Back in the day, I used to come up with annual book awards, where I'd go through the list of books I'd read that year and name the best and worst in various categories. But nowadays, I don't read anywhere near as many books as I used to (fanfiction, yes, but actual books, no) and I haven't done book awards in years ( Read more... )

During temple services tonight, I read some more of Independence Avenue, a children's book about a young Jewish man who immigrates from Russia to Kansas City. I started reading during services around this time last year, when it felt like the honeymoon between me and Shabbat services was finally over. The services became consistently boring to me, ( Read more... )

Man, when I think back to the weeks since getting from vacation, I feel like I've been hit by a train.

A lot of that was due to my job. Our biggest client just opened up 47 new locations, so I hit the ground running on the first Monday morning after I got back, but I still feel like I got trampled. I worked six days a week for three out of four ( Read more... )

I'm probably too old to still be making New Year's resolutions, and usually I don't, but I did make one for 2016. It was to stop using my phone in bed - they've done a ton of studies on how this is Very Bad for you - and so far, I've mostly stuck to it! I usually check my phone one last time before getting into bed, but once I'm actually in bed, I ( Read more... )

Last night, Sara came into my room as I was about to go to bed and said: Do you remember this book we had when we were kids? [She summarizes a story about a girl searching for her long-lost dog, along with a side character who was a professional candle-maker. I don't remember that bit at all, but I do recall the book.] What was that book called ( Read more... )

Yesterday = 1 month at my new job! I think I'm getting into the swing of things and even starting to enjoy it. It's so different working full-time, instead of part-time, and for a small business, instead of a big retailer. It makes me feel like the work I do matters more. Don't get me wrong, it can be boring and exhausting at times, but there's a ( Read more... )

Right after we moved here, I found a TV channel that shows two King of the Hill episodes every weeknight, and I hardly think I've missed one in the two months since. They've been playing them mostly in order, and I recently saw most of the last season. Yeah, the episodes weren't great, but I was in France when the series ended, so I'm glad I ( Read more... )

I just got back from Wednesday-night Torah study. We read and discussed this week's portion, Korach (קֹרַח - there's no English translation for it because it's a name). It's kind of a grim portion; I mean, you've heard of Nadav and Avihu getting consumed by fire? Well, get ready to hear about Datan and Aviram getting swallowed up by the earth! I ( Read more... )

I haven't posted my book awards for a few years because I haven't been reading much lately (which is shameful for an English major, I know). I haven't even been keeping lists of what I've read because it would be too short and embarrassing. But I pieced this list together from memory, and I think I got most of it. These are books I read (or at ( Read more... )

I'm grateful to have been off work for the last weekend before Christmas. I know all the stores were madhouses this weekend. It was still a pretty busy weekend for me, though. On Saturday, I went to the bookstore and browsed through Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. As much as I love the musical (ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT!), I'd never read the novel before, ( Read more... )