For What It's Worth


Friday, January 28, 2022

That's a Wrap(Up): Reading, watching, Life...

 I'VE BEEN READING! Like REALLY AND TRULY reading!!! 5 books for January (I might squeeze in one or two more depending on how much reading time I get in before next Tuesday).

The past few years I just haven't felt like reading. I wouldn't even call it slump but the urge hit me and here I am - reading again. 

Everything about it has changed though. I used to read one book a day and that's over. Now it takes me weeks. I used to only read one book at a time - now I have 2 to 3 going at once. Usually and audio (also new for me), a physical book (I really want to get through that pile in my lifetime!), and a Kindle book for bedtime.  I'm reading all types of genres and styles - YA, contemporary, romance, non-fiction, sad, happy...I'm all over the place and it's been keeping things interesting. 

The long reading break also helped with another issue - everything feels fresh again. I know most of the tropes are the same but it's been so long, that I'm coming back to it with a fresh perspective. I'm no longer irritated or frustrated by characters or angsty stories. We'll see how long that last lol but for now, it's been great!

That means that I'm getting a little better at blogging and commenting again! 

So let's get to it!





Anything but Fine by Madden Tobias - LGBQT YA. A little angsty but I'm liking it! 

How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur - from the creator of The Good Place - a interesting and funny look at ethics, how to be a better person when faced with questions of morality. Listening to this one on audio

The Pho Cookbook by Andrea Nguyen - we have AMAZING pho out here but...pandemic...so I can't get everywhere I'd like to go to eat it everyday. This is a great cookbook! From simple pho using boxed broth or an instant pot to more elaborate recipes - it's got you covered.

I posted a review for The Lucky Escape on Monday and have two more reviews drafted. WHO AM I??!!



Still watching the Book of Boba Fett and not very invested. However, the most recent episode was amazing but does it count?? SPOILER -> It wasn't even about Boba Fett lol

The Great on Hulu  - Is anyone else watching this?? I love this show but I never see anyone talking about it. It's the *anti-historical* story of the rise of Catherine the Great. While it follows the general trajectory and major characters, it's a hilarious satire, a feminist bent and has a lot of surprisingly complex and touching moments. Gillian Anderson as a guest star in S2 was fantastic.

The Eternals - ehhh lol

The Mind Explained on Netflix - Fast 22 minute yet informative episodes on how the mind works with episodes about focus, the teen brain, memory, anxiety and more. 


Life 



Ripley had her cracked tooth removed. It was fractured below the gum line as well so good thing we did it. She did great, bounced back right away and is very upset with me for keeping her bones away. Here she is with her poodle cut on her right leg for the IV. Another thing that annoys her.

Kai will be getting neutered Tuesday so he'll have a matching spot. I am NOT looking forward to keeping him isolated and them separated for 10-14 days 😱 I have a system set up but these two are peas in a pod and hate having to stay quiet or away from each other. Pray for me lol


The weather has been cold (30's) but spectacular. We finally got a break from all the rain (and snow) and while the mornings have us buried in fog - the afternoons are bright and sunny. It has done so much for my mood this week. 


27 comments:

  1. Yay! I'm so happy your desire to read has returned. I'm like you in that I always have an audiobook going, a physical book, and a kindle book. I have to make sure they're different genres so I can remember what's going on but it seems to work for me. :) You have me interested in How to Be Perfect and The Mind Explained. Good luck with Kai's and Ripley's separation. I can't imagine that's going to be easy. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. I used to read so fast that it was easier to read one at a time but now I take weeks (especially with audio).

      I'm only a few chapters in to How to Be Perfect but The Mind Explained was really interesting!

      Hope you have a great weekend too Brandee!

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  2. I'm so glad you've been feeling like reading again. That's always a happy day! :) I haven't heard of The Great. I'll have to look into it. I enjoyed The Eternals, but I know it wasn't for everyone. I hope you keep doing well.

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    1. I thought I was going to like The Eternals - I didn't dislike it but nothing clicked for me.

      have a great weekend Jenni!

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  3. Happy weekend! That's awesome. My reading is kinda rebounding as well and I agree- it's great. :)

    Good luck with the neutering :)

    The Eternals- I liked it but some of the story choices were... weird?


    The sun makes a huge difference. It was sunny here and my mood was so much better lol!

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    1. There was a lot of backstory with The Eternals. And I could never decide what tone they were going for - light and funny or dramatic. It just felt uneven to me.

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  4. Awww, you have split the kids up. *sad face* Hope all goes well. So, have you made any the Pho?

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    1. When Ripley got spayed, Kai laid dutifully by her pen/crate. I just envision her sticking her running around, sticking her tongue out and teasing him for being locked up lol

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    2. And no, I haven't made the pho yet. I have all the spices and everything so I think this week!

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  5. I can see how taking a break from reading and then coming back would make it fresh again. I need to check out Pho food. I'm always looking for a new good recipe. That would be tough to keep your dogs apart when they are so close. I feel sad for them already! Yay for lovely sunny afternoons!

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    1. Everything starts sounding the same after years of reading almost daily and I was getting so picky and grumpy with characters.

      It's really the same now too but doesn't feel so annoying now lol

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  6. I have been wanting to try the Great, one day!

    I am totally in a slump, but yes not a reading slump. I do listen to plenty of audio, but to actually hold a book in my hands. what was it, 4 books in 5 months?!

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    1. Do you not have time (S has been sick and you've had a lot going on!) or do you just not feel like it?

      I just didn't feel like reading at all. Audiobooks were the only reasons I read anything last year. But they're slooooow going for me.

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  7. Yes get it! I read a ton of books these past two weeks, I think Im at 10 books for Janaury which is unheard of.

    Ahhh vet trips. Sending love to you all as you manage that.

    I watched half of The Great and really enjoyed it but never finished. Hm.

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    1. I think I read 7 books in January!! That's the most I've read in over a year.

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  8. Yay for reading!! I totally get that feeling! Okay, I LOVE The Great! I haven't finished season two yet, but it's one of my favorite shows! Good luck to Kai! I'm sure he'll do great!

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    1. I'm so happy to hear someone is also watching The Great! It's an awesome show!

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  9. Oh Karen!!! I am so happy for you. I love that you are in love with reading again. Good luck to Kai tomorrow and sending extra energy for the next couple weeks. Keep us posted on his surgery. I've been busy rewatching old shows, last week my girl and I watched highlights from Eureka. I haven't started Boba Fett (as you may recall), so I skipped that section of your post.

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    1. I used to love Eureka!

      I'm pulling out all the pens and larger crates (so he can turn with the cone of shame lol) out so that we're ready for him tomorrow when he comes home.

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  10. Look at you with all the reading! And I liked the added benefit of the break... things feel new again. Nice! I have a habit of reading cookbooks but rarely actually making anything in them. But I seriously love perusing a physical cookbook. I find of so relaxing.

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    1. Same!!! I rarely cook from them but I find them so relaxing lol

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  11. Good luck with Kai. I'm glad they were able to remove the tooth too.

    I'm glad you were able to get back into reading some.

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    1. Thank you. I'm not looking forward to the next 14 days but I'm ready lol

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  12. That's wonderful you're finding yourself reading again, and actually enjoying it! I have Anything But Fine to hopefully read soon.

    Lauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I liked it overall. Very drama llama main character but it made sense lol

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  13. Yay for reading, even if it's different now. Sounds like it's going well! Aww, I hope the dogs do ok being separated for a bit!

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  14. How to be perfect and The Pho Cookbook look great.

    It looks like you are almost successfully through the Kai and Ripley separation from your IG posts. You've got this. 😊

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