The Anthropocene Reviewed

Every human should read this book. It's so moving to read about John's struggles and how he's overcome challenges, and instead of a memoir, it's couched in interesting perspectives about all kinds of different subjects. If you are struggling, read this book.

A poem by my talented husband

Check out this poem by my husband Rodd Whelpley that was just published.
heroinchic.weebly.com/blog/a-tangle-of-spirea-by-rodd-whelpley

You can read more about Rodd here: roddwhelpley.com

My 2017 Year in Books

Thanks to GoodReads, I know my book stats:  78 books totaling 19,786 pages.
Check it out here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2017

Tetris: The Games People Play by Box Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My master's degree is in leisure studies, so this graphic novel, about play and the way our brains work when doing games and puzzles, was fascinating to me. That's only part of this book -- the main topic is the development of Tetris, and the battle for the games' rights.

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Book Review: The Invoice

The Invoice by Jonas Karlsson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kind of like Kafka. A quick read and interesting.

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Review: As Far as the Heart Can See: Stories to Illuminate the Soul

As Far as the Heart Can See: Stories to Illuminate the Soul by Mark Nepo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thought-provoking short and very short essays/stories, with questions and meditation suggestions following each one.

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Review: Sewing in a Straight Line

Sewing in a Straight Line: Quick and Crafty Projects You Can Make by Simply Sewing Straight by Brett Bara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fun book of hip, cool projects that I can really imagine making.

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Everybody Ought to Be Rich: The Life and Times of John J. Raskob, Capitalist by David Farber


I really wish that when you mark something as "to read" that Goodreads had a field where I could add info about who recommended this book, or where I heard about it. I have no idea how I heard about this biography. I typically don't read biographies. Perhaps it's because I read media about the new musical "Empire" that premiered off-Broadway in January. Perhaps it was in an industry publication I read, since John Raskob did some very early and innovative fundraising in the first few decades of the 20th century. Or, maybe at one point Amazon offered it free on Kindle and I downloaded it. I don't know.
Through this book, you learn a lot about the US and how, even in 1901, there were so many systems not yet written into existence. John Raskob worked his way up and into extreme wealth, even withstanding the Great Depression. I think it's worth a read.

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Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'd given up on the Scarpetta series after I abandoned the last one because I found it unreadable. However, thanks to a recommendation by a coworker, and backup from Goodreads reviewers, I have this a try. Very readable, and one I didn't want to put down.

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Thanks, Shutterfly!

Thanks for the free art print, Shutterfly! What a great souvenir from our summer vacation.

Book Review: Legacy by Ron Underwood

Legacy: How Much Can You Learn After You Know It All? by Ron Underwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As part of my 2015 reading challenge, I needed to read a book set in my hometown. Luckily, I found out that Ron Underwood published this book this year, and it's set in my hometown, Gowrie, Iowa. I have to admit, I wasn't positive I'd like it (before I read it). I left small-town Iowa for a reason. It just was not for me as an adult. So I was suspicious. Well, I really liked this book. The writing is good and the story and characters are pretty well-developed. And it was super fun knowing all the details mentioned in the book's setting, and even some familiar character names!

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How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'd have to say this book was a wake-up call. Really good perspective on what over parenting can be doing to our children, and action steps to change and be the parent you really want to be. Great examples. A quick read.

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Book Review - The Dinner by Herman Koch

The Dinner by Herman Koch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I don't want to give any spoilers, but it definitely surprised me as characters revealed themselves.  STOP READING if you haven't read it but want to!









My mom recommended this book to me. Or rather, I wanted to check off my 2015 list of "A book your mother loves."  Ends up it was originally written in a foreign language, which is another 2015 category. So I'll probably read another book that my mom loves and count this book under the foreign category.

Anyway, this book started out clever and funny. Which was enough to keep me reading.

Then, it gets dark.  Characters who before simply seemed private (or public with a private side) begin to become more obviously horrible people.

Excellent reading experience!

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Quick Review of Nick Hornby's Funny Girl

Funny Girl by Nick Hornby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Quick read for a 450 page book. Nick Hornby never disappoints. I kept it at 4 stars because it wasn't life changing, but it was cute and I really liked it.

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Fire Shut Up in My Bones - Review

Fire Shut Up in My Bones by Charles Blow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don't know if it was me, or my mood...but this book was slow starting for me. Maybe I just needed to get into the author's writing rythm. I read the last half of the book much quicker and couldn't put it down. Heartening and heartbreaking, Charles Blow shares with us his past as he comes to terms with his life and his possibilities. The writing is so gorgeous--quite a talent.

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Chile Relleno Casserole

After a vacation to New Mexico this summer, my family is now in love with green chiles. One of my coworkers has a daughter in New Mexico who offered to buy us ten pounds of true New Mexico chiles. She had them roasted and when my coworker visited, she brought back 5 pounds for me and 5 pounds for herself, frozen in 1-pound bags.
This recipe is an easy way to use the chiles -- I used a pound of the chiles in this 9x13 pan recipe. It was delicious!
http://goingreno.com/recipe/chile-relleno-casserole/#comment-1432

2014 Memories of Walt Disney World

Magnet

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Good times. Hot, humid...but fun.

I've been bestowed "Best Mom Ever" status

Sick day. Waiting on a doctor's call back. Drove the kid into my office so that we can see the doctor if needed. We pass a Taco Bell. Please please please mom. Please! The new Taco Bell Breakfast marketing must have been directed to males age 12. I did a U-Turn and took him. The Waffle Taco.

Waffle "shell". Sausage lining the waffle.  Eggs, then cheese on top.

Selfies are required before tasting it.

"The waffles are the least gross part."

Book Review: How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America

How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America by Kiese Laymon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a book to buy, re-read, highlight and sit back and THINK after reading. Seriously. Read it. It was a coincidence that I picked this up last night from my "to read" stack and finished it on MLK day. Kiese Laymon is a new author for me, but I'll be reading everything he writes now.

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Book Review: What's a Hostess to Do?

What's a Hostess to Do? by Susan Spungen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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