On My Nightstand October 6, 2024

sunset

I am behind in everything this week, but figured I was better late than never on this post.

My thoughts are with everyone who was in the path of Hurricane Helene. I worked at the Biltmore Estate the summer I turned 21, and have visited the area most years since then. My heart breaks for the residents of the impacted areas. I understand the immediate needs for shelter and supplies, but I think soon I will be donating to the Friends of Pack Library.

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week

“We talk and talk and cancel out each other’s ideas until it all comes down to what it was before: that we do not agree.”

— The Hotel by Elizabeth Bowen

yard work is pretty this time of year

On My Nightsand This Week

Kindle- The Witch Elm by Tana French - This one didn’t get the best reviews, but I’m loving it. It’s a family drama told from the point of view of an unreliable but privileged narrator. The characters are all sorts of messed up.

Audio- Lost Man’s Lane by Scott Carson - The premise of this book reminded me of Stranger Things When I heard about it. (Mysterious disappearances, supernatural, set in Indiana.) It’s one of my most anticipated books in October.It was a bonus that it was available on Everand!

Paper- Best American Mystery Stories 2018 ed. by Louis Penny - I love these anthologies this time of year when all I want to do is read, but my schedule is also so packed. They’re great to bring along on errands and to tournaments.

neglected gardens=volunteer pumpkins and mushrooms

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

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

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

The Things I Do To Entertain Myself

I guess I’ve been looking at too many Covid-19 trackers because last week I got it in my head that I should track my books read in the same way. Now instead of saying I finished a book I say I flattened that book’s curve.

My 2020 Reading Goals

Every year I set way too many reading goals, and I don’t meet half of them. That’s okay - I have fun setting the goals and then give them up when I stop having fun meeting them. After all reading is my hobby not my job.

This year I set three new goals:

• Read 200 books (around 16 or 17 books a month)

• Read books from 20 different countries

• Read 20 new to me cookbooks and cook at least one recipe from each one

I also took note of a few reading challenges. Mr. Book on Litsy, the Reading Women Challenge, and Modern Mrs. Darcy’s challenges all caught my eye. I’ll cross check each of these lists against what I read, but probably won’t seek out any books to finish them.

I also keep track of states I’ve read from and like to see if I can read a book that begins with each letter of the alphabet.

Oh, and I have my project re-read to work on, and I really should finally read In Cold Blood. Not to mention the 50 new releases I have on hold at the library, and the 10 audiobooks I’ve anxiously been waiting for on Libby.

So yeah, 2020 should be a pretty good reading year. I can’t wait to see what happens!

24b4Monday July Readathon

The #24b4Monday Readathon starts tomorrow, and I finally got my stack together. I have so many half read books lying around that I decided to just gather them all up, and try to get through as many as I can. I also have a few half finished audiobooks for when I’m doing chores.

Time to reclaim some bookmarks!

Update: I read 16 hours last weekend, and finished three books. This is a really fun and low key way of spending a weekend.