Avidmom's Colorful Reading - Part 2

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Avidmom's Colorful Reading - Part 2

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2avidmom
Apr. 19, 2017, 1:19 am

My thread hadn't gotten too big; I just got tired of having to search for my 2017 Reading Quilt which somehow landed quite a few messages down on my old thread. And since this is the new quarter I thought I'd get a fresh start. Hopefully, life will slow down a bit in the next few months and I can get some more reading in. :)

I can't leave my Kenya behind on my old thread so here she is again:


Kenya, aka "Miss Kenya" aka "Kenyada" aka "Baby Girl" aka "Queen Bee" aka "Sugarfoot" (her little paws are really cute); "My Little African Princess" & "Mighty Hunter" Today she brought me a lizard - a live one, mind you - and it was laying down in such a way that it looked suspiciously like a baby snake - and not your little garden variety snake either. But, upon closer inspection we found arms and legs attached. I was not too thrilled about getting a lizard; I do like lizards, not just right outside my door. I will take a lizard outside my door over a snake outside my door any day. I wonder if Kenya is giving me a subtle hint that I need to up my hunting game. I hope not; I'm already busy enough.

By the way, Kenya's names for me are:
Food Dispenser
Servant
Sucker

3AlisonY
Apr. 19, 2017, 6:23 pm

Aw, what a good girl bearing gifts for you like that! My cat has turned into a serial killer since Spring arrived, murdering half the bunny rabbit population in our fields whilst developing a massive swinging belly. Cats are such psychos - purring fluff balls of love one minute, and bloodthirsty maniacs the next.

4avidmom
Apr. 19, 2017, 11:03 pm

>3 AlisonY: Little Murderous Fullballs of Love. LOL

5avidmom
Bearbeitet: Apr. 20, 2017, 3:36 pm

Conor blinked. Then blinked again. "You're going to tell me stories?"

Indeed,
the monster said.

"Well - " Conor looked around in disbelief. "How is that a nightmare?"

Stores are the wildest things of all, , the monster rumbled. Stories chase and bite and hunt.


A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A beautiful, lovely, sad and wonderful story. It takes some courage to read about Conor and his very sick mum and the yew tree that comes walking. It is, however, totally worth it.

And maybe even, perhaps, necessary.

The copy I have has illustrations done by Jim Kay. The art in this book is just stunning.

It is a rather short book (202 pages) but incredibly beautiful and powerful.

Very highly recommended.

*******************

(I learned about this story during the movie previews before we saw "Kubo and the Two Strings" last summer. I don't think I would have even heard of this story otherwise. I very much want to see the movie now.)

6valkyrdeath
Apr. 27, 2017, 6:29 pm

>5 avidmom: I saw the trailer for that film and thought it seemed intriguing. I had no idea it was based on a book. I'm certainly curious about it now.

7avidmom
Apr. 27, 2017, 10:26 pm

I really loved it - despite the terrible sadness of what was happening in the story. Having lost a parent to cancer myself, I was nothing short of stunned at how perfectly this author seemed to have "got it."

8avidmom
Mai 3, 2017, 1:11 pm

"This 40 Day Soul Fast is about finding rest and restoration for your soul. When all is well with the souls of humanity, all will be well in the world. When you have peace in your soul, you will bring that peace to bear on the world around you - you will become the change you are hoping to see."


The 40 Day Soul Fast: Your Journey To Authentic Living by Cindy Trimm

I rather enjoyed this book. It's a Christian self-help character building book. Its aim is to get at the very core of who you are. Trimm's book is divided into 40 days (40 characteristics of an authentic person) so this book is meant to be read over a 40 day period - which I didn't do. Part of the reason I read so quickly was 1) time is not something I have a lot of right now; 2) there are so many other books piling up on my TBR pile (so, so many!) and 3)I just found this book incredibly interesting once I got going (admittedly I started quite a while ago, would pick it up and put it back down).

Trimm's character focused book is full of a lot of quotes from various people from all walks of life: spiritual giants, political leaders, and, of course, the Bible. (I think the only negative comments I read about this particular book is that she pulls some of her quotes from some "New Age-y" personalities... didn't bother me at all. Wisdom is wisdom.) It's an easy book to read; but it is not simply a book of common sense mixed up with Christianity (a la Joyce Meyers) or a more intellectual spiritual book (maybe like a Phil Yancey or C.S. Lewis). Trimm, IMHO, falls somewhere in the middle of that Christian-ese writing spectrum. The book itself seems to be a hybrid of self-help/daily devotional.

I would recommend this book. I'm glad I read it and will probably visit it again and again over the years. I think the effect of this book will stick with me; it's not an overnight lightning bolt kind of change but rather a slow burning change of thinking. It really made me stop and think about who I am, and if I am lining up with my professed faith. Trimm's book is like a spiritual mirror. Even though it's obviously written by a Christian, I think even those of other faiths might find something useful here.

This is her first in a series of "Soul" books; I plan on reading more of them.
There's also an actual journal that accompanies this one.

I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will. - Edward Everett Hale
(Quoted in Chapter Two: Twenty-one Grams)

9avidmom
Bearbeitet: Mai 4, 2017, 7:16 pm

Diese Nachricht wurde vom Autor gelöscht.

10avidmom
Bearbeitet: Mai 11, 2017, 9:48 pm

It was the movie preview for this during our viewing of Kubo and the Two Strings that led me to this lovely book. Having finished the novel I just had to see the film as well. Last night, my son and I watched it together.



A Monster Calls (movie)

"A Monster Calls" is a wonderfully moving film and it does do the book true justice. The animation is impressive as well as the acting from all sides. (This American girl had to adjust a bit to Sigourney Weaver with an English accent.) I don't think it could have been better cast or written to fit the screen (this is what happens when the author writes the screenplay). It certainly held my attention from beginning to end. A few changes had to be made for the sake of time and story telling (one character was left out all together) but those minor changes did not seem to affect the overall story at all.

My experience of reading the book vs. the movie were, of course, different. The book seemed like a quiet, poetic kind of novel and the monster I imagined while I read the book seemed a bit gentler. (I guess I want my monsters more like Grover and Elmo than big scary tree dude, LOL) Liam Neeson's roaring monster voice was a bit grating to me ... not that I didn't love Liam Neeson as the monster .... I did ... I just wasn't expecting so much, um, "growling?" Then again, what's a giant live tree supposed to sound like???? There were paragraphs in the book that just struck me to the core, but no movie could deliver a word for word emotional impact like the book does ... no matter how wonderfully acted, cast, etc....

So overall, yes, yes, see the movie! Bring some Kleenex (although my son said he did not cry...just got a little "misty"). It is sad, yes, but there's also something very triumphant - and healing(!?!)- about it. I certainly wouldn't recommend it for very young kids (probably too scary with the monster and the fatal illness of a parent; I think the theme would go over their heads), but somewhere around 10 years old (a mature 10 at that) and on, I think, would be OK as long as there is a responsible grown up around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMgm20Di9Wg

11avidmom
Mai 14, 2017, 1:22 pm


Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Slowly but surely working my way through this series (yeah, well, so I'm a decade or two behind, LOL). They certainly are a lot of fun.

12Oandthegang
Bearbeitet: Mai 22, 2017, 10:02 pm

>2 avidmom: Sorry, i've not been following CL for a while. Have you read the Ladybird book How It Works: The Cat? Not brilliant all the way through, but it certainly hits some marks well.

13avidmom
Mai 22, 2017, 10:33 pm

>12 Oandthegang: Maybe it's not brilliant; but I bet it's accurate. :) LOL I'll have to see if I can get my hands on a copy.

14avidmom
Jun. 2, 2017, 11:13 pm

"Next week I start fifth grade. Since I've never been to a real school before, I am pretty much totally and completely petrified...."


Wonder by R.J. Palacio

I really loved this book about August, a 12 year old boy going to "real" school. Until now, August's mother has been homeschooling him. Born with genetic disorders (not 1, but 2) that has affected his face, August has had to endure multiple surgeries. Going to school with other kids for the first time is terrifying and the story takes us through August's entire school year. There are sections of the book "written" by the other people in August's life: his sister, friends, etc. Each expresses what it feels like to have August in their life. I really appreciated the section of the book written by August's sister who writes about what it feels like to feel totally eclipsed by a sibling who has extraordinary circumstances ("special needs" doesn't quite fit here.)

Palacio's writing is incredibly balanced, tugging at heartstrings here and making you laugh there and watching the characters deal with very real everyday situations.

Looking forward to the movie.

Highly recommended.

15avidmom
Jun. 9, 2017, 8:58 pm

"I've been a series regular on nine different television shows, which proves a cliche: When one door closes, another one opens. Then the cliche takes a turn, because that door closes and you're alone, in a locked room. But just as you're about to lose hope, a window opens. And closes behind you as soon as you crawl through it. Now you're outside. All the doors and windows to show business are locked, and you're wondering if you should quit. Then another door opens. But it's a trapdoor, and you have fallen into a pit. The trapdoor shuts, and you begin screaming, "Help! Help!" And that's when Barbara Walters calls and asks if you want to be a permanent co-host of The View."


Permission Slips: Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself A Break by Sherri Shepherd

Full disclosure here: I don't watch "The View" but I did watch "Trial & Error," a short-lived sitcom starring John Lithgow and Sherri Shepherd. Sherri Shepherd is one of the funniest characters on that show. (The show itself is incredibly goofy, but I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at a silly sitcom in my life.) So, when this showed up at our library's book sale room, I took it as a sign from God.

Sherri shares her life story, from growing up in Chicago to becoming a legal secretary in L.A. and then how she met and fell in love with stand-up comedy. The book is broken into little sections, little "vignettes" of her life followed with a "Permission Slip" to give yourself.

She's been through some stuff and she doesn't gloss over it, but the book is all in light-hearted fun.

Definite solid 3 3 1/2 star read.

"It's so hard to see past the no's and believe that there's something better ahead. Just have yourself a good cry, put on your big-girl pants and keep going. Someone will call you stubborn or single-minded. Maybe they're right, but we shouldn't have to apologize for it, justify it, or minimize it. Guys don't. So be ambitious and chase your dreams. But don't forget to pay your parking tickets. Armageddon's a long ways away."

So write yourself a permission slip to listen to that little voice in the back of your head, because it might not be so little."

16avidmom
Bearbeitet: Jun. 12, 2017, 11:55 am



Kunal Nayyar's (aka "Raj" on the "Big Bang Theory") is a must for us Big Bang fans, although there isn't really a whole heck of a lot of backstage Big Bang info. here (except that everyone in the cast are pretty aggressive ping pong enthusiasts - people have been injured). This is Kunal's memoir of growing up in India, coming to the United States to study business then discovering and falling in love with acting. I really appreciated his ability to look at himself and acknowledge his mistakes and how he learned from them.

The book is fairly short (around 240 pages).

I really enjoyed his "A Thought Recorded on an Aeroplane Cocktail Napkin" that started off each little new section.

There is a lot in the world to be worried about ... But there is also a lot to celebrate. Don't be a worrier. Be a smiler. Be a boss."



17avidmom
Jun. 27, 2017, 4:24 pm



We caught Fisher's "Wishful Drinking" HBO special a few years ago and loved it. The book is a tad better than the filmed version since the book has some details not covered in the special. Fisher is very candid about her struggles with addiction(s) and mental illness. More than anything she is real and she is really funny!

Definitely recommend this one.

So sad that she's gone. :(

18Cait86
Jul. 9, 2017, 12:57 pm

>17 avidmom: I have been on the lookout for this book. I was devastated when Fisher died -- I rewatched The Force Awakens this week and cried all over again.

19avidmom
Bearbeitet: Jul. 10, 2017, 12:28 pm

>18 Cait86: I grew up with "Star Wars" but don't think I really felt like I was a "fan" until I saw her HBO special. I really love the way she just "put it all out there" and saw the humor in all of it. I have her last book The Princess Diarist too.

There was another documentary ("Bright Lights") she and her mother did together. It's easy to understand after watching that why Debbie Reynolds would go so soon after her daughter; those two were extremely, extremely close.

20avidmom
Jul. 10, 2017, 1:22 pm

"Centuries have come and gone since his holy sob ripped me loose from timeless conversation with the ageless ones. Ten thousand, thousand scholars and saints have asked, "Why? What made the King of Heaven bow his head and cover his eyes and spill holy tears onto the earth? Why? Why did Jesus weep?"


When Jesus Wept by Bodie and Brock Thoene

I love the Thoenes. They are a husband and wife team that write historical Christian fiction. Everything is well researched and rich in detail. I was very much looking forward to reading this one: a look at the Lazarus miracle in the New Testament through Lazarus's eyes.

There was much to like about his book. The characters of Martha, Mary and of course, especially Lazarus, get their own back-stories. Other characters, familiar to New Testament readers, also get their own back stories and have parts to play here as well. Typical of a Thoene book, there is also a lot of history to be gleaned here about the political/day to day life of the area. And there's even a lot to be learned about vineyards and the making of wine too! But, alas, there were also things that I did not care for here as well. The writing seemed to be a bit juvenile and melodramatic in spots. And then there seemed to be loose threads throughout the storytelling i.e. Lazarus says at one point he "witnessed" a miracle Jesus did but it didn't seem to me like he witnessed it as much as heard about it; he says he is a cousin to one of the people who received a miracle from Jesus but the relationship to this person isn't revealed to the end of the novel. Of course, in all fairness, it might have been more my lack of attention than the Thoene's writing but still..... you would think things like that would have stuck.) Most disappointing to me was the lack of a real relationship between Lazarus and Jesus.... the friendship was there, certainly, but I was expecting Lazarus and Jesus to be closer than they were throughout the novel.

I would give this a 3 and 1/2 rating on a bad day; a 4 star rating on a good one.

Maybe my expectations were too high (or just different) for this one.

(I did like their explanation as to why Jesus wept...)
What? Did you think I was going to tell you? Read the book. :)

21avidmom
Jul. 10, 2017, 2:27 pm

"I am learning that getting our intentions right simplifies our decisions in life and changes our perspective. And in the end, what it's all about is thankfulness and contentment." Joanna Gaines
....................................................................................................................................................................
"It's funny because I went to Baylor, where I was surrounded by all these rich kids from rich families, and for whatever reason I was never drawn to that. I was much more comfortable hanging out with the guys who dug ditches. I lived like them, too, whether it was carrying all my money around in my pocket or sitting under some shady treen at lunchtime while they laughed at me trying to eat jalapenos." - Chip Gaines


The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

I am absolutely addicted to HGTV's "Fixer Upper" (along with a few other shows on that channel). Apparently I'm not the only one looking forward to hearing "Y'all wanna see your Fixer Upper?" at the end of each episode and seeing those canvas billboards get pulled apart. While I watch the other HGTV shows to see the designs or whether they are going to .... drumroll please ... "Love It Or List It!".... I really watch Fixer Upper for Chip and Joanna. I think the little Texas town of Waco reminds me of my own small hometown upbringing; Chip reminds me quite a bit of my dad and my uncles when I was younger - just goodhearted, salt of the earth hard working people. And while my design preferences don't always match Joanna's, I love to see how she transforms spaces with families at the heart of her design. (Here in this book, she tells when and how she came to that lightbulb moment where she let go of perfection and started creating spaces where her family could live.)

The Magnolia Story is the story of how Chip and Joanna met, courted, fell in love, and then - thanks to one crazy, ugly houseboat Chip surprised Joanna with - went on to become the HGTV celebs they are today. The book is written with Jo's part in regular print and Chip's part written in bold, so it is their story written like a long in-depth interview. It certainly was not a straight path for either one of them. Their story is very interesting and inspiring and there are certainly surprises about each one of them to be found here. Some of the stories are pretty funny .... like the first time Chip told Jo he loved her; Chip's first time on camera; and how Chip's dogs landed him in jail once. There certainly were a lot of potholes on their "road to success" and here they tell how they managed to navigate around them and not give up.

A really fun and inspirational read. 4 stars.

22OscarWilde87
Jul. 18, 2017, 2:48 pm

Enjoyed your reviews of Wonder!

23avidmom
Jul. 18, 2017, 11:49 pm

>22 OscarWilde87: Thank you! I really liked that one. There's even a children's book out now We're All Wonders which is really cute.

24avidmom
Aug. 7, 2017, 12:11 am

“My soul sometimes feels like a Twitter feed where I’m following a million of the most annoying people ever, and I can’t find the Unfollow button.”


Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick is the pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. I had never heard of him before but in recent weeks have caught a few of his sermons on the Christian channel. I liked him. His teachings seemed very real and down to earth but he also brought to his message a very fresh, younger perspective. This book, Crash the Chatterbox was part of his series of teachings, “When Anxiety Attacks.” I found what he said about anxiety so helpful that I decided to take the risk and plop down the few $$$ for the actual book (I have the e-version).

In the introduction of the book he introduces us to what the chatterbox is. One morning as he steps into the shower getting ready for a meeting he notices the burned out light bulb in the bathroom (for the third time) and that he is running late (again) for a meeting “… A burned out light bulb has turned into a mid morning meltdown in my mind, and I can’t find the switch to shut it off. The meltdown, I mean, not the light bulb. …” From here the inner dialogue in Furtick’s brain spirals into a negative tornado wherein he berates himself for all kinds of things light-bulb and non light bulb related. And then at the end of it: “… The chatterbox informs me that I’m fourteen minutes late …. And I suck as a person.”

Who can’t relate to this? I think everybody walks around with our own “chatterbox” from time to time. The chatterbox is that incessant, whining, nagging, complaining voice (your own mostly!) that takes that one simple mistake or misstep you make, runs with it and tells you in pretty plain terms that, as Furtick says, “you suck.” The chatterbox tells us over and over again all the time that we are simply not enough and that we are failing miserably in whatever role we are in. Sometimes the chatterbox is loud (like in Furtick’s light bulb scenario) and sometimes it is quiet… like a white noise in the background. And as soon as you think you've thrown that annoying little noise machine out the window, bam! there it is again. Furtick, using his Christian perspective, stories from the Bible, and his own experiences, endeavors to give readers very specific tools to “crash the chatterbox.”

It’s a very entertaining and easy read. I really enjoyed his younger perspective on things (there are some allusions to things a younger generation would maybe be more familiar with than older folks). More importantly, I really learned a lot from his somewhat unique take on things and feel a little better prepared to, if not shut my chatterbox off completely, at least turn down the volume!

So glad I read it. It will be one of those books that I re-read.
“…the chatterbox cannot be crashed once and for all. It has to be dealt with daily.”

25dchaikin
Aug. 7, 2017, 10:47 am

Hi S. Just dropping by. Of course, I have my own chatterbox issues.

26avidmom
Aug. 7, 2017, 11:30 pm

>25 dchaikin: Don't we all.
Cause no matter where you go, there you are!

27avidmom
Bearbeitet: Aug. 22, 2017, 4:28 pm

Diese Nachricht wurde vom Autor gelöscht.

28brodiew2
Aug. 31, 2017, 2:53 pm

Hello avaidmom! I hope your day is going well.

>16 avidmom: This looks good. I, too, appreciate a good celebrity memoir every now and again.

>20 avidmom: I have known about the Thoene's for year and have had fitful starts with their Zion Chronicles series. I may try another series or book.

>24 avidmom: I have heard of this book, but never read it. I bought his Unqualified, but it has languished on my Kindle for a while.

29avidmom
Sept. 1, 2017, 11:51 am

>28 brodiew2: Thanks for stopping by! And, honestly, yesterday was not going too well. Your post cheered me up though! :)

I really, really enjoyed Shiloh Autumn quite a few years ago and actually recommended for our RL Book Club. Most people seemed to really enjoy it. It is part of their Shiloh series; but that one was the first Thoene book I read and it stood alone quite well.

Steven Furtick is new to me so his Crash the Chaterbox is the first and only one I've read. I like his "shoot from the hip" kindi of style.

"... but it has languished on my Kindle for a while."
I have so, so, so many of those!!!
*sigh*

30avidmom
Nov. 5, 2017, 6:36 pm

Wow. I'm behind on my own thread. Silly Real Life cutting into my LT and reading time. HA! So here goes, 4 books back:

31avidmom
Nov. 5, 2017, 6:41 pm


20 Ways to Make Every Day Better by Joyce Meyer

Another practical, down to earth offering from Joyce Meyer. I can't remember the 20 ways by heart, but the few that really impressed me were to find time to laugh every day and that forgiveness takes action. Sure, you can say you forgive people, but until you can actually show kindness to them you really haven't forgiven. Nothing mind-blowing here, just things we need to be reminded of when we're super busy living life. Good read. Recommended, but there are other Joyce Meyer books out there that I think are more beneficial than this one.

32avidmom
Bearbeitet: Nov. 5, 2017, 6:48 pm


Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Marie Semple

A genius daughter, a genius husband, wealth, and a large house (?) in the high class part of Seattle. What's wrong? Well, what's wrong is Bernadette has absolutely had it! So she disappears. But where? And WHY? The whole mystery is pieced together for us by Bernadette's daughter. We find that Bernadette is suffering from her own brand of insanity/sanity/genius that leads up to her breakdown - or cure(?)

Really enjoyed this one. Chic lit? Maybe. But with a bit of a sting.

Like if you mixed some Tequila in your Shirley Temple.

Great read if you want a fun escape but one with some substance.

ETA: I also appreciated the trivia on what one of the lines in one of my favorite Beatle's songs meant.

33avidmom
Nov. 5, 2017, 6:52 pm

The Disaster Artist by Greg Sestero

Short temporary review for today: loved this one about Sestero's friendship with the man who wrote, directed, starred in and produced "The Room" - considered by millions of film buffs as the "best worst movie ever made." Wasn't sure what to expect here, but Sestero's genuine concern, affection for, and quirky admiration for Tommy Wiseau shines through.

The movie is coming out in December. Looking forward to it.

34avidmom
Nov. 5, 2017, 6:54 pm


Greater by Steven Furtick

Furtick is quickly becoming my favorite go-to Christian author. Loved this one.

35avidmom
Dez. 1, 2017, 12:08 am


Woman of God by James Patterson

This is my first ever James Patterson book. The library I work at is inundated with Patterson books; he is everywhere. Fiction, mystery, non-fiction, children's books. So, I felt obligated to read at least one Patterson book and I chose this one. It took me forever to get around to reading it but once I did, the story really hooked me.

I am always a sucker for first-person books and this was written in first person. The story starts with the protagonist (whose name I can't remember now! it's been a while) in Africa working as a humanitarian relief doctor during a bloody war. Circumstances lead her to different geographies, different relationships and ultimately lead to her becoming (maybe?) the first woman pope.

Very action packed and entertaining. I really liked how the story ended here.

Patterson's writing is very simple and a bit staccatic (chapters are 2-3 pages long!), but his story telling is great. If you want a good story, I would recommend this one.

36avidmom
Dez. 1, 2017, 12:30 am

"It's been more than three years since my husband died, yet in many ways he's more useful than ever. True, he's not around to take out the trash, but he's great to bitch at while I'm doing it myself, and he's generally excellent company, invisibility notwithstanding. And as someone to blame he's unparalleled, because he isn't there to contradict me, on account of being cremated. ..."


The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abi Waxman

Lily is still trying to get herself together after her husband's death. She has the support of her sister and a great job illustrating textbooks. One day her company sends her to take a gardening class and Lily is forced to interact with the world outside her house, her kids' school, office, and Target.

Loved this book. It was funny and full of a really great cast of characters. It was also sad (for the obvious reasons) and very hopeful as well.

Recommended.

37dchaikin
Dez. 1, 2017, 9:42 am

>36 avidmom: love this quote.

Enjoyed catching up with your last five. And now I’m wondering about that Beattles song from Bernadette.

38avidmom
Dez. 6, 2017, 8:36 pm

>37 dchaikin: Me too! The book is full of that kind of humor.

Hmm.... guess you'll just have to read the book. LOL ;)

39avidmom
Dez. 10, 2017, 6:13 pm


Dot Journaling: A Practical Guide: How to Start and Keep the Planner, To-Do List, and Diary That'll Actually Help You Get Your Life Together

My 14th ROOT was unexpected. I did not go seeking this book; it was a Kindle "Daily Deal" and I snatched it up. Why? Well, for one thing I've always (well, since my kids were grade school age and I was a working mom) kept a notebook of "To Do" lists. Usually these consist of cheap $1.50 Walmart/Target variety notebooks .... bigger than a composition book but smaller than a "real" notebook. And, while on my quest for these "To Do" lists keepers at the aforementioned big glamorous stores I'd run across these notebooks/journals with dots in them instead of lines. Anyhow, I'd pull up these journals full of dots and I would think "What kind of crazy witchcraft is this?!?" and chuck dotted aberration back in the bin.

But now, I get it... dot journals are for people who love to be organized. OR at least dream of being organized. Who set aside time each day to write about ... each day. The beauty of dot journaling is that it can be whatever you want it to be .... diary, daily planner, monthly planner, hourly planner, reading lists, etc. etc. It can be a mixture of everything, or just one thing. The beauty is is that there's no preset anything in the little book, you can make it whatever you want because you can use the dots to draw boxes, or rectangles or ..... The only caveat in dot journaling is that there is a key to use: (dots for stuff to do; a > for things on your to do list moved to another day (or week, or month). There is a set key in the book, but, obviously you can make that your own. And the other thing about dot journaling is to number the pages and create a table of contents.

Miller's book does a great job of explaining the complexities and simplicities of dot journaling. It's full of images of different methods to do the same thing.

At the end of the book there is a review on .... pens. Yes. Pens. Which I thought was awesome. And incredibly nerdy.

I would recommend this book about making your own dot journal for those who are 1. Just curious about these weird notebooks full of dots; 2. To Do list makers; 3. Diarist; 4. Busy people; 5. And mostly just people (like me) who love any excuse (and I mean any!) to buy new school supplies.

Miller's book is pretty entertaining too, believe it or not. She approaches her subject with a pretty wry sense of humor. Made the book fun. :)

40chlorine
Dez. 11, 2017, 9:45 am

>39 avidmom: I use variants of dot journaling both for my personal journal (which allows me to mix in the same journal a record of dreams, books read, places I ate in, etc., on top of actual journaling of course), and for managing my work notes and keep sight of my different projects. I love it! Though I have to say since a month or two, I haven't used much my personal journal...

41avidmom
Dez. 17, 2017, 3:45 pm

>40 chlorine: It's nice to hear from someone who's already dot journaling. I love the fact that it's just anything you need it or want it to be. Do you make it all artsy? That's the part that seems like the most fun ... but also time consuming.

42chlorine
Dez. 18, 2017, 8:56 am

>41 avidmom: I have to confess that the only artsy parts are in my work journal: I tend to doodle during meetings. ;)

43avidmom
Dez. 18, 2017, 9:04 pm

44avidmom
Dez. 20, 2017, 8:21 pm


The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren

Snagged this one up when it came across as a Kindle Daily Deal. It was an enjoyable read (albeit a slow one). Warren breaks his book down into an intro./then a 40 day journey/conclusion format. I tried to read the "40 day journey" like he suggested: one a day. But then I got impatient and read a few days at once. Oh well.

His "purpose" for our lives is pretty generic and applicable to all Christians and then his personalization is basically "you are unique/you be you" kind of thing.

I liked it well enough. There were some insights I thought were really great and other points he made (especially at the beginning) where I found myself arguing with him a bit. (Minor stuff really.)

Anyway, well worth checking out if you're a Christian.

A solid 4 stars from me.