Last Post and Goodbye for Now!

Dear fellow readers,

I've been blogging here for 10+ years (I started in April 2007!) and I've written about 1,000+ books that I've read. I started this blog as a way to keep track of the books that I read, and to hopefully point you all toward some good books.

I was doing some reflecting on the last year and thinking about what I want in my life for 2018, and a very clear thing that came to my mind was that it's time to take a break from this blog. I'm still gonna keep reading (of course!!) but I'm going to track my reading via Modern Mrs. Darcy's printables and Reading Challenge.

Thank you very much for reading along with me, for your comments and recommendations, and for your time! It's been fun!

There's a possibility that I'll be back in a different format, but not sure about that. I'm gonna leave that door open for myself to decide later.

But for now, I'm gonna say Goodbye and Happy Reading to you all! Thank you!!

Warmly,
Elaine

PS: I'm linking to my two most favorite posts from the last ten years.

Ask a Librarian!

Football For Dummies

This Must Be the Place by Maggie O'Farrell

A Hollywood actress fakes her own death and ends up in Scotland where she hides and marries.

Overall, I liked the writing, but I never really liked the husband very much. So, meh.

City Mouse by Stacey Lender

A family moves from New York City to the suburbs and discovers what suburban life is like. Is it really for them? This was one of those fast easy reads that's good for the weekend. Funny and witty. Kinda reminded me of that Real Housewives of X show. Oh, warning: it's a bit raunchy in some sections.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Another Agatha Christie mystery that kept me on my toes. A cozy read for the winter.

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

If you need some motivation and encouragement to live out of who you really are and to just go for it, this is the book for you. There are numerous areas in my life and professional work in which I shrink back and this book gave me some kicks to stop doing that!

Another re-read: Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki

Just noting that I re-read Goodbye, Things yet again. This book is really striking a chord in me. Because now I am also listening to the audio book on my commute. It's inspiring me yet again to get rid of things.

The Book of Hygge by Louisa Thomsen Brits and The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

I was recovering from a medical procedure earlier this fall. I knew that I was finally feeling better when I came down one Sunday morning and told Boomer that I was ready to move some furniture.

These two books provided some inspiration for the furniture moving. Hygge is a Danish word that can be loosely translated to "cozy." So I'm trying to increase the cozy in our house. Still working on it.

The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential...in Business and in Life by Leo Babauta

I've been seeking out more books on minimalism and living with less.

Babauta tackles how we live and how to achieve our goals and get rid of the excess that distracts us. A pretty fast read with some very practical tips.

Essentialism by Greg McKeown is another really, really good book on figuring out what we want to focus on in our lives.

Morningstar: Growing Up with Books by Ann Hood

Ann Hood writes a short ode to the books that shaped her. An easy read.

It prompted me to think about the books that shaped my life as well.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

I just discovered Agatha Christie within the last several weeks when my friend, Grace, mentioned that reading some Agatha Christie was making her happy. Wow! I can't believe I've lived so long without reading Agatha Christie. What a treat!

I am thinking of seeing the movie now.

Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand

Winter Solstice is the surprise fourth book following the Winter Street trilogy. What a welcome surprise and satisfying end!

I read the Winter Street trilogy when I was at home recovering during the fall. Thanks to Boomer who made numerous trips to the library to check out books and who could remember the order of books in this trilogy. 

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

16-year-old Aza starts investigating the disappearance of a local man in order to receive the $100,000 prize.

I love how John Green tackles mental health and grief and loss in a way that is heartfelt and non-stigmatizing.

Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong

This is fiction and in the format of a diary of a woman who quits her job and moves back home to care for her ailing father.

When I read a book and I find details that don't make sense (like sliding a piece of pizza under a door), I find myself getting skeptical.There were a few moments like that in this book.

Overall, an okay read, but hum.

Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

One of my favorite classes in high school was a Humanities/Art History class. I was looking forward to reading Isaacson's Leonardo da Vinci but thought I'd be on the wait list for months until I could get it. I was so surprised to see it just sitting on the shelf in the New Book section. I spent the next couple of weeks devouring it. It's 624 pages, so not a light book to lug around. What a fun and educational read!

It Won't Be Easy: An Exceedingly Honest (and Slightly Unprofessional) Love Letter to Teaching by John Rademacher

My mom and sister are both teachers. And I am soooooo glad that I am not. Totally not me. And this book confirmed this for me. Hahahah. Well, I actually didn't need any confirmation.

Don't get me wrong. I totally admire teachers and everything they do for their students.

This would make a great gift for a teacher. But maybe not such a great gift for someone who is considering teaching.

Sourdough by Robin Sloan

I love eating sourdough bread. However, baking it sounds so intimidating, so I'll leave that to my neighbor, Rebecca. :)

This book is about a sourdough starter! Well, it's about Lois, who is an engineer at a San Francisco start-up who inherits a sourdough starter, and that's just the beginning.

Quirky and fun, but really only a so-so reading experience for me.