Currently Reading Jan 30, 2014

Continue reading →

Tues-Thurs Reading Schedule

Okay so today I figured out what the check out limit is at my library. It's 20. I had eight more books to pick up but on this impromptu trip I didn't take the books I was going to return. But at least now I know how many books I can get at one time.

So I have a lot of material to go through. On the way home I thought about making a schedule to read them. So that's what I did. Now of course the challenge is seeing if I'll stick to it. But I digress:

Tuesday 7-8 pm: Missing Mom by Joyce Carol Oates
Before Bed: Beautiful Fools by R. Clifton Spargo (30 minutes)

Wednesday During Break: Missing Mom by Joyce Carol Oates
Wednesday 7-8 pm: Missing Mom by Joyce Carl Oates
Before Bed: Beautiful Fools by R. Clifton Spargo (30 minutes)

Thursday Morning 9-10: Missing Mom by Joyce Carol Oates
Break: Beautiful Fools by R. Clifton Spargo
Thursday Night 7-8: Missing Mom by Joyce Carol Oates


I checked out two books by Ms. Oates while I signed up for Paperbookswap last night. I sent off two books this morning. I had planned out how much it cost but the envelopes were either too small or the books were too thick (Probably the latter) and I couldn't fit them into the cheaper envelopes. A very nice lady offed to pay the $1.50 for the second package. See that's what I love about Louisiana. Most people are willing to lend a hand. I wish I could pay her back.

So that is up with me my pretties. What about you? Any new checkouts from the library?

Continue reading →

We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates review

We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


My journey to reading this book started back in December. I wasn't looking for this book necessarily but I was looking for a book by Ms. Oates. I had read her Wiki article. She fascinated me. She who wrote in different genres and was writing more.

So when I went to the library and I happened upon the fiction section I spotted this book in her section. I don't know what exactly made me pick it up honestly. There were a few others but I chose this one.

So I started reading it. My interest was teased when Judd says they had committed a crime? So my mind starts whirling. What crime? What did they do?

So I kept on reading. I think what most stuck out to me about this reading experience was how excited I was to turn the page. I love that feeling. I was excited to read this book. I didn't gulp it down in one sitting but I read it over the last three weeks. Quite awhile but I think I was savoring it.

I just finished it and the last harkens back to the title. And I feel like it fits. I really loved this book and I will definitely buy my own copy. I'm looking forward to read more Ms. Oates work. She certainty has talent.



View all my reviews

A quick note about this. I know it has an L in it but in my head I pronounce it as Mulhoney or something like that. I really rec this book. It was a good and satisfying read.

Continue reading →

Two Poetry Reviews

The Dead and the Living by Sharon Olds

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was my first of Sharon Olds. I picked it because I read an article where she was listed among the great modern confessional poets. I've recently found myself influenced by Plath and I wanted to learn more about the genre she helped make famous. These poems are intensely personal and a lot of them seem to center around the father figure. All in all I thought this was a good collection and it definitely gives me an idea of her work. I checked this out from the library but I think that when I cane I will add some of her work to my personal collection.



View all my reviews


What the Living Do: Poems by Marie Howe

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Second book of modern confessional poems. I liked these much better than Sharon Olds. I can't explain exactly why but it spoke more to me. I'm not even sure what I mean by that but I feel more satisfied after reading these than I did Ms. Olds yesterday.

I'm definitely looking into more of Ms. Lowe's poems.



View all my reviews


I came across these authors on a HupPages article about confessional poets. I have lately found my own poems been influenced by the confessional style especially Plath's work. Her Daddy poem really resonated with me.

I like Marie Howe's book better though the content was similar but sort of not. Both women have distinctive voices but I responded more to Howe's book.

Continue reading →

Currently Reading January 22, 2014

Continue reading →

Currently Reading January 15, 2014

Continue reading →

Currently Reading Video of the Week

I thought I'd try this out. Every week I will upload a video where I talk about what I'm currently reading. That sounds simple right? Let's see if I can keep my part of the bargain.

Continue reading →

Rough Magic by Paul Alexander Review

Rough Magic: A Biography Of Sylvia Path by Paul Alexander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I started this book near the end of last year. I had bought the ebook a few months back but I didn't start on it right away.

When I started reading this I grew more interested in Sylvia. It's safe to say that I already had an interest since I bought journals, then the collected poems, and then finally this. But it wasn't until I dug into the bio that I really became fascinated with Sylvia.

Her life at the surface seems so different from mine. She's from New England, both her parents were professors. But I was struck how similar we seemed. Both academic and literary minded. While I was reading the bio I dug into the journals again. It literally felt to me like it was something I would write. I just connected with her.

This book has given me a greater knowledge of her and has truly made me appreciate her work. I also like Alexander's writing style. It was very readable and I liked the structure of it.

For my first book of 2014 I'm glad it was this one.



View all my reviews

Continue reading →

2013 Book Roundup.

Well let's see according to Goodreads I read 60 books. Of that I read:

Fiction: 49

Nonfiction: 8

Graphic Novel: 3

I mean that's not bad at all right? I did want to read more but you guys know I got distracted for part of the year haha. I am hoping to do better this year. I'm reading a number of books and I hope to finish at least five this month though I'm going to be busy with starting up classes and volunteering. But I always make time for reading. Always.

Happy New Year's! May 2014 be fruitful for you!

Continue reading →