Rereading “The Sheikh”

Thai Novel The Sheikh and The Golem and the Jinni

Welcome to the 121 days since the shelter in place order and since I’ve been working from home! I hope everyone is doing okay out there. As for our little household, we’re doing okay. But as you know, for some of us creative type, being stuck at home is driving us slowly mad. As the quote from Where’d You Go Bernadette goes: Exactly. So, I’ve sewn masks for donation. I’ve cleaned out the garage. (Also because we had “little visitors” apparently.) I’ve gotten more indoor and outdoor plants. I’ve started a weekly Instagram Live show on Mondays at 8 p.m....
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Reading Challenge: Fahrenheit 451

The Simpsons - Book Burning Mobile

Reading challenge #9: A book that was banned at some point. Note: This is NOT a book review. It’s more of a story as to why I chose the book for the challenge and my reflection after having read it. See full challenge list at the bottom of the post. This challenge is the irony to end all ironies when the book is “Farenheit 451.” F451 was not on my high school reading list, so I never read it. I came to the U.S. for my high school junior year, remember? And up to that point in my life, the...
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Reading Challenge: The Girl on The Train

OakMonster - The Girl on the Train - Trainwreck

Note: This is NOT a book review. It’s more of a story as to why I chose the book for the challenge and my reflection after having read it. See full challenge list at the bottom of the post. Note 2: Profanity is about to fly around here. You’ve been warned. You know it’s a good book when it sucks you right in and makes you feel very passionately about the characters. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins is one of those great books. I fucking hate all of these people. Every. Single. Character. Hate them all. So,...
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Reading Challenge: The Shining

OakMonster - Timberline Lodge as Overlook Hotel

Note: This is NOT a book review. It’s more of a story as to why I chose the book for the challenge, and my reflection after having read it. You already know that one of yearly goal is to read 12 books a year. Coincidentally, my friend Naz set up a book challenge with, guess what, 12 categories. A book that intimidates you. A book you should have read in school. A book published before you were born. A book you’ve already read at least once. A book you can finish in a day. A book you previously abandoned. A...
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My Reading Evolution

OakMonster.com - Doctor Who - Silence in the Library

Brandon reads on average a book and a half a week. You wouldn’t believe how much of a relief it is when he got a Kindle for Christmas the year it first came out.  Our shelves were overflowing with books back then. We were taking boxes to our friend’s used bookstore or local library. At one point, I started re-selling them on Amazon. As for me, as you know, my goal is ALWAYS to read 12 books a year. Some years I did well. Some years I didn’t. So far, this year I’m on a pretty good path. Thanks to...
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10 Goals for 2013

OakMonster.com - Win with Oakley

Brandon suggested that I shouldn’t call these “Goals” but “Aspirations” since they’re more of a guideline of what I want to accomplish rather than what I’m driven to achieve. Well, lack of the drive is my fault. Not the goals. However, having setting up goals every year, I have an average of 50% success rate and many of those successes become a part of my regular ritual.  For examples, Veggie Tuesday is now permanent, also made easier with being more meatless than almost vegan.  Reading through the magazines as they come in is also now a habit.  So, it’s not...
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