Thursday, January 29, 2015

Don't Die Before You're Dead


When I feel like giving up, this is my mantra. Don't die before you're dead. It reminds me to never give up. To keep trying until I cannot try anymore. After I finished my doctoral work, I thought that I would have more leisure time, like to read, things that I want to read. Well, it has not happened, so in order to not give up, I realize that I need a simple plan to "force" myself to read because I deserve it.

How to Read More OR don't die before you're dead




  • Stop playing Trivia Crack, Candy Crush, Farm Heroes Saga, Bejeweled. . .phones (and iPads)are for READING - this is now my wallpaper on my phone


    • Always have two or three books waiting in the wings (or in my case, in my Oyster books reading list)



    • Carry a book with me at all times
    • Go to bed an hour before and read instead of watch TV
    • Have a magazine, professional article, other kind of reading in "5 minute places"- the bathroom, the kitchen, my car, the iPad
    • Stop reading what I don't want to read
    • Log what I read (aka get back on Goodreads) and share what I like
    Read and share.


    Tuesday, January 27, 2015

    City of Bones Review


    Title: City of Bones, Book one, Mortal Instruments
    Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

    In short: Suddenly able to see demons and the Darkhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, 15-year-old Clary Fray is drawn into this bizarre world when her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster.

    My piece of mind:
    I am WAAAYYYY late to the party, perhaps because I have been out of my literacy job and doing administration, perhaps because I have been finishing my doctorate for the past three years, but I am done now and I am using my Oyster Books subscription with a vengeance.  I have seen the stunning covers and always had the Mortal Instruments on my maybe I should read list, but Clary just pulled me in. I have to remember she is supposed to be only 15 when I feel like scolding her for being weak. The characters quickly become real for the reader and I continue to worry for Simon. 

    Thousands of people have already read these books. They have been on the New York Times for such a long time, but I am thankful that 5 of the 6 are on Oyster books because it has taken me five days to read five books. Thank goodness for some free weekends.