Complaint Restraint February

I received a reminder email today about Complaint Restraint February. Truthfully, it could not have come at a better time!  I'm struggling with my class at school,  especially since all three days of class were canceled last weekend, but we still had to take the midterm from home. Plus my car is messed up (again). Basically,  there's a bunch of things that I could be complaining about right now.

I signed up for Complaint Restraint February a while ago and didn't think about it too much after that.  But this email gave me a reminder at a great time. Instead of explaining it all, I'll just post the email. Also,  I will post the link below if you would like to join and try to look at the positive aspects of your life this month,  instead of complaining.

Let the Complaint Games Begin!  Hello there! Today is the first day of this year’s Complaint Restraint February. I’ve already complained once this morning. Pieter earlier on complained about his laundry, and then complained about complaining. But we notice, and we try. So can you. We don’t know how to change your life. What we do know is that participating in Complaint Restraint every February has helped us to get to know ourselves better. And so today I want to share that aspect with you. This project is not a self-help book in the making, promise. But there’s some self help involved: organizing Complaint Restraint February allows us to listen a bit more to ourselves than we usually do. It allows us to realize where our superficial complaints come from, and to spur us into action to change our circumstances. But let me be clear: I’m talking from a position of privilege. I’m a white male born in Switzerland. Pieter is from Belgium. You may not be born into as lucky circumstances as we were, or may not live in such circumstances at the moment. And so we definitely don’t want to tell you what to do to change any of that. We can’t. But what we do know is that doing this each February has helped us to let go of useless complaints. And with that, it has helped us to let go of anger and bitterness that didn’t help us get better at all. While we can’t help you change your life, what you can do yourself is to look at the positive side of your life whenever you’re included to instead focus on small negative aspects. On Friday, when you see your friends after work and they ask you how your week was—how about telling them about that great evening you spent with your parents, or your new partner, instead of complaining about your shitty boss? How about talking about how the wind in your face felt awesome on Thursday, instead of moaning about how horrible winter weather generally is? We take Complaint Restraint one moment at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time. That’s how it started, too—Pieter and I agreeing to not complaining for a single week, more than five years ago. Last year, someone took part in Complaint Restraint February who was going to move cities in February. That sounds pretty horrible. But they did the move and kept up their goal of not complaining. So how about not complaining about having missed the bus this morning? It’s February, there’s always lots to complain about. Instead, how about you focus on the things you are happy about, and make them a larger part of your life. Grab a friend, tell them about your new project this month, and get going. One complaint at a time—and remember, there’s no magic bullet. Whenever you complain, just remind yourself of your larger goal, and keep going. Time to get going! Thierry & Pieter PS: We had some trouble with our email address last week. If you’d consider writing a few words about your own experiences with Complaint Restraint, simply reply to this email and we’ll get back to you soon. Thank you! Copyright © 2016 Complaint Restraint Project, All rights reserved. If you would like to subscribe to the Complaint Restraint February emails click here or visit http://complaintrestraint.com

Bloodmark (Bloodmark Saga #1) by Aurora Whittet

On the first page, we learn that Ashling is part wolf, when she asks to take a one hour run instead of taking a three hour drive.

Just the thought of shifting to my wolf form made my pulse quicken with anticipation. It had been weeks since my bother, Mund, had visited and we could run free. I miss my red fur and four feet. 

We also learn right away that Ashling desparately wants to be part of a pack and has never left her home, the cliffs, and has never been around anyone except her mother and her brother(s).

I felt a hole inside myself where my pack should have been. I was certain Father was going to brand me with the Broro Bloodmark and accept me into the pack. I should have been branded as a baby, but he had refused. I still didn't know why. Without his Bloodmark on the back of my neck, I had no lineage and no family, no past, no future. 

Until the events in the book, she has only seen her father a handful of times and her other brothers even less. She grew up with only her mother and monthly visits from Mund.

In this story, werewolfs were created to protect humans. They were meant to watch over them.

Human blood smelled all the sweeter to us - a temptation we had to learn to overcome. Sometimes I wondered if it was all part of Old Mother's plan, the temptation was part of the lesson to love and protect something that you desperately desire to possess. I'm not sure how I feel about Ashling and Grey professing their love for each other after 2 or 3 days of meeting. I am getting pretty tired of the whole insta-love trend in YA books!

I like how Ashling related to the humans and took her responsibility to protect them seriously.

The nearby village was mostly Christians, but they still honored the old traditions. What they didn't realize was we lived them. We were the characters of their legends.

I was a little apprehensive about this book. Yes, I liked twilight when it first came out, but that is the extent of my werewolf/vampire reading...and (full-disclosure) I couldn't even make myself finish the last book...and I only saw the first movie...

I'm usually just not into the whole werewolf thing, but maybe it was the vampires put me off of them, because this book really surprised me! It started a little slow, and I remained doubtful, but when it started picking up, after the first couple of chapters, I was hooked!

I did have issues with a couple of things that YA authors can't seem to get away from.

1. When the main female character is in mortal danger, and should be focusing on how to stay alive and save themselves, they are instead, thinking about kissing Mr. Main Character. 
2. Also, there were a lot of little things that not only the love-struck heroine, but also, the older, wiser, more mature males overlooked that at this point (60% in), I believe will end up being big parts of the story (most likely its ending). Such obvious things could have been discussed and dealt with as they were revealed and it would have made the characters seem smarter and less invested in only their emotions. While I pretty much expected Ashling to overlook things like this, as almost all YA heroines do in their love-induced stupor, even Baron and overprotective bro, Mund, overlook things that ended up being super important to the story. 

I also do not like how careless she was at times, and when that carelessness inevitabely got her in trouble, she gave up way too easily.

Despite the fact that the book gives an explanation for the instalove in their case, I really wish YA books would steer away from it altogether.

However, I was impressed with this book and it definitely surpassed my expectations! I would definitely recommend it and can't wait to see how the story continues!

I received this book free from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Nirvana by J.R. Stewart

I requested a previous version of Nirvana through NetGalley. Sometime after reading my review, which is posted on GoodReads only, as this was during my Pre-Blog era (PB), I received an email from the publisher asking if I would be interested in reading a revised copy of the book. They specified that there were changes made per reader reviews. So, since the previous version I read was pretty good, and I love when authors really listen to what their readers have to say, I accepted a new (and hopefully improved) copy of Nirvana.

HOLY CRAP! From the very first page, I could tell that the author had made significant changes to the book, and reading this version would likely be a much different experience than reading the first. This pleased me greatly, as I was unsure that I wanted to reread Nirvana again with only minor changes so soon.

I am much more fond of the playful way that Andrew approached Kenders in the previous version. I like that he had to work for it! From an early point in the book, I like the format of the previous version, as well. Here, all she says is, "I think he might have been a fan. He was actually kind of cute... My buddy Serge, who was visiting, watched us with a cautious eye, so I just traded numbers to hook up later.: while this may contribute to later changes, I still really liked the way she was standoff-ish at first, making him work for her attention.

Immediately after pointing out that change, I discover that Larissa's band becomes famous overnight, after Andrew teams up with her band and incites a protest. However, I still think that the banter from the previous way they met could be included seamlessly with this version. It made me like both of them immediately.

At some points in the previous version, the virtual reality concept was kind of confusing. This verious made it much clearer and more believable. Before, it seemed like the virtual reality was something people did alone to alleviate their depression from their sad lives.

From the get-go, Nirvana has a different feeling from the rationed-out hours (minutes) of fantasty to forget about the sad realities of life.

I like Kenders and Andrew's relationship better this go-round. I like how they balance each other out. It seemed like in the last version, we didn't learn a lot about their relationship. Instead, Kenders just whined a lot.

"Andrew and I are similar that way. We're music and science. It's creation and invention; writing a melody or an equation; conceiving new lyrics or a theory."

I don't recall the previous version giving Kenders' age, but I did not expect her to be 17! But school must be different, or Kenders is a genius and went to college super early.

"Way back in high school, (mom) already objected (to her music)..."
"She forgave me for dumping my scholarships, but I was 14..."

I know that this book has a YA feel, but from the first book, I really thought that Kenders was in her early 20's.

The basic premise of this version is the same, but the execution, overall, is much better! I think Nirvana was better represented in this revision.

Overall, well done on the revision! I enjoyed reading this version of the book more than I did the first time, and it was a much different experience, not at all like re-reading the same story.

I am definitely looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book in the Nirvana series!

New Years Reading Resolutions

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL holiday, filled with lots of love and joy!

I spent time with family and spent lots of time coloring in my new coloring book!

Checkout some of my creations on my Instagram page:

I have been doing a little reading on my break from school, but not as much as I planned. I finished reading a revised version of Nirvana, which the publishers sent me after I submitted a review for an earlier version to NetGalley. I have some notes written out, so expect a review for Nirvana, coming up.

I also just finished reading Bloodmark, which was pretty awesome! I will post a review for it pretty soon, as well. 

I am super excited about my current read, though! I have been waiting almost 2 months to read Library of Souls, the final book in the Miss Peregrine series. I put the 3rd book on hold, immediately after reading the 1st book. I was able to check out the 2nd and read it the day after finishing the 1st book. I was pretty upset that I had to wait at all, when a month went by and I was still waiting, I began to lose hope. But FINALLY! I received an email telling me that I could check it out. So, I immediately stopped everything I was doing and started reading!  I'm about half-way through it, right now, and hope to finish it tonight. 

So, stay tuned for these reviews, and more!

I don't usually do New Years Resolutions...

But I felt it appropriate this year.

I started this blog a couple of months ago and decided that new years is the perfect time to improve it! 

• I want to post more regularly. I have learned that many bloggers plan out their posts for the week. I have tried to type up a couple of entries at a time and schedule them to post. I want to make this a regular thing, so that there is consistently new content on my site.
• I also want to branch out and start reading a wider variety of books. Right now I usually go for either YA or biographies and memoirs...time to switch it up a little. 

         Any suggestions? Let me know what books you think I should read!

• Also, since I am working on my master's degree, in hopes of being a child and family therapist, I plan to start trying out some children's books that I think might fit well with my practice. I will make this a separate page, so that those interested in each topic can easily access only those posts. However, I figure it's never to early to start collecting books that might help children in the future.

What are your New Year's Resolutions (bookish or otherwise)?

Happy Jolabokaflod! Let's all go to Iceland!

I think I have found my dream Christmas vacation spot!

According to a decades-old Icelandic tradition, books are the standard Christmas gift. NPR reports:

"The culture of giving books as present is very deeply rooted in how families perceive Christmas as a holiday," says Kristjan B. Jonasson, president of the Iceland Publishers Association. "Normally, we give the presents on the night of the 24th and people spend the night reading. In many ways, it's the backbone of the publishing sector here in Iceland."

 From: So Cool! Iceland’s Tradition is to Give BOOKS for Christmas

In the months before Christmas, publishers compete for the attention of Icelanders in a season known as Jolabokaflod, the "Christmas Book Flood." According to NPR, "The Flood begins with the release of Bokatidindi, a catalog of new publications from the Iceland Publishers Association distributed free to ever Icelandic home."

The tradition is especially fitting for Iceland, as it's famous for being a highly literary culture. As the BBC pointed out in 2013, "This island nation of just over 300,000 people has more writers, more books published and more books read, per head, than anywhere else in the world." Las month, the New York Times reported that "At least 90% of Icelanders age 16 or older read at least one book a year just for pleasure." In comparison, only 72% of American adults read a single book last year.

Do you plan to give any books as Christmas gift? If so, who are you giving them to, and how did you select which book to give them?

My Year in Books: 2015

You read 54 out of 60 books.

90%

90%

There are still 9 days left! You can do it!

View more of my Year in Books on GoodReads!

Adult Coloring Books

I am very intrigued by the new trend of Adult Coloring Books. I love coloring!

I first came across them on GoodReads, when I saw a giveaway for one. Then, I saw them featured on a talk show that was giving suggestions for Christmas presents.

Some of them are really intricate-looking. And pretty...

I think it's a pretty good idea to use as for relaxation and stress relief, and some are advertised as such.

                              

 

Some send a good message:

 

I came across a post today that showed me that there are some pretty unusual and funny adult coloring books, as well. 

Here's the post I came across that showed me some other unusual and silly coloring books:

Blast from the Past: Color me Confused

And another that lists 14 Unusual Coloring books for Adults

12 Best Coloring Books for Adults

I know I want an adult coloring book for Christmas. I'm not quite sure which one though.

What do you think?