This and That

It's been over a year since I have posted anything. 

Stuff happened over the course that year. Finally got to go home to Texas after 7 years. In a way it felt that long and in away it didn't feel it. It was great to see my family and all the things I missed, especially the beach and the food. We only had a week and it wasn't nearly enough. It was a crazy whirlwind trip. And as much as I really would like to go back this year, I HATE to fly. 

I read 55 books last year. Wish it had been more but both jobs have kept me so busy. 

I rejoined Weight Watcher last year and I don't know why I just can't keep up with it. I will do really good for a couple of weeks and lose weight and then any little thing that disturbs my pattern REALLY disturbs it. No little stumble, I may as we'll have fallen off a cliff. 

I have managed to keep off the original 10 pounds I lost but that's just a 1/10 of what I want to loose. I have the worst willpower. Some of my friends are in the midst of their own weight loss quests and they are doing so well and I feel like a failure sometimes. 

Perhaps I just need a different perspective on things. I don't know. My husband says he wants to lose weight but he just won't commit. I have just about cut all sodas from my diet. Only drink it if it's the only thing available. I don't know what to do. 

I've been writing a lot in the last year. I basically finished an entire novel. I have yet to type it out completely but it's all there. I'm working on 2 other ones, one of which is a sequel. I haven't decided when I want to send it to an agent yet. It needs reworked some and has to be bled. And by bled I mean sent to someone who will read it and tell me what parts of it are complete shit and need fixed. It's going to be painful and expensive but most good things are. 

On Twitter I follow many authors and try to take in as much advise as I can. Ultimately, it terrifies me but from everything I've read, that's the norm. 

I guess that's about as up to date it gets. I will strive to be more proactive in updating. 

Small Business Christmas

I have worked for two small businesses in the last seven years. Am currently working for one of those two right now. It's a family owned flower shop that has been in Pittsburgh for over 70 years. The previous one was a flower shop that had been in operation for over 90 years.

 It's gone now.

Due to various reasons he had to close. And it was heart-breaking to know that we worked hard for so long and yet it all had to end.

With the economy the way it is right now and everyone clamoring over each other in big box stores for the greatest deals on the anything and everything they can find, we the little guys in small businesses around the country suffer greatly.

We don't begrudge people trying to find a bargain when times are tough. But remember, times are tough for all of us and are made more so when people forget to help us out by buying locally or from small shops rather than heading to the big stores.

I buy at big box stores too for many things as there aren't always available from small businesses such as  household goods and cleaning supplies. But I do try and buy from local bookstores, specialty food shops and even my yarn when I can afford it.

But I ask that when you do have the money, shop at your local businesses. From your independent booksellers who are usually much more helpful in finding that book you want or need because they are immersed in their love of books, or your local butcher who will do anything you need to fill your orders, to your local florist who will happily make that awesome bouquet for your special someone.

These are your neighbors who make it a point to know everything they can about what they love and want to share with you. And they all need your help.

Make it a point this Christmas to, at some time, buy something from a neighbor.

HUGE THANKS!!!!

I would like to extend a HUGE Thank You to those who have donated and pledged to donate based on how many hours I read in Eljay's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon. You are very special people!

And those people are:

• Chef Chuck Kerber
• Eleanor Smail
• Elizabeth Cavazos
• Bryan Szafranski
• Cristina Escamilla
• Celia Escamilla

A Reader's Dream - 24 Hour Read-A-Thon

As many of you know, I am a voracious reader. I can remember learning to read in my Montessori school back in Texas when I was 4 years old in pre-kinder. My teacher was Delfina and she was great woman. I loved the method they used to teach us to read and it obviously worked.

When I hear about children and adults who cannot read for any reason, be it lack of education, Dyslexia that was never discovered or even being told they didn't need to learn because they are dumb or too handicapped to need to know how to read, hurts me to my core. In the United States today, if anything should be a fundamental right, it should be the ability to read so anyone can stay as informed as possible without having to rely on others to hopefully inform your correctly.

 The Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council offers wonderful services for those in need from Basic Skills (reading, writing and math) to GED Prep to ESL (English as a Second Language) and others. As you have seen in the news the state of the education system is on the decline and there are so many schools that no longer have libraries. People need help.

A few weeks ago, I registered to read in Eljay's Used Books 24 Hour Read-A-Thon to raise money for the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council.

So here I am hoping and praying that YOU will be an awesome person and help me raise money for them.

Like most marathon events, I would love it if you could pledge a certain amount of money for every hour I read. I am shooting for all 24 hours, but the event organizers say it has only been done by around 6 people in the few years it has been done. It doesn't have to be much, even .50 cents an hour would add up to $6.00 if I make it to the full 24 hour mark.

Or if you would like to donate just a straight amount that is great too!!

 There are the guidelines listed for us readers:
"Readers can start getting pledges as soon as they have turned in their registration packet. Pledges can be given in a per-hour format (Bob might offer you $5 for as many hours as you can read) or in a flat rate (Bob might offer you $35 for reading in the event) form. Pledge money must be turned in to Eljay’s books by October 31st.  Pledge money can be collected in cash (preferred) or in a check made out to Eljay’s Books with the words GPLC Read-A-Thon Donation on the check memo line."

I know this seems a little old school, but it's a small event in its infancy. More sophisticated methods of donation take time. If you wish to contact Eljay's Used Books about a different payment method, their phone number is 412-344-7444. 

I will be accepting pledges from now thru Friday, October 12th. If you wish to pledge, feel free to leave a message in the comments section with your Pledge Per Hour amount and I will start a separate post recognizing the awesomeness of your pledges and donations. If you wish to donate or wish to keep your pledge anonymous, you can EMAIL ME your Pledge Per Hour amount or donation amount and information at brooksiefan44 at gmail dot com

From October 15 - October 27, I will be be collecting your donations so I can turn them in by October 31st. 

As I collect, I will keep everyone updated on my collection total. 

I really hope you will find it in your hearts to help me make this 24 Read-A-Thon a success for this great organization and get people reading and living a great life.

Book List

So I know a while ago I promised a list of the most recent books I had read since I had kind of gone crazy reading.

Here it is for everything read from May to now:
(Date is when I finished it)
May 1 - Fifth Shades of Grey - E. L. James
May 3 - The Winning Hand - Nora Roberts
May 4 - The Perfect Neighbor - Nora Roberts
May 8 - The Last Boyfriend - Nora Roberts
May 17 - Night Pleasure - Sherilynn Kenyon
May 19 - Night Embrace - Sherilyn Kenyon
May 21 - Fantasy Lover - Sherilynn Kenyon
May 23 - Dance With The Devil - Sherilynn Kenyon
May 26 - Fifty Shades Darker - E. L. James
May 28 - Fifth Shades Freed - E. L. James
May 29 - Kiss of the Night - Sherilynn Kenyon
May 30 - Seize the Night - Sherilynn Kenyon
May 31 - Sins of the Night - Sherilynn Kenyon
June 3 - Captivated - Nora Roberts
June 5 - Entranced - Nora Roberts
June 5 - Charmed - Nora Roberts
June 9 - Born of Silence - Sherilynn Kenyon
June 11 - Night Play - Sherilynn Kenyon
June 12 - Unleash the Night - Sherilynn Kenyon
June 13 - Dark Side of the Moon - Sherilynn Kenyon
June 15 - The Dream-Hunter - Sherilynn Kenyon
June 18 - Devil May Cry - Sherilynn Kenyon
June 19 - Upon The Midnight Clear - Sherilynn Kenyon
June 20 - Dream Chaser - Sherilynn Kenyon
June 23 - Acheron - Sherilynn Kenyon
June 24 - Bared to You - Sylvia Day
June 26 - One Silent Night - Sherilynn Kenyon

I know, a lot of books in a short amount of time...perhaps I have a problem....perhaps not.

"The Name of the Wind"

I don't know if I have mentioned it before, but I have a book problem. Well my husband and I have a book problem. We read A LOT! It really does boggle the mind the amount of books we have in our house. We aren't really library people. We did that for a while, but there is just something about knowing you own the book, can take as long or as little time to read it as possible and know that when you want to read it again, it will always be there.

In October of 2011 I started what I call my Book Journal. I write down the date I finished reading the book, title and author just to keep track of what I am reading. I have always been curious as to how many books I read (or reread) in a year. So this is my attempt at keeping track of that. So far I have been diligent in keep track. I have found that on average I can ready 4-5 books a month. My husband the speed reader does about 8-10 a month. And no we don't just read, we have other hobbies and do other activities and we both have second jobs. Scary I know.

The book I finished yesterday really slowed me down this month. Especially since I started reading it last month. But what do you expect when it is 722 pages long and the print was miniscule.

 

"The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

I don't quite know how to introduce this book. I guess I can start by how I came upon it. I was trolling Barnes and Noble online searching through the sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal sections and ended up on a page that showed most purchased in those genres. I am always intrigued by covers and titles when it comes to finding new authors. This one caught my eye, so I decided to read the synopsis.

Let me just say I am SO glad I did. Yes I capped, emboldened and underlined that. My next trip to Barnes and Noble had me searching high and low for this book and luckily they had it in stock. I was daunted not so much by the amount of pages, but by the tiny print.

I really hate tiny print in paper backs. When you get to the middle of the books, it becomes a struggle to read those words near the binding and half the time you end up cracking the binding which I HATE.

But back to the book. Aside from what the synopsis told me, I really didn't know what to expect. I am not traditionally a fan of fantasy books. You will never catch me reading Tolken (yes be shocked). But from the beginning Rothfuss pulled me in. The story of Kvothe (pronounced Quothe) from his beginnings as a trouper, traveling with his family from village to town to city putting on plays and performing music to his "magic" education at the University at such a young age were so engrossing that I would find myself lost in his world in the Commonwealth. When I would have to put the book down to do work or go to bed I always felt like I should read on just a little bit more.

I don't know how to accurately describe the book without giving away too much of the plot. But suffice it to say I highly recommend you read this book. And I have to say that with in 10 minutes of finishing it, I was online ordering the second book in the trilogy since I haven't been able to find it in stores. I hope to have it by the end of the week.

Go get lost with Kvothe as he travels from the roads of the Commonwealth to Tarbean as he struggles to survives and his adventures at the University and his quest for more knowledge and the name of the wind.