Being all magnificent and everything.
Kimber here. Letting you know The ‘Ole Curmudgeon is being her curmudgeonly self today. Again. Still. Ya see, we just saw this post somewhere about “50 Most Popular Fantasy Books of the Last 3 years.” Or some such Tom Foolery.
The ‘Ole Curmudgeon: “Three years? Seriously? That’s not even a bat of the eye lash. Especially for those of us who were on a first-name basis with Moses. And eye-witnesses to the Parting of the Red Sea. Sheesh.”
Well. You know Mom.
Mom and I, we read like, a ton. (In between peanut butter snacks, natch.) But we’re doing somethin’ a little different today. Today we’re musing about writing. Maybe cuz we’ve heard from some authors recently who are frustrated. Discouraged. Thinking of throwing in the writing towel. If that’s you – or you know someone who fills that bill – then this post’s for you. You might also want to buckle up. Just sayin’. Take it away, Mom!
Kimber here. Being all magnificent and everything. As per usual. Well. Her Momness was talking to someone about reading the other day. “I’m in a reading slump” says She Who Shall Not Be Named.
She Who Shall Not Be Named used to go to book clubs with Her Momness. But She Who said new releases have as much pizzazz as a can of soda that’s gone flat. (No idea what that is. But it doesn’t sound good.) Mysteries aren’t mysterious. Love stories have as much appeal as a plateful of overcooked eggplant. “I’m just not interested in reading” saith She Who.
Author of Blink and Glow.
Review up tomorrow!
Author Raven Howell
Sprawled behind a rickety chair at the side of the old shack in the woods, I barely breathe. Even as a third grader, I know that keeping absolutely still and silent is the key to not being found. Crickets are settling in for the night, and an owl hoots in the distance. I also know there’s a bat that lives in this abandoned shack. I’m sweaty, dirty and there’s a rip somewhere on my pant leg. Yup, there it is. I notice it across my knee where I’ve cut myself, as I’m swiping off the spider crawling across my sneaker. Twigs crack. Someone’s coming! Probably my pursuer – the neighbor who’s “It” tonight in our evening outdoor hide and seek game.
Can you spare five minutes? Good. Cuz that’s about all the time I’ve got on this Reading Goods thing. Ya see, Mom has her I’m Reading: Do Not Interrupt on Pain of Death face on. You know. With those eye glass do-dads and a furrowed brow. (No idea what that means. If you do, kindly holler.) So I gotta get this in like, pronto!
Squirrel!
Wait. Where was I?
Oh yeah. Reading Goods. You may know it as Goodreads. But let’s not get picky here, Buttercup.
If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re either: 1) A humungous book lover, 2) A humungous dog lover, 3) Both, or 4) Tired of kitty-sitting the neighbor’s feline.
Well. Have we got a deal for you.
Ya see, Her Royal Momness stumbled upon this “Summer Reading Challenge” thingy about three months back. (Stumbling. Ya know. Like Mom finds most things. Don’t tell her I said that, okay?)
Anyhow, this SRC Challenge ’24 is hosted by the 52 Book Club. Since 2024 is a Summer Olympics, this year’s reading challenge had an Olympics-ish flavor. With 24 sports-inspired book prompts. Participants chose which “medal” they wanted to aim for, based on the number of books they planned to read during the summer in line with select Olympic-ish book prompts: Bronze, Silver, or Gold?
Via The 52 Book Club:
Have you seen the list of Books Everyone Should Read that floated around Facebook awhile back? Her Momness and I read that list. Someone musta forgot to eat their Wheaties says The Old Curmudgeon after reading that list. (You know Mom, right?)
So we put paw and hand together and came up with our own list. We’re callin’ it Books to Grow By.
Classic, contemporary, and just for fun titles are included, plus some surprises.
Note: With apologies to high school English teachers everywhere, neither of us can abide ‘stream of consciousness’ prose a la Faulkner. That’s one reason The Sound and the Fury isn’t included. Ditto Wuthering Heights and The Great Gatsby. And no, you won’t find The Most Over-Rated Book in the English Language on our list either. Hint: Catcher in the Rye. Gag me with Meow Mix!
You will find evidence of our conviction that some of the finest literature ever written can be found in the Children’s Section. Selections appear in alpha order by title.
How many of these have you read? What are YOUR favorites?
One other thing: This list originally appeared in 2018. What would you add?
Turning a corner today for a min. Doin’ somethin’ a li’l diff. Like, ever come back from lunch with a piece of spinach stuck between your teeth? You didn’t know anything about it. For hours. Just greeted everyone with your dental greenery. Because : 1) You didn’t check, or 2) No one said anything.
That can happen in the blogging world, too. Example? This recent conversation between Her Royal Momness and Sheer Genius on Four Legs (ahem!):
Kimber: Mom! Mom! You gotta optimize us!
Mom: Don’t bother me now, Kimmi. I’m writing.
Kimber: Mom! Mom! You gottta find a responsive theme and layout for our blog so we’re mobile friendly!
Mom: Kimmi. Can you give it a rest already?
Kimber: Mom! Mom…!
Cuz it’s time for another rip roarin- edition of the Big Kitty Litter Box in the Sky Awards.
What’s a Big Kitty Litter Box in the Sky Award? Tip: You sooo don’t want to get one! Cuz these are titles you can skip and not miss a blessed thing.
Here’s the short list of qualifications for a Big Kitty Litter Box in the Sky award (subject to change whenever we feel like it):
Author Katie Aune
By Katie R. Aune
When I quit my university fundraising job to travel for 13 months back in 2011, it was a pretty unheard-of thing to do for most Americans. While there are more resources today for those wishing to take a career break to travel, the idea of just quitting everything to travel the world can still feel daunting. Here are a few things to think about as you plan your escape:
Finally, plan, but don’t plan too much! Circling back to number one, have an idea of what you would like to accomplish by quitting your job to travel. Research destinations and make a list of “must-do” activities. But give yourself flexibility to change things up as you go along. Often the best experiences come from just going with the flow!
For more on my career break trip, check out my book, Finding Katya: How I Quit Everything to Backpack the Former Soviet States, and for more career break tips, visit my website, katieaune.com.
Katie R. Aune is a recovering tax attorney who has worked in nonprofit and higher ed fundraising for more than a decade while also dabbling in travel blogging and writing. Despite not traveling overseas until she was 25, she has been to nearly 70 countries and all seven continents.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Katie is currently based in Washington, D.C. and has a habit of rooting for teams that find ways to lose in devastating fashion.
Pages & Paws 