Best and Worst Books of 2012

I forgot that, a year ago, I had the intentions of making a best/worst book list at year's end. So here we have it.

I'll start with the worst, so that we can end on a high note.

WORST BOOKS OF 2012*

5. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

I had to put this one on the 5 worst list mostly because of its lack of content. Like I originally said, the first chapter was great, but it just wasn't funny past that. Also, it just dragged on and got boring to read.

4. Becoming Sister Wives by Kody, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn Brown

I also had to include this one on the naughty list merely because the writing sucked. I mean, it's to be expected: these people are not writers. Also, I got a lot out of it, but it didn't reveal much more than is revealed on their TLC show.

3. Mockingjay- Suzanne Collins

This was a really disappointing end to the series. The story was comparatively boring and the world of Panem continued to be under-described. Ms. Collins, take a page out of Jo's book (pun intended).

2. The Girl Who Played with Fire- Stieg Larsson

I was NOT a fan of the second book in this series. In fact, I was so much not a fan, that I refuse to read the third one. Just too much going on, I guess. And too many mundane details.

1. The Pilot's Wife- Anita Shreve

This one was BY FAR the WORST book of the year, perhaps the worst I've ever read. Cheesy, boring, shallow, terrible writing, etc. If I happen to notice another book by this yahoo, I will laugh. Out loud.

BEST BOOKS OF 2012*

5. The Catcher in the Rye- J.D. Salinger

This one kept me laughing and kept me reading, even though nothing super compelling happened. It was thought-provoking, however, so it deserves 5th place!

4. Expecting Adam- Martha Beck

Reading this one was kind of a spiritual experience and also made me rethink what we're taught when we're part of a university. I generally believe I have a good quality education, but Beck sheds light on what really matters and that there's more to life than what you learn from professors.

3. Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 is brilliant. Bradbury was one smart dude. He predicted, sometimes metaphorically and sometimes literally, many major flaws with today's society. My mind was blown. Round of applause for Mr. Ray Bradbury, may he rest in peace.

2. Sarah's Key- Tatiana de Rosnay

This story is beautiful and it was beautifully written. First of all, I didn't even know about this part of World War II. Second, it totally tugged on my heartstrings, always a plus. I don't think this one is very well known, but I highly recommend it. 

1. The Fault in Our Stars- John Green

Okay, I'm pretty sure I read this masterpiece in two settings and sobbed intermittently. John Green is one awesome dude. What's even better is that he doesn't underestimate a teenager's ability to take in deep subject matter, and he doesn't limit his readership (many adults love it too!). Very very powerful read and I recommend it to anybody and everybody. Congratulations, Mr. Green-- your novel has rightly earned 1st place in best books of 2012!

*Note: I am not including books I'd already read prior to 2012, for obvious reasons.

New Year, New Renovations

My blog is boring. I know it is. All I really blog about is book reviews and how much I'm failing at my book-reading goals. It started out fun, and I still sort of enjoy it, but it's too limited. Why not blog about other things?

Hence, the new name and design. 

It's inspired by one of the most beautiful songs ever written, in my opinion ("Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory, the original/1971 version, of course). This was one of those movies that I watched over and over again as a child, probably every day for a year and many many times in other years. Our VHS tape of it is probably ruined from overuse. Hey, I was a kid who was in love with chocolate (STILL AM) and thought Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory existed until an embarrassingly old age. 

But I digress.

The lyrics of the song have deeper meaning than chocolate-making, and especially resonate with me now. I think many of us (especially students) focus so much on their future and getting to a certain happy, enjoyable, ideal life situation that we forget to appreciate where we are now. Which is something I'm working on. Okay, I'm living with my parents when I wish I had the funds to pay for school AND my own place, I'm getting tired of being tired and stressed, and this hour-long commute to school is becoming unbearable. But what I should do is enjoy the time I have with my family in their beautiful house and neighborhood, appreciate their willingness to help and my opportunity to get a higher education, and use those long commutes as a time to reflect. 

Another thing that's bogging me down is my graduate school application process. I got to a place where I was extremely overwhelmed and afraid of not getting in anywhere. While being rejected at all five schools to which I'm applying would disappoint me for a time, I need to consider and be aware of the possibility that I will be doing something else next year. At first, the idea terrified me-- my biggest fear is failure. But feeling sorry for myself wouldn't get me anywhere, nor would it lead me to becoming a licensed speech pathologist. So I've decided that I don't NEED to get into a graduate program right away if it just doesn't happen. It would give me the opportunity to stay at my awesome jobs and earn some more money first to actually pay for it.

Anyway, to spare you further ranting, I will leave you with the song that inspired my renovated blog and my new attitude:

2012 in Review & 2013 in Anticipation

Okay, maybe I didn't reach my original book goal, in terms of number, that is. I did, however, learn what was possible and attainable while maintaining full time student status, and managing two awesome, yet time consuming, jobs. It's not 50, that's for sure.

But, in reflecting on the purpose of my 2012 resolution, I realize that I did meet my goal. I read more in general. I read more non-fictions. Like, a lot more. I think in 2011 I read five books. I read 18 1/2 in 2012. Win in my book (no pun intended). It's something I've had to discuss with my debate kids ("Was your goal really to make it to nationals, or was it to become a better debater in the process?"). I have to practice what I preach.

While I celebrate the holiday and ring in the new year with friends, I'll also be looking ahead to 2013 and what I want to have accomplished, or what I want to have done for myself and my sanity despite my busy schedule. So, here you have it folks, my 2013 New Years Resolution list:

• Read 30 books. Haha, funny. My friends and I are in it together and we're swearing it's actually going to happen this year. But I guess a better goal would be to read more than 18 1/2. We'll see. Although, I got the sexy Kindle Fire HD for Christmas, so maybe that'll increase my chances. :)
• 365 Photo Challenge: take a photo a day. It's true what "they" say: "the days are long, but the years are short." I'm not terribly good at it, but I love taking photos, and why should we only capture "special" occasions? It'd be fun to have a year-in-review set of photos to look back on when I think of 2013. 
• Leave more time for music. I'm a very casual piano, guitar, and now ukulele player. It's so relaxing for me to come home from a stressful day and sit at an instrument (especially the piano). I want to do more of that; we can all use more peace.
• Run in the Color Run 5K. I'm in such bad shape and I need to be thinking more about my health. Now, I always say this and I never follow through, so my hopes aren't too high for this one. Bad attitude, but so it goes.
• Graduate with my bachelor's degree (going to happen) and get into graduate school, the latter of which I'm very worried about. It's freaking competitive and I have mediocre academic accomplishments. Scary, man.
• Blog more. I don't want to limit myself to just book reviews and such things; it gets boring for you and for me. Not that my life is otherwise exciting, but god, blogging about the same thing always gets old.

That's all she wrote... Here's to a successful, happy, healthy, and enjoyable 2013... Cheers!

It is also my blog's one year anniversary!

One Year Ago

#18: My new goal is 20

I'm not sure why it is that I always forget how time consuming, you know, getting a degree is. It really does take over your life. Thus, I am 32 books behind on my original (ridiculous) goal. Although, going back and re-reading what the "goal" really stood for, I'm doing pretty well. I wanted to read more and I did that. I wanted to write a blog about it and I did that. I think that's a success.

But I digress.

Naturally, I went on to read book #2 of mega-series. It was good and I got more out of it, and all that jazz.

In fact, yesterday my debaters had their national qualifier tournament. Our team is part of one of the most talented, competitive, and cut-throat districts in the country. Our kids are incredibly hard workers and extremely skilled in what they do, but unfortunately a good handful of them missed qualifying by just about the smallest margin possible. Then I came home all bummed for them and finished off this book, at the end of which Dumbledore says, "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." It made me think of our debaters. They have incredible abilities, but they also chose to make this season about leading their team with sponsorship. They represent their school, their district, their state, with excellence and class. That is far more important than any national tournament. I'm so proud of them and honored to have coached them.

But I digress.

The last week of classes and, subsequently, finals week is coming. I don't expect to get much reading done, but I'm sure as hell going to try!

Peace out, cyberspace.

#17... Here we go!

Thanks to all those crumb grubber kids I spend time with (nannying, elementary school, high school, oh my), I caught my second cold in about a six week span. It pretty much royally sucked, but I was able to spend so much time with the face of my childhood.

Oh hey, childhood. Good to see you!

I've read this amazing series about six times now and I really do get more out of it every time. The experience is much different now than it was when I was eight. I just can't wait to read the books to my future kids someday. Brilliant stuff I tell you.

And I really don't know what else to say about it. Five stars, OBVIOUSLY.

#16... Slowly but surely...

Oh hello, blog. Have we met? It's been so long, I can't remember.

As I finally pass the halfway mark of my challenge, my only accomplishment is that the gap between books is getting shorter. Two months to a little over a month.... Yay?

I finally got around to reading another classic:

It took me FOREVER to get through it, mostly because I'm so ridiculously busy. But also: even though it is hilariously written, the plot isn't incredibly exciting. That's not to say it was bad. There were a lot of times when I reacted to certain lines with genuine laughter. Holden definitely has a way with words and he's just funny.

I will say that I kept waiting for some sudden twist of events that forced me to continue reading and kept me away from my schoolwork. But alas, I never really got that. I kind of liked the ending, though. It wasn't terribly exciting, but I liked the reality of it. The fact that he really wanted to do something fun and wild and crazy, but that's not how real life works. Of course, fun and wild and crazy is what makes many books great, but it was sort of refreshing to read otherwise. Maybe it's just me, but I digress.

I give it a solid three stars.

My next book is part of a series that I read almost every year around Christmastime. Ah, traditions. :) Until then!

#15! ... Two months later...

Okay, so I will spend only limited time defending myself. And, by "limited," I mean I'm only going to use one word:

College.

Yeah.

So instead I will classify my completion of book #15 as basically an amazing accomplishment, all while successfully learning a new job, applying to grad schools, and ACING MY FIRST TWO EXAMS OF THE SEMESTER, BOOM. Yes, kind sir (or madam), I am patting myself on the back. But who couldn't use some praise once in awhile? (Also, let's ignore the fact that the idea of reading 50 books this year is now reaching absolutely ridiculous proportions.)

Anyway, since I've been leaving you hanging, this was the most recent book choice:

It's caught my eye ever since it first came out and I saw it at bookstores. I didn't really know what it was about, but the SLP student in me suspected some kind of connection to the field.

What finally got me to borrow it from the library (yes, I am a dinosaur and do not yet own what you call an e-reader) was my professor's use of the first chapter audio in class. It was about the author's first trip to a speech pathologist and it was freaking hilarious! Now, the remainder of the book had nothing to do with speech pathology and it wasn't nearly as funny, but, ehhhh, it was alright. I'd give it 3 stars, I guess.

Also. I've definitely reached my (ORIGINAL, WOO) nonfiction goal this year. At least I'm not a major f-up on my goals!

Also, also. Don't be surprised if there's another two-month wait before book #16. Senior year's a bitch.

Also, also, also (last one, I promise). This would be a great piece for one of my high school speech kids! So book #15 had double purpose. Score.