On My Nightstand March 29, 2025

I took a screen break last weekend so that I would have the mental energy to spread a bunch of mulch. Mission accomplished and now I’m back. I’ve been spending way too much time thinking about how I want to set up my outdoor reading spaces for summer, and the best way to plant the maximum number of vegetable seeds in my yard. These are good issues to have and are a good distraction from the real world going on all around us.

Quote of the week

“I’m comfortable being bored, and this can be a surprisingly rewarding skill-especially on a lazy D.C. summer night listening to a Nationals game slowly unfold on the radio.”

— Deep Work by Cal Newport

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - I Don’t Care If We Never Get Back by Ben Blatt and Eric Brewster - Baseball is back so of course I need to read a book about it!

Audiobook - The Wedding People by Alison Espach - Finally getting to this popular read. I like it so far, but am not wowed.

Paper Book - Extraordinary Insects by Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson - The idea of reading this in the yard in between gardening sessions really appeals to me.

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

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

Walking Wednesday March 5, 2025

Spring is on the way now! It’s been such a joy getting out on these beautiful days. Most walks are still in the dark, but I’ve been sneaking out here and there to see the flowers starting to pop up.

I’m still loving The History of Sound. It’s so good!

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

Walking Wednesday February 12, 2025

It’s getting a little lighter and a little closer to spring so I’m walking more in the daylight now. This week I treated myself to 2 hours PTO at the zoo to see the new pandas. These are new DC residents I can get behind!

For my audiobook listening I’m about to start Entitlement by Rumaan Alam. I have high hopes, but the reviews have not been great. We’ll see.

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

Show Us Your Books May 2024

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.

Walking Wednesday April 24, 2024

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.

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

Walking Wednesday April 17, 2024

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

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.

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

On My Nightstand April 21, 2024

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!

On My Nightstand March 30, 2024

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

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

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.

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

Walking Wednesday March 13, 2024

So a week and a half ago when I said I felt like I was coming down with something and I hoped it was just allergies…it wasn’t allergies. I am so sick of being sick! I’m better now though and I’m recommitted to my walks. Pollen aside this is just a wonderful time to walk in this area. Each day there’s something new blooming.

I’ve been listening to Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall. It’s a bit dated but still interesting.

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

Walking Wednesday February 28, 2024

I was hoping for more winter, but it looks like spring is here. I’ve been doing long soccer walks and some woods cleanups. People keep inviting me to cleanups despite my habit of walking away looking for a good walking trail.

I’m about to start Julia 1984 on my next walk. I tried to listen to the original 1984 and bailed, so we’ll see how I do with this modern version.

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

Walking Wednesday February 14, 2024

The predicted terrible winter hasn’t happened yet, so I’m still out there walking most days. We did have one cold and rainy night which turned into snow the next morning, but noting stuck, so onward!

I started The Death of Expertise this week. Scary.

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

Walking Wednesday February 7, 2024

Soccer practice walks are back! That off season went quickly. So far I’ve been very comfortable in my normal winter gear walking at night, so outdoor practice in February isn’t as horrific as it sounded when I signed my child up.

I’ve been listening to Biography of X. I should have gone with print because I think there are pictures, but I’m still enjoying it.

Walking Wednesday January 31, 2024

This week I’ve had to walk home on the opposite side of the road than I’m used to because of construction. It’s amazing how that changes my perspective! There’s a life lesson in there somewhere I’m sure.

It’s still a gray time of the year, but I’m seeing more and more green popping up here and there. I’m hoping for one more good snow storm though. Fingers crossed.

A back episode of The Overdue Podcast has me interested in Percy Jackson, so I’m listening to The Lightning Thief. I listened to this in the car years ago when my kids were small, but I don’t really remember what happened. I might make it through the series this time, but there’s a 22 week wait for each of the books at the library! So it will be a long haul if I do listen to the rest.

Walking Wednesday January 24, 2024

Even though we had snow TWICE last week there are small signs of spring starting to appear. It’s the good part about living in Virginia. Even when it’s so cold the outside hurts your face the second you step outside spring is never far away.

I’ve been plowing through the audiobooks this month. Right now I’m listening to We’ve Got You Covered. I try to listen to a book that will help me at work each month and this is my January pick. So far it’s interesting.

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

Walking Wednesday March 29, 2023

The flowers are still putting on a show which makes it easy to get outside and walk. Every day there’s something new and beautiful to look at.

I’ve been listening to What I Found In A Thousand Towns by the multi-talented Dar Williams.

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

Walking Wednesday

Spring is really here now. I love how this time of year every time you go out the landscape has changed drastically. Flowers that weren’t out of the ground the day before are suddenly half a foot tall and in full bloom. Glorious.

Here’s what I’ve been looking at while walking:

And here’s what I’ve been listening to:

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

Spring Fever Reading

This winter has not been bad at all, but I have spring fever and it shows in my reading.

It started with the house plants. On a nice day I re-potted all of my plants, and realized I now have way too many. The library to the rescue! I checked out Decorating With Plants by Baylor Chapman. I loved this book, and it has helped me spread my plants out around the house in a way that doesn’t make me look like a crazy plant lady.

I’ve also been cleaning out my freezer and re-filling it with healthy meals and ingredients. The library to the rescue again- The Make Ahead Sauce Solution by Elisabeth Bailey has been super helpful. I like that I’m just freezing the sauce, not the entire meal. It’s a great space saver.

I’ve also been trying to streamline my schedule and be more productive. 5-Minute Stress Relief by Elena Welsh had a ton of great tips for quieting my mind, and productively dealing with my stress (instead of looking at Twitter and feeling like the world is going to end.)

Happy Spring everyone!

(Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support! 5-Minute Stress Relief was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)