Let's Talk About Books Baby!

November

  Books Bought

Avenue of Mysteries By: John Irving

A Game of Thrones By George R.R. Martin (Audible)

Books Read

Fates & Furies By: Lauren Groff

The Untethered Soul By: Michael A. Singer (Audible)

Wildflower By: Drew Barrymore

November!  Important things to note... I've decided to start over with Game of Thrones (again)... now that I'm completely addicted to the show and I feel I have a better grasp on the millions of characters, I'm thinking the books will be more interesting this time around!  We'll see.

Also, as you can see... I got to meet Chelsea Clinton... meaning that me and Ash now have the whole family's books signed by them! How exciting!  I was nervous as all get out!  I think because Chelsea and I are close in age and she is so accomplished, I just felt nervous.  But she was very sweet!  As I knew she would be! :-) 

As for books read... the #1 book of the year making all the end of year lists: Fates & Furies... I'm not really seeing what the big fuss is about.  I didn't think either of the two characters were relate-able and their story was kind of weird.  I get it was supposed to be a realistic portrayal of marriage, but if you ask me nothing will ever beat Revolutionary Road when it comes to this arena. 

On to Untethered Soul, me oh my... I get what this book was doing.  You can be an observer of your thoughts, acknowledge them, and let them go.  If it was that easy we would all be doing exactly that.  There are reasons we harp on things.  Yes, some of us do it more than others.... but isn't what makes us all human is that we react to life?!?!  I get it, we should strive to be more present, let go of the past and things we can't control... but after awhile this message got redundant.  If we literally could just acknowledge everything how would we ever have the opposite emotions on the other side of the pendulum?  The joy, love, etc.  If we are just supposed to acknowledge and let go of everything... wouldn't we just be robots?  I don't know, I like yoga and I like meditation but sometimes when you start analyzing things as much as this book did, well, that's just as annoying as what the book was saying you shouldn't be doing. Oy.  

Let it go, let it go, let it go (sung to the tune of Let it Snow).

Next.

Drew, oh Drew how us that love the 90's worship you!  I had forgotten so many wonderful things and reading this book was like taking a walk down memory lane.  Drew writes casually, but she definitely delves into important things... like how to get ready for a relationship and how to be a person with a cause.  This was a delightful read!  

What have you been reading lately?  Any suggestions?

Portland

Portlandia

The following are scribbles from my actual travel journal...

October 8th- I don't know what made me book a ticket to Portland, I guess it was that craving, that lust that those of us bitten by the travel bug eventually have to succumb to.

I recognized the feeling the second that I took a seat on the light rail, the feeling was overwhelming and completely present.  Exploration. Adventure.  Not knowing, yet being completely content.  I met a girl on the train from Denver, Katie, she's in Portland for an acro-yoga festival, she went to CU.  We kept making eye contact, she had the smile that those on an adventure wear.  I liked her, she had to get off the train because she figured out she was going the wrong way.  She hopped off with cheers of, "It was nice to meet you, enjoy Portland!"

The train makes it's way deeper into the city; a train employee chases off a clearly homeless and disturbed man, the whole train car breathes a sigh of relief.

We cross the river, we stop by a tavern and a nice looking man raises a window shade from inside the restaurant and he immediately starts taking chairs off tables.  It's his routine, this is where he lives, this is where he works.  

I come to my stop and get off dragging my suitcase behind.  I am instantly aware that I don't know where I am going as all the other commuters bustle around me.

I plug the address of my final destination into my phone, knowing that this will drain what's left of my battery.  And I begin to walk.

I come across the most beautiful park.

Autumn is here in Portland.  You can feel it in the air, the chill at the end of your nose.  It's there in the way the smell of smoke is sticking to smokers clothes, you can see it in the colors and the varieties of leaves littered across the path.  

Across the park is the cafe my friend suggested. 

I enter.  It is warm... and cozy.  A corner table opens right near the window.  I tuck my suitcase in the corner, set some things on the table to claim it as my own and head to the counter to place an order for a pesto chicken panino and a large latte.

I get back to my table, pull my notebook out of my suitcase and start recording my thoughts.  The server sets my food and latte down.  The steam rising from the cup, the notebook, this scratched table... it's so cute, so quaint.  I must instagram this moment.  Right as I'm about to post my picture, my phone dies. Reminding me to be present, that not everything has to be displayed.  Documented, yes... but displayed in the moment for validation... no.

I find an outlet to plug in my phone and I decide that I will stay here, in this cafe, drinking lattes, reading and writing until my phone is charged and my friend gets off of work and finds me and we can take my luggage back to his place.

I'm here.  I'm in Portland.

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

October

Books Bought

The Untethered Soul By: Michael A. Singer (Audible)
All The Words Are Yours: Haiku on Love By: Tyler Knott Gregson
The Girl on the Train By: Paula Hawkins
Wildflower By: Drew Barrymore

Books Read
 Purity By: Jonathan Franzen
 All The Words Are Yours: Haiku on Love By: Tyler Knott Gregson

October was a good book month for me, in more ways than one.  Not only did I read some quality stuff, but I also got to visit the most infamous and largest independent book store in the country, and I also got to go to an author event at Tattered Cover for The Girl on the Train which was fascinating and inspirational (as these events always are). 

First, the historic Powell's. This store truly is a book nerd's world wonder!  I'm not the biggest fan of used books, but it is kind of cool to be able to see things firsthand that have been elusive for years...  like McSweeney's Vol 1.  Also, who can complain about a book store that has multiple levels and rooms?  I wish I had timed my trip better because Elizabeth Gilbert was doing an appearance there just days before my arrival, and Tyler Knott Gregson was shortly after my departure.  It would have been nice to see how they put on an event compared to my home state's Tattered Cover (which rocks events).

Which leads me to Paula Hawkins.  This was a funny author event because multiple people have talked about how the main character reminded them of me, and yet, the main character is a mess! It was fun to hear the process of how she came up with this character.  She knew she wanted to have a character that drinks so much that they black out and so she worked backwards from there and was like... "What would be the saddest thing?" And then she thought how it would be pretty sad if you had been married and your husband left you because of fertility issues.  There you have it folks.  Straight out of a NY Times Bestselling Author's mouth... that scenario is just about the saddest thing.  Except for a whole other slew of atrocities that happen to the human race... like genocide, human trafficking, rape, fleeing your country and being a refugee due to the horror of war, etc.  Anyways, always fun to hear an author's process and how people received it.  Also, Tattered Cover did something I've never seen them do before they had another author (local, Eleanor Brown) interview Paula.  I thought that was interesting.

Ok... on to books!

Books bought... I keep wavering with audible.  I feel ethically I should not be buying audible versions of books from Amazon... but I like having them as options when NPR doesn't have news on, I'm caught up on podcasts, and not in the mood for music.  Am I the devil?  Maybe.  Anyways, I bought The Untethered Soul in this version so I could listen on my night drives home from yoga or while I'm at the gym.  I also joined local yogini and life coach Jacki Carr's online book club, and this was the pick after Brene Brown's newest.

I bought and finished reading Tyler Knott Gregson's latest collection of poems.  I think he has matured a lot.... they are less cliche, less desperate and more sexy.  Here's a sample...

Back against the wall

and your legs around my waist,
I kiss you again.

Early morning moans

and your longest stretching groans

I can't wait to wake.

Let's tangle them up,

twist together all our limbs.

Braid ourselves to sleep.

Legs around my waist

As I hold you in my lap

My hands on your back.

I find you in storms,

I feel you in the lightening,

I miss you in rain.

See what I mean?  Sexy.  It probably helps that this is a guy writing in the mountains of Montana on a vintage typewriter.  Dreamy.

Ok... if you are a fan of the 90's it's pretty much mandatory that you love Drew Barrymore, so of course I had to pick up her new autobiography.

Now... let's once again discuss Jonathan Franzen.

Purity took me almost a month to read.  But not because it wasn't good. As with everything I've read by Jonathan Franzen, his story lines & his characters draw you in, and yet you know that it is a book that when you sit down to read it, you want to have time. You want to be sucked in to that world.  This one was so unlike his other two I've read in the sense that I didn't feel like he was doing some big analysis of the current political events and life in the suburbs... it felt a lot less like an assigned book for school (which I love) and more just him trying a new style.  I still liked it.  As with most his books all of the characters are not unlikable, but you still find one or two to root for.

Anyways, that's all I got through this month. I don't think I'm going to make my book goal for this year (52).  I'm currently sitting at 38, that's ok.  Quality over Quantity, baby!

Los Angeles

California Love

It's been awhile since I went anywhere aside from Utah, so this trip was just what I needed.  I've already been to LA a few times, but never as an adult.  Other than hanging with my friend Bianca who I was staying with I really didn't have much on my agenda.  One thing I am finally learning and accepting about myself as I get older is I'm just not that into crowds.  

The morning started early, but I wasn't dreading the whole airport/flight experience because I was armed with the latest Jonathan Franzen novel.  I do love the way just being at the airport reminds you how there is an adventure about to be had.  Sometimes, I think I've been so scared of traveling because it reminds me of another time of my life, also the last place I ever saw my husband was in an airport... so maybe there's some underlining thing with that.  But I made note of that observation and then just remembered that not everything in my life has to come back to that.  This is a new trip, and I'm a totally different person.

Everyone always talks about the laid back west coast vibe and after my brief little trip I can't tell if people are spot on about this or completely off base.  I sat in an Avis car rental place waiting for my friend to show up for almost 2 hours, and when she got there and we hugged, I could feel an energy running through her... it felt frazzled.  She immediately starts apologizing for the LA traffic, but it was fine... I was on vacation, and I had my book! This definitely was a theme that ran through the whole weekend.  Waiting to find a spot at the parking lot to the grocery store, waiting to get a table in the breakfast diner, waiting in traffic on the way home from the beach.  With all of the waiting that people in LA have to do, I can't tell if they are the most zen people because they haven't went off the deep end with how much time of their lives is just wasted waiting or if really they are all angry on the inside because the traffic always sucks, etc.  I personally was amazed by this lifestyle. It really didn't stress me out and I don't know if that's because I've been doing yoga, or if it's because I take anti-anxiety medication, or if it was simply because this wasn't permanent for me.... it was a vacation.

Onto the reasons why people can put up with all this waiting, because on the flip side of the equation... there are beaches.  And sunsets.

    

We had a great day where we drove along the Pacific Coast Highway out to a surf n' turf restaurant called Neptune's Net.  This place was insane, so many people waiting to grab a spot!  It was well worth the wait though.  And after that we drove to a beach that wasn't secluded, but kind of felt like it was.  And maybe that's why people pay so much to live in California... because you can stand at the foot of the ocean with one of your best friends and feel like you have all the space in the world.  

I strongly believe that as cliche as it sounds, the ocean is the best therapy.  All you have to do is sit in the traffic to get there, pay the steep price to park there (thanks B!), find the perfect spot and then breathe it all in.    What is it about the ocean that gets us going?  Is it just because I'm a water sign?  Is it because we are made of water?  Why is it that we can visit a place we've been maybe a handful of times if ever and feel so at home in ourselves, in the world, in our place?  With each tide that rushes in and out over my feet I felt reborn.  Reinvigorated. Cleansed. Pure.  Why?  

I know many of us get these feelings in the mountains too.

Anyways, with any good beach and after a late lunch you are contractually obligated to sit and watch the sunset.

Then after the sun sets past the horizon line, we all scurry to our cars and sit on the I-10 for hours to drive the short distance home.  But unlike the drive to the beach, now we have been restored.  And we sing.

I loved staying with my friend.  Again, I'm stating the obvious when I say that you learn a whole other side of your friends when you stay with them and are together day in and day out. 

I loved the way when we'd leave the beach after sunset Bianca would talk about the fog rolling in and the way it messes with the windshield.  I loved that her playlists are still filled to the brim with songs from when we were younger.  I love that when she steps out of her apartment complex I can picture the restaurants within walking distance, the little courtyard where we sat and theorized and speculated about Game of Thrones.  I love that she watches a reality TV show about the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.  I love that her baristas know her high maintenance drink order and greet her with warm welcomes each morning.  I love that when work is stressing her out she turns to God.

For my last night there we went to the Santa Monica Pier and watched the sunset.  A moment came when there was such a big wave that I noticed people oohing and ahhing like my mom does for big fireworks. Then I noticed how many people around me were all speaking different languages, and as corny as it is I loved how we might all come from different places but at the end of the day we all love a good sunset.  Sitting on the pier that night I felt so connected... The couples kissing, the girl with the goosebumps pulling her shawl over her shoulders, my friend hosting me and showing me her beautiful life... these are the things that I will always remember about my trip to California.

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

September

Books Bought:

Purity By: JonathanFranzen

Rising Strong By: Brene Brown (audible)

Fates & Furies By: Lauren Groff

It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going! By: Chelsea Clinton

Big Magic By: Elizabeth Gilbert (audible)

Books Read:

Killing Monica By: Candace Bushnell

Rising Strong By: Brene Brown (audible)

Big Magic By: Elizabeth Gilbert (audible)

This month, my Candace Bushnell trashy novel aside was all about inspiration!  But first, let's take out the trash before we get to the good stuff.  

Lordy, I need to stop reading Candace Bushnell.  I always look at her books the same way I do Emily Giffin, it's like taking a trip to the beach or the candy store.  Indulgent.  But, this book is like a new low, I honestly was embarrassed that I read it and found myself taking off the jacket only to put it back on because the book was a bright pink!  Everything about it screamed, "I'm a bimbo and I don't have a brain!"

Ugh. Gross.

Now... Brene and Ms. Gilbert!  Good, good stuff.  I liked listening to the audible versions of both of these books.  They were both read by the author and unabridged so I don't feel like I missed anything.  Also, it just felt like listening to a warm, gooey podcast for days on end.  Every trip in my car was delightful!  I felt like I was doing something good for myself just by tuning in.  Anyways, do it!  There is nothing better than going to yoga and the gym after work and then taking a peaceful ride home listening to these wonderful ladies!  Definitely a highlight of my September! 

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

August

Books Bought:

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris By: David McCullough

Books Read:

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris By: David McCullough

The Corrections By: Jonathan Franzen

This was a relatively slow reading month for me and kind of boring.  I would suggest everyone pass on The Greater Journey. Snore fest.

As for Franzen, The Corrections was good and I really did get into a lengthy question about whether the talking turd diminishes Franzen's value and importance or whether or not it adds to it.  If anyone has read this book I would be intrigued to hear your thoughts about the talking turd.

Franzen is quite the guy, he gets under people's skin.  I love the feud he has going with Jennifer Weiner which a friend told me about.  Basically, Franzen is saying... "yo, women writers, instead of crying out how no one treats you with respect, why don't you write something worth respecting?"  Just because you sell books to grown women, doesn't mean they warrant any respect, especially when the books are filled to the brim with juvenile emotions and actions.  

I agree, I rarely have women authors that I read over and over and hold in the same esteem as their male counterparts.  For instance Emily Giffin and Phillippa Gregory are like candy, you read it because it's quick and easy.... but I would never put them in the same camp as Dave Eggers, John Irving, Richard Russo, etc.

However, my list of esteemed females is finally growing... Elizabeth Gilbert, Cheryl Strayed, Zadie Smith, Donna Tartt.  But the majority of females being mass produced and marketed are writing trash lit.  

Someday I hope that I fall into the list of women writing quality works.

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

July

Books Bought:

A Paris Affair By: Tatiana De Rosnay

Go Set A Watchman By: Harper Lee 

Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town By: Jon Krakauer

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim By: David Sedaris

Books Read:

Euphoria By: Lily King

A Paris Affair By: Tatiana De Rosnay

The Upstairs Wife: An Intimate History of Pakistan By: Rafia Zakaria
 Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town By: Jon Krakauer
 Go Set A Watchman By: Harper Lee
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim By: David Sedaris

 What a month for books!  First, let's just talk about how happy it makes me that Barnes & Noble had it's biggest release day for adult fiction in the store's history thanks to Harper Lee's newly released Go Set a Watchman.  But, let's also talk about how sad it is that no one knows for sure... did she even want the book to come out now?  Was she bullied? Did she even write it?  Who knows?  But everyone has an opinion on it!  AND, don't even get me started on the whole Atticus situation.  Is he a racist? Does this change the way that we think of America's most beloved character?  Is it a co-incidence that this book comes out at the very time that racial tensions are reaching a new level in the US?  I don't know.  But, for what it's worth, the book was ok.  I kind of put some of the "news" surrounding the book out of my mind and just read it with an open mind.  I liked that it was a grown up version of Scout, and that she challenged the normal societal conventions of the time--- marriage, staying in your small home town, etc  I also liked that the book heavily explored the idea of you can never go home again, and that as we get older, we are able to see our parents flaws... but we still love them anyway, maybe even moreso.

In other book news... Tatiana De Rosnay had another book translated into English, of course I had to go pick it up from the bookstore.  It is a short story collection about affairs in Paris, it's a bit cliche, but it's a super quick read so at the very least if you are not in love with this book, you can be done with it in an hour or so.  

And, the one other piece of fiction I read this month... Euphoria. Such. A. Good. Book.  Seriously!

I had noticed this book made like every list of "Best Books of 2014", but for some reason I just kept avoiding it.  But for some reason, maybe it was the heat or something, a book about a love triangle between three anthropologists in New Guinea was just calling my name.  It met all my expectations.  I love books that are exotic and sexy but are not trashy romance novels.  I felt like I learned a lot too, I always knew anthropology was important and interesting, but I see it in a whole new light and feel kind of sad that I wasn't born in another time and as a more adventurous person.  Maybe in another life... who knows?

Ok... Non-fiction.

The Upstairs Wife-- kind of a letdown, but I liked the premise... tying a girls history of her own family to the history of a Nation (Pakistan) and a Politician (Benazir Bhutto).  

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim... Only my second David Sedaris book, and I have to say it was so fun to only now be finding out he's gay!  How nice it was to just know of a person for so long without having to know his sexuality.  Obviously it doesn't change my opinion whatsoever... but it was just funny to be listening along and then realizing that there is this person who I've heard about how brilliant he is and how hilarious and that people never had to talk about or mention that he was gay.  Anyways... the book was alright, it was funny, but it didn't make me shed tears of laughter like Holidays on Ice did.

And now... Jon Krakauer.  Can I just say I have been missing out!  This guy is amazing!  This was my first book I've read by him, (even though a different one has been sitting on my shelf at home for years now...).  While the content of this book is heavy and depressing, the way the story is told is like listening to an episode of the podcast Serial.  Soooo entertaining... yet educational and informative. It felt like I could sit back and point a finger at this other small college town, and at the end Krakauer revealed that the University of Colorado Boulder is on a list of schools being investigated federally for not investigating sexual violence complaints.  Sad.  Disappointing.  Why is no one talking about this?!?!

Anyways, that's all I've got for now.  What have you guys been reading?

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

June

Books Bought:

 A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier By: Ishmael Beah (audible)

The Shadow of the Crescent Moon By: Fatima Bhutto

Interpreter of Maladies By: Jhumpa Lahiri

The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty By: Vendela Vida

The Upstairs Wife: An Intimate History of Pakistan By: Rafia Zakaria (audible)

Killing Monica By: Candace Bushnell

Books Read:

 Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal By: Connor Grennan (audible)
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier By: Ishmael Beah (audible)

The Shadow of the Crescent Moon By: Fatima Bhutto

Flappers and Philosophers: The Collected Short Stories By: F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty By: Vendela Vida

Since July is more than halfway over, I should probably get to wrapping June's post up.  And, let me just say that's EXACTLY what I finally did with F Scott Fitzgerald's mammoth short story collection: Flappers and Philosophers.  It may have taken half of a year, but it feels good to have this one checked off my list.  I love the way Fitzgerald writes but spending 6 months in the Jazz Age was a little overwhelming. 

Speaking of overwhelming... so was the rest of the reading (or listening, if you will) that I took on this month!  Heavy topics... we're talking boy soldiers, and human trafficking.  The world is a scary place, and I know some people don't like to be brought down by learning about these things; but I thoroughly love being educated when it comes to global human rights campaigns and issues, that's why these two books have been on my radar for a while, and like they say there's no time like the present...

First up, Little Princes, this book was so sweet.  It's literally kind of an ideal dream for someone who works in study abroad.  Here's a guy, traveling out of country & volunteering and the people he meets and the place he goes so affects him that he finds his mission in life, and he sets out with a goal to change something that needs changing.  When I listen to stories like this, I am so inspired--- but I always wonder how do these fortunate people who've found their calling maintain their focus?  How does one decide that THIS, and only THIS is going to be the one cause I champion.  I always feel like I have OCD about human rights, I know a little about most topics, but maybe it's the experience of going somewhere and having it strike a chord deep within that is so resounding that you have no choice but to act.  Anyways, I loved this book, and I love Connor.  If you want to learn more about his organization, you can do so by clicking here.

Second was a book that I have wanted to read for so long now.  The author Ishmael Beah is also very active in International Education and has been known to make appearances at NAFSA conferences.  His story of being a boy soldier, is so honest and heartbreaking.  His story is one of also learning to not let the past define you or be your compass for your future.  You can learn more about Ishmael on his website by clicking here.  Also, if you are ever having a day where you are pulling the "woe is me" card.   Buy the audio version of his book and start listening; when you imagine that your whole village could disappear in one afternoon, and that you will lose your whole family, and live a life on the run... you will choose to look at your life and it's many blessings with so much gratitude.

Next, I turned to fiction, but it was still a heavy topic.  I had been waiting for this book to come out in English for awhile, so when I saw it at Barnes & Noble I instantly had to buy it.  Fatima Bhutto, niece of Benazir, had made a beautiful entry into the world of fiction.  She takes a family of 3 brothers living in Pakistan on the border of Afghanistan and heading out into the world to celebrate Eid, a Muslim holiday.  The three brothers have to pray in different mosques, knowing that it is too dangerous in the violent political climate for all 3 brothers to pray in the same place.  This book gives the history of each brother, which helps you to understand how each one of these people seem to be so different from each other.  Sometimes I feel such a compassion for the people of the Middle East, their countries have been through so much.  I hope and believe that there is a way for there someday to be a peaceful Middle East without losing it's culture.  Sometimes, it can seem like we (as in the "US") is so wrapped up in the goings on over there, and sometimes I think people are so quick to wrap all of it's people up into one box that is easy for us to understand.  I think there is a beautiful, rich history there and there are people that want to preserve their culture, and I believe they are just as tired of the radicalism that threatens their lives as we are.  Anyways, this is just another beautiful book, but it kind of leaves you hanging, and maybe that's the point.  The story in the Middle East is still unfolding...  it's up to all of us to help write an ending.

After all this heaviness, I had to take a step back and what better way to do that then to read the new one out by the lovely Mrs. Eggers (I'm talking the one and only Vendela Vida).  Her new book still took me to faraway lands (Morocco), but it was lighter than the previous books of the month.  What happens when you are looking to travel and find yourself but you lose your identity and are afraid of conspiracy theories?  This book was quick and entertaining.  Loved it!

What have you been reading lately?

What if I were just me?

Driving down the mountain with the air conditioning blasting and smiling to myself thinking, "Sayonara Suckers!", I was happy I was leaving Aspen-Snowmass in time to watch the sunset.  For some reason a quote from Cheryl Strayed kept running through my thoughts, "What if I forgave myself?"

I had thought this weekend was going to be so many things, it started out amazingly enough, and I was sure it was just going to keep getting better.  I was finally taking somewhat of a vacation: a long weekend to one of Colorado's most famous mountain towns for a yoga festival, Wanderlust.  I had a vision of cooler days, life changing beautiful moments, and fresh mountain air.  And considering I was paying the equivalent of one month's rent for my hotel room, I imagined it was going to be fit for a queen.  When we build things up so much in our minds it's easy to be let down, so you know how this goes, nothing was as I had imagined it to be; from the know it all girl that I was paired up with, to the temperature, to the hotel room, to the plain and simple fact that looking around nothing looked like the pictures and accounts that I'd been following and liking for nearly a year now.  It was all gross. I couldn't imagine spending 3 more days doing the same thing and paying so much to do it!  I had to get out of there as soon as I could, so I checked out of the hotel, hauled my stuff back up the mountain to my car and loaded it up.  I grabbed a cool Diet Coke from the cooler, and was hitting the road once more!

Now back to the quote, of all the things I could be thinking at this freeing moment, why did I keep thinking "What if I forgave myself?"  In the moment, I couldn't decide, and a day later I haven't really pinned it all down, but here's what I think:  I'm exhausted trying to be something I'm not.  I'm tired of thinking about who I'm supposed to be, who others think I should be, always trying to become something else, and constantly analyzing the parts of my personality that I just can't shake off.  What if I just forgave myself for not being the best? For not living up to everything that I want to be?  What if I just let go of who I'm supposed to be and just learned to really love me?  As I am.

Now to be clear... this doesn't mean that I'm giving up on trying to lose weight or that I want to stop growing as a person.  But what if instead of comparing myself to others I just stopped?  What if I stopped trying to put myself in boxes?  Now when I say I have been comparing myself to others, I mean I have REALLY been comparing myself; and it's creating undue pressure.  I compare their temperaments to mine, I compare their career paths, I compare their passport stamps.  And, quite frankly it's making me miserable.  It's making me sign up to go places I can't afford to go, just to say I did something.  Now when I say I've been putting myself into boxes, I mean I have REALLY been putting myself into boxes.  I think if I practice yoga, I should suddenly be the most peaceful person and that I should automatically be a pro at eliminating waste and eating clean; and when my personality traits or lifestyle aren't meshing up with what I think I'm supposed to be then I get stressed.

What if I were just me? What if I'm a girl who does yoga but it doesn't define me? What if I wear mala beads and listen to a Christian podcast?  What if I like reading books more than I enjoy meeting new people?  What if what I really want is just to have a nicer apartment with a bigger kitchen rather than travel to hot and sweaty places?

Driving down the mountain could be one of two things: it could be me running away from the person I'm supposed to be becoming OR it could be me accepting who I am and what I'm not.  And the joy that I felt driving down the mountain makes me feel like it's a little more of the latter option.  I'm not a hippy that stands around talking about how maybe our paths cross in some other multiverse.  I'm not a person who likes to be hot and sweaty.  I'm not a person who likes to "rough it".  I'm not a person who likes to be forced to make conversation with strangers.

I do like being with myself.  I do like the mountains, especially the rivers.  I love books.  I love getting coffee first thing in the morning.  I like a good stretch, but I'm not looking to make my whole life yoga.  And I'm definitely not the kind of girl that takes off and misses out on my mama's birthday party.

I think for awhile I'm going to spend sometime just being me and shut out some of the outside influences for a little bit.  We'll see what happens; but if it feels like driving down a mountain and standing by a rushing river as the sunsets... I'm ok with that.

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

May

 (This picture is me with Rachel Brathen, famous yogini and now NY Times Bestselling author- I read her book in March, and was able to practice yoga with her on her whirl wind happiness world tour this spring!)

Books Bought:

Wanderlust: A Modern Yogi's Guide to Discovering Your Best Self By: Jeff Krasno

Midnight in Siberia: A Train Journey into the Heart of Russia By: David Greene (audible)

Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal By: Conor Grennan (audible)

Books Read:

 Spinster: Making a Life of One's Own By: Kate Bolick (audible)

The Year of No Mistakes: A Collection of Poetry By: Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz

 Midnight in Siberia: A Train Journey into the Heart of Russia By: David Greene (audible)

The Pilgrimage By: Paulo Coelho

 Ok... well to gear up for Wanderlust Festival, I was super stoked to see they had a book coming out!  It's a mammoth and I bought it and am taking my time with it, so look for a review later!

As for other books bought, I just used my two monthly credits on audible to download a coupe of books!

I finally wrapped up Spinster this month and I'm a little indifferent to it.  Sometimes I found it so interesting and found myself nodding along, like, "Yes. Yes. Yes!" and then other times I thought it was a huge snooze fest.  Also, perhaps because my own mind is so indecisive on the topic of womanly singlehood, I found I couldn't fully agree with her or disagree with her.  It just is what it is.  Some people are single and some people are not.  Some get married, some do not.  Must we over think everything?  Must we explain ourselves?  Can't we just be?

I also finished up another book of poetry this month.  I loved it!  These spoken word poets that write bloody publishing is putting out are AMAZE-balls!  I just love the ideas, the themes, the honesty.  What a craft!  This author Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz documented a year: a relationship, a move, etc.  I loved it!  Gives me ideas...

NPR's David Greene, how I adore you!  I love listening to your voice every morning on Morning Edition, so I knew this audiobook written and read by him would be great!  It was interesting in the sense that it was about Russia and I don't study or seek out information about Russia that often.  It makes me want to learn more.

Paulo Coelho, oh my.  I loved The Alchemist so much but I'm starting to wonder if that was a one hit wonder for me.  The guy is interesting, no doubt, and he explores the inner workings of humanity unquestionably.  But.... I don't know.  I feel like I'm kind of bored when reading his books lately.  I have a few more things of his on my list to read, so I'll keep at it.  He's Brazil's most notorious author for a reason, right?  I did like how The Pilgrimage shed a little more light on my obsession and love of the Way of St. James.

Well, June is in full swing... summer is on it's way!  Anyone looking forward to any new beach reads?  Let me know!

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

April

Books Bought:

 The Year of No Mistakes By: Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz

Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns By: Andrea Gibson

The Paris Review No. 209, Summer 2014

Tracks By: Robyn Davidson (Audible)

Poser: My Life Twenty-Three Yoga Poses By: Claire Dederer (Audible)
The Marriage Game By: Alison Weir
The Bullet By: Mary Louise Kelly
Euphoria By: Lily King
Spinster By: Kate Bolick (Audible)

Books Read:

Tracks By: Robyn Davidson

Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns By: Andrea Gibson

All the Light We Cannot See By: Anthony Doerr
Poser: My Life Twenty-Three Yoga Poses By: Claire Dederer (Audible)

My-My, my love affair with books continues... although these days it is taking a drastically different form!  I am officially addicted to Audible.com although I'm very particular about the kinds of books I'll listen to versus read.  For instance, I prefer them to be non-fiction, have to be unabridged, I prefer them to be read by the author (although this one is not a deal-breaker).  I feel there is a big difference in listening to someone's memoir as I walk on the treadmill or drive, these things are kind of cold and straight forward.  I couldn't imagine listening to a book like All the Light We Cannot See, books like that need to be curled up with, they need to be taken in slowly so your imagination can wrap fully around them, books like that you need to feel the anticipation as you turn the page and feel the excitement of flipping through a few pages to see just how long the next chapter is exactly and if you can squeeze in one more chapter before bedtime beckons.  Books like that, when you finish them you need to shut it, and hold it close to your heart and breathe a sigh as you silently wish to yourself that you could write like that, and as you say goodbye to characters and places you fell in love with.  Obviously I really dug Doerr's book.  And the nice thing is, I finished it the day before it was announced as the Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction.  Very deserving!

So, April.  National Poetry month... I love this month for that reason.  I always try to draw my attention towards poetry, and give thanks and appreciation to one of my favorite art forms.   On April 7th I was able to find a night that aligned perfectly with a poetry reading at Innisfree Poetry Bookstore & Cafe.  They always give a discount on books in this month, so I bought a few, along with a huge latte and settled in to hear the best Boulder has to offer.  It did not disappoint.  Some of the feminist poetry that writers are producing in this town is damn good!  Which brings me to the poetry book that I read this month.  It was published by Write Bloody Publishing, the same spoken word publisher that put out Sarah Kay's collection, I also had seen a dear friend of mine read Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns last year so it had been on my list for awhile.  It was so good.  Who knew that lesbian poetry could speak to my soul like that?  It was also very political, and I f'ing loved it!  I wish it was a collection I had written myself.

Anyways, back to audible.  I listened first to a woman travel memoir called Tracks, this was about a woman who decided to train some camels and walk across the Australian Outback.  Her journey was documented at the time by National Geographic, but this memoir was her words, and her inner thoughts.  It wasn't an Eat, Pray, Love or a Wild for me, but maybe for some females it is.  It was still interesting, just not my thing.

And lastly, Poser.  I liked this book more than I thought I was going to.  The author spends time talking about the 90's, Seattle, Yoga, what's not to like?  She even moves to Boulder at one point in the book!  What I could do without though?  All the baby talk.  I get it, people have kids and it becomes their everything... but sometimes I'm just not in the mood.  But on the whole, I liked hearing about a writer who does yoga and has an appreciation for all things zen and nineties.  :-)

Obviously, I'm buying books at a faster rate than I can actually read them this year!  It's time to take stock, and relax.  I need to finish a few that I've been working on for months and we'll see what happens in May. 

What are you reading these days?

Favorite Quote(s)

Today's prompt is nearly impossible to complete.  Why's that you ask?  Because the prompt is: your favorite quote.  Well, you can't be a person that reads a book a week and walk around in this world with only one favorite quote... many, many quotes make up who I am.  Words become a part of me, I soak in them like a bubble bath, I drink them in like a strong cup of coffee; and as much as I would like to be the creator of my own feelings and experiences put to words, I have found, that mostly my favorite books and authors sum me up perfectly.  So, in no particular order, here are my top ten delicious little morsels of language strung together... aka my favorite quotes EVER (we love a good list, right?):

1.  The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in.  Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other.  Yet it is in this way that love begins, and in this way only. -Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

2.  You give me an apartment full of morning smells- toasted bagel and black coffee and the freckled lilies in the vase on the windowsill.  You give me 24-across. -Rebecca Lindenberg, Love, an Index

3.  Dignity is an affectation, cute but eccentric, like learning French or collecting scarves. -Dave Eggers, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

4.  'I wish it need not have happened in my time,' said Frodo. 'So do I,' Said Gandalf, 'and so do all who live to see such times.  But that is not for them to decide.  All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.' -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring.

5.  Even in the Eternal City, says the silent Augusteum, one must always be prepared for riotous and endless waves of transformation. -Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

6.   Dark times lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right. -J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

7. What is that feeling when you're driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing?  It's the too huge world vaulting us, and it's good bye.  But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies. -Jack Kerouac, On the Road

8.   The greatest lie ever told about love is that is sets you free. -Zadie Smith, On Beauty

9.   I know it's hard to write, darling. But it's harder not to.  The only way you'll find out if you have it in you is to get to work and see if you do. -Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things

10.   I love New York, even though it isn't mine, the way something has to be, a tree or a street or a house, something, anyway that belongs to me because I belong to it. -Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany's

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

March

Books Bought:
The Logan Notebooks By: Rebecca Lindenberg

All the Light We Cannot See By: Anthony Doerr
Yoga Girl By: Rachel Brathen
Good Food, Good Life By: Curtis Stone
Uganda Be Kidding Me By: Chelsea Handler (free on Audible.com)

Books Read:
Seriously, I'm Kidding By: Ellen Degeneres

 I Am America By: Stephen Colbert
Uganda Be Kidding Me By: Chelsea Handler
The Logan Notebooks By: Rebecca Lindenberg
Yes Please By: Amy Poehler
Yoga Girl By: Rachel Brathen

So far this year, I know I'm going to sound crazy when I say this... but I don't really feel like I've read that much!  Which is fine because I've been doing other things, but I find I'm mostly listening to books, which I feel kind of ashamed of, if I'm being honest.  For example, this month I listened to 4 of the 6 books that I "read" and of the two that I didn't listen to... one is a poetry book and the other is a workout/motivational book.  So there you have it, I have officially become a lazy reader.

With that said, this month I continued my trend of listening to funny, lighthearted books. I listened to four funny people, read their books.  There are worse things in the world, right?

Ellen Degeneres- this book felt like a stretch to me, she talked at length about how she had nothing to write about, and at times it really did feel like that.  Not my favorite of Ellen's, but I still had some chuckles!

Stephen Colbert- I liked this book about the same as I liked Jon Stewart's.  I think these are both incredibly intelligent men, and it helps that I have the same political beliefs as them.  I couldn't believe that Stephen Colbert could stay in this "character" that he created for so long.  It was scary that there truly are so many Americans who talk this way!

Chelsea Handler- Ok, she's funny, and incredibly offensive.  This book was significantly better than her "cheat" book where she had all her friends write a chapter about pranks she's pulled on them, but at the end of the day I can't help feeling like she's lost a bit of her original appeal.  At her age, it's starting to become a bit sad that she still drinks like crazy, spends money like crazy, and just plain acts... crazy.  These wild shenanigans were hilarious a decade ago, but now you can't help but feel kind of grossed out listening to her.

Amy Poehler- I'm a fan.  I have to say, I always knew this lady was out there doing funny stuff but until a colleague made me binge watch Parks & Recreation I had never really "gotten" it.  Now, I get it.  I thought this book would be as hilarious as Tina Fey's was (it wasn't), but it still provided insight into easily one of the most entertaining feminists of our time.  It was a bit heavy on the "mom" stuff for me, but I'm sure a lot of people find that angle interesting.

Now onto books I actually "read" with my own eyes!

Rebecca Lindenberg came out with a second book of poetry.  Since I was obsessed with her first, I knew I just had to buy this one too!  So, one snowy night as a friend and I stood outside the Fox Theatre in Boulder waiting to see a show, I made my way down to the Innisfree Poetry Bookstore & Cafe and lo and behold... they had it in stock.  As the barista steamed the milk for the two small hot chocolates I ordered, we had a lovely conversation books, McSweeney's, and poetry of course.  This collection didn't "wow" me like the first (but again, I cannot overstate how much I LOVED her first collection)!  Here is my favorite poem from this collection:

Thanksgiving

My guy buys brie, a baguette, and cherry tomatoes with his food stamps.  I buy firewood and wine. We go up the canyon and light a fire in a stone pit and sit in soft folding chairs and talk for hours, let the penny-colored pit bull walk against the river current.  And as we sit, the tall granite walls of the canyon slowly purple to black and the sky goes out, and the flames we're sitting by get brighter and warmer, until we begin to dwindle, and we douse them, and we go.


Pretty good, right?
Love her style!

Lastly, Rachel Brathen- aka "yoga girl", I first heard/found Rachel on Instagram, and I quickly grew to love her (just like everyone else).  She posts beautiful, inspirational pics and her captions are always completely raw and honest.  Her book, was pretty much everything we already know and love about her but in a physical form that you can put on your coffee table.  There were pretty pics, interesting tidbits, some recipes, and some instructions for yoga poses.  This was a quick read, but I really like it!  And, she is now a New York Times Bestselling Author, another reason I love her!


Anyways, that was my March!  What have you been reading lately?

A Case of You

"Joni! Keep Something of Yourself" -Kris Kristofferson (upon hearing the album Blue for the first time.)

(pictured Joni Mitchell & Graham Nash)

Embarrassingly, I have to admit that the first time I had ever heard a song penned by the lovely Joni Mitchell, I was driving down a long dark Virginia road and I was listening to Diana Krall's Live in Paris album in which she did a cover of "A Case of You".  I couldn't believe the lyrics of this song...

"Just before our love got lost you said

'I am as a constant as a northern star'

And I said, 'Constantly in the darkness?

Where that?  If you want me I'll be in the bar'"

"Oh I could drink a case of you darling

And I would still be on my feet..."

"Part of you pours out of me 

In these lines from time to time

You're in my blood like holy wine

You taste so bitter and you taste so sweet"

How do I express what my early 20 something heart felt at these lines?  I knew they were beautiful, but I don't even think that I could really feel what they meant until I went through my divorce.

Of course, by now I have heard the true masterpiece, which is Joni's, off of her album Blue.  And of course, listening to that whole album was miraculous!  It was like reading a diary of the person I want to be!  So honest!  That's why I love the quote (above) by Kris Kristofferson, she just really was so  bare, and raw... and it's lovely in all of it's poetic glory!

A couple of birthday's ago I received a record player (not my first in life, but definitely my first in a long time).  The first record I bought myself was Joni's Blue.  And again, listening to "A Case of You" on vinyl, with that vintage sound, well it's even more hauntingly beautiful. 

Awhile back, I was at the bookstore and I saw that Graham Nash had come out with a memoir.  I flipped through looking at the photographs and I came across the one above (if it wasn't this one, it was one very similar).  I remember the caption had said something about Joni working on a song from the album Blue.  I love this picture because I know that so much of that album came from her relationship with Graham, her traveling Europe, and her relationship with James Taylor.  I think this picture just hits home to me that you can just be living your life, but from that life you can be creating art.  And if the songs from Blue are not pure art, then I don't know what is, each song is a photograph.  

Though there are so many favorites to choose from off this album, I always come back to "A Case of You".  Maybe because it was my first, and like a first love, you can't help but remember it fondly.  It is so dear to me, because there are moments in life where you hear a song and you realize you're growing up--- you realize that you can distinctly tell the difference between real artistry and bubblegum pop.  In a world of manufactured Britney's, we need more Joni's. 

Comfort

In an attempt to get our minds flowing with creativity, and to strengthen the practice of putting pen to paper.... my dear friend Andrea and I purchased a book together called 642 Things to Write About, the book is full of prompts and we will choose one a day.  I'll be posting mine here, and to see Andrea's beautiful blog, click here!

Onto today's post...

Comfort

Comfort in food
In Chipotle Burritos
Suppression

Comfort in books
In other people's stories
Escape

Comfort in obesity
In walls of my own making
Sidelined


(Dis)Comfort in Chaturanga Dandasana
In honoring how I got to this point
Forgiveness


Comfort in Ujjayi Breath
In filling up my lungs
Intention

Comfort in Savasana
In relaxing into myself
Rejuvenation

Comfort in Anjali Mudra
In awakening to life
Gratitude

The way the sky looks today...

The way the sky looks today...
Is like flinging your car out of the roundabout onto the motorway
It's pushing your vehicle to 90 miles per hour in the fast lane
Flying past fields of rapeseed that crescendo in billowing waves
The way the sky looks today...
Is like rivers of rain running down window panes
It's the defrost and the windshield wiper blades
Stopping only for gasoline and toffee nut lattes
The way the sky looks today...
Is like old school Ray LaMontagne
It's "Jolene", "Trouble", and "Three More Days"
Singing along innocently and wholeheartedly about things to come and eventual gain

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

February

Books Bought:

The Sheltering Sky By: Paul Bowles

High Fidelity By: Nick Hornby

Infinite Jest By: David Foster Wallace

Books Read:

Bossypants By: Tina Fey (audiobook)

Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy and the West By: Benazir Bhutto

The Girl on the Train By: Paula Hawkins

America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction By: Jon Stewart (audiobook)

I don't know what is going on with me but I do not feel like reading this year!!!   I bought some books, the main thing you need to know about these 3 books is that they all tie back to Dave Eggers in one way or another.  Hopefully someday I will get up the motivation to actually read them.

So, if I haven't been reading books, what have I been doing?  Listening to audiobooks, that's what.  The cheaters way.  This month I listened to not one, but two audiobooks!  Both were very short, not a huge commitment like that mammoth beast Game of Thrones that I listened to last year.  Both were read by the author, which was nice since they were comedic and it sounds funnier coming in the tone that the author meant to convey.  

Tina Fey.  I am now convinced that I must watch 30 Rock on Netflix sometime soon.  (hmmmm... maybe netflix and my new TV is the reason I haven't been reading so much... darn you House of Cards)!  Anyways, what a funny lady!  I love the part where she responds to nasty messages/comments that she's read about herself online.  So funny!

Jon Stewart.  What can I say?  I seem to have missed the boat with The Daily Show (what with the no TV and no cable thing) but I couldn't help but wonder... what is it about this guy?  People love him.  I have to say, this book was funny... but I'm not convinced solely on this that he should run for President like all his minions would love to see happen... but based on this I am kind of sad that I never got to partake in this pop culture phenomenon!  I haven't looked to see if there are any episodes on Netflix... I'll have to remember to do this.  (and all my unread books on my shelves make a disturbing sigh of disappointment)

Ok, so I did finally manage to finish Benazir Bhutto's book.  Finally.  I liked this book, but I think I was looking for more of an auto-biography (which she does touch on some of the major events of her life), but just like the title this book was a book about Democracy, Islam and the West.  The sad thing is, when you see how she had a plan and she knew her history, it just makes you wonder how things would be different if she hadn't been killed.  I look forward to learning more about her. 

And lastly, this year's "new Gone Girl".  Let's just say a few things: takes place in England, the main character is an overweight female, divorced, with reproductive issues.  I just kept thinking, please don't let the overweight, divorcee with reproductive issues be the killer! haha!  I'm not going to tell you, you'll have to read it for yourself!

What have you people been reading over this crazy winter?

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

January

Books Bought:

What is the What By: Dave Eggers

Nine Stories By: JD Salinger

Wolf Hall By: Hilary Mantel

The World According to Garp By: John Irving

Books Read:
Still Alice By:  Lisa Genova

Chasers of the Light By: Tyler Knott Gregson

Another month of buying books! (Again, I had a crazy awesome return that gave me a massive credit, sounds shady, but I promise, it wasn't.)

Since, I'm behind on posting for January let's just jump into the "Books Read"!

Still Alice, goodness this book has literally been on my shelf for years.   Obviously, it was time to read it as the movie release date was fast approaching, even more incentive, when Julianne Moore earned herself an Academy Award nomination for her role as Alice.  Everywhere I read this book.... at work, at the gym (it's January after all, right?), everywhere, people commented on how this book impacted them.  It leaves a strong feeling with you.  It made me wonder, if my little forgetful moments means I'll have Alzheimer's.  It prompted me to tell my family that if I ever develop the disease to never put me in a home just because it gets hard!  The disease is so much more encompassing than I ever imagined!  I didn't think about how you could forget where the bathroom is and frantically be looking for it, I didn't think about how you could lose your depth perception and hurt yourself, I didn't think about how no one really bothers making support groups for the victims because it's too hard for them to remember or communicate what's going on with them or how they are feeling!

Goodness, what a book!

Next up was a poetry book.  I started noticing on Instagram that everyone was receiving this book for Christmas.  A little google action and I found out that Tyler Knott Gregson bought a vintage typewriter and while he was at the store he pulled out some used piece of paper and typed out a quick poem.  Apparently he became addicted to the feeling of not editing ones self, of saying what you want in one go because his instagram is filled with little diddies that the dude writes everyday.  I was kind of indifferent about this book, I liked the idea of it.  I liked the cover.  Some poems were absolutely breathtaking, and reminiscent of feelings I've felt before, but then I found myself more than once being like, "Dude!  Move on!!!!"  Who knows what heartbreak Mr Tyler experienced and how fresh it is.  I hope it's fresh.  I hope he hasn't gotten in the habit of eulogizing a relationship from long past.  I also thought somethings were very elementary, but then again, sometimes love, loss, crushes, flutters can only be explained in the most innocent and cliche of ways.  I do find it interesting that this poet teaches an online seminar about releasing your creativity.  I was tempted to sign up just to see if the exercises would get me writing more, but I was a day late and a dollar short.  Maybe next go round.  We'll see.

Happy New Year everyone!  What do you hope to read in the new year?  Any of your favorite authors releasing some new material?

A Year in Review (2014)

2014... a year in books & music

I'm a bit behind.  I guess the main reason is that 2014 didn't seem to produce much in the way of greatness, it all feels a little "been there done that" in regards to books and music.  Nonetheless, here they are, my 3 favorite books released in 2014 as well as my 3 favorite albums!

Books (in no particular order): 

As I have said numerous times before, I adore Nichole Robertson!This book came out right before the holiday season and is going to prominently be featured on my coffee table until Valentine's Day.  It's very lovey dovey--- it's red, it's France, it's adrorable!  Nothing but photos, but definitely the kind of photos I love!

Wow!  So, as I already posted about that I went to the Hillary Clinton book signing, and I already posted about what I thought about this book.  Hats off to Madame Secretary Clinton for writing a book that is entertaining and educational.

Loved this poetry collection, even more so after finally finishing the collection of Kerouac poetry that I worked on all year.  Where Kerouac is messy, all over the place and nonsensical; Sarah Kay writes poetry that is moving, makes sense, and I found I could easily relate to it.  At the end of the day sometimes I'll take the simple and sweet over the complex and tortured.  

Let's talk for a minute about the fact that none of these books are fiction!  In a normal year, something of note in the fiction realm has to be released.  Maybe my "go to" authors dropped the ball a bit... but by far the most interesting fiction I read this year, was from years past!  2015 better bring it!


Albums:

 

By far my favorite album of the year! I will forever have fond memories of listening to this album as I drove all over Estes Park on a brisk autumn weekend in October.  The lyrics are fun, and almost every song is memorable!

Actually, this one was a VERY close second...  I didn't think that I would ever love Tim McGraw again, he's too wrapped up with memories and a life from a long time ago.  But with this album, I found that he was getting more spins than almost everybody else.  I welcome him back into my life!

And... if I have to choose a third it would be this.  Every time I listen to this album I realize I like it more and more.  It also reminds me that it comes from a different time, but I can't pin down what time that is... but nonetheless I like it. 

There you go, a very brief and late synopsis of my favorite pop culture of 2014!  What did you enjoy that came out in 2014?