Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr

Title: Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World

Author: Anthony Doerr

Publisher: Scribner 2007

Genre: Travel memoir

Pages: 210

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NonAd); Nonfiction

Exquisitely observed, Four Seasons in Rome describes Doerr's varied adventures in one of the most enchanting cities in the world. He reads Pliny, Dante, and Keats -- the chroniclers of Rome who came before him—and visits the piazzas, temples, and ancient cisterns they describe. He attends the vigil of a dying Pope John Paul II and takes his twins to the Pantheon in December to wait for snow to fall through the oculus. He and his family are embraced by the butchers, grocers, and bakers of the neighborhood, whose clamor of stories and idiosyncratic child-rearing advice is as compelling as the city itself.

I listen to a podcast called What Should I Read Next? This was a recommended read a few weeks back. I loved Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See so I was intrigued about his travel memoir based on part of the time that he wrote the novel. This slim volume is a love letter to Rome punctuated by musings of parenthood and insomnia. I loved getting to know Doerr and his family. I especially loved his descriptions of the fountains of Rome. Overall, I really enjoyed this memoir. It made me want to travel to Rome immediately.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner #1)

Author: James Dashner

Publisher: Delacorte Press 2009

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 374

Rating: 3/5 stars  Movie: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NPR YA; 100 YA); Popsugar - Recommended by Someone You Just Met; Books to Movies

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.

Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Everything is going to change.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying. Remember. Survive. Run.

I feel like I would have really liked this book if I was a 13-year-old boy. (In fact, maybe I should give it to the twins to read this summer...) As I am not a in fact a 13-year-old boy, this book felt a bit tired and predictable. It definitely has a big influence from Lord of the Flies. And it reminded me of The Hunger Games series. Which isn't to say that it's a bad book. I just think I've read too much to be blown away by it. Other than the predictability, my biggest complaint is with the lack of characterization. I wanted to get more from the characters and their motivations. Unfortunately, the books glosses over a lot of that in favor of lots of action. Oh well. I'll keep reading the series. Now I want to know more about WICKED and the trials.

Movie:

J and I both agree that the movie was better than we excepted, but it still wasn't that good. I understand most of the changes from the book. They make sense for the movie. And I did enjoy the visuals for the maze. Nice to see it up close and personal. I wasn't a fan of how they changed the grievers. I like their design in the book much better. I still have issues with some of the character motivations and the entire premise of the series. But that's to be excepted. We have the second movie sitting on the server, but I would like to read the second book before watching the movie.

The Maze Runner

• #0.5 The Kill Order
• #0.6 The Fever Code
• #1 The Maze Runner
• #2 The Scorch Trials
• #2.5 Thomas's First Memory of the Flare
• #3 The Death Cure
• #3.5 The Maze Runner Files

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Title: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

Author: Robin Sloan

Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux 2012

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 305

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Popsugar -- Set in Home State (bit of a cheat, but I'm claiming California as my home state now)

The Great Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon out of his life as a San Francisco Web-design drone—and serendipity, sheer curiosity, and the ability to climb a ladder like a monkey has landed him a new gig working the night shift at Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. But after just a few days on the job, Clay begins to realize that this store is even more curious than the name suggests. There are only a few customers, but they come in repeatedly and never seem to actually buy anything, instead "checking out" impossibly obscure volumes from strange corners of the store, all according to some elaborate, long-standing arrangement with the gnomic Mr. Penumbra. The store must be a front for something larger, Clay concludes, and soon he's embarked on a complex analysis of the customers' behavior and roped his friends into helping to figure out just what's going on. But once they bring their findings to Mr. Penumbra, it turns out the secrets extend far outside the walls of the bookstore.

One of my book club selections for March. It was recommended by a friends, and I'm so glad we choose it. By the end of the first chapter, I was hooked. A mysterious bookstore in San Francisco? Sounds like the perfect place! As the story progressed, the plot went someone I did not anticipate, but was definitely entertaining. I loved following the twists and turns and attempting to solve the mystery before Clay. While some of the characters were not my favorite (hello Kat), I enjoyed most of them and realize their place in the story. Definitely recommend to all the bibliophiles in my acquaintance.

Music Monday -- Halestorm "Mayhem"

Have to support the lady rockers! 

Life Right Now #7

As I look outside my window: Gray and a bit foggy. The usual weather for my birthday weekend.

Right now I am: Eating breakfast. I know pretty boring...

Thinking and pondering: I got a free coffee from Starbucks for my birthday. The trick is that it expires today... Ugh Starbucks! I get 48 hours to use my birthday reward? I really want my free latte, but that requires packing up the toddler, driving to Starbucks, and getting out of the car because the closest Starbuck's drive through is all the way at Bay Fair. Should I go???

On my bedside table: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan; I, Robot by Isaac Asimov; The Manhattan Projects Vo. 3-5

On my tv this week: Lots of Turn S2. I so love that show!

Listening to: Arthur babbles. He's nonstop talking lately.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Bacon, Cheese, Peach Paninis
• Tuesday - Bacon and Spinach Pasta
• Wednesday - Leftovers
• Thursday-Saturday - Retreat!!!!
• Sunday - ??? I'll probably pick up something easy on the way back from the retreat.

On my to do list: Pack for the retreat!!!!

Happening this week:

• Monday - Cleaning day
• Tuesday - Possibly a trip to Mel's Play Place for Arthur
• Wednesday - Quick shopping trip for the retreat; MVPA Board meeting
• Thursday-Sunday - MVPA Retreat!!!!

What I am creating: Stamp Club cards -- One down, I have two cards to go

My simple pleasures: Yummy food -- We had German potato salad, pickle wraps, Ring of Fire chicken, brats, chips and dip, pasta salad, and delicious chocolate cake for my birthday cookout yesterday. Today, we get leftovers!

Looking around the house: I'm really needing to do a deep clean on the bathrooms this week...

From the camera: My first attempt at making scones. The consistency was a bit off, but they were oh so yummy!

The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell

Title: The Partly Cloudy Patriot

Author: Sarah Vowell

Publisher: Simon & Schuster 2002

Genre: History

Pages: 197

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NonAd); Nonfiction; 52 Books - W10

In this insightful and funny collection of personal stories Vowell travels through the American past and in doing so ponders a number of curious questions: Why is she happiest when visiting the sites of bloody struggles like Salem or Gettysburg? Why do people always inappropriately compare themselves to Rosa Parks? Why is a bad life in sunny California so much worse than a bad life anywhere else? What is it about the Zen of foul shots? And, in the title piece, why must doubt and internal arguments haunt the sleepless nights of the true patriot?

Her essays confront a wide range of subjects, themes, icons, and historical moments: Ike, Teddy Roosevelt, and Bill Clinton; Canadian Mounties and German filmmakers; Tom Cruise and Buffy the Vampire Slayer; twins and nerds; the Gettysburg Address, the State of the Union, and George W. Bush's inauguration.

So I love Sarah Vowell. She is funny, but also insightful and relevant. Sometimes she writes exactly what I am thinking about a situation. I think she's my spirit animal. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of essays. I love her perspective. My favorite essay was about Gettysburg. I had many of the same thoughts when I visited years ago. My only issue with this collection is that some of the essays feel very dated when reading them 14 years after the fact. I remember the events, but wow, such old news. Still an entertaining read for this history buff!

February 2016 Clothing Summary

This past summer I participated in a capsule wardrobe challenge. I learned a lot from three months of wearing ~40 pieces. One of the biggest things that I learned was that I hate most of my wardrobe. I have so many ill-fitting and/or not my style pieces cluttering my closet. After completing the summer capsule wardrobe, I decided to take the fall off from that particular challenge and work on building a wardrobe I love. To that end, I started buying clothes agin. But not just any old clothes. No more purchases from the clearance rack “just because it’s cheap.” No more keeping things that don’t quite fit. No more buying things that i love on the mannequin but look silly on me. No more buying clothes that I realistically won’t wear. Instead, I’m trying to be very selective in my buying. So, dear readers, I am going to share with you what I bought during the past month. I will post links if the item is still available and prices i paid. I don’t have a specific budget, but definitely don’t want to spend more than $100 a month. (Realistically I’m aiming for around $40 a month). You will also get to see pieces I bought that I ended up returning. By December, I want to be able to say that I bought some great pieces that I wear often. I also want to plan for a possible winter capsule wardrobe… I decided to add a running total for 2016 at the bottom. I know some months I won't buy anything and other months I'll splurge. I would like to monitor my total spent...

LuLaRoe

A friend and I hosted an online pop-up party. I ended up buying four things the night of the party, but two of those items were free because of our rewards. Woohoo! The next week, I shopped at another online pop-up for another pair of leggings.

Randy Top -- Very stylish and fits well

Irma Tunic and Black Leggings -- Their leggings are incredibly soft and comfy and I love that the Irma covers my bum.

Printed leggings -- I wanted something that would coordinate with my turquoise Irma top. (Kept forgetting to take a real world pic, so this one is from the pop-up.) I bought #6

Perfect Tee -- Paired with previously purchased Cassie Skirt.

Dia & Co. Box -- I had one scheduled for the end of February, but they pushed it back due to increased demand. I got it yesterday, so I will put that box in March's clothing summary.

February Total: $84.75

Total for 2016: $141.74

Morning Glories Vol. 4-8

Title: Morning Glories Volume 4 Truants; Volume 5; Volume 6; Volume 7; Volume 8

Author: Nick Spencer, Joe Eisma

Publisher: Image 2013; 2014; 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 216; 136; 144; 124; 120

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; I Love Libraries

Volume 4: Still reeling from the climactic events of "P.E.," the Glories find themselves lost in time and space, confronted by a new group of students who might be even more dangerous than the faculty themselves — the truants! Questions are answered and new mysteries emerge as Season One comes to a shocking end!

Volume 5: The Glories are scattered, The Faculty broken, and The Truants on the attack! Collecting the explosive, mind-bending Season 2 premiere event, "Tests.

Volume 6: The Glories are scattered, the Faculty is broken, and the Truants are on the attack!

Volume 7: The Truants are back in class, and that means new mysteries abound! And whatever happened to Abraham? The answer to that question and more as Season Two races on!

Volume 8: It's time to stop running! Allegiances are formed, rivals are challenged, and the Glories take a defiant stand against the faculty in the explosive turning point-arc "Assembly."

I am so invested in this storyline. I sped read through five volumes and am left hungering for even more. I dove into the Truants storyline and made even more connections to the characters. Irina is fascinating, Ian is an enigma, and Akiko is just plan awesome. I can't wait to see how their stories interact with the original Glories. And I think Ms. Hodge is my new favorite overall character. As to the plot, I was on pins and needles waiting to find out what happens next. I even gasped aloud at a few of the crazier plot twists. Some questions have been answered (I think), but so many more have been raised in these volumes. I need Volume 9!

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• Last night I was feeling good, so I had chips and guacamole for dinner. That was unbelievably delicious!
• My reading is currently off the charts. Loving it!
• Water, water is good...
• Finished the retreat crafts today, I can't wait until we actually leave! One more week!
• But I still need to make Saturday night dinner reservations. Ugh! I always remember when they are closed.
• Still hoping to finish 5 more design team cards before we leave for Indiana.
• I can never resist stopping at Daiso when I pass one... Obsessed with their crafty products!
• Scones sound amazing right now. Maybe I will try and make some tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Monthly Life Goals March 2016

Let’s check in on February’s goals and my progress.

• 30 Day Challenge: No pop — Success! I did it! As a test, I tried a sip of Coke yesterday and it tasted bland. I think I will continue this habit.
• 30 Day Challenge: No eating out —Going to call this a success. We didn't completely cut this habit, but we cut it down a ton.
• Money fast —Also going to call this a success. I did pretty good with cutting our budget and unnecessary spending. But we need to do more with this goal.
• Read at least 3000 pages —Success! I read 3895 pages in the shortest
• Get moving on my TED talk goal —Fail!
• Schedule a dentist appointment -- Fail!

March's Goals: We're traveling for the second half of the month so I'm keeping my goals light.

• 30 Days of Journaling -- Not necessarily a big entry on anything, but more like 30 days of writing. It could be part of my 30 Things Class, a blog post, or a reflective piece.
• Read at least 3000 pages -- Trying again even with all the traveling.
• Dive into Bullet Journaling -- I'm thinking about switching things up and starting this. Need to time to research and see if it's the right fit.
• Get moving on my TED talk goal -- Trying this again...

Morning Glories Volume 1-3

Title: Morning Glories Volume 1; Volume 2 All Will Be Free; Volume 3 P.E.

Author: Nick Spencer, Joe Eisma

Publisher: Image 2011; 2012

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 192; 168; 240

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; 52 Books - W9; I Love Libraries

Vol. 1: Morning Glory Academy is one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country... but something sinister and deadly lurks behind its walls. When six gifted, but troubled, students arrive, they find themselves trapped and fighting for their lives as the secrets of the academy reveal themselves!

Vol. 2: Collecting the second story arc of the smash series in one volume. Learn (some) of the secrets in the Glories' lives as we delve into their pasts and see how it affects their present. Each chapter focuses on a different Glory while maintaining the narrative and moving the mystery forward.

Vol. 3: The critically acclaimed, smash-hit series rolls on with this collection of the blockbuster third arc, "P.E.!" The first days were just the beginning — when the faculty cancels classes and sends the students on an outing in the nearby woods, all hell breaks loose, sending the Glories on a mysterious journey through time and space. Nothing is what it seems to be as Academy's hold on the kids collapses and new threats emerge!

Picked these volumes up on a whim at the library and am so glad I did. This series is just amazing. I've heard it described as Gossip Girl meets Lost and that's a pretty apt description. We get all the drama of high school, but coupled with a bigger mystery and lots of deception. I sped through the first three volumes. By the end of the third volume, I'm still super lost as to what's really going on, but I'm enjoying the journey. Now I need to return to the library and grabbed the next couple of volumes...

Happiness Project: March

Last year, I read Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project and it really spoke to me. I know that I often put myself last on the priority list. This year, I want to be more intentional about my goals and monthly plans. So I am modifying Rubin’s plan to fit my life. To help keep me accountable, I will be posting my goals and progress here on the blog. I’ve also helped create an in-person group through the parent’s group. We are sharing our goals and progress and meeting once a month for a check-in.

For March, I originally had marriage as my focus. Poor planning on my part considering that Arthur and I will be gone for the last half of the month. Instead of going ahead with my original plan, I've decided to switch March and April. So now my March focus is work.

Goals for March:

• Redo my blogs -- Need to rethink my approach, schedules, and overall plan
• Push Thirty-One to next level -- Hoping to get a bit more of a stable footing
• Reevaluate Stampin' Up demonstrator status -- Potentially drop or push forward more classes and stamp club
• Learn how to use our DSLR for blog/business work -- I've never actually picked it up, but I want to teach myself.
• (continuation) Keep frivolous spending to zero
• (continuation) Donate, sell, trash
• (continuation) No pop
• (continuation) Commit to fresh flowers and natural room scents
• (continuation) Be aware of judgements
• (continuation) Establish daily and weekly routines

Recap of February:

• Keep frivolous spending to zero —I did pretty well on this goal. A little slip-up after a hard day, but in general I spent nothing.
• Splurge on one big item —This didn't happen at all, but I'm actually not that disappointed. I have liked saying some money this past month.
• Create a budget —We didn't create a formal one, but I have tried to cut our overall spending throughout the month.
• Donate, sell, trash —I made it through about 70% of the house decluttering as I went. Very excited. I'm feeling like contents of our house are in a much better place. Hoping to continue the trend.
• Added: No pop -- Added this on a whim. I successfully completed this goal and saved us some money.
• Added: No dining out -- Another way for us to save some money.
• (continuation) Commit to fresh flowers and natural room scents
• (continuation) Be aware of judgements
• (continuation) Establish daily and weekly routines

2016 Monthly Focuses:

• January — Attitude and Mindfulness
• February — Money
• March — Work
• April — Marriage
• May — Friendship
• June — Parenthood
• July — Play
• August — Knowledge
• September — Self-care
• October — Books
• November — Vitality
• December — Reflection