A Day in the Life

Today I am participating in the 'A Day in the Life' event hosted by Trish from Love, Laughter, and a touch of Insanity. I am a few days late, but I've enjoyed many of the posts that I couldn't help but join in! I figured I would do this 'day in the life' on a Monday, because well, that's how a usual weekday goes for me. It changes every now and then, but for the most part this is it. I make up for it on the weekends (by sleeping in, reading a lot, staying in pajamas all day long, and sometimes going out with friends)

I am up at 6:45am. My first thought is always, "I WANT TO GO BACK TO BED." Then, it's me looking for coffee. It takes me half an hour to get ready, and half an hour to drive to (my first) work for the day.

My first shift starts at 7:45 AM. I work at a well-known big department/general/grocery store as a Human Resources staff. I am pretty much in front of my computer all day or doing paperwork, unless there's interviews scheduled and new hires.

That particular work is only until 1pm, so when I'm done, I drive to my second job - only 5-10 minutes away. Since my second work is so close, I tend to eat something quick for lunch while waiting for my shift to start. I also take this time to go on Twitter, Instagram, and all that. I am honestly always on my phone! As you can see, it's a bright sunny day here in Northern California. 67 degrees. Not too hot, not cold. I do miss the rain though.

1:30PM - I start my shift. I work as an English teacher at a private center. I teach from Gr.1-7. 

Today, I had two students. Each student gets an hour each. Sometimes we go over.  

By 3:30pm, my coworker and I decide to go for a quick Starbucks run. I ordered a non fat latte. She ordered the limited edition Birthday Frappucino - it looks awesome, doesn't it??

When we come back, I start a group class that consists of 12 students. The class ends at 6;00. Afterwards, I continue working for 30 more minutes by myself, mostly organizing papers and doing a bit of lesson planning. Everyday is a different schedule and set of new students. I'd say Wednesdays are my longest days because I have more students that day.

 I'm finally done for the day, and when I walk out, it's close to sunset. 

I come home and relax for a bit. Dinner is served at 7:30.

We eat while watching The Voice. After eating, while continuing to watch the show, our dog Kobe likes to think of it as his play time. I just throw a tennis ball in the room and he plays fetch. Pretty low maintenance dog.
 If it's not Monday or Tuesday, I don't really watch T.V. because I mostly watch shows online. Sometimes, I use that time to work out. I like working out at home using the Insanity DVDs. Not today though.

When that's done, it's already 10. I go online and start responding to comments and visiting other people's blogs. I also try to write up a post or two around this time. While doing that, I am also on Skype with my boyfriend since we've been in a long distance relationship for a few years now and that is definitely a daily thing. We don't necessarily talk ALL the time, especially because we are busy doing our own things, but it is nice to be online with each other's company. He is usually editing photos. Check out his photos here. When we are both free, we usually talk, watch Netflix together, play video games, brainstorm creative ideas, and/or just be online.

 By 11, I am about to get ready for bed. I almost always drink tea, light a candle, and get in comfy clothes. Then, I start reading. I love reading in bed and it's the perfect way to end the night.

I tend to sleep around 1am, which I know is terrible!! But I am such a night owl, and can't sleep earlier than that even though I have to wake up at 7am the next day. Oh well. Reading is worth it in my opinion!

letting go of books and regretting it.

The other day, I decided to sell some of my books. I didn't have any room left on my five shelf bookshelf, and I figured some of the titles were those that I would never pick up again. Also, I figured that these books were better off read and appreciated by others. Letting go of these books was fairly easy, almost refreshing. Then I get to certain books that I had to think twice about. Sure, I probably would never re-read them again, but I could not muster up the courage to think about giving them away. So they stayed. 

When I got to the bookshop where I sold some of the books, I freely gave the seller the bags I had kept them in. I walked away to browse while the bookseller did her thing. When she called me back to the counter to give me the price for the stack, that's when I saw it. On the stack of books I was willing to let go was a book that I did NOT want to sell at all. I must have accidentally dropped it in there without thinking. Since I didn't want to risk looking and sounding like a crazy book-woman, I kept quiet. I got the money, and I left the bookshop feeling a little sick.

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Walking to my car, I kept telling myself it's not really a big deal. I could just buy it again someday if I really wanted to. I kept repeating in my head, "They're just books. They're material objects. They should not have such a strong hold on me. Right??" However, even when I kept telling these things to myself, I still felt bad. To me, it was reminiscent of an unwanted breakup. Letting go of books was like letting go of something that's been part of my life. And maybe I was overreacting in this situation. Maybe you understand where I'm coming from. Maybe not. All I know is, it was a pretty odd and memorable experience to feel so strongly about it. 

Light Reading (perfect for vacations)

Every now and then, I appreciate a book that is perfect for a 'light read.' That to me means any book that is easy to pick up and go through, without feeling the need to give so much effort to read it and understand it. I particularly love this choice after having read something emotional or heavy, or something difficult to read and take in. Here are some of the books that I think are great if you're looking for something light, perfect for vacations, I think. 

• Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
  Genre: Young Adult
  This is one of my favorite light reads. It basically is all about an epic road trip. Two teenagers embark on an adventure, and the best part of this book were all the various lists of things they had: music playlists for every mood in the trip, snack stops, among others. It totally made me want to go on a road trip after this. It's a cute, sweet, and fun story. 
• Paper Towns by John Green
  Genre: Young Adult
  I gravitate toward 'trip' books, because let's face it, trips are light and fun. Paper Towns is another example of that. Again, it is a simple book with pretty relatable characters. 
• Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
  Genre: General Fiction 
  Charming novel! This is perfect for any book lover. It involves a bookshop and mysterious characters. I think it's light and quick enough to take with you on a trip!
• Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
  Genre: Chick Lit
  Sophie Kinsella made me obsessed with Chic Lit. This series surrounding Becky is very easy to read, and great to use to pass the time. 
• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
  Genre: Fiction, Dystopian/Scifi
  I loved reading this book. I wish I could read it again for the first time, because it was brilliant! This is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys nerd and pop culture, video games, and the 80s. Read my full review here. 
• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
  Genre: Memoir
  I wanted to eat SO. MUCH. PASTA. after reading this! It's an enjoyable book, fun to read about someone who goes all out with life. I would love to say I would do the things she did here, like travel and try different cuisines, but I probably would never get to do those anytime soon. 
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed
  Genre: Memoir
  This book has some darker underlying themes here, but overall, it's light and easy to read. It's inspirational enough, and really makes the reader want to go on a hike! I love the outdoors, and it made me fall in love with it even more. 

Those are just some of the books I think that are good if you're looking for some light reading. Do you agree, disagree? Do you have any other books you think should also be included? Recommend away! 

Latest Book Haul: Non-Fiction

I mentioned a few days ago that I've just been reading 'okay' books, and because of this, I wanted to pick up something great. Another blogger, Lindsey, gave me great advice: try something different from the usual books you typically pick up. So I did. I like a bit of non fiction every now and then, but for the most part, I like my fictional books. This week, I picked up two non fiction books just to change up the pace.

These two books have been on my tbr wishlist for a while, but I just have never gotten around to picking it up. Finally, I have it. The first book is the book I am actually currently reading and that's The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. This is a true crime historical book that is set during the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and centers around two men - the brilliant architect behind the fair and the serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death. I know. Intriguing, right?

The second book is more of a devastating one: Night, a memoir by Elie Wiesel. He's pretty well known as a Holocaust survivor who writes and talks about his experiences at that time when he was sent to concentration camps. 

Have you read these books? Any thoughts? And what were some of the latest books you bought? Let me know also some of your favorite non fiction books.

that state wherein you can't figure out what to read next.

"What to read next, what to read next?" Those are the questions I ask myself repeatedly after having just finished a book. Despite the huge to-be read list that I have, I can never quite decide which one to pick up next. Then, as I am naturally indecisive, even when I end up picking a title and starting to read it, in my head, I am still trying to imagine how the other options might be. It's a little odd, but I hope I'm not the only one who is like this.

I just need something great. Something that will hook me right in and keep me there throughout. Of course, I thought I would ask for your input. What was the last book that blew you away? I need that book in my life right now! I've been reading 'eh' and okay books, and I just need something fantastic. The last great book was for me was in mid-February when I picked up The Nightingale. What's yours? Let me know in the comments and thank you in advance for the recommendations! 

Review: The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

Rating: 1.5-2 stars

The Storyteller is told through several points of view, and is set during the modern time with some flashbacks. The main character is Sage, who befriends an old man that she met in a grief group. They form a friendship, and after some time, he asks her for a favor: to kill him. Yes, to kill him. It captured my attention as soon as I read the premise. 

I know Jodi Picoult tends to write about moral issues and heavy subject matters, having read two of her other books, so I wasn't surprised she would write such a story. I do appreciate that she tackles such topics, and there's definitely big ones here: assisted suicide, forgiveness, guilt, among others. As mentioned, it also surrounds the heaviness of the impacts created during the WWII era, specifically during the Holocaust.

Unfortunately, I was let down by this book quite a lot. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a specific point of view or opinion is being forced down the reader's throat. I am all up for stories with controversial topics, but I think some of the best books that talk about such issues are those that let the reader decide for themselves.

It also did not help that I could not root for the main character of Sage at all. In the beginning, I figured I would end up appreciating her purpose, but throughout the book, she had no growth. She stayed the same, without much development. I also did not like her decisions and thought process throughout as well as in the end, which made it even more difficult to like the story itself.

Lastly, I really despised the fact that there was a romance here added randomly. It was so contrived and unnecessary, a random subplot that served no real purpose. It makes me wonder: why can't a story surrounding the Holocaust and some moral issues just stick to that? Is it necessary for every book or every female protagonist to find the man who will sweep her off her feet?

Maybe I am being harsh, but this book just really struck a negative chord in me. I will not deny that the author is talented and writes effortlessly, but the whole story could have been executed a lot better. in terms of character and plot. I felt like it was way too long and felt like it dragged on, and I think it could have been a bit tighter and more seamless. I almost did not finish it, but I went with it, and in a way, I wish I just stopped reading it halfway through.

Book Recommendations: Stories Set in WWII

One of my favorite genres to read is historical fiction, specifically one that is set during the World War II era. I think this time in our history is such an important one, as it altered our world in many ways. I also think that there are just so many stories from different perspectives that are left to tell and that deserve to be told. If you are like me who have a special place for stories set during this time, here are some fictional novels (and movie) that I HIGHLY recommend. 

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  
  I sound like a total broken record including this book in here, because I feel like I've included it in all the lists I make. It makes it on this list though, deservedly so, as it is just a great story about ordinary people living during this horrific time. It is beautifully written and features such memorable characters that readers will fall in love with. It also is pretty unique as it's told through the point of view of 'Death.' 
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
  This book is one of my favorite books now, as it's just perfect. It has gorgeous writing and effortless storytelling from the author, and has unforgettable characters. It's honest and unflinching, a beautiful fiction at its finest. Read my review here.
• Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
  I read this a few years ago, but I still remember how it made me feel. This is told through the point of view of German civilians, as the war and its effects surround them. I particularly loved the narration in this one. 
• Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky*
  This one has a special place in my heart. It tells the stories of the French people during the Nazi occupation. *What's even more special is who it's written by: Irene Nemirovsky. She was a successful writer living in Paris, but at the start of the war, she and her family had to flee and hide because of their Jewish parentage. While hiding, she completed the first part of this book, but she was captured by the German SS and was sent to a concentration camp where she was executed. Her children hid her manuscript and sixty years later, one of her daughters took it to a publisher. The translator simply translated and edited her work, creating this profound story. A must read for sure!
• Schindler's List (film)
  This would be a time when I would recommend seeing the movie more than reading the book. I did read the book that the famous film was based on, but I have to say that this adaptation was something else entirely. It will always be a heartbreaking must-watch movie, and that theme score by John Williams will forever haunt me. 

And with that, let me leave you with that very theme from the movie.

Let me know if you have any more books, fiction or non-fiction, to add to this list, or if you have any book recommendations set during this time that you think I should try out. I am always looking for more beautifully told stories. 

Review: The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

Rating: 3 stars

For lack of a better description, this book was entertaining enough, but it is one that left me feeling confused. To be honest, even though the story itself was interesting, I felt like it was a bit too all over the place. There were too many things going on! At times, I wasn't sure if I was reading the same book - it has a bit of mystery, thriller, drama... Its themes and topics also vary greatly - there's an autistic brother, an alcoholic mother, a responsible college student who became an adult too fast, a convicted criminal, and a love interest with a hidden past. 

It also doesn't help that it is told in first person with a 21-year old character who until now, I can't quite figure out. At times, he is this wise adult who grew up with a tough upbringing. The next minute, he is the college student who is only trying to make a name for himself. Don't forget though that he can also be a tough and strong man, and can pretty much beat anyone up if he wanted to. Later, he becomes this sentimental guy who crushes on a pretty college girl (and let me tell you that this part and the way he talks about the girl honestly makes him seem a little perverted and superficial - total character turn off!) 

I'm just not sure who he really is! I'm still so confused! I couldn't figure out if I liked him or if I detested him. I wanted to empathize and root for this main character, but I don't even know who he is even after finishing the book. 

In addition, I didn't like the way it ended. I understand it's fiction. I have to suspend disbelief somewhere, but the outcome was so unrealistic! I didn't buy it one bit, and it just made me annoyed to be honest, as I felt like everything unraveled too easily and too perfectly.

The bottom line here is there's just so much happening all at once that I felt like the main story line was left in the backseat. I felt like all the story lines were just added in for shock value, and I was a bit frustrated because of that. I just think that the book could have been more simple, and doing so would probably make the main plot stand out and more realistic and believable. 

Having said that, I didn't think the book was bad even though my review sounds like it is. In fact, I thought it was a good book to pass the time. It also doesn't hurt that it's an incredibly fast-paced page turner that entertained and kept me intrigued all throughout. I just wish the plot lines and the character development here were a little tighter, because the debut author's writing is pretty nice and showed a lot of promise. 

Books about Books

I love books with bookish themes. Whether it's a fiction novel with a character who loves to read or a non fiction account on one's life surrounding reading, I love them all. Here are just some of the books that I personally have read and own.

photo taken by me

• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
  Fiction
  This book is set in an English town, featuring colorful characters. The main character's father owns a bookshop, and that is also where she likes to spend most of her time. The overall feel and the Gothic atmosphere this book has is so great. It also has some of the best quotes related to books and reading.
• The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
  Fiction
  I would only give this novel a 3 star rating, but I have to add this to this list because The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is every bookish person's dream; each chapter contains quotes from several books written by authors we love from Roald Dahl to Flannery O' Connor to F. Scott Fitzgerald. It also features a character who owns a bookstore! 
• The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
  Fiction
  I highly recommend this book full of various fairy tale retellings especially if you love dark and grim (that pun) stories. The stories here are twisted, and appropriately so, as they were originally told that way by the Grimm brothers.
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  Historical Fiction
  Even though this novel has a lot of themes and story lines not related to books, books do play a big part, especially in the main character's life. 
• Where Books Fall Open 
  Non-Fiction
  This is a collection full of essays, prose, and poetry about books, literature, and reading. It also has various drawings and paintings that show readers. It's quite a lovely book to add to your collection!
• The Library At Night by Alberto Manguel
  Non-Fiction
  This book captured my interest from the very beginning. It is a must for any bibliophile! The author talks about the magic of libraries and their meanings in his own life.
• A Gentle Madness by Nicholas A. Basbanes
  Non-Fiction
  This is another non fiction book that is perfect for bibliophiles. It focuses on man's passion with books in history from the great library of Alexandria to the 20th Century. It's an interesting take, and if you like historical accounts and essays, I highly recommend this. 

Do you know and love any bookish books? Let me know because I can't get enough of them. 

Books: A Timeless Form of Art

photo taken by me

People disappear when they die. Their voice, their laughter, the warmth of their breath. Their flesh. Eventually their bones. All living memory of them ceases. This is both dreadful and natural. Yet for some there is an exception to this annihilation. For in the books they write, they continue to exist. We can rediscover them. Their humor, their tone of voice, their moods. Through the written word they can anger you or make you happy. They can comfort you. They can perplex you. They can alter you. All this, even though they are dead. Like flies in amber, like corpses frozen in the ice, that which according to the laws of nature should pass away is, by the miracle of ink on paper, preserved. It is a kind of magic. 

- The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

I think this quote rings true for all types of art: music, photography, theater, among many others. Literature definitely belong in that category. A book is timeless and enduring. It will surpass its creator, every person that touches it, and every reader that devours it. It will be loved again and again, pass through many types of people and experiences. It will remain. It is endless. It is a permanent source of beauty and life.