The passage of time is both swift and agonizingly slow

Where do I begin after the longest break from writing this blog I've ever taken? It has been *checks calendar* 4 months since I last posted a review (and that's not just here but anywhere). Like many of you, I've been in self-isolation and I continue to work from home. As a Children's Librarian, this has been an unexpected challenge as I try to fulfill the needs of my library community while also taking care of my mental health (tenuous at the best of times I'm afraid). I've seen so many posts from other people talking about their struggles to maintain the status quo of productivity and 'getting things done' while also feeling incredibly anxious and rundown. That is exactly what has happened to me. At the beginning of this whole thing, I found it difficult to even focus on reading at all much less sitting down to put together a semi-coherent review. Luckily, I discovered that nonfiction was to be my savior through those first few difficult weeks as it acted as a sort of lifeline tethering me to the reality of the world while also taking me out of my current situation. (I really delved deep into scientific literature and was living, ya'll.) 

And then it turned out that NYC was the epicenter of the pandemic and that we were going to be indoors for much longer than originally anticipated. My landlord and his family left for the remote regions of Vermont and I was left in a house alone with my thoughts and my temperamental cat. (She's not going to be pleased when I start leaving the house again by the way.) So I had to develop a routine and to my surprise (and probably anyone else who knows me) that entailed exercising 6 nights a week before bed. I won't say that I enjoy the exercising but it has made me feel in control of at least this one thing which has helped my mental health immensely (as well as my furry friend who while temperamental has been my sole companion). And I kept reading. I picked up books that had languished on my shelves, I requested ARCs (Advanced Reader's Copies) from publishers who hyped their books in webinars, and I ordered books recommended on Instagram posts and blogs promoting social justice and anti-racism. I READ A LOT. And yet I still couldn't find the energy or mental stamina to write out reviews. 

Then my calendar informed me that today marks NINE YEARS of writing on this blog. For 9 years I have read and reviewed books for strangers that I have never seen. I have been a voice on the Internet advocating and sometimes deploring the written word. I have fielded countless emails from authors, publishers, and publicists asking me to read books in pre-publication. I have picked up books with interesting blurbs and beautiful covers hoping they'd be my next favorite book. I've read books that were out of my comfort zone and others that were completely in my wheelhouse.  I have read books aimed at children, marketed for teens, and some that fit no definitive age bracket. I've been delighted, disappointed, and inspired. It's safe to say that for many years my blog (and the American Museum of Natural History) kept me sane. It certainly sustained me creatively and intellectually when my job was doing the exact opposite. (I know now that was the job and now I'm in the Profession.) So I don't take this blog lightly despite the fact I make $0 from it. (Not once have I gotten any money from the ads I place at the bottom of all of these posts.) 

So I decided to sit down, clear my mind, and write. 

I want to thank each and every one of you that have read my blog posts whether that's been for the entire 9 years or you just stumbled onto it today. I appreciate you taking the time to read my thoughts about books and the power of reading. I know that for me reading and putting books into the hands of others is my passion. I truly believe in the power of becoming a lifelong learner and what it can do for you and the people in your life when you share what you've learned. These last several weeks have certainly tested that belief. At this point, I view it as willful ignorance especially in the age of the Internet and social media that we all live in. If you have the capability to post about your barbecue (where I see you didn't wear masks and invited your friends so yes I'm judging) then you have the power to research our racially discriminatory criminal justice system. If you can post an Instagram story where you're doing a dance you learned on TikTok then you can find the time to learn about why people are protesting and pulling down monuments to the past. (Read this article for a quick summary.) It is the responsibility of all of us to learn about our country's past so we can examine our present and impact our future. And once you've done the research then you need to act. This could mean telling other people what you've learned and urging them to do their own research. It could mean picking up a phone and calling the policymakers in your area to demand change. Maybe you can donate to an organization fighting for racial equality or at the very least let your followers on social media know about the organization if you don't have the funds to spend yourself. We are living in an age of connectivity unlike anything our world has ever known and yet we are still so divided. We will continue to be divided as long as relegate members of our society to the margins and treat them as anything less than human beings deserving of the same respect and privileges as those who have always lived with privilege. 

If you've made it this far, I commend you. I've run out of steam to write comprehensive reviews so this will only be starred reviews (for now). This is only what I've read during self-isolation. When I've gotten a few more books under my belt (and it looks like that is a distinct possibility) I'll write a follow-up post. And don't worry all of the other books I've read (I'm looking at you 2019 and early 2020) will eventually get written up into reviews sooner or later (probably later).

1. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge with illustrations by Chris Riddell -- 6/10
2. Dry Store Room No. 1 by Richard Fortey -- 8.5/10
3. Stuffed Animals & Pickled Heads by Stephen T. Asma -- 9/10
4. In Real Life by Cory Doctorow with illustrations by Jen Wang -- 8/10
5. Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku -- 9/10
6. So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson -- 10/10
7. How to be a Victorian by Ruth Goodman -- 10/10
8. The Art of the English Murder by Lucy Worsley -- 10/10
9. Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elizabeth Kolbert -- 7/10
10. The Complete Mapp & Lucia: Vol 1 (and half of Vol 2) by E.F. Benson -- 9/10
11. Department of Mind-Blowing Theories by Tom Gauld -- 9/10
12. Excuse Me by Liana Finck -- 1/10
13. We Are Here Forever by Michelle Gish -- 2/10
14. The Fragile Earth edited by David Remnick & Henry Finder -- 7/10
15. Making Sense by Samuel Harris -- 5/10
16. Fossil Men by Kermit Pattison -- 6/10
17. Tunneling to the Center of the Earth by Kevin Wilson -- 5/10
18. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang -- 6/10
19. Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth -- 8.5/10
20. The End of Policing by Alex S. Vitale -- 8/10
21. Sanctuary by V.V. James -- 6.5/10
22. The Last Stargazers by Emily Levesque -- 10/10
23. White Kids by Margaret A. Hagerman -- 9.5/10
24. Small Doses by Amanda Seales -- 10/10
25. The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander -- 10/10
26. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin -- 10/10
27. Stargazing by Jen Wang -- 7/10
28. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy -- 10/10

Reread:The Neverending Story by Michael Ende and The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis.

What I'm Currently Reading: ????

**If you're interested in buying this book or any books really, you can click here or here. The first will re-direct you to AbeBooks and the second will re-direct you to The Book Depository. These are great websites for purchasing books (AbeBooks carries inexpensive used and out-of-print books and The Book Depository ships free everywhere in the world). Full disclosure: I will receive a commission on all sales made by following either of these links. I wouldn't recommend a site that I didn't use and you are under no obligation to purchase anything. :-) **

An update (of a sort)

Hello friends. I had thought that it would be the perfect time to catch up on all of the unwritten reviews from 2019 while being isolated at home. In reality, it has been incredibly difficult for me to think coherently much less write anything approaching comprehension. That being said, I have continued to read and write down my thoughts on the books that I've read during this time with the idea of posting them eventually. I've even started making notes like "Read during the second week of self-isolation on a Monday." and "Finished in two days during the 4th week of self-isolation." You get the idea. As of today, I've read 9 books not counting a reread (The Neverending Story helped get me over the slump at the start) during this time. Seven of these books were nonfiction because it seems my brain could more easily absorb facts than the building of characters and fictional worlds.

Increasingly, I've felt guilty for not updating and doing more 'work' on the blog. I didn't want to seem 'unproductive' or 'lazy' while at home. I guess a lot of us feel that way right now. I do intend on getting back into the swing of things as it were but I also felt it was right and proper to give this little update so you know where I've been both literally and figuratively. (Not sure if figurative is used correctly there but my brain isn't willing to linger too heavily. I just mean to say I've literally been at home and figuratively my mind has been all over the place. Hope this translates and the over-explanation isn't make it worse. Now you can kinda see into my crazy brain for a bit.)

So that's where I'm at. Are you interested in what I've read so far during this time?

• The Lie Tree by Francis Hardinge and illustrated by Chris Riddell (bought for the cover)
• Dry Store Room No. 1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum by Richard Fortey
• Stuffed Animals & Pickled Heads: The Culture of Natural History Museums by Stephen T. Asma
• Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel by Michio Kaku
• In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and illustrated by Jen Wang
• So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson
• How to be a Victorian: A Dawn-to-Dusk Guide to Victorian Life by Ruth Goodman
• The Art of the English Murder: From Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes to Agatha Christie and Alfred Hitchcock by Lucy Worsley
• Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change by Elizabeth Kolbert

And I'm currently reading The Complete Mapp & Lucia: Volume One by E.F. Benson.

If you're feeling so inclined, please drop a comment below with some of the books you've read and what you're currently reading. :-)

Wait til you read about the sweatshirt.

After I started my dream job last year, my mom bought me a copy of I Work at a Public Library: A Collection of Crazy Stories from the Stacks by Gina Sheridan. (Thanks, mom!) I'm actually glad that I waited to pick this up because of the experiences I've already had after working as a Children's Librarian just a few months. (Don't worry. I'll remember them in my future memoir.) It still would have been funny back in December but it's exponentially more hilarious comparing it to my own experiences. (Note: If you don't work in a public library you'll still think this book is a hoot.) Sheridan has amasseds a collection of true things that have occurred in public libraries all over the world on her blog aptly named I Work at a Public Library which she started when...she started working at a public library. (I think you get where this is going from the title right?) It's organized according to the Dewey Decimal System and absolutely bursting with hilarious, heartwarming, disturbing, and disgusting tales. If you don't laugh out loud at some of these or gasp in shock then you're probably an automaton (and I'm terrified of you). Whether you're a library nerd at heart or just want to get a glimpse behind the scenes of where the library nerds gather this is the book for you. 10/10 and already trying to get all of my co-workers to read it. :-)

**If you're interested in buying this book or any books really, you can click here or here. The first will re-direct you to AbeBooks and the second will re-direct you to The Book Depository. These are great websites for purchasing books (AbeBooks carries inexpensive used and out-of-print books and The Book Depository ships free everywhere in the world). Full disclosure: I will receive a commission on all sales made by following either of these links. I wouldn't recommend a site that I didn't use and you are under no obligation to purchase anything. :-) **

2015 here I come! OR This blogger gets a little introspective.

(I seriously spend more time on my blog titles than the actual body of my posts sometimes and the above is the result of my diligent labor. I'm not even sorry about it.)

Beware! Soppy blogger notes ahead!!
When I first started this blog, I had a couple of goals in mind. The biggest was that I wanted to encourage reluctant readers to give reading another try. I thought that if I blogged about a variety of genres and used books both contemporary and 'dated' that I would appeal to a larger audience. I wanted to share my passion and enthusiasm for the written word in the hopes that it might inspire others into nerding out over literature. I had no idea that I would find the practice so rewarding or that I would look at it as a profession rather than a hobby. Yet here I am 3 years later reviewing books and loving it. My hope is that I have somewhat attained that big goal. I hope that some of you found your way here on a whim and decided to stick it out and read right along with me. For all I know, you guys have been reading the same books as me all along. (If so, please comment and tell me about it because I love reading your comments!) At any rate, I just wanted to say thanks SO much for reading the blog and I can't wait to continue this journey with you guys in the years ahead!

Oh yeah and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Umm so young adult romance...I'm into it I guess? Wait, that came out wrong!

If you race home, drop everything, and immediate dive back into a book it's a pretty safe bet that you're 'into it'. Girl Online is one of those young adult novels that sucks you right in and makes you fall in love with the characters right off the bat. Penny is a completely believable character. This is an important point to make because in a lot of novels it's like the characters are too much if you get what I mean and it makes it difficult to put yourself in their place. It's not like that with Sugg's protagonist. I found myself alternately smiling from ear-to-ear and blinking back tears. It's exactly what being a teenager was like for me...except more English. lol The format of narrative interspersed with blog posts wasn't disruptive to the flow either which I appreciated. I predict that a lot of teenagers are going to be talking about this one (if they're not already). If I were you, teen, grownup, geriatric, android, I'd give this one a read. Oh and did I mention that Zoe is already working on a second book? I sure hope it's a sequel!!

Girl Online really put me in the mood for reading more young adult fiction so I'm finally picking up a book that I've had lingering on my shelf for quite a while: Divergent by Veronica Roth. I know what you're thinking, "Holy cow! You're just now reading this?!" I had meant to read this before the film came out earlier this year but other books called my name louder and...well I'm getting to it now, okay! From what I've gathered, this is like The Hunger Games meet The Giver...or did I totally just make that comparison up? Well, if it turns out to be true I'm totally giving myself a gold star. I'll let you know some of the bare bones in my next post. Until then, HAPPY READING!!

It's time for a change

There's a very good reason that it took me several weeks to finish up Russell Brand's newest book. When you read a book that questions the very fabric of reality which you have been indoctrinated into...well it takes a bit to let it all sink in. What can I say about Revolution except that it was utterly brilliant? It's clear from the opening pages that Brand is passionate about the topic of change on a global level. The book focuses on environmental and economic change which can only occur if our current system is overthrown completely. He makes several valid points and backs it up with solid data. The only problem I really had with Revolution is that there was no index (which anyone who is a nonfiction guzzler will say is a big no-no). It won't be difficult to verify the facts but it does lend firing power to anyone who seeks to argue the credibility of the work. He doesn't pull any punches (when does he?) and I think for a work such as this you can't if you sincerely want people to rise up and unite. So basically I think you should all give this book a read. It will make you think about the current system we have in place and make you question why we accept it knowing that it's faulty.

For a complete change of pace, I'm next going to read Zoe Sugg's debut novel, Girl Online. This book is written in a blog style format as its protagonist is a blogger who shares her deepest fears, feelings, and future hopes with strangers online while maintaining a pretense with those she interacts with on a daily basis. I'd say the work is semi-autobiographical as Zoe herself started out as a blogger and like her character she suffers from panic attacks. I've been hearing a lot of mixed reviews on this one so I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible with my thoughts on it. :-)

WHOA! Liebster Award Nomination

I've been nominated for a Liebster Award! The thanks goes to Sarina who was awesome enough to think of me. :-) So what is this obscure award? Well it's not exactly an award. It's an opportunity for bloggers to get some attention. It is intended for small blogs with under 200 followers. I'm excited to be a part of this and to share some love with some of my blogging buddies. 

Here is how it works: 

1. Highlight the person who nominated you (Sarina) to help spread the word about their blog as well.

2. Tell 11 facts about yourself.

3. Answer the questions from the blog that nominated you (Sarina). 

4. List 11 blogs with less than 200 followers.

5. Post 11 questions for those blogs to answer.

6. Notify the blogs you nominate via email.

11 Facts about Alicea

• I hardly ever sit with both feet on the floor. Even when I'm in a skirt. O_O
• Sometimes it takes me an infernally long time to get through a book even if I'm really enjoying it. Other times, I rip right through them. This has more to do with laziness than any inherent interest I might have in the reading material.
• I'd prefer to be constantly busy. I'm always and forever overscheduling myself.
• The problem with the above is that I'm continually forgetting what I've scheduled myself for and then I end up running all over the place.
• Not only do I have a passion for blogging but I really love vlogging (video blogging for those unfamiliar). I have a YouTube channel and everything! ;-)
• A little over a year ago I gave up eating beef and pork. I mostly stick to vegetarian dishes but when I feel like I just have to eat something more "substantial" I turn to chicken or fish. I did this mostly to keep myself healthy but also because I wanted to lose weight. It worked on both accounts. :-)
• I have a cat named Zuzu (not my idea) that is about the size of a small car. It's not because I feed her human food or even overfeed her. She's just lazy. No idea where she learned that kind of behavior.
• I'm on pretty much every single kind of social media. Except Pinterest. I refuse to get sucked in by it. REFUSE. Edit: I got sucked in. No one was surprised.
• I enjoy cooking but I hardly ever do it since it's just me at home. However, this hasn't stopped me from buying (and receiving) a ton of cookbooks.
• Speaking of books (which is kind of the point of this blog isn't it?), I have so many at this point that they've migrated off of my bookshelves and onto pretty much all the available surfaces of my apartment.
• I've never really done cosplay but after three different visits to Comic Con I want to try it. I'm thinking of doing Clara Oswin Oswald from Doctor Who. 

Questions from Sarina: 

Pick one place on planet Earth you would like to go. Tell us why.

New Zealand or Sweden. New Zealand because a lot of the greatest movies have been filmed there and the scenic beauty of the landscapes is magical.  Sweden for partly the same reason except I've only seen it in one show, Wallander.

What is something you have done that is completely unexpected and out of character for you? 

I applied for a study abroad right after I began my graduate program in Library Sciences on a whim. Then I was accepted. I went to London for a month and it was the best 31 days of my life.

Name some weird exotic food you would like to try and tell us why. 

I haven't really tried a lot of Mediterranean food so I'd like to give it a whirl. The problem is that they use a lot of cheese in their recipes and I'm lactose intolerant. :-/

What do you want your wedding song to be? If married, what was your wedding song? 

Oh boy. I've never really given this a whole lot of thought. Wait, are we talking about the first dance song or the one I walk down the aisle to? Well, either way I'm not sure of the answer. I used to say At Last by Etta James for the first dance but now...not so sure. I imagine I'd have to talk it through with my future husband. I'm pretty fluid.

Star Wars or Star Trek? 

Star Trek all the way. The crazier question would be: Kirk or Spock?  Now that is a toughie. I'm gonna go with Kirk because William Shatner is da bomb but I do love me some Spock.

Doctor who fans: Who is your favorite doctor? (non who fans can skip this one) 

There are non-Who fans?! <mind boggles> My Doctor is definitely Ten played by the indomitable David Tennant. Even though Christopher Eccleston was technically my first Doctor, David really blew me away with his performance and just pulled me in FOR LIFE.

If you were going to be sorted at Hogwarts, what house would you want to be in? 

Ravenclaw. I'd be super flattered that the Sorting Hat thought I was intelligent enough. :-)

Why are you blogging? 

I'm blogging for 3 reasons: 1) I think that it's important to encourage everyone to become lifelong readers, 2) I love to talk about excellent literature, and 3) enough people asked me for recommendations that I felt there was a need for it.

Do you use your public library? If not you should! If so, what do you use specifically? 

Yes, but not as much as I used to unfortunately. I generally use the library for its primary purpose which is checking out books. Since I started doing the blog, however, I've dipped back into my own personal collection (I still haven't really made a dent in it).

What is your one karaoke jam? That one song that comes on and you're like, "yes this is my ultimate theme song!

If it's The Carpenters, I'm in.

What did you eat for breakfast? (sorry I ran out of ideas) 

I'm currently in Philadephia for a Comic Con so I'm eating the complimentary breakfast at the hotel. This morning, I had a blueberry bagel (sans cream cheese) and a cup of coffee.

and the nominees are: 

Solving the World's Problems 

Terry Tom Brown

Wordy Geek Girls

Questions for you guys:

1. What's the last book you read and should I read it?
2. If you were a Muppet, which would you be and why?
3. Candy is dandy but fill in the blank.
4. Which superhero would you be and what kind of awesome superpower would you have?
5. Do you have a YouTube channel that I need to subscribe to?
6. I'm currently obsessed with Wil Wheaton (and you should be too!) because he's hysterical. What celebrity would you like to have as a bestie?
7. What's your favorite guilty pleasure fast food joint?
8. I'm Southern and therefore have a moral obligation to consume fried foods. What's the strangest fried food you've ever eaten and how much on a scale of 1-10 did you love it?
9. Are you involved in any causes? If so, what are they? If not, WHY?!
10. Are you into reality tv? WHY?!
11. Got any tattoos? Do you regret them or are you still really into them?