Closing January Library Visit

Man, oh man how I love the library.  Isn’t the library great?  I couldn’t imagine a world without libraries, and am always stunned when one is close to shutting down.  It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me when they do.  Well, I guess bureaucratic mess is mostly to blame.  Anyway, I’m getting off track.  The point is that Thursday I moseyed on down to the library to look for something to read–even though I have 1,001 unread books on my shelves.  And because I stay in there and scanning shelf after shelf for new discoveries, here’s what I found… 

Long Distance Love by Marita Golden

"A woman flees the South of the 1920's to join the Black migration Northward, marries a black rationalist and has a daughter, who returns to the South to fight for civil rights and find her own identity"

Flight of the Blackbird by Faye McDonald Smith

"Members of the Black professional elite in Atlanta, Mel and Builder Burke work hard and enjoy the benefits of private school for their daughter and two vacations a year, but their dream begins to fade when Mel loses her job and Builder's business crumbles."

Happy Tuesday to the Underdogs, Eh?

Easily our anthem for 2020.  So come on Alicia Keys with the new music!  And it's right on time for many of us, right?  

You know, matters are already hard enough as we all try to create opportunities in our lives.  We have our good days.  We have our bad days.  We have days of clarity.  Then we have days of confusion.  We have days we are productive.  And days where we can barely get out of our heads to move.  Then there are days where we don't think we'll make it at all.  Followed by days where the silver lining is too sharp to ignore.

CHOP IT UP: Scene of the Climb by Kate Dyer-Seeley

CHOP IT UP: The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

#FridayReads ~ 1/24/2020

Some Happy Tuesday Reader's Motivation

You know, sometimes I wonder what it’s like to be a part of the “in” crowd. To be all sweet and likable and relatable. Smart and intellectual. To read what’s new and noteworthy, or seasoned and classic. To be able to analyze a piece of literature down to its core, and articulate my findings breathlessly. To be the one viewers go for information and understanding of broad concepts. And to read what’s in-demand to further my studies. To read all the profound and meaningful literary pieces to grasp an understanding of the human condition. To be a bubbly darling, while staying in sequence with all entails being a darling (one being a specific look that I don‘t match). To read the books that are “right” and “necessary” before storming forth with a cause and call to action. To read with purpose–as oppose to just wanting some author to tell me a good freakin’ story first.
Ahhhh, I wonder what that’s like…

Then after a while I get bored at the thought and go read and do whatever it is I want to do. Because I honestly just don't feel like doing all that, and would much rather just get things off my chest as they come. I’ve never been a very good team player anyway.

Besides, my credit score won’t be affected either way.

HAPPY TUESDAY, READERS OUT THERE. REMEMBER TO DO YOU AND READ ALL THE BOOKS YOU WANT TO READ! :P

#WeekendReads (Or Whateva)...

CHOP IT UP: Crime & Poetry by Amanda Flower

#Weekday READS (Quick, Fast & In a Reading Hurry)

A Touch of Robert Jordan's The Eye of the World Reading Wheel of Time Update

See previous #FridayReads Post

Soooo I'm on page 650 out of 782 (edit two days later; I'm done with the book) pages in Robert Jordan's first The Wheel of Time book, The Eye of the World.  Almost done, man.  Almost DONE.  It's been an epic fantasy ride–for sure.  It was a little lumpy on the ennui concerning the pace hit in the middle of the book.  Yet, still a really fun high-flying fantasy adventure ride.  Luckily the opening chapters were pretty smooth in pace and engagement, it wasn't until later did Jordan hit the gas on a bit of info dumps that caused me to really sit up and pay attention.  I expected that as the book progressed.  I mean, there is a lot to digest and unpack here.  From the characters themselves, to the various towns they visit throughout the journey.  Toss in their adversaries.  The various stages of unfolding lore within this world.  And, well, I can say I'm constantly referring to the glossary in the back of the book to keep me abreast.  Even on into these final pages.

Besides using the glossary in The Eye of the World to keep me inline with all the intricate details unfolding in the story itself, I also find myself Goolge fan sketches and paintings to get an idea of the Jordan's characters and towns/spaces.  But just for an extra kick in the pants, I went to the library yesterday and checked out this The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time book (released in 1997).  I've poked and flipped around carefully through this book to keep from spoilers, but it's pretty neat.  Can't say I'm totally won by the character portraits, though.

Still, in fact, this is my absolute favorite of all the cover arts featured in the series.  Something about that moon and the night.  And, well, Moiraine and Lan looking all solid and regal and dogged on their horses.

{FauxCast} CHOP IT UP: Mrs. Morris and the Ghost by Traci Wilton

CHOP IT UP: Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister by Jung Chang

#FridayReads {1/3/2020} is about The Wheel of Time, eh?

Goodreads Reading Challenge Goal for 2020

As always I'm rolling with my favorite number, 17.  Just because...

Musing on 2020

My 2020 Mood Be Like...

Despite losing my aunt (another mother to me, basically) last year, I'm optimistic and in an okay place entering 2020.  Therefore, needless to say, 2019 was heartbreaking and incredibly hard to make sense of.  I'm learning how time, doing your inner work, and focusing on your goals helps with the healing process.  But, most importantly as well, being strong enough to get real help when needed.  Either way, I don't believe there's a such thing as "healing" after a family member's death.  That's something you'll carry forever.  Every.  Day.

While 2019 was tough, I had many personal rewards and soaring highs come my way via my platform/interactions.  Many of those highs I didn't expect.  Like the time someone hacked into my domain account to try to steal it from under me.  Nice try, though.  I shelled out that $90 (no problem, boo) and now comictowel belongs to me until I renew again in 2023.  I've created/owned it since July of 2013, and it'll remain so, honeybun.