eLPy's Blog, page 2
August 12, 2020
Here’s What’s Up Since Forever Ago!
Hey there folks! Sorry it’s been a whole two plus months since I’ve written anything, it’s not for lack of trying. Here’s What’s Up! This is going to be another long post so I thank you in advance for taking time out of your day to follow along. It’s long but mostly a brief update and list of what you can expect to see/hear from me.
So much has happened and so much has not. Obviously we’re still dealing with and living in the times of a pandemic. I’ve been encouraged by much of the leadership we HAVE received but I’ve also been discouraged by how selfish many people are. Wearing a mask sucks, we all can agree on that, but it’s not the end of the world. If we were as intelligent as we like to believe we are, then wearing a face covering would be second nature. Oh there’s a new contagious respiratory virus spreading around the world? Better cover up my breathing holes to protect from what’s coming in and going out.
I digress.
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We’re trotting our way to the end of this season (wait what!) and in to the next. I’m not a parent but I sympathize with you/them and what they’re facing. These are not easy times, and whether or not it is safe for your child to go back to in-person schooling is no simple decision. This matter is conflated by the fact that the circumstances are different everywhere. My heart goes out to all the parents, step-parents, grandparents, and kids out there. May the decision you make be the best for your family.
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In other news about the seasons, I was successful in planting, growing and even partially successful in harvesting a garden this year! This is my first garden in…15 years maybe? Wow, that makes me feel old! The pandemic pushed me to stop procrastinating and get it done. My biggest hang-up (pretty sure I’ve already shared this) was my soil. I have what’s called slag in my backyard. It is an industrial by-product, from what I don’t know, but it’s left over from metal smelting and often used as filler. I don’t know who filled this yard or when or with what or why but these big funky meteor-like chunks are abundant. After reaching out to a geologist I decided (thank you) it best I not take my chances with my soil. So I built raised beds using untreated 2x6s (go me!) and filled them with a soil mixture from a local landscaping company. I had also purchased some bags of organic container mix, raised bed mix, potting soil, and top soil. That was back in March when things were iffy and getting soil and seeds was difficult. Eventually the lockdown eased and I was able to get a bulk mixture delivered to my house. Which I proceeded to move in dozens of wheelbarrow loads.
I built three raised-beds, though not all three were planned, especially the third one. In fact it was a great exercise for me in just doing and not being so afraid to. Are they ideal in their placement? Absolutely not. But they’re there, for now, and I’m DOING not thinking about doing anymore. They are 4×8′, 4×6′, and 4×4′, all 12″ high though the dirt is more like 10-11″ deep since it has settled.
This post isn’t going to go into a whole lot more detail about my garden because I’ve decided that I am going to start a new series/section all about my garden called In the Life of My Garden. If you want to know more about my garden please follow that link or search garden in the search box. You can also scroll down my feed and find posts about it. What I will tell you here is I’m growing Bumble Bee Cherry tomatoes (6 plants), roma tomatoes (4 plants), orange bell peppers (6 plants), beets, broccoli (big fail with that one), Kuri squash (2 plants, awesome then disaster), Hearts of Gold cantaloupe (2 plants, one in container), Sugar Baby watermelon (2 plants, one in container), snow peas (yes they grew in the heat!), bush beans (that turned out to like growing vertically), true mini carrots (did you know most baby carrots in the store are actually full-size just cut down?), mustard greens, and now I’m in the midst of a fall garden plan and plantings.
Like I said, please follow the link In the Life of My Garden to learn and discover more. I find it really hard to believe I’ll ever go back to not gardening again.
Not only did gardening get me back in touch with my nature loving side, it also got me more in touch with YouTube! (Some of you are nodding and smiling YES while others are shaking your heads NO NO NO, oh the distraction! All of you are right. ;)) First of all thank you Crafty Gemini for my first video on building my own raised beds. I really need to check out some more of her videos, I’ve gotten all caught up in those of many others, namely Gardener Scott operating out of Colorado. Gardener Scott is one of many interesting people I’ve recently discovered on YouTube (not including those I found before related to Book Tube). His channel is a well of information let me tell you. He’s like that teacher/professor you had that seemed to know everything and was more than happy to share. Then there’s Self-Sufficient Me over in Australia, highly recommend him as well. People call Self-Sufficient Me the Steve Irwin of gardening. Lol. He is, though there is no one like Steve Irwin for real. Did you know Bindi is expecting her first child? Move along Elpy… I also found Jess and Jeremiah over at their Roots and Refuge farm in Arkansas. She too is a natural born teacher. Their farm is beautiful and their commitment to it admirable. Then there’s MIGardener in Michigan. He makes me smile, he’s so enthusiastic about his garden and teaching the rest of us how to Grow Big or Go Home! There are others but these are my top four for gardening and Crafty Gemini is well crafty as heck!
You can click on the links above to check out all those beautiful people. Also follow my In the Life of My Garden page to know more.
Aside from telling you to check out those channels I have to tell you a wonderful thing Gardener Scott introduced me to: VERMICOMPOSTING! That’s right folks, worms and worm composting. Gardener Scott has some videos in which in starts, maintains and harvests a worm bin. MIGardener has some as well. What ever do you want a worm bin for some of you ask? Why composting of course!
Gardener Scott also runs a compost pile outside in his garden, which I was considering but ultimately in my current situation a worm composting bin in my basement (okay two) is best for me.
I have long wanted to stop just throwing out my organic food scraps (think strawberry tops, cucumber and zucchini ends, greens that go bad before you get to them or finish them, yucky apple chunks, etc). So many times I’d make some food for my birds and look at all that was left over and sigh. Or I’d buy veggies with the best of intentions (I’m going to eat healthier AND lose weight) only to see much of it go to waste (having a crap refrigerator doesn’t help). If only I could do something with that waste…
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Welcome the Worms!!! I now have red wigglers, blue worms (mostly them), and some European nightcrawlers taking care of food waste (not all, not meat or dairy or other stuff) for me. Stay tuned and visit In the Life of My Garden for more on my newest hobby of composting with worms and the cool YouTube channels I found pertaining to this.
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Alright if you’re still with me, thank you so so much, I promise there’s not too much more in this post. I’m going to tell you about what update posts you can expect.
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On the book blogging front I have not been reading physical books because… I just haven’t. I still have to finish Akata Warrior and several others. I won a Goodreads giveaway for The Bone Jar (Detective Lew Kirby, #1) by S.W. Kane and received an e-copy that I just discovered and decided to start last night (as if I’m not currently reading too many books). It’ll all be okay though… lol… as long as I don’t start anymore books… … …
While I haven’t been physically reading I have been listening to audio books and have finished many. In fact I just started Inheritance by Dani Shapiro. I’m halfway through and totally intrigued. I can’t believe I’m only halfway through as this first half feels like a story in and of itself. It’s a memoir by the way.
So I’ll be updating you on what I’ve read/listened to and maybe I’ll have some reviews in there too. The last three books at least have been five stars, really really enjoyed them. I’ll also update my currently reading list as well as my 20 Books for Summer 2020. That list is going to have to change, which kind of feels like a cheat. I guess I’m just going to need to go for 20 books period.
My novel has been patiently waiting for me to pull my muddy boots out of this creative slump. I do not believe in writer’s block, just so you know this is not that. But I’m getting back to it and I’ll have some writing related posts for you about what I’ve learned (check out my post about things I’ve learned so far).
I’m also going to update my recommended Podcasts page. I’ve got some more to add to it as well I’m thinking I should make it an overall resources kind of page where you can find all the links to various people/channels/blogs I follow regularly or at least from time to time. This would include book bloggers, book tubers, gardening and vermiculture channels, podcasts and more. Oh and I definitely have some cool photos from the garden for you; ever seen what a beneficial predator can do for your garden, namely a tomato hornworm? Oh yeah, I got that baby! 
June 9, 2020
My Review of Akata Witch (Akata Witch, #1) by Nnedi Okorafor – 5 Stars
Information from Goodreads:
Akata Witch transports the reader to a magical place where nothing is quite as it seems. Born in New York, but living in Aba, Nigeria, twelve-year old Sunny is understandably a little lost. She is albino and thus, incredibly sensitive to the sun. All Sunny wants to do is be able to play football and get through another day of school without being bullied. But once she befriends Orlu and Chichi, Sunny is plunged in to the world of the Leopard People, where your worst defect becomes your greatest asset. Together, Sunny, Orlu, Chichi and Sasha form the youngest ever Oha Coven. Their mission is to track down Black Hat Otokoto, the man responsible for kidnapping and maiming children. Will Sunny be able to overcome the killer with powers stronger than her own, or will the future she saw in the flames become reality?
Hardcover, 349 pagesPublished April 14th 2011 by Viking Children’s
Alternate CoverMy Rating: 5 Stars
My Review of Akata Witch (Akata Witch, #1) by Nnedi Okorafor
5/5 stars
Once again Nnedi Okorafor did not fail to impress. I’m pretty sure I read on her page that a movie or show is in the works for this book and I’m excited to see it manifested.
“It’s just an insect specter,” Orlu said as he touched the sting with his knife. He made a popping sound with his lips. “They’re the result of insects people smash. Most angry spirits come from deaths by acts of cruelty. If the insect is angry or a vengeful type, it’ll return as one of these.” Slowly the feeling in her legs returned. The bruise on her hip from falling remained, though.
This is a really interesting book with engaging, dynamic characters that easily stand out from each other. This series might well be described as a more diverse, unique, and perhaps grounded Harry Potter in that we’ve got a group of kids, some of whom are already aware of “magic”, one who is not. They are sent to attend “magic school” all while still leading their “regular” lives. No offense to the Harry Potter series but this story isn’t about your typical idea of magic. A person’s ability is often unique to them or something they’ve inherited from a relative. I love the idea that what might be a disadvantage or flaw in the “lamb” world translates into an ability among Leopard People. It’s beautiful.
This story is easy to read, well-paced, and original. It’s fantastic and feels true to life even as it’s set in a country, continent and culture I do not know. I’m grateful for this opportunity to read a story set in Nigeria flavored with fantasy. We all know one of the beauties of reading is being able to travel outside of our own lives, this book delivers on that in SO MANY ways.
“Lesson one, ” Anatov said. “And this is for all of you. Learn how to learn. Read between the lines. Know what to take and what to discard. Sunny, we don’t teach as the Lambs do. Books will be part of your learning but experience is important, too. You’ll all be sent out to see for yourselves. So you have to know how to learn…”
There is violence, but it’s not overwhelming . I think it’s comparable to a PG-13 movie, mind you I don’t read a lot of books of this age-range so I might not be the best judge. That said my 12-year old niece isn’t big on scary or violent stories/movies but I think I will recommend this to her nonetheless. The main characters are 13-14 years old. Nnedi gives these characters energy and attitude true to children. Sunny, the main protagonist and a new student of the Leopard world, is a spunky, sassy girl who is understandably nervous but brave. She’s bullied for being albino but she remains strong and stands up for herself even though at times it hurts to feel like an outsider.
Okorafor is good at tapping into the characters’ emotions and not forgetting those seemingly small moments of emotional pain, young and old. You’ll also find some great lessons woven into these pages.
“Sunny, there are Leopard People all over the world from every tribe, race, whatever. None is better than the other.”
I will continue to make my way through her work moving right along to Akata Warrior, #2 in this duology. I strongly recommend reading this book and more of Nnedi Okorafor. If you haven’t yet branched out to more diverse authors, Nnedi Okorafor’s books are a great place to start for the fantasy/sci-fi genres.
“Let me tell you something Chichi and Sasha have a hard time respecting,” Orlu said, putting his fork down. “Leopard People – all our kind all over the world – are not like Lambs. Lambs think money and material things are the most important thing in the world. You can cheat, lie, steal, kill, be dumb as a rock, but if you can brag about money and having lots of things and your bragging is true, that bypasses everything. Money and material things make you king or queen of the Lamb world. You can do no wrong, you can do anything.
Leopard People are different. The only way you can earn chittim is by learning. The more you learn, the more chittim you earn. Knowledge is the center of all things…”
From Akata Witch (Akata Witch, #1)
The following are more quotes from the book that are listed and liked on Goodreads:
“People are too focused on money. It’s supposed to be a tool, not the prize to be won.”
“They’re capable of great things, but potential doesn’t equal success.”
“We embrace those things that make us unique or odd. For only in these things can we locate and then develop our most individual abilities.”
We’re going through some truly incredible times in the world right now. Sometimes I feel like we should have expected 2020 to be different. I mean, 2020 right? Gosh… The change we are experiencing is profound and much of it overdo. I am proud of those standing up against injustice. I am proud of those standing up for science and the good of the community. I am proud of all the brave people exercising their courage in the face of fear. I am so proud of all the people embracing each other, coming together, and demanding a better world for everyone. People are showing each other that hate has no place among us.
In the midst of all of this, many of us are wondering what can I do? How can I help? Maybe you’re marching, maybe you’re not, but you want to know how you can be a part of the change and help to usher it forward. One way we can do this is to continue to support each other and to support communities of color. We can help by investing in communities of color; this in part means supporting the work done by people of color, and the businesses, the arts, and the efforts among so many other things. In the bookish world, the art world, we do this by buying books by and about people of color. We do this by talking about their books and stories, telling our friends and family, our neighborhoods, our social media-hoods. We can help by promoting more diversity in the arts. Don’t have many or any authors of color on your TBR? Well now is as good a time as ever to branch out. And when you find those authors you enjoyed, spread their name far and wide. Encourage others to read their work. Then find more and share more. Read non-fiction and fiction by and about people and communities of color. Read books that take place in a community, neighborhood or region unlike yours.
We in the bookish community already love to read, so let’s be super intentional in what we pick (if you’re not already doing this) and make sure you pick up books, more books by and about people of color. In fact, I have an idea, get this book and others by this author! 
June 3, 2020
Lessons Learned While Writing
Let me be real, writing a book is not an easy task. You don’t just sit down and write the story in your head. Sure that’s how you start but a lot happens in the midst of doing that. Your characters will teach you that what you thought about them was wrong.
Here are some other things I’ve learned while writing my first novel:
New characters are going to show up whether you invite them or not. And when they show up don’t try and shoo them away, you have to at least listen to what they have to offer.Face it, you are going to write A LOT of words that are not going to make it into the finished book. The above fact is something you have to accept and get over. Move on, don’t look back. Unless you’re like me and copy and paste some of that stuff into a different folder in hopes of using it in other works at a later date.There are going to be too many days during which you can’t muster up the interest to even look at your story. You’re going to be frustrated and disappointed and even lost. Writing a book is not like butter; it doesn’t soften and get easier to spread if you just leave it out.BUT despite the above bullet point, you have to continue your work. There are few parts of life that are only ever pleasant, but we push on. We persevere. Writers get over these humps and back to the story. I keep reminding myself that right now I just need to get the story out. One foot in front of the other; one word after the other.What you start with is likely to change. Period.Don’t get hung up on names. It’s okay to use a stand in name for a character so you can keep writing. The same goes for your title. Just get to writing and worry about such details later.Be humble enough to admit you’re making excuses. Yes, sometimes I avoid writing because I don’t know what comes next. Sometimes I need a break. But, saying I just haven’t had time might be true sometimes but if I’m honest, I could make time to get it done. Be real with yourself about what you’re doing.It is okay if your first draft is crummy. Keep writing.Write your story, not what you think the market wants.Remember that crafting a story takes many forms. Brainstorming, building character profiles, story-mapping, world-building, creating backgrounds, etc are all part of your writing. So give yourself credit for doing these things, they count. Don’t hesitate to do them if you’re not and you’re focused only on writing words.Do Not expect to include all of the above in your story. Some of what you write is just for you and your work. Putting all the background you’ve gathered in your book is likely to exhaust your reader. Wouldn’t you say from your experience that this is true?Write with your own voice but know that reading books is part of studying the craft. Learn how to read in a way that teaches you, benefits your writing, and builds your knowledge of the craft. This month I’ll be reading The Art of X-Ray Reading by Roy Peter Clark. I thank fellow blogger Charli Mills at The Carrot Ranch Dynamic Literary Community for suggesting this book to me.
While this list is in no way exhaustive (I’m always learning more), these are some of the things I think important to keep in mind while writing.
If you are a writer and want to share some of the things you’ve learned from writing please do! I love comments! Thanks for reading.
The post Lessons Learned While Writing appeared first on The eLPy Dimension.
June 1, 2020
20 Books of Summer 20 Reading Challenge
Image thanks to 746 BooksToday marks the 1st day not only of June but of the 20 Books of Summer 20 Reading Challenge! I learned of this challenge over at Fictionophile’s blog. Thank you so much! I understand this is not the first of this summer challenge but it’s certainly the first time it’s sounded so cool!
May 26, 2020
Here’s What’s Up: Life is Going On
Hey there folks, how are you doing today? What new things have you been able to embrace during this struggle to overcome the SARS-CoV2 virus and its threat of Covid-19? What can you embrace that you might be overlooking?
I am embracing the time to focus on changing some habits, like being better about getting dishes done sooner than later. I’m also trying to embrace less grocery shopping and healthier picks when I go. Since it’s better to reduce exposure I don’t just go to the store when I feel a craving and have the money (CHIPS CHIPS CHIPS!). I’m also more likely to eat what I have instead of focus on what else I might be able to have. For example, I might say sure I have bread and tuna fish and mayo, so I could make a tuna fish sandwich but I would really rather have some chips and hummus and a hot dog. Nope, I’m not going to the store for chips and hummus. The food that’s available in my house is still food whether it sounds great or not. And do you know what’s so beautiful about this? I discover that that thing I really didn’t think would be as good as a hot dog or Taco Bell mexi-melt, is actually pretty darn delicious! As I ate my dinner the other night – tuna fish sandwich, cashew carrot ginger almond soup (something like that) and a side of fresh yellow pepper I thought, that’s right, I can do this diet thing. That’s right, eating healthy is a beautiful thing (even if I still want some chips and hummus).
By the way, cutting up that pepper made me that much more excited to grow my own orange peppers this summer. I planted my seeds inside (late) and my seedlings have come into this world! Yeah! More on that later.
This quaran-time (as I like to call it) has not been without its challenges, its down days, and fear. But I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on myself and life even more than usual.
Sometimes we have the option to choose which lens we wear. During this lockdown period I imagine a lot of us are donning lens of fear. Still others pick up those of anger and frustration. Some days maybe you don’t think you have a choice, you just feel what you feel. I know that feeling. I know that need.
Compulsion:
1) the action or state of forcing or being forced to do something; constraint.
2) an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way, especially against one’s conscious wishes.
3) Psychology. a strong, usually irresistible impulse to perform an act, especially one that is irrational or contrary to one’s will.
Google search of the word compulsion
Perhaps you feel compelled to be upset, afraid, and/or sad. Perhaps you are focused on how much is out of your control. Perhaps you are compelled to resist a new way of living and seeing life. Perhaps the compulsion is your own, not the fault of another.
We do not have control over SARS-CoV2. We do not have control over the Covid-19 illness. But we have control over ourselves and how we view things. The actions we’ve been required to take, or stop, have been as a result of what is unknown in an effort to protect all of us for as long as possible. The best way to protect beings from a virus pandemic is to keep said beings away from each other. Unfortunately, we can not rely on everyone to do the right thing without being compelled to do so.
I’m getting beside myself here…
Let’s try something. At least once a week – if you don’t already – choose to wear a different lens. Now come on, don’t roll your eyes at me – kumbaya shit right? – let’s wear a lens that helps us see how life goes on. See what you don’t always see. See passed the veil of stop and go and into a life you do not know…
Today besides this little rant I bring to you a piece of short fiction. It is inspired by real life but fiction. It’s fiction because it is not an exact account of the truth but a representation of it.
May 8, 2020
My Review of Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor – 5 Stars
Information from Goodreads:
It’s up to a famous rapper, a biologist, and a rogue soldier to handle humanity’s first contact with an alien ambassador—and prevent mass extinction—in this novel that blends magical realism with high-stakes action.
After word gets out on the Internet that aliens have landed in the waters outside of the world’s fifth most populous city, chaos ensues. Soon the military, religious leaders, thieves, and crackpots are trying to control the message on YouTube and on the streets. Meanwhile, the earth’s political superpowers are considering a preemptive nuclear launch to eradicate the intruders. All that stands between 17 million anarchic residents and death is an alien ambassador, a biologist, a rapper, a soldier, and a myth that may be the size of a giant spider, or a god revealed.
Hardcover, 304 pagesPublished July 14th 2015 by Gallery / Saga Press (first published April 10th 2014)
Alternate CoverMy Rating: 5 Stars
My Review of Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor
5/5 stars
I know I say a lot of stories are unique, maybe it’s just because I’ve been fortunate enough to come across such jewels but this book deserves such a description more than most.
Ayodele smiled and nodded, gazing into the camera. Adaora shivered. If there was any strong hint of the alien in Ayodele’s appearance, it was in her eyes. When Adaora looked into them, she felt unsure… of everything. A college friend of hers used to say that everything human beings perceived as real was only a matter of the information their bodies recorded.
From Lagoon
Nnedi Okorafor is a very talented and imaginative writer. I will continue to look forward to and gravitate towards her work. Much like one of the main characters in this book, a female marine biologist resident of Lagos Nigeria, Okorafor is an explorer and scientist of “what if”.
But the air really did shiver. And as I stood there, it came right at me. There was no physical breeze; it came like a ghost. Then it washed over me like a great wave of water. When it passed, I felt drenched, heavy.
From Lagoon
This story takes place in Lagos, Nigeria with an almost completely Nigerian cast. I loved this opportunity to visit far outside the world I know. I’m so happy that she went ahead with including large amounts of Pidgin English and other slang as I really enjoyed being fully transported to another time and place. Aliens have landed in the ocean off Lagos with the goal of making contact with the locals, among other things. What will they do? What do they do, the Lagosians and the aliens? Such stories as this really make you wonder, what would we do? Do you think people would panic? Who do you know who might at least try to welcome them? Who might outright reject their existence even as they stand before you?
His aunts were excited to have so many to cook for, and they happily went to the kitchen to get to it. Nevertheless, his mother’s face looked pained. She must have had a feeling that this situation went beyond the family. Beyond their beliefs. Beyond their religion.
From Lagoon
Her story is not one I’ve ever read before, not the aliens or their mission, or their skills. If I have heard such a story it would only be similar, but not anywhere the same. I really enjoyed her focus on the ocean as well as the sea creatures interaction with the aliens. That detail alone is unlike other first contact stories.
This story is an accessible easy read and it feels real even as I’ve never seen or met aliens nor have I been to Nigeria. The author is herself Nigerian-American so we have the privilege of reading an own-voices story. I read with a new perspective since I read this during the Covid-19 pandemic. There is violence, mention of sex acts, and strong language.
The story’s structure and voice are also different. I liked the bits from the perspective of animals or various people out and about on the street in addition to switching between main characters. I also enjoyed all of the characters even if we didn’t dive all that deep into them. This story didn’t seem to need that. Even if you find fault in some parts of the story I think you will enjoy it and its originality. Also it’s fast-paced, something is always happening. This book has interesting curves and angles. I recommend this to all fans of sci-fi/fantasy especially first contact, African culture, and ocean stuff. 
May 2, 2020
Here’s What’s Up: Saturday Update & April Wrap Up
So guys, how ya doing? It’s Saturday although Saturdays don’t hold quite the same sentiment these days – would you agree – it still feels good in theory. We’ve had kind of a rainy, groggy week which oddly enough echoed through a lot of our moods. However this weekend is already GORGEOUS as far as weather goes.
So Here’s What’s Up: There’s a lot to be grateful for in addition to sunshine and a warm weekend. I’m grateful for audio books – just finished Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse, loved it, better than the first and highly recommend – and physical books – I read Everything Here Is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee, which was very moving as well as Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, an intriguing novella, both recommended. I’m grateful for the time and capacity to read and listen to them. In March I started What the Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra and finished at the beginning of April. One thing I enjoyed about this book and Catching Teller Crow was that they were fairly simple and by simple I mean the language was accessible and I would say direct.
The plots were original, intriguing but not overly complicated. I don’t mind complicated writing or stories but it’s nice to read something straightforward and easy. Ironically both of these books focused on characters who had their fathers (in some respect) but had lost their mothers. The main characters’ relationships with their fathers are central to the plot. Both protagonists are young women, one is 15 the other I think 19, who are going through some kind of transition in their lives while trying to balance their inner struggles. What I really appreciate about how these characters were written is that they felt true to life, even as one is a ghost (that’s not a spoiler). Some YA books turn me off because I feel they exaggerate the lives and abilities of young adults. Perhaps I’ve not used the right word here. I’m not trying to say teenagers and young adults are like children, or they’re weak or incapable of leading extraordinary lives and adventures. No, that’s not what I’m saying. But it seems like most YA’s focus on young people enduring journeys, trials and tasks that would be difficult for older adults with more life experience. And yet, the young people do just fine, for the most part. A lot of the time I read YA novels (not that I read a ton) I tend to forget I’m reading about a 16 year old or an 18 year old. I’m thinking of one story in particular (I will not name, I did like it though for the most part) in which the main character goes from a sheltered little girl to a wise, ass-kicking, lover, queen and warrior in the span of a year or two and we’re talking young teen. It just didn’t ring true. I struggle with stories that suddenly toss in a scene about how young (usually a girl) the character is when all along they act like much more experienced individuals, even though as in the case above they might be a very sheltered individual with little life experience. That’s a big reason why I try to shy away from YA.
That said, Catching Teller Crow and What the Woods Keep didn’t do that. Their characters felt far more true to life than many if not most other books I’ve read about younger ladies. Beth in Catching Teller Crow read like a 15-year old to me. The authors didn’t try to make her something else, to make her better or stronger. She was herself and perfect as she was. She was a 15 year old girl. The character in What the Woods Keep was a little older and read as such. Sure she had to be braver and maybe some things might feel like a stretch but they weren’t unrealistic in my humble opinion. Check these books out, then come back and tell me what you think. 
April 20, 2020
My Review of Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee (A Novel)
info from goodreads:
Two Chinese-American sisters—Miranda, the older, responsible one, always her younger sister’s protector; Lucia, the headstrong, unpredictable one, whose impulses are huge and, often, life changing. When Lucia starts hearing voices, it is Miranda who must find a way to reach her sister. Lucia impetuously plows ahead, but the bitter constant is that she is, in fact, mentally ill. Lucia lives life on a grand scale, until, inevitably, she crashes to earth.
Miranda leaves her own self-contained life in Switzerland to rescue her sister again—but only Lucia can decide whether she wants to be saved. The bonds of sisterly devotion stretch across oceans—but what does it take to break them?
Everything Here Is Beautiful is, at its heart, an immigrant story, and a young woman’s quest to find fulfillment and a life unconstrained by her illness. But it’s also an unforgettable, gut-wrenching story of the sacrifices we make to truly love someone—and when loyalty to one’s self must prevail over all.
Paperback, 368 pages – Published January 16th 2018 by Pamela Dorman Books
Goodreads Choice Nominee for fiction and for Debut Author (2018)
Contemporary fiction, mental illness, mention of sexual acts
My rating: 5 stars
My Review
I know there are a number of other books I’ve read and said I’d review but never have. But I’ve decided I’m not going to put this off only to add it to the queue of reviews I owe you.
April 14, 2020
Anticipated Reading & Recent Book Haul & Thyroid Update Apparently…
Hello there, how are you? Alright here. Little bit of stress and anxiety, little extra I mean because I had to have a blood test to check up on my thyroid levels. This is a new thing for me. Admittedly I feel strange, like I’m airing dirty laundry talking about it here. I’m thinking about family reading it, like wow that’s personal. But guess you can’t be too surprised seeing as I talk about my anxiety right? And yet… What makes me want to share for sure is thinking about Ritu at But I Smile Anyway and the piece she wrote for the site Cysters. Her piece is titled PCOS-er And Proud! She shares her experience living with polycystic ovaries, how she didn’t know as a teen and then struggled as an adult trying to start a family. It’s a really interesting and eye-opening piece, I encourage you to read it. I knew nothing about PCOS, though I’d heard the words I didn’t know what it can be like for women living with this condition. Her story reminds us, it’s good to share. It’s good to be heard.
So I’m saying it here, I have recently been told I have an under-active thyroid. I don’t really have a story to tell just that this was almost relieving. It helped to explain why I felt a little extra depressed, extra tired all day, and have been having more trouble losing weight than what is my usual experience (my weight fluctuates a lot…my diet fluctuates a lot
April 12, 2020
20 Questions Book Tag
Hello there peoples of the world, how are you? How was your weekend? Mine was good, simple and quiet. I’m healthy and I’m happy, it’s just that there have been some up and down days this week. Mood jumps can be exhausting. It’s like my mind is doing jumping jacks sometimes, but when I jump up and limbs go out they fly off into the room! Lol. Anyways onto a fun and light post for Easter Sunday. And Happy Easter to you all by the way.
