The Children's Zoo

The Epic Library Read Book 1

The Children's Zoo by Lillian O'Donnell

I struggled a bit with this one.  I'm not a fan of mystery stories, but if I were forced to read more in this series, I could do it and not complain too much.  It was a quick read.  

The Epic Library Read

I blame Phyllis Rose.  She wrote The Shelf: From LEQ to LES: Adventures in Extreme Reading which led me to grab my very own shelf at my local library.

My method of choosing my shelf was pretty quick and simple--Isabelle randomly spewed out a few numbers which led me to the shelf housing books about spiders, undersea creatures, shells and snails!! Squeal!!  

I have been reading through my shelf for awhile now and have loved the journey.  I also have sensed the calling of the other shelves around mine.  "What about me?  Pick me! Pick me!"   So, I decided to read one book from each shelf in the library. WHAT?!  Yes, it's crazy!  Yes, it will take me forever! Yes, I wish I had a neat name for this adventure and maybe that will come later.  For now, I am calling it Library Roulette. 

Isabelle patiently walked around with me while I mapped out the library shelves.  Friends and family gave me random numbers between 1 and 66.  I assigned these numbers to the map.  It sounds muddy as I explain it, but it makes sense to me and takes me to where I am supposed to be going. So, there is a map and rules.  Let the fun begin!

1. Counting is from left to right, top to bottom.
2. This is my favorite-- if the book I land on is one I can't possibly even handle reading, I can move to the end of the shelf and do a "reverse count" but, I HAVE to keep that book. 
3. No Harlequin books, ever. period.  
4. I have to give the book a chance by reading at least 3-4 chapters.  
5. If I have to ditch a book, Isabelle will give me a random number and I will grab that book instead.

UPDATE:  I ditched the counting method because it wasn't as fun and quirky-random as I hoped.  Now, I just pick a book that catches my attention.  I do try to pick books that take me out of my comfort zone.  If I can't pick one then I use the counting technique.  

Alaska!

Impressed that his TravelBug (Footprints in the Sand) was dropped off in Spruce Pine, NC a few weekends ago and is now in ALASKA!!  That's some travelin' little buddy!  Geocaching = cool fun!!

Proud

So very proud of this college graduate!!  

Introducing Nik Doriot, Character Animator.

50 Books Read in One Year Goal = Done!

My Top Ten Favorites from my "50 Books in a Year" list (in no particular order):

1.  The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North

2.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

3.  The Martian by Andy Weir

4.  So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson

5.  Free Falling by Susan Kiernan-Lewis (This book is still free!!)

6.  The Outlander by Diana Gabaldan

7.  Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani

8.  A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope

9.  Walden on Wheels by Ken Ilgunas

10.  Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Sashiko Practice

This week's project:

Not completely sure about the purple thread, but I'm gonna do it...no...I just chickened out.  Back to white thread...

Cold Comfort

Reading this:

I can't seem to pull myself away from dystopian novels.  I try, but nope.  This series is set in Ireland, That's all the hook I needed!  The first book in the series is still FREE.  Love, love, love this series!!