Show Us Your Books February 2021

February! Books! Hello! Black History Month is every month and Black history is everyone’s history! 

Please make sure you've got books by Black authors in your hands throughout the year, not just in February, and that those books are not just nonfiction books about/around racism. While books about how to be anti-racist and books examining racism are crazy important, there are so many Black authors out there writing excellent books for entertainment. Since publishers have historically pushed white authors, we need to seek them out sometimes. If you don’t know where to start, Spines & Vines is running Black Girl Booksta Tour this month. You can click through each post, find new books and new book people to follow! 

While I’m on the soapbox...

If you have $ to buy books, please buy from independent bookstores when possible and whenever possible, Black-owned bookstores. If you have some extra $, please consider throwing some to Harriett's Bookshop via venmo (@harriettsbookshop on Venmo). They make money from our Bookshop purchases, but not a ton, and they need to keep their interns as the interns of today are the storytellers, business owners, community leaders, and activists of tomorrow. Harriett's, if you have been following, was open less than two months before the pandemic hit. We need these places in our communities. Reading and understanding, unlearning and relearning will help us reach a more equitable society, but we also need more concrete action like reallocation of spending and investments. 

Here's what I've been reading since the last linkup. 

Engrossing Reads

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters - Let me start by saying this book is excellent. It’s been discussed as a book for trans women by a trans woman. I think it's a good and important read that will insert many of us into scenarios and thought processes we are entirely unfamiliar with and most of us will be uncomfortable in them. Discomfort leads to growth and understanding, and lord does the trans community deserve both from us hetero people. Discomfort can also lead to denunciation and it pisses me off when that happens. People should go into it knowing it is character and not plot driven, that you will likely be uncomfortable in places, that you'll have to google some terms, that there is a lot of sex and not the kind you are used to seeing in books, and that you might feel like you're reading a book not written for you if you are a cis hetero person (most books are written for you as the audience). If you read it and dislike it, sit with it and ask yourself why and answer honestly. This is a debut novel so it's got a few spots of over-writing but it was a good read and I am damn happy that a book by a trans woman for trans women - that speaks to issues about womanhood in general ALL women deal with - is a national best seller. It’s good to read books where you are not necessarily the audience in mind. OCNJ library

Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 ed Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain - The scope of this, its breakdown, and the writing of the contributors is amazing. I absolutely loved the poetic interludes. It took me a while as it’s a lot to digest. There is so much that was not taught in school. I got a free copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Halfway through I pre-ordered from Harriett's Bookshop, and finished the last quarter of it in print when it arrived. This book is important. 

The Unwilling by John Hart - What I’ve come to expect from John Hart - a gritty book with excellent pacing. I read it in a few hours. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

The Survivors by Jane Harper - We love a Jane Harper, don't we? Well, I do. I did not pre-order this book and actually read it via e-book from the library, which I have never done before. I was desperate to get my hands on it. It was not my favorite Jane, but it was reliably good and engrossing, which I have come to expect and need from this author. OCNJ library e-read

Passed the Time Just Fine

Serpentine (Alex Delaware #36) by Jonathan Kellerman - A solid Dr. Delaware and Milo entry. A little disjointed in spots but still like hugging an old friend. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

These Women by Ivy Pochoda - Gritty, and I liked the way the story was told as an advancing narrative. I think this was characterized as a mystery and while sure, it had one, I would not go into this thinking that's what you're getting. OCNJ library

The Project by Courtney Summers - I do love a cult book, and I do enjoy Courtney Summers. The ending seemed a little rush, but I tore through the book in the same manner, so...free copy from Netgally in exchange for an honest review

Not Worth It

The Cousins by Karen M. McManus - This pains me to say, but if I could do it again, I'd not spend the time on this even though the time invested was only a few hours. This might be a good for you/not for me scenario. OCNJ library

The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes - This was flat terrible. The story might have been fine but...no, actually, that was iffy too. It was like making a full book out of a 20 page story. Kindle book

The Next Wife by Liz Lawler - This was hard to swallow. When main characters are clear psychopaths and the other main character cannot see it, it is not a joyride of a book. Kindle book

Before the Ruins by Victoria Gosling - When I have this many books in the not worth it column, I start to wonder if it's me. And the first one might have been me. But the last three were not, including this one. It felt like chasing a shadow for nothing. kindle book

Did Not Finish

Linkup Guidelines:

This link up is the second Tuesday of every month. The next linkup is Tuesday, March 9, 2021. 

1. Visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & me, and check in with as many in our reading circle as you can - give some love to the later linker uppers! 
2. Link back to us in your blog post - if you want the button you can get it from that link

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TWTW - February times

Friday Who likes starting the day with an internet visit? Not me. I did paint my nails while it was down so all was not lost. Lunchtime beach walk with the best friend dogs, and I tapped out of work at 4 after the week from hell. I finished a book and started another. I did chicken in the air fryer and MFD supplied mac & cheese and carrots. Bruce and I did sunset, then I read while MFD watched more Gold Rush, which I cannot stand. 

 

Saturday Up around 5 with the old man dog so I was busting out by 9 to go to HomeGoods, gas up my car, and get myself some grocery flowers. It was so nice to be out of the house alone for hours, driving and singing and the sun shining. In the afternoon MFD and I took all the dogs to the North End but the wind was something so we didn't stay long. They were enamored with tiny marshmallow treats back at home. We ate apps for dinner, more idiot Gold Rush while I read, and then I fell asleep on the couch. Woke up at 12:45 and walked the dogs, then stayed up until 3 finishing a book. 

Sunday We slept in due to the 1 am dog walk/my 3 am bedtime and woke up at 10 to rain. I got bagel sandwiches from Dead End Bakehouse, started a new book, showered and did a peeling solution, then we took B&B to the beach when it was snowing. Saturday 45 and sunny, Sunday snow and cold. Dinner was ordered from Randazzo's because I was feeling unapologetically lazy. MFD and the old dogs left around 8. 

Meanwhile projects pile up around me and I think of them and say next weekend. 

Show Us Your Books is tomorrow! See you back here for that. 

Friday Five for Feet 2.5.2021

Friday five for feet. Are we excited? My heels are always cracked and my feet look terrible on the bottom like an always barefoot sea hag ogre. Until now. I've used some of my stay at home time over the past 10+ freaking months to figure out what the hell works. Here it is for me. There are some $ things on here. This is not a bargain basement list. I am now running a pedicure palace in my home where I am the only customer so I consider this an investment in my business. I got off the ground easy because I've been running a nail salon in my home since I was like 15. Boom. The two amazon links are affiliates. 

1. Foot tub. I've had the massagers, electric, whatever. Not for me. Just give me a roomy enough for water and soaking, like this one. I also keep one outside at the shore to rinse feet off. For inside soaks, I throw a towel under it  so when I pull my feet out to do other steps in this regimen I'm not getting water everywhere.

2. Special soaking mixture for foot tub. Hear me out. Some Dr. Teal's pink himalayan soak, about half a cup of vinegar, a cup of listerine, and a few drops of lavender. It sounds weird, I know, but it works. I sit back and read and let it do its thing. I soak every two weeks. 

3. The dead skin trio. I scrub a dub dub with my trusty pumice stone, then get busy with my cheese grater for feet. You might know this as a foot rasp? I prefer cheese grater for feet because that's what it is. You can use on wet or dry feet. I dry. Resist the urge to go wild with this or you will be walking around on bloody stumps. Go slow and use light pressure. When I'm done with that, I use this little Cala jobby that I found in Homegoods to even things out. I use these as necessary - don't always soak my feet first. 

4. The Bookman 1802 Goats. I got the Walking on Clouds goat milk heel polish and the pure goat milk cuticle serum on my BFF Laura's recommendation. They are excellent. I doused myself in the cuticle serum the first time so use con cuidado. The Sally Hansen cuticle remover followed by this is chef's kiss for cuticles. And cuticle maintenance is important for everyone, not just femmes. I do cuticle maintenance on nails and toes once a week. I will use the serum more often if my cuticles are looking raggedy. I use the heel polish every two weeks when I do the foot soak. 

5. Beauty Counter melting body balm. I got it during a big sale and it was half off praise the lord but honestly will buy it at full price because it works. I will pay for shit that works vs. trying a million less expensive things that don't and added up end up being more than the thing I didn't want to spend money on. If you don't know anyone who sells it I buy through Steph, always have & always will. The only thing that has actually addressed the cracked heels. I've tried every damn foot lotion, straight oils, you name it. I use this every day before I put socks on. When we go back to non-sock times, I will apply before bed. 

I'm happy that I have gotten my feet looking human, and staying that way. I've failed in the maintenance in the past. I'm on top of this shit now.

Happy Friday! What feet products make your list? 

Thursday Thoughts - Dancing in the deepest oceans twisting in the water

1. People who throw these out are always married to people who put them in a drawer. I have been opening drawers and throwing these out the entire 18 years we've been living together. 

2. Just like when a recipe is good and you share it, we must also share what we find to be not good. This gooey chocolate chip cookie pie was too fucking rich. Like, inedible rich, too chocolatey to swallow rich. We ended up scraping the top part (the only cookie dough-ish part) and eating that and throwing the rest out. I detest throwing out food. 

3. The rest of this week's food has been good. Aldi's salmon is tops. I continued on that theme with lox for a bagel, and of course the standard snow day grilled cheese. I'd typically be using deli cooper sharp and white bread but this is what I had so this is what it was. 

4. It's been quite a while since I used my snow day mug, and I could have used it multiple days because what a lingerer. I'm back at the shore as of last night and there's no snow here. I prefer that. When there's too much snow it's a nightmare to get in and out of my snow walled in parking spot and I hate looking at piles of dirty snow. The dogs prefer no snow for bathroom purposes obvi. It's pretty to look at for a few hours then it is a pain in the ass in every way.

5. I am reminded that I cleaned the bathrooms but did not vacuum before I left on Sunday. The dogs don't mind if no one ever vacuums anywhere. Cue the dog photos of the week.

6. Did you know some of the violent trump supporter insurrectionists who were arrested after storming the Capitol to defend the outgoing president's claims of a stolen election didn't even vote in the election? In what fucking world...oh. In the white supremacist world. Duh. I would not attempt any sort of unity with one motherfucker who did this, supported this, encouraged this, or incited this. If you played into the stolen election theme, that's you. Elected officials who played into that that are left in office will overthrow the government in the future. I don't think people understand quite how de-stabilized we are right now and how vulnerable that leaves us to foreign influence and interference that conservatives pretend to care about. Fuck off with that unity talk when it suits you. Republicans, divest from people in your party, your elected officials, and the party itself if you do not support this siege on the Capitol. And turn off Fox News, for shit's sake. 

7. Matchy match match match. ALSO. Show Us Your Books is Tuesday. February always sneaks up. This week was Harriett's Bookshop's first anniversary. Black-woman owned, opened in Philly a mere month before the pandemic set in. This has been a year for them, but they have remained through it all. If you can shop in person, please do. If not, shop via bookshop. Merch is also available. If you can, donate to their venmo (search for Harriett's Bookshop). It helps keep their interns, who will be our next generation of truth keepers, story tellers, and community leaders and activists. 

8. If you want candles with good throw, check out Swan Creek candles. I buy them from a local store here in Ocean City but they're online as well. Sorry this is the photo I chose...they usually burn very evenly but MFD was doing the wick management so...anyway they come in all types of vessels. I love the timeless collection.

9. Reminder:

10. E-cards: 

What appears beyond the hyphen in Thursday Thoughts titles is what I'm listening to when I'm starting this - this week is Just Like Heaven by The Cure

5 Tactics to Slash the Cost of Your Next Vehicle

This post was written for the Life According to Steph audience by James Daniels: a freelance writer, business enthusiast, a bit of a tech buff, and an overall geek. He is also an avid reader, who can while away hours reading and knowing about the latest gadgets and tech, whilst offering views and opinions on these topics.

***********

If your current car or motorbike appears worn or riddled with problems, you might be eager to secure a new vehicle. Yet, buying a different make and model isn’t cheap, which is why you must look for ways to decrease the essential expense.

A new car, van, or motorcycle doesn’t need to destroy your finances. Here are five clever tactics that can slash the cost of your next vehicle.

1. Browse the Market

Never accept the first price you find for a vehicle. Browse the market to secure your desired car, van, or bike at the best possible price. A little research and smart haggling could help you secure a vehicle for a fraction of another dealer’s price.

2. Buy a Car at the End of the Year

If possible, buy your next car at the end of the year. Many dealerships are often eager to sell older models to make room for the latest designs arriving the next year. In most cases, the new model is similar in design to the previous version. So, buying a 2021 car later this year will allow you to enjoy a similar style and feature to an upcoming 2022 model, but at a fraction of the price.

3. Buy Used Over New

There are many used vehicles on the market that have been thoroughly tested by a dealer. For example, bmgscooters.com provides its customers with reliable new and pre-owned Suzuki motorcycles, which are each serviced by factory trained technicians. It’s the perfect way to get your hands on a fantastic make and model, such as the Suzuki V-Strom 1050.

4. Downsize Your Vehicle

If your current car cost a substantial sum and guzzles gas, consider downsizing your vehicle. While a Mercedes E-Class might impress your neighbors, it might not complement your bank balance. Instead, pick a more affordable alternative to protect your finances. For instance, you could swap your E-Class for a smaller C-class. You could even make the switch to a motorcycle or scooter. It could be a cheaper alternative to a car or van, depending on the make and model you choose.

5. Look for an Eco-Friendly Vehicle

Save a considerable sum throughout the years by buying an eco-friendly vehicle, such as a small car or an electric scooter. For example, small cars are not only lighter due to their small engines and size, but they tend to produce lower CO2 emissions and have a better fuel economy. An eco-friendly vehicle could reduce your car insurance rate, too, which could save you hundreds of dollars throughout the year.

Conclusion

Don’t rush into a decision when looking for your next vehicle. Browse the market to find the best deal on your desired make and model to ensure you don’t spend a penny more than necessary. Also, you can save money by buying a car at the end of the year, downsizing your vehicle, or investing in a pre-owned motorcycle or van, which can help you enter the new year the right way.