June Reads

Let's get back on track with my reading blogs.  I've been super busy with the closing of my 19th year teaching!!!   It turned out to be a really good year, but I worked myself to death to make it that way and there was NO time for extras at the end. 

Finally, we are back to rest & health and on our way to enjoying our most favorite time of the year- 

SUMMMER! 

June Reads

These are my June Reads 

(in between my Turkish TV and Netflix).

House of Earth and Blood 

(Crescent City) by Sarah J Maas

I started this 800 page whopper while my students were testing.  I am not a huge fan of science fiction but I loved the Court of Thorn and Roses series.  Maas is fantastic at writing tortured but strong female characters.  

This book takes you into the very colorful and exciting 'Crescent City' where magic and creatures live their best lives.

We meet our main character, Bryce Quinla, who loves antiques, parties, and her best friend Danika.  Danika's death provides a traumatic event that changes the trajectory of Bryce's life forever.  She is eventually tasked with finding her best friend's killer while teaming up with a hottie hot, hot archangel named Hunt.  One extra I loved on this book was the online Fan Art.  I found myself stopping every few chapters and just scrolling through the art online.  It was like a provided comic book that came with the story. 

I gave this book 4/5 stars.  It almost felt like I was reading a teen drama with adult language/ situations, and sometimes the story would draggggggg on.  

Bryce and Danika 
BFFs

  

This is HUNT.  

(Yes, I realize I'm 43 and too old to be ogling an angel book boy.)

Book 2 was loaned to me as well, but I'm not sure I want to take another 800 page journey.  At the same time I'm kind of invested in Crescent City, ya' know?!
I might take on a chapter tonight (if Hunt shows up). 

Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown

I love me some Sandra Brown (I was introduced to Slow Heat in Heaven at age 20, and all I can say is 'Lordy-Day Honey, it's HOT!!')

This is a very different book by Brown.  

It takes place in the 1920s during prohibition.  After my read, I had no idea why this book was named "Blind Tiger".  I looked up the phrase and it is named for a speakeasy (a bar) during the prohibition era.  The custom was to display stuffed tigers to alert potential patrons of the availability of illegal alcohol.  The tigers were blind because the authorities did not know they existed. 

 

This book had all the makings of a 5 star read.  It had history, mystery, a handsome loner, a determined heroine, and a crooked police force. 

I only gave this three out of five stars.  I started this book on audio and a man read all the parts for all the characters (in a fake southern accent).  It was so annoying I just bought the book and read the other half for myself.  That may be what dropped a star (I'm not sure).   

Warning- There is also a VERY violent scene in this book that stayed with me for a while.   

  Overall, I enjoyed the story, especially Thatcher and Laurel. These two characters went through hell and back.  You could not help but root for them to find love and peace.  The only down for me was that the characters were not fleshed out enough, and too many plot points wrapped up quickly at the end. 

Going There By Katie Couric 

 I love Katie Couric.  She reminds me of me- hyper, happy, and a Great Girlfriend!  

While other kids my age were watching 90210 I was all about the The Today Show (not kidding.  #geek).  

I think I was a pretty lonely kid, and upbeat talk shows like Rosie O Donell Talk Show and The Today Show seemed to put me at ease and make me laugh. 

I once had a dream of being a journalist or talk show host.  In the 90s, there was no team better than Matt and Katie.  They were so fun and funny!! 

Katie Couric as a child raising $$$ for the Red Cross

Going There...went there.  

This woman named names and told how she felt from coworkers to dates to Martha Stewart!! 

Katie also shared a lot of poignant moments in her life from finding out she was pregnant in her career prime to losing her husband early with two small girls. 

Of course, we all wanted to know about MATT.

In Bill Clinton fashion, I hung onto the belief that Matt Lauer was not a SKUZ and that he was being set up.   I think Katie battled with the same feelings.  

If you look at the index of her book, Matt was a huge part of her memoir. 

According to this book it seems the journalistic world is no better than Hollywood- 

ALL SKUZ!!  

There is still 'I'll get you to the top if you sleep with me' crap that should have died in the 20s.  

There were times when I questioned- Is Katie Couric trying to sell books here?  Is this real?  She was a fence rider when it came to Matt.  She would declare all of his wonderful attributes, share texts she sent promising to support and call him, and then she just ghosted the man when he was down.  It also didn't seem like it was for the victims, but rather for fear of tarnishing her own reputation.  (I didn't like that about Katie.)  

She did write, 

"I've come to realize that Matt could be an excellent professional a partner, a good friend, and a predator."

Meaning, there were two sides- one she knew and one she didn't know. 

I love the way her chapters were broken into short, small segments (like The Today Show).  There were 99 chapters in all.  I found myself stopping each evening to google search the historical events she would describe.  I watched countless videos such as the first morning Katie anchored The Today Show, the morning of 9/11, the day after the Columbine Shooting, etc.

At the end of the day, Katie Couric shared a very real story of her life that I enjoyed.  One of the things that annoy me in life is that if I'm not constantly peppy all the time, people pelt me with 'oh my gosh, are you mad at me?  are you ok? Are you sick?'  One colleague (many moons ago) accused me of having "multiple personalities" anytime I expressed stress, worry, or concern.  I realized I was doing the same thing to another woman named Katie Couric. 

I almost gave this book 4 stars because in my head I was wanting the peppy and upbeat "Katie 'Katherine' Couric" to show on the pages.  Instead I read about a deeply competitive woman who came from humble beginnings to be the success she is today.

She sacrificed a lot to be at the top.  They were sacrifices I wouldn't want to make but not for me to judge. 

This book made me so glad I didn't go into journalism.  I decided to upgrade this one to 5 stars. 

Let me know if you want to borrow this one.  It does have ice cream stains all over it because I was eating Ben and Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk while I was reading.  It seemed appropriate at the time. 

Paperboy by Vince Vawter

I began this one with my 7th graders after Christmas.  The bad news is we couldn't finish it.  We had to prepare for so many tests and exams at the end, we didn't have the time.  It's ironic that I can't finish reading a great book with my kids so they can pass a test that says they can read!?! 

This story takes place in around a very intelligent, baseball loving boy named Vince- 'Little Man'.  The problem is Little Man has a TERRIBLE stutter.  He has so much trouble expressing himself that you begin to feel for this young man from the first page. My students related immediately.  Little Man comes from a wealthy middle class upbringing with a mom and dad who can afford private speech therapy.  He also has a very close attachment to his nanny who he refers to as Mam.  Mam is an African American woman who is deeply religious, caring, and as sassy as they come.  She is literally a mom figure.  

Things really change for Little Man when he takes over a paper route for his best friend.  There he becomes entangled in the lives of those he delivers.

We have:

Mr Spiro- a Shakespearian wordsmith who challenges Little Man in every way that is good. 

Mrs. Worthington- Little Man's first crush.  Things get a little weird in this part of the story because apparently Mrs. W. has a problem with men and alcoholism.  This certainly provided some talking points (and remarks) in 7th grade. 

TV Boy- a boy who never talks to Little Man but literally stays glued to the TV.

Ara T- a very, very bad man who patrols the area with his cart full of junk and stolen goods.  Things take a twist when Mam gets involved. 

This book deals with everything from racism, paternity, violence, theft, expression, alcoholism, and in general what it means to fight to be yourself. 

I gave this Newberry Award winner 5 stars!

See you next month (and keep reading). 

Who at the Zoo!?!

Summer is here and life has been moving NON stop. 

So far, I've blogged 6 whole times for the year.  

🙄 

Ages 16, 10, work, and life don't leave a lot of room for rest and reflection. 

At the same time I find myself in a weird phase of life.  I have two kids getting older each day while I try to adapt to my own changing role.  

Connor can work, drive, and is so much more independent now.  

(The child literally has two years of public school left!!  I can't even begin to tell you the emotional journey we have been on since kindergarten.)

It's true that girls hit a maturity curve much faster because Carlee prefers clothing, the solitude of her room, and long talks with her friends (with her door shut).  

I find myself trying to walk a fine line between being involved and being wayyyyy too involved.

Additionally, I think the past two years in education have completely consumed my life due to the ongoing impact of 2020.  Any other educators feel it!?!   Not to mention the political tension and response of the christian community of the past two years has put me at a spiritual standstill.   I'm kind of roaming around on MoMZombie autopilot. 

In short- I'm a hot mess. 

Luckily, this blog has carried me through many hot mess moments and it's ok.

We shall overcome. 

This weekend provided a little fun trip to the -

ZOOOOO!

Who at the Zoo?

We at the Zoo! 

Connor's Zoo Love is still going strong folks.

Y'all I'm going to start crying.

Isn't he sweet!?! 

Remember when he made his own zoo??

Connor's Zoo

 But seriously, 

he really loves the zoo....↓

We had planned to stay one night but we had so much fun that 

I booked us another night!! 

YAY! 

The Zoo was A for Awesome, but it was a bit hot and tiring as we moved from North America to Africa.

Connor's endless energy kept us going.  

I wonder if the Zoo is hiring??  I think he would make a great addition.

At the very least he could exercise ALLL the animals each morning. 

How big is your wingspan?  

Despite the heat, the animals were out and about. 

Say "Lion King"! 

It was great to spend time with family and see the  NC Zoo.  It had been years since I have visited.   

Here are a few snaps I captured:  

Tru and Car ready to take on the jungle. 

Connor and Aunt E. entering the snake pit! 

Caught in the Web 

Growing Pals 4 Life

I made Connor pay 6.00 to enter the butterfly garden with me (the girls were on the carousel).  

He was a good sport.

It was so beautiful, I had to pay for the girls to go after.

There were butterflies fluttering everywhere!  

Carlee at the wishing well (taking FOREVER to make a wish).

Look at all those wishes!  All proceeds go to polar bears. 

Finally Princess Carlee just sat in the middle of the trail.  

I think she had enough walking for a lifetime. 

 Picking up her very own elephant and snazzy gift shop necklace 

made it much better (and we promised a tram ride in the near future). 

After so much walking, 

we enjoyed our hot tub and pool time. 

I don't think any of us could get out of bed without pains the next day.

It was worth it.  

A beautiful God given day with family & The Zoo! 

Here is our video: 

Bob Cat Catchers- USA 

The rarest of the Animals-

Until next time Fam. 

💗

 

February/ March Reads (&Turkish Dramas)

It has truly been a crazy two months at work but I did fit in some reading and Turkish Dramas (more on my addiction later). 

I finally finished the "Good Buy Girls" series (5 in all).  

It's like Hallmark meets Scooby Doo in a book series.  

Nothing too taxing in the plot.  

Buried in Bargains- this one finds Maggie and the hottie- hot Sheriff from her past teaming up to save the deli owner accused of murder.  This one was my favorite and featured a sweet side story of a returning soldier.

Marked Down for Murder- Sam and Maggie are together but now they have to find the murderer that has framed Maggie's ENEMY - Summer.  Summer and Maggie's bickering began to grate on my nerves.  (These are 40 year old women for heaven's sake!)

I did like the realistic way Maggie battled telling Sam she did NOT want more children.

All Sales Final- I thought we were dragging at this point but it did close the series with the Good Buy Girls, a wedding, a ghost, and more mystery to solve.  

This is my all time favorite Valentine Re Read. 

I've read it 5 times.  

I heart Susan Elizabeth Phillip, and her Wynette, Texas series is my favorite. 

This book is truly an opposite attracts story.

Our female lead is Meg- a wild, spoiled reckless brat who meets a Type A, overachieving small town hero.

To further complicate matters, our main lead was stood up at the altar byMeg's best friend.

Like all SEP books, the best part of the story is the growth the female character makes in the book.  I love how Meg finds her creativity and  true gifts.

I fell in LOVE with Nora Roberts when I was a college student.  Her Irish Hearts books were on display at the store I worked at and I "borrowed" a copy to read.  The rest is history.  After that I read everything I could written by her.  My favorites include - The Vineyard, Private Scandals, and Birthright.    

Sadly in recent years, her books have all seemed the same to me.  They have either dragged on or just painfully obvious.

When I learned Netflix would be featuring Brazen Virtue- I HAD to read it. 

After I read it I realized-

 I didn't have to read it.  

Grace McCabe (an award winning crime writer) is visiting her sister Kathleen who is a high school teacher.  To make a little side hustle ( to gain money to win custody of her son), Kathleen begins one of those 1- 900 phone operator jobs (this was pre-internet).  Someone becomes obsessed with Kathleen and kills her leaving Grace to solve the crime.

I think Nora was trying to meet a deadline with this book.   It started very interesting for me but then in the middle all mystery was gone.  I didn't love the relationship between the sisters.  Also, I could have thunked Kathleen in the head a few times (some of her choices were STUPIDDDD).  

 

Netflix- Brazen Virtue 

I could have lived without watching this too.

(You know I love me some "Who's the Boss".)

It wasn't terrible,  

you just need a very vivid imagination to believe ANYTHING that happens in it.  Is a police chief REALLY going to give a crime writer FULL access over the case in one day?!?

Is the sister going to have sexy times like a day after the gruesome murder of her sister!?!

The characters didn't quite match the visual I had in my mind/ book description:

I do commend the team for trying to update the scenario(s) to the 21st century, and Sam Page is pretty easy on the eyes.

 Now go and enjoy for yourself.

I think I ran across this in a Dr, Oz article and purchased it on a discount rack.  

Laura Prepon is an actress who played on That 70s Show and Orange is The New Black.  I personally believe in the power of meal prepping, so I was curious about her plan that suggest it helps you "lose stubborn pounds and thrive".  I relate to anyone who says they are absolutely exhausted all the time because that is ME.  There are a lot of helpful things in this book that I found interesting but nothing cutting edge.  I'm not sure I would recommend.  The meal prep is simply a combination of protein, complex carbs, and veggies.  I can easily pull the meals together but it does me little good when I binge eat the cupcakes in the teacher's lounge.  I do think the yoga stretches for the the liver/gallbladder are good.  I do believe the science behind making a good bone broth are effective (if you have time for that kind of thing).  

I admire those who can meal prep and stick to it.

Middle School Reads:

Loved this one.  I wish I could do a WHOLE book study with my middle schoolers. 

Why? 

because it showcases that people are NOT allowed to make you feel uncomfortable even if it's meant to be called flirting or "being friendly".  

7th grader Mila finds herself the center of attention overnight.  It starts out as small comments but escalates to small touches.   It was interesting how those around Mila responded, and how hard it was for Mila to communicate to her overworked and overwhelmed mother. 

I related to sweet Mila so much.  1. because I too developed this type of attention overnight 2. it happened in the band room. 3. I felt it was my fault. 4. I told a teacher and they said 'aw. He's just flirting with you'. 

 I see this type of behavior every single day.  The only component this book left out was the pressure that social media puts on young girls now. 

You should definitely read this with your male or female middle schooler.  

My 7th grade inclusion teacher read this with her class.  I was excited because I have heard about this book my whole life but never read it.   My plan was to sit down each night and read the chapters as the class was moving.  The reality was as the students were testing and they came up to me for support I would speed read through the chapters in a frenzied speed read.   I didn't have time the night before, and I know there are things I missed.

I was intrigued by the story. 

It has to be one of the most thought provoking novels I have read in my whole live (truly).

This is a science fiction read that revolves around Jonas who lives in a comfortable, seemingly happy society where all the choices are made for you.   By age 12, Jonas is given the assignment of his life and learns a new perspective that changes him forever.  

I still can't tell you if I even like this book or not.  Sometimes I loved it and sometimes I didn't.

That was the impact it had on me. 

Just read it. 

Turkish Dramas

Now to the NEW addiction in my life....

TURKISH DRAMAS.

I don't even know how I ended up down this road but if someone doesn't stop me I'm soon going to be watching dramas full time while eating baklava and speaking Turkish to everyone.

Sol Yanim (My Left Side)

This is the first drama I ran across on youtube. It is about a poor girl who meets a rich boy and both their families hate each other. Oh my gah- the ANGST.

Apparently the Turkish people are very conservative, so there is no cursing, or making out, or violence. So it's basically a bunch of beautiful people staring at each other against a beautiful backdrop with dramatic Turkish music.

It is so fantastic

.....and I don't have a clue why.

Ada Masali (Island Tale)

I loved this one!!  

This is  story of Poyraz  (think of a Turkish Matthew McConaughey) and Ayca.  

Ayca is from the city and Poyraz grew up on the island and they HATE each other!!  Still they have to work together to create a hotel on the island and of course they fall in LOVEEEEE.  Then they get mad at each other over stupid things every two episodes.   The setting on this show was gorgeous (and the people even more so).  The actors Poyraz and Ayca fell in love in REAL life.  I know this because I follow the Turkish social media sites. 

I told you I had a problem.

Son Yaz (The Last Summer)

The mafia's son falls in love with the prosecutor's daughter.

This series ended suddenly and I'm still mad about some things 

and I'm not talking about it.

Siyah Beyaz Ask (Price of Passion)

Oh Gracious Y'all- this one was NUTS. Ferhat is an assassin but Asli is a doctor and he blackmails her into marrying him and then they fall in love and then he rejects her and more drama..... A lot of crying. Asli drove me crazy crying all the time.

SHEW

I really needed to get more sleep this month BUT

FERHAT KEPT ME AWAKE.

FERHAT WHYYYY YOU A JERK BUT WITH A HEART OF GOLD!?! 🤣

Bay Yanlis (Mr. Wrong)

Ezgi is a girl who keep getting taken advantage of by men. She later enters a deal with her neighbor (who is a TOTAL playa and the worst guy ever) to figure out what men really want and how to play the game to win.

Of course, all bets are off when HE falls in love with her.

It's like a Turkish version of "The Ugly Truth" with Katherine Heigl.

Aşk Mantık İntikam (Love, Logic, Revenge)

This is my favoriteeeee. It's still ongoing and I watch it every Saturday morning on Turkish Fox (you can get the app on Turkish 123).

Esra and Ozan grew up together and married young. Sadly, it didn't work out and they divorce early.

When Ozan becomes a self made millionaire, Esra shows back up wanting a job!! Ozan never forgot Esra and they have all sorts of insane adventures. These two are TERRIBLE at communication. He literally marries someone else when he gets mad at her over a miscommunication.

side note- I love the Turkish mothers, they are hilarious.

Yes. That's what I've been doing to keep sane.

I hope you all have a sport too!

See you in April.