June 2024 TBR

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May beginning TBR: 393
May ending TBR: 424 (hello summer reading guides!)

I’m hoping to get this back down under 300 by the end of the summer. There are so many good books that came out this summer! The TBR creep couldn’t be avoided.

20 Books I Want To Read In June 2024:

1) My Own Country by Abraham Verghese

2) The Exchange by John Grisham

3) Cultures of Growth by Mary Murphy

4) Clear by Carys Davies

5) Butter by Asako Yuzuki

6) Betrayal by Lilja Sigurdardottir

7) Orphans of Bliss (Short Stories)

8) Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes

9) It’s Up To The Women by Eleanor Roosevelt

10) All We Can Save (Various authors)

11) Songs In Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris

12) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

13) The Guncle by Steven Rowley

14) The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan

15) The Silence of the Library by Miranda James

16) Wolf Trap by Connor Sullivan

17) Litsy Mark Up Postal Book Club

18) Little Women Chapter A Day

19) Nancy’s Mysterious Letter by Carolyn Keene

20) Dead Upon Arrival by Kat Bellemore

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On My Nightstand May 18, 2024

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It’s another busy weekend! Prom tonight, soccer tomorrow, and prep for a week of end of year parties and banquets. Then Friday my son turns 16, and early Saturday morning we leave for a graduation party in Massachusetts. It’s an eight hour drive, but I wouldn’t miss it! (Plus that’s 16 hours of audiobooks.)

Have a great week!

Quote of the week

“Edwin might have clung to England a little longer, but he holds secretly radical views which emerged unexpectedly at a dinner party, thus speeding up his fate.”
— Sea of Tranquility of Emily St. John Mandel

What I’m Reading This Week

On Kindle - The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin - I didn’t get very far with this last week, but this is the week! I’m hoping for a lot of long nights on my porch with this one.

On Paper - Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel - I’ve been loving diving into her books this month with the #AuthorAMonth group on Litsy. I put this one off a few days because I didn’t want to be done with my little project, but now’s the time.

On Audio- I need to start The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger before it disappears from Everand again.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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On My Nightstand May 12, 2024

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started station eleven last week along with my usual cookies and tea.

I had planned on sleeping as late as I wanted before an 11 am soccer game today, but a weird thunderstorm upset my cats. One got so scared she kicked a book onto my head and now I have bruise. I’m just glad it wasn’t bleeding because what if I had to go to the ER for stitches? A cat kicking a book onto my head is totally believable for anyone who knows me, but I would not want to tell that story to a doctor.

Anyway now I’m up catching up on my blogging and letter writing. The ever changing weather has now decided to be sunny, and I hope it lasts for soccer.

Have a great week!

Quote of the week

“Chairs are bad for you anyway...”
— Funny Story by Emily Henry

What I’m Reading This Week

On Kindle - The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin - I want to finish this series, but felt like I needed to go back and refresh my memory on the first book. (I bought this when it was on sale a few months back, but now I see it’s free on Kindle Unlimited.)

On Paper - The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel - I’m re-reading some of my favorite books by this author this month for the Author A Month challenge on Litsy. It’s been great sitting on my porch, listening to the foxes, and getting lost in this world (again.)

On Audio- Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield - Another re-read for me. I love the nostalgia.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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Show Us Your Books May 2024

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Actual picture from the summer of 2019

Why did I almost write the year 2019 in the title instead of 2024? Am I experiencing my own Y2K crisis where my brain flips back in time? Ugh. Anyway, I didn’t post last month so I’m going to recap my favorite reads from both March and April 2024, and maybe a few throwbacks to 2019 since I seem to be in the mood.

Five Star Reads

Save Me A Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan (April 2019) Out of the 3 1/2 audiobooks we listened to on a trip to visit family that year this was our favorite. My son and I both wished it was longer.

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (March 2024) Finished this one in the wee hours of the morning. I loved it except for a plot point that you could see coming mid-way through the book like a freight train. I wanted to scream at some of the characters but that was part of the charm. Like others I don‘t see this as a Little Women retelling. I loved the setting (Chicago) and the time period (1960-2008.)

If Nuns Ruled The World by Jo Piazza (March 2024) Finished this one on the beach during Spring Break and loved it. It’s about nuns and their various social justice initiatives. I’ve been pretty heavily involved with an environmental ministry this year and I am going to recommend all my tree hugger ladies read this empowering and motivating book.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (April 2024) At one point I almost bailed on this, but I decided to keep going. I‘m glad I did, because I ended up loving it.

statue of liberty, july 2019

Four Star Reads

Junie B Jones: Turkeys We Have Loved And Eaten (March 2019) Oh my gosh, we used to laugh and laugh when we read these books out loud. I laughed out loud now just now reading the title.

The Survivors by Jane Harper (March 2024) This book was so atmospheric you could feel the salt water drying on your legs while you sit in the sun.

The Women by Kristen Hannah (April 2024) This book. Imagine going to that war and coming home to a country that didn’t even believe you had been there.

I almost gave up at one point because I was frustrated with all of the love stories. I’m glad I didn’t though because the last 1/4 of this book was extremely powerful.

Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane (April 2024) Whew this book. All the trigger warnings, but I tore through it. My grandmother was born in Southie, but my family had moved to the South Shore by the time I was born. Still Mary Pat seemed real to me.

Food And Lit: Venezuela

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I’ve been hit or miss with the Food And Lit challenge this year on Litsy. I’ve been keeping up with the lit part, but not doing so well with the food. Just haven’t been cooking as much in general. I did make arepas this month though, so I wanted to share.

I followed this recipe. I was intimidated, but it was actually really easy. I made the dough and shaped the arepas in the morning, and then cooked them just before dinner. My kids loved them! The vegetarians ate them with a mix of black beans and sweet potatoes, and the meat eaters ate them with boneless ribs. We all had corn on the cob, and avocados and lime wedges for toppings. I had the leftovers for breakfast with a bit of butter and syrup. I will be making more in the future!

For the lit portion of this challenge I read Things Are Never So Bad That They Can’t Get Worse by William Neuman. This recent history of Venezuela once again made me realize how little I know about what‘s going on in the world. Thank goodness for books and reading challenges.

Next month we’re reading and eating from Spain!

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On My Nightstand May 4, 2024

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We’re enjoying a rainy weekend here. We do have a few outdoor events we need to suffer through, but I’m really looking forward to some cozy reading time. I also want to catch up on my planning for summer reading, and do some organizing of my shelves.

Have a great week!

Quote of the week

“I just sit where I’m put, composed
of stone and wishful thinking:
That the deity that kills for pleasure will also
heal,
That in the midst of your nightmare,
the final one, a kind lion will pick your soul
up gently
by the nape of the neck,
And caress you into darkness and paradise.”
— All The Devils Are Here by Louise Penny

What I’m Reading This Week

On Kindle - The Clue In The Diary by Carolyn Keene - Some of us on Litsy have been re-reading these.

On Paper - Funny Story by Emily Henry - It’s not summer until Emily Henry publishes a new book!

On Audio- Happiness Falls by Angie Kim - I’m enjoying this so far, but heaven help us if the ending is unresolved I will go scorched earth!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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Walking Wednesday May 1, 2024

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A lot of this week’s walking has been achieved by puttering in my garden while listening to audiobooks. I did take a nice walk in DC after my son’s lacrosse game, and an unexpected walk through my city when I missed my bus. Grateful for good weather and low bugs this time of year!

I needed something easy so I decided to re-listen to Louise Penny’s All The Devils Are Here.

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May 2024 TBR

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April beginning TBR: 437
April ending TBR: 393
(Success this month is in part because of reading, and in part because I cleared a bunch of books out in anticipation of summer reading lists.)

April was a slow reading month for me. It was just so busy coming back from vacation, facing big work changes, and juggling many activities and events. I’m looking forward to some quality time with my books in May. I’m planning on a mix of re-reads, pre-summer reading, and making progress on my challenges.

My May 2024 Reading List:

1-3) Station Eleven, The Glass Hotel, and Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel
4) The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
5) The Clue In The Diary by Carolyn Keene
6) The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
7) Funny Story by Emily Henry
8) Micronesian Blues by Bryan Vila and Cynthia Morris
9) Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
10) Out of Circulation by Miranda James
11) Seams Like Murder by Tilly Wallace
12) The Heaven And Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
13) Postal book club book
14) Walking With Sam by Andrew McCarthy
15) Headhunters On My Doorstep by J. Marteen Troost
16) Counting The Cost by Jill Duggar
17) Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead
18) War Fever by Randy Roberts
19) Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
20) A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales

Happy Reading!

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On My Nightstand April 28, 2024

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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.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Walking Wednesday April 24, 2024

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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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Walking Wednesday April 17, 2024

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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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Walking Wednesday April 10, 2024

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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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On My Nightstand April 21, 2024

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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!

Quote of the 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.”
— Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

What I’m Reading This Week

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.

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!



April 2024 TBR

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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

19) A New Song by Jan Karon

20) Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

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On My Nightstand March 30, 2024

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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!

Quote of the week

“Wasn’t that the definition of home? Not where you are from, but where you are wanted.”
— Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone

What I’m Reading This Week

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.

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

On My Nightstand March 23, 2024

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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!

Quote of the week

“Opportunity did not knock until I built the door.”
— Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

What I’m Reading This Week

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.

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Walking Wednesday March 20, 2024

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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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On My Nightstand March 17, 2024

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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!

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.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!