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| The flames shooting out of your computer are not part of the blog. |
The Sunday Post is hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a
chance to recap the past week, talk about next week, and share news. It’s
Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Date.
I get to tell you what I’ve read recently.
On The Blog Last Week
- On Tuesday I showed you my favorite books of 2018.
- On Thursday I wrapped up December.
- On Saturday I reviewed a play and a novel.
On The Blog This Week
- On Tuesday I show you my most-anticipated 2019 young adult releases.
- On Thursday I wrap up 2018.
- On Saturday I review two young adult books.
In My Reading Life
Reading was a struggle this week. I know I haven’t posted my New Year’s resolutions yet, but
I’m giving up caffeine for 2019. At this stage of the process, I’m a raving
psycho bitch who falls asleep every time I sit down.
Last
week, I finished The Power by Naomi
Alderman. It’s a dystopia about women who destroy the world after they get the
power to electrocute people with their hands. The book starts off really
strong. I love the first half where the characters are discovering their power. The second half drags on and on forever. I
think it could have been 150 pages shorter.
Right
now, I’m reading Daughter of Smoke and
Bone by Laini Taylor. I like it so far. It’s quite a strange fantasy story.
In My Internet Stalking Life
- Olly C. @ Sci-fi & Scary spent 2018 reading women authors. Please check out what he learned. It's interesting.
In The Rest Of My Life
Five
things that made me happy last week:
- Happy New Year!
- I set my Goodreads goal at 50 books. Hopefully that means you won’t have to hear me whine about being behind all year.
- I gave my reading spreadsheet a makeover and managed not to break it too badly.
- New books! The weeks after Christmas are great for used book shopping. Everybody’s Christmas gift rejects are my treasures.
- I started exercising again. I’m not happy while I’m exercising, or while I’m sore from exercising, but I like pretending that this will make me healthier.
Shameless Plug
Take care of yourselves and be kind to each other! See you around
the blogosphere!
What? You are giving up caffeine? That's my worst nightmare. At this stage of my life, I'm afraid I couldn't function.
ReplyDeleteI’m starting to think that I can’t function without it! Hopefully I’m just going through withdrawals and everything will be fine.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I haven't read much this week either... and am pretty sure giving up caffeine would kill me. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I feel like it’s killing me.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Ugh, no caffeine? *shudder* Hope the side effects start wearing off soon. No fun! I purposely set my GR goal low, as well. I think it's 60 this year. Takes all the pressure off and I can get back to reading for fun. No big goal looming over my head.
ReplyDeleteI hope that setting mine low will take the pressure off. I’m already 2 books ahead of schedule, so I’m happy.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Wow, a reading spreadsheet. That sounds compelling. And than you have a Book Date blog hop. I'll need to check that out. I want to post more blog posts throughout the week. That would be a good challenge for me this year.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with posting more!
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
God Bless you and your not coffee. I can't do that. I would be a nut. I did cut back because I have been drinking more tea but Good Luck to you.
ReplyDeleteI might do yoga because that seems like fun but running and stuff is just not my thing. I do like to walk so maybe I will do that...maybe. ;)
Have a great week, AJ! Happy Reading! xx
I’ve tried yoga, but I’m very not flexible. I’m restarting Couch to 5K. I did my first run yesterday, and it was really easy. Maybe I shouldn’t have restarted at Week 1.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Hahaha AJ you will become happy while exercising you just wait ;-) Giving up on caffeine is a good idea but will you be able to hold your resolution? Now have a wonderful week and a happy Sunday!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea if I’ll be able to keep my resolution. I love caffeine and soda.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I actually shuddered when I read the part about the caffeine. I drink one cup of coffee a day and it's one of my favorite parts of the day. Good luck with that! I hit the gym two days in a row. That's quite an accomplishment for me, and I am putting together some short kettlebell workouts to do in the morning, since our gym doesn't open early enough for me. I hope we both keep up our routines. You'll need the endorphins to make up for no caffeine.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your workouts! I’m trying really hard to exercise 5 days a week.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Giving up caffeine would be hard. I am trying to make myself drink more water but I am not ready to completely give up caffeine. What I need to cut out is sugar. That's were I have no self-control. I have set my Goodreads goal much lower than I will actually read for the past few years and I won't go back. It is so nice to hit your goal early and then just see where you end up at the end of the year. I set it at 150 a few years ago and barely made it at 52 and stressed myself out but I also started avoiding long books just so I could hit my goal. I don't ever want to do that again. Good for you for working out. I need to start with that as well. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThat same thing happened to me with my Goodreads goal last year. I stopped reading long books because I was always behind. Hopefully this year I’ll get to read more big books.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I hope you enjoy Daughter of Smoke and Bone! I thought it was interesting, but never made it past book one. Laini Taylor and I just don't mesh very well. Good luck with your exercising and Goodreads goals!
ReplyDeleteI liked Daughter of Smoke and Bone, but I did roll my eyes fairly often. I’m looking forward to book 2.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Good luck with the caffeine! I've done that too although occasionally I fall off the wagon. And I haven't read one single book yet! Well I've done a little reading, but finishing anything? Nope. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!
Thanks! I gave up caffeine for a year once before. Starting graduate school made me fall off the wagon.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I never knew that the days after the holidays was when you should look for books! I always go holiday shopping for the following year the day after Christmas. I can only imagine giving up caffeine and adding workouts on top of that. I hope you adjust to the change soon.
ReplyDeleteNo caffeine + hard workouts has been hellish. I’m regretting my choices right now.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Hmmm, if you're not enjoying exercising maybe you could try a different type of activity? I love hill walking for example but would loathe being stuck in a gym and would soon give up! Good luck with the caffeine withdrawal :-)
ReplyDeleteI’ve tried a lot of different exercises, but the ones I like don’t burn enough calories. I hate anything difficult.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Giving up caffeine completely and cold turkey is SO HARD. Over the past year or so I've been cutting back on it a lot and try to only drink it a couple days a week. When I just stop, though, usually the first day is okay and then the next I have a massive headache.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I’m okay in the morning, but by 6 at night, I’m exhausted and headachy.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Best of luck with giving up caffeine - I managed it for about 5 months but given that I am vegetarian and teetotal and am currently busy trying to cut back my sugar intake, I cannot to without my tea, these days although I do try to keep my consumption at a sensible level.
ReplyDeleteI want to eat more vegetarian meals this year. I know I eat a lot more meat than necessary. I’ll work on that after I give up caffeine.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Ahhh, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is one of my all-time favorites. Enjoy! I hear you about cutting out caffeine--I did really well for about two years, then a Starbucks opened close to my work and I have been back on the caffeine wagon.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
I gave up caffeine once before, but then I needed it to survive graduate school.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I wonder how you'll like Daughter of Smoke and Bone, that's my absolute favorite Laini book!
ReplyDeleteI really liked it! I’m excited for the second book.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
No coffee?! I didn't start drinking coffee until about 15 years ago and I'm thoroughly addicted now. Ha. Curious about this book sounds like an interesting premise.
ReplyDeleteNo coffee. I’m going to try to give up all caffeine except what’s in chocolate. I can’t give up chocolate!
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I love your post. You are so real. I don't drink coffee but I drink some diet soda and tea. We are starting to go to the YMCA for yoga and water exercise. It's a slow process to get it into our routine. Laini Taylor books have been highly recommended to me. I own some but I haven't read any yet. I hope you have a really great week. Anne - Books of My Heart
ReplyDeleteI love soda. Giving it up will be hard. I should try yoga again, but I’m terrible at it!
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I gave up coffee and switched to hot tea. Then I gave that up except for an occasional cuppa. I miss that. I plan to start back with yoga too. It really makes me feel more energetic and alert and is great for my back. Good luck with your exercising plans.
ReplyDeleteMy Sunday Post
Thanks! I guess I should try yoga again.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Oh wow, I don't know if I would survive giving up caffeine (or if those around me would survive is probably more like it, lol.) Best of luck to you on that. I will look forward to hearing your thoughts on Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I'm hoping to start that series this year too. Hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I’m trying to keep my distance from people. Everybody is getting on my nerves. I liked Daughter of Smoke and Bone more than I thought I would.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Yikes! I've tried quitting caffeine a few times and the headaches just get me down... plus I just love my Dr Pepper! I can relate on the falling asleep every time you sit down part though... I have a very low grade cold that is knocking me out!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to see the books you are anticipating this year!
Yeah, the headaches have been bad. And I’m so tired!
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I like the idea of The Power but the second half of it would've been a big DNF for me!
ReplyDeleteIt was a disappointing book.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I have the Power lined up to read this year. I've been dying to get to it! I hope you love Daughter of Smoke and Bone as much as I did. The writing is incredible!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like The Power! I really liked Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I’m looking forward to the next book.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Happy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck giving up caffeine. I have one can of caffeinated soda a day and then switch to caffeine free for the rest of the day. I don't drink coffee or tea. Diet Pepsi is my drink of choice. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteDiet Coke is my favorite drink. I’m going to give it up, though. Supposedly, the artificial sweetener is making me fat and unhealthy.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I don't think i'd EVER give up caffeine ... I love coffee and tea (drink both black & unsweetened) and I don't like soda. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIt’s been so difficult! Hopefully I’ll stop feeling terrible soon.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Ah I like that idea of second hand book shopping after Christmas. Good luck with the caffeine, I only have one coffee every day and then tea - which does have caffeine. But I don't drink soda. In moderation I reckon!! Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteThanks! My brain doesn’t understand moderation. It really likes caffeine!
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Happy new year! I hope you'll have an amazing one <3 Best of luck on giving up caffeine! I don't drink coffee at all, but if you asked me to give up on tea, I just couldn't ever hahaha.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll enjoy Daughter of Smoke and Bone, I liked it, it's a good story! :)
Happy reading and have a lovely week! xx
Thanks! I really liked Daughter of Smoke and Bone. It’s delightfully weird.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I wish you the best with giving up caffeine. My husband has tried to cut back on his caffeine intake, but I think has given up. I have never liked coffee and don't care for tea. Any caffeine I take in is though chocolate. But that an entirely different can or worms. LOL
ReplyDeleteI hope you continue to enjoy Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I would like to read it someday.
Good luck with your goals this year. I need to get back into exercising again. That's one of my goals this year too.
Have a great year! Happy Reading!
Chocolate is the only caffeine that I’m not giving up. Life isn’t worth living without chocolate.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
The Power was almost my book club pick a few months ago, I need to get my hands on that one!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with giving up caffeine! I tried to switch to tea from coffee due to acid reflux...I just couldn't.
ReplyDeleteI know that tons of caffeine is bad for me, but it’s so hard to quit!
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
My husband had to give up caffeine for health reasons. You can do this! First update of 2019
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope so.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I set my Goodreads goal at 50, too. I figure as long as I hit that number each year, I'm good.
ReplyDeleteI’m trying to have that same attitude. If I just finish 1 book, I’m doing better than the majority of Americans.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Oh my, good luck with your quest to give up caffeine! I read The Power last year, and loved it -- looking forward to your review, I have to confess, I don't remember the pacing of the second half very much right now.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! :) I also set up my Goodreads goal at fifty so that I wouldn't stress myself about behind too behind. I didn't know the weeks after Christmas are perfect for looking for books. Well, I'll now "harass" everyone I know about unwanted books.
ReplyDeleteTânia @MyLovelySecret
Haha, I also happily take everybody’s unwanted Christmas books. If I don't want to read them, I can trade them.
DeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Happy New Year! You are a brave soul. Giving up caffeine is a huge nope for me, I have a headache just thinking about it. I didn't have a Dr. Pepper one time, and my mom and my husband went to go buy me one because they said I was really grouchy lol. I just started doing yoga, not like anything too crazy just like 10 minutes from some YouTube videos I found. I am pretending for now that it is helping me.
ReplyDeleteTina @ As Told By Tina
I have wanted to try the Smoke and Bone books for years, so I'll be looking out for your thoughts. 👍✨
ReplyDeleteGood luck kicking the caffeine! I cut down a little bit at a time over a few months and now I just have a half a latte cup in the morning that has a lot of milk in it. I should measure and see what the actual liquid ounce amount of the coffee is. The only time I have another cup is if we go out to eat and have dessert, but that doesn't happen that often. ☕
I hope you are having a wonderful week.🌞
Ooh, I want to read The Power so I am curious about why you didn't like it! Maybe I will find out in a review. I hope losing caffeine goes well. I do drink coffee but maybe about 3 cups a month? I never let myself have it too often because I am the sort of person who gets addicted to things easily and I don't want to get too caught up in it.
ReplyDeleteThe workouts are making you healthier, don't worry ;) Keep at 'em!