Café Con Monica

Happy National Read a Book Day!

Did you know there was a National Read a Book day? I didn’t! But now I thought it would be a fun way to share my love of reading.

Since I was young…

I’ve loved to read for as far as I can remember. Seriously. I wasn’t a shy kid, I played sports, I loved social events but I am not sure that I was ever really happier than when I found or finished a book. I can remember biking to the library and checking out as many books as I could and reading books that were far beyond my age at the time. My mom still has no idea how she ended up with three bookish children when she is such a math whiz.

You don’t usually end up teaching literacy and reading for a living if you don’t enjoy it. I take that back…. I am sure there are plenty of people out there who do but that isn’t me and would never work for me. That is like my teaching math knowing how much I dislike it.

Did you know?

📚 Book readers were shown to have a 20% “reduction in risk of mortality” over 12 years, compared to non–book readers in a 2016 study.

📚In 2018, the Pew Research group released figures suggesting that 24% of American adults say they have not read a book — in part or whole, in print or electronically or audibly — in the past year.

But I don’t have time…

Now considering I am a part of the #bookstagram community and many of the bloggers I follow are big readers those facts both do and don’t surprise me. If you are a big reader, how often has someone said you… “I don’t have time to read” or “I don’t know how you find the time to read, I have so much else to do” <insert 1000 other things they have to do>

Finding joy in National Read a Book Day

I like to respond to those who don’t know how I find the time by saying it isn’t a chore, I don’t have to find time for it because I love reading. I’d rather read than do a lot of other things.

Although my usual spot is on the couch or in my reading nook, I will pretty much read anywhere.

How to Celebrate National Read a Book Day

Read a book. Really it’s that simple but also…

  • Recommend a book you love to a friend
  • Share what you are reading today on Social Media
  • Buy a book for a friend/family – Check out my reviews for ideas!
  • Read to a child today
  • Buy a book from a bookstore

To sum it up. Share your love of reading with everyone!

Are you reading today? Tell me how you are celebrating in the comments!

Happy National Read a Book Day!

Don’t forget to check out my new Instagram! Or you can follow me on Twitter,  Pinterest or Bloglovin

The Radium Girls & Last Word Cocktail

The Girly Book Club choice for June was The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. I was happy that it was chosen because I had this book on my TBR for probably about a year now. After all the unhappiness with the May book choice the group was excited to delve into a new book.

The group itself generally praised the book. It is difficult to say you enjoyed a book that discusses major injustice against woman who lost their lives and/or suffered so much because of the place they chose to work. It is a long read though so we did have a few members who didn’t get to finish.

Personally, I found the book fascinating but I really enjoy morbid things. The blatant lies that were told by the people in charge of the companies and the disregard for the truth and these women by so many of the people involved was really heartbreaking. It continually came up in the meeting that had this happened to a group of men action would have been taken far more swiftly than it was because it was a group of young women.

I would give The Radium Girls ⭐⭐⭐⭐. The only gripe from the whole group was that it was excessively detailed. Normally this would be great but really it went into so much detail with each girl that at times it was easy to lose track. It was argued that the author likely put the detail in to help us really get a sense of the characters and perhaps, create sympathy for them but really if you don’t have sympathy for their suffering that is a whole different issue.

When I was thinking about what kind of cocktail I could pair with this book I figured something strong and because of the glowing effect of Radium, something green. Finding different recipes that create a green drink isn’t all that difficult, especially in the world of Pinterest. Ultimately, I like to work with what I have and try not to get into too many crazy ingredients so that people can make them at home without having to run out to the liquor store.

The Last Word

  • 1.5 oz Tequila
  • 1.5 oz Blue Curacao
  • 4 oz Orange Juice
  • Ice

  1. Begin by pouring the shots of Tequila and Curacao into a shaker with ice, shake!

  2. Pour the liquid & ice into a glass

  3. Pour Orange Juice into the glass and stir

  4. Take photo of your bright green dink and Enjoy!

I love to make cocktails and sit on my patio with a book so I am really enjoying figuring out pairings!

What do ya’ll think? Would you like to see more book reviews & pairings?

Don’t forget to check out my new Instagram! Or you can follow me on Twitter,  Pinterest or Bloglovin

Show us Your Books & Book Goals Update: July

It’s that time again! Linking up with Jana Says & Life According to Steph for Show us your Books!

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But first I want to share my Book Goals update!

  • 6/25: Books I didn’t choose for myself
  • 5/12: Non-Fiction Books
  • Posted 3 bookish photos on Instagram & 1 Bookish blog posts
  • #Unreadshelfproject2019 – I read the book before I realized it qualified so I am 2.5/6 of actually reading the books for this.

Now let’s talk about what I read in June…..

I had a pretty decent reading month in both May & June but since May is crazy I didn’t get to post those books so I am really going to share my favorites from both!

Wundersmith ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I hardly give out 5 stars, I have to really love a book. I fell in love with Nevermoor and I couldn’t wait to read Wundersmith. It did not disappoint. I’m a fan! It gets you emotionally invested in the characters and the world is so fun.

American Duchess ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I saw some conflicting reviews on this one but I really liked it. Historical Fiction is always hit or miss for me but I loved Consuelo Vanderbilt in this and wanted to know what was going to happen to her.

Lady Smoke ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’d been waiting for this book for about 2 months from the library so I was so excited when it finally came up. Theo is a badass and this book, like the others, is dark which is something I am here for. The 2nd book in a series often ends up being filler for the end but this book stood out on it’s own and left me so ready for the 3rd.

Of Blood and Bone ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I made the mistake of reading some gossip about this book and it’s title but nevertheless I persisted because I really enjoyed Year One. I’m a fan of the post apocalyptic books and magic and rebuilding as well as the dark side of human nature all work for me and wrap up into this good 2nd book of the series.

A Discovery of Witches ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Apparently I like to give myself large books to read all in one month. Which is why between this book and the June GBC Book (Radium Girls) I had to put GOT on hold. I first saw this book at the Half Price Books and I wanted to read it but I just wasnt sure but I requested it in the library and forgot about it. When it came up I got wrapped up in the book and finished it in a couple days, then immediately requested the next in the series. I loved the characters, there were some slow parts which is why its 4 instead of 5 stars but not enough for me not to like it. I can see it building and I am so very excited for the next book.

Radium Girls ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I read this book for the Girly Book Club read of June but it has been on my list for about a year already. I really enjoyed the book and I think that it was a great choice for a book club read. I learned a lot of things I had no idea about. It was incredibly sad that these women had to go through what they went through. I also couldn’t believe that one of the main factories was in Illinois and we were not taught anything about it in school growing up.

Books I wouldn’t recommend….

  • A Curve in the Road – If it wasn’t for the fact that I host book club therefore need to read the book to lead the discussion I would have put this book down quick. The whole finding out what dumb crap your “great husband” did after he died is played out in so many other better written books. My entire group did not like the book either.
  • Alaskan Holiday – I still don’t even know if I liked this book because the person doing the audio for was so awful that I couldn’t deal with listening. The idea of the story is cute and cheesy and a light read but good God the audio was bad.
  • Two by Two – The entire time I was listening to this book I was mad because the wife is a manipulative awful person and the husband is allowing it to happen. More than once the wife’s behavior is definitely emotionally abusive and it just makes you mad.

I know that was a lot to read, thanks for hanging in there! Have you read any of these? I look forward to seeing what you all read in June!

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