VIRTUAL COFFEE DATE | VOL II

March 15, 2019April 17, 2019 - Tobia 7 Comments

It’s time to meet for our virtual coffee date and I am so thankful for you to join me again.

First of I would…

pour us a cup of coffee and add a spoon of coconut oil. It’s my current favorite and perfect way to flavor the coffee without adding any sugar. It’s also quite filling. Did you ever try it?

I would…

then like to tell you about my struggle to finish my current book “The sudden appearance of Hope”. I have started it over three weeks ago and for some reason it takes forever to get through. Maybe it’s because I have a lot of other stuff going on and I am regularly reading something else, but still. I’ve a lot of thoughts about this book and think I need to sort this out in a separate post. Have you read this book yet?

I would…

want to tell you about the new car we finally picked up last weekend. It’s been ordered in June and was supposed to be delivered end of November. So it’s high time we finally got to pick it up. Unfortunately all the delay is just taking the fun out of it… Weird way the human mind works.

I would…

like to let you know that my photo job I mentioned last time went really well. The client was more than happy and I have been able to pick up a few more tricks. But I love learning so I booked myself a portrait workshop at the community college. I’ve been waiting for this course two years. The professor was on maternity leave and I happy she’s back so I can finally take the class.

Also I would…

want to know if you are joining #the100dayproject. I will participate for the fourth time. I successfully finished in year one with #100daysofcraftaliciouspatterns and in year three with #100daysofcraftaliciousdrops. Currently I have a list of five ideas. The whole fun starts on April 2. Let me know if you join so we can motivate each other when it gets tough.

And finally I would…

let you know that my godchild will come visit over the weekend. She is already over twenty. The weather will be poor so it will be lots of movies (our favourite) with some Gin Tonics and just hanging out and enjoy our time together. I always cherish those weekends.

Now I need to run and get everything in order for the weekend, catch up on some work, run a few errands…

Later I’ll take a break and jump in for a coffee with Lecy and Denise and see how she is doing this time around. Who will I meet?

Have a wonderful day

Tobia

Virtual Coffee Date | vol I

February 14, 2019April 17, 2019 - Tobia 8 Comments

Hello my dear,

Do you sometimes feel all your friends are all over the place? No one is close by for a quick coffee chat? Well, that’s what it feels like for me every once in a while. So why don’t you join me and Lecy for a virtual coffee date and let’s chat a bit about what is going on. I have a few things to share and I am glad you have time for a virtual coffee date.

virtual coffee date with Tobia | craftaliciousme

I would …
go ahead and order an earl grey tea with a dash of milk. It seems like I can never get enough. And then I would quickly tell you that my favorite green tea blend is no longer available. It was a service where I could mix it myself and I spend years perfecting it. So sad. Not even a heads up so I could stock up.

I would …
enthusiastically tell you about my husbands friend, a Dominican film producer, who premiered his movie “Holy Bea s t” at the Berlinale yesterday. It’s the first ever Dominican movie shown at the festival. It was so great to share this moment with him and see him so proud. Something about people achieving their dreams just makes me happy.

I would …
also tell you very enthusiastically that I have recently landed my first photography job (outside of family) and will be doing a portrait shoot today. Fingers crossed all goes well. They will be needed for a book publishing. I am really proud.

I would …
tell you about my fifth wedding anniversary. Can you believe it’s been 5 years since our winter wedding? It feels like nothing has really happened in the last five years but then so much. One thing hasn’t happened for sure and that is winter. Since our wedding there was no decent winter in Berlin. I haven’t been able to get out my ice skates. We had hardly any snowfall. This year I didn’t even crack out my winter jacket. Global warming is real my friend. Maybe I need to book a trip to Scandinavia rather urgently to get my snow fix.

Also I would …
need to talk about books. I have been reading a lot again. I have set – for the first time ever – a reading goal list for 2019. My plan is to read 40 books and I already have read 8. Most of them were awesome but the last was really annoying. So I was wondering and wanted to ask: How do you handle a bad book. Do you keep on reading or do you stop? Also, do you review bad books? I always try to review on Goodreads but mainly for myself so I can remember.

And then I would …
also ask if it is too early to think about Easter crafts. My fingers are itching to get back to my Sorbian Easter eggs. So many more patterns to explore and it’s just so meditative. Only problem is, I never hang up any eggs. I wonder if people would buy them. But then I always think it’s not good enough yet…

Before we leave our coffee date I would ask what is going on in your life. What are your next big plans. What struggles have you came a cross and what book have you read.

Then we would hug and wave good bye.
Until next time friend

Tobia

Reading Goals for 2019

January 20, 2019December 21, 2019 - Tobia 4 Comments

In the last couple of years my reading has picked up significantly. I love it. I always read a lot during my childhood and I am really happy to have re-discovered this hobby. So for the first time I am attempting to write down some reading goals. I’ve never done it but got some inspiration from Lecy. So let’s see of this would work for me as well.

In the previous years I have mainly read free novels I could find on amazon for my kindle. So I figured I will give myself a budget in the beginning of the year to spend on reading otherwise I will again reach for free novels instead of books I really want to read. My hope is that I will end up with a mixture of books I discover and books I am interested because of recommendations. Also this way I could sign up for a monthly membership when I know I have a lot of reading time coming up. I need those tiny tricks to cheat myself into investing. Also last year I went ahead and bought the books I wanted to read right at the beginning of January.

I want to read 40 books in 2019. This is manageable as I read 50 last year. But I want to read a few more “complicated ones” which take more time for me. Ok, let’s see if I can sum up some books I want to read. Everything else is up to my mood.

Fiction Books

Jade City, Fonda Lee – I love fantasy and this seems to be a good one. ✔️Finished in May 2019
Strange the Dreamer, Laini Taylor – and here is another fantasy one with great reviews. ✔️ January 2019
Finishing the All Roads Lead Home, L.L. Ward series – I read the first one and really enjoyed it and just realized there are three more. ✔️ Forgetting There Finished June 2019, ✔️ Regretting There Finished July 2019, ✔️ Besetting There Finished July 2019
Book or author that won a Nobel Prize – thinking about The Unconsoled or The Burried Giant, Kazuo Ishiguro
Ice Genisis, Kevin Tinto – I really enjoyed the first book in the series so I am looking forward to see how this unfolds. ✔️Finished in May 2019
A Place called Freedom, Ken Follet – I haven’t read a book from him that disappointed and this one was on sale recently (0,99€) so of course I got it. ✔️Finished April 2019

Non-Fiction & Guidance Books

Non-violent communication: A language of life, Marshall A. Rosenberg – I’ve started this one in 2018 but didn’t get done. This is something I need to work through so I will continue and hopefully finish.
The Creative Habit: Learn stand use it for Life, Twyla Tharp – other book I am working on far too long. For some reason it’s not really captivating but everyone references to it. So this year I’ll give it another try.
A Brief History of Time, Stephan Hawkins – I asked for this one for Christmas. I know this will be a tough read so I got the illustrated version. But I also believe my mind will expand.
Born a Crime, Trevor Noah – I like him and his humor but I really interested in his story. In my teens I read a lot about South Africa and apartheid. ✔️ Done in October 2019
The Girl in the Letter, Emily Gunnis – read someones review and it ended up on my TBR list ✔️Done in February 2019
When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalanithi – I am interested but I am not sure if I am up to it. I know I will be very emotional here.
The Bible – never read it whole and my goal is for the coming years to read other religious books like the Koran, Thora or Pali-Kanon. Because it doesn’t hurt knowing more about things that are different. Jeannette posted a worksheet to help with this reading goal. ✔️Finished in December 2019

German Books

I set out last year to read more in my native tongue. I find it hard to do as usually those books are not as engaging for me. However I realized it is good to read German every once in a while. And some authors who neither write in English nor German I can easily read in the German translation.

Momo, Michael Ende – I’ve read this book but I believe I was too young back then and there will be lots of wisdom hidden within. ✔️Done in September 2019
One Book by Jules Verne – probably “Überwinterung im Eis” ✔️Done in July 2019
A Classic – I think it’s going to be Dracula, Bram Stoker which has been on my reading list way too long. It’s my only piece I own of my late father in law so it’s emotional. ✔️Done in October 2019
Blackout – Morgen ist es zu spät, Marc Elsberg – this one sounds really intriguing. All Europe without power after a hacker attack.

Well this is 19 books so far. All other ones I just pick up as I go to achieve my reading goal of 40 books. I will also aim to finish some of those series I started in the past years. I’m off to a good start as I just finished my first book in 2019. If you are curious which one that was, come check it out on Goodreads.

Now if you have any recommendations on how to handle an annual reading list or books I would enjoy, feel free to leave a comment.
Until then happy reading,

Tobia

My Favorite Books 2018 – Part II

November 19, 2018October 12, 2019 - Tobia Leave a comment

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I have talked about my most favorite books of 2018 already in an early post. Here is the second part with series I read.

One & Future Series by Meredith R. Stoddard

The book is about a college girl who is collecting songs from her thesis which are connecting her to her past. Of course it is much more than that when she starts to realise how close it is all to her real life, that her mom had a huge secret and how it starts to catch up with her. The first book is a bit slow and and I felt like the story started when the book ended but I was intrigued enough to keep on reading and book too was much more interesting. I like it when a book gives and insight to a culture I know nothing about. I am sure I’ll continue reading this series.

#1 The River Maiden ✭✭✭ – eBook english || paperback english
#2 Cauldron ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english || paperback english
#3 Thrice to Thine (not yet read) – eBook english

Getting There (All Roads Lead Home Series) by L.L. Ward

They say the way is the journey. Jesse is a lost soul and decides to travel home. On the way he meets many characters who give him perspective. Once home we learn a bit more about him. The story then changes and takes a turn more into a crime aspect. Overall I enjoyed reading this western- However I was not aware it was a series so the cliffhanger left me rather unsatisfied. But I will continue reading.

#1 Getting There ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english
#2 Forgetting There (not yet read) – eBook english || paperback english
#3 Regretting There (not yet read) – eBook english

The Wings Trilogy by Angelina J. Steffort

It starts at a cemetery so it must be good one. Teenage love story between girl and angel. I was intrigued on the different take on the supernatural (not vampire, werewolf or such). I was bit annoyed with “I need to protect” part but ok. I will continue reading as the following books are part of the Kindle Unlimited deal.

#1 White ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english || paperback english
#2 Black (not yet read) – eBook english || paperback english
#3 Gray (not yet read) – eBook english || paperback english

Mind Dimension Series by Dima Zales

New series, new author and I read two books in a row. That is a good sign.
It is a Si-Fi book where the world is dived in Mind Readers and Mind Pushers (oh and humans) and of course they don’t like each other. And then a hero comes along who might end it. Well I don’t know yet as I still have to read the third book.

#1 Thought Readers ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english, eBook deutsch || paperback english, paperback deutsch
#2 Thought Pushers ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english, eBook deutsch || paperback english, paperback deutsch
#3 The Enlightened (not yet read) – eBook english, eBook deutsch || paperback deutsch
#4 The Elders (not yet read) – eBook english, eBook deutsch || paperback english, paperback deutsch

If you are still with me and speak German here are two more books. My reading goal for 2018 was to read a few German books. Those two made it to the top.

Priesterin der Kelten (Eifel Saga) by Sabine Altenburg

#1 Priesterin der Kelten ✭✭✭✭ – eBook deutsch || paperback deutsch
#2 Heilerin der Kelten (not yet read) – eBook deutsch || paperback deutsch
#3 Die Königin der Kelten (not yet read) – eBook deutsch || paperback deutsch

Die Erzählerin von Arden by Carola Schierz

A wonderful fairy teile that is easy to read and entertaining. It’s perfect for a day in the spa or a cozy night by the fire. I personally would have liked to here a few stories Lilian has to tell. And I found the role allocation very “classic” and devote.

My rating: ✭✭✭✭ – eBook deutsch

Ok, so much for my reading in 2018. Now on to 2019. Do you have a list you work on? Do you have topics to cross off? In 2015 my goal was to tackle a few classics that keep getting a reference. I am thinking about reading a few Noble Prize or Pulitzer Winners in 2019. Can you give me any reommendations?

*If you buy a book through one of the Amazon links I will receive a small provision. This would help me keep this blog alive and cover a few of the administrative costs. Thank you. Or maybe I just buy a new book, who knows…

My Favorite Books 2018 – Part I

November 4, 2018October 12, 2019 - Tobia Leave a comment

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I think one of my favorite past times has become reading. Just a few years ago I have not read at all. I just had no time. I was lazy to carry a book around all the time. And then I decided to give an eReader a chance. Well what can I say G*A*M*E*C*H*A*N*G*E*R. Here are my favorite books 2018

South of Main Street by Robert Gately

This book is heartwarming and gut twisting. While it was funny it had some deep thoughts however they were delivered lightly – at least I thought so. It about family dynamics, how to deal with mental health and how the person itself is living a happy life while seeing why everyone else is struggling. It shares lots of wisdom, gives hope and made me re-evaluate how I perceive and judge people. This is the only 5* book I read this year.

My rating: ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english || paperback english

Column of Fire by Ken Follett

When I heard there was a third and final book in the Kingsbridge series I was all excited. “Pillars of the Earth” is one of my favorite books ever and while this one is not quiet there it is still a wonderful engaging story with all the elements of love, battle, history, intrigues and politics. Unfortunately the plot didn’t take much part in Kingsbridge itself but traveled all over the place. Still I would recommend reading if you like historic fiction.

My rating: ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english, eBook deutsch || paperback english, paperback deutsch

Photographers Wife by Nick Alexander

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. I have to admit I had an ambivalent feeling about the characters. I didn’t really like them, sometimes felt sorry for them and every once in a while could relate. However I found the story very much intriguing. It might have been the topic itself that drew me to read the book but the many layers to the story line that slowly revealed more and more kept me at it. My take away: life doesn’t always seem what is from the outside.

My rating: ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english, eBook deutsch || paperback english, paperback deutsch

End of the Wild: Shipwrecked in the Pacific Northwest by Jason Taylor

I was on the look out for a story about travel/survial/wilderness and it was a great find. As the title suggests it is about a shipwreck but in the end it is so much more. It goes into history of the area itself and the native civilizations and there connection to nature. Myths and legends and how we take things for granted. It left me with wanting to know more about the Salish history.

My rating: ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english || paperback english

Kismet by MagdaLee Gordon

This was a rather unexpected read and from the book cover and description I did not guess what was headed my way. Honestly I might have not picked it up if I knew. It is dark, it is tragic. But it is beautifully written and it was a page turner.

My rating: ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english, eBook deutsch || paperback deutsch

Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg

I very much enjoyed this book. I would characterize it as a modern fairy tale. A young spoiled girl is being quite arrogant towards a young mans courting and has to face consequences. I enjoyed it anti was easy to read and entertaining.

My rating: ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english || paperback english, paperback deutsch

Mermaids Sisters by Carrie Anne Noble

I found it was a cute little fairy tale. Something different from what I usually read. The writing style took me a bit longer to get through but it fits perfectly.
I was surprised more than once on how the story evolved and I found it entertaining.
My suggestion: give it a try.

My rating: ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english || paperback english

Mystery of the Downs by Arthur J. Rees

This was a classic (published 1918) but I was unaware when I picked it up. So it doesn’t compare to the fast past crime mysteries of today but I still thought it was quite interesting and had a lot of twists and turns. I thought early on I had it figured out but was surprised more then once. I really enjoyed it and would recommend reading if you can handle this older writing style.

My rating: ✭✭✭✭ – eBook english || paperback english

Ok, I think that is it for today. I will be doing a second round of books as I still have a few I want to share. Those will be the series I started reading this year and also a few German books. Please share one of your favorite in the comment so I know what to read next.

Happy reading,