Mid-week (slightly controversial) reading

Yesterday was the Show Us Your Books link-up, so you can find what I've been reading-reading in that post.

However, I've bookmarked some good things lately that I've meant to share...

+Education is an aspect of the government that I can tend to get really upset over. I don't like the way some people act as though education has just recently been attacked under the current presidential administration. This all started in 2001, and continued through President Bush and President Obama. Education has been under attack since the new millenium started, essentially.

Nothing has *really* changed in the last year in regards to public schools. Ideas are just being thrown about that get people more riled up. The status quo is the same.
All this to say, I'm glad teachers are finally standing up for themselves, so here's an article about that. 

+As well as...a lot of my opinion on education is colored by the fact that I've spent 4 years teaching in Colorado and Colorado teachers are some of the most underpaid in the nation. Sadly, a lot of the teachers here have never taught anywhere else so it never occurred to a lot of them to go up against their state government. I think that the teachers in Denver need to strike because what that article says about a teacher not being able to afford a 1-bedroom apartment in Denver is 100% true. Most brand-new teachers I know in Colorado Springs have to have roommates because that's their only option.

+Raise a mentally strong child by doing these things.  Do a teacher a favor. They'll appreciate you, I promise.

+From Amber, a blog post on the fact that we can be kind and accepting of each other without agreeing on everything. I know that my opinion won't change your opinion and will ruin a friendship. It's not worth it. This is why it's also helpful to have relationships based on things other than politics or religion.

And, finally...

+The last conversation you'll ever need to have about eating right. When people tell me they feel better when they "eat paleo", I don't believe them. A doctor's diagnosis (like, a legit, licensed doctor) of allergies is one thing...but that type of lifestyle is unsustainable and that makes me sad.
The fertility doctors and the acupuncturist I went to last spring tried to convince me that eating only protein and less than 30 grams of carbs a day was the best possible way to live.

Thoughts? 

5 Things I...

...read.

This is my library haul from a couple of days ago, so fingers crossed I can get through all of them in a month. Luckily the library is part of my school district and there's no late fees for teachers. Small victories.

Last week, I listed some things I've been watching (TV, I hate to admit, is my preferred entertainment). This week, it's things I've been reading.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware. When this popped up on my library hold list,  I had to get to it and prioritize it. I didn't really like it.

Some blog posts about The Bachelor. This is about the girls and this is about the history of Nick. I admit that I'm really pulling for him and just hope he doesn't pick a 23 year old. I can't imagine he'd have that much in common with any of them.

This post on perspective and failure. Spoiler alert: I'm really putting the word perspective into my plans for the new year.

A post about military spouses that is *slightly* original. You see, not all of these apply to me, but it's refreshing to see something other than "we have interests too!" or "it's sometimes harder when your service member is home!" or other such claims.

Sarah Beth is doing a Yoga Challenge for the month of January and I'll be taking part. Want to join in?

Have a safe and happy weekend! Thanks for sticking with me for another year :)

Wednesday Reads and a PSA

Public Service Announcement:

Wishing fall into existence does not make it so. It was 74 degrees yesterday. Please put away the blanket scarves. You dressing for the North Pole when it is in the 70s does not a fall season make and you will just get hot and sweaty. Please check the weather. 
I think even worse than those who don't check the weather are those who DO check the weather and just throw on the winter gear anyway. That's not how getting dressed should work.
I went with bare legs yesterday. It was almost 60 degrees at 7am. 

Now that we have that out of the way, a few things for you to check out...

Keeping it classy, as usual, Broncos fans. I swear, I never cared one way or the other about the Broncos until I met their fans. They booed their old quarterback when he returned to play against them on Monday night. The newscasters in Colorado Springs were bragging about this on Tuesday morning. 
I maintain that no one looks good in bright orange. 

What are the main reasons teachers call it quits? Interesting. 

Jana tweeted this the other day and I'm a loyal listener of the BSCC podcast. You have to listen from the beginning for it to make sense, so I recommend going back to episode one. 

I found this pin that lead to an article about podcasts for book lovers. That article led me to What Should I Read Next? and I listened to four episodes yesterday. So it goes without saying that I recommend it.

I firmly believe that comparison is the thief of joy and, while I like to look to others as models as what I perhaps should or shouldn't be doing, this post is quite true. We can't measure ourselves against others because none of us are facing the exact same circumstances. 

What have you read on the internet lately?

Cleaning out my bookmarks

I have way too many things bookmarked.

Cleaning out those links, here's some things worth sharing.

Let's start with pictures.

I love this shirt and I would wear it often.  I think that's my favorite movie.

This is something that I think about almost every time I leave the house. Not that I would worry about becoming a zombie, but if I'm stuck in the apocalypse, I better be wearing something practical. Is that weird? Like, I have 3 pairs of older sneakers in a tub in the basement because, even though I don't use them anymore, I think that it'd be nice to have extra serviceable shoes around when everything goes south.

Jana posted this the other day. 27 Sweary Office Products and I immediately sent the link to my coworker. I don't know what that says about me.

This article about a woman who writes a response to why she won't upgrade her wedding ring.
I have to say that upgrading wedding rings is a pet peeve of mine. Unless you don't have a ring and get one later or there's some kind of extenuating circumstances, why would you not WANT to keep the ring that symbolized so much from that time in your life? I wouldn't be able to give mine up simply because it's been with me through some very rough times in the last 7 years. It's seen that history with me, and it's a reminder of how far we've come. I kind of think of it as an evolving, living thing that represents everything we've gone through in the last, again, 7 years.
When people upgrade just to upgrade, I want to gag. Hashtag priorities, amIright?

This is a TED Talk from a few years ago, but I saw it a few weeks ago. It's about why dieting doesn't work. If you're struggling, it's worth a listen.

As someone who has a home-sales business and has a regular job (I'll steer away from the word "real" here), I still don't know how I feel about this. I think I bookmarked it because I wanted to agree or disagree but the whole thing is kind of an annoying piece of self-justification (is that a word?) and I don't feel like thinking about it. Thoughts? It's about whether or not MLM businesses and the like are real businesses.

I might have to make this a regular blog feature. I have so many things bookmarked because I, obviously, had plans to share them but never did.

March Books (the month of Rose Gardner)

Daddy, Stop Talking by Adam Carolla B+
I'm drawn to Carolla's books. They're laugh out loud amusing. My favorite part of this one was when he was interviewing his 8 year-old son about why he didn't participate in crazy hair day at school. The kid said, "It's pointless! It doesn't move the needle!".  THAT is my kind of kid. Just a few weeks ago we had Wacky Wednesday at school and I was a non-participant. Why? Because I was given all of 18 hours notice (first of all) and because it doesn't move the needle.
If you're looking for a funny book, I liked this one.

Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank A
Maybe this was just a southern mystery that was reminiscent of Sookie Stackhouse. Maybe a lot of it was annoyingly unbelievable. But I liked it. And I kept going because I enjoyed it a lot.

And then the rest of the series...

Twenty-Nine and Half Reasons A-
Still good. Not as good as the first one. But good.

Thirty and a Half Excuses A
Really good. Character development is happening and things are getting interesting.

Thirty-One and a Half Regrets A+ (This is where I started giving 5 stars on Goodreads...)
My favorite one yet. I like this narrator better actually. MUCH BETTER now that I think of it. And I really couldn't stop listening. It's like you know what's going to happen but you really want to see how the characters get there. For 97% of the book, I was TEAM MASON. For the last 30 minutes, I was TEAM JOE. It's such a predicament. Like, seriously...I can't decide.

Thirty-Two and a Half Complications A
Firmly holding onto my TEAM JOE status.

Picking Up the Pieces (Book 5.5, a Rose Gardner Novella) A+
Short and sweet and covers the time/distance between books 5 and 6. I didn't read the first novella (Falling to Pieces, after book 3) but this one really adds to the character development. It lets you see the different POVs, and I almost (for a second) felt bad for Violet.

Thirty-Three and a Half Shenanigans A
More plot development. Character storylines are getting more detailed.

Ripple of Secrets (Book 6.5, novella 3) A++

#TEAMJOE

Also, this is all about character development. I both like and hate that the author is creating empathy where there was none previously.

Thirty-Four and a Half Predicaments A-
This one was starting to lose me in the middle and then it picked up in the last hour and the ending was very interesting.

Thirty-Five and a Half Conspiracies A
How long until the next book comes out? 
I would love to see this as a TV show. I was loving the end of this book and I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT. #teamjoe #teamjoe #teamjoe (hopefully)

(oddly, no picture of this book)

Should you read these books? Yes, if you like the southern mystery genre. It was like the best parts of the Sookie Stackhouse series without all the faerie stuff.  HIGHLY recommend. It might be because I grew up in a small town, but I can understand the dynamics very well and it's believable. Also, I enjoy the way they focus on the mundane AND the bigger plot developments. Some of it is corny (Mason is kind of corny in general), but it all blends well together and, I think, makes for a generally compelling story.

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That brings my book count for the year up to 20. Not a ton, but I told myself I wouldn't stress out over trying to read all the books. Or, in my case, listen to all the books.

Also, I don't really want to even talk about how much I've been spending on audiobooks. I will say that these Rose Gardner mysteries aren't available at either of my libraries and I don't have a lot of time to sit and read anyway. Let's file it under "entertainment". I don't go to the movies or anything. This is just my self-imposed entertainment budget for the month.

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Also, I tried Room. I couldn't do it. The narration done by a 5 year old who can't speak in proper English (yet seems to know a lot of big words like gnash??) pushed me over the edge. Maybe I'll still watch the movie if the opportunity arises. The book just wasn't for me. I tried the audioversion (download from the library) and read a few pages of the paper copy. Neither were impressive in my opinion.

And I'm re-reading The Wilder Life. I highly recommend it.

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What's the best book you read in March?

Linking up with Jana and Steph!

Link Worthy Monday

Greetings from Thanksgiving vacation!  Scott didn't realize until last night that I didn't have to go back to work today.  I mentioned that I was already a little bored (just a little) and he was all, "Whaaa?". I plan on finishing my Christmas shopping and continuing my organization of the basement. Exciting stuff.  I also have a couple of recipes to share this week.  Hold me to that, please.

Until then…my bookmark tab is filling up, so time to share!

What 10 Pounds Taught Me.  I've really been working hard at changing my mentality toward fitness and body acceptance so this post was very encouraging.

Why French Kids Don't Have ADHD.  This sounds about right.

A parody of Serial.  Fantastic.

10 Ways Introverts Interact Differently.  It's not about being shy.  It's about how we're all wired differently.

A pro-vaccination argument.  This is different than the typical "herd immunity" point, but makes just as much sense and it's probably not thought about as often. The last paragraph of this letter states it all so well.

Confessions of a Pilates Instructor.  This was informative.  No one really has it all together.  Reassuring, right?

Serial replaces Shakespeare.  Such a good idea.  We need more current, relevant critical thinking in our schools.  Also, Koenig's husband teaches at Penn State, our alma mater, and this podcast on Slate does a thought-provoking recap of Serial each week.  I try to get people I know in real life into Serial and no one will listen (to it or me).  Scott loves it though.  As he said when I complained, "It's their loss."

Last but not least, Scott's birthday is this week so I'm baking this cake while he's at work.  Cross your fingers.  I've never made a homemade layer cake before.  Usually I go with the ice cream variety.