A Year of Books

Is there anyone out there participating in Mark Zuckerburg's reading challenge for 2015?  He is reading 2 books a month and having a Q and A with the authors most times.  It is called A Year of Books .  I have either bought the ones I really wanted and the rest I have checked out from my local library.  With work I have not been able to keep up.  The books have selected so far have almost been like text books and very long.  Not easy reads.  Full of graphs and statistics. 

The only easy read has been Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh.  It was interesting because that was a sociology book, which was my major in college.  I am about 1/2 way through The End of Power.  Now I am trying to clog through the current book, Creativity, Ink by Ed Catmull. It is a good book, interesting.  I do like it because I was a Disney cast member for nine years.  Little by little I will get through them. 

I am determined to keep up with you, Mark Zuckerburg!  I just need to read faster!  It's a great challenge with some very challenging books.

On My Nightstand

What are you reading right now?  I have several books lined up but I am currently reading Trigger Warning by  Neil Gaiman.  So far so good.  Very interesting and disturbing stories.  Some were a little dry.  It is a good book. I am just about done and I would recommend it.  It is a good read.

I did try to follow long with Mark Zuckerburg and his reading challenge for 2015 but I fell behind plus I started reading other books not on his list.  I think I will eventually read the books on his list.  I did finish one already....Gang Leader for a Day.  It was good. I am 3/4 of the way through the End of Power. 

Books. books, books!  I love them.  There is never enough time to read all I want to read. 

Admit It!

Snapshots In My Time...Of My Time.....Hauntings. 

One of my FB friends posted this and I bet it is true for many.  In my case I have been reading but now mainly on my kindle.  I have not stopped reading but I do find that it is taking me a lot longer to finish books.  I am distracted by FB, Twitter, Tumblr, Foodspotting, Foursquare.  You name it!  I am a social media addict.  

I still have a child at home so I do think it is still critical that children see their parent reading.  I have been reading to and with my child since she was an infant.  Now she does not read so much for pleasure now.  Most of  her reading is just for school.  I do encourage her to read books just for fun, but her time seems limited.  She too, is caught up in social media.  As a parent I do encourage her to "unplug."  Books and reading books as we used to when we were kids is soon becoming a thing of the past.  

Bookmania! Again!

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I have bought quite a collection of books to read in the past 3 months. I have not had the time to read all of them. They are just collecting in my room and den and still I buy more. Here are just a FEW of the books I have to crack open or, if they are cracked open, I need to finish. Can you read 4 books at once? I am. Will I ever finish one of them? Maybe. In 2010!

Here is my current reading list. Check some of them out! Enjoy!

What's so Amazing About Grace
The Shack
The Idiot
The Power of Now
The Mind of the Soul
When the Ground Turns in it's Sleep
American Visa
2012
How To Seduce a Ghost
A Billion Bootstraps
The Prince and Other Writings
There's a Business in Every Woman

The above list is in no way inclusive of all that I have recently bought. I just thought I would stop here. If you can get through all of those any time soon, it will be a miracle. Happy Reading!

The Art of War

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I finally picked up the Art of War at Barnes and Noble week before last. The Art of War is most dry! I get the concepts but I really have to concentrate to follow along. And don't let me be sleepy. Out like a light I go!

I think it was Survivor China in which all the playes were encouraged before the show to get the book and read. It has some good concepts but you really have to think about how to work them into your daily interaction with people. I suspect I will be reading it for a 2nd time, just to be sure I get the full idea. Somethings seem crystal clear and others seem obscure and hard to relate to this modern world. I need it thought. Too many times I find myself on the attck from others. I am reading the book to hopefully gain just a little insight to be able to defend myself just a litle better.

The Shack

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I had the pleasure of reading this book over the past 2 weeks. It is fiction but it seems to be based in theology...valid as it relates to the bible. The book is very interesting and very entertaining. In fact I could not put it down. I would recommend that you add it to your summer reading list. The Shack is an amazing book. Preview The Shack on their website. The Shack

You will not be disappointed.

Amazon Kindle

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

Well, it is here...the Amazon Kindle! This is the new electronic reading device by Amazon. Reading the Kindle screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper—and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. It never becomes hot and is designed for ambidextrous use so both "lefties" and "righties" can read comfortably at any angle for long periods of time. The screen works using ink, just like books and newspapers, but displays the ink particles electronically. It reflects light like ordinary paper and uses no backlighting, eliminating the glare associated with other electronic displays. As a result, Kindle can be read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.

It uses Whispernet: Amazon's optimized technology plus Sprint's national high-speed (EVDO) data network to enable you to wirelessly search, discover, download, and read content on the go.

Unlike WiFi, you don't have to find a hotspot. Amazon pays for Kindle's wireless connectivity so you will never see a monthly wireless bill for shopping the Kindle Store. There is no wireless setup—you are ready to shop, purchase and read right out of the box.

The Secret

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I finally got my copy of The Secret by Rhonda Byrne today. I have been on a waiting list for about a month. It ws finaly my turn. I could have bought it at Barnes and Noble but I wanted to just check it out in case it was hokey. I most likely will not get to start to read it until this weekend. I will finally find out what all the fuss is about!

Fragments of a Great Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation that will be life-transforming for all who experience it.

In this book, you'll learn how to use The Secret in every aspect of your life -- money, health, relationships, happiness, and in every interaction you have in the world. You'll begin to understand the hidden, untapped power that's within you, and this revelation can bring joy to every aspect of your life.

The Secret contains wisdom from modern-day teachers -- men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible.

Book Obsession

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I have an obsession and love of books. It seems that Barnes and Noble is my hangout. I go there at least 3 times each week just to have coffee and fine a new book. Now the books are piling up. In addition I have been making numerous trips to the library. I just got 2 new books on yesterday. There are the books that I have either purchased or checked out from the library in the last two weeks. It is kind of hard to read more than 3 books at one time.

This is my current suggested reading list. Is anyone else out there reading any of these?

Blue Like Jazz by Don Miller

Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer

How to Have a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis

Any of these can be found on Amazon. You too can add to your collection. Check them out below.

People of the Lie

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I am just about to finish People of the Lie by Scott Peck. It is one of the most inciteful books I have read so far this year. It has been key in pointing out and confirming some things I have always thought and known. There is real evil in people. I am concenred about this because I have had to move back home since my father died in december and I now know for sure that evil is alive in my mother. Real evil and I mean REAL. It was always there as a child and since I have been back, I know it is still there. Sad for her. Bad for me, but I am equipped to deal with it now, as an adult.

Battles are being waged and so far I am ahead. One of the things the book points out is that evil people project their evil onto others. They are constantly saying others are evil and bad but it really is them. They cannot look at themselves at all. Evil people are very narcissistic and that is her as well. All of the following apply:

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

1. has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
2. is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
3. believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
4. requires excessive admiration
5. has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
6. is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
7. lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
8. is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
9. shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

In addition, evil people tend to scapegoat others. She is trying that and trying to be a bully. Confrontation is the only way to stop a bully, so as I said before wars are being waged and I am winning. I won't back down. I have kids to protect from her evil. It is a shame as she will most likely never change. She sees nothing wrong with herself at all. She is perfect in every way. Say a prayer for me. Times will be most trying!

Are there really evil people in your life? Then review this post and blog about it. You will even get paid to do so!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

It will be called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The announcement was made on the writer's official website.

Despite the publication date not being known, the book is tipped to be a big seller, like the rest in the series.

Speculation about the plot has surrounded the book after Rowling admitted two characters will die - some think it could be Harry Potter himself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Now I have been in cohoots with some of coworkers and we think that Harry Potter will die. IT will be the only way that Harry Potter cannot be brought back to life by some other author or producer trying to make a spin off. I think the only way to do him justice IS to kill him off. It would be an ugly day when Harry was brought back spin off style as a rapper or an extreme snowboarder or something crazy like that. Harry, you lived a long and happy life making us all happy. Now we will always remember your books and the craze surrounding them and all the fun we had reading and watching the movies.

You can actually pre-order the book ahead of time. I think I will be taking advantage of that. You can too.

Pre-order Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at the links below!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Standard



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Deluxe