Progress in 2014

Surprisingly, I've been able to stick to the "no buying books in 2014" rule pretty well. The Tulsa Library and my own personal library have been my friends, and two gift cards from Amazon.

Since last posting, I've finished more books:

"Insurgent" by Veronica Roth (finished February 12)
page turning! 
"Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn (finished March 5)
It was wonderful to read something for adults. And I was absolutely mesmerized. But so disappointed in the ending.
"Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese (finished March 18)
As transformational as "The Poisonwood Bible." A must-read.
Re-read "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert (finished March 23)
Because I couldn't get into anything after Cutting for Stone (yep, one of those) and I was traveling. It was awesome to re-read this book that was so inspiring to me at age 21(ish) as a 27 year old. Some of it felt like I was reading it for the first time. 
"Where'd You Go, Bernadette" by Maria Semple (finished April 6)
HILARIOUS. I was consistently entertained and didn't want to stop reading.

I tried starting, but have yet to finish (for lack of interest, really):

"Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
Roth's "Tobias" sounds a lot like her ... lead female I can't remember. And they both sound like whiny teenagers in this book - I couldn't handle it. Had to take a break.
"The Circle" by Dave Eggers
Not yet hooking me in, and after 100 pages, that's sad.
"A Casual Vacancy" by JK Rowling
Way too many characters. I should have been keeping track in a notebook. I will likely re-visit this because it did seem interesting, just too much for my brain on vacation;-)
"Heaven is For Real" by Todd Burpo
Was interesting sometimes but then got a little preachy. Not my jam.

Currently, I'm reading:

"Winter's Tale" by Mark Helprin
Love this - it's complex but is built like a fairy tale in some ways. It's a long read. I'm about 400 pages in and only halfway through; I had to renew this at the library 3 times and then decided to use a gift card to but the e-version on Amazon so I didn't have to lug the book around while I traveled for work recently. It's also so good I don't mind having my own copy to preserve earmarks.

Yay for reading!

Now, about to watch Season 4 of Game of Thrones. I am tempted to get back into reading those books, but fear it will only confuse me more!

~MJ

"For as long as we have voices"

"In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices." - Elizabeth Gilbert

I usually find the greatest value in what I read why I feel it applies directly to real life. I remember picking up "Eat, Pray, Love" during naptime when I was babysitting, and had a hard time putting it down an hour later when my little friend woke up. When I left that night, I used a portion of my earnings to stop by Barnes and Noble and buy the book - and it is one of my favorites.

Mostly because of the quote above.
Mostly because on nights like these, after days like these, I am so thankful and hopeful all wrapped into one. I so clearly see the friends I have and the wonderful opportunities that surround me. I know that I want to be my best because of them, and I know that I never want to forget to be grateful. Because I wouldn't be anywhere I am today without the graciousness of others.

So, as I continue my journey, I have to continue saying thank you to those around me, and to the universe for putting them in my path. I whisper it every night as I go to sleep, and tonight, I'd rather shout it from the rooftops - I guess a blog will suffice.

I am thankful for my coworkers, who are supportive, hardworking, and who believe in me.
I am thankful for my friends --
the ones I don't talk to but once in a full moon, but it feels like we never said goodbye;
the ones who make me laugh and let me relieve stress;
the ones who call to check in just because they want to know how things are going;
the ones who call for advice because we've been through it all together, anyway;
the ones who call just to call and say hello, and to laugh;
the ones who want to eat dinner and catch up while supporting a good cause;
the ones I see in passing but they still have time for a hug...

I am also thankful for the existence of Skype, for little surprises that bring joy and giddiness.

And so with my voice, I say thank you. Thank you for stories I'll never forget and for friends I'll always have.

You sustain me.

~MJ