On My Nightstand May 18, 2024

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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Food And Lit for Thanksgiving: Mexico

I used the 2021 Food And Lit challenge as inspiration when I planned our Thanksgiving dinner. Our country for November was Mexico, and I love Mexican food, so this wasn’t much of a challenge for me.

For inspiration I checked two cookbooks out of the library:

I think it was my favorite Thanksgiving meal ever. The main event was still the turkey, but we used an adobo rub. For sides we enjoyed street corn and pickled onions along with traditional sides. For dessert we had tres leches cake and meringue cookies. Yum, I wish I could go back in time and eat that again!

For the Lit portion of the challenge I read Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This one had strong Northanger Abbey vibes and I loved it!

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Two Really Good Cookbooks For Cooking Vietnamese Food At Home

Last month’s #FoodAndLit challenge on Litsy was to cook and read from Vietnam. Vietnamese food is one of my favorite things to eat, but I had never cooked much of it at home before. My first stop was the library to pick up some cookbooks. They supplied me with two good ones: Vietnamese Food Any Day by Andrea Nguyen and Vietnamese Home Cooking by Charles Phan.

I started small with Vietnamese Iced Coffee, but quickly expanded to dinner. We loved Hoisin Chicken and Sweet Potatoes from Vietnamese Food Any Day, and had fun spending two days making Pho from Vietnamese Home Cooking. Both recipes were easy to follow, and the results were delicious. I highly recommend both of them.

Of course while I was cooking I was also listening to an audiobook about Vietnam. I chose The Sympathizer by Viet Thahn Ngoyen. This book was illuminating and darkly funny, and I could see why it won the Pulitzer.

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February 2021 Stats

Stock photo that is way more pretty than the endless frozen rain/sleet/mush that fell in February here

Read: 19 books (8 audiobooks, 11 print)

Challenges:

Reading Asia: 3 books

Reading Europe: 0 books

Food and Lit: February was Vietnam. I read 1 novel and 2 cookbooks. I cooked three dishes. More on that later.

Bookspin BINGO: 19 read, 1 bail, 2 BINGOs

Chunkster Challenge 2021: 40% through Les Miserables (We’re kind of slowing down through this section, but still plugging along)

Beginning TBR: 839

Ending TBR: 849

Great reading month! Thank you weather.

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

It’s full on Christmastime. It’s a weird year, but there’s still books.

1) Book Ornaments

2) Goodbye Library

I made one last trip to the library before they close again. (Not complaining. I like to see an employer who actually cares about the health of their staff.)

3) Audiobook BINGO

Looking forward to this new Litsy challenge.

4) Successful Thanksgiving Reading Weekend

My to-do list completely went out the window over Thanksgiving. I read so much!

5) Cat Pics!

I had to pick everything left in the garden this week. Daisy inspected the lemongrass.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

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

Stay safe my friends!

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

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

Have a great weekend!

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

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

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

It got cold this week, and I can’t wait to spend the weekend reading under a blanket.

1) Audiobooks

Twice this week I’ve had to switch from paper books to audiobooks. It’s just working better for my brain.

2) Warmer Weather

I’ve been enjoying a trip to the Caribbean with Agatha Christie.

3) December TBR

Heavy on the Christmas fluff and the poetry.

4) Hot Drinks Only

Drinking so much tea and journaling this week.

5) Cat Pics!

I had to pick everything left in the garden this week. Daisy inspected the lemongrass.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

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

Stay safe my friends!

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

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

Friday Top Five (Observed on Saturday)

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

Yes, today is Saturday, so sue me. #2020

1) It’s over

I got halfway through Kamala Harris’ book before it just got to be too much with the election and had to put it to the side. Happy to say I finished it this week!

2) Shelf Envy

I saw these shelves at a neighbor’s open house, and I’m scheming of ways to recreate them in my house- not that I should encourage myself to fill more shelves with books.

3) This Week’s TBR

A book club book, some non-fiction, some fluff, and a chapter a day of Jane Austen. Looks like a good week!

4) Taking Breaks

The struggle to remember to take breaks continues this fall, but I did it at least once this week. The November light has been perfect for mid-morning reading.

5) Cat Pics!

Stay safe my friends!

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

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

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

Well, this has been a week. I’m so grateful for reading which continues to take me away when I can’t take any more.

1) Let’s Go To Bath!

This month we’re reading a chapter a day of Northanger Abbey. I just love Catherine and am looking forward to revisiting her antics. Austen is so funny in this one.

2) October’s In The Books!

All of my 4 and 5 star reads from October. It was a good month for reading, and I look forward to talking about them next week for Show Us Your Books.

3) You Had Me At Books And Snacks!

My two main goals this year (that so far I have failed miserably at #2020) were to read books from 20 countries and to cook from 20 cookbooks. It wasn’t in the cards this year, but I’ll get a second chance next year with the #FoodAndLit challenge on Litsy.

4) More Challenges

I also signed up for the Reading Asia challenge on Litsy. These two challenges should go well together!

5) Cat Pics!

I hope everyone gets some rest this weekend!

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

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

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

October went by in a blink, and it’s been a while since I wrote one of these. Seems like I was just getting ready for October spooky book reading season and now it’s over.

I’m in the middle of all of these books, and am hoping to finish them up before midnight Saturday for various challenges. No big deal if not!

Nonfiction November starts on Sunday! I have half a dozen non-fiction audiobooks that I’ve downloaded and am hoping to finish this month.

With Nonfiction November in mind I decided on my list for Bookspin BINGO this month. I’m also looking forward to starting a chapter a day read of Northanger Abbey and my next installment of the postal book club I belong to. This time my group is focusing on Agatha Christie.

Linking to The Sunday Post - a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

Of course all of these lists could go out the window depending on election results. In 2016 all I could do is watch re-runs of West Wing over and over again.

This made me laugh right out loud.

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

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

We’re settling in to our new normal that will probably change again in November.

1) There Should Be A Sequel

I bought my daughter a e.l. konigsburg box set for Christmas last year, and we happily read this book all summer thinking that there would be two more after. We finished this week and were devastated to find out there is no sequel. We want to know what happens next!

2) Readathons For The Win! (Part Two)

I’m doing another readathon this weekend- this time I’m focusing on my stack of ARCs. They all look great, so it should be a good weekend!

3) Audio Gardening

I’ve been flying through audiobooks while doing my garden chores these last few weeks. Where did the summer go?

4) Book Club

I started my latest book club pick. I’m loving this one!

5) Getting Ready For October

I love spooky book season!

Linking to The Sunday Post - a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

This week has been a giant cluster. I just don’t have the mind for juggling all day. School, home, and work all at once is driving me crazy. (And yes I know I’m lucky to have a job still. It’s just a lot.) Somehow though through it all it’s been one of my better reading weeks this year.

1) Giveaway

Closing in a week! Check it out here!

2) Readathons For The Win!

The #SuperSeptember Readathon is the first one I’ve done in a while, and it’s really keeping me going!

3) Looking Forward

There are so many reading events next month. I can’t wait for October!

The Scarathlon on Litsy is my favorite, but I’ll probably sign up for others as well. Do you have any to recommend?

4) Audio Gardening

This garden got just a bit out of control! Cleaning it took up one trash can and five lawn and leaf bags. The whole time I worked I listened to Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.

5) Gamache in Paris

This book is so good so far! I can’t wait to spend some quality time with it this weekend!

Linking to The Sunday Post - a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

I have another book to give away! Check it out here!

1) Reading In the Car

When I’m in the zone I can get a tremendous amount of reading done while others drive. I had planned on a long spree on Monday, but the weather didn’t cooperate. By the way, Google weather called this partly cloudy.

2) A Better Reading Spot

I love having family along the Great Lakes! Hooray for socially distant get aways. The mental break was much needed, and I read so much!

3) Seen on a Ceiling

I’d do this at home if it didn’t mean sacrificing books!

4) Gas Station Gourmet

I was so happy to find some of my favorite reading snacks at a gas station in Ohio!

5) Seen in Petosky

Linking to The Sunday Post - a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

I have another book to give away! Check it out here!

1) Tis The Season For Novels On The Porch

The news, work, and back to school have all conspired to make me a giant ball of stress. There’s nothing better than a fun summer read on the porch to remedy that. (I know it’s September, but school doesn’t officially start until Tuesday so it’s still summer in my mind.)

2) Cats Up To No Good

This one has had some health problems, so when she’s feeling like stealing my bookmarks or chewing on the side of the book while I read I just scratch her ears and tell her good girl.

3) Three Pines Feeling

I have about a million unread books to get to, but I just can’t help re-reading the Gamache books every time a new one comes out.

4) Readathons

Picking the books to read during a readathon is almost as much fun as actually reading isn’t it?

5) BookspinBingo

Here’s my stacks for September’s #BookspinBINGO on Litsy. September’s mood: mysteries, graphic novels, and a lot more non-fiction.

Linking to The Sunday Post - a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

I have another book to give away! Check it out here!

1) Back In The Kitchen

One of my 2020 goals was to read and cook from 20 new to me cookbooks. Well, you can guess how that’s been going. Lately though my library has re-opened and my garden has been going nuts so I gave a recipe from The Adventurous Eaters Club a try. (Adding cucumbers because I picked 7 of them from my garden just yesterday alone.) It was simple and good! I liked the cookbook too although I think it’s meant more for families with pre-school aged kids.

2) Fireside reading

Finally, finally it is cool enough to enjoy my back yard again.

3) Louise Penny + Hillary Clinton???!!!

When I first read about this online event from Politics and Prose I thought it was some sort of dream. I went back the next day, and no, it’s real Hillary Clinton is interviewing Louise Penny on Sep. 1 when her new book comes out. I’ll be there! (By there I mean here, watching it on my phone.)

4) Fall Cleaning

Don’t you love it when your books are all organized and pretty? I finally got around to cleaning mine up.

5) Writing in Books

I started my next read for the Litsy Markup Postal Book Club (#LMPBC) Writing in books seems so wrong, but these postal book clubs are so fun! I love to see everyone’s notes at the end.

Linking to The Sunday Post - a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Friday Top Five

I decided to start doing a weekly Friday Top Five to have a place to talk about all of the random bookish nonsense I get up to during the week.

1) It Is Not Good For Me To Drink Tea All Day

My drink of choice when I’m reading, writing, or working is tea. However all that caffeine plus every day 2020 stress is making it hard to sleep. It sounds austere, but I discovered this week that a slice of lemon and some mint from the garden is almost just as good.

2) Treated Myself To Homemade Poptarts And I Do Not Regret It

A birthday present to myself.

3) Burgers!

I “needed” to read a magazine for a summer reading challenge I was doing on Litsy, and so this impulse buy just jumped into my cart. I love America’s Test Kitchen, and I can’t wait to try some of these burgers!

4) Translation Struggles

I decided to listen to this audiobook after I read about it in NPR Books. I’ll write more about the book later, but I’ve been thinking about the translator’s note all week. I never thought about how hard it is to translate swears and insults from one language to another.

5) Probably Gonna Change My Name

I joked on Litsy that I’m probably going to change my name to “Things I Eat While I Read” since it’s been such a 2020 theme of mine. Here is peach and blackberry crisp a la mode.

Linking to The Sunday Post - a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.