I’ve been sick (again) this week, so not much walking, but I did get out a lot last weekend for various Earth Day events. Pretty pictures here only, but I do have a good one on my phone of my daughter and I pulling someone’s rejected dining room chair out of a stream.
After Demon Copperhead I’ve been making my way through some shorter books. Right now it’s Eight Bears by Gloria Dickie.
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I’ve been tiptoeing through the tulips this week on my walks. I’m trying to soak it all up. Any day now the weather will start trying to kill me again.
I’ve been making my way through Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. It’s great on audio, but dang is anything going to happen in this book?
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We’re still in our honeymoon period here weather wise. It’s not too hot and flowers are everywhere. Summer’s coming though. Last night when I was walking I swallowed a bug.
After starting a stopping a number of audio books I finally settled on Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling.
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I don’t know where this month has gone! How is it April 21st already? It feels like the school year just started.
This has been a busy day. When you are involved in Care For Creation ministries Earth Day is intense! This morning we started by picking up brush, then we went and cleaned a stream, then home to bake desserts for a talk, and then dinner and the talk itself. So good stuff, but no reading. Sunday should be calmer, but we do need to go pick up more brush. Then it’s back to work where I’m supposed to act rested and refreshed.
Have a great week!
“Actual fact: you could make an entire second world out of what people throw away. The landfill is where I figured out one of my main philosophies, that everybody alive is basically in the process of trading out their old stuff for different stuff, day in day out.”
On Kindle - The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun - My aunt used to drop off grocery bags full of these books when I was a kid. They’re what started me on reading mysteries. I’m re-reading for the nostalgia.
On Paper - The $64 Tomato by William Alexander - I’m almost done with this one. A fun start to the gardening season.
On Audio- Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger by Lisa Donovan - Need to start this for a book club this week. I love the title.
This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.
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February starting TBR: 369
March ending TBR: 437
(I found a big cache of books I had saved on Everand and hadn’t added to my TBR)
I completely forgot to post at the end of February so I’m just picking up where I left off. March was a slow reading month, but I know April will be better because soon it will be front porch reading season!
Here’s my planned list:
1) The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (reading a chapter a day-expect to finish in April)
2) File M For Murder by Miranda James
3) The Women by Kristin Hannah
4) Built To Last by Jim Collins
5) Murder at the Marina by Ellen Jacobson
6) Eight Bears by Gloria Dickie
7) Tales From The Torrid Zone by Alexander Frater
8) The $64 Tomato by William Alexander
9) Climate Resilience by Kylie Flanagan
10) Fancy Bear Goes Phishing by Scott J. Shapiro
11) Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
12) Something by Ruth Ozeki
13) Book club book TBD
14) Pete and Alice in Maine by Caitlin Shetterly
15) The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun
16) Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigiani
17) Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom
18) Things Are Never So Bad That They Can’t Get Worse by William Neuman
20) Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
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Happy Easter to those who celebrate. Our plan is to go out for a nice lunch then a hike. I gave up bringing new books into the house for Lent so bookstore and library trips are in my near future! I’m also looking forward to getting started on my April reading list, and planning for summer reading. (Yes I’m a little bit intense with my reading lists.)
Have a great week!
“Wasn’t that the definition of home? Not where you are from, but where you are wanted.”
On Kindle - If Nuns Ruled The World by Jo Piazza - Because Nuns get stuff done.
On Paper - The Birthday of Eternity by A.D. Price - This is an ARC from LibraryThing. I really need to catch up on my reviews!
On Audio- The Stand by Stephen King - Been listening to this for going on two weeks now. I forgot how long it is!
This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.
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a stack of books teetering on the edge of my nightsand
It’s a cold and rainy Saturday to start spring break. I have a lot to do, but this day just calls for reading under blankets so we’ll see. Maybe I’ll split the difference.
I have some time off this week so I’m hoping to get through a big stack of books! I’m finally seeing the end of Brothers Karamazov in the distance, and I want to make some progress on my challenges. March has not been an easy reading month for me. Hoping for better things in April.
Have a great week!
“Opportunity did not knock until I built the door.”
On Kindle - Death in the Sunshine by Steph Broadribb - Sometimes you just need a cozy mystery to get past your concentration issues you know?
On Paper - The Physicist’s Daughter by Mary Anna Evans - For a book club. So far so good.
On Audio- The Stand by Stephen King - I’ve been wanting to re-read this for a while, and found out I had the audio version hiding on my phone.
This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.
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It’s peak cherry blossom week! It’s really cold and windy too though so I’m kind of being a wimp about walking. I’m still walking, but it’s under duress.
I’ve been listening to Give and Take by Adam Grant. It’s a re-read for me, but some situations have made me want to return to it.
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This has been a great weekend so far. We hiked yesterday morning and then I spent hours reading in the yard. Today I’m hoping to get in the garden and do some more outdoor reading. These are my favorite weekends. A few things planned, but mostly just puttering around and plenty of rest.
Have a great week!
“Everyone has been so kind to me. I’m not going to waste their kindness.”
On Kindle: I have The County Line by Steve Weddle up next. I got this from on Amazon a few months ago, so I’m not sure what I’ll find.
Audiobook: I’m nearly done with Treating People Well by Lea Berman & Jeremy Bernard. It’s written by two former White House social secretaries and talks about the lessons they learned about dealing with people.
Physical Book: I just finished The Survivors by Jane Harper. Up next is The Physicists Daughter by Mary Anna Evans.
This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.
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I can’t believe it’s March already! (Maybe I say that every month. I don’t know.) Either way I’m grateful that I got in the habit of tracking my books on LibraryThing and Litsy so I can go back and see what I read in these months that seem to move at light speed.
February was a great month. I’m still keeping up with my challenges as you can see here- I’m reading about the environment, reading from the Tournament of Books Long List, and reading from across Oceania. All of this has led me to some great reads I wouldn’t have read otherwise, and to some stinkers which we won’t discuss here.
On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu - Wow, this book was a punch in the gut. I can’t believe more people aren’t talking about this book about refugees in Australia and Nauru.
The Girl In The Tower by Katherine Arden - I enjoyed this one- it was a lot more action packed than the first in the series. I also liked the changing relationships between the siblings and loved the horse. I’ll read the 3rd but I’m going to wait until November at least because these are definitely cold weather books.
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger - The first 30 pages of this took me two days to read because it was so slow, and then I finished the last 400 or so in 24 hours. I’m glad I didn’t give up! The story of 4 orphans trying to make their way to St Louis by canoe was a good one.
Koala by Danille Clode - A natural history of the koala. I really enjoyed this. Who knew reading about the different types of eucalyptus trees could be so interesting?
The Death of Expertise by Tom Nichols - This book was as depressing as it was interesting. Notably it was written before the pandemic so today’s reader is left feeling like there’s a lot missing from the discussion. However the points made still feel spot on as someone who works for a firm where thought leadership used to be a big part of our business.
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So a week and a half ago when I said I felt like I was coming down with something and I hoped it was just allergies…it wasn’t allergies. I am so sick of being sick! I’m better now though and I’m recommitted to my walks. Pollen aside this is just a wonderful time to walk in this area. Each day there’s something new blooming.
I’ve been listening to Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall. It’s a bit dated but still interesting.
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Quick post for a busy weekend. We’ve got pre-season lacrosse, a soccer tournament, volunteer work, and a ton of paperwork for various things going on here. And of course I feel like I’m coming down with something (please be allergies, please be allergies…)
Have a great week!
“‘When they start to mature and hit puberty’ one wildlife officer said about wombats, ‘they just hate everybody and everything.’”
On Kindle: I had bailed on Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano last month, but picked it back up this weekend and am enjoying it now.
Audiobook: Making my way through Julia, a 1984 re-telling. It would be better if I had paid more attention in high school, and remembered the original. Sorry Mr. Baker.
Physical Book: I’m about two pages in on The Survivors by Jane Harper. I think this will be my nightime tea break book for the next week or so.
This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.
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I was hoping for more winter, but it looks like spring is here. I’ve been doing long soccer walks and some woods cleanups. People keep inviting me to cleanups despite my habit of walking away looking for a good walking trail.
I’m about to start Julia 1984 on my next walk. I tried to listen to the original 1984 and bailed, so we’ll see how I do with this modern version.
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The weekend’s here are we’re soaking up any bit of sun we can find. Why is this time of year so gloomy? I need the sun, stat.
My latest evening snack obsession has been cinnamon toast made from Dave’s Killer Bread. Not actually healthy, but the grainy bread lets me pretend. I’ve been back in reading mode after a mini slump and am hoping to finish the month strong!
Have a great week!
“Koalas have perfected sitting in trees. They do not merely sit, as we do, in unnatural posture on the edge of a chair, never sure where to put our legs, how to curve our back, where to hold our shoulders. Koalas sit with ease and aplomb, and sleep with absolute confidence on their precarious spot.”
On Kindle: Still reading a chapter a day from The Brothers Karamazov. What a trip.
Audiobook: Started The Pants of Perspective by Anna McNuff because it’s set in New Zealand. Anna’s fun, but this book could have been set anywhere.
Physical Book: Koala by Danielle Clode - I adore this book, and am quickly becoming obsessed with koalas.
This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.
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I spent some time in Charlottesville, VA over the long weekend. I walked more than I had in months which was a great feeling.
I’m about to start The Longest Line on the Map by Eric Rutkow. I’ve been in a bit of a slump so I’m hoping some good old geography will knock me out of it.
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Happy weekend book friends! Last week ended up being unexpectedly hectic between illnesses, appointments, half days, and an out of the blue work project. I barely read at all during the week, but am trying to make up for it with plenty of couch time this weekend.
This month we’re eating and reading from New Zealand for the Litsy #FoodAndLit challenge. I haven’t had a chance to cook anything yet, but I did order some Manuka Honey which is supposed to be a superfood. I am hoping to grow at least two inches. I’m not sure if I’ll end up cooking anything, but I do want to order from the New Zealand pie shop near me.
Have a great week!
“There are two kinds of people in the world, Norman. People who have things and people who want the things other people have. A day don’t go by that there’s not war somewhere in this world. A war to end all wars? That’s like saying a disease to end all diseases.”
On Kindle: The Girl In The Tower by Katherine Arden - I waited so long to read the second book in this series that I had to read the first one twice. This is the week I finally get it done!
Audiobook: The Longest Line on the Map by Eric Rutkow - Still reading my way across the Americas. This one is next up.
Physical Book: Koala by Danielle Clode - This one is part natural history/part climate change. I’m looking forward to it!
This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.
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I had a great start to my reading year in January including books set in the Himalayas, Ghana, Kiribati, and Azerbaijan. I love traveling even when it is between the pages of a book.
All The Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby - This book was so gripping that I found myself sneaking any bit of time I could to read it. The way Cosby writes about small towns in the South reminds me of how Stephen King writes about Derry. Great story. It all came together impeccably.
Mobility by Lydia Kiesling - This book is being billed as coming of age, but to me it was more of a warning about what will happen if we don’t all make changes. That said it was probably a warning that was too drawn out and kind of up and down. The interesting setting in Azerbaijan bumped it up a bit in my opinion though.
High By Erika Fatland - This chunkster took me all month to read, but it was worth it. Fatland visited such interesting places, and her description of Everest base camp is one of the best I’ve ever read. I just wish she had tied her journey together or made some conclusions at the end because after a while it kind of seemed like Himalayan resident speed dating.
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie - This book was good, but also sad. I felt for all of the women (except maybe Aunty.) I loved the peek into life in Ghana.
Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary - Despite being a huge fan of Ramona Quimby as a kid, and reading all of the Ramona Quimby books to my own kids, last month was the first time I read a Henry Huggins book. I loved it! I listened to the audiobook narrated by Neil Patrick Harris and was delighted that it had an intro read by Cleary herself.
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The predicted terrible winter hasn’t happened yet, so I’m still out there walking most days. We did have one cold and rainy night which turned into snow the next morning, but noting stuck, so onward!
I started The Death of Expertise this week. Scary.
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Happy weekend book friends! Ash Wednesday is this week which means Lent. This year instead of giving up chocolate (which I don’t eat much of anyway) I have pledged to not buy any new books, take any more books out of the library, or make use of any of my book subscriptions. Some people don’t get it, but I’m sure you all do!
Meanwhile my schedule changed again with the change of sports seasons so my reading life took a hit this week while I adjust. I’m hoping to find my groove again next week. Fingers crossed.
Have a great week!
“But Mr. Banks, who owns it, said to Mrs. Banks that she could have either a nice, clean, comfortable house or four children. But not both, for he couldn’t afford it.”
On Kindle: A Plus One For Murder by Laura Bradford - Another cozy for my book club. I like the characters in this one.
Audiobook: Biography of X by Catherine Lacey - I’m enjoying this one even though I think I’m missing out on the visuals by listening instead of reading with my eyes. This is one I’ll seek out in hard copy after Lent!
Physical Book: Lead Through Anything by Dustin Seale and Ed Manfre - This sat at my reading spot untouched all last week. Time to get to it!
This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.
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Soccer practice walks are back! That off season went quickly. So far I’ve been very comfortable in my normal winter gear walking at night, so outdoor practice in February isn’t as horrific as it sounded when I signed my child up.
I’ve been listening to Biography of X. I should have gone with print because I think there are pictures, but I’m still enjoying it.
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