ə-ˈdik-shən: Confessions of a Bookaholic

“When I read, the world gets bigger.”

That’s probably why I can’t stop. Why I must confess…

Hi, I’m Alaina and I’m a bookaholic.

Please don’t think that I’m joking, but also excuse me when I do make light of the situation because…well…I’m just not that serious.

With a bookshelf double layered with books, an eReader teeming with unread material and a library reserve list nearly to the maximum allotment, I have to finally admit I’ve got a problem. Admittance is the first step toward recovery, right? I have mentioned on numerous occasions to my husband, in a joking manner, that I’m addicted to books/reading, but it was only recently that I truly admitted that it seems to be a real matter of concern.

Unfortunately, addiction runs in my family. I could say the plus is my “drug” of choice isn’t a deadly substance, but any addiction is unhealthy. Don’t think I’m blaming my parents/family for my bookaholism. I choose to be addicted just as anyone chooses to do drugs or drink alcohol (I don’t mean to open up a can of worms — I’ve known many addicts who feel like it is less of a choice and more of a disease that they can’t control — I digress). I even say the same things any addict would say:

“I can quit/stop whenever I want.”
“I’m in control of it, not the other way around.”
“It’s not that bad.”
“I’m not nearly as bad as other people.”

Let me put my addiction into perspective. While writing this post (in the span of less than an hour) I bought two books, reserved four from the library, read a few (3-4) synopsis of potential books, and popped over to goodreads.com to update my to-read list. I also stopped writing for a bit so I could read a chapter from a book as well as an article from Time Magazine and download my new Doctor Who book (Yes…I’m a Whovian aka Doctor Who fan, but that is a whole other post).

While my addiction may be a more “acceptable” one, it can still lead to unhealthy behavior. I have to remember to not let it control me or my life. The good thing is I don’t lose sleep because of it (okay on occasion I stay up late); I haven’t robbed, murdered or maimed anyone (this is true); it also doesn’t affect my job (also true); and I’m not missing out on quality time with family or friends (I can put down the book…sometimes…other times my husband drives and I read until our final destination is reached).

We’re all addicted to something (online shopping, gaming, sugar, caffeine, nicotine, etc.) and I’m not here to be your therapist or tell you what to do. However, I will tell you that I’m not letting my habit rule me and I will keep reminding myself it’s okay to go a day without reading a book (oh how that killed me to write those words). That said, you should benefit from my bookaholism. How about I share a list of books with you that I like for one reason or another. Just think, if I wasn’t a bookaholic I probably wouldn’t have as many suggestions (I could’ve gone on forever, but I did cut it off). I hope you pick a few to read, and if you have questions or want to have a discussion about any of the books please feel free to contact me or comment.

Here are my suggestions (listed in alphabetical order by title):

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour – Morgan Matson
Ashes in the Wind – Kathleen Woodiwiss (This one is listed because my name is in the book)
Attachments – Rainbow Rowell
Between the Lines – Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer
Bloodsucking Fiends – Christopher Moore
The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
Cemetery Dance – Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White
City of Bones – Cassandra Clare
The Corpse Had a Familiar Face: Covering Miami, America’s Hottest Beat – Edna Buchanan
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Other Jazz Age Stories – F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud – David Nicholls
Delirium (series) – Lauren Oliver
Eleanor & Park – Rainbow Rowell
The Fault in Our Stars – John Green
Fight Club – Chuck Palahniuk
Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
Green Eggs and Ham – Dr. Seuss
Hatchet – Gary Paulsen
How I live Now – Meg Rosoff
Hunger Games (series) – Suzanne Collins
I Am Legend – Richard Matheson
I Know What You Did Last Summer – Lois Duncan
If I Ran the Circus – Dr. Seuss
James and the Giant Peach – Roald Dahl
Legend (series) – Marie Lu
Looking for Alaska – John Green
The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold
Much Ado About Nothing – William Shakespeare (I know…not a book, but still one of my favs – read the complete works)
My Sister’s Keeper – Jodi Picoult
The Name of the Star (series) – Maureen Johnson
Never Eighteen – Megan Bostic
Nineteen Minutes – Jodi Picoult
On Writing – Stephen King
Panic – Lauren Oliver
The Perks of Being a Wallflower – Stephen Chbosky
Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
Ralph S. Mouse – Beverly Clearly
Summer Falls and Other Stories – Varies authors (Doctor Who related)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit – Beatrix Potter
True Grit – Charles Portis
Under the Never Sky (series) – Veronica Rossi
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle
Warm Bodies – Isaac Marion
We Need to Talk About Kevin – Lionel Shriver
Where the Heart Is – Billie Letts Who Moved My Cheese – Spencer Johnson
Will Grayson, Will Grayson – John Green & David Levithan
Wonderful Wizard of Oz – Frank Baum
The World I Made for Her – Thomas Moran
A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle
You Suck – Christopher Moore

bookaholic
I wanted to see if you were still reading.

Visual Aid: Growing up Photographer

Oh little me and the very bad haircut my Grandma Christine gave me…

I’ve been a photo nerd for a long time. The photo above is dorky, but I love it because I have a camera in my hand (I think I was about two years old). I’ve never thought of myself as an expert in photography, but I was recently going through old photos that I took and realized how far I’ve come…how much I’ve grown as a photographer and how I continue to learn more about the craft. I’m still surprised when people ask me photography or camera related questions that I can actually answer. You’d think by now I’d realize I’m a good “go-to” person for photography.

Ansel Adams in 1930 had been training to become a concert pianist while considering a career as a photographer. He decided, after seeing the photographs by Paul Strand, that “the camera, not the piano, would shape [his] destiny.” His mother and aunt both pleaded, “Do not give up the piano! The camera cannot express the human soul!” To which Adams replied, “The camera cannot, but the photographer can.”

– Ansel Adams in Black & White Magazine for Collector of Fine Photography

When I decided to take photography seriously I was 13 years old. My grandma’s friend gave me a 35MM Minolta, which I still have…albeit on a shelf, it serves as a reminder of the discovery I made that summer. Photography isn’t just a passion, it is an extension of me. I cannot put into words what I feel when I hear the click of the shutter, or peer through the viewfinder at the subject at the end of the lens. I’m lost if I don’t have some form of a camera with me at all times. I am easily devastated if I miss a photo op moment.

That fantastic thing about photography is I’m constantly improving or learning new techniques (Like the year I spent exploring iPhoneography). I occasionally pick up a photog magazine to read up on the craft (what’s the latest camera, tips, equipment, etc.) and I visit Instagram to see what people are producing. Instagram can actually be really inspiring, which is important as a photographer. It’s like any creative outlet, you need a muse or inspiration to get things going.

Being a photographer is about being in the right place at the right time. For example, Ansel Adams would spend hours waiting for the light to be right before taking a photo, but sometimes he’d just drive by something and stop to capture it.

The serene subject is only about one hundred feet from the highway: I
have passed it hundreds of times, and I retain many “corner of the eye”
memories of it at all times of the year. The shapes were always beautiful,
but the lighting conditions usually were impossible. On this morning I
observed a situation I could not resist; a glance was enough to command
make me to stop, park the car,and carry my equipment to the scene.

– From The Ansel Adams Guide by Paul P. Schaefer

I’ve experienced both as well…the waiting game and the quick snapshot (accidental masterpieces are my favorite and are usually stemmed from the quick shots). The benefit of digital photography is I can take a thousand shots and decide later what lighting or angle I liked best. I sometimes wish I didn’t have that luxury, which is why I occasionally shoot with film.

Film really takes me back to the basics, which I love. For me, I pay more attention to my settings like aperture (f-stops) and shutter speed. I also take longer to choose my subject because I don’t want to waste the film. It can be more rewarding not instantly knowing if you captured your subject exactly how you envisioned.

In March, I made a trip to London see one of my best friends. I was exstatic to spend time with her, but some of the best moments of my trip were hanging out in the parks and public areas. Yes, I was probably a totally creeper but one of the joys of photography is people watching. Here’s a few of my favorites (I’m a fan of black and white):

I even journeyed to Bath and found some interesting subjects. The woman with the wrap was amazing and I wish I would’ve had the chance to speak more with her. I did make sure to tell her she was amazingly awesome and beautiful (I swear she glowed and oozed pure happiness).

To see more photos visit my Instagram or Flickr. I also have a Facebook page: Pictures on the Wall. Don’t be a stranger…hit the follow button. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Expert I am not, but photographer I am. I often shy away from titles, but being called a photographer is one I’ve more easily accepted. I hope to share more of my work with you as well as some photog tips in future posts.

Until next time.

-AM

Visiting The UK? Why Not Attend A Literary Festival

Nerd lit festivals are awesome. I hope to eventually make it to one of these.

TFiOS and the “feels”

Okay. I was a fanatical nerd, who couldn’t wait, so I went to the movie premiere of The Fault in Our Stars, which if you’ve been living under a rock, is the story of two teens with terminal cancer who fall in love. The Night Before Our Stars was an opportunity for the Fault Fanatics (that would be me) who couldn’t wait for June 6 to see the movie.

I have to say that moviegoers and fans of the book will probably fall in love with TFiOS the way Hazel Grace fell in love with Augustus Waters, slowly then all at once.

I know it sounds cheesy, but it is true. Maybe it is my natural distaste of book-movies that made me hold back in instantly loving this movie. Filmmakers often don’t do justice to the books they turn into films, but there are always the exceptions. It is especially hard if the book is outstanding and extremely well written. And of course, as much as I enjoyed the film adaption, the book is better…okay? Okay. Don’t throw eggs at me just because I wasn’t instantly smitten with the film and the actors. I was committed to trying to like them, which is why in the end I love them.

Josh Boone and the filmmakers at Fox did a superb job at capturing the elements of John Green’s bestselling novel. I won’t go into details of the film, but I will say you need to read the book before you see the movie. I think reading the book makes the movie so much better (not that it can’t stand alone…because it can). You get all the unsaid jokes, all the emotions that had to go unfelt, all the words that had to be cut, if you read the book.

Ansel Elgort and his winning smile will win you over, too. He’s pretty adorable and I’m a bit disappointed that more reviews aren’t commenting on his performance. Shailene Woodley is stealing the limelight. I’m not saying she wasn’t good, but Elgort shows you that even cute boys are ugly criers. He does a great job of bring Gus to life and being as boyishly charming as John Green wrote the character to be. You can’t help but like Augustus Waters.

Woodley’s performance is also well done. Some reviews are saying her performance deserves an Oscar nomination, but I wasn’t THAT impressed. Don’t get me wrong, I thought she did an outstanding job of making Hazel Grace real for so many people including me. Her chemistry with Elgort is obvious and plays out well for the storyline. The girl can shed some tears, I’ll give her that.

One thing I didn’t like about the movie was the pop up, animated text messages. I thought it was a little too silly, but it was easy to get over because it was meant to make you laugh. In a way, it brought a lightheartedness to an extremely sad story.

Beautifully written, well acted, heartbreaking tale of first love — it will make you laugh and cry just like the book.

Take a box of tissues. It’s okay…even grown men will cry.

I’m not ashamed, I like boy bands

That’s right. I like boy bands. Something about the catchy, upbeat tunes and the cheesy love songs draw me in every time. But let’s face it, boy bands ruled the music industry from the late ’80s all the way to the early ’00s, selling millions of records and touring the globe. As someone who grew up during those formable years, it is no wonder I am a fan. When I was younger I listened to New Kids on the Block, All-4-One, Boyz II Men, ‘NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, O-Town, Hanson, BBMak, and the list goes on (Don’t worry, I was exposed to other types of music including a number of legendary, meaningful songs). More recent years have brought around the Jonas Brothers, JLS, One Direction, and The Wanted.

AND I am not ashamed to say I listen to these boy bands (although when I watch the videos of some of the older boy bands performing the same songs and dance routines as men in their 30s and 40s…I just feel sad for them and think they look a bit ridiculous).

In June, I’m going to see the Backstreet Men…I men Boys (Do you think they regret their band name?) in concert. I never saw them when I was at that nerdy, awkward stage of thirteen, so I thought I’d see them at the nerdy, awkward age of 28. I am not a fangirl, but I am a fan. These guys have been making a come back since the late ’00s when boy bands started to get popular again (I believe the Jonas Brothers led the resurgence of the boy bands in 2007). I should use the words “come back” lightly because really they never left. They’ve released several albums since the slowdown of boy bands in the early ’00s. They had Never Gone (2005), Unbreakable (2007), This Is Us (2009) and their latest album In a World Like This (2013). There was at least one song from each of those albums that was popular on the radio. Maybe it is not the same as having 4 or more songs hitting the charts, but it is something. The album This is Us features a song called Straight Through My Heart. The video for the song embodies the same silliness that the Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) video did in the ’97 (okay maybe not as bad, but mythical creatures still make an appearance).

Several boy bands (NKOTB, Boyz II Men, etc.) have regrouped to make new music and sing those beloved songs that made them popular. One group that will never have the reunion some fans probably would love is ‘NSYNC. It is pretty difficult for the band to tour without Justin Timberlake and let’s just say he’s moved on from “It’s Gonna Be May“…sorry I couldn’t resist…”It’s Gonna Be Me.” I won’t say JT is the most successful boy-band member to go solo because I don’t have the facts, but he’s done really well for himself. I was actually bummed that I wasn’t able to get tickets to his 20/20 tour (the tickets sold out in minutes and now people are reselling them for double and triple what they paid, but that is a whole other tangent).

This article seems to be about confessions…I confess that I heard and liked a few songs by One Direction and The Wanted before they were a total sensation here in the States. My obsession with all things British led to my discovery of the two boy bands and I downloaded a few songs. The next thing I know they’re playing the songs on the radio and I can’t get away from them. I mean it when I say I am a fan, but not a crazed one. If their songs play, I sing along and when they’re over I move on. I don’t obsess about them. Although, my hublet probably would argue that isn’t true because of the research I was doing for this article.

He said: “Why are you watching BSB videos.” I said: “Because…it is research.” *skeptical look from my husband*

I probably listened to 20 different boy-band songs just to inspire me to write, but also because I had money on my iTunes account that I wanted to spend. ANYWAY, just know it’s okay to like boy bands or any other type of band and music. Whatever floats your boat, remember to let your freak flag fly high.

By the way, if you say you don’t like boy bands I would argue that if you have ever listened to the Jackson Five and enjoyed it…you like boy bands. I’m not a music buff, so there are probably others that could be referenced if I did some more research. It’s just best to admit it. I know you’ve sang along with those memorable boy band tunes. I won’t tell.

-AM

There are No Zombies Chasing Me

Apparently, getting a membership at my local YMCA and attending a water aerobics class three times a week wasn’t enough for me.

After a vacation this past March, I returned home and immediately told my husband I wanted to run a 5K. In a supportive tone, he simply said, “Okay.” We almost immediately started searching for a race to sign up for so I wouldn’t back out.

When I mention to people that I’ve started running, their first reaction is to ask why I would do something like that, as if running is the most heinous thing in the entire world. Granted, I used to say the only thing that could get me to run was if zombies were chasing me. I’ve had to explain multiple times that I wasn’t suffering from delusions nor was I on drugs of any sort when I made the decision to start running. I had a long plane ride (both ways) and a ton of time by myself during my vacation to reflect on what I wanted out of life.

I’ve never been satisfied with my physical appearance, but is anyone 100 percent happy with how they look? Despite not always liking certain things about my physical being (my barely-there eyebrows, my nose, my flabby arms), I have come to love me as me. That said, I realized that I could still love me, but move toward a healthier me. Why lie, I’ll still indulge in the occasional doughnut or piece of cheesecake, but I’m not looking to be paper thin. I just want a more active life.

While it is easy to talk about running, doing it is a challenge at least for me. My husband has been a great supporter and trainer: giving me tips on breathing, pushing me to keep going and taking me to buy proper running shoes. He also listens to me complain (and I do, a lot). It hurts using muscles you haven’t used since you were 12 years old. When I hit my teens, I became a child of the Internet and books. I became a nerd and not one that wanted to do physical activities. I became a slug.

I have tried over the last few years to get active again, but a few car accidents, knee surgery, chronic back pain (I have permanent “severe” disc injuries), and visits to physical therapy set me back. While I have to be conscious of my back problems, it is no longer my crutch. When I run, it hurts, but it hurts when I sit at my desk, it hurts when I stand for too long. The only time my back doesn’t hurt is when I’m in a pool or lying down.

This running adventure is challenging for me. Not only physically, but mentally. My husband recently told me that running is 90 percent mental, and the other 10 percent is in your head. I was recently stuck in my head and wasn’t progressing. I wanted to kick and scream and cry and quit. When I just needed to get out of my head and not focus so much on the time (I’m doing high/low intervals a.k.a run/walk). I needed to be in the zone.

“Running is a road to self-awareness and reliance. You can push yourself to extremes and learn the harsh reality of your physical and mental limitations or coast quietly down a solitary path watching the earth spin beneath your feet.”

– Doris Brown Heritage, first woman to run a sub-5:00 indoor mile

I was focusing on my physical limitations rather than the road ahead of me. Once I started coasting it was unbelievable what I was capable of doing. This happened just the other night. After days of feeling like a failure, barely running one minute here and there, I continuously ran longer than I have at any point in my training (I ran six minutes continuously). I was majorly in the zone, and it was FREAKING FANTASTIC. I was near tears when I realized I was gliding along the path as if I had wings. When I finished, I felt better than I ever have in my life and the best part was I had hope that I could actually do this thing. That I could run a 5K race.

I will be running my first 5K in May. This race isn’t about being the fastest one or running the entire 3.1 miles; it is about challenging myself and doing more than I think I can. Running isn’t for everyone, but if this nerdy girl can get active so can you. Take a walk, dust off that bicycle and go for a ride, or dance to one of those silly Wii games, just do something. Now don’t worry, I haven’t gone all Richard Simmons on you, and my blog isn’t going to be inundated with workout/running advice. I will always find a way to bring a little nerdiness into everything I do…which means running time equals audiobook time. I think that also means I should post another book review soon.

Until next time…DFTBA.

-AM

Wow…what can I say

I just finished an amazing book. It takes a lot for me to put a book on a pedestal of awesomeness. I also don’t like recommending books because I don’t want something I think is fantastic to be ruined by my friend saying, “Eh, it was okay.”

That said, if you haven’t already read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak you should do so immediately (well after you’ve finished reading this blog post). I know I’m behind on the times and I severely regret not having read this book sooner, but it’s never too late to read a good book.

This is not a boy-meets-girl kind of story, but it is about love and identity and so much more. When a book evokes a variety of emotions and sucks the reader into the story, you know it is well written. Zusak does a spectacular job of this. The story is narrated by none other than Death, which is a unique choice. The point-of-view is mostly Liesel Meminger’s, but as told by Death, who occasionally has outside observations the make the story well rounded. Not only is the narrator interesting, he is also thought provoking. He gives a unique perspective on humans, but not an omniscient one because he gets his info through his experiences and what he hears/sees. But he is Death, so he brings a lot to the table. He’ll have you loving and disliking the characters you’re meant to, and cheering for the human race in general.

Because there is so much depth to each character, you can tell the writer (and the narrator) took great care in telling the story of this girl, Liesel, and the people she loves and loses. I read a blurb that said: “It’s the kind of book that can be LIFE CHANGING.” It was for me (to some degree). With young adult books there is so much fluff and crap on the shelves, it is inspiring to read something great. And as a writer who is interested in YA, I have to appreciate the wording and phrases that were used. There is an elegance and intelligence needed to write such a moving piece (I know I’m being a bit cheesy, but it’s true).

Even if you have no interest in history or Nazi Germany, you will fall in love with this book or I hope, at the very least, you will enjoy it half as much as I did. It will leave your heart bleeding and cheering at the same time.

SIDE NOTE: I don’t say this often about a “book” movie, BUT…you should watch the movie as well. It is just as thought provoking and beautiful in its own right. They did a great job at casting the characters and telling Liesel’s story.

Nerdy Girl gets Physical

When someone says the words, “Water Aerobics,” you probably picture someone wearing a floral, one-piece bathing suit with silver hair peaking out from under a swim cap bobbing along in the shallow end of the pool.

With promises of cardiovascular benefits and low impact on joints, what senior citizen wouldn’t want to be part of that type of exercise? But honestly even for a 20-something like myself, it is a lot harder than you think. With the water taking on half your body weight, you can exercise longer and you have resistance that you don’t have above water. There also are all kinds of special workout tools that you get to use to exercise (like wade boards, foam weights, exercise bands, etc.) as well as routines that create more resistance.

I’ve been attending a water aerobics class twice a week for the past month at the local YMCA and can attest to its benefits and difficulty. Not only have I lost weight, but I physically feel better and more fit (aka I feel less like a beached whale and more like an active whale). The instructor, Kathy, is a bubble of happy energy, but don’t let that fool you. She tries to kill me on a regular basis. She doesn’t care if you’re young, old, in shape, or a popsicle, she just wants you to keep moving. In fact, in one class she said it at least thirteen times.

When Kathy brings her small, blue radio along with her favorite dance tunes, the only thing you can do is hope that you don’t die. Last week, I actually asked the lifeguards if they could save me if I started drowning. I thought I was going to croak after Kathy’s routine. My face was as red as a tomato, my lungs were on fire and let’s not forget the jello-like feeling of my overused muscles. She tends to work the class the hardest when she has music. I’ve started hoping for music because it makes for an amusing class.

My fellow water bobblers (Kathy is always telling us she wants us to be bobble heads, which means we are really working out hence the nickname bobblers) are very interesting group. There are a few regulars and some occasional bobblers who make me laugh as much as I sweat in that class. Kathy alone is a hoot. Each class, someone always asks me what exercise we’re supposed to be doing because they couldn’t hear Kathy or everyone’s giggling profusely because we’ve created such hectic waves we can’t stand to even do the routine. Overall, the class is fun and a great way for me to exercise.

I’m going to sign off with the motto of the class, “What happens under the water, stays under the water.”

-AM

Greetings from a nerdy girl

Hello!

This is not my first attempt at a blog, but I’m hoping this one will stick. It is the third one, so it has got to be the charm. Right?

Mostly, I am starting this blog to get into the habit of writing more than once in a blue moon. I seriously need to write more. The key to writing is simply writing (and a crap ton of other things, but let’s keep it simple).

I’m sure at some point I will post stories that make fun of myself and my goofy thoughts or interpretations of things (like how I went most of my life thinking the saying was “nip it in the butt”). I’m also about to start a class about Flash Fiction writing and I’ll have plenty to share from that experience. I may occasionally post book reviews or comments about things that drive me insane (like COMIC SANS…yuck). You probably won’t see post about sex (well maybe), religion or politics because it isn’t polite to talk about those things in mixed company. Too many opinions.

Speaking of opinions. I welcome feedback. I’m open to constructive criticism, friendly debates and banter, but please keep your nasty, negative thoughts to yourself or post them elsewhere.

I’ll end this post with a phrase from one of my favorite online communities, Nerdfighteria:

Don’t Forget To Be Awesome (DFTBA)

– AM

P.S. Forgive my typos and feel free to point them out so I can correct them.

Nerdy Thoughts From A Nerdy Girl

Creating a world of nerds one person at a time