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Currently | A Reading Machine

currently january 24

Time and Place | Around 8:30 a.m., on my couch. I’m not really feeling the computer this morning, so I think this will be a quick post.

Reading | Since last Sunday, I finished Read Bottom Up by Neel Shah and Skye Chatham (a modern love story told through e-mails and text messages) and Presence by Amy Cuddy (nonfiction about the connection between body language and our emotions). I’m still (slowly) making my way through Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow — just two weeks behind on the #HamAlong!

Watching | Last night the boyfriend and I watched Wild, the movie based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of walking 1,100 miles along the Pacific Coast Trail. I really liked it, and the boyfriend did too (unexpected!).

Cooking | Last week’s experiment with Crock Pot White Chicken Chili wasn’t my favorite — the flavors were great, but I like my soups heartier than that recipe. The quest goes on.

Blogging | This week I shared some thoughts on Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins and pondered what to do when your reading goals conflict.

Loving | We went to a new-to-us restaurant for dinner last night and I had an awesome bacon cheeseburger. I haven’t had one of those in awhile… so good.

Wanting | I really want a book that’s going to grab me. I’m not in a reading slump — I’ve finished six books already this month — but the books I’ve been picking up haven’t wowed me. The problem is I can’t quite pin down what I’m in the mood to read.

Anticipating | We don’t have anything planned today, so I’m excited to have a full day to re-energize before the work week sets in again.

Sympathies to those of you on the East Coast in the middle of that epic snowstorm — drive slowly and stay safe! To everyone, happy Sunday! What are you reading today?

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links through Amazon. If you make a purchase through any of those links, I will receive a small commission.

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  • Kailana January 24, 2016, 11:14 am

    I seem to be making out better with graphic novels than with novels… I need to get over that because there are so many books I want to read!

    • Kim January 25, 2016, 5:21 pm

      That’s a good idea! I’ve got some comics I’ve been meaning to pick up, maybe one of those will do the trick.

  • Catherine January 24, 2016, 1:30 pm

    I know what you mean about the reading this month. I’ve started a number of books but have DNFed more of them than ever before. Don’t know if it’s them or me- well, some of them were really bad.

    I’m reading Be Frank With Me which I thought would be really light and it is a pleasant surprise- one of those books that has humor but also something deeper. Really enjoying it.

    • Kim January 25, 2016, 5:22 pm

      It’s tough to tell sometimes… this this book not good, or is it just me? I haven’t not finished many, just been reading pretty slowly or not being wowed by what I have finished.

  • Andi January 24, 2016, 2:35 pm

    Oooh, a bacon cheeseburger sounds like an excellent idea. I’ve been reading, but I seem to want to read all the books at once, so I don’t actually make any headway. Womp. Cheers to a good week ahead!

  • Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf January 24, 2016, 5:37 pm

    I didn’t realize Wild had been turned into a movie, cool! I need to check that out. 🙂 have a great week!

    • Kim January 25, 2016, 5:22 pm

      It’s good — faithful to the book, but doing it’s own thing in a different medium. We both liked it.

  • Jenny @ Reading the End January 24, 2016, 7:59 pm

    Read Bottom Up sounds fun! Did you like it? (I am a sucker for anything epistolary.)

    • Kim January 25, 2016, 5:23 pm

      I thought it was cute! Not revolutionary, but I a nice, quick, long afternoon sort of read.

  • Beth F January 25, 2016, 5:26 am

    I know what you mean about craving a book that totally wows.

  • Laurie C January 25, 2016, 6:21 am

    I was going to try that White Chicken Chili recipe today. I think it was the one you referred to before (Iowa Girl Eats). Maybe we’ll add extra hot sauce. I’m going out for lunch today and was thinking salad, but that mention of a bacon cheeseburger is making me rethink that idea!

    • Kim January 25, 2016, 5:24 pm

      Yeah, it was Iowa Girl Eats. The flavors were good, but I like hearty soup and that felt a little slim. I might try it again with more vegetables or something.

  • Heather January 25, 2016, 10:54 am

    How did you like Presence? Please do a review – I have it on my to-buy list as soon as I get my member coupons from B&N :). I love her Ted Talks and I’m really looking forward to this one.

    • Kim January 25, 2016, 5:24 pm

      I like it a lot — definitely got me thinking about body language and some ideas to go with my one little word for the year. I’m hoping for a review this week or next week.

      • Unruly Reader January 28, 2016, 9:28 pm

        Oh, good! Her TED talk really intrigued me, and I’m eager to hear about her book.

  • Sarah's Book Shelves January 25, 2016, 1:44 pm

    I hope you find something to wow you soon! I’ve had a stretch of bummers lately too. Luckily, it hasn’t been too long of a stretch and January overall has been great.

  • Michelle January 25, 2016, 2:45 pm

    I was just thinking last night that I have not read a book that has moved me to tears in a long time. There are books that have made me excited, nervous, giddy, scared, etc., but a book that causes the ugly cries? That seems to be missing, and I am beginning to feel the lack immensely. The books I am reading are good, but nothing is exactly blowing me away or making me feel so strongly or deeply. I suspect this is one reason why I am finding my interest in reading waning so much these days.

    • Kim January 25, 2016, 5:25 pm

      I haven’t had one of those in awhile either. I’ve been saving Eleanor and Park for that occasion, and a couple of memoirs I know are going to tear my heart out.

  • susan January 25, 2016, 6:06 pm

    Yeah I thought Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern did a pretty good job with the movie version of Wild. Hope you got to see the Broncos (my team) beat the Patriots (someone else’s team). It was a real squeaker! They almost blew it but held on somehow. I’m excited about the SB. I’m finishing McCullough’s book on The Wright Brothers, who come off as so industrious, wow these guys were so focused!