Books Read in 2015

I was able to squeeze in a fair amount of reading between work, classes, and traveling. A number of these books are ones that I was re-reading because I love them. Featuring prominently are books from independent authors and new releases from authors that I enjoy every word they write. 

My hope for 2016 is that I read more books than 2015 and that my reading list has a bit more diversity in it.

What are your reading goals for 2016?

1. On Basilisk Station by David Weber
2. The Honor of the Queen by David Weber
3. The Short Victorious War by David Weber
4. Field of Dishonor by David Weber
5. Flag in Exile by David Weber
6. Honor Among Enemies by David Weber
7. In Enemy Hands by David Weber
8. Echoes of Honor by David Weber
9. Ashes of Victory by David Weber
10. War of Honor by David Weber
11. Crown of Slaves by David Weber and Eric Flint
12. The Shadow of Saganami by David Weber
13. At All Costs by David Weber
14. Storm from the Shadows by David Weber
15. Torch of Freedom by David Weber and Eric Flint
16. Mission of Honor by David Weber
17. A Rising Thunder by David Weber
18. Shadow of Freedom by David Weber
19. Cauldron of Ghosts by David Weber and Eric Flint
20. Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire
21. Libriomancer by Jim Hines
22. Codex Born by Jim Hines
23. Unbound by Jim Hines
24. Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear
25. Winter's Heat by Cristin Harber
26. Introductions by CL Stone
27. The Game by Terri Schott
28. Priceless by Shannon Mayer
29. Garrison's Creed by Cristin Harber
30. The Change by Teyla Branton
31. Innocent in Las Vegas by AR Winters
32. Green Eyes in Las Vegas by AR Winters
33. Red Roses in Las Vegas by AR Winters
34. Cupcakes, Trinkets and Other Deadly Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge
35. Baggage Claim by Amanda Tru
36. Prudence by Gail Carriger
37. Parasite by Mira Grant
38. Symbiont by Mira Grant
39. Feed by Mira Grant
40. Deadline by Mira Grant
41. Blackout by Mira Grant
42. Countdown by Mira Grant
43. San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the California Browncoats by Mira Grant
44. How Green this Land, How Blue this Sea by Mira Grant
45. The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell by Mira Grant
46. Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K Hamilton
47. The Laughing Corpse by Laurell K Hamilton
48. Circus of the Damned by Laurell K Hamilton
49. The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K Hamilton
50. Bloody Bones by Laurell K Hamilton
51. The Killing Dance by Laurell K Hamilton
52. Burnt Offerings by Laurell K Hamilton
53. Blue Moon by Laurell K Hamilton
54. Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K Hamilton
55. Narcissus in Chains by Laurell K Hamilton
56. Cerulean Sins by Laurell K Hamilton
57. Incubus Dreams by Laurell K Hamilton
58. Micah by Laurell K Hamilton
59. Danse Macabre by Laurell K Hamilton
60. The Harlequin by Laurell K Hamilton
61. Blood Noir by Laurell K Hamilton
62. Skin Trade by Laurell K Hamilton
63. Flirt by Laurell K Hamilton
64. Bullet by Laurell K Hamilton
65. Hit List by Laurell K Hamilton
66. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
67. A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire
68. Redshirts by John Scalzi
69. Live Free or Die by John Ringo
70. An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire
71. Late Eclipses by Seanan McGuire
72. One Salt Sea by Seanan McGuire
73. Ashes of Honor by Seanan McGuire
74. Chimes at Midnight by Seanan McGuire
75. The Winter Long by Seanan McGuire
76. A Rose Red Chain by Seanan McGuire
77. The Heir (The Selection) by Kiera Cass
78. Spirit Hackers by Aaron Crocco
79. Arena Mode by Blake Northcott
80. Assault or Attrition by Blake Northcott
81. Final Empire by Blake Northcott
82. The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox
83. The Housewife Assassin's Deadly Dossier by Josie Brown
84. The Housewife Assassin's Handbook by Josie Brown
85. All Fall Down by Erica Spindler
86. Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
87. Chimera by Mira Grant
88. The Park Service by Ryan Winfield
89. Isle of Man by Ryan Winfield
90. State of Nature by Ryan Winfield
91. Quantico by Greg Bear
92. Ridiculous by DL Carter
93. Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb

Weekly Weigh In Jan 4

The Holiday Season was rough on my willpower this year so I'm up a bit of weight that should drop off once I get back into strict logging of calories. I definitely disappointed myself last year so, this year I really need to be strictly disciplined. My biggest goal for the year is to continue to be more active. The good news is that since I spent most of the last week at home relaxing, I have no where to go but up this week. Of course, this week is starting with snow and ice so I need to be even more diligent.

Statistics:

Morning Workouts: 3
Lunchtime Weight Lifting: 0
Evening Dog Walks: 0
Bedtime Yoga: 2
Step Counting:
     Monday: 517
     Tuesday: 10634
     Wednesday: 8784
     Thursday: 5125
     Friday: 1109
     Saturday: 151
     Sunday: 718

     Weekly Average: 3862
     Last Week's Average: 6473

     Weekly Total: 27038
     Last Week's Total: 45314

     January Average: 659
     January Total: 1978

Current Weight: 253.2 pounds
Last Week: 245.4 pounds

Weight Loss/Gain: 0.8 pounds gained

Starting Weight: 249.4 pounds
Highest Point: 254.6 pounds
Lowest Point: 238.4 pounds

Weekly Weigh In November 9

Looking at the statistics for this week, I clearly didn't carry my phone/pedometer around but I still managed to increase both the number of steps for the week and the average number of steps per day.

This week I'm working on the consistency in my workouts. My goal is to do the morning workout every morning this week and go for a dog walk every night. For the morning workout I've increasing the weight that I'm using and pushing myself to do more challenging versions of the exercises. In the evenings I'm working up to starting Couch to 5K again. This week I'm just getting out the door with the dog for a walk each night. I don't expect to do any lunchtime workouts this week because I'm focusing on study for an exam in Anatomy and Physiology.

Statistics:

Morning Workouts: 2
Lunchtime Weight Lifting: 0
Evening Dog Walks: 2
Bedtime Yoga: 0
Step Counting:
     Monday: 10894
     Tuesday: 11258
     Wednesday: 7580
     Thursday: 9335
     Friday: 14071
     Saturday: 6363
     Sunday: 319

     Weekly Average: 8545
     Last Week Average: 8428

     Weekly Total: 59820
     Last Week Total: 58996

     November Average: 8167
     November Total: 65337

Current Weight: 245.4 pounds
Last Week: 244.6 pounds

Weight Loss/Gain: 0.8 pounds gained

Starting Weight: 249.4 pounds
Highest Point: 250.2 pounds
Lowest Point: 238.4 pounds

Weekly Weigh In Sept 7

It's been an interesting year and my progress with weight loss has been slow. However, I'm learned a lot about how my body reacts to food. I've done a few different elimination diets and discovered that my body doesn't handle Dairy very well.

I just got back from a week and a half vacation including lots of time driving and a fair amount of eating out.  I planned very carefully to allow enough movement to out weigh the hours of time in the car and it looks like my planning paid off since I lost weight while traveling.

I'm looking to get back to really focusing on getting healthy.  I have so many things that I want to do that require a level of fitness that I currently don't have. I'd like to lose weight but if all I accomplish is building the required strength, stamina and energy levels, I'll take it.

Taken at Glacier Point in Yosemite

Statistics:

Current Weight: 241.8 pounds

Starting Weight: 249.4 pounds
Highest Point: 249.4 pounds
Lowest Point: 238.4 pounds

Hello 2015!

It's January 1st again and it's always nice to have goals. Looking at previous goal lists, I can see that I've had mixed results in goal setting so some of these goals will be a repeat.

I'm looking to have more personal discipline in 2015:

• Better Financial Decisions and adherence to the budgeting
• Better Health and fitness
• Consistent Calorie Counting
• Daily exercise (even if it is just walking the dog around the neighborhood)
• Fifteen minutes of house cleaning daily
• One hundred words of writing daily

I want to keep working on the life/work balance and doing more of the things I love

• Weekly Hiking Trips and Monthly camping trips in the late spring/summer/early fall
• Keep on Playing Board Games regularly
• Get back into swing dancing at least every other week
• Working on creative/crafty pursuits

Getting Back to the Basics

In October 2013, I started a new job and everything was awesome and shiny and I let many of the things I love slip away as I devoted all my energy to work that I really care about.  Over the intervening months, I've more or less let work become the end all, be all of life.

This has not been a healthy decision.  My new project is to take Baby Steps (see what I did there?) toward re-balancing my life. I need to find my Joy again.

There are three areas that I intend to concentrate on bringing back into focus:

1) Physical Health
     -Eating a healthy, portion-controlled diet
     -Regular Exercise

2) Creative Outlets
     -Writing
     -Guitar

3) Play
     -Swing Dancing
     -Gaming (Board and Computer Games)
     -Hiking and Camping

Here's to the Resurrection of both my Life and this blog!

2013 Goals

Looking back at my goals from 2012, I didn't do so hot at achieving those goals.  What I did accomplish this year was pretty awesome even if it wasn't part of my goals.

This year, I'll be trying to create fewer and more manageable goals.

Writing:

• I'm participating in the WIP500 challenge again this year.  Hopefully, I'll do better at keeping my progress through the entire year.
• Finish all the drafts that I started in 2012.

Knitting:

• Finish the last few baby knitting projects for my new nephew
• Finish the monster afghan
• Finish designing and knit the Steampunk Gears Scarf

Personal:

• Lose 50 pounds
• Count calories consistently
• Walk or run every day
• Lift weights at least every other day
• Swim once a month
• Complete a Whole 30 Chellenge
• Start Dating
• Create a Bucket List
• Keep track of all the books read in 2013
• Learn how to talk about myself
• Practice solo jazz for 10-15 minutes a day
• Re-learn to play the violin

Social Media/Blogging

• Learn to talk about myself
• Post a bucket list item each day
• Post a daily self picture and a daily dog picture (Hashtags: #dailyselfy and #dailydog)
• Post a Question of the Day
• Blog at least twice a week

Building a Bucket List Summary Jan 1-7

One of my goals for 2013 is to create a Bucket List.  My intent is to add a new item each day. You can follow along on Google Plus with the hashtag #buildingabucketlist.

Here's the additions to the list from the past week:

1. Finish editing and re-writing a novel
2. Run a full 5K race (no walking!)
3. Ride a Motorcycle
4. Go on a backpacking trip
5. Hire a band to play at my swing dance
6. Complete a Tough Mudder
7. Find employment in the Biology/Medical Field

Writing Update Sept 3

So, Camp NaNoWriMo went about the same in August as it did in June.  I think that I need to build up to writing that much in November.  I hope to write 500 words a day in September, 1000 words a day in October and 1667 words a day in November.  So far, I'm already behind but I can definitely catch up.  Sometimes real life gets in the way of writing.

Statistics:
Words Written: 0
Scenes Outlined: 2

Works In Progress


Hive Mind (NaNoWriMo 2010) - Editing and Writing Second Draft

51628 / 90000

Outbreak (NaNoWriMo 2011) - Resting

54270 / 90000

Worst Case Scenario (NaNoWriMo 2012) - Brainstorming and Outlining

0 / 50000

Steampunk Seasonal Serial - Writing First Draft

15639 / 50000

A Guide to Inter-species Dating - Writing Rough Draft

1751 / 50000

Literary+ Strangers Anthology - Outlined, Waiting to Write

0 / 6000

Literary+ Smoke and Shadows Serial Installment 2 - Brainstorming

0 / 700

Greased Gears - Writing First Draft

9326 / 90000

September Goals

Another month, another set of goals. I'm working on consistency most of all right now.  Consistency in my sleep habits, consistency in my exercise routine, and consistency in my writing.

As such, I am setting up some daily goals for myself:

• Maintain my exercise routine
• Write 500 words on a WIP, probably Steampunk Seasonal Serial
• Spend 30 minutes rewriting Hive Mind
• Outline 1 scene for November's NaNoWriMo Novel
• Draw 1 small sketch
• Enter 1 recipe into the family cookbook I'm putting together
• Clean 5 things
• Have a blog post everyday

A is for Adventure

After a month and a half of no writing and no blogging, I've decided to get back on the horse with a flying leap.  I'm joining the Blogging from A to Z Challenge this month and I'm setting some lofty goals for my fiction writing.

I don't have any inclination toward script writing so in the interest of solidarity with my writer friends participating in Script Frenzy I'm going to do my own mini-NaNo challenge.  I'm setting a goal of 1000 words a day.  Ideally 500 words will be written on the rough draft of my Seasonal Steampunk Serial and 500 words will go towards the rewrite of Hive Mind.  How that will actually breakdown will be anyone's guess.

Wish me luck!

January Goals Check In

After a month, I think it's time to see where I'm at on the goals that I set at the beginning of the year.  I had a lot of goals, so expect this to be a long post.  I've decided to drop some of my goals as I continue into the year but I'm making good progress.

Writing Goals:

• Write 500 words a day, using the #WIP500 challenge to keep me on track

I've been finding the #WIP500 challenge to be very helpful.  In January, I didn't write everyday but I did write a substantial number of words.  At the end of the month I had 12,597/15,500 words written for WIP500.  For my first real month of developing a daily writing habit, I think that counts as a win.

• Participate in one additional challenge a month
• January: 31 Things in 31 Days
• February: Days of Grey
• March-October: Unknown
• November: National Novel Writing Month
• December: Novel Finishing Month

I wrote a few pieces to go along with 31 Things in 31 Days but mostly I found that pictures aren't a way that I find inspiration very often.  I'll still check for inspiration during the Days of Grey but I think that my writing time will be better spent focusing on my other writing projects.  This is a goal that I'm going to drop off the list.  If I see a challenge that interests me I'll do it but I'll try not to over commit my writing time.

• Write the Second Draft of Hive Mind 

The Second Draft of Hive Mind is currently in progress.  I'm at section 9/75.  Lots to be done but I'm happy with what I've done so far.

• Finish the First Draft of Greased Gears
• Outline, Write, and Edit a Seasonal Steampunk Serial for December 2012

I've got brainstorming/outline notes for 5/25 sections/days so I think I'm in decent shape for now.  I'll definitely keep thinking about it so that it will go quickly when I get to sit down and write it.

• Brainstorm, Outline and complete a novel for NaNoWriMo 2012
• Experiment with Short Fiction

Personal Goals:

• Dance to Live Music every chance that I get

I got to dance to live music several times this month and I had a great time.  I think this is helping a lot with feeling inspired in my dancing.

• Try a different kind of social dance every month

I think that I'm going to drop this goal off my list in favor of a different project that I have in the works.  More information to come when I actually have something to share.

• Lose 100 pounds
• Exercise Daily
• Go back to Phase One of the South Beach Diet
• Keep sugar and soda banished from my eating habit except for special occasions

I've had reasonable success on this part of my goals.  I've currently lost 7 pounds which is a pretty healthy rate of loss for a month.  Exercising daily is something that I'm still working on but I'm getting more exercise in than before which is a good start. Phase One of the diet went well.  The transition to phase two has been rocky.  Officially, naan has been added back into our meals once a week and I'm working to eliminate the unofficial parts.

• Maintain a certain level of Cleanliness around the house

Well...seeing this on the list made me clean the area around my computer.

• Find a volunteer position to gain advocacy experience

I attended an information session for one of the organizations I'm interested in working with but I haven't taken any additional steps forward yet.

• Maintain A's in the classes I will be taking 

So far so good, however midterms are coming up this week.

• Apply to Genetic Counseling Programs in the Fall
• Money goals
• Spend less money
• Pay off the credit card and start saving money

I'm working on it.  

Knitting Goals:

• Finish the Christmas Knitting
• Weave ends in on all four hats
• Weave ends in a two scarves
• Finish knitting and complete a scarf
• Knit and complete a scarf

I just have to weave ends in on two hats and a scarf and I'm done with the Christmas knitting! 

• Make a coffee cup sleeve
• Make a water bottle sleeve
• Practice Double Knitting

I've started a practice piece.  I think I understand the principles of double knitting but I'm going to practice a bit more before I do something I actually want to wear.

• Design (or find) a pattern for gears for a scarf (double knit)
• Finish the Monster Afghan
• Knit one hat for the homeless each month to be donated in December

I'll need to need an extra one this month.

Sewing Goals:

• Re-finish the corset that I made this October
• Make the bodice for the skirts that I already have made

The only progress I made sewing wise was planning what to make when I've completed these projects.  

Other Crafting Goals:

• Design a Steampunk Block Print
• Draw something once a week

I have a small collection of doodles/drawings in one of my class notebooks but I'd like to work on something a little more exciting for February.

• Paint something once a month

I thought about what I would paint but I never took the next step.  If I can, I'll do an extra painting for February but if I can't I refuse to stress about this.

Reading and Blogging Goals:

• Make a dent in my To Read Shelf

My to-read shelf is largely unchanged, though I've finished most of the books loaded on the kindle app of my phone.

• Only buy anticipated releases by favorite authors and books for school/book club until my pile of books to read is much smaller

I made the mistake of only buying the first book of a trilogy for my Steampunk book club.  I had to go get the next couple but with the aid of a gift card from Christmas, I didn't spend very much on my shiny new books.

• Have something read to review once a week

I have the reading part down but I haven't gotten many reviews posted.  Something to work on.

• Keep a consistent blogging schedule

My blogging is getting more consistent.  It isn't quite at the regular schedule that I want to have yet but it is almost there.

Writing Update Jan 29

Well, this was a rough week for writing.  I'm starting to really get into the rewriting process on Hive Mind so I just need to work harder to consistently write everyday.  My goal is to have this round of rewrites down by the end of February so that I can start writing the first draft of the Seasonal Steampunk Serial in March.

So, focus for February: Write Everyday.  No more zeros in the daily word count.

Monday:  0 words
Tuesday:  1068 words
Wednesday: 0 words
Thursday:  0 words
Friday:  0 words
Saturday: 0 words
Sunday: 85 words

Writing Posted:


None this week.


Works In Progress

Outbreak (NaNoWriMo 2011) - Resting

54270 / 90000

Hive Mind (NaNoWriMo 2010) - Editing and Writing Second Draft

51038 / 90000

Steampunk Seasonal Serial - Brainstorming and Outlining, 5/25 sections complete

0 / 50000

Greased Gears - Writing First Draft

9326 / 90000

2012 Goals

I have a lot of goals for 2012 and they are wildly varied.  I'll list my goals by category

Writing Goals:

• Write 500 words a day, using the #WIP500 challenge to keep me on track
• Participate in one additional challenge a month
• January: 31 Things in 31 Days
• February: Days of Grey
• March-October: Unknown
• November: National Novel Writing Month
• December: Novel Finishing Month
• Write the Second Draft of Hive Mind
• Finish the First Draft of Greased Gears
• Outline, Write, and Edit a Seasonal Steampunk Serial for December 2012
• Brainstorm, Outline and complete a novel for NaNoWriMo 2012
• Experiment with Short Fiction

Personal Goals:

• Dance to Live Music every chance that I get
• Try a different kind of social dance every month
• Lose 100 pounds
• Exercise Daily
• Go back to Phase One of the South Beach Diet
• Keep sugar and soda banished from my eating habit except for special occasions
• Maintain a certain level of Cleanliness around the house
• Find a volunteer position to gain advocacy experience
• Maintain A's in the classes I will be taking 
• Apply to Genetic Counseling Programs in the Fall
• Spend less money
• Pay off the credit card and start saving money

Knitting Goals:

• Finish the Christmas Knitting
• Weave ends in on all four hats
• Weave ends in a two scarves
• Finish knitting and complete a scarf
• Knit and complete a scarf
• Make a coffee cup sleeve
• Make a water bottle sleeve
• Practice Double Knitting
• Design (or find) a pattern for gears for a scarf (double knit)
• Finish the Monster Afghan
• Knit one hat for the homeless each month to be donated in December

Sewing Goals:

• Re-finish the corset that I made this October
• Make the bodice for the skirts that I already have made

Other Crafting Goals:

• Design a Steampunk Block Print
• Draw something once a week
• Paint something once a month

Reading and Blogging Goals:

• Make a dent in my To Read Shelf
• Only buy anticipated releases by favorite authors and books for school/book club until my pile of books to read is much smaller
• Have something read to review once a week
• Keep a consistent blogging schedule

Uninspired: Technique versus Style

I'm beginning to wonder if my lack of inspiration isn't coming from the dance itself but rather how I do the dance.  I've spent three years working on technique and how to make the dance comfortable both as a lead and as a follow.  This makes for a technically decent swing out but it lacks some of the style and flair of the dancers that draw my eye on the dance floor.

The dancers that I tend to watch are the one that are not just doing the steps of lindy hop but are also dancing.  These are the dancers having the most fun: their swing outs rarely look the same twice in a row and there is a true sense of interplay and communication between the dancers and the music.  My favorite partners to dance with are the leads that inspire that sense of creative play and give me the space to dance.

Obviously that gives me two options: 1) Dance more with those leads and 2) learn to recreate that feeling myself independent of who my partner is.  Clearly, option 2 is the ideal choice but that seems to be easier said than done.

Goals that I am setting for myself for the next few weeks:

1. Dance to live music more often
2. Only sit out one song at a time
• Dance with everyone: Leads, Follows and Beginners
• Resting drinking water, and listening to the music are fine but sitting out all night is not
3. Practice solo dancing both on the dance floor and at home

Weekly Check In Jan 3

Clearly the Holiday diet busters have not done well by me. Hopefully by jumping right into the strict phase one of the South Beach Diet, I can easily drop at least the very least the extra pounds. I knew that the holiday season hadn't been great for my weight but that didn't stop me from enjoying the fabulous holiday foods. However that means it is now time to pay the piper: no more sugars, no more breads, and no more starches! Add to that more exercise and hopefully I can get the weight loss started. My goal is to lose 50 pounds and to get down to a healthy weight.

Statistics:

Starting Weight: 207.4

Current Weight: 212.2

Highest Point: 212.2

Lowest Point: 207.0