All About Books discussion
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General Chit-Chat Part 2!
I sincerely hope everyone who is stressed and overwhelmed with life find some time fir themselves to catch their breath .
Thanks, Tweedledum. Luckily things are going much better now. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling, I hope things will get better soon.
LauraT wrote: "Joan wrote: "Greg and Marina,Looking at it from the other side - I, too, slogged through long, exhausting hours for 20 years, job satisfaction averaged 75%, worked my way up, finally created a job..."
Ooh Laura I want to go to Perugia now! Will have to put it on my bucket list....
Greg wrote: "Tweedledum wrote: "Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Life is quite overwhelming for me at the moment. I'm still reading quite a lot, though not so much as usual. I have a hard time concentrating. I'm no..."Thanks Greg !
Well the new hire didn't follow through with getting her medical stuff ( proof of vaccinations and physical exam) so that was a bust and Maria went to the Dr but evidently didn't get the okay to come back to work yet. Sigh I did put in for vacation time and told my boss I needed a break so we'll see what happens.
Ruth, no chance your work could get temp help while you have a break or to fill in staff vacancies.Over here, another aged care worker has been charged with assaulting the elderly in their charge. There is no punishment hard enough for people like that, in my opinion.
We have a girl who works every weekend and just picks up during the week so she would probably pick up some of them. I am only asking for 4 days off the other days are my regular days off. I know she will work for me on my birthday . I am also hoping that Maria will be back by then. Fingers crossed.
I agree with you on the abuse of elderly. The flip side of that is you never hear about the abuse heaped on us caregivers. I've been hit, bit, scratched, thrown up against a wall, punched and I have heard some horrible stories of what other people have been through. I used to joke and say that we ought to get combat pay. Lol
Ruth, that was a joke but you were not far from reality. I think yours is a rewarding but extremely stressful job. You should at least get to retire earlier than people doing other kinds of jobs. And obviously you should be able to get time off when you ask for it and you're entitled to have it.
I found a good article on Book Riot about why sometimes you should abandon a book you don't enjoy: https://bookriot.com/?p=245660 The author of the article does make a point. Luckily I've never been in the same situation as her, but in time I've come to understand that life is too short to waste my time with a book I'm not enjoying. It might be a bad book, or a good book that's just not for me, or a book that I'm reading at the wrong moment. I used to never give up on a book as a young adult, but not anymore. What about you all?
Marina, thanks for the article . I’m fortunate not to have faced what this woman faced , but I don’t finish a book I’m not liking anymore either. Up until a few years ago I would stick with a book until the end no matter what . Then I realized I was resentful that I had given up time that I could have devoted to another book. I’ll give a book a chance and read maybe 75 pages or do and if it’s not working that’s it for me . Life is indeed too short and I have piles of books to get too .
I feel your pain. To top it off, this is an emotionally difficult time of the year. Stress is a killer. Long term stress can really shut you down. I've been there. My remedy was simple meditation for about 15 minutes twice a day coupled with deep breathing. It's not hard and doesn't cost anything but some time, but believe me it's worth it.
It can be a rewarding job and I love my residents but I have been working short since last April and I am not getting any younger. I'll be 63 next month and I just don't have the strength I had before. Hopefully, my vacation time will get approved and it is a stressful time of year for everyone. We are all so busy getting ready for the holidays. Meditation is great Norton and I do occasionally do it but I need to be consistent with it.Anyway, in case I don't get on here for a few days, for those who celebrate it have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Mod
Looking at it from the other side - I, too, slogged through long, exhausting hours for 20 years, job satisfaction averaged 75%, worked my way up, finall..."
Oh DO come! I've had some of AAB members coming to see me and we've always had a great time! And, if you have some time at your disposal, a part from Perugia which is really worth a stay, from here you can easily reach lots of great places, known and less known: Rome, Florence, Siena, Ravenna, Assisi of course, and many many more .... And if there's something I can do really weel, is showing people around!
Marina- I quit books all of the time! It’s usually because I’m just not into it at that time. I check out 5 books and start all of them to find one I like! There’s nothing wrong with the writing. It’s more about what catches my attention and what I’m in the mood to read. I’ve gotten better at picking books that are right for me rather than ones everyone else likes. I also have a very good idea which of my GR friends my tastes align with! I don’t write reviews if I don’t finish a book unless it’s a giveaway win. In that case, I qualify it if it’s just my personal taste or mood. I don’t feel that it’s fair to review a book I haven’t finished.
I agree, Pam. I never review a book that I haven't finished and yet I see that some GRers who do do that. It is not fair to assess something when you haven't completed the whole thing. I will give a book to, perhaps, page 150 as some have a weak first few pages but do pick up later.
B the BookAddict wrote: "I agree, Pam. I never review a book that I haven't finished and yet I see that some GRers who do do that. It is not fair to assess something when you haven't completed the whole thing. I will give ..."I read some galleys for Net Galley. On the one hand it is best for your stats to review all books whether you DNF or not and in a way if I have received a book in exchange for a review I feel I should make some comment as to why I couldn't finish it.
I do make it clear I haven't finished the book.
I just want to leave a note here so I get messages on this thread.It is cold here in France, 0 degrees C. Our morning beach walk was SOOOO lovely. We were all alone and it became sunny. Oscar found a log that he spent his time carrying around, hiding under seaweed and then digging up again. He's happy, then I am happy.
Like Esther, I review books if even if I haven’t finished them - I make clear that I haven’t finished and note why if I have a cogent reason. When considering books, I look for negative reviews to balance the positive.I’m also going to take up Chrissie’s strategy of a shelves for “did-not-finish” and “not for me”.
Chrissie, Oscar & his log brightened my day, thanks.
Joan wrote: "Like Esther, I review books if even if I haven’t finished them - I make clear that I haven’t finished and note why if I have a cogent reason. When considering books, I look for negative reviews to ..."Yeah the shelves are necessary. Unfortunately.
I now allow myself to say to a book "it's me, not you" and leave it unfinished. Although I will say sometimes it is the book, and not me.Did I mention my b-i-l is now home from hospital. Quite thin and pale, and still not himself at all but much better than he was 10 days ago. I just want him to insult me, so everything feels really normal, lol.
Bette , glad your bil is home and doing well . Hope he insults you soon - lol!
Chrissie, our boxers used to grab huge bits of driftwood, one on each end. They would carry it for ages down the beach until a contest began when one wanted to go one way and the other wanted to follow a different direction. Then a huge tug of war ensued which left us laughing. Dogs are such a joy on the beach.
Bette, I'm so glad your brother in law is at home. I hope the way to recovery will be speedy enough.
Joan wrote: "Like Esther, I review books if even if I haven’t finished them - I make clear that I haven’t finished and note why if I have a cogent reason. When considering books, I look for negative reviews to ..."I have an 'abandoned' shelf and a 'rain-check' for those I think I might get to later.
B the BookAddict wrote: "I now allow myself to say to a book "it's me, not you" and leave it unfinished. Although I will say sometimes it is the book, and not me.Did I mention my b-i-l is now home from hospital. Quite th..."
Looking forward to an insult report.!
B the BookAddict wrote: "I now allow myself to say to a book "it's me, not you" and leave it unfinished. Although I will say sometimes it is the book, and not me.Did I mention my b-i-l is now home from hospital. Quite th..."
Glad he is home. You two can lay off with the joking perhaps ,at least for a while. I do get what you are saying though.
Esther wrote: "Joan wrote: "Like Esther, I review books if even if I haven’t finished them - I make clear that I haven’t finished and note why if I have a cogent reason. When considering books, I look for negativ..."I bet you will find you feel exactly the same. I stick it out with books I am having trouble with until I m, absolutely sure they will never work for me.
I am warning people --The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State is an extremely upsetting read. I can think of nothing as difficult as this. My husband has given up. When I listen, he leaves the room.
Chrissie wrote: "I am warning people --The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State is an extremely upsetting read.."That sounds like an important book to read even though it is so upsetting.
Esther wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I am warning people --The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State is an extremely upsetting read.."That sounds like an important book to read eve..."
I agree, but that it should be as difficult to read, upsetting, I had not expected. I keep having to put it down.
Chrissie wrote: "Esther wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I am warning people --The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State is an extremely upsetting read.."That sounds like an important b..."
I have a school friend who worked with the Yazidis and after reading reports and news articles I don't really think the true story can be told without being upsetting.
I appreciate the warning, Chrissie. Will be reading this one next week.
I'm glad your brother in law is home Bette. Hopefully, he will be back to normal soon. For everyone celebrating today, Happy Thanksgiving. Have a great day with your family and friends.
Bette - I’m glad to hear your brother-in-law is home and I hope his is joking around soon.
Diane S ☔ wrote: "I appreciate the warning, Chrissie. Will be reading this one next week."Two minutes ago I finished it. I will give it four stars.
In Australia, we are six days away from summer and yet today will be the fifth consecutive day of solid rain we have had.
Bette, sorry to hear f that. The weather is wacko everywhere.
Chrissie, I shouldn't complain; we rely on a 90 thousand litre tank for water, so I guess that can always do with a top-up.
Yeah, but days without sun are depressing.
I agree, I can handle the cold and snow, but too many days without sun and my spirit wilts.
Mod
Think of us that, a month to go before Winter, it has been raining for a whole week!
Started snowing last evening, and now we have about 8 inches on the ground this morning. Several more hours to go. Power keeps flickering on and off and all the schools are closed. Glad I don't need to work today. When my husband wakes up he will start shoveling us out. Does look pretty though.
Mod
Where are you from again Diane S? I don't like winter at all, but at least itìd be more fun idf it snowed. In Perugia is only wed, humid and, sometimes, terribly cold!
Diane S ☔ wrote: "Started snowing last evening, and now we have about 8 inches on the ground this morning. Several more hours to go. Power keeps flickering on and off and all the schools are closed. Glad I don't nee..."I read that there is a blizzard across the midwest of U.S. Good luck to all you folks driving and shoveling, stay safe.
I'm in the midwest--Kansas. We got deluged with about 5-6 inches of snow yesterday. Schools are closed and roads are a mess. But it's blue sky and sunny today, so I'm hoping all this stuff will just disappear.
Had a huge scare today! My brother is in the ER. His hemoglobin level was so extremely low that he could've died. He will be staying there overnight. After they run some tests, we will know what is going on. Very scary but he is in good hands and doing better now that he is on oxygen and getting a blood transfusion.
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Good to see you here Tweedledum, and I hope things settle down for you!