Luggage and Literature

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. - St. Augustine

March 2017 Reading List

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Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. And this year I’m participating in the 2017 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenges, so I’m also going to be listing which category my books fulfill. If you want to join in on the fun, you can check out the list of categories here! This is my March 2017 Reading List, my brief reviews and book recommendations for March 2017. Hopefully I’ll provide you with some inspiration for your future reading as well!

Books Finished:

A Tale of Love and Darkness by Amos Oz

I’ve been working on this one for a while now, and almost gave up in the middle when it felt a little slower. I’m glad that I didn’t because the story really is incredible, and very moving. The ending is especially poignant. The book is a memoir set during the author’s life growing up in Israel. It was a fascinating look at the changing Middle East and world from the perspective of a boy in Israel living through it.

The Broken Way: A Daring Path into the Abundant Life by Ann Voskamp

I’m a really big fan of Ann Voskamp, and own all of her books. They are beautiful to look at, and are simply beautiful to read. I took this one slowly and enjoyed the language that she used which made the words come alive in my mind. I recommend her other books as well, One Thousand Gifts and The Greatest Gift, in case you decide to read this one and like it as much as I did.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

2017 MMD Reading for Fun Challenge: a book you were excited to buy or borrow but haven’t read yet

I’ve seen the movie The Hobbit, as well as all of the Lord of the Rings movies. But I’d previously never read any of Tolkien’s books…shocking, I know. I’ve meant to get into them as the fantasy, odyssey elements make them right up my alley. But they just ended up at the bottom of the ‘to read’ stack largely because of the length of the books and the undertaking seeming overwhelming. What convinced me to get started was an Audible sale where I got The Hobbit for free! Can you believe it?! I really enjoyed the narration (kudos to Rob Inglis!), and will probably try to get through the Lord of the Rings books on Audible, since Inglis narrates the rest of the series.

The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan

The premise of this book is that if you want to do something really well, you need to approach it with singular focus. Multitasking is simply a fallacy that causes us to do many things poorly. It was a good reminder to stop dividing my attention, even though it is easy to do in this age.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

2017 MMD Reading for Growth Challenge: a book in translation 

To tell the truth, I didn’t really care for this book. It was my book club’s March book, so I gave it a shot. And others in the book club really did like it. There were moments when I thought that the book might pull me in and make me like it. But it just didn’t really click for me. There were some grammatical issues that I wonder if are due to the book being translated from Swedish. But the bigger issue that I had was that the story felt incredibly predictable, while the main character’s actions seemed inconsistent. The back story of Ove sets him up as a strong, silent type of man who has strong morals and is very handy. But his present day (and some historical) actions are simply curmudgeonly, without rational explanation for them, I guess other than it sets up some slightly humorous situations. In visiting with my husband about the book, he thought it sounded like the plot to As Good As It Gets, which didn’t strike me as a particularly good movie. So I’m content to say that perhaps it was just that the book (and the movie As Good As It Gets) simply aren’t for me. I’m just not the right audience.

Sand: Omnibus Edition by Hugh Howey

I was interested in reading this book, because it appeared to combine my love of scuba diving with my love of dystopian fiction. And it did…with a twist. The divers weren’t diving in water, in fact water was scarce. The divers were diving through sand. It was clear that the author has at least a basic understanding of diving equipment, but of course twisted things such that the equipment was used for diving through sand. I thoroughly enjoyed the dystopian future, the family drama, and the hints of love and romance.

 

Books in Progress:

The Tools of Argument: How the Best Lawyers Think, Argue, and Win by Joel Trachtman

The House by the Lake by Ella Carey

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

 

Books Abandoned:

None.

What I Read (January 2017)

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Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. And this year I’m participating in the 2017 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge, so I’m also going to be listing which category my books fulfill. If you want to join in on the fun, you can check out the list of categories here! This is What I Read in January 2017, my brief book recommendations and reviews. Hopefully I’ll provide you with some inspiration for your future reading as well!

Books Finished:

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

After reading a couple of her books previously, I know that I love her writing. This book was fantastic! I couldn’t stop reading it and finished it in about 2 days. The structure of the book is interesting. The reader gets a glimpse of the present lives of the characters, as well as them reflecting back to the ‘day of the barbecue’ when something terrible happened. You don’t find out until close to the end what that terrible thing is and how the characters come to terms with it.

Authority by Nathan Barry

For my law practice (my day job), I’ve thought about putting together e-books on particular topics that are of interest to our clients and prospective clients. This book was really helpful in trying to learn about self-publishing, as well as how to market and distribute the e-books. I received it as a complementary book for attending a webinar on ConvertKit.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

I listened to this one on Audible, usually while driving for work, and have been working on it for a couple of months. It was wonderful! I was surprised repeatedly by turns in the story, which was refreshing after feeling like so many stories are predictable. I would recommend this one, especially on audio book. But be aware that it’s quite a long audio book.

She’s Got Issues: Seriously Good News for Stressed-Out, Secretly Scared Control Freaks Like Us by Nicole Unice

My bible study read this book and finished it in December, but I forgot to add it to What I Read (December 2016), so I’m writing about it here. We all really liked this book. It touches on issues that each of us had, and had ideas for dealing with those issues. The book was easy for us all to talk about as we could relate in different ways to it. And Nicole’s blend of therapist training with the ministry portion made her perspective more authoritative and respectable than what is sometimes found in devotional type of books where the authors have no specific training or education in what they’re writing about.

A Weekend Getaway by Karen Lenfestey

This is a fun, easy read, which I felt like I desperately needed after some of the tough reading I’ve done in the past few months. It’s about a gal who is in her 30s and gave her baby up for adoption in college, and is now coming to terms with it. Her life hasn’t turned out the way she’d hoped, and she’s trying to figure out where she belongs. I enjoyed it, but can’t say it’s a book that has really profound ideas that will stick with me.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance

2017 MMD Reading for Fun Challenge: a book recommended by someone with great taste

I heard about this book in one of Anne Bogel’s (Modern Mrs. Darcy’s) What Should I Read Next podcasts, as well in one of her book recommendation lists. After hearing it described by one of her guests as ‘the book that describes and explains Trump voters’ I almost didn’t listen to it as that seemed very patronizing. But I’ve had good luck before with books I’ve found out about in the podcast so I gave it a shot. Vance’s story is engaging; and the narration is fantastic. The people in his life are complex, and I found my self loving them despite (or because of) their flaws. His descriptions and explanations make perfect sense, and help to understand a culture of poverty that is prevalent in Appalachia, and elsewhere. I really loved this book!

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

My book club read The Paris Wife this month. We all agreed that the story is an interesting one, but the characters are quite disagreeable. The book was a pretty fast read, and really made me interested in learning more about Ernest Hemingway, as well as reading more of Hemingway’s works themselves. After reading the book, I watched a movie on Netflix called Papa about Hemingway’s later life in Cuba.

Submerged: Adventures of America’s Most Elite Underwater Archeology Team by Daniel Lenihan

2017 MMD Reading for Fun Challenge: a book about a topic or subject you already love

On the What Should I Read Next podcast, there was a recent episode where readers suggested books for Anne Bogel to read. One reader suggested this book, which was interesting to me because Mike was reading it at the time and telling me how much he thought that I’d enjoy it. It is a memoir of sorts of Daniel Lenihan who started the underwater archeology unit of the National Parks Service. The descriptions of the dive sites were evocative; and the stories were so fascinating. I mean, this guy dove with scuba rock stars like Sheck Exley, and really knows his stuff. A great read if you’re a scuba diver, but still recommended even if you’re not.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

This book is likely going to be one of my favorite books of 2017…I just know it. I really loved it. It follows a white girl in the 60s in the South who is seeking information about her deceased mother. She finds that information in the home of black sisters, who are beekeepers. The description actually sounds quite weird or dull, but I promise that the story is fantastic.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

The best word I can use to describe this book and this topic is…weird. The general idea behind the book (which I had heard good things about) is that we should only keep things in our home that bring us joy. This makes sense, but beyond that, things got a bit strange. The author talks about the objects that she owns having feelings and emotions that we need to consider. Sorry, but they’re not alive. But as a side note, while watching the Gilmore Girls revival, this book was referenced, and I was happy I knew what they were talking about!

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

2017 MMD Reading for Fun Challenge: a book about books or reading

I picked this one out with a Target gift card that I got for Christmas to read on a weekend where we were expecting an ice storm. It was a perfect read for a cold, icy weekend. The structure of the book is such that it jumps between the 1700s and modern-day, and then links the stories closer together as it goes along. It was a delightful and exciting story. I really enjoyed it.

Confessions of a Prayer Slacker by Diane Moody

As someone who sometimes struggles with making my relationship with God feel like a relationship, rather than whispering into the wind, I can appreciate this book. And it was an easy read that didn’t feel judgmental. If you need a bit of a kick in the pants regarding your prayer life, I’d recommend this one.

The Woman on the Orient Express by Lindsay Jayne Ashford

This book follows Agatha Christie and two other women on their train journey to Baghdad, and their journey toward the life that they want. It was engaging and beautiful and realistic, and I really, really liked it. It reminded me quite a lot of Jennifer Robson’s books, so if you’re a fan of hers I’d guess that you will also like this one.

The Syrian Tragedy by Carsten Stormer

2017 MMD Reading for Growth Challenge: a book of any genre that addresses current events

Through IHG I received two free Kindle Singles, and chose this as one of them. I wanted to better understand what is going on with the current conflict in Syria. It was at times hard to read, and at times somewhat politically preachy. But it was informative and interesting

Think Like a Freak: The Authors of Freakonomics Offer to Retrain Your Brain by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner

I’ve been a fan of Freakonomics for years. I’ve read the previous books, listen to the podcast, and even saw Levitt and Dubner speak in Rapid City, South Dakota at one point. Maybe rising to the level of a super fan? I don’t know. Anyway, the latest installment in Freakonomics literature really focuses on how to think about problems in a way that actually allows for novel solutions, rather than in old and tired ways that haven’t yielded results. I thought it was fantastic.

 

Books Abandoned:

None.

New Year’s Resolutions

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I typically don’t do New Year’s Resolutions. But in thinking about where I’d like to be in my life at the end of 2017, it struck me that I need to get back to basics in a few areas of my life. And to better do that, New Year’s Resolutions seemed like a good idea. Studies show that written resolutions with actionable steps and accountability are the best way to achieve goals. So, since I’m a blogger, I thought I’d write my resolutions and any necessary action steps here on the blog, so that my dear readers can help keep me accountable if you wish. Each month, I’ll review my goals, so that I can figure out what is working, what is not, and what I need to change.

Goal #1: Publish at least one blog post per week on Luggage and Literature.

My posting schedule has been unpredictable in my 2+ years of blogging. Sometimes I post a couple of times per week, and other times I go weeks between posts. I’d like to make this more regular so that my readers can expect content more regularly. Correspondingly, I’m hoping for an increase in my readership in the next year. So if you wouldn’t mind, I’d love if you’d share my website with anyone that you think might appreciate its contents. And I’ll do my best to make my posts relevant and regular.

Goal #2: Complete the Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenges.

I wrote a previous post outlining my 2017 reading plans (you can read about it here). In 2016 I participated in the PopSugar Reading Challenge, and appreciated the direction that it gave my reading. I’m hopeful that this year’s will do the same.

Goal #3: Play cello at least twice (preferably more) per month. 

In the fall/winter months, I play in the Hastings Symphony Orchestra, so this goal is quite easy to meet between rehearsals and concerts. But in the summer months, I hate to admit that I hardly touch my cello. This means that I’m a bit rusty when I come back in the fall. I also suspect that lengthy amounts of time without playing has an effect on my thumb. You see, in 2015 I had surgery on both elbows and my left wrist to combat arm pain that I was experiencing all the time, but particularly when I’d play cello. Before those surgeries, I was told by my doctors not to play as it intensified my pain. But since the surgeries, I’ve still experienced intermittent pain, sort of like intense cramping in my right thumb (my bow hand). And I wonder if my thumb is just not back in shape, so to speak. So I’d like to play more regularly to help with it.

Goal #4: Pay down debt.

Mike and I are both lawyers. This means that we both have student loans. And we have a mortgage and vehicle payments. Debt makes me anxious. We were previously much more diligent in our efforts to pay down debt than I feel like we were in 2016. I’d like to get back on track with that so that we don’t live our entire lives in debt.

Action Steps:

  • Prepare lunches on the weekend.
  • Pack lunch or eat at home every weekday for lunch, unless meeting colleagues
  • Eat dinner at home five nights per week
  • Prepare/freeze dessert items (I have a major sweet tooth, and if we don’t have dessert items in the house at all, I’m much more likely to go get ice cream or run to the store and purchase snack items)
  • Curb spending on books by utilizing the library
  • Curb spending on clothing and accessories, especially by utilizing Pinterest for remixing my existing wardrobe
  • Use up back stock of MaryKay and hair products before purchasing more
  • Clean out refrigerator/freezers/pantry and use up existing food rather than just purchasing more
  • Curb unnecessary trips to Kearney (this is about half an hour from our town, so the gas can get pricey when we run there for no reason other than we’re bored/want to go shopping/etc.)
  • Take on additional cases and work more hours to increase income

Goal #5: Be healthier.

I don’t want a ‘lose X number of pounds by a certain date’ or an unrealistic ‘exercise everyday’ type of goal. Instead, I want to make realistic changes in my life so that I’m healthier. I want to feel comfortable rather than cramped when flying. I want my frequent headaches and neck pain to go away. I want all of the clothing in my closet to fit better. I want to feel comfortable in a swimming suit or a wetsuit for the first time in my life. I just want to feel better and more energized in my day-to-day life.

Action Steps:

  • Drink no more than 3 pops per day, preferably no more than 2 (but I’m realistic about my job)
  • Drink at least 8 cups of water per day
  • Eat/drink at least 2 servings of dairy per day (when I did Weight Watchers, the studies showed that this contributed to weight loss, plus I know that it makes for healthier bones and teeth)
  • Eat at least one fruit or vegetable per day, preferably more
  • Drink 1 cup of water before each meal
  • Take my water bottle with me during the day
  • Pack lunches or eat lunch at home during the week
  • Eat dinner at home five nights per week
  • Do 10 sit-ups and 10 push-ups 3 times per week (in law school, I had a professor who expected all students to do 10 push-ups at the start of each of his classes, and was surprised how doing this 3 times per week actually made me feel stronger by the end of the semester)
  • Exercise (walk/swim/yoga/YMCA class) 3 times per week
  • Walk at least 6,000 steps per day, preferably more
  • Sleep 8 hours per night
  • Continue taking a daily multivitamin
  • Track food daily in My Fitness Pal
  • Continue utilizing my Fit Bit to monitor activity, steps, food, sleep

Goal #6: Take one trip or visit one local area attraction per month.

I get stir crazy if I stay home for too long. To combat that, I think that this goal will help. Although monthly travels to exotic locations aren’t realistic in my stage of life and with my career, a monthly trip somewhere is realistic. So it can be international, domestic, or just a local area attraction, just some reason to leave my house and my town. Plus there are several museums in my area that I’ve been meaning to visit, but just haven’t gotten around to. So I’m actually really looking forward to this goal.

Action Steps:

  • January: The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA), and The Great Platte River Road Archway, Kearney, NE (I’ve wanted to visit the archway since we moved to the area, but haven’t gotten around to it yet…probably because Mike is absolutely not excited about visiting it)
  • February: Roatan!
  • March: Scuba diving at Bonne Terre again, perhaps
  • April: Black Hills for Easter with family, I hope
  • May: ??
  • June: Stuhr Museum, Grand Island, NE
  • July: Michigan again and Canada, perhaps
  • August: Total Solar Eclipse on August 21 right in my area
  • September: Pioneer Village, Minden, NE
  • October: ??
  • November: Florida perhaps (Mike wants to get his full cave diving certification, and I’d like to go back to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal)
  • December: ??
  • I also need to plan a get together with my dear friend Tara. She and I have talked about several different options, but need to nail down the date and location of our visit.
  • In 2016, I also had a super fun girls weekend with some of my closest friends from college. We talked about making it an annual occurrence, so I need to check in with those gals as well, then nail down the date and location of girls weekend 2017!

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