On My Nightstand April 28, 2024

I made it through the two weeks of constant activities and work. To celebrate I spent most of yesterday just puttering in my kitchen. I picked a bunch of fresh herbs from my garden, and listened to audiobooks, and daydreamed while I made a bunch of sauces for days when we’re busy again. The audiobook I was listening to was Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger by Lisa Donovan. It was a great choice for matching my book to my activity.

Last night we watched the Netflix version of Rebecca (based on the book by Daphne Du Maurier.) After just finishing the book on Friday I was disappointed. They took out all of the creepiness and added romance instead. Nothing wrong with romance, but it wasn’t the point of Rebecca.

Have a great week!

Quote of the week

“If nuns ran the world, things would get done. No questions asked.”

— If Nuns Ruled The World by Jo Piazza

What I’m Reading This Week

On Kindle - The Second by Carol Anderson - This book club book is giving me a lot to think about.

On Paper - Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigiani - This is a re-read for me, and it’s good timing that I’m reading it right after Demon Copperhead. They’re not related at all, but Big Cherry Holler takes place maybe ten years prior to Copperhead in the same area of the country.

On Audio- Fancy Bear Goes Phishing by Scott Shapiro - Another book for work. It does sound interesting.

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On My Nightstand March 17, 2024

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!

Quote of the Week

“Everyone has been so kind to me. I’m not going to waste their kindness.”

— Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

What I’m Reading This Week

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.

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Show Us Your Books March 2024

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.

Five Star Reads

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.

Four Stars

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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On My Nightstand March 2, 2024

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!

Quote of the Week

“‘When they start to mature and hit puberty’ one wildlife officer said about wombats, ‘they just hate everybody and everything.’”

— Koala by Danielle Clode

What I’m Reading This Week

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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On My Nightstand February 15, 2024

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!

Quote of the 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.”

— Koala by Danielle Clode

What I’m Reading This Week

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.

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On My Nightstand February 17, 2024

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!

Quote of the 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.”

— This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

What I’m Reading This Week

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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On My Nightstand February 11, 2024

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!

Quote of the 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.”

— Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

What I’m Reading This Week

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!

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On My Nightstand January 21, 2024

I don’t know if it’s the weather or what, but my cats have been absolutely bonkers this week. They’re climbing on everything, and no hair tie or stuffed animal is safe. I’m looking forward to a more normal week this week when hopefully everyone goes to work and school every day.

I dropped all of my normal reading plans this week because All The Sinners Bleed came in from the library and I was OBSESSED. I’ll admit I skipped my walks a couple of nights so I could read, and I haven’t kept up with my non-fiction reading at all. So worth it though.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“We all choose to be skeptics when the truth is inconvenient.”

— All The Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle: Reading His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie for #FoodAndLit on Litsy. Never started this last week because of my above mentioned obsession. I’ll start today and hopefully finish before the library needs it back.

Audio: I started Main Street by Sinclair Lewis, but am not sure I’ll finish. Change my mind?

Paper Book: Time to get back to High by Erika Fatland! Still hoping to finish this month, but time is going fast.

Make it a good one everyone!

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On My Nightstand January 14, 2024

This week has been wild weather wise. We lost power at one point. Luckily I had all my candles out from Christmas still. Now they’re calling for two snow storms next week. Plus lacrosse games start for my son and drama rehearsals for my daughter. I’d say a trip to the grocery store is in order today.

I started the year reading two big chunky books- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and High by Erika Fatland. They’re both worth the time, but it feels weird to not have read more books by now.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“Roses would be annoying weeds if the blooms never withered and died. Beauty resides in the knowledge that it doesn’t last.”

— The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle: Reading His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie for #FoodAndLit on Litsy. I’ve had this on my TBR forever!

Audio: Next up is Mobility by Lydia Kiesling. I’ve heard mixed reviews, but the premise sounds so good.

Paper Book: Still working on High by Erika Fatland! I try to read for an hour each night before bed, but these days have been a little nuts and I confess to falling asleep at the table some night. Making progress though, and I am determined to finish this chunkster by the end of the month.

Make it a good one everyone!

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Friday Top Five

It’s Friday! I know it’s been a while since I have posted. Life took over. I’m hoping things are getting a little back to normal?

Food And Lit

This month’s #FoodAndLit challenge from Litsy focuses on Vietnam. YUM. I got a few cookbooks out of the library, and we all have really been enjoying my efforts. This is my first dinner- hoisin chicken and sweet potatoes. I’m hoping to make pho from scratch this weekend if I can find the ingredients.

2) Yay For Readathons!

This past weekend was a two readathon weekend- my favorite kind!

3) The Best Kind of Valentines

I opened my Valentine’s swap box on Sunday. The candy is all gone, but the books will keep me company for a while!

4) Audio Painting

I needed something to listen to while I was painting my son’s room over the long weekend. I have a ton of books already downloaded, but comfort reading won!

5) Reading Buddies Say Leave Us Alone When We Are Trying To Read

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!

Linked to The Sunday Post at the Caffeinated Reviewer and It’s Monday What Are You Reading