Books I Enjoyed in 2021

Source: Look and Learn

Several years ago, I realized how separated I was from my love of reading. I decided to do something about it, and so for the past several years, I've set a reading goal via Goodreads. My goal in 2021 was 32, and I hit 35! I'm proud to say that only a handful of books are "easy reads." The rest are pretty hefty, both in volume and content, so 32 is pretty reasonable. But, I think I'll challenge myself in 2022 by hiking my goal to 35. 

Book recommendations flood the internet and social media, but just in case you're in need of some ideas, here are my top recs from what I read last year in no particular order. They made me laugh, think and rethink. They filled me with inspiration, awed me with their writing, reminded me of people I love and people I've lost. They helped me understand life, reminded me I'm not alone when it come to certain thoughts and feelings, and encouraged me on my quest to mesh my ideal reality with my real reality. 

• She Come By It Natural - Sarah Smarsh
• Caste - Isabel Wilkerson
• The Biology of Luck - Jacob Appel
• The Restoration of Celia Fairchild - Marie Bostwick
• One Good Mama Bone - Bren McClain
• Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
• The Bridge Ladies - Betsy Lerner
• Home - Marilynne Robinson
• Lila - Marilynne Robinson
• Henderson the Rain King - Saul Bellow
• The Book of Delights - Ross Gay

What should I add to my list for 2022? Put your recs in the comment!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Happy New Year!

From the Way-Back-When-Archives: Hey! Unto You a Child Is Born!

Recognize that line? It's from the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, written by Barbara Robinson in 1971. I had forgotten all about this little gem (a tidy 80 pages) until I stumbled upon it in a box of books while gearing up for a personal project I'm going to launch in 2013 (more on that later).

If you haven't read this story, or if, like me, it's been decades since you have, you owe it to yourself to grab a mug of hot cocoa and dive in. Written from a child's point of view, it's a hilarious and realistic take on the Christmas story, complete with cigar smoking, baby burping, and collection plate stealing. It made me giggle, and it sparked my Christmas spirit. It's also a charming example of Real Reality Vs. Ideal Reality.

I must confess: I also like the story because it takes me back to my childhood and my own experiences with the church Christmas play. I was always tapped to play Mary, and my friend, Kurt, suffered the role of Joseph year after year. (To this day, I do not believe this seasonal pairing was a coincidence. I highly suspect his mother had visions of the two of us hooking up in real life.)

In the 80s, the novel was made into a television special, starring Loretta Switt. You can watch it here.  

Enjoy!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Related Reading

A Book on the Brink of Censorship? Or: The Inappropriate Book I Read to the Peeps this Christmas

Originally published December 4, 2012 (an oldie, but a goodie!)

Oreo Train or Demon Slayer Mugen Train?

I always have high hopes for success with baking kits. For some reason, they bring out the eternal optimist in me. They never turn out quite right. 

This kit had eight easy steps. Um ... yeah. In hindsight, and with a little research into how to craft the perfect gingerbread house, patience and an abundance of royal icing are the two secret steps we needed. Turns out, we were supposed to hold pieces together for at least 5 minutes for the icing to harden. Lessons learned. 

Bottom line: The train wreck was tasty, and the peeps and I had a really good time putting it together-ish.

Happy Holidays! 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, Keep It Real.

Connect on GoodReads

At Present

Finally made it back to my space. Since I Iast dropped in, I made a life move. After thinking and daydreaming and researching about my next career move for nearly THREE YEARS, I made a change. I quit my job last Friday, and I start a new one this Thursday! A little bump in title, a bigger bump in pay, an opportunity to engage my brain in a new industry ... personal insurance. I'm excited about my new adventure and this much needed change! I still can't quite believe I took the leap. But I know in my bones it was time. So. Burnt. Out.

What else? Thanksgiving has come and gone. We revived our TG tradition after skipping last year because of COVID. The Friday after TG, we headed to Crown Center for dinner at Lidia's, the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, a tour of Union Station's holiday lights and a night at the Westin.

I didn't miss my dad, who died in January. I thought of him briefly, and I spent time feeling guilty for not missing him. I spent time wishing our relationship could have been closer so I would miss him more (my ideal reality), but I know that was not possible (my real reality). I have to be OK with that, take a breath and move on. That's what's on my mind right now as I type. 

That's me at present.

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.