The 6 Month Book Buying Freeze: What I Learned and Where I Go From Here

WOO HOO!! The Sixth Month Book Buying Freeze is OVER!!

All in all, the experience was a success and I wanted to share what I've learned about myself as a reader and how I plan to be a better consumer of books. 

First off, I have to be honest. 

During the last six months I did buy several books. 

1. For my classroom. 

Fart Powder #2 and #3: Obviously, NOT for me. A student I had fought with reading all year long finally found the first book of the series and wanted to read the others. If you are a teacher, you know that I could NOT turn this opportunity pass... book freeze or not. 

Blood Will Tell: This is the second in a series by April Henry, an author my kids are OBSESSED with year after year. Her books are middle grade reads about kidnapping and murder mystery solving. Of course, I will be reading this one myself! But it belongs to my classroom library!

2. For gifts. 

ESV Journaling Bible: Not just a book, but THE book. My best friend since childhood had been looking for a journaling bible, but they were all sold out everywhere. (Which is awesome if you think about it!) So when these came back on the market I had to snag one for her as a surprise/"I'm proud of you!" gift. 

3. A lapse of will power... which were returned. 

Yes, I gave in 7 weeks ago. I had a week moment in Hastings and found 3 books I thought I just had to have right then and there. Luckily, I think, my boyfriend used a "stern" voice and told me I couldn't give up and I should take them back. So I did. I plan on buying the devotional Savor today, check out The Martian from the library before the movie comes out, and I'm not sure when I will get around the the huge Iles novel. 

That all being said, I still think that this was a successful trial of not buying new books just for myself. 

Here is what I learned: 

1. Read books I already own!

You know I already have a whole library of my own. My book buying was an addiction, so I had plenty of my own stash to get through... and I have plenty more left! (See how I plan on cutting this down in the section below.)

2. Use the library and Interlibrary loan. 

I don't use the word "duh," ever... but DUH! I love the library, I work at the library, my dream job is to be a librarian. So why on earth would I not use the library?! The library was my saving grace in this process. Whether it was checking out books from my local library, requesting books from Interlibrary loan, or putting books on hold from the library in town, I was never short on books. (There was one problem with the library though, see below.)

3. Borrow books from friends. 

For some reason I found myself having more conversations about books with my friends, neighbors, and coworkers in the past six months. Doing so, we started letting each other borrow books and I've loved each and every one of them I've been loaned! The great part about borrowing from fellow book lovers is that they understand that books are like your baby, treat with care!

4. Track books you want to read. 

With more book conversations and reading of book recommendation lists I found myself with so many (also read: too many) new books I just thought I needed NOW. Instead of hoping on Amazon and making impulse buys, I began to record my To Be Read list. It usually starts off with a screen shot or adding a book to my Amazon wish list. Then every once in a while I add them all to my books to check mini-notebook, as seen below. (I believe I found it at Target.) I am loving this process because if the library doesn't have a book that I want yet, I can always come back to check again later. It is also a great thing to carry with you so you don't miss any good books. (Oh, the horror!)

Although I have learned a lot, there is one major flaw in my library usage. 

What I Still Need to Learn: 

Self control at (library) checkout!

I can feel my public librarian nodding her head right now! ;)

First of all, isn't that picture insane?! I know it is. But that didn't stop me from getting them all... and honestly probably TWENTY others. It's embarrassing! I guess I have this fear that the next time I go to check out a book it won't be there. And by golly, no one else can have fun with that book while I read ten others. 

Get real, Audra. 

I love the fact that the library in town does book holds, but when all of your new books come in at the same time it gets to be too much, very quickly. I'm not quite sure how I want to crack down on this issue. 

But I think a safe (and realistic) place to start is no more that FIVE books out at a time. 

Oh boy, someone will need to hold me accountable to this. 

FIVE books. That's it. FIVE only. F-i-v-e. 

I think that I will take a lot of what I learned during this book buying freeze forward with me. However, I know better than to deny myself of buying books completely.

My NEW guidelines for buying books (for myself): 

I will only buy books when... 

1. They are books that I want to highlight and use for self and spiritual improvement or professional development. 

2. They can not be found in the library OR interlibrary loan. 

(Possibly donate after reading)

3. They are written by my absolute favorite authors and I know that it will be forever before I can get a copy from the library that has 2,313 holds on it. 

(Like Jodi Picoult. Not James Patterson or Nicholas Sparks - those can wait)

4. Books for a book club that aren't available in time from the library. 

Keeping those guidelines in mind, here are the books I am buying (FREEDOM!!) as soon as I get home from vacation: 

1. The Fringe Hours by Jessica N. Turner

2. Savor Devotional by Shauna Niequist 

3. Restless by Jennie Allen

4. None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio (book club)

Depending on Interlibrary Loans: 

5. It's You by Jane Porter

6. Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

Phew! What an interesting SIX MONTHS. 

Do you have any tips on how you control the book beast?! 

I would love to hear them! 

Ready to Raid the Bookstore, 

Audra

The Great Book Buying Freeze of 2015: The Half-Way Point

On January 21st I committed myself to a six month book buying freeze. 

The first couple months were a breeze. 

At the beginning of the third month I noticed my Amazon wish list had grown exponentially. Not to mention that I was checking out books like crazy from three different libraries. 

(Confession: There was a day that I returned 23 books to one library. Unfortunately, my father was with me and still brings it up in conversations with other people!) 

And in the last week, I've been fighting the urge to by bookssssssss. 

But no, I will still use the library! I can do this... I think. 

In the next three months I am going to be a better patron that does NOT binge on checking out books. No more than 2 more at a time... but just let me get through the books I currently have first. 

But when July 21, 2015 finally rolls around I do have a list of books I will responsibly and gradually purchase. Today I'm sharing the first 8 with you. Half of the books are Inspirational Non-Fiction reads that I can't wait to highlight and shout "AMEN!" to. The other half are WWII novels that I either can't find at the library or have been checked out by 214 other people. 

Here they are in no particular order: 

1. The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

2. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

3. GI Brides Collection by Grace Livingston Hill

4. My Family for the War by Anne C. Voorhoeve

5. Savor Devotional by Shauna Niequist

6. Writing in the Margins by Lisa Nichols Hickman

7. Restless by Jennie Allen

8. The Fringe Hours by Jessica N. Turner

What would you recommend I add to my list? 

Your Booknerd, 

Audra

P.S. Amazon gift cards are the best gift to your book loving friends and family!! Especially those stupid enough to go on a book buying freeze. Just saying.

Top 14 Books of 2014

Hey guys! 

It's been another great year of books. I did not make it to my goal of reading 100 books in 2014, so I will have to try again in 2015. However, I did make it through 83 which still made it hard to decide which ones were my absolute favorites of the year. 

The following list of books are in no specific order. I did try to group the adult books and children's books together. You will notice that I was about half and half on adults' vs. kids' books this year. Being a sixth grade teacher, I make the choice to stay up to date on current children's/YA books not only so I can converse with my students, but because I like them too! (Adults, try out some books for kids or young adults this year. They don't disappoint, I promise. They are trying to create young readers, after all!) 

At the end of the list you will find 4 books from the same author. This year was my first year reading books by this Australian writer and I loved every single one them! I believe I only have one book left to read of hers and can't wait to see what she comes up with for her next book release.

Let's get started.

1. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

I'm not a big non-fiction reader and was intimidated by this one at first when my boyfriend recommended it to me. But I'm so glad I gave it a try because it became my favorite of the year and I flew right through it. And my dad even read it when I was done! (He said it was the first book he has read in 20+ years.) It's the story of Louis Zamperini. He was an Italian American who competed in the Olympics as a young man. He had high hopes to compete in Japan, but instead he enlisted to be a solider. From there he becomes an airman in WWII. When his bomber goes down in the middle of the ocean him and the rest of the surviving crew must fight for their lives on two rafts for an extended period of time. Little do they know that is the least of their worries, as they later become POWs. This book also tells the rest of Louie's story after the war and how he found himself and God. (I thought the movie was very good and stuck with the book for the most part, but there was no way to cover all the detail.) 

2. The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg

I'm a sucker for WWII/Holocaust books, so this one fits the bill. Jacob Weisz is forced to flee Germany and joins and underground resistance group. They decided to essentially hijack railroad cars full of Jewish prisoners as it travels to a concentration camp. But the rescue operation goes terribly wrong and Jacob finds himself trapped in the cattle car. At Auschwitz he is sentenced to hard labor but also forms an alliance with Jean-Luc Leclerc, a former assistant pastor who was imprisoned for helping Jews. Together they are chosen to complete an unthinkable mission -- escape from Auschwitz. The fate of millions depends on whether they successfully flee and alert the Allies of the truth of what is happening in Poland. 

3. Angels Walking by Karen Kingsburg

I had never read a Karen Kingsburgy book before. After reading this one, I plan to read more of her books, especially as this is the first in a series about second chances. Tyler Ames is a former national baseball star that suffers a career-ending injury. He desires to put his life back together but on the road to the big leagues he lost everyone he loved including his one true love, Sami Dawson. Tyler has no choice to start back at the bottom with nothing and takes a maintenance job at a retirement home. There he forms a unique friendship with Virginia, an old woman with Alzheimer's, who thinks that Tyler is her son. It is a team of Angels walking that on the mission to restore hope for Tyler, Sami, and Virginia in order to save the future of the human race. I can't wait to see what happens next! (Book 2 will be released in April 2015.)

4. Opening the Door to Your God-Sized Dream by Holley Gerth 

This book is a 40 day devotional that really helps you to release what your true dreams are and what you need to do to achieve them. Honestly, this was the first devotional that I stuck through every single day and could not wait to get back into the next day. I will be reading many more of Holley's work this next year. 

5. Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine

I loved these 9 simple strategies from Crystal Paine. She is very transparent in her life within the book as well as her blog. It's a constant struggle to live a life with less stress, more sleep, and passion for all things, but this book really gave me some strategies to get started in the right direction. The big key for me was planning out your time in a week. Each week there are the same amount of hours, but we constantly try to stretch them in ways that are virtually impossible... at least I do. This book helped me to set a morning routine and make goals for myself. Also, it helps you find the freedom to enjoy life, and not just survive it. I will definitely be revisiting the pages I highlighted at the beginning of this new year since my first time I worked through it was this summer, which is a completely different time for a school teacher. 

6. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz 

As you can see from the cover of this book, it has won many big awards. And rightfully so. I listened to this one on audio book, and man, did this story develop in ways that I wasn't expecting. Aristotle is an angry teen who has a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it all who has an unusual way of looking at the world around them. The two boys meet at the swimming pool and seem to have nothing in common. But when the two loners start spending time together, they form a special friendship that will change their lives and last a lifetime. It is their friendship that teaches Ari and Dante about themselves and the kind of people they want to be. 

7. Petey by Ben Mikaelsen

My aunt told me I HAD to read this book, and she refused to let me say no. In fact, she made me take it home with me! And I'm so glad she did. I remember trying to read this book in grade school, but only got about halfway through. I think it was because I did not understand the different types of people within the story, due to lack of exposure. But now with an adult lens, this story was just one of those that tugged at my heart-strings. And even more so when I found out it was based on a true story. In 1922, Petey was only two when his parents committed him to the state's insane asylum. This was common practice of the time and they did not know he had cerebral palsy. Petey was bound by his wheelchair and could not communicate with those around him, at least in ways that could easily be could understood. The story progresses through decades of Petey's life with different caretakers and a best friend who truly understands Petey, but then has to leave him. He is determined to not be hurt again, so he vows to no longer get attached to new people. But things change when Trevor Ladd, a teenage boy, saves him from some bullies and sees there is more to Petey than meets the eye. 

8. One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

I am not usually an emotional reader. But I will be honest, I cried through the last 15 pages of this book. Carley is a strong willed little girl who finds herself in foster care. She fights to keep a wall up between herself and her foster family, the Murphys. They have a loving and stable home, which is very different from what Carley is used to. Despite her efforts to distance herself, Carley starts to let the Murphys in and she finally feels like she belongs -- until her mother wants her back and it's up to Carley to decide where and how to live. 

9. Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

It's 1958 in Little Rock and twelve-year-old Marlee is starting middle school. She's extremely shy and withdrawn until she meets Liz, the new girl at school, who is everything Marlee wishes she could be: brave, outspoke, and always knows the right thing to say. But then Liz leaves school without saying goodbye and it is rumored that Liz was caught "passing" for white. Marlee doesn't care that her new friend is black. She just wants her back. The two girls must fight for their friendship during the time of segregation and face the dangers that it could bring to both of their families. 

10. Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz

This one has been the hit of the year in my classroom so far, for boys and girls alike! It's the story of Yanek Gruener, a young Jewish boy in the 1930's. Everything he has, and everyone he loves, have been taken away by the Nazis. When he is finally captured, his arm is tattooed to say B-3087. He is forced to survive one concentration camp after another. In fact, there are TEN different concentration camps in which he must do what it takes to survive. He battles starvation, torture, and hard labor. Yanek also fights to never lose hope and who he truly is. The most surprising thing about this book? It's based on a true story. 

Author of the Year: Liane Moriarty 

11. Big Little Lies 

This book follows three women: Madeline, the spitfire divorcee, Celeste, the abused beauty, and Jane, the single mother trying to hide her past. Their lives intertwine together during a schoolyard scandal. Was it murder, an accident, or parents just behaving badly? My jaw completely dropped at the end of this book, but I also laughed all the way through it due to the drama between PTO moms. It does not disappoint.

12. What Alice Forgot 

Alice gets the surprise of a lifetime when she wakes up after hitting her head at the gym. First of all, she can't figure out why she is at the gym since she HATES the gym. Once at the hospital she pieces together that she is twenty-nine, crazy about her husband, and is pregnant with her first child. None of which is true. But in fact, she is thirty-nine, getting a divorce, and has three kids. How could this have happened? Why does her sister hardly speak to her? And how did she become one of those super skinny moms in expensive clothes? Alice must reconstruct the events of a lost decade and try to reconstruct her life at the same time. 

13. Three Wishes

The Kettle women are triplets who are just turning thirty-three. They attract attention everywhere they go. But each of the sisters are dealing with their own share of ups and downs. Lyn's life is one big checklist, just like she likes it. Cat has just learned about a secret in her marriage. And Gemma, is hoping for lasting love although she bolts every time a relationship hits the six-month mark. The triplets deal with sibling rivalry and secrets, revelations and relationships, unfaithful husbands and unthinkable decisions, all while dealing with the fabulous yet frustrating life of forever being part of a trio. 

14. The Husband's Secret 

Cecilia Fitzpatrick is a successful businesswoman, member of her small community, and devoted wife and mother. Her life is orderly and spotless, just like her home. Until the day she finds a letter that her husband wrote to her that is only to be opened after his death. But he is not dead. This letter contains his deepest, darkest secret -- something that will destroy their family and the lives of others, like Rachel and Tess. 

I hope some of these books sound interesting to you and you give them a try.

 I would also love to hear what books you fell in love with this past year!

DIY Rudolph Sign Tutorial

During homework breaks this weekend I put together this quick and original Rudolph sign.
I'm excited to share the tutorial with you just in time for the holiday season!

All of the materials for the project were from Hobby Lobby: 

- Unfinished wooden sign 

- Acrylic paint (both flat and glittered)

- Paint brush 

- Woodpile letters
- Unfinished wooden circles

- Reindeer silhouette cut-outs

(Not pictured: Mod Podge, hot glue, foam brush and pens) 

The first step to this easy project was to paint the wooden sign. 

I used the white indoor paint just so I wouldn't have to do excessive coats to get the bright color of white. On the outside and inside edges I used 2 coats and on the edge facing outward I used three coats. 

Next up was the inside color of the sign. 

I am really digging the turquoise and red combination that has been popular this season, but you can choose any color you would like! I painted the edges as carefully as possible so it did not bleed into the white inside edge. If I messed up on an edge I used a wet Q-Tip to remove the paint before it dried. There were only 2 coats needed for the blue acrylic paint. 

For the nose I used a brilliant glittered acrylic paint called Ceramacoat.  

I followed the specific instructions of letting a coat dry for an hour before adding another. Sometimes it is so hard to be patient with paint directions, but I wanted to make sure the glitter worked correctly. I applied 4 coats of this paint to get a fully coated nose. 

Look how sparkily that nose is! So much glitter that it really made it hard to get a picture. 

The next step in this process was to complete Rudolph's face. The eyes were created with the same white paint used for the edges. An ink pen was used to outline to create more dimensions. To glue his cute little face down I simply used a thin layer of Mod Podge on the back, which was applied with a foam brush. 

The final step was just hot gluing down the letter! So simple, but you do have to use precision to get it where you want it the first time. I did end up having to pull one letter off and the dried glue came right off so I could apply a new coat, which was a pleasant surprise for this glue gun queen!

This particular sign from Hobby Lobby can either be stood up like it is in the above pictures or you could add a string since there are hangers attached to the back. 

I just loved this how this sign went with my existing decor! 

It was a fun and easy project that I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. 

What changes would you make to go with your decor? 

Let me know!

Creatively Yours, 

Audra 

My Inspiration in Tattoos: Part One - Proverbs 31:25

The last few years Proverbs 31:25 has been my favorite verse and I have since dubbed it my "life verse." To me, a Proverbs 31 Woman is everything that I strive to be. I have always struggled with self-confidence and worry, and have always done my best to hide those insecurities because I viewed them as weaknesses. Through life experience I have learned that is not the case, but more often than not, part of life. It is this verse that helps to set me straight when I need strength, dignity, and reassurance. 

When my brother passed away this is one of the two bible verses I clung to like a lifeline. I had to believe that God would see me through and that somehow the future would be brighter than what my present at that time was. Although the hurt is still raw and won't ever go away, I have learned how to be strong and hold myself in a way that exemplifies Proverbs 31:25. Being strong and holding myself with dignity would be something my brother Eli would tell me to do. So each time I think of this verse I also think of my biggest encourager, my little brother.  

A mere two weeks after Eli passed away I impulsively got two tattoos, on my wrists. One was his life verse and the other was mine, as always, we go together so there was no way I could do one with out the other. I never thought I would get a tattoo, let alone having three now, but I definitely don't regret the decision and thankful for something that will last my lifetime. 

As you can see in the picture I chose white ink. Although I wanted the tattoos, I did not want them to stick out mainly because I'm an elementary teacher. I would also get easily side tracked if I had the dark ink on my wrists! The picture above was taken the day of so it is very visible. Currently, they look like nothing more than scars to people who happen to be looking close enough. 

This tattoo is my daily reminder of the woman I want to be: strong, full of dignity, laughter, and without worry. 

In Strength, 

Audra

#write31days

Hello strangers! 

I'm baaack, even though things are so crazy busy right now I'm barely keeping my nose above the water... but I'm excited to get started with the #write31days challenge!

It's pretty simple, bloggers are all making the commitment to the challenge of blogging 31 days straight in the month of October. It wall started by Myquillan Smith, aka The Nester. (If you haven't checked out her home decor book, The Nesting Place, which is all about making your house a home, you totally should!

Anyways, she suggests that you pick a topic and do a series that lasts the month. There are some pretty cool ideas and over 1,200 bloggers already signed up. You can find 31 days of devotionals, how to be a serving wife, motherhood, falling in love with the journey, turning busy in to blessing, and SO, SO, SO much more! Check out the #write31days on Instagram to easily find a blog or look at the website for more information!

My topic is going to be on the same lines as it always is, just a little more intentional and outlined so I can stay on top of things a little better (as you can see above). This month I am going to tell you all about how I am inspired to create, as well as sharing some projects and other handmade crafters that I hope will get you inspired too! At the end of the month I'm going to take a few days to share with you where I want to see this blog (and hopefully) small business going... after I'm finished with coaching and finishing my Master's this semester, of course!

Hope you join for this journey of 31 days!

Audra

Day One: Introduction 

Day Two: My Inspiration in Tattoos: Part One - Proverbs 31:25

Day Three: 

Day Four: 

Day Five: 

Day Six: 

Day Seven: 

Day Eight: 

Day Nine: 

Day Ten: 

Day Eleven: 

Day Twelve: 

Day Thirteen: 

Day Fourteen: 

Day Fifteen: 

Day Sixteen: 

Day Seventeen: 

Day Eighteen: 

Day Nineteen: 

Day Twenty: 

Day Twenty-One: 

Day Twenty-Two: 

Day Twenty-Three: 

Day Twenty-Four: 

Day Twenty-Five: 

Day Twenty-Six: 

Day Twenty-Seven: 

Day Twenty-Eight: 

Day Twenty-Nine:
Day Thirty: 

Day THIRTY-ONE: 

Thirty by Thirty Thursday the Introduction

If you are my friend on Facebook or Instagram you have probably already seen my list of things I want to do before I hit thirty! Now that I'm closer to 30 than 20, it just seemed right to set some goals and accomplish some big things before my next decade of life starts. 

Here's the list: 

For some reason I decided to go after the one that I thought would be the hardest first... giving up Diet Coke. I could easily down a 2 liter a day if you let me. (Crazy, I know!)

 But it surprisingly has not been bad at all! 

I've made it 17 days so far... so I've almost made it a "habit," which is considered 21 days. I had some headaches the first few days without caffeine but now I feel better and can tell a difference in my breathing. And I know I'm saving a lot of money too!

As you can tell, some of the things on my list can become pretty costly. But I made a conscience effort to make sure that half the things on my list were actually free. 

Next week I will tell you more about #1 on my list, which I can't express enough how important it is to me. So please, come back next week to hear what I will be up to in remembrance of my little brother!

Do you see anything on my list that you would want to do too? 

If so, let me know and we can accomplish them together!

What would you put on your list? Or even your bucket list? 

Let me know!

Creatively Yours, 

Audra