book review

Public Life = Sickness

Angela13 Comments

A day and a half at work, a funeral visitation, a funeral the next day, and eating at a restaurant means I wake up today congested, coughing, sneezing, and just exhausted and achy. Glad to be spending the next two days in bed with a book, and consuming lots of fluids and vitamin C. I had groceries delivered this morning, and made a huge bowl of my favorite chicken salad with lots of grapes and clementine oranges. Of course, I have to eat something healthy with potato chips…

Generally I can kick this type of stuff pretty quick, so am expecting to be feeling back to 100% by Monday morning.

What am I reading? I am more than halfway finished with Judas: The Relic. This is book 2 in the Judas Trilogy by Roy Bright, and just as fantastic as the first one!

And The Day Has Arrived!

Angela24 Comments

Well, tomorrow that is. Today is 11 weeks since I broke my ankle in 3 places, and I get to go back to work tomorrow. Definitely grateful for how fast I have healed, although I am definitely no where near 100% yet. I can walk/hobble/limp, whatever you want to call it, and can drive.

So of course, being Michigan, there is snow, snow, snow with accumulation since last night 😦 Are you flipping kidding me??? It is supposed to stop this afternoon and not start again, and I am praying that is the case. Now I get to be a basket-case about slipping and falling getting to my car and getting into work…

My panic and anxiety has been fairly much under control, but once in a while I get smacked upside the head, completely out-of-the-blue, with a major panic attack. I hope as I get back into my “normal” daily routine, those random attacks will ease up as well.

I cannot bend my leg very far, which is hard to explain except that I cannot go up or down stairs facing forward, because it won’t bend far enough in that direction. I go back to the surgeon on Monday, and am hoping he can let me know for sure that it will indeed loosen up and get better as time passes and I continue walking, or if there is a chance some or all of this hardware may need to come out. I certainly hope that isn’t the case, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Thank you to all of you who have sent me books, words of encouragement, and book suggestions. Unfortunately I did not get as many books read as I would have liked, but I had some very, very dark days of not being able to do anything besides get myself to my bathroom. Those books will be read, and will be reviewed, and for that I thank you!

Now if Mother Nature could just get her head out of her flipping ass I would be feeling pretty excited about getting back to work tomorrow and seeing all of my co-workers!

In case if you forgot how horrible it actually was……….. I will never as long as I live forget the experience I have been through, and would not wish it on anyone. God is truly good, and I know I have been Blessed with the healing I have had! Counting on God to keep me on two feet and upright until this snow finally goes away and we can have the Spring we have all been waiting for!

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Dipped to Death – Kelly Lane

Angela5 Comments

This was book #3 in the Olive Grove Mystery cozy series. I had read the first two quickly after finding them on a sorting shelf at one of my local libraries; this one I had to wait to be released.

Dipped to Death cover image

As with the first two, I loved this story, and had it read in less than 24 hours. (Yes; I am still not working due to the broke-my-ankle-in-3-places, more about that in another post!)

Eva Knox is still working at her family’s Olive Plantation in Georgia, and tripping over dead bodies left-and-right. This time it is an ex-fiance from Boston that no one in her family knew existed. Her other ex-fiance, sheriff Buck Tanner is of course on the case, both frustrating and frustrated by Eva at every turn.

I try to avoid the spoilers, but I have to say I hope this is a series that goes on for several more books! I am definitely anxious for the next book…there is a next book, right??? It isn’t often I will purchase cozy mysteries, as they are so readily available at my libraries, but this is certainly one I want in my personal library to read over and again!

You can find it here: Dipped to Death

Have you tried this series yet? I would love to here what you thought of it; and if you haven’t, I highly recommend it.

 

Well Hello Sunday!

Angela18 Comments

This is day 5 that I have been wide awake by 3 am. I am getting really, really tired of it; no pun intended. What to do at 3 am? Not a lot. I did squish a spider that was on my ceiling. This seems to be a daily occurrence for the last couple of weeks as the weather in Michigan gets warmer. You would be impressed with what I can do with one leg, a scooter, and a can of Aussie Freeze hairspray.

The anxiety and panic has let up, and I have been diligent about taking my meds if I even think I feel a panic attack coming on. The days are still so very long for me though.

My Doctor’s appointment at week 5 went well. I was not as anxious this time when leaving the house (fear of falling, getting injured more, etc). The surgeon said two more weeks of non-weight-bearing on the ankle, as there are still 2 cracks that have not completely healed. I go back in two weeks, and he said we talk weight bearing. He said normally 3 weeks after weight bearing, we discuss driving! I could have cried, I was so happy to hear this, and began to see a tiny pinhole of light at the end of the tunnel.  I have been exercising my broken ankle and leg, as well as being as mobile as possible in my house.

I have been reading, and writing! I will have book reviews one after another very soon! The lack of sunshine has been especially tough for me, as it is every Winter. The weather says sunshine this afternoon, and I have fingers crossed that that does not change. Sunshine = feeling good and motivated. It is difficult for me to be motivated when it is grey and rainy and there seems to be nothing for me to do other than crawl under my covers and binge watch NetFlix. The Pinkertons, anyone? I wish it was not such a short series…

The praying and Bible study is continuing, of course. I try not to think too much about the fact that it is the Easter season, my favorite Christian holiday season, and I cannot participate as I would any other year. But I can participate in other ways, which is exactly what I am doing!

Seeing all of the brown grass and dead leaves in my yard has me thinking about flower beds for my yard, and I am so excited for when I can start digging in the ground and planting. Having something to look forward to definitely helps. My number 1 on my list is walking out my door, getting in my vehicle, and driving to work! I know that day is coming, and one day I will look back on this period in my life and reflect on what it has taught me. No matter how I feel, I absolutely try to do at least one positive thing each day, so as not to waste any of this learning lesson I am experiencing right now. I truly know this has happened for a reason, and I want to make sure I utilize every moment of it to get out of it what God has intended. My daily prayers always include asking God to let me see in my heart and spirit what it is I am meant to learn from this, so I can continue to grow.

Have you had a period in your life where you were meant to grow from what appeared to be a negative situation? How did it change you? I cannot wait to see all the ways my experience has and will continue to change me. I would love to hear your stories as well!

Since My Accident…

Angela35 Comments

…tonight makes it a week since I broke my ankle. After 4 days in the hospital, I am adjusting to life at home basically secluded to my bedroom. I go back to the surgeon on the 29th and he will take the bandages off my leg, check the incisions, and give me a boot to wear. It will still be non-weight bearing for several weeks after. They opened both sides of my ankle to put in a plate and screws, and if I sleep through a dose of the pain meds, I can tell you exactly where the incisions are, and how long they are, even though I haven’t seen them yet.

My Nook of course decided this would be the perfect time to not turn on for me. This has happened before, but now I fear it may be permanent. I’ve gotten some great stories from all of you and may have to resort to reading them on my phone.

I am trying to stay positive as I am the type who is always on the go, and very independent. My 13 year old has been beyond amazing taking care of me before she goes to school (who knew she could make such awesome coffee!) as well as after school. She texts me during the day to see how I am feeling and to make sure I have taken my pills. I’ve also had friends who have stopped by both here and at the hospital to make sure I have everything I need.

I have been doing puzzle books for days right now, as I tend to fall asleep in the middle of anything and I have a hard time reading when I doze off and then can’t remember the last thing I read, or where I left off. I am hoping that I can get into a more routine sleep schedule as I continue to heal and then devote so many hours a day to reading, writing reviews, etc.

Keep the book suggestions coming, as I have many many weeks of healing ahead of me!

Hoping for a Library Trip…

Angela18 Comments

… well, hoping my oldest runs to the library for me while she is spending the weekend with me. I wonder if there is a limit on how many books can be checked out? I’ve been continuing the Nancy Drew series and I can literally read 4 or 5 of those a day if that is all I was reading. But I do have other things to read as well 😊

As far as I know my surgery went well. The surgeon didn’t come and see me at all yesterday after I got back to my room. I have been here all alone as well so I don’t even know how long the surgery took. They had to put a metal plate and screws in as I broke 3 different ankle bones. I definitely have a long and painful road ahead of me.

My oldest daughter will be picking me up today and spending the weekend with me, so I’m a happy girl about that.

Trying to not stress about the fact that I have no idea what I am going to do Monday when she is back home and my 13 year old has school all morning and afternoon.

Looks Like I’ll Have Plenty of Time to Read and Edit Books…

Angela59 Comments

…this Michigan winter and my front steps can piss off. Spending the night in the hospital and surgery in the morning.

Yes, my ankle really did bend and break like that😩 Those steps are coming out with a sledgehammer asap.So yeah, if you got something good I should be reading, let me know!

Short and Tall Tales: Moose County Legends (Cat Who Short Stories) – Lillian Jackson Braun

Angela8 Comments

Having long been a fan of Lillian Jackson Braun’s Cat Who mysteries, I was pleased to finally find this book on the library shelf. I discovered these fantastic stories about 20 years ago (or more) and have read all of them; most more than once.

Short and Tall Tales cover image

Jim Qwilleran is a journalist who moved to Moose County, 100 miles north of everywhere, after receiving a windfall of money from a benefactor. He and his two Siamese cats, KoKo and YumYum, solve mysteries all over Moose County and its adjoining counties. The characters through all 20+ books quickly become familiar friends you want to spend the day with.

This set of short stories is based on tales from local residents about some of the long-held beliefs and superstitions that have made Moose County what it is. I read this book in about an hour, and it is a great addition to any nightstand for some quick reading before sleep!

Are you familiar with the Cat Who Mysteries? How did you like them?

You can find this story here: Short and Tall Tales: Moose County Legends

One Foot in the Grove (Olive Grove Mystery Book 1) – Kelly Lane

Angela1 Comment

I found this book sitting on the end of the library aisle, waiting to be sorted. I love cozy mysteries and this one did not disappoint. I also got the second book, and the third one is due to be released this March.

One Foot in the Grove cover image

I read both of these books in about a 24-hour period! I now have a vested interest in the life of a fictional character. I have to say, it has been a while since I’ve had that, or had to wait for the next book in a series to be released.

The story takes place in Abundance, Georgia, and is full of Southern charm, as well as recipes at the end.

Eva Knox returns to Abundance after being gone for 18 years. She left her fiancé at the alter and never looked back. Her return has several residents running the gossip mill in overdrive, none too happy about her return.

Taking on the job of PR manager for her father’s olive plantation and olive oil business keeps Eva and her two sisters going non-stop. The dead body she trips over, as well as her own personal issues she is working through will keep you turning the pages on this mystery! She needs to convince the town detective that she did not kill anyone, which leads to her own investigation, along with the help of local sheriff and ex-fiancé Buck Tanner.

I am so glad I spied this book on the sorting shelf, and cannot wait until the next one comes out!

Tippi: A Memoir – Tippi Hedren

Angela11 Comments

I found this book at my library while I was actually looking for a biography on Alfred Hitchcock. All of which were out.

Tippi A Memoir
Photo courtesy of Harper Collins Publishing

So I have to say that while I adore Tippi and her work in the film industry, I was not impressed with her biography. I was very interested in all the issues she went through with Hitchcock, as it was a well-known Hollywood “secret” that he was completely obsessed with her. While detailing some of the things she experienced while working on his films, she did spare us very descriptive details and all the specifics. I must say, as he is not able to defend himself, and may have chosen not to, that we do only have her side of the story.

The remainder of the book was about how she ended up maintaining a sanctuary for wild animals on her 40 acre homestead. This too was interesting to me, as I love all animals, big and small. Except bats. But that’s another story…

I found the book as a whole very boring. It just dragged on for me, and while I am glad to have learned many new things about Tippi, I would not re-read this book.

Have you read a biography about someone you like, only to not like the book? I would love to hear about it!