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ABC Reads // Second Update

September 2, 2016September 2, 2016 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 12 comments
ABC Reads // Second Update

At the beginning of July I wrote about the ABC Reads challenge that I heard about on my friend Mia’s blog.  I’ve always wanted to take on a challenge like this, so I thought this year would be the best year to do it. And since that last update, I’ve read one book that can count toward the challenge.

An update on reading through the alphabet, with a book review of Chronicles of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. // dreams-etc.com

C // Chronicles of a Death Foretold, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez [Completed September 2016]

A murder–and the events and people surrounding it–is recounted in this short novel.

This is the second book by Marquez that I have read and, just like the first, it’s another short one. I mentioned in my review of Memories of My Melancholy Whores that Marquez has always been a little daunting for me to think about reading. I attempted One Hundred Years of Solitude a couple of times over the years and was never able to get into that book, but since I visited Colombia this year, I decided it was time to read some books by Marquez. I guess the idea of reading a longer book is still somewhat daunting, because as soon as I saw nother smaller book I grabbed it.

It’ll be interesting to move on and read something a bit longer from him, because both of these smaller books have been so easy to read in one sitting. This one didn’t grab my attention as much as Memories did and I thought that if something else had diverted my attention I could have put it down and walked away from it for awhile. I tried to walk away from Memories because I was packing for my trip at the same time, but I kept picking it up. 🙂

Don’t let that scare you away, though! I really liked this book. I really enjoyed getting to know the different characters–even though I didn’t particularly care for all of them at all times. One thing that caught my attention was how my opinion of certain characters changed throughout the book. Each chapter focused on a different character and their perspective of the events and as I read the story I realized that my opinion of some of the characters changed based on their perspective of events.

While reading this novel I felt like I was reading a report. While I enjoyed this style of storytelling because it allowed the reader to get different perspectives, I think this is why the book was harder to get into it because that “report” style kept me at a distance. I still thought that style of narrative was perfect for this story,

I highly recommend this book, especially if like me, you’re easing your way into the world of Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Check out some of the other books I read in 2016 that count toward the challenge:

A // All Stories Are Love Stories, by Elizabeth Percer  [Completed March 2016]

B // Breaking Pointe, by Lani Woodland [Completed June 2016]

D // (A) Drop of Night, by Stefan Bachman [Completed June 2016]

E // (The) Ex, by Alafair Burke  [Completed February 2016]

G // Girl Through Glass, by Sari Wilson  [Completed February 2016]

H // Half-Resurrection Blues, by Daniel José Older  [Completed April 2016]

I // Illuminae, by Amy Kaufman and Jay Kristoff  [Completed January 2016]

K // Keep You Close, by Lucie Whitehouse  [Completed June 2016]

L // Lagoon, by Nnedi Okorafor [Completed June 2016]

M // Memories of My Melancholy Whores [Completed May 2016]

O // (The) Opposite of Everyone, by Joshilyn Jackson  [Completed February 2016]

P // (The) Past, by Tessa Hadley  [Completed January 2016]

R // Rise of the DEO, by Maria Giudice and Christopher Ireland [Completed March 2016]

S // (The) Sister’s of Versailles, by Sally Christie  [Completed March 2016]

T // Thief of Lies, by Brenda Drake [Completed June 2016]

W // Where We Fall, by Rochelle b. Weinstein  [Completed April 2016]

And here are the letters that I still need to get to in order to complete the challenge: F, J, N, Q, U, V, X, Y, Z

WHAT HAVE YOU READ RECENTLY?

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About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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12 comments

  1. Charlotte says:
    September 2, 2016 at 10:15 am

    Thanks so much for sharing this! always looking for a good book to read, and haven’t read anything by this author in… more than 10 years I think! Plus, a shorter book is a welcome break. I’ve been picking up TOMES lately, and while I feel a sense of accomplishment after it’s over, sometimes I’m in the middle wishing I had picked a quicker read, LOL.

    XOXO and have a great weekend!!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      September 9, 2016 at 8:42 pm

      Haha! I definitely feel that sense of accomplishment when I finish longer books too, but like you I always wish I had picked up a shorter one as I’m reading. I think I have attention issues if it’s too long of a book. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Mia says:
    September 2, 2016 at 1:51 pm

    You’re 2/3 done! That’s awesome! I haven’t read anything by Marquez… I should definitely remedy that! 🙂 Adding to my list. Thank you so much for joining us, you made my day!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      September 9, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      Yes! So close! I definitely recommend starting with one of his smaller books. They were easy to get into and piqued my interest for more. 🙂

      You’re welcome! 🙂 I’m really enjoying it.

      Reply
  3. Becky @ Disney in your Day says:
    September 3, 2016 at 9:56 am

    I love this challenge! Also I think sometimes you just need to read a “shorter” book. I feel like I have to mentally prepare for a longer one sometimes and then I’ll put it off.

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      September 9, 2016 at 8:40 pm

      That’s a great way to put it! I feel like I have to mentally prepare for longer ones too. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Esther of Local Adventurer says:
    September 6, 2016 at 7:31 pm

    This looks so fun! Do you have to go in the order of the alphabet or you can read them randomly? 🙂 I still have a few more books to read to reach my reading goal, but I’ve been procrastinating haha I know how you feel. I feel intimidated by reading longer books too.. but usually once I get into it, it’s not so bad. It’s just hard getting myself to open it first!! 😛

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      September 9, 2016 at 8:35 pm

      You can read them randomly. It has been fun so far! And easy, because I’ve just been able to read and then plug my books in. It’ll be fun to have to find books to read to fit some of the letters soon. 🙂 Good job on being close to meeting your reading goal. There’s a good chance I won’t make mine this year, considering I’m not even close to halfway to it. I’m the same way with longer books! Once I get into them I do well, but it’s opening them up. They seem so intimidating! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kerri says:
    September 7, 2016 at 3:32 am

    You got me thinking: I wonder if I have read a book for every letter of the alphabet this year. I had a look and I’ve got six letters to go. I might even try and get to them just for fun, not really for a challenge.

    I like the sound of this book, I like to have some short books and longer books to read, so I’m always on the look out for a short story (or short stories collection) to add to my Kindle. I’ll have to keep my eye out to see if I see this around.

    Good luck with the rest of the challenge! I’ve still to complete letters: J, K, O, Q, X, Y and Z!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      September 9, 2016 at 8:27 pm

      I’d love to hear if you end up reading through the rest of the alphabet this year! I should go see how close I got previous years. 🙂

      Let me know what you think if you check this out! I’d also recommend Memories of My Melancholy Whores, which I liked a little bit more than this one and is also a short read.

      Reply
  6. Lisa Sharp says:
    September 12, 2016 at 8:28 am

    I’ve mostly been reading blogging books lately. I need to get back to some fun reading as well!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      November 8, 2016 at 9:31 am

      Ooh, what blogging books have you read?

      Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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