For What It's Worth


Monday, January 14, 2019

My Monday Musings…life and reading update

If you’ve been following my posts (or lack thereof) for the past few weeks, you know that I have tendinitis in my hand and the pain had gone all the way up my arm to my neck. It’s been going on for over a month so I had to really take this seriously and rest my arm for an extended period of time.

This past week I went for a massage and she got the spot in my neck that was so tight and hoo-boy did it hurt. I didn’t know if I was going to punch her and start bawling BUT it finally released all that tightness so my hand and arm stretches finally started to make a difference.

I also took a break from my phone and computer – allowing myself only an hour or so per day and only in small increments. I’m going to give it another week so I don’t backslide but will hopefully return to blogging and commenting next week.

In the meantime I realized that my Macmillan winter ARC box had a few January releases that I have to get to. For some reason I didn’t think there were any until February/March. Bad blogger.

The Electric War is about the Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse’s race to light the world, All is Fair is a Swoon Reads book (always adorable) YA historical with spies and international intrigue, and The Wild Lands is thriller that sounds a bit dystopian. There’s a natural disaster (fire) that destroys all the wild lands in Alaska and several teens have to survive the harsh conditions together.

(And I LOVE my new mug - "Due to unfortunate circumstances I'M AWAKE"

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READ

I finally read things!


40006091The Memory or You by Jamie Beck was a KU read with free audible so I listened to it on audio. – This was a second chance romance when both LI move back home to their small town after a lot of hard knocks.
Ryan is a separated, single dad going through a tough divorce, while Steffie is starting a new remodeling business and a new life back home after a brutal attack.
This wasn’t bad – both Steffie and Ryan are good people but OMG Ryan can hold a grudge and Steffie (& all of her friends) spend most of the book telling other people how to fix their lives while they do the complete opposite. Not bad but kind of frustrating and there's a lot of  time spent on setup for the future couples.



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Love `a la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm was a delightful little story about food, cooking, travel, friends with a pinch of romance. If you are a fan of any of the Food Network competition shows, food documentaries or celebrity chefs this is the book for you. If you aren’t – some of the references might go over your head. I would love for there to be companion novels for some of the other
cooking school students.





REVIEW READING

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Noble Hops by Layla Reyne – the 3rd book in the romantic suspense Trouble Brewing trilogy

Not Dead Yet by Jenn Burke – book #1 in a new PNR, mystery series

Both come out in February

WON

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I never win anything but I won Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig over on Goodreads. now let’s see if the publisher ever sends it lol

READING CHALLENGE

2019 Reading Challenge

2019 Reading Challenge
Karen has read 2 books toward her goal of 50 books.

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I always set my goal lower and then adjust it as I go. I usually end up reading about 150-ish books each year. Rough start so far but some months are better than others.

I've also been watching some Netflix and if my hand continues to improve, I hope to be able to post about that soon Since I have 0 books read to review lol

And, same as last week, I'm trying to keep up with my blog visits but be patient with me for a little longer.

So what are you all up to? Reading or watching anything good?

60 comments:

  1. Don't worry about the blog visits. Everyone will understand. I'm glad to hear that you're improving though. Fingers crossed that it keeps going in the right direction!

    I finally finished my first book of 2019! It was a 27pg kids book and I'm not sorry! lol. I needed something in my corner already! My reading funk is just not budging although I am actually enjoying an audiobook on my work commute! Check us out... The reluctant audiobookers actually listening to audiobooks! :)

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    1. I feel good! I'm just worried if I dive back in it will happen all over again so one more week of taking it easy.

      A book read is a book read lol

      They're determined to covert us to audiobooks!! Ha

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  2. Sorry you are suffering so much. I hope you can find some comfort soon (acupuncture?) I wouldn't mind more A La Mode books either. I think some of the other characters could carry a book.

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    1. The massage was a game changer. I had pretty much healed my tendinitis in my thumb/hand but my neck was still tight but the massage therapist hit the spot. I also go to a chiropractor but we don't have a god acupuncturist in my area.

      So many of the characters seem ripe for a spin off!

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  3. You should definitely take all the rest you need:)
    The Electric War looks interesting. I'll have to look that up and maybe add on my wishlist.

    Hope you get better soon, Karen!

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    1. TEW isn't my usual read but it does look interesting so I'm going to give it a go.

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  4. I'm sure everyone understands the situation. These types of injury are so annoying and frustrating. It's easy for doctors to say 'try not to use your arm' but reality is way different!

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    1. Exactly! I am reducing use of that hand but at some point I need to get back to things - not even just blogging.

      I'm hoping the extended rest even though it's much better does the trick.

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  5. Yay for your arm!

    I hope you're getting the book you won...I heard that sometimes these giveaways just flunk without apparent reason.

    I love your mug too! I guess most of the times your "unfortunate circumstances" go by the name of Fonzi and Figment 😂.

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    1. I literally almost burst into tears when she hit that spot lol but felt so much better after.

      YES Roberta! That is exactly it. I wonder just how lazy I would be if the animals didn't have me so well trained lol

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  6. I'm so sorry that you've been suffering with such pain, and that the massage helped a little. I say that sitting back with coffee or tea to watch Netflix is a great way to relax and unwind. Please take care of yourself, and I'm sending some healing hugs your way! RO

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    1. I'm doing so much better. Just giving myself that extra time so it doesn't come right back.

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  7. I'm so sorry to hear about your hand :( That sounds painful, and totally inconvenient for getting very basic things accomplished. Swift healing, my friend. I'm glad you went to see a massage therapist; they can really work the kinks, but hope it was a good kind of pain and that slowly you're starting to see the results <3

    I'm about halfway through "Crazy Rich Asians" which is super cute but so superficial, that sometimes the narrating grosses me out because I know there are people out there in this world. It's a fun read though, nonetheless. We just finished Ozark which was amazing and have now moved on to season 2 of Friends From College on Netflix which is HILARIOUS. <3 Sending all my love and hope you're having a great week, my sweet!

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    1. That's how I felt about the CRA movie. It's not really how I look at life and felt so over the top but I kind of let it go and appreciated it as a 2 hours of fun. I didn't read the book but the movie had a wonderful portrayal of family and culture - new vs old. Have you seen it yet?

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    2. Not yet, but it's on my list and hope I get to watch it this week. I kind of did that, too, about halfway through the book--just took it for what it was and did appreciate all of the cultural references. <3

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  8. Ouch, tendinitis isn't nice. I do hope you are resting your hand sufficiently.

    Yay for your book win. The cover looks interesting. Put me in mind of something else then it came to me that it reminds me of the A Clockwork Orange poster.

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  9. I'm glad you were able to find a little relief but don't push yourself!

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    1. It hurt too much before for me to forget and slide back lol I'll just take whatever time I need.

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  10. A good massage can make wonder, lately I have been disappointment by mine...hmm. But yes for wanting t punch her, lol, you know what I mean.

    ALso do tell us what you watched on netflix!

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    1. Mine hurt her shoulder so she hasn't been as good lately but boy did she hit the spot this last visit. Ouch! lol

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  11. So glad that even though the massage caused you pain it was actually worth it to give you a bit of relief. Good job you checked when your arcs were due as well, I hate finding out that those books I think I have loads of time to read are actually due really soon but yay for the cool mug.

    I like the sound of Love a la Mode, might check out a sample and see if it's for me.

    I hope your hand continues to improve and you take all the time you need to be able to get back blogging, you come first after all.

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    1. The Macmillan box comes like 6 months early so I tend to forget lol Luckily, I keep a shelf for arc's in order of release date. I just needed to look in that general direction :-)

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  12. I've been back into reading again and I'm happy you are too. I haven't been winning much on Goodreads lately I just hope that means I'll win more late in the year.
    Tori @ In Tori Lex

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    1. I rarely enter because It's so hard to win anything but I missed out on the physical arc and got turned down for Netgalley. It was worth a shot!

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  13. Oof! I'm glad the massage worked and I hope the tendonitis stays away. Looks like you have some good reading on tap. You have me curious about the Trouble Brewing trilogy...I'll be checking out that one. :)

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    1. It's good! Have you read the first trilogy (Agents Irish & Whisky) before this one - same world - different couple -? I loved that one.

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  14. I had this immediate mental image of you punching your masseuse. Very believable, Karen. Haha. I'm happy it seems to have done the trick though!

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    1. I really, really, REALLY wanted to lol But once she let off the pressure I felt like I had a new arm.

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  15. Death Prefers Blondes is a great title and I have heard it's a very fun book! I hope you enjoy reading it and yay for winning it. So sorry to hear about you not being well lately and I hope you recover well <3 Take all the time you need. And yay for reading!

    My recent post: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2019/01/4-mini-reviews-shakespeare-edition/

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    1. I haven't read any reviews for it but it's an author I usually enjoy so fingers crossed.

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  16. Glad to see you're working on healing but man I know the frustration that comes with that, too. It was a pain when the eyes were all wonky a year ago.

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    1. I remember that. It's such a pain in the ass!

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  17. Sorry you're still having pain, but I'm glad to hear the painful massage was at least worth it and helped. What a cute mug!

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    1. It's going to be a lifelong thing but I have to better at resting it and not pushing. At least then it wouldn't require me to do NOTHING for a month lol

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  18. I hope you get your winnings.
    So glad to her that your arm is getting better. Maybe a few more massages will help.

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  19. back to school and reading some books on my kindle but not much . Just trying to make it through this semester to graduate.

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  20. Argh Blogger does not want to let me comment but I do not give up easily!
    So sorry to hear about your pain - I think I told you that I have had this - once going up my right arm, but lately it starts at the base of my skull and runs down to m right shoulder blade. It's so awful. Hoping you feel better soon!
    Jen Ryland Reviews

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  21. Ouch that's terrible! I hope you're doing better!

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  22. Thank goodness the massage offered some relief. I have bursitis in my should and I’ve really slacked on my physical therapy exercises. It’s tightened back up and now I’m kinda starting from scratch. Ugh. I love that mug. LOL Love a la Mode looks so cute. Glad you enjoyed it. Looks custome made for all the foodies. :)

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    1. I've had it before too but the same as you - I pushed it - didn't do my stretches and now I'm paying the price.

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  23. I'm so glad you're starting to feel some relief Karen, limiting repetitive movements with your wrist, like being on the computer is probably helping too. Will you need to go back for more therapy on your wrist? Don't worry about any of us, you just get yourself better woman!

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    1. I just have to manage and not overwork it so much. And do the stretches a few times a day so it doesn't tighten back up.

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  24. Oh! The Wild Lands! I can't wait to see your thoughts on that one. It's one of my anticipated reads for this year. I'm so sorry to hear about your aches and pains! I'm sending love and positive thoughts your way. You'll be happy to know I will be finishing The Winter King today/tonight (whenever the kids go to sleep, hah), and OMG. SO MANY THINGS. We must discuss at length when texting will not cause you pain or discomfort! <3

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

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    1. That's the one I'm most interested in.

      I'm glad you liked TWK too! It was crazy pants!!

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  25. I am really glad that you are taking time to take care of yourself- hopefully your body will thank you, knock on wood it seems to be! I also have those Fierce Reads books. Well- I read All is Fair, and we won't discuss that at the moment but I am super curious about Wild Lands, so definitely let us know what you think! Electric War actually sounds kind of cool so I might read that- one day, anyway. LOVE the mug, that is so fun! OH and since yoou are watching Netflix, you should just forget about books and blogging and just binge The 100. Look at me, solving all the problems! 😂

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    1. Uh-oh lol That one isn't my jam so that's good to know. I hate the boxes so that you have to get books that don't appeal to you just to get the one you do want. Seems like such a waste.

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  26. I'm glad the massage at least means your exercises are working a bit better, but man, I can imagine how much that must have hurt!! I hope you are all healed up soon though!! Congrats on winning Death Prefers Blondes; hopefully you'll get the book. LOL I am so curious about that one! I JUST finished reading Noble Hops and I loved it, so I hope you do too!!!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I have Noble Hops but I've been SO busy lately I haven't had time to read it.
      I better get DPB!! lol

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  27. oh no darling, I am sorry to hear that you have been dealing with such pain and I hope your feeling normal soon. I hope you have some good books read this week!!

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    1. It's been so much better! Just trying not to relapse so I'm taking it slow.

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  28. I'm off with a very busy start but I hope I could do more reading and watching this year <3

    xx
    Vanessa
    www.blushinggeek.com

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  29. Aaack, really hope your hand is better. Hugs. And ohh, I hope you watched a bunch of awesome netflix things :D I need to take more twitter/laptop breaks too. But I might be a bit too addicted. Oops. Happy reading Karen :) Hope you are doing well. <3

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