River City Reading's Library Checkout: October

I couldn't resist participating in Shannon at River City Reading's Library Checkout, a monthly feature encouraging readers to share their library haul (or hold addiction), for October because I actually finished a couple (or am so very close to) and needed to celebrate! This was, of course, prior to receiving a notification that every hold I have ever made was ready for me to pick up. AHHHH! At least November is looking a little less hectic than October and I can put a dent in it. Wishful thinking.

Read This Month

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Listened This Month

A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson (75% finished)

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay (35%)

Returned, Unread

Mecca: The Sacred City by Ziauddin Sardar

Fairytales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version by Phillip Pullman

Black Earth: A Journey Through Russia After the Fall by Andrew Meier

An English Ghost Story by Kim Newman

**Only one fine (haha) for late return: Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese (I didn't even make one dish from this book!! The horror!)

Checked Out/ To Be Read

TOO MANY TO LIST! AHHH. I'm drowning in books. Seriously.

On Hold

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

Audio Holds

Missoula by Jon Krakauer

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Read any of these? Which one should I choose next?! :)

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A Post: Readathon Wrap-Up

I did it! I participated in my first readathon and I'm already looking forward to the next one! Sometimes, and I'm ashamed to admit this, I feel really guilty if I read instead of doing other things, like focusing on my photography business, for example. Since I spend pretty much every night after my 8-to-5 editing, talking and/or meeting with new clients, marketing, and blogging for bethpriddy.com, reading has fallen by the wayside. The readathon gave me an excuse to dedicate every hour that I wasn't working to relax and READ to my heart's content. It was just what I needed.

I didn't finish the entire 24 hours because I did have to photograph an event and my sister-in-law was visiting, but I did complete 9 hours, one book, and a little over three quarters of another. I should note that I finished the second about 30 minutes after my 48 was up, so maybe I can count it? Anyway..

Thoughts

I mentioned that I loved Jane Harris's Gillespie and I (like top 10 books in my life love) and had tried reading this one before without success. Nope, not this time around. Summary: Poor Bessy is wandering the countryside of Edinburgh looking for work when's she suddenly hired on as a house maid to a Mrs. Arabella Reid, an English lady, she takes to be rather eccentric and out of place. Arabella, however, is quite brilliant, but suffers from secrets she keeps closely guarded. In an attempt to understand her mistress, Bessy begins snooping and ultimately uncovers information that leads her to play tricks that don't quite go to plan.

First, I should note that the rough dialogue is a little hard to get past in the beginning, but the authentic voice of a mostly uneducated woman working in the world of service in the 1860s is pretty incredible. Also, Bessy, the lead, is hilarious! I laughed out loud more times than I can count. A lot of reviewers expressed disappointment with the ending, and while it does lack the bang the reader expects, I still gave it five stars on Goodreads because I just really enjoyed being apart of the story. The rural atmosphere and townspeople came alive in the pages, and Bessy entertained me to no end. I recommend this to anyone, but especially those who love historical fiction or Jane Harris. Do it!!

Ranjit Singh is an ex-military Captain trying to make it in his new home in Martha's Vineyard after leaving India disgraced. Working multiple jobs to keep his wife and young daughter fed and housed, Ranjit is offered a position as caretaker to a well-loved senator's summer home on the island. When the Singh family loses heat during the winter, they decide to set up temporary camp in the Senator's home, a decision that will ultimately change their lives forever. Uncovering secrets about the Senator's shady international dealings and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Ranjit is on a race around the city to save his family and the world.

Let me first say that I read this because NPR said the second in this series was a must-read this summer. I thought that I'd need to read the first in order to read the second and here we are. It was a fast one. Typical thriller material. Would I call it a literary thriller like every review I read before? Absolutely not. It's basically cheesy romance-part- thriller. And then there's the fact that Ranjit's whole family winds up in a detention center with the risk of being deported and all the while he's having sexy time with the Senator's wife. He blabs on and on and on about how he misses his daughter and his wife, but then as the date for deportation looms, he's literally banging this other lady while mentioning his guilt. And when the book concludes... he's flabbergasted that his wife doesn't want to return to America and doesn't want him back (btw, she doesn't even know about the banging activities). So yeah. It just didn't fit the character. At all. It was like forced, uncomfortable sex scenes to mix it up a bit. These issues aside, I did think it was awesome to see a cast of non-white leads in a new thriller. Ranjit is a Punjabi Sikh, the senator and his wife African Americans, with a Caucasian rounding out the cast as a corrupt secretary to the Senator. All and all, I'd say that if you've read other reviews and think you might like it, go for it. It's a quick read and won't break the bank. I gave this a 2.5 on Goodreads.

So.. what are you reading?? 

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My First Readathon!

It feels like it's been a million years since I've had any time to sit down and read. What better way to commit to giving myself a little downtime than signing up for a readathon?! I've always wanted to join in but the timing has never worked out, and while I do actually have to photograph an event for several hours on Saturday, I still have most of the weekend to kick back and get lost in a good one. Ahhhhhh! It's my first readathon and I'M SO EXCITED!!!! I've really missed reading and blogging and all you blogging buddies and just want to jump in on the action.

I went to the library this evening in anticipation and picked up a few titles I'd been eyeing on Goodreads. I'm sure there will be some changes (and technically Dangerous Liaisons doesn't count because I've already started it), but I'm pretty happy with what I've got so far.

Readathon TBR:

Icelander by Dustin Long

I know nothing about this one. I found it while looking for another book and thought it would be appropriate since I'll be visiting Iceland in September. *Shrugs shoulders*

Broken Glass Park by Alina Bronsky

I found this one in a used bookstore in Chicago but couldn't commit to buying it at the time. I'll admit I'm not familiar with her work, but do know she has an extensive library, so fingers crossed.

The Observations by Jane Harris

I tried this one a couple of years ago and couldn't finish. But then Harris went and wrote one of my all-time favorites, Gillespie and I, so I figured I'd give it another go.

What We've Lost is Nothing by Rachel Louise Snyder

This title is my library's summer reading choice (One Book, One Oak Park). You  know, the whole community chooses a book for the season and then a huge event is held for people to participate and discuss. It's pretty awesome. It also happens to be based in my current home base, Oak Park, IL, so it'll be doubly interesting.

Second Life by S.J. Watson

I enjoyed Before I Go to Sleep (I really liked the movie), so it was added to the list because thrillers are always fast reads. Online sex circles? Ha. Doesn't sound like my cup of tea but I'm giving it a go. The book, not the circles...

The Caretaker by A.X. Ahmad

The second novel in this series made a recent must-read thriller list on NPR, and who am I to argue with that?! So I picked up the first. We'll see.


So... friends, what are you planning on reading?!? Anyone have any must-read historical fiction recommendations that I should add ASAP?!

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A Review: The Dream Lover by Elizabeth Berg

Elizabeth Berg's The Dream Lover is the story of George Sand: French novelist, protofeminist, and inamorata to some of history's leading men.

I must admit that I haven't read Sand's work. I actually, and this is outright embarrassing, had only learned of her after watching a movie based on her relationship with Frederic Chopin. You know, the film with a young Hugh Grant as a sickly Chopin? Yep, I totally had a thing for him (Grant) as a teenager, and was also obsessed with Chopin, so she was really just a side note. Whatever. So I basically knew that these two had gotten busy together and that she wore men's clothing but that was about it. Pathetic.

This novel delves into the life of George Sand beginning with her parents ill-suited match, adding color to her formative years. Assuming that much of the novel is based on biographies of the writer, there's much to be learned, or at the very least, researched after finishing the book. I had no idea she was close friends with some of her more well-known literary, male contemporaries. The atmosphere was lovely and I was instantly transported to the busy streets of Paris, or the idyllic, lush countryside of her family estate at Nohant. It was the perfect companion for escaping the everyday life for an hour or so.

That being said, I didn't entirely love this novel. As of late, I've felt that many narrators in historical novels sound eerily similar, and this one was no different. Is this just me?! Anyway, the beginning seemed promising, as we learn of Sand's family background, of her relationship with a grandmother who means the best but demands the rigid etiquette of post-revolutionary France, which paves the way for George and her exciting life ahead. However, the moments where the reader is forced, suddenly, into George's present day life, consists of being fed exacting play-by-plays of her deteriorating relationships with lovers and her inability to write without them. It was something along the lines of, "and then I started seeing x, but it just didn't work after I caught him with z, so we broke it off." Every. Time. And the woman falls in love with like every dude (and maybe one lady) she meets. Ok, ok, so maybe that's just how she operated so I can't really fault the book for that, but the jump from one summary of a lover to the next was boring and didn't offer anything substantial in terms of character development. I really longed to get back to Nohant and watch her grow.

At the end of the day, I would recommend this book to friends who love historical fiction and want to read about a pioneering lady figure. It's perfect for getting swept away to a different time and place, especially imagining being apart of the literary circles of Paris at this time. And I'll admit that I did learn a lot about her life, even though this work was fiction, as it prompted me to research her life past the pages. I'll definitely be adding Sand's work to my TBR moving forward.

Read this title? Share your thoughts! I'd love suggestions of other historical fiction to add to the TBR, as well!

*I received an advanced reader's copy of this title from Random House through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

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Bookworm Meets Bookworm in 2015

(Remember me?!?! This is sort of what I look like... you know, minus the beer.)

Man oh man I've missed blogging, or book blogging, because I guess I do a little bit of blogging on my site bethpriddy.com/blog. Only that's mostly photography work, or ALL photography work, and it's just NOT the same as discussing what I love and don't love about my current reads.

I'm actually reading again. And a lot. I'm also engaging more in the book community after a long absence and it feels so good.

I don't expect anyone to read this and I probably won't go crazy with promoting for readership. I just need a place to compose short little reviews on books based on why I did or did not like them. Moving forward it'll be less in-depth analysis of the books, and more short write-ups on what moved me or made me cringe with each read. I'm never going to tell someone NOT to read a book, because it could be their main jam, so this seems like a good middle ground.

Thanks to all the beautiful bloggers who have welcomed me back on Twitter; you guys are the best!

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Dreaming of Bavaria...

Füssen, Germany

Ahhh... to be surrounded by those mountains again.

What are you dreaming of today?

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Seasonal Reads with the RIP IX Challenge

Every year a large number of readers in the blogging community get together and read seasonal, spooky reads to celebrate Autumn and Halloween. Because it's my absolute favorite season, and reading event, and because I just love to read, I'm committing for the 4th year in a row and urge you to do the same!

So what is it, exactly...

Carl's Stainless Steel Droppings R. I. P. IX Event 

Pick a book/movie from the following genres:

Mystery.
Suspense.
Thriller.

Dark Fantasy.
Gothic.
Horror.
Supernatural.

Or anything sufficiently moody that shares a kinship with the above.

That is what embodies the stories, written and visual, that we celebrate with the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril event.

As time has wound on this event has been honed down to two simple rules:

1. Have fun reading (and watching).
2. Share that fun with others.

My reading list (fingers crossed):
 

1) The Shining - Stephen King (I'll be attempting the novel and the movie!)

2) Broken Monsters - Lauren Beukes

3) The Secret Place - Tana French

4) The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson (The Estella Society is hosting a readalong.)

  So.. what will you be reading??

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Summer Vibes All Year Long

Sighs... By the time I return from my honeymoon, the local pools and beaches will be closed to the public. If that isn't THE sign that summer is over, I don't know what is.

And I'll admit I'm a little bummed in about a hundred ways... The winter was too long. The spring too short. The summer too rainy and cool. I could go on and on and on. I love the summer because I love the activities that accompany its presence. Picnics in the park, drinks on the patio, beach hangs by the lake... It's glorious and the opposite of winter and snow and cold and being trapped in my house. It's also the time of year that my skin glows! Really glows. I know a lot of this is probably in my head, but just a touch of sun and I'm bronze-kissed and glowing. I obviously don't condone bouts of tanning or any other type of activity asking for sun damage, but a little bit of sun on my skin after a long, dark winter is a blessing. Despite the layers of SPF, I still end up a bit bronzed and feel like a million dollars. So I made a vow that I'd find something to hold on to this magical dewey glow with beauty products through the winter to keep my spirits up. Even if I'm not sun-kissed, I'm getting scents of coconut with my scrub, dewey skin with my body oil, and well-rested eyes with my cream. It's a win and a sure way to beat the winter blues.

BODY: Goe Oil

This stuff is AMAZING. It's completely natural - plants, fruits and flowers! Plus, because it's a concentrated oil/butter, a little goes a LONG way. (I justify its price point because 1) it's natural, and 2) lasts forever!) It has the softest floral scent that warms me up just rubbing it on.

EYES: Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Corrective Eye Cream

Everyone I asked seemed to recommend this cream for the eyes when I was desperate to find something that would help with dryness around the eye and those darned dark circles. Admittedly, I hesitated for quite sometime because of the price tag, but am happy to report that it's worth every dollar! Allergies caused my eyes to appear worn out, dry, and flaky. Nightmare! I'm not kidding when I say I go out with this stuff on instead of makeup because it instantly makes me look doe-eyed and dewey. Plus, my dark circles have almost disappeared! Win.

HAIR: Poppy Austin 100% Argan Oil

Because my hair is pretty fine it appears damaged with the slightest provocation. In an attempt to stop dyeing my hair, I recently visited a salon and had an ombre look applied in order to allow the root growth to happen without looking horrific. However, this tiny bit of bleach really killed it despite the fact that I rarely blow dry or use hot tools on my hair. The stylist recommended 100% argan oil to be applied lightly on my ends after every shower to keep them hydrated and healthy. I went with Poppy Austin instead of the more well-known names because they're a small business and it's organic. Fragrance is nutty and glides on. I use it on my ends and when I need to tame fly-aways. Oh, that SHINE!

FACE: Triple Oxygen Facial In A Box by Bliss

Holy hell! I got acquainted with the triple oxygen kit a couple of years ago when I read a post on Design Sponge and none other than THE Grace Bonney was talking about how she LOVED the stuff. While I did like it, the price point was a little high for what it offered so I gradually let it slip off the radar. BUT during a restock trip to Sephora, I noticed these little packs for $12 dollars sitting near the check-out (that's where they always get me). I decided to nab one and give it a go. OH MY! I love it. The pack offers two facials making it perfect for travel, and gives you an opportunity to try the goods without investing an arm and leg. (Note: Users should avoid being out in the sun for extended periods of time after use). Great for gift-giving or for pampering yourself! Think GLOW!

LEGS: Secret of the Island Salt Scrub

Funny story: I found this at a restaurant at a beach in Florida when I was visiting with my girlfriends. We fell in love with it, I purchased a mason jar full of it, and dropped the damn thing trying to open it in the shower. It shattered. I screamed. J came to the rescue. Thinking about it a year later, I was longing for a salt scrub I knew would leave me moisturized but also take me back to those long beach days. I couldn't remember the scent I loved most, so I went with the five mini-jar deal, to sample some I knew I hadn't tried before. The stuff lasts a while so it's a great way to stock up, plus you can travel with them!! Big win. With scents like coconut, bamboo and grapefruit, and hawaiian ginger, I couldn't resist. The only sad bit is that they're not completely natural, and while I love the feeling of my legs after use and the fantastic smell, I'd love to find an alternative that is.

That's it. I'll be glowing all the way into January! Or February... Or March... (you get the point)

 What are you favorite skin care routines? 

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Summer is Here (Almost)

While it's technically not summer just yet, I sort of feel like we can act like it is when it's so hot out and you can kick it with your friends on the patio (and enjoy a cold brew or whatever you fancy). While summer makes me think of wondrous things like fruit pies, dining al fresco, sandy beaches, and sunshine FOR DAYS, I also consider it the best time to compile giant reading lists I'll never actually have the opportunity to tackle. A girl can dream...

Recently notified via a very pleasant email from Netgalley, I realized that I had a ton of galleys and few reviews. Sadly, it's not that I've read the majority of these titles and then failed to hold up my end of the bargain and not post. No, it's more than I've either hated the title OR never even glanced at it after being approved. Netgalley for me is like a kid in a candy store with absolutely NO adult supervision. It can't be helped. I click to request and request and request until I'm passed out in the corner from exhaustion.

In an effort to do good on my word, I'm going to seriously try and complete the latest titles that I've been so graciously granted access to. ARCs out my ears, people.

In no particular order, here are a few titles I hope to finish in the near future (many of these have release dates not too far into the future so you'll be seeing them soon):

 

 

 

1 How to Ruin a Queen by Jonathan Beckham

Another book about Marie Antionette and her diamonds. Look, I'm a sucker for this stuff so no judging. Plus, everyone needs a healthy dose of non-fiction, ok?

2 The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes

Look, I actually didn't even stop to read what this one was about because I'll read anything Moyes writes. Yes, I'm guilty of getting a copy of One Plus One from Netgalley and not reviewing after finishing, but let's just say that it wasn't that great and leave it there. Otherwise, I've always enjoyed her other books so I'm just pretending I didn't read that particular title.

3 Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero

It's been October since I've sat down to a good gothic tale. I find that most of my novels in this genre come from writers from decades/centuries past and I wanted to finally try something more modern. I can't say that this will be as good as classics by Wilkie or Poe, but I'm willing to give it a go. A man inherits a spooky mansion from a relative he's never heard of (cliche yes... bear with me) and all goes to hell after that. I'll let you know.

4 Dad by William Wharton

The title and the cover art got me here. Yeah, I judged a book by its cover. It happens. This family drama drew me in with its focus on the father as opposed to the mother (like so many I've read before). I love my father but we've always butted heads and I guess seeing another relationship (even if its fictional) is interesting in some way.

5 The Hundred-Year House by Rebecca Makkai

Remember that time I went on and on about Makkai's first novel, The Borrower? No? Probably not because I loved it while everyone else gave it lukewarm reviews. Anyway, Makkai offers a tale of an ancient house that once thrived as a dwelling for an arts colony. Her last novel was pretty insightful and hilarious, so I'm hoping this is similar.

6 Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch

Ah yes, Mr. Koch. Last year, his novel The Dinner (which I also received via Netgalley) was all the rage. People were waiting for the next Gone Girl and it fit the bill. In SHWSP, a doctor is faced with charges of malpractice after one his patients dies suddenly. While I wasn't blown away with his work, I was interested to give Koch another chance. I'm currently reading this and I'll say that it's already more disturbing than The Dinner ever was.  Ok, so the summary above seems tame, but Koch has a knack for creating characters that crawl under you skin and stay. Unless the conclusion just totally kills it, I'm already thinking this will surpass the previous novel.

That's it. A list of novels, in addition to what I'm reading for my local book group, I'll be desperately trying to complete before this beautiful season is over. Wish me luck!

What novels are you anticipating?

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Adventures in New York City

I recently took a short trip to New York City to celebrate the 30th birthday of one of my leading ladies. And while, in theory, seven women should be able to take the town hard, I found many of us were mostly content with wandering the streets snapping photos, enjoying slow meals, having some cocktails, and calling it a night early (that's not to say that some didn't stay out to witness the sunrise). I have to admit that I'm really trying to accept the fact that my early twenties are so far behind me. I guess it happens.. C'est la vie!

Now if I could only think of something to do for my own 30th this year! Sure, I might not do anything near as exciting as escaping to one of the busiest cities in the world, but I'm sure it'll be great all the same. Without further ado, here are some photos from my adventure...

*Scroll down to the bottom for spots I especially enjoyed on this mini-vacay.

foggy

Laura, sweet Laura.

 

Brooklyn 

 Midtown

the High Line

 

                                                    

Central Park

these street performers were KILLING it

The Frying Pan (or, a place for people who like to wear boat shoes and nautical-themed apparel when approaching a boat) (also, kinda fun)

For many of you, a list of all the best spots in NYC might be a no-brainer, but it had been ages since I had been and wanted to visit some places that might not be on everyone's must-see lists.

Some of my favorites included:

The Butcher's Daughter Juice Bar & Cafe
19 Kenmare Street, New York, NY, $$

Fresh vegan eats at a pretty affordable price for the city. We were able to sit outside, albeit underneath a scaffold for construction, which actually worked in our favor because it was raining. The restaurant itself might be the cutest place I've ever eaten, and the food was pretty incredible. Go! (The place next store has great ambiance if you're looking for a pre-show cocktail. The pop music from my teens that started halfway through our visit, however, was a little off-putting. Beware!)


The Coffee Shop Restaurant
29 Union Square West, New York, NY, $ - $$

I have some mixed feelings on this place. First, I really liked the atmosphere at the front of the house; however, our party was seated in the back and it was COMPLETELY different. It was a bit too loud to actually have any type of conversation, but the cocktails were A+ in my mind (try the passion fruit bellini). The food was so-so. I had a salad with some interesting toppings but nothing to write home about. All and all, I've heard great things but didn't really see it myself. Go for the drinks but maybe settle for a meal somewhere else. (This place is notably open 23 hours a day, so probably for the drunk crowd who can't really tell what food tastes like at that point anyway.)

Momofuku Milk Bar
Multiple Locations
15W 56th St, New York, NY (between 5th and 6th avenues), $

Momofuku Milk Bar was a stop on this trip no matter what happened. I actually ventured there by myself after strolling for hours at Chelsea Market and realizing I didn't really care about what everyone was looking at. I headed to the shop near our hotel, in Midtown, and picked up an assorted variety of freshly baked cookies to bring home (try blueberry and cream, compost cookie, cornflake marshmallow, and confetti). I'm also guilty of indulging in a cereal milk milkshake because where else are you going to find those? Bonus: my friends surprised the birthday girl with a cake from this place and it was TO DIE FOR. So moist and delicious. IF you are in New York, go, and try ALL THE COOKIES! P.S. The other half once had compost cookies shipped to me in Atlanta and I've been craving them ever since (easy peasy shipping, people). Momofuku is also famous for their noodle bar, so hit that up too. I wanted to try the ramen but just couldn't work it in.


We actually visited quite a number of little cafes in Brooklyn to enjoy a beverage and rest for a bit, but I didn't manage to document those places despite how pleasant they were. Darn! I can definitely say skip the Thai in the food halls at Chelsea Market, DO NOT order a specialty cocktail from the Beauty Bar, unless you enjoy drinking straight sugar (note: head towards the back with a beer to avoid the fumes of nail polish and you'll be rewarded with comfortable seating and prime people watching), and try to see a show at The Bowery Ballroom if you're hankering for live music. The space is beautiful, the sound is good, and drinks reasonable. Just make sure you like the band you're seeing or it'll be a long night.

I know I missed so many cool spots in the Big Apple, but it was a short trip and I really enjoyed spending time with my lady friends now that we're scattered all over the world (literally). Hope you can use some of this information to plan your own trip and maybe share some spots that you think should never be missed.

Bon Voyage!

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The Married Life

Yep, you read that correctly. Justin and I, without sharing the news, headed up to the local courthouse and exchanged our vows on Monday. In many ways, it's kind of hard to believe that we were ever going to do anything more than don some fancy clothes and exchange those sacred words without a witness. We're sort of known for our epic surprises so this had to have topped them all. Fortunately, everyone was thrilled so no hard feelings.

We pledged our hearts to one another and celebrated with champagne, macarons, and slow dancing in the living room. It was perfect and wonderful and every other imaginable word to describe happiness. Without offering much more, here are some pictures I managed to capture before and after we said our I dos. Enjoy!

Thanks for all the love, friends!

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