Just Some Book Blog

Welcome to 2018! There is something so magical about the start of a new year because it contains within it a load of potential. You can apply that outlook to virtually everything, but I especially love to consider it in the context of books and reading. I have always been a lover of data and a meticulous record-keeper. When I was young, I kept a notebook where I recorded all of the "I Love Lucy" episodes I would watch, each one carefully numbered on a separate line. That same dorky habit carried over into my reading tracking. I have two notebooks I keep--one for my TBR books (which I then highlight once they're read and I star the ones I already own because I've made the mistake of buying duplicates) and one for the books I have read, separated by year and month. I'm so excited for this year and to pack more reading into my life! I am also looking forward to keeping more up to date on this blog. I've spent some time thinking of what I'd like to write abo...

No matter how long or short my drive is, I am always listening to one of two things: NPR or podcasts. My husband and I are big podcast-philes and are always on the hunt for ones to add to our streaming list. Naturally, podcasts related to books are a huge hit with me (and him) and I thought it would be nice to share my favorites. *For the record, I have an iPhone and so I use the preloaded podcast app. If you have an Android phone (and I did for several years), my favorite podcast streaming app overall is Player FM. It's super easy to search for a podcast you like, categorize it however you wish, and, unlike some annoying apps offered for Android, it pauses on your phone when you turn your car off. Yay! Literary Disco is a podcast where one of the hosts is THE Rider Strong of Boy Meets World fame (swoon!). I talk like that's the best thing about it...but it isn't! The best thing is that in this podcast you'll find humor, in-depth conversations, and lively debates...

Imagine the United States of America exactly as it is now, except that hippos are an accepted meat source and they're just as prevalent in the swamps of the south as gators. Kind of weird, no? Well, this is something that almost happened in this country. And when I say "almost," I mean that the American Hippo Bill lost in Congress by a single vote . Wow. This is all true (look it up and thank me later) and, fortunately, we get to see what life may have been like had this occurred by reading Sarah Gailey's new book, "River of Teeth." This novella takes place in the late 19th century, around the time that this crazy idea took root in our reality. We follow a band of criminals led by one Winslow Houndstooth--what a name!--and his precious hippo, Ruby. All blinged out with gold tusks. Because how else would you have your hippo? Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that in addition to eating these hippos, some were also bred for riding purposes. A water horse, if you w...