Sunday Post (102)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

The week went by really quickly and I enjoyed some of the warmer weather we had. Too bad it isn't sticking around! This past Monday was my 8th blogoversary and I totally forgot about it. I can't believe I've been blogging so long though of course I haven't written much in recent months. I don't know if I'll still be blogging next January but I hope so.

Last week on my blog:

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu (review)

Books read:

American Panda by Gloria Chau 

Mei has always been the good, obedient daughter but now she is struggling under the weight of her parents' expectations and rules. I liked this book and it did remind me a little of When Dimple Met Rishi though Dimple's and Rishi's parents were much more caring and understanding than Mei's overbearing parents. 

The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

This is an interesting mystery with part of the story focusing on three widows who live in seclusion, inheritance issues and a murder in the house. The other part is also interesting as it gives the back story of the main character, Perveen Mistry, in her struggles to study and practice law as well as a dark secret from her past. I can't wait to read more.

To Capture What We Cannot Keep by Beatrice Colin

It took awhile to get into this story but I liked it more than I thought I would primarily because I felt sorry for Cait. I hope the other members of my book group liked it. 

Currently reading:

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I am just at the part when the family arrives in Alaska but it is fascinating. I am reminded a little of The Glass Castle (the movie--I haven't read the book yet) especially where Leni's parents are concerned.

On my TBR pile:

The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta

I saw this book mentioned somewhere and I decided to give it a try. It is the second Indian mythology inspired book I've come across lately (the first is Aru Shah and the End of Time). This book also seems similar to the Rick Riordan formula of humorous mythology adventure. I would have loved to see books like these when I was a kid.

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella

I usually enjoy Sophie Kinsella's books and I could use a good lighthearted story after I finish my current book. The cover is perfect for Valentine's Day too.

New books received:

The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta

The English Wife by Lauren Willig

Review: Moxie

Moxie

By Jennifer Mathieu

Published: September 19, 2017

An unlikely teenager starts a feminist revolution at a small-town Texas high school in this novel from Jennifer Mathieu, author of The Truth About Alice.

MOXIE GIRLS FIGHT BACK!

Vivian Carter is fed up. Fed up with an administration at her high school that thinks the football team can do no wrong. Fed up with sexist dress codes, hallway harassment, and gross comments from guys during class. But most of all, Viv Carter is fed up with always following the rules.

Viv's mom was a tough-as-nails, punk rock Riot Grrrl in the '90s, and now Viv takes a page from her mother's past and creates a feminist zine that she distributes anonymously to her classmates. She's just blowing off steam, but other girls respond. As Viv forges friendships with other young women across the divides of cliques and popularity rankings, she realizes that what she has started is nothing short of a girl revolution.

Moxie is a book about high school life that will make you wanna riot!

My review:

Vivian starts out hesitant to rock the boat but she decides to act when no one does anything about the unfair rules and harassment towards girls at her school. Inspired by her mom's collection of Riot Grrl zines, Vivian makes one of her own and secretly distributes them in the girls' bathrooms. The zines gradually inspire the other girls at her school to make a stand of their own and the movement grows beyond anything she could have imagined.

I really liked the girl power and focus on friendships and empowerment. Not all of Vivian's friends were onboard with the Moxie movement at first and Vivian also had to figure out what she believed about feminism and how far she was willing to go to change things at her school. She also kept her involvement with Moxie a secret from her mom. She kind of wanted it to be her own thing and she also had a reputation for being a "good girl" and not a "troublemaker" the way her mom was so it was hard for her to break that mold. Although there is a romance (and a decent love interest), Vivian wasn't all about trying to impress a guy. 

Overall I thought this book was fantastic and so timely! Although I was a teen in the 90s I didn't really know anything about the Riot Grrl movement but now I wish I had. I didn't really think much about feminism till I got to college. I think during my high school years I sort of viewed feminism as this historical movement and not something that applied to my life and there was also this undeserved negative reputation that feminists were "man haters" or that you couldn't be a Christian and be a feminist. Thankfully those false ideas were debunked when I got to college! Hopefully Moxie will inspire today's young women to take a stand for themselves and cause them to view feminism as something important and relevant to their lives.

Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss

Sunday Post (101)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

I can't believe I am posting two weeks in a row! Maybe this is the start of a new beginning when it comes to writing. I still haven't written a book review in months but I hope to write something for this week. We'll see how that goes!

I am glad that we've got a break from the snow and the weather has warmed up. It is supposed to be in the 50s on Monday and even though rain is in the forecast I am thrilled. Hopefully the last of the snow will melt.

At work the reading challenge is going well with over 30 people signed up to participate so far. I also have finally have some programs planned. I have been struggling with that and I wanted to try some new programs this year that might bring in more people. One of my ideas is a themed trivia night. I also have some summer reading program ideas including a wine making program. One of my coworkers makes wine so she is going to do the program for me for free. 

Books read:

The Siege Winter by Ariana Franklin and Samantha Norman

I really liked this one. Some great characters (especially Gwil and Penda) and some suspense as well. I am curious to see how the other book club members liked it.

Books listened to:

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan (reread)

Currently reading:

American Panda by Gloria Chao

I am enjoying this book so far. It reminds me of When Dimple Met Rishi.

On my TBR pile:

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I am excited to read this one! I hope I'll get to it soon but I may have to read To Capture What We Cannot Keep first because it is for my book group.

To Capture What We Cannot Keep by Beatrice Colin

I selected this for my afternoon book group because I thought I'd read some good reviews of it but when I looked it up on Goodreads it had mixed reviews. Now I'm worried it'll be a dud. 

New books received:

The Boat People by Sharon Bala

The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

Sunday Post (100) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

I meant to write more in December and then earlier this month but time got away from me. A lot happened--some good, some bad. I did get a new car. So nice to have something reliable. It also has heated seats which is such a bonus at this time of year.

It's hard to believe we are already three weeks into 2018. I was honestly dreading this year for a long time (because I'm turning 40) but I've decided to embrace it instead. I am planning to go to Washington D.C. in July with my sister to celebrate. We hope to see Hamilton at the Kennedy Center and do some sightseeing. I love history so there is a lot I want to see and experience (sadly not the White House--really wish I'd been able to go before 2017).

As I write I am bundled up in my apartment without heat. My heater decided to quit working last night just as we were hit with a snowstorm. I have a feeling it won't be fixed till Monday at the earliest. The maintenance guy dropped off some space heaters for me which helps a little. On the bright side I still have electricity and I did get a snow day today (Saturday) because of the bad weather. Is anyone else ready for spring?

I haven't read that many books recently. I have been busy working from home, trying to get my online reading program for adults up and running. It starts on Monday. The children's department is doing an online winter reading program but it doesn't start till February. I hope that our patrons will respond positively to it. We have been getting some calls from people who are excited to try it. I am still offering a paper option for those without computer or Internet access but we want as many people as possible to use the online software and I'm trying to add some cool incentives like extra prizes and points they can earn. We'll see how it goes!

Books read:

In This Moment by Karma Brown

I was intrigued by the premise of this book. A mom is picking up her teenage daughter after school and she waves another student across the road but he is hit by an oncoming car that doesn't see him. The book deals with the guilt and emotional fallout that the mother feels but I found her to be really unlikable especially for some bad choices she makes.

Still Me by Jojo Moyes

This is the sequel to After You. Louisa takes a job as an assistant of sorts to the second wife of a wealthy New Yorker. I thought it was pretty good and liked it more than After You though it isn't quite as good as Me Before You which set the bar pretty high. It is great to see Lou continue to discover who she is.

Currently reading:

The Siege Winter by Ariana Franklin and Samantha Norman

I am more than halfway through this book and it is so good. A historical novel with some suspense as there is an evil murderous monk involved. It is the book my evening book group is reading for January.

New books received:

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella

Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk

American Panda by Gloria Chao

Sunday Post (99) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

Another month has come and gone and I've been a bad, bad blogger. I just haven't been motivated to write lately. Although I did read some books in November and early December I feel like I'm in a bit of a reading slump at the moment. I've read a couple of good books but everything else is lackluster. Even my current read (though it is good) isn't keeping my attention. I have too much on my mind I guess. Good thing there is Netflix. I haven't started the newest season of The Crown yet but I hope to get to it this week. I've been watching Christmas movies on and off as well as the Crisis on Earth-X crossover on CW. TV holds my attention better than books I guess.

Work has been crazy busy as I finished up ordering for the year. I still had a considerable amount of money left in my book and DVD budgets. I managed to spend the book budget but still have DVD money left over so I may go to Walmart next week to buy some more DVDs to add to our collection. I had my last program of the year on Monday. It was a craft night and we made wreath ornaments using shower curtain rings and tulle. Only a handful of people attended but they loved it. 

This week I will be finalizing the details of my year long reading program for adults. Although it was a bit of an ordeal, we got the Friends of the Library to agree to sponsor one year of reading program software so we can offer our reading programs online. Really excited about that and hopefully our patrons will like it too. 

On the personal front I will be trying to figure out what kind of car I can afford. My mechanic informed me this past week that it is time to get a new car. Mine has a part on the verge of breaking that would cost over $1000 to fix. I've had my car almost 15 years now (it was a year old when I bought it) so I guess it is time. I just don't want the extra cost of another loan on top of undergrad and grad loans and medical debt. Boo! No wonder I can't concentrate on books lately :)

Books read (over the past month):

Alex & Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz

This was seriously disappointing. Not very historically accurate and there was lots of manufactured drama including an attempted rape. The only thing I liked about it was the character of Eliza. There is a sequel but I won't be reading it. I am going to give some of the Eliza Hamilton historical novels written for adults a try instead.

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

It pains me to say that I was disappointed by this novella too. I loved A Man Called Ove and last year's novella, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer. This book just didn't have the same emotional impact for me. Although there is a Christmas tree on the front of the book, the story is depressing for this time of year if you are looking for a holiday read. Stick with A Christmas Carol instead!

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

I wondered if this would be like A Man Called Ove but Arthur was pretty charming rather than grumpy. Every day he takes his lunch to the cemetery and visits with his late wife and one day he meets and befriends Maddy, a sad and prickly teen who is mourning the loss of her mom and going through a hard time. 

Kiss Carlo by Adriana Trigiani

I had hoped I would like this as much as The Shoemaker's Wife but I was disappointed once again. Maybe that will be the only Adriana Trigiani book I like. This one had some interesting parts but too much going on in the story and too many characters to keep track of. We had plenty to talk about at our book discussion though.

Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan

While I mostly liked this book I did have issues with the way it ended. It was fun to catch up with the characters from the first book though and I loved that it was set in London and New York during Christmas. I kind of hope there will be a third book about Issy because I want to know what happens next.

Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright

This is not a contemporary retelling of any Jane Austen novels but instead is about a woman who is a fan of Jane Austen. She recently broke up with someone she had thought she'd marry someday and then finds herself working with his brother and sparks develop between them. I liked it but didn't love it because I thought she was too romance obsessed at times (she spent way too much time thinking of her feelings about both brothers even when at work).

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

I loved this book. The feminist Grrl Power and the friendships especially. I wish I'd been into the Riot Grrl movement as a teen but I hadn't heard of it in rural Ohio and I didn't truly embrace the feminist movement till I got to college. I became a huge fan of Kat Stratford from Ten Things I Hate About You and loved reading feminist theory.

Books listened to:

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (reread)

I love rereading this classic at Christmas. I listened to an abridged version read by Sir Patrick Stewart (he also stars in a film adaptation). We discussed this in my evening book group last month. 

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (reread)

Currently reading:

Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford

I loved Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and so far this is pretty good too. It just isn't holding my attention that well because I think I am either in the mood for something lighter or just have too much other distractions on my mind. I am hoping to finish this by the end of the year. I may put it down and pick up something less depressing though.

New books received:

Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva (library book)

We're Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union (library book)

Renegades by Marissa Meyer (library book)

Sunday Post (98) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

Hard to believe it's November! Seems like it was just summer. I know this month will fly by and it will be Christmas in the blink of an eye. Time to get the snow tires put back on my car and start making holiday plans. It's also time to think about what books I want to read before the end of the year. I have a giant backlog of review books and I know I won't get to all of them. I also have a stack checked out from the library. 

In library world I've been busy. In October I had a program nearly every week. My favorite was my acrylic pour painting class. We had 20 people and it was a big hit. This month I have two programs, an ugly Christmas sweater craft night on Thursday (they bring a sweater or shirt and I provide decorations to make it ugly/tacky) and then at the end of the month is our ugly Christmas sweater themed murder mystery dinner. I have one program for December (a craft night) and then I'm done for the year. I'm also starting to think about programs for next year. I decided not to do a winter reading program. Instead I want to do a year-long reading challenge for adults that would also incorporate our summer reading program. It's still in the planning stages but hopefully it will work out. Right now I'm trying to figure out an easy way for them to track their progress. 

This week I hope to get caught up on some book reviews. I've had some major sinus headache issues lately and haven't felt like writing or even reading that much. I have been watching a lot of TV though. Getting caught up on The Flash and Supergirl at the moment as well as watching old episodes of Frasier. 

Books read:

What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton

I thought this book was both sad and interesting. I didn't know much about Hillary Clinton's early life and it was also illuminating to learn more about her campaign and her plans even if things didn't work out the way she'd hoped. 

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

I love Agatha Christie and I read a lot of her novels when I was a teen, including this one but to my surprise I'd completely forgotten what happened so it was like reading the book for the first time! My book group enjoyed reading this for our October book and I had planned to go see the latest film version in the theater but changed my mind. I will definitely be checking the movie out when it is on DVD though.

Leia: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray

I loved this book! It is set a few years before Rogue One. Leia is a teen and as the heir to the Queen of Alderaan she has to undergo a set of trials to prove herself worthy to rule. She also joins the Apprentice Legislature (junior senate) to learn about politics and prepare for public life. Then she finds out that her parents are part of a rebellion and that's where things get interesting. Also we are introduced to a teenage Amilyn Holdo (a new character in The Last Jedi) and get to see other familiar characters from the Star Wars universe as well. 

Currently reading:

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

This biography is surprisingly very readable. I became interested in learning more about Alexander Hamilton because of the Broadway musical. I have been listening to the soundtrack a lot and hope to go see it next year. The book is long but I am enjoying it so far. I may set it aside to get caught up on some review books though.

Alex & Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz

I wasn't planning to read this yet but I got the e-book from Overdrive after being on hold for a long time and it is going to be due next week so I need to read it! I hope I will like it. Melissa de la Cruz's books are definitely hit or miss with me. 

On my TBR pile:

Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View by Renee Ahdieh et al.

I need to read this soon since there are holds on it and it is due back to the library next week. Thankfully it is a collection of short stories so hopefully I'll get through it. I am ready for more Star Wars stories :)

Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan

This is another book due back at the library soon. I really enjoyed the first book Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe and I'm in the mood for some holiday reading. Also I really want to eat that cookie. 

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

I enjoyed the author's last novella, And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer and this one looks like it will be just as moving. I like that it is a holiday story too. Love that beautiful tree on the cover.