A Cocktail and a Conversation: Thanksgiving Edition

We have so much to be thankful for this year. Seriously. Some of us had kids. We have great partners. Some of us got new jobs. We got new houses. We're graduating. We're healthy.

But of course we are thankful for all of that!

So this year at Broke and Bookish, we decided to break with tradition and divulge our silliest, most off the wall things that we are thankful for.

Bridget says: I am thankful that we will be on Long Island for Thanksgiving this year, which means I will get to partake in real pizza, which my life is currently lacking. (No, we don’t eat pizza FOR Thanksgiving. But I wouldn’t complain if we did.)

Daisy says: I'm thankful for Zoey the Zebra, a toy that endlessly entertains my daughter and makes her dance, which is the best thing ever. I'm also thankful for the existence of sushi, since I can eat it again now.

Julia says: I am thankful over the air digital receivers so that I will be able to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while not having cable. Also for free XM for the weekend so while I am driving around Ohio to hit up all the family gatherings, it will be with a great variety of music.

Jana says: I’m so thankful for cozy blankets because they make me unbelievably happy. If I’m sad or not feeling well, I curl up with one. I love being surrounded by soft things, so I own way too many blankets.

Lori says: I am so thankful for hot toddies. Bourbon. Little bit of honey. A hot drink on a cold night. I think the citrus will help prevent me from getting scurvy this winter. And I'm thankful for fuzzy socks. I could live in them!

Kimberly says: I'm grateful to have a dog to help clean up the floors after my nieces and nephews have picked through their Thanksgiving meal.


What off the wall things are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Cocktail and Conversation

It's time for another Cocktail and Conversation with the Broke and Bookish ladies!

This week we're talking about fall:

What are you most looking forward to as we head into fall?

Bridget says:  I am sooo looking forward to opening the windows, lighting candles (Yankee Candle Kitchen Spice or bust), wearing boots and sweaters and jeggings, offices being a reasonable temperature instead of feeling like a refrigerator, the leaves changing, finally having an excuse to wear tights with my dresses, less humidity aka less frizziness...I could go on!!

Jana says:  I love the cool, crisp weather that makes sweaters so cozy! Pumpkin bread from my favorite local bakery. Drives up the canyon to see the leaves change colors. I love the atmosphere of the excitement surrounding Halloween and the spooky novels I read around that time. And I loooove Thanksgiving! 

Lauren says:  I'm looking forward to the weather cooling down and not freaking out every other day. I'm ready to sit on the swing outside to read without sweating to death. Oh yeah... and new book releases of course. :)

Lori says:  I can't narrow it down!  I've started missing my boots and scarves.  I will always be a summer girl, but I do love those clothes.  College football, for sure.  I love waking up on a Saturday and knowing my entire day is already full of the games.  It doesn't even matter who is playing--it's just fun to watch.  Lastly, the endless supply of chili that goes with the endless supply of college football.  I have an awesome recipe.



What are you looking forward to with fall?

Cocktail and Conversation

It's been a couple of weeks since our last edition of Cocktail and Conversation.  Pour yourself a drink, pull up a chair, and let's chat.

This week's question:  What is your favorite room/spot at home? (Not just for reading, but generally)


Lori says:  I love our back porch.  My boyfriend and I sit outside on the back porch for hours, just chilling and having a couple of beverages.  I also love doing yoga, eating, and reading out there.  I bought a lot of plants and flowers to cover the porch this spring, which makes it just lovely.


Jana says:  My favorite spot in my house is my bedroom. I just re-did the entire thing last summer, so I've got a book nook and tons of bookshelves, a really comfy chair with throw pillows and soft blankets, and a cute little lamp that puts off the coziest warm light. I love spending my time reading there or watching my favorite old movies.

What about you?  What's your favorite spot in your home?

A Cocktail and a Conversation

It's time for another cocktail and conversation with the Broke and Bookish ladies!  Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join in the conversation...

This week's question:  What ritual or act helps you feel pulled together?

Jana says:  That's hard because I never really feel pulled together! Haha. My answer would have to be straightening my hair. I've got super curly hair that feels majorly out of control most of the time if I let it go wild, so if taking the 30 minutes to straighten it each day makes me feel much more in control and confident. And that's not to say I don't love going curly here and there, I just love the feel of silky smooth hair I can run my fingers through!

Lori says:  As superficial as it sounds, I feel put together when I put on mascara and moisturizer and my jewelry.  Bonus points for myself if the bed gets made.  :)  If everything else is going to shit, I feel less bad and more human when I do those two (or three) things.

Kimberly says:  Putting on eyeliner and straightening or curling my hair are pretty much guaranteed to make me feel put together and capable of being a functioning human. It's not much, but sometimes it's all I need.

Lauren says:  I'll be completely honest here... putting on my bra. Yup. I don't go anywhere without it on and usually even wear it around my house  even if we don't have company over. And bare feet! Of course I always have shoes on when I leave the house. (I may be from Kentucky, but we aren't always barefoot. Haha.) But I still have to have socks or flip flops on if we have company. I guess I feel exposed or something. I don't know. So I guess this girl has to have things covered up or the day is ruined! Haha. :)

Julia says:  I guess I feel put together when I leave the house in not a t-shirt and jeans and I actually feel like I could pass for being somewhat fashion relevant. I've been trying to do it more lately in case I have surprise meetings with CIOs of major US Healthcare providers and don't end up wearing my dinosaur hoodie again.


What about you?

A Cocktail and Conversation

This week's question:  What is you favorite thing to cook and why?

Bridget said:  Probably my mother-in-law's macaroni and cheese recipe!! So easy and so delicious. Perfect for potlucks and picnics!

Kimberly said:  I'm not sure if it can be called a recipe, but I love making pasta salad. It's pretty simple, but so so yummy! It's perfect this time of year too, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoni and cheese with Italian dressing.

Lori said:  I love experimenting with pasta, but in the interest of something different--my favorite meal to make is fried chicken, fried potatoes, and corn bread.  I love the amount of time it takes to make the whole meal.  And my fried chicken recipe is just damn good.  :)

Jana said:  I love this chicken!  Sooooo good! I use a glass dish for baking instead of the foil, and it's crunchy and amazing.


What about you?

Cocktail & Conversation

Pour yourself a drink and pull up a seat!  This week's question for the Broke and Bookish Ladies is:

Water park or amusement park? Why?


Bridget says:  Amusement park! I hate being all wet and squishy walking around the park. Plus I always just feel slimy with all that gross water, and awkward walking around in a bathing suit all day. Gimme a roller coaster over a water slide any day!

Jana says:  Amusement park! I'm with Bridget, I hate being wet all day and walking around in a swimsuit. I also fry and end up looking like a lobster after 30 minutes. I love roller coasters and other rides, though, and I've spent many summer days hanging out at various amusement parks. So many memories!

Lauren says:  I choose... both! For now I'd rather go to an amusement park because I am on my weight loss journey and I don't quite feel comfortable wearing swimwear yet. Plus I LOVE roller coasters!

Julia says:  I enjoy both water parks and amusement parks, but I usually go to amusement parks over water parks if I am looking for a vacation or a break. In fact I am heading out to one today to ride all of the roller coasters! Let's hope for good weather.

Lori says:  WATER PARKS!!!!!  I love chillin' in the lazy river (although kids have NO CHILL and constantly bump into my tube), but I also love riding the water rides.  I like being able to be outside, getting some sun, and staying cool at the same time.  Where's my fruity umbrella drink?  :)

Kimberly says:  I really like both, but I feel like I get bored with water parks faster. It could be because the only actual water park I've been to is Lagoon here in Utah. It's fun, but once you've done a few of the slides you've done it all. But I do love amusement parks! It's something I've missed this summer being pregnant, I could go walk around but I'd have to skip all the rides and who wants to do that?



Your turn!  Water park or amusement park?

Cocktail and Conversation with the Broke and Bookish Ladies

It's been a while since we've done a Q&A post, so we decided to give it a shot.  This week's question is:

What do you miss most about being a kid during summer break?

Kimberly says:  I miss summer days with my Grandpa. I spent a lot of time with him as a kid. I remember very distinctly the smell and feel of mornings at his house. (Freshly brewed coffee. ) We'd go on adventures and do crafts. It was paradise for a kid!

Jana says:  I miss how valuable and precious summer used to be to me as a kid. School was out, and I had a few months of freedom. The sky wasn't even my limit, and I loved living every summer day like it was a gift I was given. :)

Jamie says:  I miss endless pool days with my sister, eating ice pops all day long, bare feet, the ice cream truck coming around after dinner....I just really miss not having any structure. My sister and I had so much fun during summer break -- from playing games we made up when we were little to sunning ourselves and reading by the pool when we got a bit older.

Lori says:  I miss how the summer just seemed endless.  Each day seemed like an opportunity for something huge and exciting to happen.  I also miss the summer reading program at the library.  (Why don't they have those for adults?!)  I miss going to the pool all day and not having to worry about the tab I was running up at the snack shack.  Basically, I miss the freedom to just do.

Bridget says:  I miss not hating the heat! I used to live for summer, like a lot of kids, but now I hate it. This could be due to the fact that I live far more south than I did when I was growing up (grew up in New York, currently live in North Carolina) and the heat here is just unbearable. I truly miss looking forward to summer rather than dreading it! Give me crisp fall weather any day and gtfo with your heat and humidity!

Daisy says:  I miss having the whole summer off and just getting to spend it having fun and being lazy! No responsibilities and not having to figure out what to have for dinner or actually make said dinner. All those endless days in the sun, swimming and reading piles of books were amazing!

Lauren says:  I miss hanging out with my grandparents and following them around all day. I miss running through the sunflowers that were taller than me, chasing butterflies, picking up baby birds that have fallen out of their nest and putting them back. Out of all of the memories I can sweep up, I miss sitting on the swing with my grandma. We'd talk about anything and everything, or we'd just swing and enjoy the country life. Oh... and I miss running around barefoot. :)

Julia says:  Reading all your answers. I agree with with them all. I'm so nostalgic for summer!

There you have it...What do you miss about being a kid during the summer?

A Cocktail & Conversation -- Summer Go-To's

Every other Thursday here at The Broke & The Bookish is A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends. 

This week we are talking FOOD -- which, besides books, is my favorite thing in life.

This week the question is: 

What is your go-to summer recipe/meal/drink?

  
Jamie says: In the past couple summer's one of our go-to recipes is this healthier, no-mayo potato salad. I love potato salad but I don't particularly love eating mayo so I found this and last year we had to cook for about 30 people during our family vacation one night and it was a HIT. We actually just made it last week to bring to my niece's graduation party. It's so easy to make and it's tasty without being loaded with mayo so I don't feel like I have to miss out on typical ~summer classics~ while still trying to be mindful of what I'm eating.  It's a compromise.

Bridget says: Going to any barbecues this summer? Need to bring a dish? This mac and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser. It's my mother-in-law's recipe and my husband and I make it all the time. It's super easy and super delicious. I never liked mac and cheese until I had this recipe, and once you try it you'll never go back to the boxed stuff ever again!

Daisy says:  One of my favourite things to make is pesto chicken salad, because you can just prepare it at any time and put it in the fridge till you're ready to eat/take it with you if you're bringing food. It's also ridiculously easy to make:
Cook pasta (any pasta, doesn't matter what you choose, it's all good), let it cool off after, add a little bit of olive oil so they don't stick together. Cut up some lettuce and add a bit of rucola (arugala for those in the states), mix in a small bottle of green pesto, add pieces of smoked chicken, pine nuts, add in pasta and TADA DONE! Tastes awesome and you can save leftovers for the next day, maybe next 2 days if it hasn't been sitting out on the table all night. Add tomatoes if you want, not necessary though.
This is always a winner with my friends and family and so easy. You can also switch the smoked chicken with bacon or add mozzarella. This is almost anything goes

Tell us your go-to summer eats!!

A Cocktail & Conversation Time With TB&TB -- GIMME NEW BOOKS PLEASE AND THANK YOU!

Every other Thursday (lies...it's Friday and idk when the last time we did one of these posts but ideally this was the plan) at The Broke & The Bookish is A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends. 

This week the question is: 

Who is one author who you are just DYING for them to release a new book?

Lauren says...

Ania Ahlborn -- I've read every single one of her horror novels, and I will not stop now. She never fails to creep me out by placing a spin on old school horror. No frills, just thrill.

Ernest Cline -- I loved Ready Player One and Armada, but I need more. I have to more. Where are you, Ernest?

Deborah Harkness -- I loved The All Souls Trilogy she wrote. But that's all we've gotten from her so far. She a well-educated woman with a penchant for writing... and honestly, I need a little more of that in my life.

Julia says...

George R.R. Martin -- I want to know what is going to happen so badly!! And now the TV show is ahead and there are some amazing twists... I just want to see how this weaves into the story the book is telling (which is now different from the TV show). Also Patrick Rothfuss. I love the world he created in the Kingskiller Chronicles, so I want to know as much as possible!

Bridget says...

Gillian Flynn -- I need some more effed up psychological thrillers to devour. Gone Girl came out, what, five years ago?? You can't tell me that she's out of ideas after only three books. I want more!! 

Jamie says...

Jandy Nelson -- The two books she has out are on my all time faves list and I just NEED more from her. I'll Give You The Sun was especially brilliant and I know brilliance probably takes time but OMG THE WAAAAAAIT KILLS ME. I thought I might die between The Sky Is Everywhere and I'll Give You The Sun and I don't even want to look to see how far out the next one is. Time to reread probably! In this industry I feel like books are coming out quicker and quicker and I appreciate that some authors can't write at that pace so this isn't a complaint...just an I LOVE HER BOOKS SO DAMN MUCH AND AM DYING FOR MORE. 

What about you guys??? What authors are you just like, "OMG PLEASE GIMME MORE BOOKS ALREADY!"

A Cocktail and Conversation with TB&TB -- It's Been Awhile!!

Every other Thursday here at The Broke & The Bookish is A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends. 

The question this week is:

What is something you'd like to learn or a hobby you'd like to take up?

Lauren says...

Does something you kind of know how to do, but want to start again count as a hobby? Yes. Yes it does. I learned how to play bass guitar in high school, but I didn't really get into it. I knew some chords, but I STILL want to learn how to play by ear and be the rocking badass bassist that I know I can am. Sometimes a girl just needs to play a little Metallica herself and find her happy place. 

Also... does opening up a dog resort count? Yeah... that too.

Julia says...

I have a few things that I have been wanting to take up or continue learning. First is sewing. I really want to learn how to sew. I think it would be fun and useful! I just haven't had the time to go take a class. Also I've always wanted to learn an instrument that I can play while I sing. I've tried guitar and piano in the past. So I'd like to pick that up again.

Jamie says...

Oh man I have so many things I would love to learn/take up as a hobby. First, I would love to learn a few languages. I took AP Spanish in high school and then tested out in college but I wish I would have kept up with it. I've had the app Duolingo on my phone for the past couple years and I go through phases of relearning the Spanish but this Fall I started again pretty seriously when we booked our Madrid trip and it's AMAZING how much I've retained. Like some of these lessons I already know all the words and meanings and stuff which is pretty cool considering the last time I took Spanish was in 2004. I also have ALWAYS wanted to surf since college when I was friends with a bunch of guys who were surfers. Big problem: TERRIFIED OF SHARKS SOOOO.


What about you all? What is a hobby you'd love to take up or something you'd like to learn?

A (Long Overdue) Cocktail & Conversation With TB&TB Crew

Every other Thursday here at the Broke & The Bookish is  A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends.

It's been a while since we've sat down for some cocktails and convo with y'all on a Thursday! Our apologies.

Here's this week's topic: 

 What is one book you recommend pretty much across the board -- regardless of genre or what the person normally reads?

 Julia Says...

One book that I usually recommend to people is The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It's a drama, I would say, but also includes hints of science fiction and romance. I adore this book and read it every few years. I'm actually do for a reread now. I love the questions that this book poses on the ramifications of time travel on not just the person time traveling but the people around them. The movie version of this was a disappointment, so if you didnt really like the movie, give this book a chance.

Tahleen Says... 

I recommend Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple to anyone at the library who is "looking for a good book" and gives me little to no extra information. It's funny, got a mystery, has broad appeal, plus it's written in emails and documents, as well as being narrated by Bernadette's 14-year-old daughter. Pretty much everyone who has read it that I've talked to has loved it. Bonus: If they liked Where'd You Go, Bernadette and are looking for something else to read, I'll recommend Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia — this one is also a quirky mystery, but set in an old hotel during a major snowstorm that traps the high school chorus and orchestra all-stars (and their teachers/chaperones) who are performing there that weekend.

 

Bridget Says...

There are a few books like this, but recently it's been Celeste Ng's Everything I Never Told You. I feel hypocritical because I always say "this book will make you ugly cry... in a GOOD way" but if someone told me that about a book I probably wouldn't read it, because I generally avoid books that make me cry. But this one was SO WORTH IT and you should read it.

Lauren Says...

I recommend Ready Player One by Ernest Cline for several reasons. It has that dystopian feel to it that most people are intrigued by these days, but it also tugs at those science fiction heart strings that you didn't even realize you had. The true front-runners of the science fiction genre have set the tone for our future. Just turn on the History Channel or TLC and you come across a documentary about today's society/culture and I can guarantee you someone at one time has written a science fiction novel about that very same topic. Take Arthur C. Clarke for example. He is best known for writing the screenplay for one of the most influential films of all time... 2001: A Space Odyssey. When Clarke was introduced to one of the first computers (which consisted of many gigantic electrical boxes that filled an entire room), Clarke legit predicts the internet and how one day everyone will own a computer that will be drastically smaller where they can look at their bank statements or work from home. SERIOUSLY? Yes, seriously. Look it up. Ernest Cline did not disappoint with this novel as he introduced a new possible future that truly meets the trends our society seems to be following. So just go pick it up. You won't be disappointed. 

Tell us, dear book pushers! Which books are ones that you will pretty much recommend universally?

A Cocktail & Conversation -- Where Would You Live?

Every other Thursday here at The Broke & The Bookish is A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends. 

The Question

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?

Lauren Says...

I'd live in Greece. I currently live in the third largest city in Kentucky (which really isn't saying much). I'd live in Greece for so many reasons, the biggest being the history of Greek Mythology and politics that started there. I am a HUGE fan of pretty much every different cultural mythologies, but Greek is my favorite. I would sit where so many infamous and most influential people in the world have sat. I would stand in the middle of the Epidaurus Theater with my jaw dropped. I'd visit the Beaches of Crete and stare in amazement at the colors and pure beauty of the world. I'd walk through the Delphi Runs in splendor of the old world architecture. 

Kimberly Says...

Okay, this is totally boring, but... I would live right here in Utah. My family and friends, as well as the Mr. 's family and friends all live here. (And yes, we like them!) So staying here is the dream... Especially if we had a house with a nice big back yard and beautiful old trees.  Then I would travel EVERYWHERE.

Julia Says...

Ideal unattainable dream is unlimited money and to live literally every country for a month or so. But when I was in college I did the math against the countries recognized by the UN and if I had started right then it would have taken me decades. And that doesn't even count things like Scotland or Quebec vs. British Colombia or something. 

So that said, I am going to pick somewhere in England. Probably London. I loved going to visit there and I just dont think I would ever get tired of the country and exploring around me. Plus the British accents (and yes I know there are quite a few, I still like them all) are hot! ;)

Bridget Says...

Anywhere there's a beach! Every once in a while I check on this one multi-million dollar, beachfront house for sale near where I grew up. It's gone down about a million and a half since I first started checking, so maybe one day it'll get down far enough for me to afford ;)

What about you guys? Where would you ultimately want to live?

A Cocktail & Conversation--Things To Save!

Every other Thursday here at The Broke & The Bookish is A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends. 

THE QUESTION
If your house was on fire, what are some of the bookish and non-bookish things you'd save?

Lauren says...

Firstly I'd grab the wiener dog. He may be crazy/spoiled/spawn of satan at times, but he's almost 8 years old and has been with me through thick and thin. Next would have to be my MacBook Pro. The damn thing cost so much, I would just HAVE to grab it. Plus the boyfriend has his first novel saved on it. As for bookish things, I honestly wouldn't grab anything. I own almost 800 books and it's not like I'd have time to pick and choose any. I've got over 200 ebooks on my Kindle Fire, but then again, I could just buy a new one and re-downloaded the books again. So I guess I've taken the practical route on this question, but then again I was once in my house under a mattress when a tornado ripped through my house. I'm not big on possessions, but it would suck so bad if my damn apartment burned down. 

Jana says...

We're just going to assume my cat is already sitting my car waiting for me with the engine running because I'm really bad at handling stressful situations. Like REALLY bad. Non-bookish would be my photo albums. I would just die if I lost all those memories. (In most cases I'd be like Lauren and grab my laptop, but I have a complete back-up of my computer stored in a fire safe so I've basically already planned for the fiery apocalypse.). Bookishly speaking... I'd probably grab a tote and fill it with favorite books of mine that have been personalized to me by the author (On the Island, The Lunar Chronicles, Kiss of Deception, The Book Thief, etc.). I can always replace books and my Kindle, but those signed books are very special to me. Can we just not have a fire, though, please? Just the idea of it is stressing me out.

Jamie says...

Well besides my husband and my phone (which I'm just assuming this fire takes place at night and my phone is right next to me on the nightstand) and maybe my bra because I'd really like for the whole world not to see me sans bra....I know exactly what I would grab. It would be so tempting to want to grab my computer and some beloved books or some clothes I love but I know those things can be replaced. The pictures would be the hardest thing for me not to grab but they aren't in a very accessible place so that would be pretty devastating. HOWEVER, the bookish thing I would save are the Nancy Drew books my mom gave me -- you can read my whole post about why they are special to me here. And the non-bookish thing is the blanket my stepdad had made for me after my mom passed away that is made from some of my mom's t-shirts . They were all these very iconic t-shirts that just reminds me so much of my mom or ones she wore a lot and I could never replace it EVER so it might seem like a weird thing to grab but I would.

 the books & a peek of the blanket underneath

Discuss: What bookish and non-bookish things would you save from a fire?

A Cocktail & Conversation -- Favorite Music

Every other Thursday here at the Broke & The Bookish is A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends. 

The Question - What type of music do you listen to the most? What was the last concert you went to?

Bridget says...

As for as music I listen to... there's so much different stuff, but I guess most of it can be categorized into 80s pop/metal (think Def Leppard, Styx, OMD), 90s pop/alt rock (Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox Twenty, etc), and some classic rock. Also, occasionally some current pop music, but I don't listen to the radio all that much, so I usually rely on Andrew to let me know when something good comes out.

Daisy says...

The last concert I went to was of Ewer and the Two Dragons, fairly unknown I think. I mostly listen to a mix of pop and rock, I LOVE singers like Jonathan Jeremiah and Sarah Bareilles, who are both awesome live!

Lori says...

The last concert I went to was Garth Brooks back in January. I'm glad I went because otherwise, the last concert I went to was in high school. I just don't go to that many! Garth Brooks was pretty awesome. I love that he primarily played his old hits. Our group was on the jumbotron during "Friends in Low Places," which was really cool.

Julia says...

The music I listen to most is actually pop music (according to Spotify).  I would classify it more as an Indy eclectic with a heavy lean toward 90s pop/alternative. I enjoy singing so that is probably why I like pop. I really have a wide range though. The only thing I would say you wouldn't find on my Spotify is hardcore heavy metal, straight rap, and pop country. I have some classic country though, like John Denver. I have a playlist for the songs I sing in Church so I can practice them as well as one for ALL THE KARAOKE ever. As for concerts, I have been to lots of musicals, lots of classical concerts, but only one official concert and that was The Fray in 2007... only because Mae opened. :)

Lauren says...

I pretty much just listen to rock music and most of it's sub-genres. I can't listen to the new stuff of the radio without wondering how in the hell our next generation of children are going to make it. The last concert I went to was the Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville, KY. There were THOUSANDS of people there for a two day event. There was Judas Priest, Korn, Stone Temple Pilots, Mastodon, Pop Evil, Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat, Buckcherry... the list goes on. It was amazing. Here's a picture just to show you how many people were there. I can't wait to go again this year!

What type of music do you listen to? What was the last concert you went to?

A Cocktail & Conversation -- Clean Reader App

Every other Thursday here at the Broke & The Bookish is  A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends.

THE QUESTION:

I've seen a lot of talk about the Clean Reader App (if you aren't familiar check this article out). What are your opinions about it?

Bridget says:

 My basic understanding of the Clean Reader app is that it removes profanity from ebooks. From what I can tell, it doesn't change or replace them, it just blocks them out. I have...a lot of complicated feelings on this.

My first instinct is to shake my head and say, "To each his own," and probably wander away muttering about how some people are such weenies. But I also have a lot of half-formed "This is bad, but I can't really articulate why" thoughts. The first of these was summed up rather eloquently by one of my good friends: "If you can't handle profanity, you can't handle real life." Like, seriously with the pearl clutching. Reading the word "fuck" or "pussy" or "shit" or "cock" or whatever isn't going to kill you, and it's not going to turn your children into delinquents, either. So many people seem to look for things to be offended by. To those people, I give a hearty double middle-finger and say "Get a life."

But a more important argument against the Clean Reader is summed up quite nicely in this article. Here's a great quote (emphasis mine):

Profanity is a circus of language. It’s a drunken trapeze act. It’s clowns on fire. And let’s be clear up front: profanity is not separate from language. It is not lazy language. It is language. Just another part of it. Vulgarity has merit. It is expressive. It is emotive. It is metaphor.

In any book I've ever read, profanity is there for a reason. It's not superfluous language that you can just remove from books at will. You wouldn't rename a character because you didn't like their name, or decide they were white when you're told they're black, would you? The same goes for profanity. The author's intention is exactly what is written—no more and no less. To disrespect that in the name of "clean reading" is unconscionable. 

If you hate profanity so much, feel free to read books that don't contain profanity. But don't punish authors who use profanity (for perfectly good and legitimate reasons, I might add) by mangling or censoring their writing.

 Julia says:

So I knew the basics behind the app but I wanted to learn more so I read some articles. And after finding a list of words and their replacements here in an article,  I just don't understand. I get that they want to protect themselves or their children from being offended but that is how you learn and grow—you come across things that make you feel uncomfortable and explore why. I mean this is self censoring so I can't really say the app shouldn't exist, no one is trying to force it on the book world. I just don't agree with changing the original words, and potentially the original meaning, just for comfort. I mean seriously vagina and bottom are two completely different things. So if anything this is teaching bad anatomy. 

What do you guys think of the Clean Reader app? Do you have similar thoughts to Julia and Bridget or do you feel differently? 

A Cocktail & Conversation -- Do You Do Audiobooks?

Every other Thursday here (Friday this week because I lost track of time!!) at the Broke & The Bookish is  A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends.

 

 The Question:

Are you a fan of audiobooks? Why or why not?

 

Tahleen says: 

  I absolutely love audio books. I would not know what to do without them. I get so much "reading" done via audio, whether it's on my commute to and from work or while I'm running. It's not only convenient, but it's a whole different way to experience a book and writing. A great narrator is key, too, and some of my favorites are Katherine Kellgren, Bahni Turpin, Nick Podehl, Moors Quirk, Jayne Entwhistle, and Kirby Heyborne, plus Bill Bryson narrating his own books are perfection. I'm sure I've forgotten a few too. Audio books are the best. The end.

Jana says:

I love audiobooks when I'm driving because then I can still read, but I have a really hard time not getting distracted! Maybe I've just not found any AMAZING ones yet. Anyone have any recommendations for wonderful audiobooks? 

 

Julia says:

I enjoy audiobooks when I need them. So long car trips alone. I used to listen to them on my long commute to work but a) I replaced them with podcasts and b) I moved closer to work killing the need for them. That doesn't mean I dont enjoy them. I really like having them on car trips alone because it seems like I have company. But I am SUPER PICKY about narrators, especially if it is a series I already know. This limits which books I read in audio form. I will say that one of my frustrations is that I cant just sit and listen to a book like i could just sit and read. It seems so lazy for some reason if I am not driving or working out or something. I remember with Ready Player One I totally just laid on my couch and listened to Wil Wheaton's awesome storytelling because i wanted to find out what happened next.

What about you, bookworms? Do you do audiobooks??

A Cocktail & Conversation -- To Mark As DNF or Not?

Every other Thursday here at the Broke & The Bookish is  A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends.

 

 

THE QUESTION (From Jamie)

In the book world we talk a lot about books that we mark as DNFs (did not finish). I'm curious about everyone's habits when it comes to deciding when to abandon a book! Are you quick to put a book down if you aren't jiving? Are you able to do it without any guilt? Or do you struggle when knowing to put it down? Do you keep hoping it gets better?

Jana says:

 I used to have a REALLY hard time DNFing, especially if the book came from an author or publisher. A few years ago I went through a two-week period where I was forcing myself to read a book I was really struggling with. I got to the point where I hated the idea of reading, and I wasted time on social media so I would not have to.. And then I had an epiphany. WHY was I reading this if I hated it? The author/pub does not WANT a bad review, and they know not everyone will love every book. So I DNFed it. And it felt amazing! Now I don't have a problem with it at all. Life' too short to read bad books.

Lori Says:

I don't think I really and truly DNF very often.  More often I will start a book, enjoy it for a while, then kind of let it fall by the wayside as I get into another book, but always with the intention of picking it back up eventually.  To me, "DNF" has such a note of finality that there aren't many books I've started that I decided I would not finish.  I will unquestionably DNF if the writing is just that bad and I have done this recently.  I've also DNFed because I decided I just didn't care if I ever finished the book coughcoughUlyssesbyJamesJoycecoughcought, but it was a struggle for me and I'm not even 100% sure that I will never, ever, ever finish at least the audiobook.

 

Kimberly Says:

I really have a hard time DNFing. I just keep thinking "Another chapter. Maybe then I'll be hooked!". Sometimes that is true, other times... not so much. I've been much better about it lately. If I'm not even slightly excited to go back to reading, I will put it on my "read later" shelf. There have been a few books I flat out DNFed. I'm not going to say what book, but if you go to my Goodreads page, I have a DNF shelf. You'll see it there. There are just too many books out there waiting to become new favorites, can't waste time on something I hate reading!

What about you, dear readers??

A Cocktail and Conversation: Influences In Your Reading Life

Every other Thursday here at the Broke & The Bookish is  A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends.

 The question:

"Is there anyone who helped make you the reader you are or helped cultivate your love for reading?"

Bridget says:  Definitely my parents, which I'm sure is a pretty common answer—they're the ones who would read to me all the time, and later financially supported my book-buying habits (along with my grandparents). Later in life, I can claim influence from tons of people who have recommended books, helping me shape my preferences into what they are today—especially my lovely cobloggers and commenters both here and on my own blog! <3

Julia says: There are few people that cultivated my love of reading early, primarily my parents. They read to me as a baby, which helped get things going. Also in grade school, my dad would take my sister and I to the library every Wednesday. So we had that base love of reading. The third person who really helped turned me into the romance lover I am today is my cousin, Erin. She came over one summer day around the age of 12 and introduced me to romance novels. She let me borrow her favorite (So Worthy, My Love by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss) and I was hooked. So I can thank her for introducing me to my favorite genre of books.

 

 

 

Jamie says: I remember being read to always by my parents/them letting me buy books but one of the biggest things that I think made me into the reader I am today is my stepmom. We split time between my dad's house and my mom's but we were always there every day in the summer. My stepmom would take us once a week to the library and just let us roam for 30 minutes in the kid section while she went and looked for her own books. It was this tradition I just LOVED. She let me take out ridiculous stacks and I think that being able to wander and discover made me find so many different things. I would read SO many different things because I had time to wander. Nobody was rushing me out of there. That HABIT of going every week helped me to be a consistent reader. Plus I REALLY looked forward to it!




What about you all? Who helped cultivate your love for reading/make you the reader you are today?

A Cocktail and Conversation

Every other Thursday here at the Broke & The Bookish is  A Cocktail Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends.

Lori says:  So...I saw earlier this week that there is a new animated version of The Boxcar Children that just came out.  That was the first series I remember starting to read.  I loved how simply the children lived and how they were happy with so little, living in a boxcar.  Though I am an only child, I remember being surprised that the siblings mostly got along.  They were super resourceful--keeping drinks in the stream so they'd stay cool, stuff like that.  I was totally impressed.  I am not sure whether I ever actually finished reading that series--I think there are several books to it--but I own most of them and plan on passing them along if I ever have any children.  I still love reading about people having to be resourceful and making it outside of "normal" circumstances.

Anyway, that got me wondering what was the first series you remember reading?  Did you like it?  Why?

Tahleen says:  Boxcar Children was my first series too! I remember buying the first book for a friend's birthday party, and it sounded good so we got one for me too. I wasn't a huge reader up to that point, but I kept finding myself reading well past bedtime by the light in the hall, and it was usually one of these books. My dad said I shouldn't do that, and I would reply with pointing out how he always would say how he wished I would read more. I was just doing what he told me to, ha. I think I liked that they were mysteries, and I liked following the same characters. (Mysteries are still my favorites!)  I'm not surprised you didn't finish the series, Lori--there are over 100 I think! I'm not sure where Gertrude Chandler Warner stopped writing, as I think it was taken over by ghost writers like the Babysitters' Club books (another good one), but there are a ton of them.

Bridget says:  The first series I remember reading is Samantha's American Girl series. I remember liking it partially because there was a seven-year-old girl named Bridget in one of them, and at the time I was seven. I eventually moved onto Molly and Kirsten, and my sister had Josephina. When I was younger I had a much bigger interest in historical fiction, especially since the eras vaguely matched up with what I was learning in school, so I really enjoyed them. I wish I still had the books so I could pass them onto my little sister (she's six) and eventually to my own children, but I think we gave them away. I still have my Molly and Samantha dolls, though :D 

Jana says:  My first series was called Full House Michelle. I loved the TV show so much, and when they came out with a series of books about the youngest girl, Michelle, I was all over them. I'm pretty sure I owned all of them, actually. They read like an episode of Full House. They came out with a Stephanie series too, which I liked even better. Stephanie was my favorite Full House character. And her books had a little romance in them. Hehe.

Julia says:  The first series I remember reading and loving is The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. I had always been a reader but at some point in my early grade school years, I fell off the reading bandwagon. I remember just guessing on books I had never read to pass my accelerated reading tests. Then I found The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and I fell in love with the Pevensie children. I devoured The Magician's Nephew and then didn't really enjoy The Horse and His Boy because the kids were gone. I stopped there, not knowing that the others in the series had Edmund and Lucy come back. But reading this series broke me into other books and I loved reading again. I think the next thing I moved to was the Choose Your Own Adventure novels. Those are amazing and would love to read an adult version sometime! I think they exist...

What about you?  What is the first series that you remember reading?  Did you like it?  Did you finish?  Why?