For What It's Worth


Monday, November 20, 2017

monday musings…

2017 is winding down and I’m going to be a little scarce around here for the rest of the year – about one post a week. Maybe…whenever I decide to do one thing I tend to do the opposite – so you could end up with a new post everyday lol

Kevin is on vacation so reading time might be scarce and I just passed 202 books read this year and once I hit that mark, I felt like ok…I’m done for the year. I’m sure I’ll fit in a few more books before the year ends but I have zero books for review until January and it feels nice so as far as reviewing and blogging go – I’m taking it easy until then. I think blogging slows down a lot for everyone this time of year so It’s a good time to take a break and refresh. I do have a few books that I’ll probably get to next month.

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Certain Dark Things has been on my TBR for a long time and I even gave to the author’s GoFundMe campaign so you think I would have read it by now…but no. I’ve been reading The Book of Joy for several months - but on purpose. I read a few chapters here and there when I’m in the mood for the Dalai Lama and the Archbishop Desmond Tutu to talk me down from the edge and remind me to take the time to find joy in life. lol My New Crush Gave to Me just sounds cute and festive.

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imagesI’m still giving audio books a try and it’s not going so well. I just can’t multitask while listening and I still get distracted for anything going over 20 minutes. So yay! through this process I discovered podcasts and those have been fun but not so much much with the audiobook reading.

I’m still dabbling in graphic novels and that’s going better. I’m still learning my way around reading the panels and getting used to POW! OOf! type dialogue but they’re such fast reads that it’s ok. The key for me is strong character story lines. I find that I’m not as into action only sequences when it comes to this format.


I’m trying Saga – a space opera/fantasy comic next.

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Gift Present Celebrate Party Wrapped Simple Concept

December 15th will mark my 8th year blogging! Woo-hoo! I can’t even believe I made it this long.

So many of my good friends have quit over the years and I’ve been right on the edge several times but I seem to have found a renewed spark and don’t see myself quitting any time soon.

Blogging has changed dramatically since I started though and I think I might talk about that a little next month.

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Book Bonanza


I’m joining the Black Friday Book Bonanza Hop, hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer starting this Friday so check back then. My giveaway will be international.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving this week if you celebrate!


42 comments:

  1. My New Crush sounds so cute!! Wow 8 years. That is amazing. 202 books too!! Hope you have a lovely Thnaksgiving!

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  2. I sure did not think I would have read these many books but hey what else to do at times :)

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    1. This is one of those years that I just breezed through.I wasn't trying to read that many. I do wish more made an impact though.

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  3. I don't think I've ever heard you mention the exact date of your blogoversary before...because it's the day after my birthday, so I should remember that...or not? LOL. Old age strikes again?
    But yep! 8 years are almost monumental (though Felicia above said she's turning 10! That's SO huge - congratulations!). I'll make sure to mark the date and celebrate 😃.

    I used to take it easy in December as well, but this year I'm trying to make amends for my slow, slow start of 2017. That, and I have a couple of books I'm trying to spread the word about/generate buzz for. And since I found out that scheduling works for me, I don't want to break the spell LOL.

    Looking forward to you post about blogging! And happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. We're opposites...AGAIN lol

      I probably never said the date because I usually either forget about it until the last minute - or in the case of the one year I had the wrong amount of years. I said 5 instead of 6 lmao

      I needed a schedule (the 3 day per week Monday Musing/Minis, review on Wednesday, then Friday Fast Five) to get me back on track and it worked but now I don't feel like I have anything to say right so that's ok too.

      You have to do whatever works for you!

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  4. Wow, happy early blogoversary! Eight years is a lot! But yeah, I'm considering posting a bit less for the rest of the year too. Haven't quite decided. Yay Saga! I hope you like it!

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    1. Have you read it? Maybe that's how I heard about it? lol I have a long list from your blog.

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  5. Yes, a break and a slower blogging schedule are very necessary now and then. Glad you are taking one. Looks like you're enjoying a nice eclectic stack of books and book mediums with audio and graphics and podcasts all in the mix.

    Eight years is fantastic, Karen!

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  6. Congrats on Eight years...I believe we both started blogging around the same time. I also have lost many blogging friends but somehow I have never lost my passion for blogging and I am so glad that you are still going strong. I do agree that blogging has definitely changed in many ways from what it was when we first started right?

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    1. Thank you! So many have disappeared but I found a lot of new people this year and it's help reinvigorate me. I think you really need to be in for yourself in order to enjoy it and make it past the times you struggle.

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  7. Happy Thanksgiving and happy blogoversary! WTG on your reading goals. Oh and I think I need that Dali Lama and Desmond TuTu book!

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    1. It's one of those quotable books. I'm only 1/3 way through but I have post-it notes everywhere lol

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  8. Dang! That's some good reading this year. I'm still catching up but can totally get that "done" feeling once you hit your mark. Hope you have a good semi-break!

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    1. It wasn't my goal to read that many. I started at 100 for my Goodreads thingy but I seemed to have hit my reading stride this year.

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  9. Certain Dark Things looks so beautiful 😍😍😍 Happy blogoversary!

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    1. Doesn't it? And it sounds very creepy which I love. Not sure why I haven't read it yet. I think I've mostly been int he mood for light and fluffy lately though.

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  10. Ohhh, I bought the first volume of Saga at Dragoncon this year and I can't wait to read it! I hope you enjoy your holidays, and can't wait to hear about them :)

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    1. Oh cool! I didn't know you go to Dragoncon! I hope to read it int he next week or so.

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  11. Happy Early Blogoversary!! I'd love to read a post about blogging, etc. So many people have definitely quit in the years I've been blogging. I hope you enjoy Saga. It's a weird one, but I love it!! I've read 1-5, so I need to check out volumes 6 and 7 soon (I think 7 is the latest ....). Have you tried Locke and Key by Joe Hill? There are four volumes, I think, and it's a favorite graphic novel series of mine!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I haven't heard of Locke and Key. I'll have to look it up. It's all pretty new to me so I'm kind of lost but I kind of like them.

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  12. Happy almost Blogoversary! Blogging does usually slow down this time of year.

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    1. There's all the cooking, shopping, traveling, kids on vacation! Resulting in exhaustion lol

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  13. I think things do slow down in the blogging world this time of year, so it's a great time to take a break and pull back a little. I haven't been posting much, I'm just too busy right now, but I'm not caught up with my reads so I must plug along. Congrats on 8 years of blogging! Have a great holiday, Karen! :)

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  14. Have a good holiday and so glad that you are still doing it. wow 8 years. Yes I'm one that has stepped back and hardly blogging but mainly doing the mom and school thing. I can't wait to read those thoughts about blogging changing and still doing it. <3

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    1. You have so much going on Julie! Proud of you!

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  15. Are you and Kevin still going somewhere? Also happy blogversary! Time really flies, I can't say I'm ready for 2018.

    Happy Thanksgiving Karen!! <3

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    1. Just a few long weekends. Kevin is on and off every other week. He wants to go somewhere cold...gah!

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  16. How in the world have you read 202 books already? I feel like all I do is read and I never make it to my goal of 200 for the year!

    I'm with you on the audiobooks. I just have not been able to make them work for me. If I listen to them in the car, I fall asleep. If I listen while at home, I get distracted and lost. So, yeah. I guess they don't work for everyone!

    Glad to have found your blog :)

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    1. I have no idea! I haven't read this many books in a long time.I didn't even mean to - it just happened lol

      When I listen to audiobooks in the car I'm like oh look at that tree! then 3 chapters later I realize I haven't been paying attention. ha!

      Thanks for stopping by Susan.

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  17. Oh wow. 8 long years! That's amazing Karen. Advance Happy Anniversary :)

    xx
    Vanessa @ Blushing Geek

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  18. Wow, 8 years is BEYOND AMAZING, Karen, I don’t know if I would reach even there years. I hope so, though. Here is wishing you another 8 or more years. You’re a fantastic blogger. So happy being able to know you. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the books you’re planning to read. Have a wonderful week. ❤️😁

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  19. My New Crush Gave To Me looks festive and fun, perfect for this time of year! And I'm the same way with audio- I have a problem with getting distracted.

    Good luck with Saga! I've read the first five and while they're not my favorite, lotsa people love 'em. Alex and Ada is another you might be interested in, if you like character- driven rather than just action stuff.

    Congrats on 8 years!!!! And enjoy your break...:)

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  20. Lol, I can;t do audiobooks either. I gave up. I can't focus on them while doing anything else therefore the very point of them is moot... If I'm going to sit and listen to something with my eyes closed for half an hour, I might as well just sit and actually read for half an hour! :)

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  21. I hate that audiobooks aren't going well for you. They're my life now! I think you should try something light... like a sexy romance. It isn't something you have to catch every detail for, and the steamy scenes being read out loud might help to keep your attention. 😉

    Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. Oh, and happy early blog birthday! Gah! How long have I known you?! I'm so glad you never quit blogging, and I'm incredibly happy to have reconnected with you. You're such an incredible person! Throw a squishy lightbulb at Kevin for me!

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  22. After reading 202 books I am pretty sure taking it slow to the end of the year is a good shout. You can take it easy and read what you want and by the time it comes to looking at review copies you can start thinking about those later if you've got nothing due til next year. Happy early blog birthday, I'll be interested to see your thoughts on how blogging has changed.

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  23. OMG, Karen! I love your blog layout!! It is GORGEOUS!! Hope you are doing well and Happy Thanksgiving :)

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