What's Making Me Happy This Week - 9/14/16

Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling in talks to join A Wrinkle In Time??? (Mostly this just makes me happy because it means the project is still moving forward....)

http://www.themarysue.com/wrinkle-in-time-mrs-w/



A new Anne of Green Gables miniseries is coming to Netflix????  (I know people are on the fence about this. I don't honestly think it will be anywhere close to as good as the original, beloved Megan Follows Anne. But any time this story makes it into the mainstream again, it gets me excited.)

http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/entertainment/anne-of-green-gables-netflix?xid=soc_socialflow_facebook_realsimple



I've been a fan of Tori Amos for a long time. While her new song isn't my favorite of her work, I love this video of just the piano part - it reminds me why I appreciate her music so much. Girls with pianos will always be near to my heart.






What's making YOU happy this week??

What's Making Me Happy This Week - 7/20/16

We are really enjoying the show Greatest Hits on ABC - some of the performances are surprisingly good, and some remind us why it's better that pop music has just moved on.....

I'm not ashamed to say that I've been a fan of Hanson - those boys just make good music. I loved this performance of their most famous song, and it made me think I'd have a great time at their concert. These boys are pretty darn talented, even in a silly song like this.





YouTube is so big, and I'll never see even half of what's available, but sometimes I find something new that seems like I should have known about it already.....did you know about these Crash Course Literature episodes?? Author John Green breaking down great books? I'm loving it, and the only thing I'm mad about is he hasn't made a new episode in 2 years. Give us some more books, John!!





On Saturday, I will be here. Can't wait. Vacation = bliss.

What's making YOU happy this week??

What's Making Me Happy This Week

We all know of my love for Hamilton: The Musical. This past Saturday, creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, along with primary actors Phillipa Soo and Leslie Odom, Jr., took their last curtain calls on Broadway. It was a lot of fun to be able to watch that curtain call live. Before their last show, The Schuyler Sisters gave us one last, beautiful song to remember them by -





I cannot stop watching this. The level of brilliance required to conceive of, and then execute, something like this - amazing.







 I know I'm not the only one enthralled with the story of A Song of Ice and Fire. (Game of Thrones for those who just watch on HBO). This combines my love of the books with my nerdy love of history.....spoiler alerts, this follows the timeline of the novels, so fans who just watch the show might find a few differences.....







What cool things have you discovered lately?

On Alexander Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Bandwagons

SO......Hamilton: The Musical? Maybe you've heard of it???

The founding father, the hip-hop soundtrack, the hype, the acclaim - this isn't news, right?

I think I came to know of Hamilton late. I actually stumbled on the Ham4Ham videos on Youtube first, and wondered what in the world was going on? Then, through some research and my friend Google, figured out it was a bit of a phenomenon. Then found the soundtrack, and the rest was history. I am officially on this bandwagon, friends, and I don't think I'll be jumping off any time soon.

I've always been a sucker for a good musical. My mom was active in the local community theater when I was growing up, and I can remember the first time I fell in love - she brought me along to help with costumes for the summer production of Camelot, and I was hooked. In junior high, a friend gave me a copy of the soundtrack of Phantom of the Opera, along with the entire (photocopied) libretto, and my goal officially became to be as amazing as Sarah Brightman. (Spoiler alert - I didn't have the pipes.)

So let's just say I was overdue for a new musical obsession.

I started watching the Ham4Ham videos, and listening to the soundtrack, and fell more and more in love with this funny, evocative production.




The cast performed at the White House, and the importance of the intersection of those pieces of history are not lost on me.




I purchased my own copy of Hamilton: Revolution (aka the Hamiltome), choosing for my pleasure the audiobook, and devoured Mariska Hargitay and Lin-Manuel Miranda telling the story of how this amazing show came to be on Broadway.

I will say, honestly, that if you are not a huge fan of 1. The Musical and 2. Broadway, this is probably not the book for you. It's lots of the inner workings of bringing a show to production, and how the cast is chosen, and while I find those kinds of stories fascinating, I am aware that they have a bit of a specific appeal. I thought Markiska Hargitay did a fantastic job as narrator - she just sounds like New York, to me, which is perfect for the story of a musical set in New York, coming to New York. I cried.

I am more and more in awe of Lin-Manuel Miranda every time he does another thing. I've been enjoying his Ham4Hams, of course, and his Twitter feed is genuinely entertaining. But reading about his process - about the technical and musical knowledge and skill that he brought to the writing of Hamilton; about his evident love for both musical theater and hip-hop, and the ways he weaves both into his work - this guy is the real deal. I am all in for whatever he chooses to do next, because I can't wait to see what his brain will come up with.

And more than all that - Hamilton: The Musical has ignited my interest in Hamiltion: The Dude - I've just secured a copy of the Ron Chernow biography of Alexander Hamilton that started this whole thing, and I'm compiling a list of biographies of the other major players so I can read and learn more. A musical that compels me to dig into the actual history of our country? Not bad.

I can't be the only one on this bandwagon, right? Are you a Hamilton fan? Bemused observer? Not yet sure what is going on? What else should I read now that I'm obsessed with the man? Give me ideas, friends!!

What's Making Me Happy This Week

My friend Corine has a podcast! It's called Rising Stories - each week she talks to a sucessful female business owner, entrepreneur, or author. They talk about being in business for themselves, the elusive work/life balance, and what's rocking their world. I love listening to women's stories, and this podcast feels like eavesdropping on a conversation between girlfriends. I'm loving it so far!! (Click on Corine to be taken to her podcast website - click on Rising Stories to be taken to the ITunes page.)






Still loving Hamilton, and since yesterday was "May the Fourth Be With You", this parody seemed appropriate....

Remembering Tori

I don't often use this blog to share personal platforms, but some days need to be an exception.

Over the past year, I've been given the opportunity to come to know Lesa Brackbill, and her daughter, Tori. Tori was a beautiful, fully normal baby, until at 5 months old she was diagnosed with Krabbe leukodystrophy. Krabbe is a progressive, degenerative disease - at the time of her diagnosis, there was nothing medical science could do to save Tori. Tragically, had the Brackbill's hospital screened for Krabbe at Tori's birth, a procedure could have been done to save her life.

On Easter Sunday, Tori went to sleep with her parents next to her, and woke up with Jesus.

Today, Tori's family and friends are gathering in Pennsylvania for a Celebration of Life. While I can't be there physically, I couldn't let the day go by without letting Lesa, Brennan, and the rest of Tori's family know how much her short life has impacted mine.

Tori reminds me to live each day with purpose. Tori reminds me to hug close my kids. Tori reminds me not to let a minute go by without telling someone how much I care about them. Tori reminds me to make a Bucket List, and check off as many items as I can. Tori reminds me to be passionate about a cause, and work to make the world better. Tori reminds me every day to Choose Joy.



To read more of Tori's story, and to see her Bucket List, visit The Adventures of the Brackbill Family

To learn more about Krabbe Leukodystrophy, and to find out if your state requires newborn screening for this devastating disease, visit Hunter's Hope

The State of the Stacks - Blogging Vacation Edition

I've been trying to write my "Year In Review" post for about 10 days now, and each time I sit down at the computer I get stuck. It's not that I don't want to talk about the fantastic books I've read - because I do! I just, for some reason, don't have the motivation to write about them on this platform right now.

I started this blog in May of 2008 - that means I've been writing, fairly regularly, for almost 6 years. My life has changed A LOT since then - new house, 2 kids, busier work environment and additional responsibilities - and keeping up here has become more and more of a challenge. I love the community of bloggers I have come to know, but because of the constraints of my life I feel like I barely have time to keep up with them.

So I think I'm going to take a bit of a "vacation" - a little time off to rest, catch up with the bloggers I love to read, and re-evaluate what part blogging should play in my life. Hopefully, this means you will see me more often at YOUR blog, because I will actually have time to read and comment! I will still depend on you all for book recommendations, and I will let you know when I read something you've suggested.

I don't know how long my "vacation" will last - I don't feel ready to abandon this place forever, but it seems like it's time for a sabbatical of sorts. Until my next post, keep reading, and I'll see you around the blog-o-sphere!

No reading for me today!!

I will be too busy celebrating these two cuties turning THREE!!

Hope your day is as fun as ours is going to be.

The State of the Stacks - Book Hoarding edition

Who likes to know what other people are reading? I do! Here's a look at what's currently stacked next to my bed.


I recently received a fantastic gift from my Grandpa -

A big chunk of his collection of James Michener books. Seeing these titles all stacked together made me think of one of my worst bookish habits - Book Hoarding. Now, I'm not talking about obsessively seeking out and buying more books - while I certainly have that disease as well, this is slightly different. Book Hoarding, to me, is purchasing a whole bunch of titles by an author that I KNOW I am going to like and then.......not reading them.

It's like I'm saving them for some nebulous, disastrous future in which authors only write bad books, or publishers only publish 50 Shades of Grey knock-offs, but NEVER FEAR! For I have hoarded all the books by all the Really Great authors, so I will still get to read Good Books. (or something.)

So, what authors am I currently hoarding?

Matt Ruff - I read his novel Set This House in Order several years ago, and it was SO fantastic. I had never read anything before that made multiple personality disorder seem so logical and understandable. So then I started collecting his books. So far I have accumulated -

Fool On the Hill
Sewer, Gas, and Electric: The Public Works Trilogy
Bad Monkeys
and
The Mirage


Patrick Ness - I'm fully aware that I am going to love his Chaos Walking series - it sounds like exactly the thing my brain craves. So I bought copies of the whole thing.....to read someday. I also bought a standalone novel, because really, why not. So, these have found a home on my shelves -

The Knife of Never Letting Go
The Ask and the Answer
Monsters of Men
A Monster Calls


Guy Gavriel Kay - His novel The Lions of Al-Rassan is one of my favorite books of all time. His writing is purely magnificent. I've built up quite a collection that I know I will love....as soon as I start reading them. I have collected -

The Last Light of the Moon
Ysabel
Tigana
A Song for Arbonne
Under Heaven
The Last Light of the Sun


Margaret Atwood - why? because she's a rock star author, whose books are constantly unique and challenging. Even her novels that are not my favorites are still better than average, and some of her work is truly genius. Atwood novels I own but have NOT read include -

The Blind Assassin
The Year of the Flood
MadAddam
Surfacing
The Edible Woman
Cat's Eye


And in case you think it's just fiction I hoard....

Sarah Vowell - Honestly, I haven't read ANY of her books yet. I've just convinced myself that I am going to love them, so I'm collecting them. I mean, they sound SO funny. I'm going to like her stuff, right?? I hope so, because I own -

Assassination Vacation
The Partly Cloudy Patriot
The Wordy Shipmates
Unfamiliar Fishes


And these are just the authors on the bookshelves in my bedroom. As you can see, I have a bit of a problem. Am I the only one who does this? Is there anyone else out there saving up their favorite authors for a rainy day??

What's Making Me Happy This Week

9 years ago today, we were getting ready for a wedding. Our families were gathering, we were decorating and planning, rehearsing and celebrating. 9 years later, it was still the best decision I ever made.

Happy Anniversary to my love.

What's Making Me Happy This Week

(shamelessly stolen from NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, which also makes me happy each week.)






THIS is hilarious. Note - if you have NOT read/watched Game of Thrones but plan to, you should probably NOT watch this video. If you are already a fan, however, I'm pretty sure this will make you laugh.

Have you heard of the Humble Bundle?  No? Well, here's the explanation, straight from their site -

Ten sweet literary works. Humble eBook Bundle 2 features ten novel works of prose from respected authors and artists. Name your price for Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, Boneshaker by Cherie Priest, Spin by Robert Charles Wilson, and Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold. Customers who beat the average price will also get The Last Unicorn: Deluxe Edition by Peter Beagle, Just a Geek by Wil Wheaton, xkcd: volume 0 by Randall Munroe, Signal to Noise by Neil Gaiman & Dave McKean, The Poison Eaters and Other Stories by Holly Black, and Machine of Death edited by Ryan North, Matthew Bennardo, & David Malki.

Pay what you want. Separately, this anthology of literary greatness would typically cost around $115. But we’re letting you set the price!

Compatible with computers and mobile devices. These books are available in multiple formats including PDF, MOBI, and ePub so they work great on your computer, eBook readers, and a wide array of mobile devices! Please note that this is the digital debut for some of these great titles, and if you’re having any viewing or usability issues, please let us know!

Support charities and authors. Choose how your purchase is divided: between the authors, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Child’s Play Charity, or the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America. And if you like this promotion, a tip to Humble Bundle would be greatly appreciated!


I just think this is one of the coolest ideas around. DRM-free ebooks, with the money going directly to the authors, and to some great charities. Even if you've read one or two of the titles (I have), you still can't beat this incredible deal. Humble Bundle does weekly gaming bundles, which are of more interest to my husband - this is the second ebook Bundle they've offered, and both have been a great deal. Be aware - it's only available until Tuesday, July 16, so check it out!

What's making YOU happy this week? I'd love to hear about it!

What's Making Me Happy This Week

(Shamelessly stolen from NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, which also makes me happy each week.)

Have you checked out Book Riot? Great website, interesting articles, and I am currently obsessed with the BookRiot podcast.  I enjoy the conversation, I enjoy the topics, and I love the weekly Birthday time. Check it out!




So have you heard about BookTubing? It's like blogging, but on YouTube. Apparently there's a whole community, and I LOVE it. Here's a quick intro, from one of my favorite bloggers. I haven't been brave enough to post my own yet, but I'm sure enjoying digging in to this fun new way to talk about books.

Look, look! I have stuff growing in my garden!! Since this picture, I've had a BUNCH of tomatoes pop out, and some teeny tiny baby cucumbers. This is so much fun. Next year I'm going to figure out how to keep the critters out.



What's making YOU happy this week? Let me know in the comments - we can all be happy together.

Celebrate!

Happy Fourth of July from my two favorite sparklers! (Thanks to my brilliant family members for the inspiration.)

What's Making Me Happy This Week

(Shamelessly stolen from NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, which also makes me happy each week.)



Sun!!

It's been very rainy lately, so a morning bright with warming sun was wonderful. The kids enjoyed the park, and I tried to pretend I was someplace tropical....





I've mentioned before that I'm a little bit obsessed with NoiseTrade, and since I play the piano myself I'm always interested in new artists in that genre. This particular album has been in heavy rotation at my house this week.





You remember Will Wheaton, right? Wesley Crusher from Star Trek: TNG? Well, he's all grown up now, and hosts a series of podcasts, one of which is the always entertaining Table Top, where he assembles a random group of people and they play a board game. This week's episde was especially entertaining because it featured one of my favorite authors, John Scalzi. Enjoy!


What's making YOU happy this week? Let me know in the comments - I love finding new stuff!

What's Making Me Happy This Week

(idea shamelessly stolen from NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, which also makes me happy every week.)

The kids and I got to spend Mother's Day with my mom, my sister & brother, and my niece. It's rare for us all to be able to get together, so this was very special.



"So I took her phone from her and tossed it." 

This is the best thing I've read all week. There are too many rude people, and I support actions like this 100%.





So You Think You Can Dance is back! This show is the highlight of my year - oh, how I wish I could dance!

THIS!! This means something in my garden is actually growing! This is my first year to try to plant vegetables, and gardening with two-year-old "helpers" is a shady proposition at best. But these little sprouts mean something I put into the ground is really growing - I'm so excited! Now I just hope I can keep the predators - four-legged AND two-legged - away long enough for a vegetable to show up! 


What's making YOU happy this week? Share with me in the comments - we all need a little happy sometimes.

My Month in Movies

Here's what I've been watching this month:

The Tourist (2010) - Really, this wasn't a bad movie if you didn't expect it to be anything AT ALL like the promos they showed, and just let it be Johnny and Angelina looking pretty in Venice.

Hereafter (2010) - Now this movie, on the other hand, kinda felt like it was missing something. Like an ending. This really should have been better than it was.

127 Hours (2010) - Unlike The Social Network, I completely understand why this was nominated for Best Actor and Best Picture - James Franco was riveting, and even though I know how the story ended, I couldn't stop watching.

Blue Valentine (2010) - This was so hard to watch. Both of these actors were incredible, but the movie itself was painful. I felt like I was intruding on something I shouldn't be witnessing.

Despicable Me (2010) - Oh, I loved this movie. The humor was right up my alley, and being a mom myself made the "parenting" moments even more touching. And I want Minions!!

The Town (2010) - I have to admit I haven't been a big fan of Ben Affleck's acting until now, but in this movie he was perfect. He and Jeremy Renner just WERE their characters - I believed every second. And Blake Lively as Krista gave me flashbacks to Adriana from The Sopranos - when she would up hurt in the hospital, and started talking to the agent, I suddenly knew exactly how her story was going to end. This movie was paced just a t e e n y bit to slowly for me, but otherwise I thought it was excellent.



Next up in my Netflix queue:

The Fighter
True Grit
Rabbit Hole

Dance, Dance, Dance

My husband and I have played music for the babies since before they were born, and since they've been here we have made a point to incorporate music into their lives on an almost daily basis. They both love to dance - in fact, when they are in a particularly bad mood, throwing on some music and dancing around the living room is an almost sure way to get them smiling again. So I'm going to start sharing some of our dancing music, and hope it brings a smile to your face, too.

Sophia is a big fan of pop music - I have a feeling we'll have posters of 16-year-old "musicians" on bedroom walls at some point in our future. =) We all enjoy "Price Tag" by Jessie Jay, but I think I like this cover version better - how can you not smile watching this little girl singing such a fun song? Tap your feet along with us....=)

Dance, Dance, Dance

My husband and I have played music for the babies since before they were born, and since they've been here we have made a point to incorporate music into their lives on an almost daily basis. They both love to dance - in fact, when they are in a particularly bad mood, throwing on some music and dancing around the living room is an almost sure way to get them smiling again. So I'm going to start sharing some of our dancing music, and hope it brings a smile to your face, too.


This is currently the babies' favorite song. I'm not sure what it was that inspired me to sing it to them for the first time, but it never fails to bring a smile - even when they have to get their faces washed off after supper!

Dance, Dance, Dance

I used to participate in a weekly event called Thursday Tunes hosted by S. Krishna - I don't think she hosts it anymore, and I certainly haven't been playing along for a while, but music is still a big part of my life and I miss sharing it.

My husband and I have played music for the babies since before they were born, and since they've been here we have made a point to incorporate music into their lives on an almost daily basis. They both love to dance - in fact, when they are in a particularly bad mood, throwing on some music and dancing around the living room is an almost sure way to get them smiling again. So I'm going to start sharing some of our dancing music, and hope it brings a smile to your face, too.

Miranda Lambert is one of my favorite current female artists, and it appears she is forming a new group called Pistol Annie. I can't listen to this song without smiling, and can't wait for their album.

The State of Things...

You know, because it's been a while since I've shown off my little ones...

Things are going well. I'm figuring out that I can, in fact, take both babies to Target by myself, and still manage to spend over $100....*grin*

We have discovered the park, and the swings, and it's becoming a fast favorite. I think we are going to be spending lots of time outside now that the weather is nicer.



I'm reading, although not as much as I used to, but I think I have good reason for that. It's hard for me to find time to sit down a write a good review anymore, though, so I'm going to be changing up the way I discuss what I read, and we'll see if I like it. I miss being able to be involved in the blogging community, but that will come again with time. I do still visit you all as much as I can!







It's sure hard to complain when I have these two smiles to come home to. Life is good.