off the shelf and actually read them. I am not setting my goals high, especially since the first three months of this year I am devoting to the TBR Triple Dog Dare and COYER (although I think I have a few that might qualify), but there are plenty of months after they both end, and by then I will be more than ready to settle into some of my older books.

The Nonfiction Challenge is hosted by Jennifer of The Introverted Reader. Running from January 1st to December 31st, this challenge requires participants to read a certain number of nonfiction books depending on whatever level the reader decides to join in on. I am going for the lowest, the Dilletante Level, and will be reading between 1 and 5 nonfiction books. I read only two this past year, and would like to beat that record if possible.

Some of the Possibilities:

• Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer
• The Devil & Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness & Obsession by David Grann
• Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh
• Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
• The Devil's Highway: A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
• Viper Pilot: A Memoir of Air Combat by Dan Hampton
• Pistols and Petticoats: 175 Years of Lady Detectives in Fact and Fiction by Erika Janik
• A Deadly Wandering: A Tale of Tragedy and Redemption in the Age of Attention by Matt Richtel
• Mission at Nuremberg: An American Army Chaplain and the Trial of the Nazis by Tim Townsend
• The Maximum Security Book Club: Reading Literature in a Men's Prison by Mikita Brottman

Are there any nonfiction books you are looking forward to reading this year? Have you read any of my possible choices? If so, what did you think?

Perhaps the most important (to me) challenge I want to join in on this year is FitReaders hosted by Felicia of The Geeky Blogger's Book Blog and Jen from That's What I'm Talking About, in which I make the commitment to be more physically active. I am not a runner, and I do not often take walks other than family strolls. I do not own an actual Fitbit, nor do I plan to get one. And that's okay by the challenge rules, thank goodness. The point is to be more active, to get up and exercise regardless of how I choose to do it, and that's just what I plan to do. There was a time in my life when I was good about exercising regularly. I remember how good I felt when I was exercising, the high it gave me,  and the changes I saw in my body and in my health. I want to feel that again. I want to strive to be healthier, to lose weight, and ease some of these aches and pains.

I am starting out slowly to ease my way back into a regular routine. Leslie Sansone and I are old friends (although she's never actually met me), and it is time we become reacquainted.  By mid-year or thereabouts, I hope to be doing Sansone's 4-mile walk at least once a week (with four days being a variations of the 2 to 3-mile walks). By the end of the year, I would like to have done her 5-mile walk at least twice. Sound reasonable? I think so.

I can use all the morale support I can get with this one! And I am looking forward to joining the great group of readers who will be doing this challenge alongside me. 

Are you ready to get moving with me?

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© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Beyond the Books: My Inspiration

Every Thursday Karen of KissinBlueKaren hosts Beyond the Books, at which time participants are given a topic and asked to write about it on their own blogs. They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Today Karen's Beyond the Books topic is about Post four things that are currently inspiring you.

1. My daughter inspires me to be a better person--a better woman really, to live in the moment, enjoy the small details, to take time out to play, and appreciate what we have. It comes in the form of her smile and laughter, even her tears. She forgives so quickly and accepts me for who I am--loves me for who I am. It comes out in her words and her actions. There are days I wish I was more like her. Days in which she reminds me of what is most important.

 Mouse Riding Her New Bicycle

2. My husband's ability to make me laugh as well as be honest with myself, how supportive he is and the time he takes to listen to me (even when it's to rehash a book I have just read to get my thoughts about it out of my head), the notes he writes on my sandwich bags that I find when I sit down at work to eat lunch, the way he makes me feel beautiful even when I'm feeling at my worst, and how good he is with our daughter are just a few ways in which my husband inspires me. My husband is also my best friend.

My husband and I at Disneyland in October 2015

3. My mom is an amazing woman--so generous and industrious. She is extremely active, volunteers to tutor, substitutes as a teacher and acts as an aide for a special education class at the school she used to teach at full-time, she travels and seems to live a full life. I can only hope to be like her when I am her age--and wish I had even half her energy and enthusiasm for life in the present day.

My mom reading to Mouse - December 2015

4. Books. For those of us who are readers, this one is rather self-explanatory, I imagine. Books have opened so many doors for me, challenged me, gave me pause for thought, helped me cope during the darkest of my days, cheered me up, made me sad, given me release and hope, and helped me see what was, what is, and what could be. Books have inspired me in a myriad of ways. Books are so much more than just words on a page.

Float at the Rose Parade 2016

What or who inspires you most today?

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Bookish Thoughts: Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley

Charlotte Bronte dipped her pen into the inkwell and dabbed in on a blotter. ~ Opening of Worlds of Ink and Shadow

Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley

Amulet Books, 2016

Fantasy; 352 pgs
Source: NetGalley

From Goodreads: 

Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne. The Brontë siblings have always been inseparable. After all, nothing can bond four siblings quite like life in an isolated parsonage out on the moors. Their vivid imaginations lend them escape from their strict upbringing, actually transporting them into their created worlds: the glittering Verdopolis and the romantic and melancholy Gondal. But at what price? As Branwell begins to slip into madness and the sisters feel their real lives slipping away, they must weigh the cost of their powerful imaginations, even as their characters—the brooding Rogue and dashing Duke of Zamorna—refuse to let them go. 

Lena Coakley's Witchlanders was among my favorites the year I read it. I was blown away by the world building, the characters and the overall story. I have been anxiously awaiting another book by the author and so jumped at the chance to read Worlds of Ink and Shadow when it became available on NetGalley. I admit to being a little nervous about the subject matter. I do not generally gravitate towards fictionalized stories starring real-life people. But we are talking about the Brontë siblings, and a fantasy novel to boot. How could I resist?

Charlotte is the oldest of the four children, and very responsible and practical. Still, she is a romantic at heart. As the story progressed, I liked her more and more. And not just because she would go on to write one of my all-time favorite novels, Jane Eyre. The second oldest, Branwell, was more of a wild card, a definite risk taker. He was always trying to best his sister Charlotte. Both Branwell and Charlotte shared a friendly rivalry as siblings often do, but it was sometimes fraught with jealousy and pettiness.

I am surprised no one wanted to ring Emily's neck, given her rather dreamy and at times thoughtless behavior. This isn't to say I did not like Emily. She is such an interesting character, not to mention quite strong-willed and daring. I could not help but draw comparisons between her book, Wuthering Heights, and the Emily Lena Coakley has created. I was quite curious about Anne, the youngest. As much as I like outspoken heroines, the quiet ones often win me over the most. Anne was no exception. She was the voice of reason, and the one who tried to keep everyone grounded.

It is over the course of the novel, seeing the imaginary worlds or touches added by each sibling, that the reader gets a more complete view of just who the Brontës might have been in their younger years. It made the fictional characters the siblings created even more interesting in their own ways too.

The novel has a somewhat mythical quality about it, which reminded me a little of author Lisa Tuttle and her subtle style of weaving myth in with reality. Lena Coakley takes a similar approach, taking advantage of the setting and superstitions of the time and threading them into her story.

The novel is extremely slow in setting up; although I suppose the reader is given an opportunity to understand just the type of relationships the siblings shared as well as what their life was like while growing up. It really dragged for me though, and I seriously considered giving up several times early on. It wasn't until I hit page 97 or so that I knew I was in it for the long haul. The book picked up for me as details about the crossing over into the not-so-imaginary worlds created by the Brontë siblings began to solidify. I still have mixed feelings just the same. I was involved in the story and characters enough to want to know what happened, to see where Coakley would take me, the reader, but this isn't a book I came away loving, I am sad to say. I always felt like I was on the outside looking in. And I never quite got over the feeling of wishing it could be more than what it was--that something more would happen.

As a perpetual daydreamer, there was a part of me that wished I could do just what the Brontë siblings were able to do--create and step into the worlds my daydreams sometimes take me--become a part of the stories. Isn't that one of the reasons I enjoy reading and writing? It's probably best I stay on this side of the book and paper, however, especially given the experiences of the Brontës in this novel!  While this one did not quite live up to my expectations, I am curious what Lena Coakley will come up with next.

To learn more about Lena Coakley and her work, please visit the author's website. She can also be found on Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook.

Challenge Requirement Met for COYER.

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (01/05/2016)

I have just started reading Katarina Bivald's The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend. The novel opens with a letter from Amy in Iowa to her pen pan and fellow reader Sara in Sweden. I am skipping over the letter that acts more as a preface to the first chapter for today's first paragraph offering. The cover will take you to Goodreads where you can read more about the book, if interested.

Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

The strange woman standing on Hope's main street was so ordinary it was almost scandalous. A thin, plain figure dressed in an autumn coat much too gray and warm for the time of year, a backpack laying on the ground by her feet, an enormous suitcase resting against one of her legs. Those who happened to witness her arrival couldn't help feeling it was inconsiderate for someone to care so little about their appearance. As though this woman was not the slightest bit interested in making a good impression on them.

Every Tuesday, Jenn from A Daily Rhythm hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two (2 or 3) "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.

She didn't seem to care at all that she was in Hope. It was as if she had just landed there, with book and luggage and uncombed hair, and might just as well have been in any other town in the world. She was standing on one of the most beautiful streets in Cedar County, maybe even the prettiest in east central Iowa, but the only thing she had eyes for was her book. ~ Teaser from 1%

and 

"What're you going to do there?"
"Read."
He shook his head.
"As a holiday," she explained. ~ Teaser from 2%

What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

I am a still barely into the novel as you can see, and I could not help but share these two teasers along with the opening paragraph. You can guess why, given the reading references. The woman in the opening and teasers is a woman after my own heart. You would likely find me reading in a similar situation too. And, oh, how I would love a reading vacation!

What are you reading at the moment?  Is it anything you would recommend?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday theme is Top Ten Resolutions I Have for 2016, which I am combining with last week's topic: Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2016. This is in essence my list of Top Ten Books Most Anticipated Releases I Plan to Read in the First Half of 2016. (I am making sure not to include any of the 2016 debut titles I listed previously.)

1.

Death Sits Down for Dinner by Tessa Arlen ~ The second in the Lady Montfort series, set in Edwardian London.

2.

The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian ~ Chris Bohjalian does not shy away from writing about difficult issues, This particular novel deals with human trafficking.

3.

Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase ~ I believe I first heard about this one thanks to one of my fellow Top Ten participants. A Gothic Manor, broken hearts, secrets . . .

4.

The Rain Sparrow by Linda Goodnight ~ I admit it was the title that first drew me to this novel. A combination of romance and mystery, this is the story of a thriller writer running from his past and an inn keeper who is afraid of her own shadow.

5.

Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon ~ I am so excited about this one! A mystery full with secrets galore, and an interesting cast of characters--all set on the Hindenburg in 1937.

6.

The Passenger by Lisa Lutz ~ A woman flees after her husband's death, changing identities, trying to outrun her past.

7.

What Lies Between Us by Nayomi Munaweera ~ From Sri Lanka to America, growing up under the weight of a past which won't let go. This sounds like it will be quite the emotional read.

8.

The Witches of Cambridge by Menna van Praag ~ I enjoy this authors writing and am curious about her upcoming title which features witches--secrets, of course--and maybe even love.

9.

Moonlight Over Paris by Jennifer Robson ~ I will likely read anything Jennifer Robson writes, and this novel set in the 1920's Paris is no different.

10.

The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by Kirsten Weiss ~ I found the title and cover of this cozy too enticing too pass up. Murder and ghosts? I couldn't resist that either.

Are you looking forward to reading any new releases in the next few months?

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Sunday Post: Happy 2016!

The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. 

I hope your year has gotten off to a good start! Please pull up a chair and tell me what you have been up to. Did you do anything special to bring in the New Year? What are you reading at the moment? 

What I Am Reading: I currently am reading The Night Parade by Kathryn Tanquary. It came recommended by my friend and fellow blogger, Caspette of Narrative Causality. I am quite enjoying it so far! The Japanese setting and mythical aspects are what initially drew me to the story initially. I have not quite settled on my next book, although Chris Bohjalian's The Guest Room has been calling my name rather loudly these days.

What I Am Listening To: For years my brother-in-law made CD's for my husband and I featuring songs he thought we would like--he knows us well. He fell behind a number of years ago, and surprised us this Christmas with a stack of CD's of music over the past decade. I have not had a chance to listen to the CD's but plan to pop one in on my way to work on Monday.

What I Am Watching: My husband and I are continuing to re-watch the Doctor Who reboot, working toward getting caught up. We are in the second season now. It's been ages since we last watched a show together. Even Mouse is getting into it.

We have also seen the movie Inside Out three times this week.  And the Nightmare Before Christmas at least four times since then as well. Seriously. My 4 1/2 year old who has never shown an interest in watching movies on her own (I don't count Caillou's Holiday Movie) has asked to see them repeatedly since we first watched them. This is the girl who throws a fit whenever her dad or I ask her if she wants to see a movie or start one up, who gets bored easily during a movie, and never wants to re-watch a movie (except Caillou's Holiday Movie). So, this is a big deal in our house. 

Around the Blogosphere:

The end of the year surveys and top ten best of lists are among my favorites. Here are a few from some of the blogs I follow:

• Top Ten Reads of 2015 by Melody of Melody's Reading Corner
• Favorite Reads for 2015 by Diane of Bibliophile by the Sea
• 2015 Statistical Roundup by Marie of Boston Bibliophile
• 10 Books That Made My Year by Megan of Leafing Through Life
• Favorite Books of 2015 by Andi of Estella's Revenge
• 2015 End of Year Book Survey by Kelly of The Written World
• 2015 Books by Lori of She Treads Softly
• 2015 Book Favorites and Stats by Stacy of Stacy's Books
• 2015 End-of-Year Book Survey by Becca of I'm Lost in Books
• Top Ten Reads of 2015 by Samantha of Booked on a Feeling
• Favorite Books of 2015 – Adult Edition by Kathy of BermudaOnion's Weblog
• 2015 Year In Review - Favorites by Nise' of Under the Boardwalk
• 2015: The Year in Review by Aarti of BookLust
• Top Ten Reads of 2015 by Samantha of Booked on a Feeling
• Top Ten Reads of 2015 by Joy of Thoughts of Joy
• 2015 End-Of-Year Book Survey by Lindsay of Lindsay's Library
• Favorites & Year In Review by Iliana of Bookgirl's Nightstand
• Top Ten Reads of 2015 by Anna of Diary of an Eccentric
• 2015 In Review by Memory of In the Forest of Stories
• 2015 BEST BOOKS, LOOKING AHEAD, HAPPY NEW YEAR! by Pat of Posting for Now
• Top Ten Reads of 2015 by Joy of Thoughts of Joy

What's Going On Off the Blog: The Holidays are behind us, and it is time to return to some semblance of a normal routine. The last of my company will be leaving tomorrow morning as I head to work. We had a nice quiet New Year's Eve celebration; went to bed early, all so we could get up early for the Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year's Day. To think the parade began 127 years as a local celebration and has now become a New Year's tradition across the U.S. It's quite different to experience in person than to watch it on television. The floats are pretty on screen, but in person . . . You can see the flowers and detail put into the floats so much more clearly. It takes about a year to make many of the floats in the parade--it's obvious a lot of work goes into them. We had a nice time at the parade, bundled up as warm as could be. We had decent seats in the bleachers. Although being short can be a curse even then. We were pretty much crammed in like sardines. Still, it was all worth it. Mouse did amazingly well given we arrived at the parade grounds at 5:45 a.m., with the parade coming our way just after 9 a.m.

My favorites of the floats (I'm going 

through a dragon phase; what can I say?)

We also decided to take advantage of our San Diego Zoo season passes which will expire soon and went to the San Diego Safari Park in Escondido. It's my favorite of the two San Diego Zoo parks because of how open it is for the animals and for all the work done to help the conservation effort. Mouse was most excited about seeing the gorillas this trip. We got in a lot of walking and had a great time. I may have overdone it taking giraffe photos (if you follow me on Facebook, you know what mean).

 Brushing a goat (not the one that tried to eat my sweater)

Giraffe

Today I my family and I are taking it easy. Sleeping in hopefully. Because I still have family in from out of town, I may not be able to get online much.

Challenge & Dare Update: I am already three books into my COYER challenge, although I have only posted the review of one of those books. The other two, the What's In a Name? and The TBR Triple Dog Dare just began this past Friday, and so I have not had much time to make progress on either one. 

This Past Week In Reading Mews:

• Where Is Your Bookmark? (Top Ten Reads of 2015 Edition)
• 2015: Year in Review
• First Sentences 2015
• Books Read in 2015 

Help me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Sunday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow. While I will attempt to post my review that same month, I make no promises--it may go up the following month. 

Do you see a common thread in the books I am choosing this month? All seem to be rather intense ones from the sound of it. The book covers are linked to Goodreads if you want more information about each book.

What She Knew by Gilly MacMillan ~ Described as a psychological thriller about a mother in search for her missing  8-year-old son, this one promises to be heart-wrenching and impossible to put down.

One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis ~ One day, seemingly happy and successful Emily walks out of her home--and her life--to take on a completely new one. In this psychological thriller, the reader cannot help but want to keep reading to find out why.

The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly ~ This one has Jurassic Park written all over it.  But set in China. It sounds liked it could be exciting. And scary.

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 © 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.