#my reading goal for 2023 is 35 books wish me luck and I mean that unironically

[evilwickedme]

What you need to know first is 1. I've been doing this every year since 2015 on my facebook and 2. I don't allow repeats which is frustrating at times but I think forces me to actually think about what I'm putting on my list instead of regurgitating the same thoughts every time

also here's a reminder that these lists are inherently subjective let's go

10. Meet Me in the Middle by Alex Light

This book expressed things about grief I've been trying to express for literal years better than I ever have. I spent a whole day reading it in between helping customers at work and commuting and eating and I'm like 40% sure I cried in public.

4 stars

9. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson (read in Hebrew as אלה המכושפת)

Not by any means the first time I've read this book and I did have to doublecheck I've never put it on any top ten lists before. Honestly not sure what I was reading that I thought was so much better than Ella Enchanted. Ella Enchanted is the fucking best.

5 stars

8. The Wolf and the Woodsmen by Ava Reid

I'm sooo glad I finally picked this up after almost a year of owning it. My review of it on GR goes as follows: "Stories about stories my beloved, fantasy with great real world commentary my beloved, complex and accurate representation of Jewish people my beloved." So, yeah, love this book. Great story, great themes, we all need to discuss the fact that religion being part of the government is always bad no matter which religion it is more.

4.5 stars

7. The Return of Superman by lots and lots of people

The conclusion to the Death of Superman arc made me think, a lot. I thought about who Superman is, both in the DC universe and in reality, about what he represents. How we view him. These four different Supermen who rise in Kal-El/Clark's absence all represent, meta-textually, something about Superman or the way we, the audience, look at Superman. It's only been a little over a week since I finished this and I'm still processing it. I do think after an explosive introduction to each Superman it takes a long time for the plot to actually get going, but I liked that we spent so much time with Lois' grief and experiencing the same confusion as her over who these Supermen are, and I think the actual plot turned out to be really electric. Also, when Superman DOES return, he says "always be prepared" and pulls out a GUN, which is iconic.

4.5 stars

6. Greywaren by Maggie Stiefvater (The Dreamer Trilogy #3)

It actually hurts me to put a Stiefvater book so low on my list, but as much as I loved this book, it simply could never be what I wanted it to be. That said, after the disappointment that was the previous installment in the series, I'm actually really happy to have Greywaren warrant a place in the top ten at all. I think Stiefvater had a lot to say on what art and creation are, and I think she said that very well. I just felt like a lot of the characters lacked the depth I'm used to from her writing. Like, with her other series or standalones, even background characters feel like real people. Meanwhile, I don't understand the motivation behind the series' main villain's actions. Like, why were they doing anything. Literally why. That said, I sobbed at the end because this is the last book in the world started in the Raven Boys.

So yeah a very biased 5 stars

5. Deadpool by Posehn & Duggan volume #6 Original Sin and vol #8 All Good Things

This is my favorite Deadpool run. I was ACTUALLY going to put Deadpool (2015) issue #20 here but apparently I already used that another year and I have a no doubles rule, so I'll just put my favorite volumes of my favorite Deadpool run here. In vol 6 we deal with my favorite character in the Deadpool cast and honestly we get some pretty raw storytelling. In vol 8 we get the best ending a DP story could possibly get.

5 stars each

4. Batman: Under the Red Hood by Judd Winick

Objectively this book should not be this high. Subjectively, this book rewrote my brain chemistry and actually should be number one on this list. I've compromised.

5 stars

3. The Life of Gwen Stacy by Jason Latour (Spider-Gwen vol #6)

I seem to have a thing for endings on this year's list. I wonder what that says about me. Anyway I love the Spider-Gwen series so goddamn much (Spider-Man/Spider Gwen: Sitting in a Tree also deserves a lot of love fyi) and this one's my favorite of the bunch. The plot twists and meta commentary in this one... I didn't even cover it in my lecture there was too much to say

5 stars

2. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries #3)

I binge-listened to all of the Murderbot Diaries series in a very short period of time, and this one was the one that affected me emotionally the most. All of them are really fucking good, though. You know how everybody's been saying for the past few years that if you like scifi at all you should try reading the Murderbot Diaries? Yeah, you should try reading the Murderbot Diaries. Most deeply human character I have ever had the pleasure of being inside the head of, and they're not even 100% human.

5 stars

1. I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

I am not the only one who's put this book at the top of their list this year and there is very good reason for that. I've been listening to celebrity autobiographies for years. I think it's just a fascinating genre. These people who perform for a living, performing their own lives for me. They always narrate their own books, too. It's an interesting time.

Jenette McCurdy was not performing in this. Her tone barely varied the entire time she read her book aloud. She very coldly states exactly what happened, both in prose and in tone, and you just have to sit with these horrors of the reality this child lived through and process it, because Jenette McCurdy sure as fuck isn't going to hold your hands through it.

5 stars

have a great year, y'all, and a many pleasant reads

Trying very hard to do my yearly top ten reads but I just

I think I read too much. Somebody take my personal library and kindle and marvel unlimited and comixology and time off at work at a bookstore away from me

[100dad]

100 things that made me America’s Dad

#1 I had Sex. It is tough to be a Dad when you do not have a kid. Full credit due for invitro dads, for adoption dads, and stepdads. I am not trying to bash on anybody’s parade. I just did it the old-fashioned way. Had a lot of fun. It is a natural talent.

#2 I got my priorities in the right order.  It is not about me anymore. Faith. Wife. Kids. Then me. My hobbies take a back seat. The gym became less important.

#3 I made my marriage a priority.

#4 I made sure I could financially provide. Check income. Track expenses. Budget.

#5 Financially prepared for the future. College. Retirement. Big Purchases. House. Cars. Etc.

#6 I made sure I had a Will.

#7 I made sure I had Life Insurance.

#8 I recognized that I am now a role model. I should at least act like it.

#9 I stayed optimistic about everything. Because pessimism sucks.

#10 Made sure Mom and Dad are on the same team.

#11 My discipline game was on point. Strong, Firm, Reasonable.

#12 I protected my family.  From physical harm, spiritual harm, emotional harm, evil.

#13 I am thankful for everything. Where I was born. The people I have met. That guy that gave me an idea. The guy that said I couldn’t. The ones that said I could. To authors. To haters. To supporters. Everything. Everyone.

#14 I provide. A roof, food, and water. Stable home. Education. Unconditional love. Discipline. Consequences.

#15 Not rigid. I stay flexible. Not only in the sack. I’m not going to be rigid in my parenting. Times change. Kids have different personalities. I adjust accordingly.

#16 I shouldered the responsibility. And the blame.  All of it. I can handle it.

#17 I set the tone at home. It’s what a leader does.

#18 Made sure our family name means something in our community. How we carry ourselves and how we treat others.

#19 A good home life was more important than faking it on social media.

#20 I made sure our house was a home.

#21 I kicked ass at work. I tried to be the best. Because that is how you succeed.

#22 I prepare my kids for the real world. Age appropriately, of course.

#23 My values and morals are firm. I do not compromise on those.

#24 I put in the effort. Because this is too important to wing it.

#25 I became good at relationships. It’s amazing what being nice, reliable, and offering help will do for your reputation.

#26   Humbled myself because I realized my ego will be my downfall.

#27   Perspective was everything. I learned to put myself in other people’s shoes.

#28 Taught my kids about guns. If I am going to have them, we might as well make sure safety is taught and they do not become forbidden fruit.

#29 I reassessed who I hung out with. I wanted to elevate myself not be held back.

#30 This is who I took advice from. People who actually did what I wanted to do. Good Dads. Good businessmen who built from scratch.

#31 Time. Quality and quantity. I recognized its importance in raising a family. Time is everything.

#32 Let my kids be them. Not what I wish I had been. My Values and morals are firm but I let their personalities and talents bloom.

#33 I read books to my kids. Good bonding. Good teaching moments.

#34 I Play with my kids. Both when it was fun as they get older and when it was boring when they just laid there.

#35 I remain Calm under pressure. Cool heads prevail over emotional drama queens.

#36 I build up my kids’ confidence. Because self-esteem does not result from being crushed all the time.

#37 I give them frequent reality checks. If I’m going to be humbled…so will they. This isn’t a fairy tale.

#38 Created a stable home environment. Rules, routine, predictability.

#39 Realized how much these kids see and absorb…..and modified my behavior.

#40 I hated negativity. Still do.

#41 Vices – not for me. I can say no. I can handle stress. Drugs, alcohol, gambling, porn, tobacco….I make sure my mind is more powerful than temptation.

#42 My secret formula. Hard work + Good Decisions + Faith =Success

#43 Failing does not bother me. In fact, it oddly is fun for me.

#44 Plowed thru fears. Pushed forward. No, what-ifs.

#45 Live without regret. I do not want to be 90 wishing I had been a better dad or tried to make something of myself.

#46 Not afraid to make the unpopular decision because I know it is the right decision.

#47 I do not get painted into corners. If A and B are the only options. I find or create an option C.

#48 I am not afraid to get weird and step outside my comfort zone.

#49 I did not say the things I wanted to say when I was angry. Because I knew I would regret it and once those things are said they never really get taken back.

#50 Loved taking those scary leaps toward opportunities.

#51 Gave my kids independence and freedom as they earned it.

#52 I am not a helicopter dad. But I do verify the trust and freedoms I have allowed are worthy.

#53 Comparison was motivation, not depression. I was never envious, just inspired.

#54 Our house had RULES. Because structure is important.

#55 I refused to sacrifice my family to excel in my career.

#56 I let my kids fail…. a lot.

#57 Became okay with asking for help…. letting go of that ego thing.

#58 Actions were more important than words…. anybody can say the words.

#59 I didn’t make excuses, I just got things done.

#60 Willingness to do what others would not. I found there is much value in doing the things others find demeaning or too hard.

$61 I found the best balance is balancing over longer periods of time. Not day to day or even weekly. More seasonal.

#62 I gave myself reality checks. Check that ego.

#63 I realized how good I have it. And I did my best to soak in that contentment.

#64 Recognized my kids’ genetics and focused on their talents, skills, and personalities.

#65 Respect is important. Earning it & Giving it.

#66 Bravery is important. Super important. Stand up for what I genuinely believe in.

#67 Raising my kids to be fully functional adults.

#68 I used short-term tactics with long-term visions.

#69 Pushed my kids to be better, braver, stronger.

#70 Teach my kids everything I can about life, so they are prepared when they enter the real world without me.

#71 Recognized how important dads’ role is in the family.

#72 I document a lot. It’s great for memories. Reflection. Appreciation.

#73 I controlled my kids' influences. What they see, experience, hear.

#74 Strong man- Kind heart.

#75 The secret to a good life is simply being happy.

#76 I do my best. Give my best. Because effort is huge!

#77 Realized my wife was insanely important to our life.

#78 I drive our family value home repeatedly. No one and done. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

#79 Started my own businesses giving us control of our lifestyle.

#80 Worked close to home because I hated the idea of traffic instead of family.

#81 Made big efforts to be incredibly involved in my kids’ lives. Even the not so fun things.

#82 We switched to homeschooling. More time. More freedom. More control of influences.

#83 Knew my priorities in life. Faith. Family. Work. Friends.

#84 Budgeting was a huge deal. Both of us stayed involved and adhered to it. Neither of us wasted our hard-earned money.

#85 I did not borrow money. No partners. No inheritance. All on my own. No scapegoats. No crutches.

#86 Willing to do unpopular things and go against the grain. Because going along with crowds seems so…. basic.

#87 Cared more about building a net worth than impressing people.

#88 Despite mediocre grammar skills I enjoy writing out my thoughts. Creates clarity and conviction!

#89 Never traveled as a kid, Limited travel as an adult= Strong desire to travel!

#90 Sold a valuable business to the right company at the right time. Luck helps. Luck seems to happen to people who work really hard and do the right things.

#91 Realized having cash and no debt gives you options and freedom and tremendous peace of mind.

#92 Set huge, big goals. Never achieved them totally. But when I came up short, I still did great!

#93 Never afraid of work…even hard work, willing to outwork everyone.

#94 My hobby was my family and work. I excelled at the 2 things I focused most on.

#95 Leaned heavily on my Faith. Put my worries, struggles, anxieties on shoulders bigger than mine.

#96 I knew I did not want to replicate the bad parts of my father …but I did want to replicate the good parts.

#97 Married a girl with the same values and morals as me. With similar goals. With similar ethics. With the same determination to work through bad times and build a good life.

#98 Looked at my ancestry and wanted to become a legend in my family. I wanted our name to really mean something.

#99 Lived a life that if someone wants to dig into it there is nothing to find. Squeaky clean.

#100 Wrote down our family values. This became our compass and roadmap.

100% Dad is currently on tour traveling the country promoting the 100% Dad brand. Townsend Russell is the Founder and Personality for 100% Dad. Townsend has been on the tour for over 15 months with his family with plans to continue until January 2023. Townsend sold his businesses and retired in 2019 and has been building 100% Dad and creating insane memories with his family along the way.

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