2024 First Half Favorites

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Better late than never, here are my top five reads from January to June 2024. Note these may have been published before 2024, and I’m not including re-reads. They’re in no particular order.

Hey Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka - This autobiographical graphic novel gave me all the feels. Jarret grew up with his grandparents after being largely abandoned by his drug addicted mother and his MIA father. His grandparents weren’t exactly traditional but they got the job done. Bonus points for 1990’s Massachusetts nostalgia.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver - I can’t say it better than a million reviewers and the Pulitzer Prize have already said. I’ll just say this lived up to the hype for me, and I recommend it on audio.

On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu - This is one of the great books of 2020-2021 that I feel got lost amid all of the world events. If I could make it required reading though I would because it puts a very relatable face on a refugee family.

All The Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby - Another book that deserves the hype. Cosby is a auto read author for me. I know that once I start his books I can’t stop.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe - This was one of my most anticipated summer releases. It was so unique while being relatable all at the same time. How to describe the book about a young single mother making it work via her only fans account with the help of her washed up pro wrestler Dad? I can’t. Just read it.

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On My Nightstand July 21, 2024

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We just got back from my annual extended family vacation in New Hampshire. What a time. I am still processing. It’s an awesome thing to see children turn into adults and adults who should be slowing down decide they should do new things like zip lining. I am profoundly grateful for this time with my family. I am also profoundly grateful to be home with my books and my cats!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“both human nature and a pastry are frail...”
— All Fours by Miranda July

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Sandwich by Catherine Newman - Very timely to read this book about a woman on vacation with her kids and parents while on vacation with my kids and parents.

Audiobook - The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen - I never got to this last week, but am looking forward to it now. The Olympics start soon!

Print - I’m not sure! I finished My Own Country while I was away and aren’t sure what I’m in the mood for now! Picking out my next book is fun so I’m looking forward to deciding.

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

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

RIP Everyday Food Magazine

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I hit the mother load on Buy Nothing the other day. A neighbor was giving away several years worth of Everyday Food magazines. This was a fabulous magazine from Martha Stewart’s empire that got me through dinners when my kids were babies. Sadly I don’t know where most of my back issues went, and the magazine stopped publishing in 2013.

Unlike Martha’s monthly magazine I always found these recipes to be tasty and easy to follow. I knew they would be PERFECT for my son (16) who has been making dinner for us once a week this summer.

His first dinner was chorizo egg and potato tacos (just egg and potato for me to keep it vegetarian.) I can’t find the recipe online, but it was similar to this.

If your neighbors ever want to give a stack of these magazines away grab them!

On My Nightstand July 13, 2024

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It’s a busy morning. My daughter is on her way home from summer camp. Once we pick her up let the laundry begin!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“I hate estimable young men with brown eyes!”
— Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Feral Creatures of Suburbia by D. Liebhart (ARC) - Still working on this one. No reflection on the book, just hasn’t been a kindle type week.

Audiobook - The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen - I’ve been wanting to read this book about the Atlanta Olympics bombing for a while, and figured now is the time.

Print - My Own Country by Abraham Verghese - I absolutely love Verghese’s fiction. I’m happy to say his non-fiction is just as immersive. This is a memoir about his early days as a doctor during the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.

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 July 2024

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June was a great reading month. I read some new books for summer reading challenges, and finally got to a book from last summer’s reading guides.

Five Star Reads

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe - This was one of my most anticipated summer reads and it did not disappoint. I loved this completely dysfunctional family so much.

Four Star Reads

The Postcard by Anne Berest - What to say about this book? I was so mad at first that the family stayed in France. The book did such a good job showing how evil the Nazis were in hiding what they had planned. Of course they didn’t believe the worst would happen. Unbelievably sad and sobering. I thought I’d read all of the WWII books by this point but I’m glad I read this one too.

Butter by Asako Yuzuki - I think the publishers did this book a disservice by billing this as a book of food and murder when it really wasn’t that. Really it was about living up to expectations in Japan, and how people are judged for their weight. Once I let go of the food and murder thing I really liked this book.

Challenger by Adam Higginbotham - We listened to this chunkster of an audiobook on trips from Virginia to Tennessee and then from Virginia to West Virginia. We all really enjoyed it, although it almost went too much in depth. I did appreciate that it focused on all the astronauts not just McAuliffe.

Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby - I love the characters and the setting in S.A. Cosby’s books. In this one a former getaway driver gets behind on his bills, and needs to do one last job. Fun summer reading.

Long Island by Colm Toibin - This book was quiet but so complicated. I am still trying to wrap my head around each of the characters. They were all so flawed but in a way that makes you want the best for them.

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

This post will be shared with Quick Lit on ModernMrsDarcy.com

Walking Wednesday July 10, 2024

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I’ve been trying to stick to shady spots for my walks, and also have been varying my routes to drop off books at various little free libraries. (Yes that is my copy of Murder Your Employer- I finally gave up. I’m sure this is a me problem since so many others have loved it, so I’m confident it will find a good home soon.)

I’m about to start listening to Babel by R.F. Kuang. I had a long wait for this one from the library. I hope it was worth it!

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

Cookbook Review: The Zero Waste Cookbook by Giovanna Torrico

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Fried spaghetti

I have really been trying to pay attention to the food waste in this house lately, so I was thrilled that my library had a Zero Waste cookbook.

Zero Waste must be a hard thing to write about when it comes to food because who knows what kinds of bits and bobs people will have in their house. Because of that there weren’t a ton of recipes I tried from this book, but I did get some good ideas after flipping through it.

The one recipe I did make was fried spaghetti for my daughter and I. It was basically leftover spaghetti and some shredded cheese fried in some olive oil. This made for a yummy Saturday morning breakfast for my daughter and I. It’s one I’ll make again when I have leftover spaghetti and feel like throwing my concerns about cholesterol to the wind.

On My Nightstand July 6, 2024

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This week went by so fast! The weeks with days off always do. I’ve been trying to take advantage and read, but it’s so hot I’ve just been falling asleep a lot. I have also been distracted by season two of The Mole on Netflix. Nothing beats the original Anderson Cooper version, but these new ones are pretty good.

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“From past investigations, Juliet had learned that few combinations were more delightful than investigations and scones.”
— The Perils of Lady Cathering de Bourgh by Claudia Gray

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Feral Creatures of Suburbia by D. Liebhart (ARC) - If this book is as good as the cover it will get a good review from me.

Audiobook - Claws for Concern by Miranda James - These cozies are nice light listens for my audio walks.

Print - I’m about halfway through The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray. This series is so fun.

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 July 3, 2024

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The weather has been all over the place, but the long days make it easy to get out and walk. It’s amazing that anything can survive this stinking heat and humidity but I’ve seen all sorts of flowers and insects plus a fox this week.

I’m listening to Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. This is a re-read for me and I’m enjoying it.

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

July 2024 TBR

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June Beginning TBR: 424
June Ending TBR: 416

I made a tiny dent on my TBR last month. I’ll take it!

Books I Want To Read In July:

1-6 Are all book club reads: FoodAndLit, my postal book club, my work book club, Author A Month, and the next Nancy Drew. I’m not sure what all the titles are yet so I won’t list them.

7) Within Arm’s Reach

8) Tales From The Torrid Zone

9) The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh

10) Myst

11) The Oceanography of the Moon

12) Triumphant Sky

13) The Eyre Affair

14) In Extremis

15) The Earth Cries Out

16) All Fours

17) James

18) The Empire of Gold

That’s all I’ve got so far! I’m hoping a shorter list means I’ll get more done? We’ll see!

#JIAM Audiobook Mini-Challenge Results

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I had fun taking part in the #JIAM Audiobook Mini-Challenge with Caffeinated Reviewer and That’s What I’m Talking About.

I finished two of the three challenges I was trying for, and started another.

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

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

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

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

On My Nightstand June 29, 2024

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It’s almost July, my youngest is away at camp, and the weather report says approximately 3 million degrees with 200% humidity. Summer reading is in full swing!

We’re halfway through the year so I’m going to be working on some best of 2024 so far lists this week, plus starting to think about the reading challenges I’m committed to and how best to finish them before the end of the year. None of that is necessary or required of course, but I really do love planning my reading almost as much as I love reading!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“‘There is nothing in this world so pathetic, so moronic, so meaningless as dieting.’”
— Butter by Asako Yuzuki

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Long Island by Colm Tóibín I’m loving this one just as much as the first one so far. I’m so glad I was able to get it from the library so quickly.

Audiobook - Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver - I’m not sure if this is working for me on audio so I might switch to print. I’ve read it before so I know I like the story.

Print - Still working on Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes. Hopefully I’ll get some time to finish this weekend.

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

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

Walking Wedesday June 26, 2024

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It’s been so hot here I’ve had to resort to taking 2-3 short walks a day instead of one long one. Everything is so dry. We need some rain soon! I read this morning that it’s been a month and that sounds about right.

I just started listening to Margo’s Got Money Troubles. This was one of my most anticipated summer reads so I’m really looking forward to it. I hope it lives up to expectations!

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.

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

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.

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

#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.