Month: January 2016

2015 – a BS Reading Year!

And by BS I don’t mean bulls*** but instead Bernice Summerfield.

So the past week or so I’ve been updating my Goodreads book database with the dates of books I’d read since June of 2001. Why? Um, because I can, I guess. I’ve been keeping a paper record (which I then transpose to a spreadsheet) of the date I finished reading books since June of 2001. The original idea was to NOT buy any new books till I’d read 10 books I already owned. I’m pretty sure I was in a deficit before June was over. Heh.

Anyhoo, last January I decided to try the Goodreads reading challenge and publicly pledged to read 75 books during the year. (I succeeded by the skin of my teeth!) Which meant I had to keep track of the dates I finished books in Goodreads. It got to the point where I was doing a better job of keeping track with the online database than my paper booklet. And I kept thinking that some day I’d enter in the earlier dates. Well, I just finished updating 2014’s books and that has me caught up. And it looks like I now have about 500 read books with dates (out of nearly 1300 read books). Not too shabby.

While updating the database I discovered a number of things that I hadn’t really noticed before. Such as getting into Lois McMaster Bujold so damned late. 2008? Really? I knew I was a latecomer, but I hadn’t realized it was that late. I noticed that some years I read a LOT of library books (most electronic, but a few paper). And it wasn’t till 2010 that I got back into library books (when I was working on my Masters degree). Last year wasn’t as heavy with library books, but I did have a couple. This prompted me to create two exclusive groupings for Goodreads – owned and borrowed. (I also have reference, which is for books that I own but don’t expect to read from cover to cover.)

I noticed that once I discover an author that I enjoy, I tend to binge-read. 2014 is when I discovered David Weber’s Honor Harrington novels and I zipped through them so fast that I couldn’t tell you which plot goes with which book title. But I remember pretty well what all happened overall. I shall enjoy rereading the series. (I don’t keep track of rereads – I know I’ve reread the Bujold Vorkosigan novels, but cannot tell you which year it was.)

My main focus this year, as hinted at by my title and its explanation, was to finally get some Bernice Summerfield novels read. I read all of the Virgin books when they all first came out (long before I kept records on when I finished books). But I had quite a few Big Finish Benny books which I’d not yet read. This was prompted by a sale that Big Finish had in May. I ordered Bernice Summerfield – The Inside Story and the last of the books which I didn’t yet own (and that were still in print). I started reading the big coffee table book after our Britain trip, and decided to relisten to the audios and then read about them in the book. And then I dusted off my BS books and started reading them for the first time. (I also managed to, ahem, “borrow” a couple that are currently out of print. I’m still looking for them IRL though and hope to get them someday. Even the juvenile (as in written for horny 13-year old boys) Squire’s Crystal. It’s more than made up for by The Glass Prison, IMO.

Though I’ve long since relistened to all the Benny audios, I’ve still got quite a few books to get through. I’m “currently reading” Collected Works. (The quotes because I haven’t actually started it, but I will soon!) I’ve got 5 currently in my “Currently Reading” list at Goodreads. There’s also a Murder, She Wrote (last one read in 2010!), an eBook (The Goblin Emperor), and a couple of books on my tablet I’m slowly working through. (My tablet is great for comic books. It’s the main reason I bought it.)

Let’s see, what are some other 2015 noteworthy reads. Well, I will say that HumbleBundle is both a joy and evil. So is StoryBundle. I wind up buying whole collections of books from them, then forget to add them to my databases (yes, I also have a LibraryThing account – it’s my official one with Goodreads being my social one) till I finally finish one of the books from the set. HumbleBundle had the Berkley Breathed collection for sale this year which I snapped up and then read through. And then he started doing his Facebook-only 2015 (and now 2016) cartoon which has been a hoot.

Thanks to these bundling agencies, I’ve discovered some great authors and book series. Heck, I bought dad a set of Make: books for Christmas, then went ahead and bought the set for myself too! I’m pretty sure I haven’t yet added them to my databases. The Order of the Air series by Melissa Scott & Jo Graham is probably the best example. I read Lost Things which came with one of the bundles and fell in love with the characters. And in looking up a link for the series, I discovered that book 5 of the series was just released in December. Damn… Another book to buy!

And that, my dear friends, has been the story of my life with books. I read a recommendation in Twitter or elsewhere, check out a book, discover another, etc. And wind up buying a shitload of books. Rosemary Kirstein – wish I could remember who first recommended her to me (might have been one of the webcomic authors I follow) – was a major discovery this year. I read The Steerswoman and loved it. I’ve since inhaled the series and am awaiting the next two books. My twitter feed was all abuzz about Elizabeth Bear’s Karen Memory just before it came out, so I decided I’d buy it the day of. And inhaled that book too.

Just last night I was working on my database and wondered if Jasper Fforde had published a sequel to Shades of Grey (nothing to do with 50 Shades) and discovered another series of his. With, supposedly, a kickass female protagonist (why not – he’s good at ’em). And wound up buying the series (The Chronicles of Kazam), plus several other books. After all, Kobo was having double and triple bonus points for their frequent buyer program. I wound up getting 11 books for $90. And the books all have protagonists who aren’t straight white males! (I did debate buying The Martian last night, too, but decided to stick to my guns. Might borrow it from the library). And this just days after I bought The Goblin Emperor and a few other books. And then Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen, Bujold’s latest. *sigh* So many books! And I’m writing this up instead of reading!

Both cats are now with me (Lucy’s been here the whole time I’ve been typing this, but Linus has now decided he should be sleeping on my arms while I type this). So I suppose I should finish up and get a bit of reading done. I suspect my goal of 75 books read in 2016 will be another success – I certainly have enough new books to get me started!

Buh Bye, 2015!

Welp, here it is, 2016 already! I’m now 45 years old (doesn’t feel any different from 44. Or 43. Or any of those other post-40 years.) Was thinking of posting an end of 2015 entry, then saw ‘s meme on 2015. So I’ve decided to use it as my guide. Here goes!

1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?

Visited Scotland & Wales! Travelled abroad with my mother & sister!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t do resolutions. Probably should, but I don’t.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Heh heh – not for 2015. But just yesterday, my cousin Deanna had a little boy.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Sadly, two of my former students died this past year. One of suicide, the other in a car/bike accident (he was on the bike). That doesn’t need to happen anymore.

5. What countries did you visit?

England, Wales, and Scotland. Whee!

6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

It’s the opposite – I want to have less procrastination than I had in 2015. I seem to be getting better & better at procrastination!

7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

I’m horrible about actual dates – ask my history teachers. But the summer of 2015 when mom, Amy, and I went to Great Britain will remain with me forever. 🙂

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I finally got under 200lbs! OK, so it was only for a day, but this year, by golly, it’s going to become more often!

9. What was your biggest failure?

I’m fortunate in that my failures, as far as I could tell, are minor. Not keeping up to date with the “family spreadsheet” that mom, Amy, and I keep for weight loss. Procrastinating on grading. Spending a wee bit more than I probably should (though I am independently wealthy… Heh.)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not really. Here’s hoping 2016 is illness & injury free too!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Heh – the “new” cell phone for mom for Christmas. She’s really been enjoying it. I’m also pleased that I subscribed to Big Finish’s 2020 subscription when it first came out. (I think they’re offering it again for a short while). So I’m good for Doc5, 6 & 7 stories till 2020. Here’s hoping the boys are able to continue to make the audios!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

The Supreme Court when they put the “gay marriage” issue to rest – and in the right way!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The GOP. My grandfather would turn over in his grave if (a) he knew and (b) the supernatural existed.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Stuff for Trina, my trip to Britain, mortgage.

15. What are you really, really, really excited about?

Hmm, good question. I may get back to you on this.

16. What song will always remind you of 2015?

Another good question. I don’t actually think that songs make me think of times as much as places.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder

Probably the same, maybe on the happier side of it.

b) Bigger or smaller?

Slightly smaller with plans to go even smaller than that!

c) richer or poorer?

Moneywise: Poorer, but only because I’m not quite recovered from the Britain trip. Will be soon, however! Then I’ll be richer.
Everythingelsewise: Richer. 🙂

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Reading & being creative. Writing, coloring, building robots, etc. If I did resolutions, that would probably be one.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Procrastinate. (Hmm, I sense a theme here!)

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

Guess this meme originated before the Christmas season. I spent it with mom, dad, and Amy. Was a blast, as always. Amy got home safe und sound.

21. What was your favourite month of 2015?

December and June. December for Christmas et al and June for Britain.

22. Did you fall in love in 2015?

Yeah, fell in love with Cardiff. 🙂

23. What was your favourite TV program?

Doctor Who. Capaldi is just kicking ass right, left, and center! 🙂

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Hate is such a strong term. Probably hate those who stir up hate in others (I’m looking at you, Trump!)

25. What was the best book you read?

The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein because it got me hooked into the series. There were quite a few others, and I hope to post a 2015 reads list before too long.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Hmm, that will take a bit of thinking. Maybe 2Cellos. I also want to do a 2015 music list as well.

27. What did you want and get?

I wanted lots & got most of it. That’s the “trouble” with being independently wealthy – I want, I get. Heh.

28. What did you want and not get?

Nothing important.

29. What was your favourite film of this year?

I didn’t really watch a lot of movies in 2015. I can’t even say The Force Awakens, because we watched it yesterday, in 2016. Maybe Song of the Sea.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Lordy, that was over a year ago now! 😉 On the first day of 2015, I turned 44. My sister was home and we had pork & kraut and they got me nifty gifts (including a question-mark handeled umbrella from Amy). Then we took Amy to the airport. Just a few days ago, I turned 45. My sister was home and we had pork & kraut and they got me nifty gifts. Then we took Amy to the airport. (Deja vu!)

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

In that one couldn’t even measure it? Less procrastination by me.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?

Frumpy & comfortable.

33. What kept you sane?

Family, friends, a great job, fun co-workers, nifty students, kitties, and all the fun toys & shit that I have.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

As always, Sylvester McCoy.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

That gay marriage is now legal on my country. Woohoo! It’s a small step in progressiveness, but an important one!

36. Who did you miss?

I haven’t seen and enough. I always miss Amy, especially after we part again. When I’m oot & aboot, I miss my kitties.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

Haven’t met too many new folks. Guess I could say my new co-workers are wonderful folks, and the people I meet at FreethoughtDayton.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.

It’s the same lesson I learn every year, but in light of the deaths of my former students: enjoy having one more day above the roses.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

“And I said to myself, what a wonderful world!”