What I've been reading lately update - May 2016

My apologies for falling off the map - with closing a building, vacation, on-campus interviews and such, my life quickly lost shape so now it's time to play catch up!
I'm still working at my goal of a book a week. Sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing (like lately) but still working at it.

Here's what I've finished reading:
May:
I finished Leading Imperfectly at the start of May. I really enjoyed the book and I believe that's partly because I heard James speak live at our TACUHO conference. It allowed me to read the book like he talked to us and really understand his personality and writing style. I did a professional development with my staff and read them a chapter about what truly scares them and what lie they tell themselves every day (other than I'll lose weight or I'll go to the gym). My received answers varied and were all very enlightening. And one student, instead of writing her lie, wrote a scathing piece about how self-indulging he was and how she felt that he was FoS. I disagree with her judgement but I do understand her seeing the piece that way as I have grown to understand her outlook currently on her world.  All in all, I will definitely turn back to that book when working with staff in the future.

My second May book was Outrageous Women of the Ancient Times. I picked up this children's book because it looked very woman positive and I try to have those on hand for my goddaughters to read as they grow older. I enjoyed this quick read. It discussed little known and very well known (Cleopatra) women throughout ancient history. For those interested, there are others like women of the Renaissance, Colonial America, etc. Definitely worth the purchase.

My third book was a gift I received from a co-worker. We are in the process of switching buildings and he "willed" me a book by his spirit animal - Mister Rogers.  Life's Journey's According to Mister Rogers was not actually written by Fred but instead, by his wife shortly after his death.  She took many of his stories he told over the years as well as a few of his speeches and wrote humorous, thoughtful and poignant pieces she felt the reader would appreciate.  I enjoyed the book and found some of the pieces to be very helpful to where I am in my life currently.

Due to moving and an on-campus interview (no, I didn't get the job... yes, I'm totally ok) I wasn't able to really finish any books the following week although I did continue reading more (and watching more) of Outlander. I will write a full write-up once I'm done (I'm now about 85% of the way through).

The following week I had to work 3 days straight at registration so I started to read another book I received as a gift - A Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. Again, I will write a full piece when I finish (hopefully soon - only 100 pages to go). If you are a parent you should MOST DEFINITELY read this book - she will make you feel so much better about your struggles - especially if you are a working mother.

Anyway, back to what I've finished...

I had a 13 hour drive to Ft. Lauderdale to see my wonderful nephews, mom and sister so I went to the local library and took out a few audio books to keep me company.  The first one I tried and failed with and the other was okay at best.

The first one I attempted at and failed because, quite honestly, it was crap was Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy. This made me sad because I adore Bridget Jones - both the movies and the previous 2 books. I find her relate-able and a fun read.  This book was wretched. First, they killed Mark Darcy - what the hell?! And then I'm supposed to believe that she's 50 something, sleeping with a 29 year old, has 2 kids and still acts as stupidly as she did when she was in her 30's?? No way. Mark would have divorced her and she'd have lost the kids - there's no way. It was very unbelievable and so hard to get through that I quit after 4 hours of an 11 hour book.  This it only the 2nd book I've ever given up on (the first being Wicked - and no, I haven't seen the play. The book just sucked).

So after the previous, I went to my other audio book - a recommendation from a co-worker. Unless you've been living in the woods, you probably know that The Girl on the Train is about to be released into a movie. I do hope the movie is better than the book.  It unfolds from originally 2 narrators - both are very unreliable at best - and then breaks off into an additional narrator just to full get the plot line across. I found some of the characteristics of the main character relate-able as I know people like her but other than that, I had no "pull" into the story. I just listened. I took a break to talk to a friend and she said she had read the book and hated it. I told her, being 3 hours in, that I felt it was like "Gone Girl" and she said I hit the nail on the head. Not quite the twist in plot as GG, but there was definitely what was supposed to be a HUGE twist but I figured out a few chapters ahead of the narrator (because I wasn't drunk for the entire book and I paid attention). The ending is very abrupt once the climax hits and there's no real resolution to the story. I found it very disappointing but again, maybe I would have been more invested had I read it and not listened to it. I am, however, planning to see the movie once it's released as I want to see how they play it all out.

So that's where I am right now. I hope to finish A Year of Yes this week and possibly Outlander. I have 2 boxes of TBR books that I've pulled aside during my transition from my temp apartment to my new apartment so we will see if I can dive into any of those this week as well.

Hope you are all enjoying a pleasant week and enjoying your summer!