Focus on the Positive

A friend recently pointed out that she tends to listen to her inner critic and focus on all the things she didn't accomplish, all the ways she failed (even if it wasn't an actual failure). But when she sat down at the beginning of the year to review her goals from last year, she decided to focus on the positive instead, rather than honing in on the goals she didn't meet. And lo and behold...her list of "wow" moments from 2024 grew before her eyes. 

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash

I thought this was a brilliant observation. How often do you look at the negative, focusing on all the things that didn't work or that you didn't try or didn't do? And on the flip side, how often do you celebrate the "little" wins and appreciate the steps you took to do something different? With this in mind, I'd like to publicly put out there my list of "wows" for 2024, and encourage you to take some time to process your own "wow" moments from the last year. If my guess is correct, you probably have more of them then you might think...

• I only walked one day the week of New Years. Since June, I walked an average of 5 days a week for 6 months straight, after being a couch potato, basically since 2020!
• I only lost 7 lbs. this year, and now I'm stuck. I started intermittent fasting in April and am still doing it and feel better overall than I have in a few years!
• I only read one book in December. I set a goal to read 48 books this year, which I completed in August and went on to read 62 books for the year!
• I didn't save for a vacation like I planned. We took the kids on multiple "adventure days" and splurged on local events and meals that made for great memories!
• I didn't have time to invest in local friendships. I was surprised by a couple of friendships that developed over text and have become lifelines on hard days!
• My husband had to close his business. We took a leap into a new venture and so far it's paying the bills and God has provided even more than we expected!
• I didn't get as many outside work gigs as I hoped. I heard from an old client who responded to an email I'd sent months earlier, which provided income right when we needed it!

Do you see the difference? One viewpoint only looks at things through the lens of failure. The things I wanted to accomplish but didn't. The other focuses on all the good things that did happen! I'll be honest, as an INTJ, I'm not great at looking at the positive (realism is built into my DNA!). But this was such a good exercise in recognizing, not only how many good things happened over the last year, but all the ways I changed in my mindset and outlook along the way.

What are your "wow" moments?

 

Big Picture (25 in 25) Simple Goals (a.k.a. #DoSomething)

I was recently chatting with a friend and we were discussing goals and goal setting, as well as just making time to look back and appreciate what we accomplished last year and how far we've come. As an INTJ, there is something so satisfying about making lists and setting goals. It's not about trying to prove something to the world, it's just setting the bar higher for myself, because, as I have been known to say for years now, "There is always room for improvement." Not only do I set the bar high for those around me (I don't expect perfection, but I do expect you to try), but I hold myself to the same standard of not just staying in my comfort zone, but constantly learning something new. 

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Around October of last year, shortly after Hurricane Helene wrecked havoc in the mountains of eastern TN and western NC, my motto became, "Do Something." It didn't matter if it was big or small, if it only affected me or if it involved the whole family, I no longer wanted to assume that tomorrow was a guarantee. As a Christian, I have always known and quoted the verses in James 4... 

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

But having the reality of this literally fall into my backyard, to see people's lives uprooted, homes destroyed, roads washed away, dreams shattered, was a real wake-up call to stop putting off the things that I wanted to do "some day" and to start making them happen now. Maybe it wouldn't be perfect, and that's okay. Maybe it would cost money, but I was going to spend that money on something anyway. Maybe it was inconvenient or it would cause me to get out of my comfort zone, but putting everything off for a time when convenience was king would just leave me a year older with more regrets that I didn't take advantage of the moment of opportunity. And so I embraced the idea of "Do Something."

I have selected words or phrases in past years to help me keep my focus for the year, but this year I think I'm just going to keep going with the #DoSomething idea. Don't wait for the perfect time, doing something now is better than not doing anything at all. 

I came up with a general list of ideas for 2025 (leaving room for expansion) which I wrote about in November (you can read that post here). It was a good list. I like what I started with. And while I'm not ditching the ideas found there by any means, as I got to the end of the year and the beginning of a new one, I realized that committing to Do Something daily was better for me than big picture lists. So without further ado, here are the things I'm committed to working on in 2025: 

• Getting rid of 365+ things (I've already made a big dent in this, and am halfway through April!)
• Walk or bike five days a week (this will restart on January 6)
• Lower the grocery budget by $10/month - OR - eat healthier (I don't think I can do both)
• Write what #iamthankful for in a notebook, daily
• Monday-Friday, Instagram is turned off on my phone (and FB too), to stop mindless scrolling
• Read 60 books this year (average of five books a month)
• Commit to buying no new (or used) clothes or shoes for me in 2025
• Get out of bed 10 minutes earlier each month/earlier start to the day (which goes with...)
• Create a nighttime routine (skin care, vitamins, no phone, read paper book, hot tea, earlier to bed)

And as for those bigger goals, the ones that made the 25 in 25 list, here are a few steps I took this week to make those ideas a reality:

• I planned out special events (not even big stuff) and put them on my Google calendar (that I live and die by). Things like taking the kids down to the grocery store to get slushies for $1.50 after school one day a month, or taking them four times this year to our local Mennonite donut store to use the gift cards I planned ahead and bought during the holiday season so we could get the free $20 in bonus cards. 
• I spent time on Booking.com, planning out a summer trip and actually booking places to stay (with free cancellation), and setting up get togethers with friends along the way. That also allows me to know how much I need to set aside to for our vacation fund.
• I bought a bunch of apples at the grocery this weekend and we cut a lot of them up so they're easy to grab and snack on (crispy apples are even better than oily potato chips!).
• Knowing that my parents are getting older and it's not as easy for them to host us, I invited them to join us several times over the holidays, which they loved and we made more memories that we will treasure in years to come.
• As much as I dislike playing games, I know my kids love having "family time" - so I purposely ordered the Muppet's version of ClueⓇ, selected some special treats (most purchased 75% off after Christmas!), and we baked pizzas and spent New Year's Eve playing games, eating snacks, and reading through our box of memories that we had written down throughout the year. 

This week I was looking ahead to 2025 and the thought that crossed my mind was tempus fugit. Our eldest daughter (who has already flown from the nest) will be 21 this year. Our youngest will join three other siblings and become our final teenager. This fall we'll have two high school freshman, one sophomore, and one junior. We're planning a college visit this November. Before we know it, they'll be spreading their wings and moving on to the next segment of life, which I absolutely love and support, but it also takes my breath away. It always felt like we had more time to do the things we wanted to do, to take the trips, to make the memories. As it turns out, it's time to take my own advice and Do Something.

"The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." 

~ C.S. Lewis

December's Bookshelf

It honestly feels like yesterday that I sat down at my desk and crafted my list of #simplegoals, which included reading 48 books over the course of the year. And yet, here we are. The year has passed us by, and I ended the year with 62 books read from my TBR shelf (both physical and Kindle). It just goes to show that sometimes you have to set a goal in order to make things happen. Even something as simple as making time to read more books.

Photo by Madara Parma on Unsplash

Since it was the month of festivities I wasn't sure how many I would finish this month, and as it turns out...that number was one. HA! However, the one I did manage to finish was a holiday-themed book from my shelf, which made it fun. 

1. Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories - ★★★ I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I had previously read Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes (thanks to the recommendation in You've Got Mail!) and I enjoyed the writing style, so I think my expectations were a little high for this one. It was simply a series of stand-alone Christmas-y stories, all with happy endings (so I can't complain there), but some of them felt like we'd jumped into the middle of a story and were missing context. This isn't one I would highly recommend, nor will I probably ever read it again, but it was still a super simple book to boost me into my December reads, so I'll take it. Plus, the cover is beautiful (nice for displaying). {Amazon Associates Link}

And now we're in a new month, the first one of the year! And the whole year is before us, ready for new series and new reading challenges. I'm gearing up for 60+ books this year, and looking forward to getting a reward now and then for my efforts. 

What book will you be starting out the new year with? 

An old friend or a new acquaintance? 

Best Books of 2024 (and 2025 #bookgoals)

When I set out my Simple Goals for the year, I decided to set a goal of reading four books a month, for a total of 48 books for the year. I hit that goal in August and continued forward, which is one of the reasons I set my 2025 reading goal at five books a month (60 books for the year).

During the last twelve months, I've read some hits and some misses, and the only re-read I had on the list was a book I read to two of my kids, just for fun. If you follow me on Goodreads, have seen any of my posts on Instagram, or have read the blog over the last year, none of these will be a surprise. However, I wanted to give a round of of the best books of 2024, and shortened reviews of why you should consider picking up copies for your 2025 reading list. Bookworms ready? Let's go!

Photo by Nong on Unsplash

Best Books of 2024

January: The Watchmaker's Daughter by Larry Loftis - ★★★★★ A fantastic historical account of the life of Corrie ten Boom, her family and friends' involvement in the Dutch Resistance, and those who found refuge in the secret Hiding Place. Heavy stuff, but an absolute MUST READ. {Amazon Associates Link} 

February - Nothing to write home about, sadly.

March: Irena's Children: Young Readers Edition by Mary Cronk Farrell/Tilar J. Mazzeo - ★★★★★ Another heavy hitter, but another MUST READ (still have the adult version on my TBR list). The torture, although toned down for the YRE, was almost more than my mind could grasp. These are such important stories to tell, read, and remember, because forgetting will only take us back to that same place in the future. {Amazon Associates Link}

April: The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan - ★★★★ Covering the dirty thirties in the U.S., a decade of dust, disaster, death, and destruction, including "Black Sunday" and the realities of "dust pneumonia." I got several members of my extended family to read this as well. Great for history buffs who think they've heard it all!{Amazon Associates Link}

May and June - another couple of "meh" months in the book department.

July: Code Girls by Liza Mundy - ★★★★★ A well-written tale of the unsung heroines of code breaking, both military and civilian. As the Greatest Generation leaves us, it's vital to remember these stories and pass them on to the next generation so we do not forget the sacrifices that were made by so many. {Amazon Associates Link}  

August: Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz - ★★★★★ From the 1950's to modern times and back again - this was altogether a pleasant surprise and one which I have few qualms about recommending to anyone who enjoys a "good" murder mystery with plenty of references to Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, and Midsomer Murders. {Amazon Associates Link}

September: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - ★★★★★ Nursing home friends with plenty of kick left in them, solving crimes using a lifetime of skills and connections. No questionable language, no unnecessary sexual encounters, and an ending I can totally live with. Two thumbs way up. {Amazon Associates Link}

October: Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie - ★★★★★ A fascinating woman who never took herself seriously as an author, I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this woman - from her childhood through her early adult years, her foray into Middle Eastern travel, her second life with Max (13-years her junior!), all the way through her 75th year. {Amazon Associates Link}

November: The Answer is No: A Short Story by Fredrik Backman - ★★★★★ Just 65 pages, so definitely in the "short story" category, but I chuckled all the way through. This man gets introverts. I felt so seen! Download it for an easy, enjoyable read. {Amazon Associates Link} 

December: Too busy to read all that much, and nothing that stood out.

Looking Ahead

My reading goals for 2025 give me a little more leeway, although I still plan to continue working my way through the books that have been languishing on my shelves for far too long. They either need to be read or go away, and I'd prefer to read them before they depart. However, this year I'm planning to do two things differently with my #bookgoals:

1. Although I am primarily focusing on reading new-to-me books, I am allowing a handful of re-reads, as needed. This is especially true if I find myself in a book slump (as I did a couple of  times in 2024), and need to read something that I know I'll enjoy (like the Father Tim series, or the Miss Read books).
2. After every 10 books I read from my shelf (or Kindle library), I am allowed to buy one new (to me) book. The only books I purchased in 2024 were purchased using gift cards I received, or using Kindle points that had collected. This year I want to be a little more flexible, but still focus on reading through my TBR stacks before adding any more to the pile. 

Hit me up in the comments with your best book (or books) of 2024, and also how you keep your motivation going during slumps or other reading slowdowns. What book are you looking forward to reading this year? Do you have a TBR pile that's giving you the evil eye for not doing anything with it? Maybe 2025 is the year!

📚 Happy Reading! 📚

#iamthankful for BOOKS! (November Book Reviews)

'Tis the season of thankfulness, and one of the things I am the most thankful for has been the role of books throughout my life. Raised in a household of readers, encouraged to read young, read big, and read often, the title of "Bookworm" was a badge I wore proudly. And yes, there have been seasons of drought in my reading life, but like most things, these ebb and flow, depending on the stage of life. 

When we first adopted our five kids, I was barely hanging on to my sanity, and there didn't seem to be any time to read, and yet I knew it was a habit I wanted to actively model for them. During that period, I purposely went back to some childhood favorites - almost a comfort food, if you will - which helped me remember that this too, would pass. And it did. Eight years later, most of my kids can be found with a book in their hands (or at least nearby), and so my gratitude for the effects of books, both on myself and my children, continues to grow.

In October, I refocused on how I used my time, and brought my book total for the year up to 57 (out of a planned 48). I wasn't sure what November was going to look like, but as is the case in so many households, I knew that there was potential for some familial stress around the holidays (starting at Thanksgiving), and I knew that making time for reading (there's that sanity-saving factor again) was going to be important. That, in addition to counting my blessings, large and small.

• God's provision.
• My loved ones.
• Reliable transportation.
• Pumpkin Spice Lattes.
• Bookshelves of books.

The result of this focus (piggybacking off the "Do Something" goal of October) can be seen in the list of book reviews below. Some really good, one average, but none of them a waste of time, because they all made me think in different ways. 

1. A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith - ★★★★★ It's hard to go wrong with a No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book if you're looking for a quick, easy, comfort read. It's like the Mitford of Africa. This time, Mma Ramotswe is on the defense of Mma Makutsi's furniture-selling husband, Phuti, who is experiencing some financial difficulities after competition comes to town and continually undercuts his prices. But never fear, Mma Ramotswe has a plan, and as always, it is executed with precision and a little African charm. You can jump into any book in this series and immediately feel right at home. So brew a pot of rooibos tea and curl up for a cozy evening with the women of the best detective agency in all of Botswana. Five stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
2. The Answer is No: A Short Story by Fredrik Backman - ★★★★★ I had not read anything by this author before, but I came across his account on Instagram, and his posts often made me laugh. So, when this was one of the Amazon Prime First Reads in November, I didn't hesitate before downloading. It's only about 65 pages, so definitely in the "short story" category, but I chuckled all the way through. This man gets introverts. I felt so seen! The witty banter, the fear of opening his neat life up to anyone, and the absolutely absurd story of "the pile" were the perfect mix for me. In fact, I was reading this at my desk while the kids did school, and I kept having to put my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Even though no longer free, it's still cheap ($1.99 as of this writing) and I would highly recommend downloading it for an easy, enjoyable read. Five stars. {Amazon Associates Link} 
3. Deadly Company by Ann Granger - ★★★ I've read several books by this author, but this one felt a bit rough. I'm not sure if it was a lack of editing (the phrase "the smile didn't go to his/her eyes" was used multiple times), or a rush to get it done (she wrote it in 2020 and even mention this fact in a note at the start of the book), with a rather thin plot line. It's definitely not my favorite. And while I wasn't sure who murdered whom, it wasn't actually a surprise when all was revealed either. I'd definitely start with one of her other books before recommending this one. Fortunately, I got this one using Amazon ebook credits, so it wasn't a huge loss, and it was still an enjoyable way to spend a late night reading. Three stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
4. Salt, Sugar, Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss - ★★★★★ It took me a while to read through this book, and honestly, it was because, like the fatty, salty, sugary foods Moss uncovers, I was trying to process what he was saying and break a 40+ year habit of thinking any processed foods were better than others. Reading labels? EYE. OPENING. Why does ice cream have 37 ingredients, most of which I can't pronounce? What happened to cream, sugar, milk, and a handful of flavor ingredients? They're regulated to the $6/quarts, rather than the $3/gallons. I highly recommend taking the time to read this book. Take it a bite at a time, if you will. Do we still eat junk food? Of course. But it's no longer the standard in our home, just an occasional treat. The fruit drawer, however, is filled. Most meals are prepared and eaten at home. Fast-food is limited. Small steps, but I believe they are making a difference. Five stars. {Amazon Associates Link}

Hit me up in the comments with your favorite book from the last month!

Thinking Ahead (Simple Goals for 2025)

I know it's not January, but it's never too soon to start thinking ahead. I've been seeing posts about how fall is a new starting point for a lot of people. I think the thing I'd add to that is that any point in the year can be a starting point. It could be a random Tuesday in May when you decide, "I've had it. I'm going to start walking every day." And then you do it. Starting points are any time you've had enough of the old habits and you want a change. I have nothing to back me up on this, but my theory is that if you wait until later to start, you're probably not going to do it at all.  

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

I've set a lot of goals over the years, but 2024 is the first year I've actually followed through on the majority of them - even though there were some starts and stops and restarts throughout the year. I think one of the biggest reasons for the changes this year is because I wrote my goals down in so many places. I made it public on the blog (for the six people who read it). I posted about it on Instagram (for the 15 people who see those posts). I wrote them in paper notebooks for my own reminder. I set goals in my digital notes on my phone so I could check in and check them off every month. I made new savings accounts for specific financial goals as a tangible reminder every time I logged on for banking stuff. If I don't keep it front and center, then other things take over and the goals fade into the background of busyness. 

Throughout the year I've had little thoughts here and there about the goals I'd like to set for 2025. And although it's a little early, and these aren't set in stone, I'm taking the first step towards making them happen by putting them out there for others to see. Last year I set 24 goals for 2024. I don't know that I'll set 25 goals this year, but this is the starting point. And since goals change and evolve over the year, I think I'll leave room to add to this list as the months tick past. Some are similar to the goals I set for myself this year. Some have slight tweaks. Some are totally new. And all of them stretch me in some way, which is really why we have goals, right? Because staying the same is boring. Let's not be boring.

2025 #SimpleGoals Starting Point

1. Read 60 books (five books a month) - preferably books I already own.
2. After completing 10 TBR books from my shelf, I get one new book. (If you're a child of the 80s, think Booking It, but for adults. Instead of a personal pan pizza, I get a new book.)
3. Add the stationary bike into the mix of exercise (I have it, I just don't use it).
4. Continue to walk 5 days a week, 20+ minutes a day.
5. Get rid of one thing a day (trash and junk mail doesn't count) for a total of 365 items gone.
6. Put experiences on the calendar and make them happen.
7. Once a week, do something special with the Hubs, even if it's just grabbing coffee.
8. Try 52 new recipes (one per week).
9. More fruits and veggies for snacking.
10. Say "yes" to something that challenges me (either personally or professionally).
11. Say "no" to things that don't add value (and work on not feeling guilty).
12. Loosen up. Keep rooting out that inner control enthusiast.
13. Be intentional about spending time with individual kids.
14. Plan a trip, put it on the calendar, save for it, make it happen.
15. Intentionally build relationships - with new people, existing acquaintances, and family.
16. Listen more. Talk less. (Definitely keeping this one from 2024!)
17. Spend time with my parents (another continuation from this year).
18. Find ways to serve the local community as a family.
19. Don't stress about what "might" be. (Another goody from 2024 that I'm keeping!)
20. Write down my #iamthankful list every day. A habit I've recently restarted.
21. ???
22. ???
23. ???
24. ???
25. ???

Have you started thinking about YOUR list?

Making Time to Read (October Books in Review)

If you read my last post, you know that our area (East TN, Western NC) was directly hit by the flooding from Hurricane Helene. Because of that, and so many other things that took place, I only made it through two books in September. It was the first time all year I've failed to read at least four books in a month. I also got thrown off my walking groove those last few days of the month and the first few of October, which is when I decided to set my goal for the tenth month of the year, and it was this...

It felt like an appropriate goal, not just to nudge me back on the reading and walking train, but because there is so much chaos and destruction around us. It's almost hard to know where to start. But then I think about this goal, and that really sums it up, doesn't it? Don't know where to start? Feeling overwhelmed? Just DO SOMETHING. Offer to help a neighbor. Look for a way to organize donations. Give your free time to muck mud out of a house or take a hot meal to those who have no way of cooking at the moment. It doesn't have to be big to be meaningful. 

To make this goal happen, I just grabbed books off my bookshelf or Kindle list and started reading them. I didn't worry about whether they were great literature or not, I just wanted to read something. I didn't focus on walking a mile in less than 20 minutes this month, I just focused on walking 20 minutes. Whatever you might be putting off because you don't know when or where or how to start (or restart), just do something. Get up off the couch and walk laps around your driveway. Open your Kindle app instead of Instagram. Contact local organizations working to help others - wherever you are - and ask what it would take to volunteer for a day. Go do something. You'll feel better for it.

And as for those books I mentioned? Well, here they are (and yes, there is even a re-read in there, the first one of the year, because I read it out loud to my two youngest - and they still giggled, which I love). Since it was October I allowed myself to focus a bit more on the mysteries, mystery writers, who-done-its, and "cozy murders" I'd been hoarding.

1. The Queen of Poisons by Robert Thorogood - ★★★★ It's no secret by now that I really enjoy Robert Thorogood as a writer (including his writing/creating of Death in Paradise), and I really love this series with the quirky Suzy, the formidable Judith, and the ever surprising Becks. Book #3 in the series was just as delightful as the first two, though it fell slightly flat in a few places, thus the four stars rather than five - but this can be easily forgiven! And I was still guessing as to the identity of the murderer right up to the big reveal. It was the perfect cozy weekend mystery where I could lose myself from the chaos of the real world for a while. I can't wait to see what these lovely ladies get up to in book #4! Four Stars. {Amazon Associates Link} 
2. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater - ★★★★★ The story behind me reading this book for the first time (age 7) is long and boring, but over the years I have reread it a few times, most recently with my two youngest (ages 12 and 13), as they still humor me when I read children's stories out loud to them. For those who haven't read it, Mr. Popper is a bit of an eccentric house painter, with a very patient family, who loves learning about life at the Poles more than anything else. When an Antarctic explorer hears about Mr. Popper, he ships off a penguin, Captain Cook, to become the newest inhabitant of the Popper household. The Poppers eventually end up with twelve energetic penguins who take the Popper family from coast to coast, and beyond! Five stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
3. Absolution by Murder by Peter Tremayne - ★★ Book #1 (of 35) of the Sister Fidelma Mysteries. I received this as part of a Secret Santa gift last year from someone who knew I liked to read cozy mysteries. It was okay if you like mysteries set in the 7th century involving monks and religious women who may or may not be interested in each other. It didn't have any objectionable scenes or crass language, so that's a bonus, and the murderer wasn't immediately obvious, so that was nice. Three murders later, with an Irish female law expert (Sister Fidelma) leading the case, everything is wrapped up, the religious debate where all of this has been happening has been settled, and we're left with an open door to the next book. Two-and-a-half stars. {Amazon Associates Link} 
4. Blackbeard's Ghost by Ben Stahl - ★★ I grew up watching the 1960s Disney movie by the same name, and purchased this after I noticed (as an adult) that the movie was based off of the book by Ben Stahl. Let me just say that it's not the book's fault that it is NOTHING like the movie, but it tainted my enjoyment of the book for its own merit. The only thing it had in common with the movie was the character of Blackbeard and the fact that he got called back as a ghost. Otherwise, absolutely nothing like the film. Apart from that, the story was just so-so, the character development was lacking, and it was kind of like a poorly written Hardy Boys (which is saying something). In the case of the movie, Disney improved the story (by essentially rewriting the entire thing). Overall, while I'm glad I read it for the experience, I just can't give it more than 2 stars. Watch the movie! {Amazon Associates Links: Book or Movie}
5. Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes - ★★★★ I promise I'm not a homicidal maniac looking for ways to off the people I work with (helps that I do contract work!), but I had Kindle credits and it came up as something I might like based on other books I read, and so here we are. The beginning of the book was a bit slow, but around the half-way mark it picked up speed until I was having a hard time putting it down. Despite it being a book about teaching people to murder their employer, there was a surprising moral code to it. One caveat is that, especially when we actually get into the murders, there is some sexual content (not graphic, but implied), and some vulgarities (including misusing Christ's name). Still, the ending was a total surprise (all the way to the very end in the epilogue), and while I waffled between three and four stars, I ended up going with four, because it's a unique story, and no one seems to be able to come up with those anymore. {Amazon Associates Link} 
6. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving - ★★★★★ If you haven't read the original version of this short story and have only seen the Disney cartoon with Bing Crosby crooning, you are missing out. As I read this aloud to my kids for school literature yesterday, I was struck by two things. 1) How closely the cartoon followed the book - down to the words/phrases used. They primarily cut out the descriptions, and added a couple of things to make it more humorous. 2) The number of vocabulary words now gone from our daily communications. I knew (or at least had a familiarity with) about 98% of the words Mr. Irving used, and even though I consider myself well-read and well-educated, there were still a handful of words I had never heard before or couldn't define. We have truly handicapped ourselves by allowing words to be redefined or lost altogether, but we don't have to give up without a fight, which is why both my kids and I read books like this. Five stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
7. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie - ★★★★★ As a long-time fan of her most famous Belgian detective, I was excited when I discovered Agatha had also taken the time to pen an autobiography. A fascinating woman with an intriguing family and a unique life, who never took herself seriously as an author, I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this woman - from her childhood through her early adult years, her foray into Middle Eastern travel, her second life with Max (13-years her junior!), all the way through her 75th year. This was a fantastic way to end the month's reading goals. If you enjoy her mystery writing and plays, you will probably appreciate this. Her writing is never boring, despite her protestations. Would recommend. Five stars. {Amazon Associates Link}

And with that, October and her books come to and end. Choosing to "Do Something" more than made up for the lack of reading last month and it was a delight to make time for books that engaged me, or at least got my out of my reading rut. Same with the walking - although I stopped aiming for a under-20-minute-mile pace, I hit it almost daily. Good habits build on each other. Today is November 1st. Get out there and Do Something today. 

Happy Doing!