Tags
Eleanor Oliphant, fiction and non-fiction, libraries and bookstores, love of reading, self help books, starting and finishing books
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
― On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Yippie, I finally finished a book. Reading, not writing. I think it has been years since I actually read a book in its entirety. I have many books started, but for one reason or another I haven’t been able to finish them. I blame the writer for not being able to grab and maintain my attention. Just kidding of course. I am the guilty one.
All the unread books in my bedroom just keep staring at me. They make me feel that I am not taking advantage of so much knowledge, self discovery, fun. I could be discovering other worlds, in and out. I could be discovering myself. If I can only hang in there past the first few pages.
The book I just finished is the one above: “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine”. It is sad, but also charming and fun. I was rooting for Eleanor from the first page. She had an abusive childhood, had no friends and no social skills. Still, I saw myself in her. The writer did a great job at keeping me engaged and wanting to find out what happens next.
I won’t talk too much about it. I am glad I read it, and I would recommend it. Somehow, it made me rediscover the joy of reading.
“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” ―
Now I am ready to start another book and keep going. I am feeling so ambitious I am thinking of starting 2 books, a fiction and a non-fiction. Too much? Probably. Perhaps I should just stick to one at a time. We shall see.
Where to go now? The next 3 pictures are the books I have on my nightstands. Which one should I choose next? Any suggestions? Some of them I have read more than a few pages, but it has been so long that I have to re-start.
“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.” ―
***
and no, I am not completely fine. When I things at work cannot get any busier, they do. My co-worker is not back yet. I have asked her to give me an idea of when she plans to return. If it will be much longer I will put her on disability and I will get a temp.
Then, today, I get the news that we are going to be audited again by the regulators. It has been only 3 years since the last one, and they are back again. They are coming to the office only in September, but they already send me a list of requests.
oh well, I am just going to read a book and try to keep stress and fatigue at bay.
Have a blessed weekend you all!
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. My recommendation.
LikeLike
Thank you Cassa for the recommendation!
I shall start with that one!!
Blessings!
LikeLike
💚
LikeLike
Pingback: ReBlogging “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and so am I!’ – Link Below | Relationship Insights by Yernasia Quorelios
Start with something not too big and not too demanding – and allot a certain time (e.g. 20 minutes in bed before you switch off the light) so you get into the habit of reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Cat for the tip! That is definitely the way to go to create the habit.
I will report on how well I am sticking to it.
Blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: ReBlogging ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and so am I!’ – Link Below | Relationship Insights by Yernasia Quorelios
💜 ‘Emotional Intelligence’
…💛💚💙…
LikeLike
Thank you Yernasia!
Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
💜 YOU!!! ARE Most Welcome 🙏🏿 🤗 ☺️ 😊 🙌 😀 🙏🏿
…💛💚💙…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing!!.. As Mr. Bennett said “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” (Roy T. Bennett ), so don’t add stress to your reading by setting a goal… get a cup of Earl Grey or a glass of wine or whatever floats your boat, perhaps invite Barnaby to share the moment, grab a book (whatever your heart chooses) and sit down, relax and read.. 🙂
Until we meet again..
May your day be touched
by a bit of Irish luck,
Brightened by a song
in your heart,
And warmed by the smiles
of people you love.
(Irish Saying)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Larry,
I feel that I have been very relaxed about reading lately and that is why I allowed myself to start dozens of books and never finish them. I feel I am losing out on a lot by doing that.
So in a way I do need to push myself sometimes. We will see how that goes. Of course, I am allowed to change my mind, and go back to not finishing every book.
Thank you for your insight and many blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved this book!
LikeLike
me too 🙂
Blessings Beth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of the books on your shelf (and since you liked Eleanor…), I would recommend Sedaris or Bryson. Or maybe get something along the lines of Eleanor, like A Man Called Ove or The Henna Artist.
LikeLike
Hi Madeline,
Thank you so much for your recommendations!
I am excited to get “A Man Called Ove” and “The Henna Artist” and add to my library.
I will report when I read them.
Blessings!
LikeLike
Sorry about work Ana. That pile of books looks intimidating. I used to read tons of self-help/self-improvement books. Now, I mostly read fiction.
LikeLike
Thank you Brad!
It will be challenging, but I am going to try not to let the work stuff consume my life.
Blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugs…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Resending my response. Hope you get it this time. Xoxo
“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” ― Marcus Tullius Cicero
Gosh! You have books, girl!
Which? Rainer Maria Rilke is what I’d choose from your pile.
I’d choose it over Jodi Picoult even.
Then, Living from the Soul.
Kurt Vonnegut— huh! I just checked out from the library one Kurt Book: Mother Night. Never read a K Vonnegut book. My library selection here in Japan is limited.
So read two, my friend: one for you one for me.
On my part, I’ll look for Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Thanks for the recommendation. 🤗 💐
A nightstand without books is bad for the soul.
Blessings. XoXo
LikeLike
Hi Selma,
I got this 🙂
Those are just the books that I have started and not finished. There are many more that I never opened.
I am hoping that I will be going through all of them, one after another.
So I have started Outliers today. I hope soon I will be posting that I have finished it, but not only that, what I learned from it.
Thank you so much for the recommendations and many blessings to you!
ps. I didn’t realize that you are in Japan.
LikeLike
First, I loved Eleanor Oliphant, great read. To answer your question about what next to read, I find anything written by Paulo Coelho a great read.
LikeLike
Hi Chris,
Paulo Coelho is one of my favorites also. I need to revisit some of his books.
Thank you for the visit and blessings to you!
LikeLike
I loved that book too. It was a good read. In your long list I don’t know all, but I do like Paulo Coelho, and the “50 ways how to sooth yourself without food” That sounds interesting to me! 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Ute,
I will let you know what I think of that book “50 way to sooth yourself without food”. It didn’t grab me the first time I attempted to read, but I am going to try again.
Food is what I run to at all times, for any reason; so I am always looking for ways to change that dynamic.
Blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s hard to go wrong with a Kurt Vonnegut book (I loved “Breakfast of Champions”). Malcom Gladwell I’ve never read, and he’s on my list of authors I need to read. My problem is that I read too much non-fiction and not enough novels. My early new year’s resolution is to read a majority of fiction in 2023. I hope your work situation improves soon… – Marty
LikeLike
Hi Marty,
I never read anything by Kurt Vonnegut. I do hope to start Cat’s Cradle soon, and hopefully finish it this time. I will add Breakfast of Champions to my list.
We are still in 2022, you can still read some fiction now 🙂
Work hasn’t improved, but I think I need to. I think I need to be more serious about making some changes in that area. I need to start buying lottery tickets 😉
Blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My recommendation for non-fiction would be Hamlet’s Mill and for fiction would be Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut.
LikeLike
Thank you Rob! I added Hamlet’s Mill to my list. I had never heard of – it sounds interesting.
Cat’s Cradle will be the next after Outliers.
I hope you and Coda are using that pool to the max.
Blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, having a lot of pool time! lol Hamlet’s Mill can be dry at times, but it really puts a different spin on myths and their purposes. I hope that you enjoy it.
LikeLike
Awesome!!
I will be certain to report once I read it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on finishing a book..Reading and not writing 🙂 I love your writing style and look forward to reading more of your articles/posts! Hopefully I can be as talented as you one day!
LikeLike
haha, I accept the congratulations – it is really a big deal for me. I was stuck on the start and never finishing loop for years.
Perhaps I should attempt to write one and see it that goes better than reading lol
Thank you for the compliment! It means a lot to me!
Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear girl… I know the feeling. Congratulations!
I’m hopeful I will get to this soon! 💖💖💖
LikeLike
Thank you! Blessings!
LikeLike
That’s a fantastic collection of books, Ana. I would go straight to Margaret Atwood – the Handmaid’s Tail is horribly prophetic in Texas right now.
LikeLike
Thank you Kerry!
I am adding that to my list.
Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰
LikeLike
Wonderful! And a great book choice too!
LikeLike
Thank you! It was an easy read. Perfect to get me back on the reading track.
Blessings!
LikeLike