On My Nightstand June 22, 2024

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We were away last week touring colleges and hiking in the smokies. I did a lot of reading but barely finished anything. Just one of those weeks where I couldn’t decide what to read so I read a bit of everything.

I’m itching to start a new cookbook project so I’ll be researching for that this week.

Have a great week all!

Quote of the week

“Language is a maze, and the mind can get lost.”
— The Postcard by Anne Berest

Reading This Week:

Kindle - Long Island by Colm Toibin - I loved Brooklyn and am really looking forward to the sequel.

Audio - Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby - I love his books and this audio has been perfect summer listening so far.

Paper - Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes - Still working on this! Not sure why it’s been such a struggle for me, but now I’m 100 pages in so I might as well finish.

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

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On My Nightstand June 9, 2024

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This is it on the 2023-2024 school year. Son is done with school, and daughter has one soccer game plus 3 half days of school. We have almost survived. I am looking forward to a little breathing room where every second of every day doesn’t have to be scheduled. I’m behind on visiting blogs. I’m hoping to spend an afternoon this week catching up. After all, my TBR isn’t going to add to itself!

Have a great week all!

Quote of the week

“Nope. Uh-uh. We don’t stick around for that applesauce.”
— The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn Green

Reading This Week:

Kindle - The Postcard by Anne Berest - This book in translation was all over summer reading lists last year, but I’m just getting to it this summer.

Audio - A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman - For a book club. Sounds fin!

Paper - Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes - A lot of people love this one, but I’m still waiting to get into it. I paid cash money for it, so I want to like it, but I won’t give it too much longer.

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 June 5, 2024

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I ran into a lot of wildlife this week! Soccer practice is coming to an end so I will need to find another walking routine yet again. My daughter wants to start going to the gym which may not be a terrible idea once it starts getting really hot.

I’ve been listening to The Exchange by John Grisham. It’s fun to catch back up with Mitch and Abbey from The Firm!

Food and Lit May: Spain

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This month’s #FoodAndLit country on Litsy was Spain. I checked out a few cookbooks from the library, and had dreams of making fabulous tapas, but time and budget demanded I dial it back. I was so happy to find this gazpacho recipe on Gimme Some Oven. It used things I had on hand and was quick to throw together. Score!

I read two books set in Spain. The first, Walking With Sam by Andrew McCarthy, was excellent on audio. Plus the story of father and newly adult son walking across Spain came at the perfect time- my nephew graduated and my son turned sixteen last week. I told my brother about it and he downloaded it right away as well. Book therapy!

The second book I read was Sleeping Arrangements by Madeline Wickham. This really could have been set anywhere, but the easy read set in a Spanish Villa was great for evening porch reading during a busy week.

Next month we read and eat from Iceland!

On My Nightstand June 1, 2024

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I’m back from my nephew’s graduation and a visit to my favorite book store in the world- Book Barn in Niantic, Connecticut. If you ever have a chance to go, do it! I could spend hours there wandering between the various buildings searching for treasures. I ended up with some summer reading for my kids, one for me, and a mini-stack of vintage Nancy Drews.

Now that we’re home I’m putting in the hours cleaning up my garden and getting back to my walking routine. I have an audiobook going at all times of course!

Have a great week all!

Quote of the week

“This is what you must remember: the ending of one story is just the beginning of another.”
— The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Reading This Week:

Kindle - The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn Green - I have an ARC of this book. It comes out in three days so I need to get it done. I’m enjoying it so far so that shouldn’t be a problem!

Audio - The Silence of the Library by Miranda James - I’ve been listening to this series in between other heavier books.

Paper - Songs In Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris - I got this at a friends of the library sale last year and I keep forgetting to read it. This is the week!

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

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#JIAM Audiobook Mini-Challenge

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I’m looking forward to taking part in the #JIAM Audiobook Mini-Challenge with Caffeinated Reviewer and That’s What I’m Talking About to celebrate audiobook month in June.

There are a list of challenges to chose from- the three I’m going to try for are:

  1. Love your Library (listen to 3 audiobooks from your local library)

  2. Going the Distance (listen to 3 audiobooks over 12 hours each)

  3. Tackle your Audiobook TBR Pile (listen to 3 audiobooks you already own)

If you want to join sign up here and post reviews here.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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?

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

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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