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What I’m Reading

Pandemonium ~ This is the second book in a young adult trilogy by Lauren Oliver. Like all YA trilogies, it has its flaws, but I am enjoying this one more than many. I like YA dystopia because they are quick, easy reads. I read them for a brain break, and this series has been good for that. I’ve got the final book on my nightstand now.

The Cuckoo’s Calling ~ This is the mystery JK Rowling wrote under the Robert Galbraith pseudonym. I don’t typically read mystery novels, but I had to give hers a try, and I loved it. It was entirely engaging, and of course beautifully written. I’m looking forward to the next installment, which comes out in June. (Oddly, I read two mystery novels in March, because The Maltese Falcon was our book club choice – also excellent, and a short, quick read.)

Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches ~ This was a reread for me. It’s my favorite “parenting” book. It’s a slim volume with short chapters, easily digestible for a busy mom. I think I’m going to start reading it once a year. It challenges and encourages me. I find Jankovic’s straightforward, friendly writing style refreshing, and, my word, does she have some wisdom.

A Million Little Ways ~ Oh. There are no words. I LOVE this book. I may write an entire post on it soon, I love it so much. It’s all about living intentionally and bravely where you are, the way God made you – in the slow and the quiet and the unglamorous (or the opposite, if you’re one of the few for whom that’s reality). Freeman’s writing is always comforting to me even while it challenges me to move beyond my comfort. You know how some writers always seem to say just what you need them to? Just that thing you are struggling to absorb, to fit words around? That’s what Freeman does for me.

Others: Stories I Only Tell My Friends; The Maltese Falcon; Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore

Currently reading: 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess; Requiem; Bread & Wine; Unbroken

What I’m Watching

Veronica Mars ~ The movie dropped mid-March, and I watched it that day. I’m guessing it’s featuring in most What I’m Into posts this month. 🙂 It has its flaws, and has taken much criticism for catering to the fans. Being one of those fans, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and don’t see why giving the fans what they want is supposed to be a bad thing. I’m thinking some writers just had a quota to fill on the subject, so that’s the angle they chose. I was thrilled to see the end left it open for the story to continue.

Pretty Little Liars ~ I’ve been watching through this series on Netflix. It’s addictive. It has flaws, of course, and as usual with teen shows, it is ludicrous in many ways, but that’s not the point, so I’m cool with it. One of the main characters is named Aria. I knew that, but it’s strange to hear my daughter’s unusual name used with such frequency on a television program.

Gilmore Girls ~ I’ve been rewatching this old favorite. I find I am viewing it with new eyes. Never before have I found the Gilmore ladies so irritating. I think I will always love this show for its quirky characters and fabulous dialogue; but, my word, could these women make more ridiculous, self-sabotaging life choices? (The answer is no, no, they could not.) But hey, Melissa McCarthy has never been more charming or funny than as Sookie St James.

The Good Wife ~ If you aren’t caught up on this show (as in, last night’s episode), you may want to skip this part of my post.

SPOILER ALERT

SPOILER ALERT

I cannot believe they killed Will. When I realized this was really happening and they weren’t going to take it back, I did some googling and found the actor wanted to move on. He just got married and no longer wants the long hours of TV filming. Good for him. Also, I’m mad at him. The Good Wife has some of the best writing and acting on television right now, and I am intrigued to see where they go from here. But before I can move on I have to mourn. I cried a lot last night. And then I stayed up way too late, because I couldn’t sleep after that. Look, I’m an emotional person. I know it’s a TV show. Shut up.

END SPOILER

What I’m Listening To

Christa Wells ~ I heard about Wells’ music for some time on the blogosphere before I checked her out. I shouldn’t have waited so long. Beautiful and deep. I highly recommend.

More Than Rubies ~ More Than Rubies is a duo, half of which is Christa Wells. Not only are their melodies and lyrics fantastic, they do interesting, unexpected things with their harmonies. I love it when a musician surprises me (it’s pretty hard to do).

Nickel Creek ~ I am currently listening to their new album, which technically comes out tomorrow, but arrived in my mailbox over the weekend. It is fantastic. I can’t stop smiling.

Around the Web

Tim and Emily have a guest space in their beautiful Kentucky home now, and I want to go stay with them. Honestly, it’s not so much because I have a yen to visit their city. I mostly want to go pretend we’re best friends for a weekend. They’d be fine with it if I took the kids down and just followed them around for a couple days like a puppy who has tiny children…right?

Sally Clarkson has created a free, digital devotional called “Taking Joy to Heart“. I haven’t dug into it yet, because I’m finishing up the current session of HelloMornings, but I’m eagerly anticipating it, because I love this lady’s heart. The devotional only covers 11 days, so it’s a good length for those afraid to make a commitment.

What I’m Pondering

I haven’t been posting around here much this year, and this is why: Everyday Rest.

I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer for What I’m Into. Check out the other fantastic blogs for more fun and inspiration.

You can see what else we’ve been up to this month by checking out my 5 on Friday posts:
The One with the Fun Weekend Plans (in which I share a yummy paleo BBQ sauce recipe)
The One That’s Nearly a Week Late (in which I get my first Quarterly Book Riot shipment)
The One That’s Only Five (in which I share a gorgeous Christa Wells song)
The One with a Jim Gaffigan Show (in which we, well, you ought to be able to figure out the highlight of this one)