Books I have read recently

  • Shirley by Charlotte Bronte — I'm reading a giant biography of the Brontes "Wild Genius on the Moors" By Juliet Barker (amazing!! but I'll post on that when I finish) So I'm reading each novel as it's discussed in the book. I loved Shirley. I have to agree with the critics that it is a slow painful start and it does take about 150 pages till we meet the title character Shirley. But besides that, it is so well written. Caroline Helstone’s angst is beautiful and poignant. And knowing that the last third of the book was written after Emily & Anne died explains so much about the change in the book. Charlotte likes to fix her world by writing about it and in her version the sick heroine recovers where her sisters did not. I definitely recommend Shirley for the Bronte fan. Don’t skip it.
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas --- It took me a couple chapters to really dive in but after that I was in love. I had read somewhere that it was based on Beauty & the Beast, which is great. What I did not know is that it is a retelling of one of my favorite fairytales: East of the Sun, West of the Moon!!! What a treat when I discovered that. I love that story. It's whimsical and the girl saves the day which I love love love. Sarah does a beautiful job of it and I can't wait for the next one!!
  • Miss Buncle’s Book by D. E. Stevenson —What a little treat. My mom gave these books to me for my birthday and there are so much fun. It’s a light easy read and it made me chuckle.
  • Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder— I adore her soul finder books. I’ve been reading them for years. She builds beautiful strong women and sweeping romance. Her magic system is unique and I want to live in her world.
  • The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr and E. B. White — A must read for every writer. Thanks to Stephen King for the recommendation. It has all those little things that I had questions about and answered them quickly and succinctly. It’s not the funnest read but it’s helpful.
  • Click of Titles to go to the book's Amazon page

Monday, July 18, 2011

Why my blog has been neglected like an unwanted step-cat.

Why my blog has been neglected like an unwanted step-cat. a.k.a. Trouble Cat

So my precious blog, Sunbursts or Marble Halls, has been left alone and unloved. Not on purpose or rather not because I don't think it is lovely but because I have been a "light-avoiding invalid" off and on for the last couple months. Let me elaborate.

I have always been a headache/migraine sufferer but in April they increased from once a month to every day. Not at all pleasant.
There is a level system I have created that I might accurately measure the severity of these attacks. (side note: for an awesome blog post about this, and all around stinkin hilarious blog check this out Hyperbole and a Half. )

So here is my pain scale system
Level 0: What?! There is a level 0. There are times when I could have no headache at all? You lie! Wait I remember it one time, I spent my time cleaning the house, What a waste of a level 0 day!

Level 1: Hmm I don't feel quite right. I know if I were to jump up and down or try Downward Facing Dog i would probably get worse but I am so high functioning right now; I want to do these things! I want to conquer the world and read books.

Level 2: My eyes are starting to get this stingy thing were it feels like someone is poking behind my eye and probably laughing at me. I am still reading books but the pokiness is getting irritating!

Level 3: I am starting to get a little testy, The likelihood of my turning into a monster if I stay up past 9:02 is strong. Matt begins to usher me to bed alone, knowing if he reads with the light on I will suddenly wake up from my sleep and try to eat him. But I am still feel ok in my waking hours.

Level 4: The pokiness in the back of the eye is starting to spread. I can feels its painful tendrils as it latches to important parts of my brain. (Not the dumb part like sense of smell but the bits that control balance, cheerfulness, and tolerance of lights) Slowly all the lights in the house will start to get turned down or off. Bright things seer though to my soul when the tendrils start attacking my skull. This is one of Matt's least favorite levels because he comes home to all the lights off and when he turns them on I hiss like a deep-sea fish that has evolved to be eyeless because it lives at the bottom of the ocean.

Level 5: If I am smart I will start administering some sort of pain-reliver at this juncture. Key words "If I am smart" Because sometimes I want to be all natural and not destroy my kidney and liver functions. I know I can be so lame sometimes. I am all like" I am an Aes Sedai" (like a witch from Harry Potter but awesomer and way more dorky) Who is this headache to control me?! Haha Famous last words.

Level 6: My stubbornness is leaking out my temples making them pound like a marching band. I always find it disconcerting when I can take my pulse from my pounding temples without touching them. At this junction standing upright starts to take an extreme effort and in response my body starts to shut down "unnecessary" functions like talking and thinking.

Level 7: My head is staring to really hurt but seeing as it might be in the middle of the day I can't just go to sleep so I grab some Bengay and spread it on my temples. It is so cold and numbing I could marry it. Then I put on some headphone and listen to something with my eyemask on. Examples 1. Jane Eyre Chapter 27 See my blog post Librivox: Heaven's gift to man 2. New Moon 3. You've got mail 4. Miranda Lambert

Level 8:Things are starting to go down hill really fast now. I am now starting to get nauseous from my untamed affliction. Laying in the fetal position while rocking back and forth seems like a genius idea since I can no longer stand or open my eyes. It's the little things.

Level 9: I am probably close to crying now. I have taken my maximum amount of pills and now I am just waiting for it all to end one way or another. Matt is getting that worried look in his eyes like I might kill him on accident or explode into a pile of migraine juice.

Level 10: I am 100% incapacitated. I tell Matt if I'm not unconscious, dead, or better in 30 mins we are going to the hospital and they are going to pump me with so much drugs I'll start hallucinating that I have finally gotten my own My Little Pony: C.C. Cloppity Cupcake. You'd love her.

Level 11 & up: I am dead.


So as you can see blogging is not something that is feasible in Levels 4 and up. Also cleaning teeth is not very feasible. But today is a good day. Not really. Today was a royally sucky day but I did stop an Level 9 in it's track with my Holy Grail Codeine pill. So here we are.

P.S. I even undated my recently read books section. Yeah me
You're prayers are appreciate. I am seeing a neurologist and I don't have a brain tumor. Win Win.