Show Us Your Books - What I read in November

'Tis the season to give one lucky winner a $25 gift card to Amazon so they can buy books. And for us to give $25 on your behalf to Project Night Night, which is a charity that provides free Night Night Packages to homeless children. Night Night packages contain a new security blanket, a children's book, and a stuffed animal. Ho HO HOOOOOOOOOOOO You can find the entry form all the way at the bottom of this post.

But apparently for me 'tis not the season to read. I clocked six books but most were read quickly with a lot of non reading downtime. I've had a lot going on and I even let some holds go at the library - that's how you know shit is serious.

One more announcement before we get into the nitty gritty here - Jana and I are doing a Favorite Books of 2015 on Tuesday, December 29. A bonus Show Us Your Books if you will. If you were planning a similar post, we hope you'll join us!

Linkup Guidelines:
1. Please visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & me
2. Please display the button or link back to us on your blog post
2. Please visit a few other blogs who've linked up and get some book talk going!

Here's what I read since the last linkup. 

Engrossing Reads

Angels Burning by Tawni O'Dell - When I got an email from Netgalley telling me this book was available, I nearly killed myself getting to the website to request it. Another one of O'Dell's books, Back Roads, has haunted me since I read it over 10 years ago. No one writes Appalachia and rednecks and Pennsylvania pain like O'Dell. Both books are worth your time but if you're like me will activate your melancholy dark winter spark like nobody's business.

Beneath the Bonfire: Stories by Nickolas Butler - Some things you should know: a) Butler's novel Shotgun Lovesongs is one of my favorite books. I love it to the borderline obsessive point and if you haven't read it, I'd really like you to, and b) I do not read collections of short stories but I devoured this one. These are not happy stories. Some just about ground my soul out, but hot damn this is some fine writing. Really, really fine writing. I need more Nickolas Butler!

Passed the Time Just Fine

Ally Hughes Has Sex Sometimes by Jules Moulin - I was surprised by this book. I liked it more than I thought I would, and there was more actual sex than I thought there would be even though the title indicates it's a book that has sex in it. LOL.

Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart - I loved Constance Kopp as a character and I enjoyed the writing but was easily distracted from this one. I really enjoyed it when I was reading it, but if I can't put it down it goes up to engrossing and if I am like oh yes, I'm reading that book it goes here. This was a Netgalley read as well.

The Pocket Wife by Susan H. Crawford - This book is inhabited by shady fucks. I wanted to shake the lot of them and the story had holes but it was worth finishing. 

Try Not to Breathe by Holly Seddon - I was caught up in the main story here, the one centering around Amy. I figured out who the bad guy was early, which I don't like, but alternating chapters of interest kept me invested.

Hard No
N/A

This link up happens the second Tuesday of every month.
The next one is Tuesday, January 12, 2016. 

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Non-bloggers, what have you read recently? Let me know what you recommend and what to stay away from. Bloggers, link up your posts below.

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Random Inclement Weather Thoughts from the School Pick-Up Line with Jana Says

Today I am lounging around on a hammock on Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. Other activities include a massage on the beach. Hey ohhh. My long-time friend Jana who blogs over at Jana Says is here to pick up my slack today and will be responding to your comments below. Thanks Jana!

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For those who don’t know me, I’m Jana. I blog at Jana Says and Steph and I go way, WAY back to our years at the University of Delaware. You might have seen me in some of her Throwback Thursday pictures. We had fun.  Unfortunately, my life isn’t as exciting now as it was back then. In fact, a good portion of my week is devoted to time in my car, driving my daughter to and from places. Including school because she’s afraid of the bus. So each day, I
wastespend a fair amount of time waiting in the school pick-up line.  And I think. Which might or might not be a good thing. I've talked before about some of the thoughts that go through my head but now, with the winter and lots of inclement weather swiftly approaching, I have other thoughts.

In the morning
This line is incredibly long and slow moving. Kids need to toughen up and wait for the bus like we had to do.

 I really shouldn't criticize the other kids. My kid is just as bad.

I'm glad I remembered to warm up the car this morning. It's freaking cold out.

Is she wearing a warm enough coat? I hope they don't have outdoor recess.

Hey, why isn't that kid wearing a coat at all? Hoodies are not sufficient!!! His mother should know better.

I hate when people don't brush snow off their car. It's not that hard.

WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE TAKING SO LONG?

Oh, finally. We're moving towards the front door.

Where are all the teachers? Aren't they supposed to be supervising?

I guess I can't blame them. It's way too cold out. They can see the kids from the front door.

At least it's not raining/snowing.

I should check the weather to see if it's supposed to rain/snow today.

Oh, look at that. It's supposed to rain/snow.

I hate winter. I need to move somewhere warm.

In the afternoon

I think it's colder out now than it was this morning. I blame the snow.

I'm going to blame the snow for everything bad that happens during the months of December-March because it's really the worst thing ever.

That puddle is way bigger than it was this morning. I hope whichever teacher is walking around with the sign out clipboard doesn't step in it.

I'm glad this parking lot doesn't have huge potholes like the gym parking lot. My wheels would probably fall off. That would suck.

I should learn how to change a tire. But not until the weather is warmer. It's too cold for that shit. 

Why do I have 16 pairs of gloves and no scarves? If I could knit, I'd have 86 scarves. I should try knitting again.

Who am I kidding? Knitting is not a skill I will ever possess. I should surrender that fantasy.

What does one do with skeins of yarn? Is that what it's even called? I feel like it needs to be called "big knotted balls of yarn that serve no purpose".

I'm horrible at naming things.

That teacher has a pom pom on top of his hat! I bet someone knitted that for him.

I really need to stop thinking about knitting.

I should probably lower my music before that teacher gets to my car.

Why does Buckcherry's "Crazy Bitch" always play while I'm waiting for the child?

Let's go ahead and skip it today. I don't need these teachers thinking I'm a terrible and inappropriate parent.

WOOHOO! We're moving again!

Why is that teacher waving violently at my car? I'm aware that I have to move up.

Maybe she's doing it to keep warm. If that's the case, I can't fault her.

Okay, she needs to calm down now. My child is buckling her seat belt. Safety first.

OMG, I hate how people drive in the snow/rain.

I hate winter.

I need to move somewhere warm.

 Thanks so much to Steph for having me guest post again and Steph, if you're reading, I hope you're enjoying your vacation! Also, if you guys like intermittent posting, you can like Jana Says on Facebook; if you like pictures of dogs, books, and random stuff, you can follow me on Instagram; if you like nonsensical conversations, connect with me on Twitter; and if you like pins relating to food, snarky memes and pictures, and kids' crafts, find me on Pinterest.