Karla J. Strand

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The Time is Now

Reading, writing, and puppies: the summer of ’19

September 6, 2019 8 Blog Books

While it’s been some time since I’ve written a post here, I am reading and writing many things! Here’s the latest on what I’ve been up to and where you can find me.

First, I was asked to take on new duties at my day job because my boss left to take another job. So I am now serving as the interim Collection Development Officer for UW-Madison Libraries. This is in addition to my regular position as the Gender and Women’s Studies Librarian for the UW System. So to say my schedule has gotten busier would be an understatement. With time and discipline (what is that??), I am learning to juggle these new duties with the existing ones. While I enjoy the work, I hope that new people can be hired so that I will be off the hook by mid-spring (fingers crossed).

In addition to this, I am writing more. Everything I read says that if you want to be a writer you need to write, and write a lot. So this week, I started a daily writing practice in which I write for at least 30 minutes a day. Usually it’s more and I have written quite a bit this week. I’ve started publishing on Medium, so please check that out. Some of the pieces are recycled but I was excited when my new original piece, Shedding the sugar security blanket, was picked up by The Startup.

Photo of candy hearts

 

I still have my series, Feminist Know-It-All, on the Ms. Magazine website and it is so fun. Up to now, it’s been mostly lists of new Reads for the Rest of Us but it will be expanding soon. I recently conducted an interview with Melanie S. Hatter, author of the Kimbilio National Fiction Prize winning Malawi’s Sisters, and I hope this will be published as part of that column in the near future.

Ms Feminist Know It All column on Ms Magazine

The Time is Now ebook cover

 

 

I recently had a chapter published in an ebook entitled, The Time is Now: Feminist Leadership for a New Era. The book was compiled by the Global Network UNESCO Chairs on Gender and my chapter is “The role of libraries in the leadership development of women and girls around the world.” The book is available free online, so please take a look!

 

 

I was asked to write a book review for the Canadian Journal of History, which should be published by early spring, and I continue to contribute to Resources for Gender and Women’s Studies: A Feminist Review. I am also trying to work on my first book project, which is a history of the Office of the Gender and Women’s Studies Librarian at the UW. It’s been tough to make this a priority but that’s why I started a daily writing practice. My hope is to alternate projects each day to find time for all the things I want to write.

I continue to update my resource guide on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIW or MMIWG). It is consistently my most popular post on the site. Please share it widely!

Of course, I continue to read as much as I can. There’s never enough time to read all of the books I want to, though! Favorites this year include (so far, and in no particular order):

 

Noom 20 percent off discount link

I’ve also committed to improving my health. So this week, I started to detox from sugar and diet soda; you can read about it on The Startup. I’ve also increased my activity level and my intake of tea and water. I’ve joined Noom, which is helping tremendously with the psychology behind my existing habits. Click the link or image for a 20% discount!

 

 

I actually took a week off work to get started on all of this because I knew it would be challenging. It’s day four or five and the headaches have decreased significantly. I feel clearer and my mood has improved a bit. I am peeing all the time because of the increased water intake. I’ve lost two pounds and am feeling more motivated in general.

 

A dog and a puppy outdoors, by a small pink kiddie pool

Duo (top) and Grace

 

Above and beyond all this, there were a few other big things happening this summer. First, my son moved out into his first place. This is a big adjustment, but it’s been great. Second, my partner and I adopted a puppy. She is a boxer mix from our local humane society and her name is Grace. I don’t have to tell you that she is the sweetest, cutest, most cuddly girl ever. She’s brought a lot of joy into our lives since we lost our amazing dog, Duo, in June.

 

 

 

Photo of an Australian shepherd mix laying down in the sun

Beautiful boy, Duo

Photo of a boxer mix puppy sleeping with her tongue out

Gracie sleeping

Photo of a boxer mix puppy running with a Chuck-It in her mouth, ears flying in the wind behind her

Little girl Grace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what have you been up to this summer? What have you been reading? What’s been your favorite book so far this year? Let me know in the comments below.

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January and February Wrap-Up and Updates

January and February Wrap-Up and Updates

March 5, 2019 1 Blog

Wow. Just wow, y’all.

There’s been a lot going on in my reading/writing/blogging life; hence few posts on here recently!

So here’s the most exciting thing:

It’s the header for my new column on the Ms. Magazine blog! I. am. dead. I love it so much. Many thanks to Carmen Rios for the design and for being an amazing editor and person!

So there’s one post up currently, my 2019 Reads for the Rest of Us. This is a list of the books by and for the rest of us that I am most excited about this year; check it out if you haven’t already. A new list will be coming each month. Carmen’s been super busy with the new Ms. website design — which also looks fantastic! — but March’s should be up any day now. SO very excited about this.

So now you will find some of my book reviews here as usual but also some on the Ms. blog. Follow me on Twitter to keep up to date with my writing.

More writing and quicker turnaround times have made it clear that I really need to re-work my schedule. Not sure what this looks like yet, so any of your organizational tips are welcomed! I have calendars and a spreadsheet for keeping my reviewing straight but not sure it’s all working… I might just need a little time to get used to it all. Or perhaps I need to stop binge-watching Project Runway?

No No No GIF from No GIFs

Anyway, so here are my wrap-ups for January and February!

I set a reading goal of 50 books for 2019. I finished 2018 at 53 so I think I can do it.

So far this year, I have read six books:

I wrote:

And looking ahead…

I am reading:

I am writing:

  • April 2019 Reads for the Rest of Us for Ms. Magazine
  • Reviews for Tonic and Balm and God’s Will and Other Lies
  • Column about poetry for Ms. Magazine – April 2019

Challenge updates

It has been rough trying to get to my monthly wrap-up challenge and my classics reading list. Those will continue to be on hold while I put a new schedule in place.

That’s all the time I’ve got for now. Follow the blog, my social media, and Ms. Magazine for future updates! Thanks for all of your continued support! 

Huge Hug Hugs GIF from Hugehug GIFs

2018 Year in Reading and Writing Review

January 2, 2019 25 Blog

And here we are at the end of another year! 2018 was a great reading and writing year for me so I’m pleased to offer my 2018 Year in Reading and Writing Review!

My goal was 30 books and I hit 53. I wrote and published more this year then usual as well: some 25 reviews, a couple of articles, and I signed a book contract.

I have one more piece of good news coming that I hope to be able to share soon, so stay tuned!

This post will include information about my year in reading overall.

Thanks to all of my followers and readers: I hope your year was everything you imagined it would be! Happy New Year!

Books I read: 44
Pages read: 11, 125
Books I listened to: 9

My favorite books of the year included Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi, A Little in Love with Everyone by Genevieve Hudson, and, most recently, blud by Rachel McKibbens.

My favorite audiobook I listened to this year was Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, hands down. I laughed and I cried. I love South Africa and so loved this book. I also really enjoyed Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich.

My least favorite books of 2018? Well, they would be Every Body has A Story by Beverly Gologorsky and Angels: The Women of Room 12 by Tara Vanhonacker. My least favorite audiobook this year was Libby Bray’s Beauty Queens. Ugh.

On average, I enjoyed 5 books each month but 6 in each of June and September and only 2 in April.

Of the 44 I read, 18 were ARCs and 17 were new. Thank you to all the publishers and authors who sent me your books! I appreciate you.

I enjoyed books from a wide variety of genres including memoir (10), contemporary (9), nonfiction (8), dystopian (6), YA (5), classics (4), and more.

On my site, I wrote 20 reviews, 15 Reads for the Rest of Us, and 5 resource guides. See below for more detailed info.

Reads for the Rest of Us posted: 15

Resource guides I created: 5

Monthly Wrap-Ups I posted: 7 (June through December)

What I’m Reading/What I’m Writing posts: 9 (December 2017 through June 2018)

I set out to read mostly womxn authors and succeeded.

A couple of the books I read by men were requests for reviews. I couldn’t turn down an ARC of Kevin Powell’s new book and was so intrigued by Ogenna Ojukwu’s that I had to read both and am happy that I did. The others I read or listened to by men were mainly titles from my TBR such as If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin or new ones I had to try out like Jose Olivera’s Citizen Illegal.

65% of the books I enjoyed in 2018 are #OwnVoices. The authors’ backgrounds and topics of the books were as varied as the genres.

I don’t take part in many cover reveals so only participated in two this year:

I am taking part in the Classics Club reading challenge and did not hit my goals this year, not even close! I only read one book off my list! I really like this challenge though and so will continue and hopefully catch up to where I want to be soon.

Any other challenges or discussions I thought I would participate in or host totally fell off my to-do list by the end of the year. I just ended up being too busy! Will reevaluate these in the coming weeks.

Overall, I am pleased with my reading and writing accomplishments for 2018. 2019 is looking to be even more exciting than 2018 in the reading and writing arena for me. More on this soon…

Looking forward to a productive and fun new year!

That was my 2018 Year in Reading and Writing Review. How do you feel about your 2018 in reading or writing? What were your favorite books? Least favorite? What are you excited to read in 2019?

My posts include affiliate links. I write what I like. 

November 2018 Wrap Up

December 4, 2018 10 Blog

Here’s my November 2018 wrap up!

There’s snow on the ground in Wisconsin, which means winter, for, like, the next six months. Sigh.

Good thing I have reading and writing to keep me busy!

Here’s a look at my November! Where did it go, exactly??

I read five books:

I wrote three reviews:

I also posted:

I was able to travel to Atlanta for the annual National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) conference at which my office exhibits every year. This is my favorite conference of the year where I get to see old friends, make new ones, and learn about the important work of the amazing attendees. Next year: San Francisco!

Last, I got word that my essay on the role of libraries in the leadership development of women girls was accepted and will be published in an upcoming ebook entitled The Time is Now: Feminist Leadership in a New Era. The book will be published by the Global Network of UNESCO Chairs on Gender during the first quarter of 2019.

So that’s my November 2018 wrap up – Here’s a look ahead to December!

Books in progress:

Tentative TBR:

Tentative TBW:

2018 Reading Challenge update:

My goal was to read 30 books this year and so far, I have surpassed that goal and have read 48 books! This month I should reach 50, which I am really happy about. How did you do on your reading goals?

 

Thanks for reading my November 2018 wrap up! What are your December reading and writing plans??

 

november 2018 Wrap Up Round Up

 

 

This post is part of the Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction!

 

 

 

This post contains affiliate links. I write what I like.

October 2018 Wrap Up

November 5, 2018 28 Blog

Here’s the October 2018 Wrap Up!

Autumn is in full swing here in Wisconsin. It’s getting colder and darker but I’m curling up with great books. Reading by a fire is such a pleasure and I am planning on doing as much of it as I can.

I had a busy October and didn’t get as much actual reading and writing done as I wanted to; hope yours was more productive!

I read four books:

I listened to:

I wrote two reviews:

I also posted:

So there’s the October 2018 Wrap Up – Here’s a look ahead to November!

Books in progress:

Tentative TBR:

Tentative TBW:

 

The October 2018 Wrap Up is complete! What are your November reading and writing plans??

 

October 2018 Wrap Up round up

 

 

This post is part of the Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction!

 

 

 

This post contains affiliate links. I write what I like.

September 2018 Wrap Up

October 6, 2018 33 Blog

It’s the September 2018 Wrap Up – how in the world am I writing this already?! I swear I just wrote the one for August. Don’t get old, kids, the time goes way too fast!

So here’s what I packed into September and what I’m looking forward to in October.

I read six books:

I am (still) listening to one audiobook, Children of Blood and Bone, by Tomi Adeyemi.

I wrote two reviews:

I also posted:

September’s book haul:

I’ve been writing a lot this month and just finished an essay that I hope will be accepted for publication in an upcoming ebook. I’ve been watching Mayans MC, Narcos, and re-watching all of the American Horror Stories seasons. I’m also taking Spanish lessons. I never knew how well I knew French until I started trying to learn Spanish!

There’s the September 2018 Wrap Up – and here’s a look ahead to October!

Books in progress:

TBR:

TBW:

 

Hope you enjoyed my September 2018 Wrap up! What are your October reading and writing plans??

September 2018 Wrap Up Round Up

 

This post is part of the Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction!

 

 

 

This post contains affiliate links. I write what I like.

August 2018 WrapUp

Reading Wrap Up for August 2018

September 2, 2018 38 Blog

Here’s my reading wrap up for August! First, I am planning on stepping up my reading for the remainder of the year; we’ll see if I can reach my goals. 

I have joined The Classics Club and created a list of classics – of course – written by womxn, BIWOC, GNC, etc. to read but it means I need to complete two more books each month to stay on track! Check out my list. I start reading my first two selections this month.

So here’s my bookish August!

I read:

I listened to one audiobook:

  • Born a Crime by Trevor Noah – Didn’t post a review on my site but LOVED it.

I wrote four book reviews for my site:

I also had two reviews published in the latest Resources for Gender and Women’s Studies: A Feminist Review (v. 39, no. 1):

I posted:

This month I watched HBO’s Sharp Objects which – do I have to tell you?! – is AMAZING. Partway through I was wondering why I didn’t read the book first! I had read Gone Girl and didn’t love it, that’s why. But I have since heard that Sharp Objects was better than Gone Girl. Oh well, you can’t read ’em all.

Reading Wrap Up for August included the show Sharp Objects

Me wondering why I didn’t read Sharp Objects before watching the show.

August’s Book Haul:

That’s the reading wrap up for August – here’s a look ahead to September!

Books in Progress:

TBR:

TBW (To Be Written):

What are your September reading and writing plans?? See you next month for another reading wrap up!

reading Wrap Up monthly wrap up image

 

This post is part of the Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction!

 

 

This post contains affiliate links. I write what I want.

July 2018 Wrap Up

August 8, 2018 17 Blog

Here’s my July 2018 wrap up!

Here we are in August already! Hope you are having a fantastic summer.

Time is short, so let’s get right to it!

This month I read only two books! To be fair, I was super sick for about 3.5 weeks of this month sooo…

I read:

I listened to two audiobooks as well:

I wrote two book reviews:

 

 

I also posted:

And I participated in cover reveals for:

July’s Book Haul:

That’s the July 2018 wrap up – Here’s a look ahead to August!

Books in Progress:

Book Haul so far:

TBR:

 

 

TBW:

  • Resource Lists:
    • New Reads for the Rest of Us for September 2018
    • Another resource list – topic TBD

I have been writing a lot for work but also reviewing other people’s writing, so that has kept me busy as well. Right now I am editing biographies of Wisconsin Suffragists for a new online dictionary of suffrage being published by Alexander Street Press; I am editing and reviewing two articles (by others) for publication in academic journals; and I am trying to research and write my own chapter for inclusion in an upcoming ebook about women and leadership around the world – my piece focuses on the role libraries can play in women’s leadership development.

It is no wonder I am having trouble keeping up!

So that’s the July 2018 wrap up! What are you looking forward to in August? Do you have any ideas of topics for my next resource list?

 

July 2018 wrap Up Round Up

 

This post is part of the Monthly Wrap-Up Link-Up hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction!

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Exciting Cover Reveal! MEWRANTERS: ATTACK OF THE SEA MONSTER by Nigerian author Kachi Ugo

July 12, 2018 6 Blog Books

Mewranters – Attack of the Sea Monster
Kachi Ugo
Publication date: November 6th 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Middle-Grade, Young Adult

If there are no sea monsters ravaging the seven seas, or three-headed hydras prowling our streets, it’s not because they don’t exist; it’s because we exist.
We are the last line of defense against nature’s indiscretions.
We are nature’s police.
We are Mewranters.

When Perry Johnson hits twelve, he finds out he’s a Mew—an almost extinct species of people who possess the ability to change shape into three different forms: an aerial form, a terrestrial form, and an aquatic form.

On the day of his initiation, he shifts into a huge Golden Eagle. But this is a bad thing since no eagle Mew makes it past the age of twelve. To complicate his life, his shifting into an eagle Mew has reawakened the sea monster. A tentative partnership is formed between the different clans. But when Perry Johnson realizes that this partnership could mean the death of his parents, he has a decision to make.

With every Mew in the country out to kill him, and the sea monster calling him out to the sea, Perry must quickly learn why every Mew is threatened by the existence of an eagle Mew if he is to stand a chance at saving his parents and killing the monster. If he fails, it may very well be the end of his family…and the rest of the world.

Add to Goodreads

 

Author Bio:

My whole life has evolved around writing. I started writing stories when I was about seven years old. Then, of course, the stories I wrote were horrible: bland, uninteresting, and twist-less. When I was about ten years old, I dabbled into writing comics. Then, I would take my favorite cartoon characters, and I would draw stories around them. I would make these characters do and say whatever I wanted them to do and say. I enjoyed it! After filling my notebooks with these drawings, I would curl up on my bed in the night and read them to myself. It never failed to bring me joy.

When I hit twelve, I stopped writing comics and I started reading novels. While my mates still flipped through picture books and comics, I took an interest in thick-sized, picture-less “story books” that opened me up to a whole new world of possibilities and adventures. Then I would often finish a full-length fantasy novel in less than a week. It was about this time that I really started to write stories. I started with writing short stories in the universe of my most enjoyed series. Then as I developed as a writer, reading other writers’ works, I began to write stories in universes I created.

Now, I’m an avid reader and author of contemporary/epic fantasy. For me, writing is much more than a hobby. It’s a passion. I love writing, and I love readers!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

 

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Monthly Wrap-Up June18

June Wrap-Up

July 7, 2018 28 Blog

I cannot believe it’s already July! The summer is flying by and I wanted to take a minute to look back and reflect upon what I’ve read, listened to, and wrote last month.

In June:

All this while watching countless hours of FIFA World Cup matches! Seriously all but like three of the games…

 

via GIPHY

I was unable to travel anywhere in June but did have a blast at LGBT Night with the Milwaukee Brewers!

IN OTHER NEWS: I have published my first academic journal article! It’s based on my doctoral research and is entitled “The Evolving Role of Public Libraries in South Africa in Addressing Information Poverty: A Historical Context.” It’s published in the journal Library Management (volume 39, numbers 6/7); if you’d like a copy, please let me know!

For the last two weeks, I have been really sick with whatever flu or cold is going around and it knocked me on my ass! I am finally getting back on my feet and so hope to be adding new content to the site more regularly now.

Here’s a look ahead to July!

How was your June? Were you able to get some R&R? Did you read or travel or ?? What are you looking forward to in July?

via GIPHY

 

2018-Monthly-Wrap-Up-Round-Up300-2

 

This post is part of the Monthly Wrap-Up Link-Up hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction!

 

 

 

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