Reading Time - June

Linking up again for Show Us Your Books with Steph and Jana. It appears I skipped the past few months because I figured I needed to add more books than the few I've read. However, I've since decided to sacrifice my sleep for more reading and I feel that was a good trade.

To the books ...



Educated by Tara Westover
This one was a difficult read, but interesting. Incredible how much influence a parent has on a child's self-esteem and beliefs. Glad she was able to break away and find her true self.



Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown
This was a quick read - lots of affirmations and it was recommended to me after last year. Also was the first time I'd read anything from her.



The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter
Really good read - also first time I'd read anything from this author as well. If her others are like this, I'll try to read more.



I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
Fast read and yep, she (author) was obsessed. I could totally see how/why as I became obsessed while reading it, especially considering they've arrested a suspect.

DNF:


I've Been Thinking by Maria Shriver
This was a DNF only because it was an ebook from the library and I realized it was more of a daily devotional book rather than one to read in one sitting. The chapters I read were really good and affirming and I have this in my Amazon list for a future purchase.

Currently reading (re-reading, actually):


Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley
I had this one in my queue anyway after it was put on the One State/One Story read by the Indiana Humanities Council. Then I recently watched The Frankenstein Chronicles on Netflix so here we are.

Still have a TON of books in my TBR ... and will likely add to that number after checking out everyone else's lists today. No complaints here!

June - life update

Kids are out of school for summer - surprisingly (to me, at least), they both readily agreed when I said I wanted them to read over break. Yay! Our library is providing a Cultural Pass to all students who sign up for the reading program and I'll be picking up the passes this weekend since they won't be with me - not yay. But we'll be able to go to local museums, theaters, state parks on both sides of the river, etc., so yay again!

Doing another half marathon this month while also officially starting training for full marathon #3 to happen in the fall. Went up to Indianapolis for the Mini Marathon at the beginning of May and enjoyed a dinner out with my oldest/dearest friend. My usual pre-race dinner has traditionally been pizza but this one was bratwurst and beer. I'm sure the sodium helped keep my fingers from swelling, as they do when I run longer than a 10k ... and the beer = carbs. Justification. That was also the first race where I was seeing people dropping like flies because of heat exhaustion. Shoulda had a beer?

This was at SunKing brewery in Indpls and that's a Wee Mac (Scottish ale).

We got a puppy in April and it's been all kinds of chaos. The pugs are over it.

Meet Belle. She's part lab, part collie, part shepherd, part kangaroo. 

This was during a calm moment during puppy training class.

Reading came to a halt after puppy arrived -- but I had hit a lull anyway so a break was needed. Happy to say the break has ended and I'm back on the wagon.

Currently reading.

Trying out some new foods. Brandless has been a hit at home - even the kids like it. I like it because the items are all $3 (except for the soups - $1.50) and all items are organic and/or non-GMO and/or vegetarian/vegan and/or kosher ... basically, it's good stuff and great prices, depending on what you order. Better prices than Kroger and the delivery is fairly quick. Full disclosure - if you click on this link and place an order, I think you'll get free shipping? or $6 off your order? or maybe it's $6 off and if you order more than $39, it's free shipping anyway? I don't know - I think I get a free item ($3) and the kids have placed their order for what they want next time ... so if you click and order, thank you from me and the kids!

Strict no/low spend month in progress. It is what it is.

Short week and a lot of things going on ... hard to believe it's June, but then again, it feels like time is finally slowing down and I can catch a breath or two. Also trying to get caught up on blog-reading and possibly writing in this one more than once a blue moon.