S. Lee Spelbring's Blog, page 6

February 2022 Wrap-Up: What I Read, Watched, Played, and Made

What I Read:

Ya’ll know I’m a fan of Dave Ramsey, and he released a new book this year that I just had to read. Still on the personal finance train and working the baby steps, I read another finance book.

On the recommendation of a friend, I started reading the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. I’m only two books in but I’m pretty well hooked.

Baby Steps Millionaire by Dave RamseyGood Bye Mortgage by Emily JosephineStorm Front by Jim ButcherFool Moon by Jim ButcherWhat I Played:

I finally got caught up on my Pokemon Yellow episodes. I had a bit of a backlog on them, so now I can space them out a bit more. I found a super old FFXI post, that I updated with where things are at now and posted. I also started catching up on my Zodiac Legacy challenge posts (I posted and intro ages ago as well), and finally finished building the apartments as houses in The Sims 4. That was a lot, I’m sorry.

Pokemon Yellow || Part 06, 07, & 08 || Sarah PlaysOf Geomancers and Other Things [FFXI]The Zodiac Legacy Challenge: Generation One – Aquarius [TS4]Building Apartment/Houses for FRIENDS [TS4]What I Watched:

I’ve been watching a lot of Netflix lately, and consequently I finished the last season of Supernatural, and found out what the hype about Squid Games was. I watched another horror film on Netflix while I was at it, and then started my monster movie marathon.

Binge-Watching Netflix: SupernaturalBinge-Watching Netflix: Squid Games Season 01Solstice (2008)Godzilla (1954)What I Made:

I finished my first CAL and it was so much fun I think I will do it again. I also made a critter from Unicorns, Dragons, and More! and reviewed the book on my craft blog. I also looked into knitting again by watching a couple of videos on YouTube:

The Crochet Crowd Calming Comfort Afghan Crochet AlongHow to Knit Faster With Continental Knitting [Video]10 Free and Easy Knitting Projects for Beginners [Video]

I’m hoping that you’re liking these monthly round-ups! They help to keep me accountable for updating my blogs (which I love to do, but often get distracted by shiny things), and I like to think you get a better view of me so that you have idea of how I approach my book reviews. Either way, I had a fun February, ate too much chocolate, and managed to get a few things done!

Thank You for Reading!

Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

Fool Moon by Jim Butcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Featuring the entirety of the werewolf community in Dresden’s city, Fool Moon takes on a tour through the subtleties of werewolves and their sub-species, all the while figuring out who’s behind the scenes.

We also see some character development between Harry, Karrin, and Susan, though if I’m honest they’re all a bit immature yet and have a lot to figure out between themselves.

What I found interesting was all the sub-species and their peculiar details which makes the werewolves different from each other.

Another good, short read from Jim Butcher. I will continue to read more in this series.

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Baby Steps Millionaires by Dave Ramsey

Baby Steps Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth– and How You Can Too by Dave Ramsey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was so excited for this book that I pre-ordered it when I had the opportunity.

I’m a fan of Dave Ramsey and have been working the Baby Steps for a few years now (I’m on Baby Step 6 if anyone is interested). So when this next steps book was released, I was already hooked.

I will admit that I had certain preconceptions as to what this book was going to teach me. I expected his investment strategy, how he handles real estate (now, not when he went bankrupt doing it), and general tips and tricks on how to become a millionaire.

I pretty much got what I expected, minus his real estate knowhow. I was a little upset at that, but I’m guessing that that topic was too much to include in this book, beyond the scope if you will.

He delves into his investment strategy, which includes a financial advisor, and how to work with one and manage your investments. He explains what a millionaire is, and what it is not – which is actually quite interesting in the details.

While it didn’t meet all of expectations, I still very much enjoyed this book and trust Dave Ramsey’s advice and teachings. They work. Really.

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Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Storm Front by Jim Butcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After a rather interesting discussion of how I haven’t watched Cowboy Bebop (now on Netflix) I was recommended to read The Dresden Files series, and had it briefly explained to me. So now I’ve read some of it.

As a way of explaining: a wizard detective with a pet cat and possessed skull goes about helping the police solve unexplainable crimes.

There’s more to it obviously, and I think the first book is a rather good introduction to the series. All the characters are introduced, there’s a crime to solve that explains the makings of a wizard and how they are “policed” themselves, and some fun is involved.

It’s not a long book, but it was a good read.

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Good-Bye Mortgage: How (and Why) to Pay Off Your Mortgage in Seven Years or Less by Emily Josephine

Good-Bye, Mortgage: How (And Why) To Pay Off Your House In Seven Years Or Less by Emily Josephine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As most of you know, I’ve read Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover and follow his financial strategies. This ebook is basically a mini guide that is not incredibly detailed but also follows Ramsey’s core rules.

1. Pay off debt.
2. Save for 20% down payment on a small (ish) house, that is about 2/3 of what your lender approved you for.
3. Pay extra on the principle by living below your means.

This ebook also goes into a little of the math behind why you should pay off your mortgage early, and I think by now we all are aware that you will pay more interest on the loan than the actual loan if you just pay it off normally.

I will say that I already follow these rules (mostly) and having been a follower of Dave Ramsey for years at this point that this was nothing new. The author even mentions Ramsey at the beginning of her book.

This is free, read it if you like, but Dave Ramsey does it better.

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January 2022 Wrap-Up: What I Read, Watched, Played, and Made

What I Read:

I have a lot of hobbies, one of which dear readers you already know of, and that is my love of reading. I read anything I can get my hands on. I had a difficult last year but I’m making up for it by reading through Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series.

The Colour of Magic by Terry PratchettThe Light Fantastic by Terry PratchettEqual Rites by Terry PratchettWhat I Played:

Another long-term hobby I have is video gaming. During lockdown I turned to online gaming with friends and playing through some of the games I’ve been neglecting. I’ve also been introduced to several new games to play. I started documenting them on my gaming blog.

Pokemon Yellow: Part 01; Part 02 & 03; Part 04 & 05Luck Be a Landlord: DF Made Me Buy ItWhat I Watched:

The other hobby you may know of is my movie watching. I turn on movies in the background of whatever it is I’m doing to have some noise. So I get through quite a few movies that way. There are some days I have a movie day too, mostly on lazy days. Here’s what I watched recently:

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)Stranded (2001)The Martian (2015)Black Water (2018)What I Made:

I learned to crochet during lockdown, and that’s what I spent a lot of my time on. I’ve made quite a few cute things, and learned quite a bit. I’m still continuing to learn, and want to share my thoughts and progress over on my craft blog.

Free Animal Crossing Crochet PatternsBook Review: Whimsical Stitches by Lauren Espy

This is how my first month of 2022 has gone! I hope you enjoyed this type of blog post, as I certainly enjoyed putting it together. I’m going to try to do one every month since it will be motivation to keep posting!

Thank You for Reading!

Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While this is more so a “witches” book, it also very much deals with wizards, and could almost be considered a part of that storyline. However, the main character is a witch, so I get where Pratchett was going with this.

I also really like that this book comedically deals with sexism (women can’t be wizards, men can’t be witches). It could also be said that this is another traveling book, although we don’t go across Discworld and back again just from point A to point B with a few trifling stops in between.

This book introduces Granny Weatherwax, whom is quickly becoming a favorite character of mine. Pratchett wrote her very well, and also did a decent job of describing how witches work (I would go so far as to say that some modern witches strive to be like Granny).

I would not call it a favorite in the Discworld series, but it does a good job of worldbuilding and storytelling so I wouldn’t discount it. I still thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

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The Greek Gods by Evslin, Evslin and Hoopes

The Greek Gods by Bernard Evslin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Like the other Greek mythology book by Evslin, Evslin, and Hoopes, this too, takes stories and makes them more palatable for adolescents.

This one focuses more on the creation myths, the gods themselves, and the workings of nature. Not every God is here in the book, but most are mentioned in one way or another. The story of Hades and Persephone is in here too.

I have very fond nostalgia for this book (and the other one) and credit both of them with my love of Greek Mythology. This is a very PG method of introducing children to Greek Mythology.



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The A – Z Book Tag

This book tag is brought to you from Northern Plunder.

A | author you’ve read the most books from:

Without doing too much math, and referring to just my blog posts: Christine Feehan.

B | best sequel ever:

I really loved V. C. Andrews series Ruby. Every book was good and furthered the storyline.

C | currently reading:

Malleus Maleficarum by James Spenger

Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes

The Greek Gods by Evslin, Evslin, & Hoopes

The Complete Works of Confucius

Jeff Edwards Military Thriller 3 Book Box Set

D | drink of choice while reading:

Honestly, I don’t have a go-to drink for reading. Whatever’s handy. I drink water, Diet Dr. Pepper, Tea, or Iced Coffee.

E | e-reader or physical book:

I do both. I like having a physcial book, but sometimes its just easier and handier to have an ebook on my phone or ereader. Some books I prefer to have the physical copy, but most of the time it doesn’t really matter.

F | fiction character you would’ve dated in high school:

Spoiler Alert: I didn’t date in high school. Life is complicated. So my initial reaction is: nobody. I wouldn’t have dated in high school, it was my choice not my parents. But if I would have to answer: Steve Rogers. I think he would have been supportive and wouldn’t pressure me into things I wasn’t comfortable with.

G | glad you have this book a chance:

I typically do not read non-fiction books as a rule. I use books as entertainment more than a source of information. However, I was tempted to read The Total Money Makeover and it has literally changed my life.

H | hidden gem book:

I was pleasantly surprised by The Cousins O’Dwyer series from Nora Roberts. It was suggested by my aunt who doesn’t normally give me book recommendations. Since she usually doesn’t do this I took her suggestion and enjoyed the entire series.

I | important moment in your reading life:

One of the more important moments was when I discovered Goodreads. To this day it is the easiest way for me to keep track of what I’m reading and my personal library.

J | just finished:

Heroes & Monsters of Greek Myth by Evslin, Evslin & Hoopes

K | kind of books you won’t read:

I really want to say that I’m open to any book from any genre, but I do know that some areas of my library are distinctly lacking. I don’t read many Westerns (I really should they’re my mom and brother’s favorites), and I don’t ready many biographies (I do own some but have yet to read them).

L | longest book you’ve read:

I , too, have read The Stand by Stephen King; but for the purposes of this blog: I’m currently read Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes and Malleaus Maleficarum by James Sprenger; both of which are monstrously sized.

M | major book hangover because of:

I’m currently attempting to read a 3 Book Boxed Set by Jeff Edwards. Each of these books are fairly substantial, and I’ve made it through one earlier this year, and did try to get started on the second one – but had to take a break.

N | number of bookcases you own:

Currently I have 3, but because of life and other reasons not one of them is full and I need to buy more.

O | one book you’ve read multiple times:

Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville

P | preffered place to read:

I have a few places: the bathtub (with a bubble bath), in bed, or in a comfy chair/recliner.

Q | quote that inspires you/gave you all the feels from a book:

“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”

J. R. R. Tolkien

R | reading regret:

10 Tips for Writing Your First Book by Joe A. Rector

S | series you’ve started and need to finish (all books are out):

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan – I actually have most of the books but it’s been so long since I’ve read them I’m going to have to start over.

T | three of your all time favourite books:

Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Mort by Sir Terry Pratchett

U | unapologetic fangirl for:

Stephen King and the majority of his work. I even like the majority of his movies, even the bad ones.

V | very excited for this release:

I really don’t keep track of new releases. It’s just not my thing. Occasionally I’ll have a look at Stephen King’s website but that is it.

W | worst bookish habits:

I skip around in some series (see Christine Feehan) where the timeline doesn’t matter as much. I also don’t read every day and can skip between current books I’m reading.

X | x marks the spot! start at the top of your bookshelf and pick the 27th book:

Cold Case by Kate Wilhelm

Y | your latest book purchase:

I really haven’t bought much for books this year thanks to the pandemic, but I suppose we can include the free books I “purchased” from Amazon and they’re all by Tai Sheridan.

Z | zzz-snatcher book – last book that kept you up way too late:

It was probably the last book I read by Christine Feehan: Dark Prince.

What do you think of my book choices?

Leave your comments down below! Also please let me know if you’d like to see me do something on this blog that I haven’t done yet!

Heroes & Monsters of Greek Myth by Evslin, Evslin, and Hoopes

Heroes & Monsters of Greek Myth by Bernard Evslin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a book I’ve had since I was a kid and it was one of my favorites. It was this book and it’s companion that introduced me to Greek Mythology.

If you know anything about Greek Mythology, then you know that the majority of the stories and quite adult with their antics. With this book, the stories are re-written in a way that either glosses over those antics, or just doesn’t include them. This doesn’t make the stories in anyway less than what they were, and the stories that were based on adult antics aren’t included.

I loved this book as a kid and read it several times, so my copy is pretty well worn and I had to be really careful with it. As an adult, I still enjoyed the stories, but noted the differences from the originals.



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