Sunday, June 25, 2017

Fortnightly Update #36: Pain is Not a Gain


I haven't been that productive with blogging since my last update, but I guess that's what happens when your insurance stops covering a medication that you've been on for roughly 3 years. I had a massive pain flare due to the sudden absence of the one med that helps with my fibromyalgia pain, and I could barely even read books because it hurt to hold anything (even my cane) in my hands. My hands still hurt, but the worst of it was from going off of the medication and enduring storm systems moving through my area without it. Now that I've been acclimatized to some of the pain I'm used to having reduced, I just hope that once my insurance goes through its game of chicken with my doctors that once I have my medication again, it won't be suddenly cut off again.

Recent Acquisitions (or the Piling of the-Piles):

the-pile Additions:

None!

the-invisible-pile Additions:


Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera #1) by Jim Butcher
Since I've read and liked 6 of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, I would assume I might enjoy his foray into fantasy.


Woodwalker (Woodwalker #1) by Emily B. Martin
The Kindle edition of this one seems to still be on sale for $0.99 (Amazon US)- I bought it because I'm a sucker for deals, fantasy, and books with intriguing covers.

Currently Reading:


Firstborn & Defending Elysium by Brandon Sanderson
To be honest, it's a bit boring so far (especially for Sanderson). I have read that the second story is much better, but I'll have to see for myself.


I was trying to finish the previous book first (to get started on my Sci-fi Summer Reading Challenge) but I would like to read this and have it reviewed before I embark on a buddy read I've planned in July. This is one of the few 2017 books I was excited to read.

Finished These Books:


The Fire's Stone by Tanya Huff
I thought this would be a really good book, as I love most things that Tanya Huff writes. But the ending felt like the author was compromising (in a major way) that didn't work, especially given I went into this book knowing it was supposed to have a gay romance. If the ending were different, I'd rate this much higher, because all of the characters felt very realistic. I think if this had been written in 2017 instead of 1990, it would have a very different ending.


This didn't quite garner the higher ratings of the previous books in the series, but it was enjoyable. Again, with this book, I felt the ending was missing a certain something, but I did love the characters.


I ordered this and the next book (Wildfire) in paperback, but since I was using my own account, I have to wait until Wildfire comes out to have them. Of course, I saw a promotion on Google Play that let you have a choice of digital books for a steep discount, so I bought it there and read it online. It did not disappoint, which was a big relief for me- it feels like I'm less likely to like things this year that I usually like.

In My Life:


I haven't been doing much because of the pain and a seeming increase in my legs falling out from under me and my hands dropping things. However, my mom wants to take me on several trips this summer, so I may not be on the blog too much. My University of Utah doctor was on vacation, so I may hear the results of my test soon (and her interpretation). The tech seemed to think there was nothing amiss, but again, he was the one shocking himself by not listening to my advice on not touching the active electrodes.

Happy Reading!


6 comments:

  1. That is infuriating that your insurance just cut out on your medication, I hope they figure their nonsense out soon and you get your medicine back! That is just awful. :(

    On the topic of books, Woodwalker looks really good! I didn't see it available on my library's website so I guess I might just have to pick it up!

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    1. Yeah, I'm a bit out of sorts from it. I am hoping that the next time I visit the pharmacy they'll have some good news for me.

      I was really surprised at how cheap they priced it given it'd just come out. I hope Woodwalker is as good as its cover looks!
      Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Jamie!
      ~Litha Nelle

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  2. I hope your meds get sorted out. I use text-to-speech a lot when I have hand issues. There is also this tablet holder thing on a horseback detention that will hold a Kindle eye height. I lost track of the link, but I might look for it again for myself now that I have a comfy reading chair. If I find it again, I'll give you the link. Have fun on your trips. :)

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    Replies
    1. I think the only thing that has text to speech in our house is my mom's phone. My tablet probably has it somewhere, but Alexa willfully misunderstands my rural accent. ;)
      I am considering getting a book holder (it's a thing) for my tablet and books, but I'm holding onto my birthday gift cards just in case. There are several models on Amazon that would work well if I were sitting with a pillow on my lap.
      Thanks for stopping by and commenting, La La!
      ~Litha Nelle

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    2. All Kindle tablets have text-to-speech, even the first generations like the one I am using now. The trick is where to enable it. In the older models it is in the settings of the book where you set the font abd page color. In later Kindles it is still in the book settings, but in a different place, and with the newer models it is on the device settings page. I am thinking it is under keyboard and language, but not sure. It can be set manually, you don't need Alexa, and once it is turned on the option stays on you don't have to enable it for each book. When you want to use it you just tap the title at the top of the page and then hit play at the bottom. It will start right where you ended reading. :)

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    3. Ugh- I was thinking you meant speech to text thanks to the old brain fog. I have used to the text to speech, but it's hidden in the settings of the newer models (which is a shame- I think a lot of people would use it if they knew it was there). I always have to wait until my brain works at night to respond to anything other than tweets because this brain fog is rather nefarious without the med that I was on (and still haven't gotten back).
      ~Litha Nelle

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