Last Friday in January: things I want to remember about this week

Looks like we made it, people. Happy last Friday in January. A long, cold month for many of us. Things I want to remember about this week:

New couches that were sitting in the upright position since 7:15 am on January 2 are out and they are comfortable and amazing. If you are in the market and want some for consideration, these were ordered in late October I think and due to arrive March 18 and came January 2 so yay but with virtually no notice so you need to be able to pivot. Close up so you can see they are a light green (what they call bayou spray). Not too expensive as far as couches go, same basic style as the couches I had that lasted 10 years. I didn't clean up for the photo, I'm not that kind of person. You can find that elsewhere on the internet. The chair in the corner is being replaced, and I might paint or replace the 10 year old half moon table against the wall, otherwise this room is done for now.

Thanks to MFD and Marcus Aurelius for moving the beloved old couches down to the basement, where they live in a flop house/frat house formation for now. The blue green one will be moved to the basement office eventually as will the shelves. This is basically a holding room for furniture right now.

Since Mark was over he brought us our Christmas lasagna and Jesus it was good. I was extremely pleased to have that and also stopped at Brother's after my hair appointment at Salon Harmony Wednesday. I am firm in my unpopular Neshaminy School District stance that Penndel Pizza is the best pizza, then Trevose Pizza, then Brother's. This is Brother's thicker crust which I love.

Thanks for the streak and your good, kind energy, Jeopardy Amy. We'll miss you on Jeopardy but we'll see you on the gram.

I started using prescription Retin-A and the zits during the first week. The zits. The nearly 45 year old woman zits. My face purges when I try new products. It's lovely. LOVELY.

Stunner winter beach scenes from Monday & Tuesday of this week

This month started with 13 inches of snow followed by 4 more at the shore in the first week and we'll get dumped on again tonight into tomorrow to close out January. Possible 18 inches? I dealt with the first storm on January 3 by myself shoveling for 20482304 hours in the wind with the damn snow drifts. At least MFD is here this time. I'm making a bastardized version of Damn Delicious's cauliflower chowder for sure but will probably mostly eat brownies and dump cake. Why do snowstorms make me feel like I should ride the Sugar Dragon into the depths of hell?

Coffee and wordle to start the day and tea and a book to end it is how I've been rolling this week. I like to wordle when my brain is fresh. 

What do you want to remember from this week?

Sliding into the weekend easily. I hope. Stay safe and warm out there everyone.

Friday Five - On screen witches

Happy Friday friends! I've been loading up on witch movies as one does around Halloween, and it got me thinking about my favorite on-screen witches, which do not include the damn Hocus Pocus witches. 

The Witches of Eastwick are on deck tonight, always a favorite. 

Earlier this week I watched Practical Magic. The Owens aunts are the best, hands down, and this is one of the only instances where I prefer the movie to the book. The kitchen is to die for. Sally Owens fucking grates on me in the books and is tolerable in the movie.

I watched Teen Witch that same night. A classic.

Last night I watched The Craft with crazy ass Nancy and the two useless friends and Sarah who should have reached inside herself earlier. 

Favorites of TV: Endora from Bewitched and Witch Hazel from Looney Tunes. 

Who are your favorite witches?

Have a safe and happy Halloween on Sunday! 

Foods I could live off of

If meals were outlawed and energy wasn't attributable to eating certain foods, I could live off of 

Strawberries

Cheese - preferences for gouda not smoked, brie, extra sharp cheddar, havarti - and thin triscuits (no sawdust choke)

Hard salami

Raw veggie crudité platters but really just cucumbers, bell peppers, cauliflower, snap peas and dip

Kalamata and green olives

Grape tomatoes

Mild banana pepper rings

Cold pick & peel shrimp

Stone fruits (must be hard) - peaches, nectarines, plums

Herr's cheese curls

Gooey brownies - we all eat most of a pan when made anyway, right? Just us?

Grands layered biscuits slathered in butter

Caprese - mozzarella, a slice of fresh tomato, salt, basil if I have it, olive oil, and Cento italian glaze

Frozen mixed berries from ALDI 

Dried mango from ALDI

Salted dry peanuts

French onion dip and Herr's plain chips or Wavy Lays

Ranch dip and Splits extra salt pretzels

Luna lemon and blueberry bars

Devilled eggs

Snickers ice cream bars

Saltines & butter

You? 

Show Us Your Books: Favorite Reads of 2019

Sometimes I try to imagine what my life would be like without reading. I've been reading since a very young age, I've grown up seeing family members read, I make sure my nieces and nephews know I read and see me reading. It opens up worlds and I just can't imagine closing myself off to that or not having it in my life. Sincere thanks to every single person who writes books. There are a lot of readers out there who expect a five star read every time, or for a book to be a five star/favorite read it has to like move the entire earth for them. I expect neither of those things. I don't expect every book I read to blow me away, hell I don't even expect to enjoy every book I read. When you read a lot, that's not possible. I'm not going to like every story line, writing style, character, ending. But I appreciate that they were even created in the first place. 

As of today I've finished 163 books this year, which have led me to walk through over 54,000 pages of other lives and stories that are not my own. I've narrowed down my favorite reads to 21 for the year - not all published this year I don't think, but read by me this year. I find it interesting that I read mostly thrillers but they barely make it to my favorite reads list at the end of the year. I think because they don't stick to my ribs? This year I addressed that by including books that haven't sat in my gut but I recall as good reading experiences.

The title link goes to Goodreads and the buy links go to Amazon - buying through those links costs you nothing and earns me pennies which go towards linkup giveaways. Thanks to everyone who has submitted posts, read posts, shared posts with Jana and I for Show Us Your Books this year. We're going to do another SUYB Readathon the weekend of January 18 so stay tuned for that.

Favorite Reads of 2019 in no particular order

The Place on Dalhousie by Melina Marchetta - Like all of Marchetta's books, I loved this cast of far from perfect characters and the way they come together. Kindle Unlimited free read      buy it

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson - Woodson's writing is stunning, like it was in Another Brooklyn. The mother/daughter relationship, ambition, teen pregnancy, opportunity, class, racism, sexual identity, this has it all, and the writing around all of it weaving tales and families together is just excellent. This is the kind of book that makes me regret not using my english lit degree to teach lit at a higher level. I can see breaking this down in a circle in a classroom on a winter's day. If you don't like literary fiction or books that ask your mind to reach outside of your zone, you will not like this. Same with Another Brooklyn. OCNJ library hard cover     buy it

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood - Child, this book was alternately exhilarating and terrifying. It can be read without first reading Handmaid's Tale but it shouldn't be. And no, watching the show does not count. A delicious and long awaited follow-up. OCNJ library hard cover     buy it

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane - I loved this book during and after reading it and I closed it without being able to articulate exactly why. I liked the writing and really loved Kate and quite a few of the other characters even though it felt written to give the reader a peek-a-boo look into the characters at different points in their lives rather than a serious character study. Ocean City library hard cover     buy it

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne - This big mama book was funny and beautiful and fucking heart breaking on numerous fronts - women in the world, homosexuality, love, religion, repression, shame. Generally I am not a fan of long books - according to Goodreads this was my longest read this year at over 500 pages and that almost prohibited it from being on this list - but man it was worth it. OCNJ library paperback    Buy

When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal - Gah this book. My heart was in my throat the last 20% and quite a few spots throughout. So good. So beautifully written. So emotional. So many hard things. I want the world to read it and if you don't like it I don't want to know about it. Free copy from Netgalley  |   buy it

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert - I have not read any of Gilbert's fiction before this book. I read Eat, Pray, Love, and found it self indulgent and annoying - not my kind of book, at all. I slid right into this big mama. The writing was superb, I enjoyed the telling, and it was absolutely a feminist novel despite all the displays of the patriarchy. OCNJ library hard cover    buy it

Stars of Alabama by Sean Dietrich - I had no idea what this was about. I know nothing of Sean Dietrich - or Sean of the South as I've gathered he's called - except for the fact that he wrote a lovely rambling story here with characters worthy of investing in. A great read peppered with humor and beauty as well as real life suckiness. Free copy from Netgalley    buy it

The Lost Man by Jane Harper - I was under the impression that this would be a continuation of stories about Federal Agent Aaron Falk and was sorely disappointed to find out it wasn't...until I started reading it. I loved it. It's a long, slow burn. And it's a good one. Philly library hardcover  buy it

Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner - A few years back I stopped reading Jennifer Weiner books. This one was sent from Netgalley, I didn't need to request it, only accept, and I'm glad I did. I read the forward, which I rarely do, and that probably made me like the book more. I would absolutely buy this one. Free copy from Netgalley      Buy

She Would Be King by Wayetu Moore - This book blew me out of the water. I didn't know anything about it going in and that's my favorite way to go into a book - I have very little expectations that way and when it turns out like this I'm quite pleased. It felt like a journey. Philly library hardcover   buy it

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See - This is hard to explain, but there's a scene in this book that is so WTF and it's not glossed over in any sense but it is written so we know as readers that life is moving on even as it's happening. I had to pause and think of how amazing it is what people survive. This is not a feel good, light story. I loved the haenyeo and their matri-focal society. What a tremendous story and exceptional strength in these women. They felt so real to me and that is the mark of a very good book. Philly library hardcover   buy it

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson - A book about Appalachia, the love/power of the written word, and the advancement of women and those who are "other"?  I requested this eagerly and it did not disappoint. While I enjoyed it, it would not have made this list if not for the Jojo Moyes controversy. I hope people read this. Free copy from Netgalley   Buy

Sadie by Courtney Summers - Here's a sound byte for you: compulsively readable. I couldn't put this down. OCNJ library hardcover   buy it

Recursion by Blake Crouch - I love how Blake Crouch can write books based in science and make me feel like I understand them well even though I absolutely do not. Free copy from Netgalley   buy it

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas - I am in the minority loving this book, so if you haven't read it I ask you to go into it without expectation - it is not The Hate U Give, so let that go. This story is good, the writing is good, the point of view just as on point as in The Hate U Give, but the main character in this book, Bri...I adore her.  Pre-ordered/purchased  buy it

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus -  I liked this better than One of Us is Lying and I hope McManus is writing a Three. Philly library hardcover    buy it

An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena - This reminded me a lot of Clue and I couldn't put it down. I love a simple whodunit. Philly library hardback buy it

A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh - Gorgeous cover, beautiful writing for a thriller, great story. Very readable. OCNJ library hard cover    buy it

Run Away by Harlan Coben - I've read all of Harlan Coben's books and usually prefer the Myron Bolitar series over his stand alones but I freaking loved this. Layers upon layers and a great pace.  Philly library hardcover    buy it

Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle - This kept me solidly interested. Great story even after the actual story reveals itself...I hate to use the word "twist" because it seems overused and people base their entire experience on if they liked the twist or figured out the twist. So much more to a book than a twist, even when it's a delicious one. Free copy from Netgalley   buy it

Linkup Guidelines:

This link up is the second Tuesday of every month. This is a special year end linkup. The next regular linkup is January 14, 2020.
Please: 

1. Visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & me
2. Display the button and/or link back to us on your blog post
3. Visit other blogs who've linked up and talk books as booknerds are wont to do

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Show Us Your Books: Favorite Books of 2018

Another year of finding solace, escape, verification, wonder, joy, rawness, realness, sadness, happiness, and pure comfort between the pages of many books. I am so grateful to absolutely everyone who writes for others to read. 

To put this list in perspective, as of 12/23, I've read 135 books according to goodreads, plus two beta books written by friends for a total of 137. I've narrowed down my favorite reads of the year to 10 for the year. Here they are in no particular order. The title link goes to Goodreads and the buy links go to Amazon, cost you nothing if you buy from them, and earn me pennies which go towards running this linkup.

Verity by Colleen Hoover - Not your typical Colleen Hoover and I was there for it. A story within a story, which is not my favorite thing but I could not put this down. I read it in a few hours.
Buy kindle / buy paperback 

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones - Complicated, emotional, nuanced, superbly written
Buy Kindle  / Buy hardcover 

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier - For my fellow creepy thriller lovers
Buy Kindle  / Buy hardcover 

Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Like you're living in a rock and roll book. This comes out March 5, 2019, and I'd either place a hold at the library now or pre-order it, that's how much I liked it.
Buy kindle / Buy hardcover

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell - Tightly woven, well written mystery
Buy kindle / buy hardcover / buy paperback

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus - A YA novel that had this adult tied to it the entire time
Buy kindle / buy hardcover 

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah - In which geography and time are characters
buy kindle / buy hardcover

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez - Another YA that hits it out of the park
buy kindle / buy hardcover

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo - Written by a white person for white people who think they are beyond all racism, I wish this was required reading.
Buy kindle / buy paperback

Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist by Eli Saslow - Yes, there are two nonfiction books on my list this year and both have to deal with white supremacy. This is straight from the reformed white supremacist's mouth.
Buy kindle / buy hardcover

I took a bunch of screen shots of my year in covers on GoodReads but then I saved over some, poorly cropped some, and fucked some up. A classic case of good idea, poor execution. So here's some of them.

Linkup Guidelines:

This link up is the second Tuesday of every month. This is a special year end linkup. The next regular linkup is January 8, 2019.
Please: 

1. Visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & me
2. Display the button and/or link back to us on your blog post
3. Visit other blogs who've linked up and talk books as booknerds are wont to do

What were your favorite reads of 2018? 

Inlinkz Link Party

Favorite Fall Nail Polishes

http://www.zoya.com

1. Zoya Pandora
2. Zoya Chanelle
3. Zoya Aubrey

essie favorite fall polishes by lifeaccordingtosteph featuring Essie

4. Essie Bahama Mama
5. Essie It's Genius
6. Essie Merino Cool
7. Essie Cashmere Bathrobe
8. Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck

http://www.opi.com/

9. OPI I'm Not Really a Waitress
10. OPI Baguette Me Not

Nail polish is fucking awful to photograph, really. There is much more distinction in the Essie colors than the Polyvore Pretty above leads you to believe.

Your turn to hook a sister up. What are your fall favorite polishes?

Toodleoo, mofos. Happy weekending.



Linking up with  Meet @ the Barre

Friday Favorites: Why I Like Gus Better than Most People

1 - He's secure with himself. He knows he's the king and doesn't need anyone else to stroke his ego. When he's scolded, he recovers quickly. You can't keep him down.

2 - Gus does what Gus wants. If you don't like it, he does not care.

3 - He will stare you down like no other.

4 - He's independent but always returns to sit or lay next to me. He's my SnuffleupaGus. Get it?

5 - He greets me at the door every day bearing a gift. It's a dirty gross dog toy but still, it's a gift.

Happy 9th birthday to my Gussie, my first dog. Please live until the day I die...you can go a few hours before me. Wouldn't that be something? If our beloved pets could all die at the same time as us? Cheeseburgers for the dog members of our household tonight!

My posting schedule will be a little different next week due to a travel weekend:
Monday: Remember to look out for a special holiday edition of Shit MFD Says - it's his birthday
Tuesday: No blog post
Wednesday: Things I think are worth every cent
Thursday: an overview of the books I read this summer
Friday: Our trip to Chicago. So basically a TWTW post on a Friday - hashtag YOLO.