Meandering Thoughts About Grittiness While Meandering Through A Bookstore

/ Ally Bean

✅  I WAS WANDERING AROUND Barnes & Nobles enjoying the positive vibe that comes from being around people who like books when I saw a copy of the latest book about Gwyneth Paltrow. I’d read skimmed a few reviews of Amy Odell’s Gwyneth: The Biography, so I knew it existed, but hadn’t seen it in the wild.

Yet there I was face-to-face with Gwyneth’s smiling face.

Or at least a portion of it.

• • •

✅ SEEING THIS BOOK sent my addled brain into overdrive.

My first thought was decidedly practical: I wonder what brand and shade of eyebrow pencil/powder Gwyneth has on. As my blonde hair has gotten grayer on its way to, I hope, silvery white, I’ve had a difficult time finding very pale blonde/light warm gray eyebrow colors.

My second thought was happily snarky: I wonder if she knows she looks like Janice on The Muppet Show? The resemblance is amazing to me. I bet Gwyneth can play an electric guitar as well as Janice.

My third thought was idly curious: I wonder what it’d be like to be a Hollywood nepo baby who’s lived your entire life with a financial safety net under you.

Not that Gwyneth hasn’t been successful, but is it because she knew she couldn’t fail, free to give her career her best shot unencumbered by the soul-sucking tedious financial realities most people face?

OR

Is it because she’s so innately talented, filled with drive and grit that regardless of anything in her life she was destined to be a star?

• • •

✅ THIS LAST THOUGHT REMINDED ME that years ago I read psychologist Angela Duckworth’s book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. According to Duckworth:

Grit is passion and perseverance for longterm goals…. Talent and luck matter to success. But talent and luck are no guarantee of grit. And in the very long run, I think grit may matter as least as much, if not more. 

I remember feeling empowered and comforted by her sensible assessment of what it takes to succeed— and how grit, something I possess, plays into a person’s success.

Back when I read the book I took a free online 10-question quiz that is still available for you to take. It is the GRIT SCALE QUIZ. From my results I learned that my Grit Score is 4.20 meaning that I’m grittier than 80% of Americans.

Discussion about whether this grittiness has helped me become the swell blogger I am today is something I’ll leave for another time.

• • •

✅ I DIDN’T PICK UP the book about Paltrow because, as you my little chickadees can probably guess, my interest in biographies of Hollywood stars is nonexistent.

Do. not. care.

But seeing it did remind me that I was in this store to buy a book and that if I was going to read a book about a real person I’d best mosey meself to the memoir section of the store where I could find books that are presumably truthful, blessedly idiosyncratic, and often inspiring.

That’s what interests me.

Thus I ended up buying and enjoying Peggy Orenstein’s funny thoughtful pandemic memoir, Unraveling: What I Learned About Life While Shearing Sheep, Dyeing Wool, and Making the World’s Ugliest Sweater.

Which, as fate would have it, also had a compelling up-close photo of a face on the front cover.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you enjoy shopping for books in a brick and mortar store? If so, do you meander around like I do enjoying the atmosphere before purchasing anything?

Do you ever read biographies? Or memoirs?

Thinking back to where you were 5 years ago when we first started grappling with + adapting to the new Covid 19 pandemic realities, what did you do to keep yourself sane, assuming you stayed sane?

If you took the quiz, how gritty are you?

+ • + • +

226 thoughts on “Meandering Thoughts About Grittiness While Meandering Through A Bookstore”

  1. First off, she does look like Janice, which isn’t a bad thing given the cast of Muppets up for comparison.

    I do enjoy shopping for books in stores, especially small private book stores. I usually roam the entire store, even if I pick up something right away.

    I’ve read biographies of military heroes, historically important people and some scientific whizbang folks, but not celebrities.

    I had just retired when Covid was causing most of its upset. Fortunately, I had a lot of work to do around the house and I had finally started writing books.

    I took the quiz and my grit score is 4.5

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dan, you’re right that looking like someone from the Muppets isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps snarky was too strong of word?

      Zen-Den reads the same type of biographies as you. I know many people enjoy celebrity biographies or memoirs but in general I find them dull.

      You timed your retirement perfectly: hello Covid, hello Honey-Do List. Not to mention time to write books. Makes sense.

      Aren’t you the grittiest? Nice score.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Just the other day I was trying to explain to someone that there is a certain something that makes some people a lot more successful and it’s not intelligence or even drive. I have know some truly smart people who could have solved world problems but they didn’t. I will now use the word “grit” to describe what they lacked. Unfortunately, it’s not as common as it should be.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Kate, interesting conversation. I know you’re right about how some people are successful and it’s not because of smarts or connections. Which don’t hurt, but also don’t guarantee success [however you define it]. I hadn’t thought of the book about grit in years, but seeing Paltrow’s face and it popped into my head. True, many people don’t have enough grit to make things happen.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I’m smiling! I love your wandering heart, Ally Bean! Whenever I’m in a bookstore I completely forget whatever I had in mind, reading-wise and get distracted. Big time.
    Thank you for the chuckle about “Janice”. I couldn’t remember the character but clicking into the link you provided (merci, btw) prompted the giggle. Yessirree! A Gwyneth lookalike, for sure.
    As for Duckworth and “Grit”. I’m a fan. Your thoughts about empowerment – yes! My students really enjoyed her flexible approach to building resilience. Sending Tuesday hugs your way! 💕🥰💕

    Liked by 2 people

    • Vicki, I do the same thing in a bookstore. I have a purpose, then happily get side-tracked. I cannot imagine going into one and staying true to my purpose, ignoring all the rest of the goodness around me.

      I’d forgotten about Duckworth’s book but when I saw the Paltrow biography, *bing, bing, bing* it popped into my brain. I was at a low point when I read it and her advice resonated.

      Happy Tuesday right back at you!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I really got a good laugh when you mentioned that GP looked like Janis the Muppet. She does! And I’m here for all things Muppet all the time.

    I read historical biographies often, usually American and 19th century, and sometimes about the same person but by different writers.

    Grit score was 4.3. I’m old and grew up in a tough area LOL.

    Liked by 2 people

    • nance, I mean no disrespect to Janis, of course, but the remarkable resemblance btwn her and Gwyneth struck me instantly.

      You and my husband! He’ll read a biography of a US President, then read another of the same President written by somebody else to get the rest of the story. Your/his need for depth is impressive.

      You and me both about growing up. I hadn’t thought about how my odd childhood instilled grit in me, but it did.

      Like

  5. I didn’t bother to take the grittiness test. Life itself has been the test, and I’ve passed it to my satisfaction: working in West Africa, traveling solo through Africa and Europe, learning to sail, leaving a secure job to start my own business and succeed for over thirty years, surviving and rebuilding from multiple hurricanes. Unfortunately, all that has left me with some obvious gaps in my experience and knowledge. Two of those gaps came to mind while reading your post: “Who’s this Paltrow woman?” and “There are eyebrow pencils?”

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dawn, you’re not gritty! Now that surprises me but I also agree that if you’re happy with who you are then that score means nothing. Thank you for taking the quiz, btw. I feel humored.

      I take your point about working in a bookstore. I worked in a DQ one summer and came to dislike them. Forever.

      Liked by 2 people

  7. I don’t buy books. I use my local library a LOT.
    Looking at the horrors that many people are going through right now, I don’t know that I can claim grit in my life. Any challenges I have faced haven’t compared to those horrors so I am pretty lucky.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Ellen D., wandering around libraries are a great experience, too. Just being around words and knowledge is inspiring.

      I take your point that we all are lucky to live where we do, how we do— and the grit required to do so here is much less than if we lived elsewhere.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. When I saw the book cover I thought, she must have made them only photograph her ‘good side.’ This is probably true of the sheep as well, only I like that cropped shot better.
    I love wandering around in book stores and because I know I’m in a safe place surrounded by people who actually like to read more than an abbreviated text message, I often initiate conversations with other shoppers. I’ve even had coffee with one or two of them at B&N or a little book shop I love that had a tiny coffee bar set up. A (very young) guy with a lot of piercings and a little man bun told me quite passionately that I absolutely HAD to read The Covenant of Water. There were tears in his eyes. So I bought the 100-lb book, read it, and have told others they absolutely have to read it too, probably with a few tears.
    You don’t get that on Amazon, which I avoid like the plague.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Dorothy, I hadn’t thought about why GP was photographed like she was, but your theory seems plausible. Maybe if I read the book, which isn’t going to happen, I’d find out why.

      Your story of the young guy convincing you to buy a book is wonderful. I’m smiling because you never know who’ll suggest your next greatest book to read. Our B&N no longer has a coffee shop which I used to enjoy. Now it’s smaller and closer by so I can deal with the tradeoff.

      I know Amazon books has all the books, but it is in no way as enjoyable to scroll through books on a screen as it is to wander around in a real store.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. I have Unraveling on my holds list! I’m excited to read it.

    I love celebrity biographies. I think because I’m always shocked at the adversity most of them DO seem to face. So many tragedies and traumas seem to hide behind most of their stories and it gives me new appreciation for all they go through. It also makes me VERY thankful I’m not famous. There might be a few perks but, seemingly, far more drawbacks.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Elisabeth, Unraveling was informative, so much to learn about wool, and it was often hilarious. It was a perfectly absurd adventure about following your own muse.

      I agree. I don’t want to be famous, much rather be happily unknown than be followed by the hoards of gawkers. I like the narratives in memoirs better than biographies because memoirs seem more personal to me than a biography written by someone about someone else.

      Like

  10. Ally, your meandering mind is the best! Grit was a great book. I haven’t been in year, but I always enjoyed wandering book stores and picking up whatever caught my interest.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. My grittiness stands at 4.0. Where were those numbers in college? That reminds me.i had a better GPA in graduate school than college. I wonder if that’s related to grit. ANYWAY…4.0 makes me grittier than 70% of others.
    I love walking through bookstore and often buy something while I’m there, usually a book! My favorite bookstores are used book stores. There’s something different about them. The people there are really readers, not just out to fill up a book shelf.
    I’ve always been a reader so that didn’t change during the pandemic. I also had always been a baker so making bread every Saturday in 2020 was not different than 1984 or 2025. Probably that was when I rediscovered painting.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Micheal, I had a better GPA in grad school too. My theory is that I was truly interested in my field of study [communication] more so than my undergrad field of study [English Lit] that I picked because I got to go study in England.

      You know I haven’t been in a used bookstore in a long while. You bake bread on Saturday! Cool. Rediscovering the joy of painting is something great to come from Covid. Well done.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I don’t shop brick and mortar book store any more. For one, actual books have become so expensive and two, I prefer to read on my IPad. When my son was little, though, dinner and a visit to the book store was our favourite outing.
    I rarely read biographies but there are a few. My favourite being Leonardo da Vinci. It came with wonderful pictures of his work. I also read the Steve Jobs bio, which didn’t make me like him much, and Keith Richards bio, which I quite enjoyed.
    During Covid, I did jigsaw puzzles. I still do them in the winter. The more challenging the better but they also have to have some beauty. I have no interest in a blank white rectangle.

    Liked by 4 people

  13. Do you enjoy shopping for books in a brick and mortar store? If so, do you meander around like I do enjoying the atmosphere before purchasing anything?

    I always enjoy sojourns around books ~ in stores, in libraries, in antique stores, and at library sales!

    Do you ever read biographies? Or memoirs?

    I started reading biographies in the 4th grade ~ Florence Nightingale, Molly Pitcher, George Washington, Marie Antoinette, etc. It’s interesting to see other lives lived in the pages of a book

    Thinking back to where you were 5 years ago when we first started grappling with + adapting to the new Covid 19 pandemic realities, what did you do to keep yourself sane, assuming you stayed sane?

    The pandemic didn’t bother me much. I exercised outside with walks on the beach and bike rides in the neighborhood. We don’t really enjoy eating out or going to the movies, so we stayed home and ate in and watched movies on TV. The biggest downside was not being able to go to the library for a few months.

    If you took the quiz, how gritty are you?

    Not too gritty. Sandpaper is grittier than me! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nancy, yes, all the brick and mortar places with books are good places. I agree with you.

      I like memoirs better than biographies, but I’ve read my share of biographies. I read my first one in 4th grade, too. It was about President Lincoln.

      Your pandemic experiences are the same as ours. Z-D started working from home in Mar 2020 and we stayed to ourselves, cooking meal, watching TV, reading books we ordered online. We went for walks around the neighborhood and parks. It was a test run for being retired.

      So you’re not gritty. Duly noted. Sandpaper may be grittier than you, but what about an emery board‽ 😁

      Like

  15. Hold on. You are blond?? Somehow I had you pegged as an edgy dark brunette. Mind blown.
    Reading is one of the things that I re-introduced into my life when the pandemic began. I enjoy browsing the book store to see what’s out there and what people are recommending. I find bookstores to be comforting. Sometimes I’ll buy, especially if it’s an independent bookstore. But often, I’ll check books out of the library instead of buying. I’m also guilty of using Amazon Kindle services. Recently I read From Here to the Great Unknown, about Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis, Riley Keough, et al. I don’t have any great attachment to Elvis, but it was an interesting glimpse into life in the 60s, 70s, & 80s in the entertainment industry, at Graceland and beyond. I enjoyed it. Speaking of Riley Keough, I highly recommend the series Daisy Jones and the Six. I didn’t read the book, but loved the series and its 70s vibe.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Gwen, I’ve always been blonde— more or less. Used to even be a platinum blonde at one point but now it’s a shade referred to as ‘gronde’ as in gray + blonde.

      I agree that bookstores are comforting spaces. I only know of one independent bookstore nearby so it’s B&N for me when I want to wander.

      Talk about serendipity! In August I read Daisy Jones and the Six. I’d seen the TV series, and the book didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed it immensely for that 70s vibe. Very fun.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Fun!
    I’m irritated by the likes of Gwyneth about as much as by the Kardashians or the Royal family and their extensions. Not much substance or relatability there…

    Having said that, a few piqued my interest: Carol Burnett was a wonderful introduction to celebrity memoirs or biographies but few others have reached her level. I’d like to ponder more about Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Jon Bon Jovi and maybe Cher. Beyond that… Meh.

    Also, buying physical books is simply not part of the budget anymore (with very few exceptions). The library has all my book interests covered, so I’m happily reading everything which interests me in my Libby app.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Claudette, I agree that GP is someone I cannot relate to— other than her eyebrow shade. That I get. Need.

      I haven’t kept up on musicians who write their memoirs or biographers who write about them. That’s a subgenre I’d enjoy. Good suggestions.

      I don’t read books on a screen so I need to get ones that I can hold in hand. I buy some, but I also don’t read more than two books a month so it’s doable.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Since COVID, I do not meander in stores. I have a goal, I have a list, and I will not be surrounded by people who will infect me with their illnesses and/or get in my way. Pre-COVID, I loved nothing more than spending an hour at a fabric store, dreaming up projects and buying cotton and thread I did not need. No more. Will I ever do that again? I sort of doubt it.

    My grit score was 4.5. I find nothing exciting about new projects. LOL. It turns out that the more boring you are, the grittier you are.

    Liked by 2 people

    • NGS, you sound purposeful in your shopping. I take your point. I certainly didn’t shop in stores for a few years [2020–23], but have slowly begun to occasionally go into ones just to meander. I’m not much of a shopper to begin with so it’s not a frequent thing.

      I like your boredom to grittiness correlation. You may be onto something. I am not the most exciting person in real life.

      Like

  18. Aimless wandering around bookstores is my MO – a place like The Strand is a book lovers heaven. I read biographies when I was young, can’t say it was an interest I maintained through the years. Can’t say the pandemic had much of an impact on my husband and I – we already lived an isolated life style and grocery delivery was already a thing for us. BTW – my grit score was 4.30…my father always said I was like a bulldog – once I got my teeth into something I never let go. Pursuing a goal, and achieving it, over a period of years is not unknown to me.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Grace, I’ve never heard of The Strand so I looked it up. It’s amazingly large, a place to get lost in for an afternoon— or a day. You sound like the pandemic lockdown protocols didn’t slow you down one bit. Some people just eased into it while others flailed.

      I’m with you about pursuing goals over years, hanging in there until you get what you’re after. I like the idea of you as a bulldog. A creative one, of course.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I LOVE being in bookstores and can’t walk past one without stopping in. I don’t often read biographies unless they are about an author I like. I did, however, listen to the audiobook by Patrick Stewart, Make It So, and enjoyed it. Mind you, I could listen to Patrick Stewart read the caution list in a package of prescription pills and enjoy it. 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    • Darlene, okay, I could enjoy hearing Sir Pat read his own memoir. I take your point. His voice is Demerol— exciting and relaxing in equal measure. Also with you about stopping at any bookstore I happen to walk by. I go in on principle.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. 3.8, not so gritty. I’m determined but give up (too) easily on certain things. I know this about myself. I do love browsing in bookstores but rarely read biographies or memoirs because I don’t really trust their veracity. I feel like they’re either written to shock, impress or mislead. I’d rather read fiction which doesn’t pretend to be the “true story.” LOL I don’t like Gwyneth Paltrow very much either which has probably affected my opinion.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Margaret, I find that giving up can sometimes be the best policy. I suppose that kept me from being a 5. I understand your point about the truthfulness of biographies or memoirs. They all have an angle, but so do most people do in real life thus I take memoirs with a grain of salt like I do people. Biographies seem academic to me and I find them less interesting than memoirs that seem more personal—like blogs!

      Like

  23. I love wandering around bookstores, but the vast majority of my book purchases are ebooks. Oddly, I have a post for tomorrow about memoirs. Yes to both bios and memoirs. Was not great during pandemic. I stayed sane by reading. My grit score was 3.6. I have mixed feelings about nepo babies. Yes, they had help getting started. But they still had to work at it. Louise Jacobson might be on a hot show, but when’s the last time you saw grace Gummer or Mamie Gummer?

    Liked by 2 people

    • LA, I know many people enjoy reading books on screens, but I find my eyes wear out faster doing that than with a paper book. I look forward to your post about biographies and memoirs. It’s one of those topics that has no right or wrong take— just personal preferences.

      Nepo babies come and go, but a few remain in the spotlight. I loved Mamie Gummer on The Good Wife. I’m smiling just thinking about her character.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Also scored 4.2! I love reading memoir since it is the genre I’m working in. I’ve read about the lives of poets, actors, singers, comedians, scientists, social activists, a news commentator, solo travelers and even a stuntwoman. I like finding the gems of wisdom in each person’s story. Michael Caine impressed me with his humor and humility. I like to know more about these professionals’ inner lives and origin stories.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. I use the library almost exclusively nowadays. I used to justify buying books because I could “read them again” which I never, ever did. Seemed better to spend my money on things like gas for the car and healthy food.
    Usually bios/memoirs aren’t high on my list of choices unless they involve a nature/activist component.
    I worked through the Covid crisis in a hospital. I don’t know that I was sane before it started given the bureaucracy within healthcare but I didn’t come out the other side any worse…just perhaps more aware and cautious and fed up with healthcare systems in general so I retired.
    Did not take the quiz but I consider myself pretty darn gritty even without a number to prove it 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    • Deb, I know that books are expensive. I buy them then when I’m finished with them I put them in a Free Little Library. I figure by sharing them I’m doing something good beyond owning them.

      I like your criteria for which memoirs to read. You might like Unraveling. It is about the wool industry worldwide, talking about sheep and natural dyes, as much as explaining the author’s crazy way of staying sane in the early 2020s.

      I can only imagine what you saw and endured being in a hospital during the Covid crisis. I mean, I read your blog about some of what was going on, but there had to have been more irritation and inanity than you mentioned.

      I concur that you are darned gritty. Inspiring in fact.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Love the free libraries and the sharing of books. If I buy a book and family doesn’t want to read it then mine definitely used to go in the many little libraries that dotted my old neighborhood. Not allowed here but I bet they could go to library book sales at least. I think I saw Unraveling before. It probably was on a TBR book list at some point but I never got to it. Then I sort of wanted to put Covid related things well behind. I’ve always given my dad credit for my grit. The alternative isn’t a place I want to go nor likely could- just not in my personality to crawl into a corner and bury my head so I think you for the kind words.

        Liked by 1 person

        • No free little libraries?!! Well that’s a shame. However a library book sale is a good thing too. I understand about putting Covid memories behind. It was a time and a half.

          Interesting about your dad’s influence on your grittiness. I know mine wasn’t about to let me be a little princess who couldn’t defend herself in words or deeds.

          Liked by 1 person

  27. I’ve read the Duckworth book on grit. I also wrote about it quite a bit when I had a weekly sports parenting column. It’s an important trait for athletes as well as anybody. I used to enjoy reading bios and memoirs but haven’t read any lately. I was working as a freelance writer for a group of magazines during COVID and would get three to five assignments at once. That and daily walks and swimming with a bungee in our backyard pool kept me somewhat sane.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Elizabeth, it was the darnedest thing how my musings led to me remembering that book on grit. I’m sure in the context of sports Duckworth’s advice would be motivational, it was to me, a non-athlete.

      Your freelance assignments during
      Covid seem like a good distraction from what was at the time a very uncertain future. Being outdoors helped us all get through those times. A pool would have been great.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. I don’t feel gritty but my score was 90% – I call it persistence. Gads, why is it that every celebrity thinks we want to read their biography? I certainly do not.
    I love bookstores – particularly those that specialize in rare and hard to find books … generally to be found near universities. They are magical.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Jan, yes you’re right grit is persistence with a trendier name. I have no trouble believing you are gritty. I don’t know why there are so many celebrity memoirs and biographies. I much prefer reading a memoir written by an ordinary person than reading about the travails of a celebrity. But I’m sure there are lessons to be learned in all memoirs.

      I haven’t been in a bookstore like you describe in a long time. That could be a fun project for a day trip. An idea…

      Like

  30. I’m a 4.09 gritty girl. But most of that I attribute to stubbornness. 😉
    And do I love browsing a bookstore? So much so my husband discourages it because I can easily spend an entire paycheck there.

    Liked by 3 people

    • River, stubbornness seems like grit to me. Your score is impressive. I understand about the cost of shopping in a brick and mortar bookstore. Everything is potentially the next best book you’ll ever read. Have to buy them all just in case.

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Yay for Unraveling! I listened to the audio book recently and loved it. Peggy Orenstein definitely has grit.

    I’m not opposed to celebrity memoirs, but I find that I enjoy listening to podcast discussions about them much more than the real book. Maintenance Phase did a Patreon episode recently on the Gwyneth book, so I’m set there. Real People memoirs are much more up my alley.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Birchie, I agree. Because Orenstein had a lot of grit she put up with a lot of grit in the process of living her wooly dream.

      I can understand why a podcast about celebrity books would be more interesting than reading a celebrity biography. Or their memoir. I’m more enthused about real people doing things, like what you read about in memoirs— or in personal blogs for that matter.

      Like

  32. I love to shop for books in a brick and mortar store. I love the atmosphere. I only shop online when I have to because of isolation/distance, when I lived in Northwest Territories, for instance.

    Biographies and memoirs are my favourite, but not of Hollywood stars. I’ve flipped through a few of them and found them to be unbelievably vacuous. Gwyneth always comes across to me as someone too privileged to really understand life which is really exemplified by her website Goop.

    During Covid I worked my butt off. I initially had to quarantine for a month because I was out of the country when the whole thing started but once that was over work resumed in a big way. We were mobile because like NZ, the Northwest Territories locked down completely so we had freedom of movement inside it.

    Like you, I am a 4.2. I can be incredibly determined and tough. It just comes naturally; probably helps that I’m an introvert, too.

    An enjoyable post, Ally. Thanks. 😊

    Liked by 2 people

    • Lynette, I know what shopping online is sometimes necessary, but wandering around a bookshop is delightfully restful for me.

      I’d forgotten about Goop. I agree with your assessment of her. She has great eyebrows but after that her life story doesn’t call to me.

      I didn’t realize what your lifestyle was like in the Northwest Territories during the lockdown part of Covid. No doubt you were busy, all medical professionals were.

      Astute observation about how a high grit score may correlate to introversion. I bet you’re right. Thinking about myself and others who are gritty, we all are introverted.

      Liked by 1 person

  33. I am with you on the eyebrow colours. There is nothing for someone with white hair and fair skin. I love real books but mostly read via Libby. And I am FULL of grit. Sometimes to my own detriment!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Bernie, the lack of eyebrow colors is weird. I mean there’s a market for the colors so don’t you think some cosmetic company would want to go all in on grays?

      I know how you feel about possibly being too gritty. I admit I can be too determined at times… in certain situations… that I care about too much.

      Like

  34. I am a 4.4 for gritty. I probably should give up more often. I would totally pick the sheep over Gwyneth. Hollywood is overrun with nepo babies (yes, I work in the industry). The successful ones have some talent and a decent work ethic, but not nearly the grit and skill (and often the attractiveness quotient) of those who succeed without a parent in entertainment. And I’ll take “Life Is Beautiful” over “Shakespeare in Love” for Best Picture any day.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Autumn, I’m laughing about your awareness that maybe you should give up more often. I’ve come to the same conclusion about a few things. Is it a sign of gracefully aging? With you on your movie choice, too. I never figured out how Shakespeare in Love was a best picture, yet there it was.

      Liked by 1 person

  35. I don’t really care for GP, but I love that you compared her to Janice — I can’t unsee it now.
    I read Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough’s memoir earlier this year (someone else mentioned it too), and it was surprisingly good. I’ve never been a big Elvis fan, but for some reason I was really interested. And I’m pretty anti-celebrity, so take that for what it’s worth.

    Also — I was shocked to learn you’re blonde! I had you pictured as a brunette in my head, and I have no idea why.

    I took the quiz and got a 3.3, which shocked me — I’m not gritty at all. 🤣

    Liked by 2 people

    • Kari, the second I saw the photo of GP on the cover of the book I thought of Janice. Now I’ll see Gwyneth as Janice and vice versa. Such is the way of my brain.

      I’m indifferent to Elvis but I did enjoy Riley Keough in Daisy Jones and the Six. IF I decide to read a celebrity memoir I’ll start with hers.

      Yep blonde, now a dingy one, but basically blonde still. I’m hoping to gray into white hair like my parents did.

      Not gritty, you say! Doesn’t matter as long as you are comfortable being you. 🫡

      Liked by 1 person

  36. 4.59 on the Grit Test. I like your post’s spin on grit. My family calls me maddeningly stubborn, and I’ll admit to persisting work on a project as it becomes increasingly hopeless. Time, however, is the beauty of retirement and I like to think that there is something to be gained even in utter failure! Stay well Ally!

    Liked by 2 people

    • deepesthappily, you’re stubborn, maddeningly so, you say. Sometimes taking on and sticking with the hopeless projects nudges you to go down tangents that become more useful than the way you got there. If I was more clever I’d turn that idea into a koan. Hope all is well with you, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  38. Took the test and scored 4.70. I come from poor but hearty stock and still to this day enjoy good old fashioned hard work. I don’t know why, but I do, and when I start out on something I try to see it to the end. I derive satisfaction from something that has a beginning, a middle, and an end. 🙂 I do not shop brick and mortar for books these days. I use the library and put books on hold and pick them up when ready and in between I read ebooks from the library on my tablet. Why? Two reasons – I downsized way back and don’t want books that I’ve read and won’t read again hanging around on bookshelves, and they are too expensive to read once and donate. I haven’t read a biography in quite a while, and I don’t really have a good reason. I read a lot during the pandemic. Our local library would set the books outside on a shelf, and I’d drive up and pick them up. I really can’t imagine a day without reading. Good post!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Judy, good point about projects having a beginning, middle, and end. I take your point about wanting to hit all three.

      A few other commenters have mentioned not wanting to shop in brick and mortar bookstores, preferring a local library or using an e-reader. I don’t care how people get their books, just that people are reading books.

      Biographies are a genre that either hits with you or not. At least that’s my observation. My husband reads biographies, but never memoirs. If I’m going to read about a real person I’d prefer to read a memoir— or historical fiction based on a real person. Whatever entertains you is what you should read, sayeth I.

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Hi! Books are definitely my thing too – my first ever real job being a page in the local library. I have to have a hard copy though. I can’t get into the e-versions. Am reading now “Grateful American” by Gary Sinise. I had no idea he was so into honoring our veterans. I use my B & N credit card for almost everything so I can get the points to buy more books or scrapbooking magazines! Happy Tuesday!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Janet, I need to have a *real* book in hand too. I don’t like reading books on screens. I love knowing you have a B&N credit card so that you can get the points to buy more books and supplies. You are a clever one.

      Liked by 1 person

  40. Years ago l lacked funds and was a miser, so I used a library like you used a bookstore. After we moved back from England, I read a number of biographies about English people and enjoyed them greatly.

    I agree that grit counts. I’ve always had enough to do what I wanted to do.

    This was a most enjoyable post.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Anne, I can understand how a public library is like a bookstore. Same kind of vibe. I don’t read many biographies, but my husband likes ones about Civil War generals. Those books bore me to tears.

      You’re right, if you have the grit you need to do what you want, then you’re doing okay. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Scored 3.9 60% more than average, i pretty much exclusively read bios & memoirs (especially graphic novel versions of the artist who created it). I read about people who I fancy (that does include people in the arts). I spent time creating art & stories to get through the pandemic. My state was only on.lockdown for like a month.

    Liked by 2 people

  42. I haven’t been in a ‘book store’ in quite a while, but I have been in thrift stores, looking specifically for books. I do enjoy both versions of book browsing, though.

    I’m not a BIG fan of Hollywood people in general; that being said, I did read Demi Moore’s book last year and am currently listening to Barbra Streisand’s. (Not really loving Barb, but Demi’s was great!) I don’t think I’d pick up Gwyneth’s book. That is a good question, though….did she get where she is because of a hand up by having her parents’ name? Who knows, but she certainly has used it for the betterment of her career. I don’t blame her.

    Girl, GRIT will take you places!!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Suz, I’ve never found books in a thrift store. Ours are more about furniture and household items. Now I’m wondering why that is.

      I would enjoy reading what Demi has to say. I remember her from General Hospital back in the day. My roommate was a fan of GH, kind of drew me into it. As for GP’s career trajectory you have to figure some parts of it came easily to her.

      I like your summary of grit. I agree.

      Liked by 1 person

  43. Your commentary on Gwyneth is spot on, I tell you.

    My grit score was mediocre, but that’s likely due to often finding that what I thought I wanted to do wasn’t really what I wanted to do. I actually do well at finishing projects successfully.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Eilene, I’m smiling about your self-awareness regarding your goals and how they weren’t quite what you really wanted. I understand that. I, too, have dithered at times about what I wanted. Maybe that’s just life.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. I absolutely LOVED Unravelling! It was so fascinating and it really made me think a lot about the work that goes into clothing, women’s work in general, the idea of a spinster and their importance to the household. Loved it!
    I won’t read that book although I do tend to enjoy a juicy celeb book – I mean, I won’t NOW but never say never. I do think her shade of blonde is lovely though. And Janice is pretty great, although I am a Miss Piggy girl through and through (MOI???).
    FWIW I think that Shelley Winters’ autobiography – the first one, not the follow up, that one was terrible – is one of the best celebrity memoirs EVER. It is absolutely fascinating and fun and wow, so many juicy details!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicole, I agree about how Unraveling opened my eyes to how clothing is made. It was an informative memoir that also just happened to be honest and humorous. You’re right that Miss Piggy is inspiring, maybe more so than Janice. I don’t know which celebrity in real life looks like Miss Piggy, though. Maybe Delta Burke in her Designing Women days?

      I’m not much for celebrities, but sometimes knowing something about them can be fun. Or horrifying, I guess. I remember Shelley Winters from The Poseidon Adventure.

      Like

  45. Ally, here’s something funny – I often use an app called Speechify to listen to blog posts, and Gwynneth Paltrow is one of the voices I can choose from. And I do choose it because it’s the best one, reading the most naturally. So every blogger has Gwynneth’s voice! But sometimes I switch it up and use Snoop Dog’s voice – also a good one, and definitely VERY different from Gwynneth!
    I’ve seen Unravelled recommended several times, so I will have to read it. I love how you compared the cover to Gwynneth’s book!

    Liked by 1 person

    • What? I just told Mini when I dropped her off at ND yesterday, that I wish I could find a way to have the blog posts that I am behind on read to me. She said I’m sure that’s a thing, but I had no idea it really was a thing. Dang. I need to check this out. Snoop Dog’s voice reading a blog post would be hilarious.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Michelle, I don’t know about Speechify and it sounds interesting. I am smiling about how Gwynneth’s voice is your preferred one. I understand that, she does have good articulation when she speaks. No difficult accent.

      I enjoyed Unraveling, both for the information and the thoughtful insights into why the author is who she is. Plus it’s funny.

      Liked by 1 person

  47. So much to comment on…. I wasn’t aware of Janice from the Muppets but I can see there is a resemblance – the long straight hair. I saw the Gwyneth book last week when I went to the bookstore to pick up a book I had ordered (I usually get my books from the library but so many stores insist on emailing me birthday discount coupons), and my first thought was – wow, lots of airbrushing in that photo. In Real Life, she’s looking older now, like most of us. I had skimmed a review of it, which mostly talked about how unsuited Brad Pitt and her were, due to her Hollywood royalty status. Didn’t she get her start as Wendy in Dr. Hook? Not too many 25 year old actresses land a plum role like Shakespeare in Love and go on to win an Oscar….so probably some nepotism going on there. Agree – it is hard to find light brow shades.

    I’m pretty gritty – 4.4. Probably too gritty – I don’t give up even when I should…. I’m watching the Blue Jays baseball game while I’m typing this. It’s not nearly as much fun when they’re not winning. They need more grit….

    I like to graze in bookstores, but I read so much I seldom buy unless it’s non-fiction and/or something I would like to re-read. I like a good memoir – but generally not famous people. I wonder who buys all those Cher/Barbara Streisand/Christie Brinkley type books. I guess I wouldn’t have enough ego to think my life was that interesting enough to warrant a book about it.

    I blogged to stay sane during the pandemic…..and I looked after my mom, moving in with her in 2021 for two years. Looking back, I’m glad we had that time together. And I cooked more. I’m an introvert so the pandemic didn’t bother me that much, other than the continued worry about catching Covid.

    We missed you blogging….

    Liked by 2 people

    • Joni, I’d forgotten that Gwyneth and Brad were a couple, but do know that her success in Shakespeare in Love surprised me. I’d seen the movie that year, but didn’t think she was spectacular— good but not Oscar-worthy. My opinion is as irrelevant now as it was then.

      You have a good grit score. And the good sense to know how to temper yourself when you see something less gritty than you’d like.

      I wonder the vary thing you said: “I wouldn’t have enough ego to think my life was that interesting enough to warrant a book about it.” I, too, wonder how you come to decide it’s time to write a memoir about yourself? I have stories, but wouldn’t know how to spin them into something that a publisher would want.

      I blogged A LOT during the pandemic, especially in that first year. But like you, I’m an introvert so being alone with my sweet patootie was a-okay.

      Liked by 1 person

  49. I didn’t know there was such a thing as a grit score. I don’t know how you measure that, but I certainly recognized and appreciated it in certain students. You try to root for and treat everyone equally, but inevitably, you can’t help pulling for some more than others, especially when they were born with two strikes through no fault of their own. Yet, those are the most inspiring stories because some children still make good despite a horrible home environment. While the child deserves 99% of the credit for overcoming these circumstances, there usually is another role model in their life to provide some guidance.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Pete, Duckworth’s book on grit is interesting. She does a good job of explaining the concept and then adding some practical advice. One of the biggest takeaways I took from the grit scale quiz was how basically it’s a test AND a decent way to get to know yourself better. I agree that if you know the origin story of some people you admire their accomplishments through a different lens. Success looks different for everyone.

      Liked by 1 person

  50. Ally, I must confess I really know nothing about Gwyneth Paltrow, but I do recognize her face – I’ve never seen a movie/TV show with her in it. In fact, I saw the video she made on social media after the Coldplay Kiss Cam debacle and only learned then that she was married to Chris Martin of Coldplay. But then again, I’d heard of Coldplay, but I couldn’t tell you a single song by them, nor would I have recognized Chris Martin if he stood beside me, that is until after he called the couple out at the concert. My pop culture stats are poor, as are my gritty stats as I only got 2.5 (my result: you scored higher than about 10% of American adults in a recent study). Not stellar really.

    We don’t have any brick-and-mortar book stores near me, but I shop for groceries at Meijer and if I see a book I like I get it there – they have discounts, or I get books from Amazon. I have a lot of books my mom and I bought years ago – she was an avid reader, much more so than I was after I stopped taking the bus and rode with someone to work after my boss/I moved out on our own out of the Downtown Detroit area. Many books I’ve bought on my own are still in my TBR pile. I was doing pretty good earlier this year, but then the sketching/painting take some time and whenever the weather got better this Summer, I tried to get out for longer walks with my camera. I am now lagging behind on my books goal. I read some biographies/memoirs, but it depends on the subject. I read “Spare” recently and tired of Harry’s whining, but it was a long book and was somewhat tedious at times. During the pandemic I walked to keep sane, but I was also still working, so that encompassed a lot of time too (though “sane” is not necessarily a description I would give for my job). 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Linda, I’ve seen Gwyneth in a few movies and I know she has a business aimed at women called Goop. I couldn’t tell you much more than that, other than she has great eyebrows.

      I know I stop to glance at the books in Meijer, too. Not a bad selection and I like the discounts. I go through phases about reading books and having goals. I understand how your art projects and photography took precedence.

      I read Spare when it came out. It was a long slog in some places, but I did enjoy getting the down and dirty on the royal family. What a goofed up bunch of privileged folks.

      Liked by 1 person

      • I didn’t know about Gweneth and Goop. Hmm. For years we had a Waldenbooks book store close by and my mom and I would make a quarterly trip there for books. At that time we also subscribed to many magazines and a woman I worked with had a book club membership, so she’d pre-order all the bestsellers. She’d read them very quickly, turn them over to us and I’d take in magazines for her to read. It was a win-win for all of us.

        I was better at accomplishing goals while I still worked as I had to portion out my day to carve out free time … still finding my groove as I put off things more now that I have more time. I am dropping the French lessons when the subscription runs out next month – I’m not planning to travel to France, likely nowhere – too many things going wrong with air travel or any travel for that matter.

        I did like the juicy stuff about the Royals and learned a lot about their protocol, some which I had heard before, but some that amazed me. I agree – privilege does not make you perfect, that’s for sure.

        Like

        • Yes, Gwyneth is into many things beyond acting. She’s a success, but not one that impacts me directly.

          I know that when you work you have to plan your days and weeks. Scheduling is forced on you. I understand about ending your French lessons. I did Spanish on Duolingo for half a year, then stopped. You learn what you need to know, then move on.

          Liked by 1 person

          • I don’t think we are missing much with Gwyneth not in our lives. I remember you said you used Duolingo during the pandemic for Spanish as you had it in high school or college before, then quit. I didn’t mind memorizing the vocabulary words and applying them in sentences, but the grammar got tough (reflexive verbs which made no sense to me) so I practice a story daily until the subscription runs out and then I’m fini!

            Like

  51. Ah, as soon as you said bookstore I had an image in mind of what it would look like and feel like. I love bookstores and it was fun to wander with you. Peggy Orenstein’s book looks interesting and I trust you’ll tell us if it is — or isn’t!

    Liked by 2 people

  52. I like memoirs. It’s one of my favorite things to read. During the pandemic, I ordered a bazillion photos from my digital photos and updated many of my photo albums, but there are still decades that I haven’t gotten too. Ugh. I also sewed masks and mailed them to doctors in California. I signed up for something. I tried to teach Mini and Curly how to use my sewing machine. That went about as well as you can imagine, if you remember that Mini can’t use a manual (or electric I guess, since we don’t have one) can opener. I haven’t been in a real book store in – I don’t know how long? I prefer the library. I’m not much for buying books. I don’t really peruse the library. I’m more apt to have a book or a few books specifically that I’m looking for and go in to find them. I’ve not heard of this memoir and it sounds good. I don’t think a Gwyneth book would interest me. I’m not all that into Hollywood, but I have started listening to a podcast with Amy Poehler and I really like hearing about the background of many of the comics that she interviews. Martin Short, for example, so fun to learn about him. I thought afterward, if he has a book – I should check it out.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Ernie, I remember you working on your photo albums during the pandemic. That might be about the time I first discovered you? I wondered then: “how many photos does this chick have?” Now I know the answer is: “a gazillion and one!”

      In Mini’s defense I’d like to admit that I can only use certain manual can openers. Some make sense to me, others are from Mars. Just saying.

      I recently started listening to Amy Pohler’s podcast too. She is the best. I like her style and voice and stories. Many podcasts bore me but she keeps it lively.

      Like

  53. I smiled at how you studied the book cover of Gwyneth. I do that sometimes when I look at certain characters in a magazine. Now it reminds me of the book cover of Steve Jobs. Yes, I read biographies. I finished Steve Jobs’ biography in a few days and still remember many details. Walter Isaacson is a great writer. When Steve asked him to write his biography, Walter’s first thought was to tell him to come back in 10 years, but Steve’s wife told him about his cancer. Walter interviewed Steve more than 40 times in two years. The only thing Steve wanted was to pick the self-portrait for the cover and leave everything else to Walter.

    I love going to the bookstores. The Powell City of Books in Portland housed over one million books, and I managed to skim through a few books on each visit.

    I didn’t take the Grit test. Some questions don’t have straightforward answers, such as, “I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one.” Even in business, goals are assessed and then changed or adjusted. So it is a positive thing if I marked “Not much like me” instead of “Not like me at all.” I don’t think anyone gets a 5.0 score.

    Have a wonderful week, Ally! This is a fun post.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Miriam, I didn’t know anything about the Steve Jobs biography. Thanks for the insights. I remember being aware of the biography and the cover of the book. Most fascinating to know how it came into being.

      I know of Powells Books but have never been to Portland so [obviously] have never been there. Cool that you are close enough to get to the bookstore.

      I take your point about the questions on the quiz. Like much in life the way you interpret something influences if you think it is a positive or negative. I don’t know who you’d be if you got a 5 on it. So far no one has owned up to that.

      Liked by 1 person

  54. I didn’t know Gwyneth Paltrow’s parents were famous. Hmm.

    I love wandering around bookstores, especially the independent bookstore in downtown Edmonds where I’m greeted by name and where they suggest books they think I’d like. I’m guilty of reading most of my books on my Kindle, though. It’s easier on my neck and back to hold.

    I don’t usually choose to read a biography or memoir. When I do, though, I usually enjoy it, esp. memoirs.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Nicki, yes GP’s mother is Blythe Danner [actress] and her father is Bruce Paltrow [movie director]. Might have made her success easier to come by, eh?

      I like independent bookstores too. I hadn’t thought about how a Kindle could be easier to hold than a paper book. Something to consider.

      I’m more into memoirs than biographies when I’m in the mood to read about a real person.

      Like

    • The Travel Architect, I enjoy a good memoir, too. I understand that it’s someone’s spin on their life and could be not completely truthful in an objective sense, but I believe them.

      I haven’t see the Muppet Show in years. What a great thing to start watching again.

      Liked by 1 person

  57. I enjoy a good mooch around a bookstore, although I tend not to buy fiction as that goes onto my Kindle – but I always find something interesting, quirky or unusual that I’d never have come across otherwise. And, of course, I get to buy books for the grandbugs 🙂

    I enjoy biographies and memoirs, but am not a fan of celebrity ones as 1) they’re generally written by ghost writers anyway and 2) I’m not interested in celebrities. I enjoyed Katherine Hepburn and Arthur Ashe’s biographies back in the dawn of time before the use of ghost writers became the norm for famous folk.

    Sane? The fact that I’d long worked from home before the advent of Covid lockdowns probably helped, but I also spent a lot of time finding ways to keep my mother entertained as she lived alone. Turned out I was wasting my time as she had all manner of people in and out of her apartment throughout the lockdowns anyway… In fairness, she didn’t catch Covid until she flew to the US on relocating to live with my sister there. There’s no doubting that period of time changed me, and I suspect I’ve leaned way in to my introverted side.

    I wasn’t surprised to read that I’m not especially gritty – I think my score was 3.something (I can’t now remember the exact number). So not bad, but not flint-like either.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deb, many people prefer their Kindles to actual books in hand. I’ve never taken to mine, but I adore the idea that they allow more people to read more books.

      Excellent point about how many [all?] celebrity memoirs are ghost-written now. I like a memoir from someone who is just who they are— and can tell their story on their own.

      I’m with you in that Covid pushed me into being more of an introvert than ever before. I took to NOT doing things with people like white on rice. Still feel disinclined to socialize much.

      I’d say your grit score puts you in the most balanced person ever category. Well done!

      Liked by 1 person

  58. Ally, for someone who reads so much on a Kindle, I have an embarrassing number of bookcases positively laden with real books… as I’m not at all ashamed to admit. My idea of the ideal interior decor is laden bookcases, so long as they are read and not just for decoration 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  59. My book addiction can be found in the coziest corners of independent bookstores, and I love supporting their dreams. While the world was in a flux during the big “Covid plandemic”, we didn’t change much of our lifestyle. No grit, no pearl!

    Liked by 2 people

  60. You didn’t ask but I feel a strong urge to comment that I really dislike Gwyneth. I think it’s mostly because she reminds me of someone very pretentious that I used to know. She seems too goody-goody, too perfected and honed, tries too hard. And I wonder why I needed to say that aloud – what would Freud say?! (I’m not sure I’d want to hear!)

    My grittiness was at level 3,8 but I’m not American, so maybe it doesn’t count! 😋 Though I recently did somewhat of a grittiness test when applying for a new job over here in my corner of the world. It was actually an HR appraisal with maths, verbal and logical deduction sections. I never understand how the different shapes are supposed to fit together and take wild guesses, but I seem to score quite well in these tests! In the feedback they said I was fast but accurate, and also gritty! Yay!

    And yes, I sometimes read biographies. One that I liked was Noah Trevor’s Born a Crime. It was not what I expected!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Snow, I agree with you about your assessment of Gwyneth. She rubs me the wrong way in the ways you mention. There’s something too pretend about her. I think Freud would approve of your comment— I know I do!

      I’m loving your HR test experience results. I don’t see how shapes fit together either. Or at least not quickly.

      I read Born a Crime and enjoyed it. I agree that it wasn’t what I expected but I am in awe of that man. He is smarter than smart, yet firmly grounded in reality.

      Liked by 1 person

  61. Thanks for the Grit quiz Ally. I am a 4, mostly because sometimes I let go of an idea when I have a better one. It depends on the idea and how important I deem it. Though I’m not one to give up easily.
    As far as brick and mortar book stores, they are my favourite. Nothing like wandering around in them. Actually did that a couple of days ago and picked up a couple of books. Often non-fiction, personal development kind. I do like some memoirs, but like you I don’t do celebrity bios etc. because like you, I. Don’t. Care. 🤣🤣🤣
    Good post. Great questions.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Alegria, good point about how giving up on one idea isn’t always a negative thing. The quiz leaves such nuanced thinking up to you.

      I know that some readers enjoy celebrities and their stories, but give me a regular person who decides to write about something in their life and how it impacted them. Unraveling is a good example of that.

      Thanks for stopping by to read and comment. I enjoy hearing from you.

      Liked by 1 person

  62. Gwyneth Paltrow! 😝 And I think she’s had more success:
    “because she knew she couldn’t fail, free to give her career her best shot unencumbered by the soul-sucking tedious financial realities most people face?”

    BTW, I have silvery/white hair and use a light auburn eyebrow pencil, but what looks good probably depends on the colour of your complexion.

    You had an excellent quiz result! 👌 Sadly. my score was only 360, as I sometimes lose interest in things after a while. Not blogging mind you, although I burn out easily and take a lot of breaks. 😆

    Answers to your questions:
    Yes, I enjoy browsing in bookstores, but they are getting harder to find. My preferred genre is non-fiction, especially biographies and memoirs (and that is also what I mostly write.)
    Hubby and I ate and drank more during COVID and watched a lot of Netflix, etc., but we also went on nature walks. I took a lot of sunrise and sunset photos during that time. It helped a lot with the sanity!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Debbie D., I tend to agree with you about how + why Gwyneth has been so successful. Just saying, ‘ya know?

      I’ll checkout the auburn eyebrow pencils. I’ve been stuck on the idea of gray, but who knows. Thanks for the suggestion.

      You’re right about bookstores becoming more rare. Ours either close entirely or downsize. I took more walks in nature during that first year of Covid. I need to get back to that in fact.

      Liked by 1 person

  64. Wow, it took a lot of grit to get to the bottom of your comment section!

    I never thought much of Gwyneth but I did love her (of course scripted, but on-tone) cameo response to the Coldplay kiss cam incident. I would not spend the money or time on her book.

    I love to roam around in bookstores but I rarely buy anything. I’m much more of a library gal.

    I had been retired a few years before Covid. We have a garden and have beaches close by, live in a friendly neighborhood, in a lovely city. Hubby and I are semi-introverts. We were happy. I’m glad it’s over, though.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Janis the Gritty One, you made me laugh out loud with your observation about the comment section.

      I’m with you about Gwyneth. I don’t hate on her, but also don’t care about her. Agree about her Coldplay response.

      You were in the best place and headspace to weather the Covid pandemic changes. We adjusted as need be, but like you we’re introverts so not socializing was delightful.

      Like

  66. My grit score is 4.09, so you out grit me. I love to peruse a brick and mortar book store, but haven’t done so in years; there aren’t many left near me. I rarely read non-fiction. On another note: Dear Gweeneth, no one needs a candle that smells like your vagina. Just stop.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Linda, same here about the lack of brick and mortar bookstores. Most of the ones that are still around are chains so independent ones to peruse. Bummer, if you ask me.

      I’d forgotten about Gwyneth’s candle. Totally put that out of my mind. She’s nuts.

      Liked by 1 person

  67. Several thoughts here but I’ll keep it short. I read Maureen McCormick’s biography as well as Demi Moore’s. What do they have in common? I was hopelessly in love with the girl-next-door version of both before they really screwed up their lives. Like you, I have no plans to read about Gwyneth but hopefully she kept her life more on the straight and narrow. Finally (and much more importantly) your wandering through the bookstore reminded me a) Doing the same thing at a Blockbuster is a wistful memory, and b) I really do need to spend more time in brick-and-mortar bookstores. With my Amazon Kindle I can sample a book for free without committing. In the store you have to take a chance by purchasing a physical copy. Sometimes I think authors deserve that leap of faith.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dave, not totally surprised Maureen and Demi screwed up their lives, but also sad to read that. I might look for Demi’s book, she interests me more than Maureen.

      I don’t use a Kindle so going to a real bookstore is how I find books. Rather like going to Blockbuster back in the day. I occasionally buy a book on Amazon but it’s not much fun. I miss the adventure and randomness of shopping in a brick and mortar store.

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  68. Do you enjoy shopping for books in a brick and mortar store? If so, do you meander around like I do enjoying the atmosphere before purchasing anything?

    Powell’s Books was my favorite spot in Portland. Meandering around was the whole point! Our small town doesn’t have a bookstore, so I do a lot less of that nowadays.

    Do you ever read biographies? Or memoirs?

    This is the second blog I’ve read today that asks that question. Yes to both, but not often. I gravitate toward veteran-penned memoirs (Vietnam War and WWII primarily).

    Thinking back to where you were 5 years ago when we first started grappling with + adapting to the new Covid 19 pandemic realities, what did you do to keep yourself sane, assuming you stayed sane?

    You know, we lived in a weird little bubble in Rapid City. South Dakota was largely immune to COVID restrictions thanks to our stupid Governor whose name I shall not sully your blog with. But most businesses were open, even restaurants, while everyone else I knew was suffering through lockdown. I just dealt with minor inconveniences more than anything else, so insanity never crept in.

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    • Mark, I’ve heard about Powell’s for years, but have never been to Oregon. No bookstore in town would slow a person down.

      I like memoirs more than biographies, but have never read any written by Vietnam or WWII vets. I’m sure I’d enjoy them more Hollywood celebrity memoirs… probably ghostwritten.

      You didn’t get the full brunt of the Covid restrictions and worries. We followed the rules/guidelines to stay safe and to not accidentally infect someone, but apparently in SD that wasn’t a concern. 😕

      Liked by 1 person

  69. I love your questions Ally! you asked, QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

    Do you enjoy shopping for books in a brick and mortar store? If so, do you meander around like I do enjoying the atmosphere before purchasing anything? I love books and I Love stopping @ a book store, although I can’t tell you the last time I did it. There was a starbucks attached to the one I’m thinking of..Great combo IMHO

    Do you ever read biographies? Or memoirs?. I have! I stumbled across a compilation of personal letters and journals by John Muir. Loved it! Nothing quite like reading original source material. There was a letter between John and a sister where he talks about the type of letters he loved to get from the family..called them “grit and bone” (which I stole and now use periodically on my blog. (After his book, I found one devoted to Louisa May Alcott. Same thing, rich

    Thinking back to where you were 5 years ago when we first started grappling with + adapting to the new Covid 19 pandemic realities, what did you do to keep yourself sane, assuming you stayed sane? I cut my consumption of media way, way back…to the point where I am not always up to speed on the next crisis, and that’s OK for me. My mental health is more important than constantly being jacked up about stuff I can’t control.

    If you took the quiz, how gritty are you? I scored 4.30. Enjoyed the quiz.

    Liked by 1 person

    • DM, our closest B&N used to have a Starbucks in it, but the B&N moved to a different strip center and the Starbucks didn’t come along. I don’t know why, but like you I thought books and coffee under the same roof was a good combo.

      The letters + journals from someone famous would make for compelling reading. I’ve not see anything like that but I haven’t looked either. “Grit and bone” is a wonderful phrase.

      I get what you’re saying about too much media consumption— during the Covid years and now. I distance myself from the news, only read it, never watch it. Like you I let many a crisis go on without me.

      Your grit score is impressive. Well done, my friend.

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  70. Pingback: Questions of the Day: Book edition – Fedora Pancakes

  71. i download all my books on kindle. never go shopping. but yes, i do read memoirs– love them! and five years ago, i was still working a fulltime job in healthcare and had to show-up to work every day (just like normal, but with a mask). my grit score: 4.40 (i honestly thought i’d be smoother). and now i want to read the gwen book (she’s got some strange habits– and am wondering if the book talks about the weird … if not, i’m gonna be disappointed).

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    • Ren, I know many people like their Kindles better than a paper book. No matter how you do it, it’s the reading part that is the point.

      You’re very gritty. I like knowing that about you. If you choose to read it I hope the Gwyneth biography has the right amount of weird to keep you enthused. Unraveling was a delightful memoir, kind of weird in places.

      Thanks for stopping by to read and comment. I enjoy hearing from you.

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  73. I do enjoy shopping for books in a brick and mortar store, but I haven’t done it in a long time. Before the pandemic, we would often stop in at our local B&N after going to the gym, grab a coffee and cookie and browse. They used to have a pretty good magazine rack. Most of the books I now buy are not likely to be in mainstream bookstore, or at least not the brick-and-mortar version. There’s another bookstore in town, an independent bookstore that we also like to browse in. Right now it’s a tiny bookstore, but they are expanding (yeah!).

    I used to love reading biographies. I went through a phase when I was a teenager of reading biographies of Virginia Woolf, DH Lawrence, and other writers of their time. I’ve been a bit slow to read memoirs. I guess because of some scandals (James Frey, for one), I was wary of memoirs, especially those by “famous” people. But I’ve been reading more, mostly by writers I’ve met online. Now that Peggy Orenstein memoir sounds like one I would enjoy!

    As far as what I did to stay sane during and post-pandemic, well, I can’t say that I’ve stayed sane. While the pandemic was a difficult time, as an introvert, I coped pretty well with the social restrictions. And I got to work from home, which was even better. And when Biden was elected, I felt I could breathe and have confidence in the vaccinations, etc. Now it’s all I can do to get through the day without feeling the world is coming to an end. Of course, I’m in Florida, you know, the state where the top public health leader is saying that children shouldn’t have to be vaccinated to go to school, that mandating vaccines for children is tantamount to slavery. God help us.

    I took the quiz twice. The first time I scored something like 2.2 (more grit than only 10% of people taking the quiz); the second was about 3.5 (more grit than 40%). I took it twice because the questions were difficult for me to answer. I’ve learned that how I see myself and how others see me can be very different. While generally I don’t see myself as having a lot of grit, I have been known to “rise to the occasion” when necessary. Given how lackadaisical I’ve been with my blog lately, I guess my grit proficient is pretty low. 😉

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    • Marie, our closest B&N used to have a coffee bar and lots of magazines, but when it moved to a different location the coffee and extensive magazines didn’t come along. Now it’s like a small independent bookstore, except it isn’t.

      I take your point about memoirs. Some are more fiction than fact, but I prefer reading about some average person than a Hollywood celebrity. Unraveling was interesting and I imagine the topic of yarn will appeal to you.

      Yes, I realize you’re in ground zero for vaccine craziness. It’s amazing and weird how the idea of helping children and adults stay healthy is somehow aberrant. I don’t get it, but know what you’re saying.

      Interesting how your score changed each time you took the quiz. Like all online quizzes a lot comes down to how you understand the question. I know that if your not feeling it about blogging no around of grit is going to turn you around. You have to want to say something to begin with— grittiness be damned.

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  74. Ugh. That quiz confirmed what I suspected, that I am not particularly gritty. I scored a 3.3. The thing is, my grit level is totally different depending on the situation. I have much more grit when it comes to paying work than I do when it comes to my own creative pursuits. Which stinks. Do you think grit can be learned, or is it innate? Do you think YOUR grit was learned or innate?

    The juxtaposition of the sheep face and the Paltrow face made me giggle.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, I get what you’re saying about a person’s level of grit depends on the situation. I’m mellow about many things, but I do follow through on things I start.

      Excellent question about how one becomes gritty. I think my grit was innate then enhanced by my father’s nurturing. My dad stayed home with me while my mother worked, so I took on some of his traits.

      I giggled too about the faces on two very different books.

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  75. I love shopping in real book stores! Which is why I am so sad that there are so few of them left, especially the small independent book stores. Ordering a book off the internet just isn’t the same thing at all.

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  77. I’m afraid to take the quiz. I’m afraid I’d get a 20 (or 10?) out of 100 grittiness. I just don’t do grit. I’m not even stubborn. On the plus side, I don’t give up, so maybe that would give me a few more points. On Hollywood biographies. Um, no. Like you, don’t know, don’t care. I like to read memoirs of real people though. If they’re not ‘woe is me,’ if you know what I mean. I guess I like memoirs of people with grit. ;-0

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    • Pam, not giving up is one aspect of grit so you might do better on the quiz than you think. Of course, like all things here, it’s optional.

      I enjoyed Unraveling, a memoir by a real person making her way through the pandemic. Her wool project was nuts, but she did it with a sense of humor.

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  78. I’m so glad to remember that you had returned to blogging in September. I have been in a fog for much of this month.
    I don’t read many biographies, although I’d like to return to doing so. I probably wouldn’t read Gwyneth’s, because ther are some people in Hollywood that I would rather watch on screen, than read about their private lives. She’s one of them. I prefer reading about my favorite Brits (Helen Mirren, Judi Dench).

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    • L. Marie, I understand your fog. I’d enjoy knowing more about those British women, too. They seem more well-rounded and worldly wise compared to Gwyneth. Also neither look like a Muppet.

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  79. Blesssssss…sorry, not sorry, but all I hear when someone says Gweneth Paltrow is Goop and that misguided “This Candle Smells Like My Vagina.” It’s burned into my subconscious and will never get scrubbed, so while I do read a few autobiographies I can’t imagine Gweneth’s would be one of them.

    I scored higher than 50% on the grittiness test which doesn’t feel high enough to me. Maybe I’m getting soft in my middle age😂🤣

    Liked by 1 person

    • Laura, yes Gwyneth’s candle is memorable. I don’t wish her ill, but I also don’t care about her. I cannot imagine reading an entire book about her life, but for those who want to know more about her the biography exists.

      The thing about that quiz is that it gives a person a general idea of who you are, but doesn’t include any considerations for situations. I mean, we all vary in our grittiness depending on where we’re standing on this earth. 🤷‍♀️

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  81. Ally, Mrs. B and I still enjoy a trip to Barnes & Noble, say once every three months or so. To be honest, we’re pretty shocked it/they are still here as a brick and mortar. Our shopping style is really focused on whatever we have in mind to get, although we do find ourselves browsing for awhile after targets are secured. I registered a 3.7 grit score, so there’s that. I don’t know if that is resume-worthy or not should I go back to work someday lol. As far as staying sane during the pandemic, the only way we did was continuing to work…work from home at that. It was so different and so cool…and we had each other to bounce complaints off one another about our respective jobs. We helped keep each other sane from work, and the work itself helped pass the time until we could go outside and breathe once more.

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