Jul 7, 2018

#Spoonies: 5 Ways I Relieve Migraines




Five ways to possibly relieve migraines. I'm fairly certain these are pretty common ways to try to relieve yourself of the migraine pain. When I have migraines they last for days. Most of mine start at the base of head / neck and stretch outwards toward face. It's fun, don't recommend. I cannot afford to go get shots or another medication to add to the list of meds I already take. 


1. Drink Caffeine

Excedrin Migraine is Acetaminophen, Aspirin and Caffeine. I cannot take Acetaminophen or Aspirin. Before I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis my other doctor just drowned me in NSAID's so I'm laying off those for awhile. And aspirin with my other medications can cause kidney problems which I don't want. 

So, I drink tea, coffee or soda to help with the migraine. 

2. Darken surroundings. 

If the migraine comes with sensitivity to light blackout what you can -- close curtains, turn off lights, dim cellphone/computer brightness. I turn down my cellphone and computer to as dark as possible and with the windows blackout and lights off it gives a softer presence and can use it. There is still the migraine and the pain but it's less, especially, if you're still needing to get work done.

3. Pressure. 

I place pressure on my head to help relieve the pain. I press a pillow or lay a blanket on top of my head and it helps dull the pain. I can't walk around with a blanket or pillow smooshed to my head. But when they're this bad I'm not mobile anyway. 

4.  Heat Pad/ Ice pack/ hot shower

I lost my heating pad years ago but I have a heating blanket. I wrap that around my shoulders and neck curled up on the sofa or bed. Ice packs on my neck or forehead .. or both.

 Ice for some migraine sufferers may make it worse....so I'd go slow with that before doing it.

I will also set the heat of my shower to the hottest temperature I can tolerate and let it pour over my neck and head.

5.  Medication

My migraines don't die or quit with over the counter medication. I don't take medication specifically for migraines. But I take muscle relaxers which does help with dulling the migraine. When I do this I also do slow neck stretches/whatever they are that they showed me when I was in physical therapy.


What are ways that you kill or make your migraines tolerable?



I am still in need of donations toward my gallbladder surgery. Sharing the link or donating is appreciated!

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May 31, 2018

#May: Overview/Wrap Up


Post Count:

I created 67ish posts in May. Nine more than what I created in April. These posts are a combination of book reviews I've read this month, in the past, Spoonie up dates and various off-topic posts. Not everything about May will be in this because I've forgotten or added something since creating this post. I'm compiling it on the 28th.

Comments:

33 this month

Likes:

 179

Books I've Finished in May:
Blood Will Out by Jo Treggiari 

The Electrifying story of Multiple Sclerosis by Vanita Oelschlager

Harriet Tubman by Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Georgia O'Keeffee by Isabel Sanchez Vegara 

Great Polar Bear by Carolyn Lesser

If All the World by Joseph Coelho 

Room 119 by T F Lince

 Fish-Boy An Inuit Folk Tale by Vanita Oelschlager









The Stereotypical Freaks by Howard Shapiro

Books I've Abandoned in May:


I don't think I've abandoned a book this month. Woo!

Books I've been reading since April:

Or beyond April -

The Forest Beyond the Earth by Matthew S. Cox
A Nighttime of Forever by Matthew S. Cox


Book Reviews in May:

Not including books I read this month. These are just reviews posted.


Sunday Questions:


What are you top 5 reads for 2018 so far? 
How Many Books Are On Your TBR Pile?
Would you rather read digital or paper books?

Weeding Wednesday:







Writing Prompts:






May's Lists, Nat'l Days & Others:





All things Spoonie Updates:




Thanks for reading!


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May 25, 2018

#Kindle: Why it's Awesome & Not


I've never owned a kindle. I have the app on my phone, tablet and desktop. Once I found I could read digitally from my phone it was a game changer for me. I've already written about why I love reading through ebooks. This is my reasons for using the kindle app over the other apps out there whenever possible.

1) For me, it has the best background color modification. I read easier on the green backgrounds than I do with beige whether a light or darker  green wins. It's what I used as an example for the previous eBook blog post.



2) Whatever book I am reading I can hop between the app easier than the other ones. If I'm on page 51 on my cellphone last night I can hop on my desktop and be on 51. It asks if you would like to go the furthest read page on (whichever device # my phone is) and just say yes. Or, occasionally, it'll already be on the page I need from my cellphone.

3) More often than not it's an option to download a library eBook through. I know not everyone's library does eBooks yet. But my local library *just* started doing it -- while I've been using Tulsa Library for this for awhile now.



1) If I review a book from my library or KU Amazon can decide that it's not a legitimate book review. It's kind of disheartening to think about that. Thankfully, none of my reviews have been barred, yet. But I also review on Barnes & Noble and on this blog so if someone was in need of a review book to see whether they wanna buy it. But this risks losing the advantage of convenient reading.

2) No internet, no books. If I haven't downloaded the book before my internet disconnects I cannot access. I understand why this is but it's still annoying.

3) Possibility of not having access during a power outage or if all my devices somehow take a bath.


Do you use a Kindle or the app? What are things you like or dislike about it?


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May 19, 2018

#eBooks and why I love them


I am aware I don't own the books when they're eBooks. Info: Here. Here. Here. Here. I still purchase them.

The feeling is probably because I don't purchase many books to begin with. I've only maybe ten books I've put down real money for digital reads? It's maybe knowing Amazon isn't going to die tomorrow may help, too.

But under my Where to Buy tab I list Indie book store finder first above all. You own a physical copy once you've purchased it. The bookstore owners aren't going to track you down and ask for it back at will.

1. Can carry a book in my pocket.

I can fit my phone pocket in my back pocket or on rare occasion my front pocket. I've lucked out in wearing women pants that have functional back pockets but decorative/fake front pockets. 

 This allows me not to have to carry a purse (to the anger of purse makers everywhere) to bring books along. This frees up my hands or lessen the pain on my shoulders (they irritate my neck/shoulder) when walking around or at work. 

2. Ease of Access!

When I'm not able to go to the bookstore or the library I can just get it through my computer, tablet or my phone. I can checkout a book while laying in bed not having to go anywhere. Every bookstore that I've entered has miserable flooring. I can walk any other store and my feet are fine but at the bookstore? They usually aren't cushioned or whatever compared to other business floors, especially, the Barnes & Noble in my city. My god, I can't even sit down on their floor to gain access to the bottom shelf.

 But my bed, blankets and pillows are always comfy softness so...they win.


3. Less Space.

I have 1 bookshelf that is dedicated to my children books for when I get a classroom. I cannot fit anymore books on it than what's already there. So, books I've purchased are eBooks they fit and easy to move around my room.

I still use physical books from my library. But more than not they all come through as eBooks. I'm currently reading three books that are the real thing as they say.. but they're from the library and won't live here that long.

4. Settings

I don't have to pay extra for a larger print size or carry a massive book because the font is larger. I wouldn't be able to hold the book very long. This would lessen my time with the book. Which would suck. 

I don't have to wait for the large print to get around to being published. Some books are never made into large print so they aren't accessible. 

I can change the font and the size in a book so it's easier for me to read. I don't have to pay extra for the visual boost that is given to me in an eBook.

I don't have to read on a white background. There are physical books that have SUPER WHITE paper which makes it hard for me to read on. Words will start dancing on bright white paper for me which is extremely annoying to deal with.

I can fix this by sitting in the shade to darken the page or wear sunglasses. But why would I want to wear sunglasses inside? 
Every digital book I'm reading is green or the beige background not white. 

I absolutely love reading physical books and enjoying the time with them. But since the use and ease of reading digitally I've been able to read and enjoy my time A LOT. I know there are disadvantages of both kinds and that they're not all perfect.

I'm not saying to stop reading physical books. I advocate purchasing them from indie stores and renting through your public library. I read and use them. But these are the reasons I love them.



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May 18, 2018

Mystery Blogger Award @fibroqueen18

Award created by: okotoengimasblog

Nominated by Fibroqueen. Twitter - Thanks!


WHAT IS MYSTERY BLOGGER AWARD? 
“Mystery Blogger Award” is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion. – Okoto Enigma

 RULES 
1)Put the award logo/image on your blog
2) List the rules.
3)Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
4)Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
5) Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
6) You have to nominate 10 – 20 people
7) Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog
8) Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify)
9) Share a link to your best post(s)


Didn't know what this was until Fibroqueen tagged me with it. It's a way to promote the original creator of the award, the person who tagged you and those that you tag. Figured I'd put that in if anyone wanted to know what this was about.

I've completed rule 1-4 now onto the next ones:

Number 5: Tell 3 things about yourself

1. I'm a certified elementary teacher haven't landed a job since I graduated
2. I am extremely shy & bad with anxiety which is a shitty mix for job interviews.
3. I am not a grammar/spelling fanatic as you'd expect from a teacher. Not that I don't encourage it but it's not that big of a deal.

Number 6: Nominate 10-20 people

1. Destiny Williams
2. B0rd_2_Read 
3. Snowflakes and Spider Silk
4. Arthritis Kitchen 
5. Good 'n' Ready-y
6. Hedwig Reads 
7. Actually Anna
8. Afternoon Bookery
9. but books are better
10. bambls 
11. Elliot Scribbles
12. Amna YA Book Corner
13. Makeup By Erin
14. Flippin' Pages

Number 7:  Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog. I'll do that one after awhile.

Number 8:  Ask your nominees 5 questions w/ 1 weird or funny question.
1) What drew you into blogging?
2) Silly question: What do you think will break or end the internet?
3) If you're busy what's the one thing you always make sure you have time to do?
4) What authors do you read their material NO MATTER what? Or, actor/actress if you don't have an author but possibly favorite actor.
5) How many do you actively follow?

Number 9: Share links to your best blog posts

I'm going with "most clicked on" or ones I enjoyed writing.

1. 13 American Women's Firsts with Books
2. Young, Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson 
3. #Spoonie: Symptoms of Gallbladder Problems
4. A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns ...
5. 15 Couldn't Finish Reads











Questions I was asked but just found them on 5/22/2018-

  1. What inspires you to write a blog post?  Reading and the enjoyment I get from it. Get all the frustration out of having chronic health problems in a way that's fun and enjoyable (at least for me).
  2. Why did you decide to blog? What do you enjoy the most about blogging? I have been blogging since 13? 10?  But there has never been any objective/goal to it..just nonsense. I wanted to create something that had a point even if it was just to me.

    My favorite thing is writing reviews. Even the short ones. It allows me more time with a book I've been reading and just .. talk about it.

    With WordPress there is the social aspect that existed with Livejournal that I haven't seen so much with Tumblr or other social websites.. in my experience. 
  1. Who is your favorite writer? 

    My favorite writer currently is Kelley Armstrong
  2. What is your favorite time to write? Why? In the morning when I'm in the most pain but can't lay back down. It gives me something to do while the nonsense is going on. Fantastic distraction. Doesn't ALWAYS work as the pain sometimes overpowers EVERYTHING. 
  3. What is the one piece of clothing that you own that you love and will not part with? UHM answering this as type of clothing: sweaters, shawls, parkas... any garment that is meant to keep you warm but is like a blanket that you wear and it's socially acceptable to walk around in.
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May 8, 2018

#GreatReadPBS List of the Books @fibroqueen18

This was apart of this post but got too long. I try to space things in these lists so that they're easier to read. I am a little dyslexic so words too bunched together...words move around and become a jumbled alphabet soup in my brain.

The list is here, too.

Just another wonderful excuse to talk about books. Tagged Fibroqueen because mentioned her. Don't have twitter acct names of the other bloggers mentioned on this list.


The ones that I've read:


  1. 1984
  2. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - My FAVORITE BOOK AS A KID.
  3. Alice's Adventure in Wonderland -- I honestly call this the wrong name apparently???
  4. Charlotte's Web - This book is still taught in schools 3rd/4th usually. I love this!!
  5. Frankenstein 
  6. 1st first Harry Potter book - but this lists the entire series. HMM.
  7. Hatchet -- just the first book. I didn't know this was a SERIES?!
  8. Heart of Darkness - a book read in my AP English class in high school. The madness.
  9. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy -- isn't this multiple books, too? It doesn't list the series.
  10. The Hunger Games -- all books.. freaking loved these book.
  11. Jane Eyre - read the original and manga version. LOVE THIS BOOK IDK WHY?? JUST DO.
  12. The Lovely Bones -... never willing want to read her stuff again. But maybe? One day?
  13. The Outsiders _ I think.. maybe I didn't? I live in Oklahoma so it's apart of the blood of this state.
  14. To Kill a Mockingbird - read in my 1st 9th grade English (We moved mid-way through 9th grade). I hated this book then. But then I hated the school and the class.. so it may have been the whole negative experience.
  15. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I enjoyed this. I read it as an audiobook then I'll be reading it as a Manga soon.
  16. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Ugh. UGH. We read this in I think 10th grade? 

The Ones I've Never Heard Of:



  1. White Teeth by Zadie Smith
  2. Watchers by Dean Koontz. Now I'm not counting Fibroqueen suggesting the book recently. because it's recently lol. Her Twitter
  3. This Present Darkness - Frank E Peretti - Never even heard of the author before.
  4. Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe  heard of the author at least.
  5. Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
  6. Swan Song by Robert R McCammon
  7. The Stand Stephen King
  8. The Sirens of Titan - Kurt Vonnegut
  9. Siddhartha - Herman Hesse  ; maybe.. not sure? Sounds familiar
  10. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett -- never heard of author or book title.
  11. The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan -- same, never heard of book/author before
  12. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquiz...never heard of tite/author
  13. Mind Invaders by Dave Hunt -- who? what?
  14. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurty -- who dis?
  15. The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead ... the cover of this one on the site don't tell me nada. UHH.
  16. The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy.  ???? who what when why ???
  17. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. no clue.
  18. Ghost by Jason Reynolds -- ???? cover is simple cute.
  19. Foundation by Isaac Asimov. Nope, never heard of the book but have heard of the author.
  20. Dune by Frank Herbert... "............."
  21. Dona Barbara by Romulo Gallegos... I like the cover.
  22. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. THE COVER IS FUNNY TO ME. It's plain but with an upside down poodle?
  23. The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah --- the book cover looks cool.
  24. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel -- the fuck kinda title? The fuck the book cover?
  25. The Call of the Wild by Jack London.
  26. The Brief Wondrous life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz... I have a soft spot for titles that are like this.. idk why.
  27. Bless me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya --this... looks... like possibly cool/interesting book based solely on the cover.
  28. Another Country by James Baldwin...uh.
  29. And then there were none. I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A BOOK TITLE?! It's by Agatha Christie. I just. .have heard the title used as a saying.  Did she create the phrase or just used a popular phrase for her book title? This excitement/question may seem idiotic but idc.
  30. The Alchemist Paulo Coelho... really.. my only familiarity with Alchemist is Fullmetal Alchemist.
  31. A Separate Peace by John Knowles  the book cover looks like it's probably an old book so they jazzed the book cover to lure in new readers? Could be wrong.
  32. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.. lol whut
  33. The Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole.  WHAT I hope this one is a comedy .. based solely on the whackadoo bird atop this dudes head on the cover.
  34. Lonesome Dove Larry McMurty - this looks like a western and I've never read a western before. Unaware if I have tho. Maybe?
Should I be concerned the amount of unfamiliar books??? Nah, at least I'll be introduced to new kinda things!



The Ones I know of and DNF'd or had no interest or haven't got to yet:

  1. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. I only liked one of his books. I can't think of it but it involved a marriage?
  2. I, Alex Cross by James Patterson. I've never read his books before. I have a kid book by him though that I've read a little bit of. I just know him due to the commercials he has about his books.  The commercial linked "Buy this book or I'll have to Kill off Alex Cross. I didn't know these ads were so long ago. Does he still do them?
  3.  Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - I've never read anything by her but I do listen to her talks. The danger of a single story. We should all be feminists. Feminism #MeToo Movement. Her writing is under "Haven't got to yet". What I like is that the Wikipedia page for her has a voiceclip ..just to introduce her voice. Pieces from her We Should all be feminist were used in Beyonce's song Flawless. On her wikipedia page it talks about her opinion on Beyonce & her version of feminism.
  4. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery I've never had any reason or interest to read this. My mom loves this series though. It's the only real reason why I know about it.
  5. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand I've ranted about this woman and her books. l have no interest in reading this. SO.
  6. Beloved by Toni Morrison. I hear about this book on and off. BUT I HAVEN'T GOT TO IT YET.
  7. The Book Thief Markus Zusak. OH MY GOD I TRIED. I made it to page 2? That's horrible to admit but m'friend things be like that sometimes. ALWAYS HERE POSITIVE COMMENTS ON THIS SHIT and I'm just??? The fuck?? How???
  8. Catch-22 Joseph Heller. I've never read it. But I see the cover once in awhile. I've never heard anyone TALK-talk about this book. I've heard the phrase though.
  9. The Catcher in the Rye  by J.D. Salinger -- I've heard it's an angsty  young adult book. It was not on any required reading in the high school I was in. So, never got to it.
  10. The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. I liked the movies. I ain't ever tried to dedicate time toward these though.
  11. The Color Purple  by Alice Walker. Honestly, I'm starting to think God is wanting me to read this. It's been living in my TBR list FOREVER. I'm one of those readers who sometimes the TIME IS JUST NOT RIGHT. The Mystique Reader had a TBR post on this and now here it is again. Like?? 
  12. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky this book gave me nightmares so I had to stop reading it. Haven't finished it..maybe will. Weird things give me nightmares/freak me out.
  13. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown freaking IRKS ME TO HELL. I love Tom Hanks but the movies weren't for me and def. couldn't enjoy the book. God bless those that enjoyed it enough for it to get on this list.
  14. Don Quixote  By Miguel de Cervantes - I have read this in condensed varieties in high school and in college. The story was my favorite Wishbone episode, too. It's so weird of a book but interesting enough that it's just... here.. existing with us.
  15. Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James - REMEMBER this list is Great American Reads that people LIKE/LOVE not classics. I've never read fully .. this my sister rage quit it because the male lead character was very verbally abusive/controlling and she didn't wanna deal with that. This is a I have no interest in reading. I was reading a fanfic of it on AO3 that's more interesting. lol.
  16.  Flowers in the Attic  by V. C. Andrews   -- I'm named after a character in one of her books. But the topic of hers..freaks me out. My mom read her books... never had any interest in them. Though I do like the slow progression in learning my name origins. When I was little, "Your name came from a book.." to.."It's from a V. C. Andrews book..."
  17. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin.. god no. Maybe? I only kind of like the show. I only made it to series 2. My sister loves it & I only know about anything from the news and people blogging about it on Tumblr. Though for a few years haven't heard much about the show so I have no idea what 's going down.
  18. The Giver by Lois Lowry. UGH. WHY IS THIS HERE. I'm kidding. But it was an attempted read that was DNF'd fast. (also why do we use this acronym so weirdly? Is it common? I was watching a book blogger and she did it too...so).
  19. The Godfather by Mario Puzo...meh.
  20. Gone Girl  by Gillian Flynn.... it was a movie I had no interest in and...the content that I've heard is in this...has no appeal.
  21. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell -- the only thing I know about this book is that it is long.  Is one reason I've not committed to reading it because...
  22. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift... it brought us the word YAHOO. I stopped reading this ..like.... not conscious effort...just never went back to it..and forgot I was reading it.
  23. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood -- this book gets positive remarks and there's a Hulu TV show about it. It was DNF'd and I don't really have any desire to try again.
  24. The Help by Kathryn Stockett -- I just haven't read it yet.
  25. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison is one of the few books that made me fall asleep. Usually I read and fall asleep because I stayed awake beyond bedtime and conked out.
  26. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan ...just a fantastic emotional griping movie but I haven't read the book yet.
  27. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton....I literally discovered this was a book a few years back.
  28. Left Behind  by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. I read the entire kid ones...DOES THAT COUNT? I read the entire thing thru my local library. Had to wait for the library to order groups of it..and it was...an experience.
  29. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Just haven't got to this one yet. I don't really know what it is about.
  30. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I finally sliced this out of my life after trying to read it for a fuck long time.
  31. Looking for Alaska by John Green. I hated A Fault in Our Stars. Not like raging hate just...generic hate? If there is such a thing anyway. I haven't read anything else by him. But keep doing you I guess. Someone likes it.
  32. The Lord of the Rings  J. R. R. Tolkien. I've NEVER READ HIS BOOKS BEFORE. I've watched every movie though. I can toss out information about the author but I can't quote his books though. I commented on Yes More Blogs that my problem is reading SO MUCH fantasy that the themes and ideas that are borrowed/renewed through other authors...started with JRR Tolkien. So, it's hard for me to divorce 'cliche' and his works even though I know it wasn't considered 'cliche' when he was writing. He started a lot of the fantasy elements we see in almost every fantasy.
  33. The Martian by Andy Weir. I SHOULD HAVE LIKED THIS BUT ..no. DNF'd it ASAP.
  34. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.. another .. I'll get to it when I get to it.
  35. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville IVE NEVER READ IT. I did check out a comic of it on hoopla that I never got to.
  36. The Notebook by Nicholas Spark. This book & his others I just never got to. The advertising for the movie burned any idea of wanting to read. I didn't start reading romance content until recently so.
  37. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I read reviews before I tried this so ... ruined it for me. Too much rattling in my head about the problematics of the content. One day? But I'm not too worried about it. Maybe I'll get thru it with this PBS Facebook page? Hmm.
  38. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. My first experience with Jane is a Manga classic that I'm reading of hers. No lie. Probably watched one of the movies about this though. Just can't remember. 
  39. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I JUST COULD NOT. This got DNF'd.
  40. Rebecca  Daphne du Maurier  IDK why but I just.. never got to it.
  41. The Shack  by William P. Young -- I think this is a movie? I saw a christian on my FB start up a discussion about it.
  42. The Sirens of Titan. Kurt Vonnegut. I HAVE heard of him I've just never had a desire to read his stuff.
  43. Their Eyes Were Watching God. Zora Neale Hurston. I've never read her books. But like J. R. R. Tolkien I know facts about her & she's just...wow. Linked is one of the books I've read about her.
  44. The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. I remember picking this book up from the library before it became popular. This isn't a , "I read it before it was cool." It is , " I don't understand why or how this became a thing" I DNF'd it. I tried so hard to read it simply because I liked the cover. Which sounds ridiculous but I was in high school.

    I remember saying to mom, "YOU KNOW THAT APPLE BOOK? It is ___ and is getting turned into a movie." She basically responded with, "Wait, what, no why?" Neither of us liked it.
  45.  War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. I attempted this in junior high or the start of high school. God only knows why.
  46. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan...series continued with Brandon Sanderson. This is well loved but not by me.
  47. Where the Red Fern Grows Wilson Rawls. This seems like a common book read to kids in school. But I never had a teacher read it or had us read it.
  48. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte... IDKY but just haven't got to it yet.
  49. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Oscar Wilde. Just know info about the author none of his books
    . 
  50. Grapes of Wrath. John Steinbeck. I don't think I've ever read a boo of his or simply don't remember.

    If you enjoy rambling lists of books or whatever I have a tag filled with 'em here.
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May 6, 2018

#Netgalley 13 Current Reads

I have sent 49 reviews for books since January. Every few weeks I get my list down to maybe five then go berserk.

Lately obsessively reading and talking about books have helped me ignore pain levels. I've always read to do this but with the availability of reading and talking more online about it... definitely has helped.

Since my HIDA scan almost a month ago my pain level has tripled. I had to request my Tramadol prescription be filled. Which sucks because it's another medication I have to pay for.

Currently, I am without my birth control because of money. We're stacking money as best we can toward my gallbladder surgery.

I called and requested tomorrow for the initial appointment with the surgeon. That's why my youcaring increased to a thousand. After May I no longer will be working due to the fact that I am a substitute teacher so when school ends.. my work ends.



Now after a quick medical update the books I am currently reading through Netgalley. Mind, I'm not reading these all at once. Though I am reading these alongside books I've purchased and some from the library.


  1. Sense and Sensibility - Manga Classics - I love comics and classics so this series is absolutely the best IMO. I believe it's easy to get auto-approved with them if you're interested in reading mangas + classics.
  2. Blood Will Out - Jo Treggiari. This comes out June 5th. It's a YA book about a serial killer-- or the victim of a serial killer. First person point of view. I accidentally read a review of it - didn't have a spoiler warning but my fault.
  3. The Right Thing to Do at the Time by Dov Zeller. It's free to read through Kindle Unlimited.  a romantic comedy that's "Jewish, queer, New York City retelling of Pride and Prejudice"
  4. Great Expectations - Manga Classics - Yes, I love this series.. no apologies, lol.
  5. All the Answers by Michael Kupperman - comes out May 15th. It's a comic story about his father. Still avail on Netgalley.
  6. Betting the Scot  by Jennifer Trethewey. I received a copy from Netgalley after it became purchasable. I read the review from Tracy @ Flippinpages and hopefully enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the review.
  7. The Quantum Magician by Derek Kunsken - comes out October 4th. Sci-fi!!
  8. The Hockey Saint by Howard Shapiro -- Thru Animal Media which I'm auto approved so I'm just trying all their books. Or, at least the ones I've found interesting.
  9. The Stereotypical Freaks by Howard Shapiro  same as above. Auto-approved.
  10. Olympian Challenger by Astrid Arditi -- if this is NOT a pseudonym I'd be surprised. It's a YA fantasy book based on Greek mythology. Comes out July 3rd!
  11. Chilly Da Vinci by Jarrett Rutland out December 4th. Children's fiction about an inventing Penguin. Can you guess the name inspiration for this character? Couldn't pass up.
  12. The Electrifying Story of Multiple Sclerosis by Vanita Oelschlager. Vanita's books are majority children books that you can click/download no autoapprove/waiting period. I so far am enjoying everything put out by her.
  13. The Redeemed by Matthew S. Cox  -- is out already since last December. I just wanted to download another one of his books.

    Another one of my lists. If you enjoy reading lists I have an entire tag dedicated to them here. 



Questions if you've made it through or just want to answer: 

What are you reading? How's it going? What are you enjoying about it so far? If you read MORE than one at a time... totally okay to talk to me about all of them, promise. 

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May 4, 2018

#April - Overview & Excuse to Ramble

We are four days into May and I'm starting my April wrap up. I'm not overly concerned but I wanted to let you know.. I know we're in May. I haven't lost count of my days ...yet.

I hope your April was good, memorable and enjoyable at least.

My April felt like it was never going to fucking end.

I figured January would be the most I've ever posted in awhile. But it escalated in April. I apologize .. kind of.. I mean you're here knowing full well this could happen.

I created 45 posts in January, 16 in February, 45 in March. anddddddddddddddddddddddd...

57 posts in April. 

Now if you're reading this from wordpress the count is definitely different because I funnel posts from two blogs onto my wordpress account. Don't ask .. I tend to do things more difficult than necessary.

Books I've Finished in April:



Books I Abandoned in April:



Books I've been Reading since April:

or longer since April can't remember. 

Book Reviews in April:

Not including the books from above

Sunday Questions:

Next month's will be shorter. I was scheduling questions every day and I decided to move them to a weekly Sunday post instead. Can ask questions / talk without flooding y'know?

Weeding Wednesday:



This is a new weekly post thing.

Writing Prompts:



This is a new weekly post thing.

April's Lists & National Day Book Ideas

All things Spoonie related here.



My March Wrap Up 
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Apr 23, 2018

15 Couldn't Finish Reads



This is a collection of the books on my Goodreads that I never finished. Either I started them or was taking years to try..and gave up. 

I used to be one of those who didn't ever quit a book. Finish it until the end even if it was murderous. But slowly I've started changing my thought process and quitting books. With life and everything in it I didn't feel dedicated to this belief.

End the suffering and quit while you're ahead. Let me know if you've read any of these!




Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I started reading this in 2012. I would read a few chapters here and there through the years.  I would update my progress every year.

Finally, at the beginning of the year I removed it from my reading shelf to DNF.

It's not because it's an old book or hard to read. It just never held my interest long enough.






Fledgling written by Octavia E. Butler. This was started in March of 2016. I think I started it either because of the Science fiction book club I'm in -- I'm in two not sure which. Or, because I read and loved Kindred.

I started this as an audio book. This book is about a vampire who is way older than what she looks like. She looks like a child and feeds off people.

This book gave me nightmares. Perfect read for those who love to feel outside of the work or wandering into a bizarre world with no issues feeling uncomfortable.

I didn't get too far into this before I jumped ship.






Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick. This started to live in my "Ill Finish Later" shelf but moved it out. I have it here just in case I get an idea to try to read it.

It's probably a good read. But when I started this I was reading Dystopians one right after the other. It gets super depressing to read similar books.












Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. It's a time traveling romance. I didn't get far before I gave up. There's like seven or so books in this series if I remember. I wasn't going to dedicate myself to something I just couldn't get into.

I know a lot of people enjoy, especially, the television show. Just is not for me.







Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone started off great and then nosedived and I left it. It was going to be a read later but..every time I looked at it...no.
















A Coyote's in the House by Elmore Leonard. Started this for a class assignment and just stopped. I got to 6% which I know is pretty early to abandon a book.








The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu. I would read at a gazebo waiting for the university to open in the early AM. This was interesting enough. I got to about 50% before having to dump it.








For some reason I have a dictionary listed as one of the fifteen books I couldn't finish. Why it's listed in this group of books I've no idea. But I'm not including a picture of a dictionary, ha.


The Black Pearl by Scott O'dell. I liked Island of the Blue Dolphins so tried this one. Didn't like it as much.









The Game of Triumphs by Laura Powell. I started this and didn't like it at all. But I used it in a quickly created blog post in a college class I had online. So, I had to stay with it for a few weeks. It was murderous. But that's what I get for making something up quickly without thinking about future consequences.








Splendor and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz. This was terrible and I do not regret ending this book so soon.











Straw into Gold by Gary D. Schmidt. Retellings of fairytales can be iffy. This is one of those iffy retellings.









Grass by Sheri S. Tepper. It was a read from one of the sci-fi book clubs I'm in on Goodreads. I wanted to like this but ...the random tangent of hunting threw me off and just meh.






A YA called Jumpman Rule #1: Don't Touch Anything from James Valentine.

Fun concept boring book.  I made it to about 20% before jumping out of it. It was a library book so no wasted money.


Thankfully, most of my books come from the library so if I don't like something...no regret purchase.







Have you read any of these? Anything interesting you'd like to try? 



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#TalkLikeShakespeareDay: Modern Day with Shakespeare




Name: William Shakespeare
Baptised: April 26, 1564
Died: April 23, 1616


Can access his works on Gutenberg.org

National Talk Like Shakespeare Day's Beginnings:


When: Today! April 23, 2018 -- every year
Started By: Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2009
Links: How does speaking like Shakespeare sound like?


Many know him and were forced to read his work through high school. There are teachers who dread teaching him or have taken him out of the classroom. It's either the kids aren't interested or there isn't a way to relate to his stuff anymore.

But a lot of modern day pieces are inspired by him or came from him directly. We have words and phrases from his works. We have movies, television shows, books and songs about his work or were inspired by his work.

The idea that we shouldn't teach his work is silly. It shouldn't be the only materials taught in an English class. But he should show up somewhere along the way. I've created a very long blog post about him for this National Calendar Day. I may have went a little overboard I know but here it is.

Have you read any of his works? Listened, watched or enjoyed a book with Shakespeare as inspiration? Did I miss anyone's work that contains Shakespeare somewhere? I probably have so feel free to let me know!

Everything here is a small part of someone else's article. If I've borrowed from an article it is linked in the title of the section it's being used in.

My most recent interaction with his work is a manga classic Romeo & Juliet. I've watched, listened and read some of the things below. I've certainly used many of the words listed under "words coined" by Shakespeare. One of the reasons I am annoyed when people get upset with new words that enter our dictionaries our language is alive and forever changing. This is definitely a helpful example of this.

Modern Day with Shakespeare:

Words Coined or Used by Shakespeare as they mean today
small list rest in link

  • accessible
  • barefaced
  • catlike
  • cold-blooded
  • distrustful
  • employment
  • fairlyland
  • hostile
  • inaudible
  • sucsseful
  • upstairs

Popular Shakespeare Quotes:

small batch rest in link
To be, or not to be: that is the question  Hamlet Act 3, scene 1

Now is the winter of our discontent - Richard III Act 1, Scene 1

A man can die but once - Henry IV Part 2  Act 3, part 2

The lady doth protest too much, methinks - Hamlet Act 3, Scene 2

To thine own self be true - Hamlet Act 1, scene 3

What light through yonder window breaks - Romeo & Juliet Act 2, scene 2

Phrases From Shakespeare

Just a few rest at link

  1. Green-eyed monster comes from Othello
  2. Seen better days is from As You Like It
  3. Off with his head  Richard III
  4. Good Riddance is from Troilus and Cressida -- WHAT?!
  5. It's Greek to me is from Julius Caesar
  6. Love is blind from Merchant of Venice
  7. Kill with Kindness taken from The Taming of the Shrew
  8. Knock, Knock! Who's there? Macbeth  - Shakespeare is the cause of this ??

Songs that mention his work:

  1. Dire Strait's Romeo and Juliet
  2. Sting's Sister Moon  : Shakespeare's sonnet #130
    "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun"
  3. Rush's  Limelight - lines from As You Like It
    "All the world's indeed a stage, and we are merely players"
  4. The Beatle's I Am the Walrus  lines from King Lear
    "Oh untimely death.."
  5. Mumford & Son's Sigh No More title comes from Much Ado About Nothing
  6. Elvis Costello's Miss Macbeth
  7. The Lumineers' Ophelia
  8. 2Pac's Something Wicked Macbeth
  9. Iron Maiden's The Evil That Men Do Julius Caesar title of song comes from Mark Anthony's speech.
  10. Metallica's King Nothing King Lear & Macbeth

TV Shows:

which I know could technically go under the next heading but I wanted to separate it.

Shows with similarities,  aspects taken from his works or about his works on TV.

  1. Empire - King lear
  2. House of Cards - Richard III
  3. Son's of Anarchy - Hamlet
  4. Will - About William Shakespeare
  5. Star-Crossed - Romeo & Juliet
  6. Game of Thrones  Henry VI -- some aspect

Modernized adaptations of his works:





10 Things I Hate About You is an adaptation  The Taming of the Shrew
Stars Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik and more. Came out in 1999








Coriolanus Shakespeare's tragedy set in modern times. Set in Rome as riots progress as citizens/civil liberties are restricted due to a war with Volsci.

Stars Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave, Brian Cox, Jessica Chastain and more.









Based on Cymbeline -- revolves around a war between dirty cops and a biker gang.

Stars: Ethan Hawke, Ed Harris, Milla Jovovich and more.









1954's Forbidden Planet based on The Tempest set on planet Altair VI in the 23rd century.

Starring Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, and Leslie Nielson








Get Over It adaptation of A Midsummer's Dream is a teen comedy focused on a senior who is trying to win back his ex. 2001

Stars Kirsten Dunst, Ben Foster, Melissa Sagemiller, Sisqo and more.










Gnomeo and Juliet is an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet (if you couldn't guess). From 2011 and voice stars: Kelly Asbury, Mark Burton, Andy Riley, Kevin Cecil and more.










Hamlet 2000 is based off of Hamlet. Stars Ethan Hawke, Kyle Maclachlan, Diane Venora and more

This was actually good? If I am thinking it's the one I watched in high school.

The Lion King is another adaptation









O, 2001, film based off Othello

Follows high schoolers and involves school violence. Was shelved two years because of Columbine shooting.

Stars Mekhi Phifer, Josh Hartnett, Julia Stiles and Elden Henson






Scotland, PA based on Twelfth Night released in 2001. A dark comedy set around a fast food restaurant. Stars Maura Tierney, James LeGros and Christopher Walken.

She's the Man is another adaptation. 









Ouran High School Host Club by Bisco Hatori is an adaptation of As You Like It. About Haruhi Fjioka a scholarship student of Ouran Academy for rich kids.








Books inspired by Shakespeare

more at link

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley - King Lear













The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey is a mystery novel defending Richard III












The Story of Edgar Sawtelle  by David Wroblewski a retelling of Hamlet.










Romeo and Juliet turned Manga. Comes out May 25th published by Udon Entertainment.

I know it's the play turned into a graphic novel but it fits well enough. 





Thank you for reading!

What's your favorite thing by William Shakespeare? Or inspired by his works? 



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