It's Monday! What are you reading? 11/22/2021

Hosted by: Book Date

Life: Trigger/content warning: Mental health and suicide

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I haven't posted in months, and a lot has happened, primarily as relates to my father.  I've discussed mental health and the mental health system before...  On October 2, my father took his life.  He had been sent to 2 different hospitals 3 times over the weeks preceding, and each time was sent back without being put on any sort of suicide hold.  The last time he was sent back within a couple hours, and a few days later he was gone.  I've been grieving and dealing with anger and frustration and numbness and sorrow and pain and all the other emotions that come from this sort of sudden loss.  

I am currently under quarantine as my family has been out with the big bad.  Hopefully I test negative (again) so I can participate in a 5K this Thanksgiving as well as Small Business Saturday.

Anyway, The emotional overload and severe loss of focus has deeply impacted my reading.  I am slowly getting back to reading, primarily by focusing on graphic novels or genre fiction by auto-read authors.

Recently Read (October/November):

• The Girl From The Other Side: Siúil A Rún, Vol. 11 (The final volume in the series.  I moved through this quickly, and perhaps it would have been more impactful if I had slowed down.)
• Undead Unluck, Vol. 1, Undead Unluck, Vol. 2, Undead Unluck, Vol. 3 (An okay series so far.  Vol . 1-3 is mostly world-building.  I'll continue because I'm curious to see how things progress, but some parts are beyond ridiculous.)
• I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss, Vol. 1 (This was my first "light novel".  Sort of like what a graphic novel/manga would be like if it was written in words. I enjoyed this one and look forward to the next volume.)
• Mrs. Claus and the Halloween Homicide (Mrs. Claus #2) (The second of a series, halloween themed cozy, and of course I read it after Halloween. Oh, and a Canadian read!)
• Seven-Year Witch (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries #2) (I enjoyed the first, so I knew I wanted to read this second book in the series.  Josie's magical connection with books is awesome.  Just saying.)
• Needle and Thread (This was a free PDF read from a library virtual event.  Something about those stories where characters may not be who/what they initially seem  - Rich snobby brat? Loner geek? - can be nice on occasion.) 
• Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 15 (I honestly don't know why I continue with this series.  This particular volume seemed to have less of Komi and Tadano than usual.) 
• The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 6  (Some of the this book is amusing and some is corny as this mafia leader gone househusband applies the talents from his former life to his domestic tasks.)
  
• When Sorrows Come (I was glad to finally get to Toby and Tybalt's wedding.)
• Beyond (First in the Founding of Valdemar series, and first book that I read after my dad's passing.  I wasn't sure how I would feel because I'm not a huge fan of jumping around timelines in series, but I did enjoy this one.)
  
• and some children's picture books (Anthony and the Gargoyle, The Story of a Story, Chaiwala!, Yours in Books, My Life with Autism , My First Book of Growing Food, My First Book of Houseplants, It Fell from the Sky, This Book is Not a Bedtime Story).

Currently Listening:

The Paper Solution: What to Shred, What to Save, and How to Stop It from Taking Over Your Life by Lisa Woodruff (I'm listening to this now, and then I'll refer to a print copy for my actual organizing.)

Currently Reading:

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis (A book discussion title ... I didn't finish it in time for the discussion, but I will finish it.)

Next?

Everything is in flux; I'm (over a month) behind in my grad course, and I have several partially started titles.  But I do have new Jayne Castle, Jennifer Estep, and Juliet Marillier books checked out.

It's Monday! What are you reading? 06/28/2021

Hosted by: Book Date

Life:

Let's see.  I had the zoo trip with my father Monday.  I've been working every day since then until this past Sunday.  I had/did my Shawnee language class, a virtual library meditation course (of which I have not practiced since), the first agility class for one of the dogs, a homework assignment that was nearly on time (maybe an hour or two shy of on time), an Elton John cover band concert, a virtual graphic novel book discussion, dealt with a family/pet emergency, tried to deal with my father going into an increased paranoid state (as I can't say that he completely got out of the last paranoid state), and a little weeding of my flower garden (hopefully soon to be fairy garden if I can find any outdoor fairy stuff off-season as it is).

TV-wise, I watched Hallmark's Movies & Mysteries To Catch a Spy, the newest episode of Hot Mess House, and a couple DVRed episodes of PBS's Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Also, my mother has been binging on This Is Us, so I've been watching some of that with her.

This week I finished:

 

I haven't gotten much reading in at all, and what I have done has pretty much been all audio.

Invincible, Vol. 1: Family Matters (Issues #1-4) by Robert Kirkman (Writer, Letterer), Cory Walker (Penciler, Inker), and Bill Crabtree (Colorist)- Read the day of for a graphic novel book discussion over Zoom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently reading:

 

Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II by Liza Mundy; Read by Erin Bennett - I'm at 74% in, so I've made about 5% progress since last week.

Glass Houses (Armand Gamache, Bk 13) by Louise Penny; Read by Robert Bathurst - I'm currently toward the end of disc 9 of 11.

Murder Keeps No Calendar by Cathy Ace - I haven't made any progress this week.

Covid Chronicles: A Comics Anthology edited by Kendra Boileau and Rich Johnson - No progress was made this week.

Rogue Souls (Soul Charmer, Bk 2) by Chelsea Mueller - I'm only on page 70 of 301, so basically very little progress from last week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up next:

 

No clue.  I still have so many to finish yet I keep starting more.  However, I should be starting Watership Down by Richard Adams soon for a book discussion.

What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? 06/21/2021

Hosted by: Book Date

Life:

This past week I had a book discussion at work, participated in my language class and instrument lesson, didn't have any homework to be late (although I do for this coming week, so I had better get a move on), and started, binged, and completed Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous on Netflix (and loved it, BTW).

Today, I am taking my father to the zoo for Father's Day.  It will be his first real venture out and about from the nursing home since Covid.

This week I finished:

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware - Everyone in the book discussion group liked this.  At least one said she "found a new[-to-her] author" and had already read another Ruth Ware book after completing this one.

The Sprite and the Gardener by Rii Abrego and Joe Whitt - Cute and light

 

Little Victories: Autism Through a Father's Eyes by Yvon Roy - Mixed feelings on this one.  I translated (with Google's help) some of the Goodreads reviews from French, and as suspected, Autistic adults had difficulties with the way the author allegedly raised his son.  Part of the problem is that this is only semi-autobiographical, and one can't really know what is real and what isn't.  Some of the father character's thoughts sound inspirational or meaningful, but sometimes - well - he sounds like he wants to "cure" or "fix" autism (at least in his son), which is highly controversial.

 

The Leak: For the Love of Truth by Kate Reed Petty; Illustrated by Andrea Bell - MG aspiring journalist in search of a story discovers potential water contamination -  similar to Flint, Michigan.  I first heard of this book at a professional virtual day conference, and I'm glad I gave it a try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently reading:

Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II by Liza Mundy; Read by Erin Bennett - I've been listening to this off and on since early 2019 ... I'm 69% in, so I've made about 5% progress.

Glass Houses (Armand Gamache, Bk 13) by Louise Penny; Read by Robert Bathurst - Just starting disc 4/14.

Murder Keeps No Calendar by Cathy Ace - I've completed the stories through June, with two being Cait Morgan stories so far.

Covid Chronicles: A Comics Anthology edited by Kendra Boileau and Rich Johnson - A variety of artists perspectives on Covid-19 and related.

Rogue Souls (Soul Charmer, Bk 2) by Chelsea Mueller - read the first book ages ago, and decided I should move on to the second.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up next:

 

No clue.  I still have so many to finish yet I keep starting more.

What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? 06/14/2021

Hosted by: Book Date

Life:

Life hasn't changed much in the past week.  

 

I had a (virtual) game of DND this weekend, and it seems our next meeting should be in person. 

 

I watched the new Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Aurora Teegarden Mysteries: Til Death Do Us Part yesterday.  I love these mystery movies, and wish there were more of them (not just Aurora Teegarden, but in general).  I haven't read the books yet, but I own the first 3, so maybe sometime soon.

This week I finished:

Hollywood Ending (Detective by Day Mystery, Bk 2) by Kellye Garrett

 

Women of the Revolution: The Remarkable Stories You've Never Heard (One Day University) by Carol Berkin, Baruch College (lecture)

 

Baby Moses in a Basket by Caryn Yakowitz; Illustrated by Julie Downing

Go and Do Likewise!: The Parables and Wisdom of Jesus by John Hendrix

30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag by Amanda Davis; Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

Summertime Sleepers: Animals That Estivate by Melissa Stewart; Illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen

Spy x Family, Vol. 5 by Tatsuya Endo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently reading:

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware - for a book discussion tomorrow

Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II by Liza Mundy; Read by Erin Bennett - I've been listening to this off and on since early 2019

Glass Houses (Armand Gamache, Bk 13) by Louise Penny; Read by Robert Bathurst - I'm working on catching up with this series

Murder Keeps No Calendar by Cathy Ace - a VERY rare ebook purchase (I strongly dislike purchasing ebooks.  I usually borrow them from the library or wait until they are offered free)...this one is several short stories and novellas, one for each month, and some of them are prequels to a series I plan on starting back up

 

 

Up next:

 

I think I'll focus on all my "currently reading (and listening to)" options.

What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? 06/07/2021

Hosted by: Book Date

Life:

I'm going to try being better about the blogging thing.  I last did one of these Monday posts a year ago though, so we'll see.  Life has been chaotic.  Summer reading has started at work, and we are moving out of the pandemic era (although we aren't there yet).  It is now time for me to adjust to this new management position during "normal" times.

What else?  My father's a mess (see my post from March if you're wondering, but warning it is long one and probably full of triggers).  My mother just had a medical procedure this past week.  We recently refinanced the house; I now have my first ever mortgage - in my late 30s.  I'm trying to live a healthier lifestyle and might soon be going back to the gym for the first time in 1.5 yrs.  I haven't turned in a single assignment on time yet this semester of grad school.  I'm attempting to re-learn playing an instrument after a 20ish year break; I'm three lessons in, so we have yet to see.  

I recently binged New Girl in its entirety.  I watched the first season when it was brand new, but never followed through.  After 7 seasons worth of episodes crammed together, I still have some of the character voices in my head the better part of a week later.

This week I finished:

A Day for Rememberin': The First Memorial Day by Leah Henderson and illustrated by Floyd Cooper

The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 5 by Housuke Oono

A Great Reckoning (Armand Gamache, Bk 12) by Louise Penny and narrated by Robert Bathurst

Hero's Journey (Sweet Pepper Brigade Mystery, Bk 1.5) by J.J. Cook

The Librarian's Stories by Lucy Falcone and illustrated by Anna Wilson

Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston by Alicia D Williams and illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara

Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth and illustrated by Romina Galotta

Murder Most Sweet (Bookish Baker Mystery, Bk 1) by Laura Jensen Walker

 

 

 

 

 

Currently reading:

Hollywood Ending (Detective by Day Mystery, Bk 2) by Kellye Garrett

This isn't a book in the traditional sense - it's a lecture - but I'm currently listening to Women of the Revolution: The Remarkable Stories You've Never Heard (One Day University) by Carol Berkin, Baruch College

 

 

Up next:

I'm very behind on my reading overall, so I can't say with any certainty.  But I think I may shoot for The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict.  I've had it checked out from the library forever, it is out of renewals, and it sounds great.

What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? 06/08/2020

Hosted by: Book Date

Life:

We are still having a rough time with my nephew and dad (who has been diagnosed with C. diff. in addition to his mental issues).

I got my last assignment in.  The next on isn't due for another week, although I need to start my research and observations ASAP.

I had started a garden in May.  I was excited at first, but this is my first time venturing beyond houseplants, and I don't think it is for me.  I planted half the garden late when the plants had started withering and discoloring (I tried to pay the kids $1/4 plants, but they didn't get them deep enough and gave up pretty quickly).  I haven't watered them yet (although it has rained quite a bit), I think I planted them too close together, and they are mixed so I don't know which plants are which.  However, I've had beautiful (if small) red strawberries.  Taste tests have shown them to be decent to thumbs up.  And some of the other plants have taken off - if only I can figure out what they are and what I'm supposed to do with them.  So maybe it isn't all that bad.

And on to the reading portion...

This week I read:

Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness  (Ordinary Terrible Things) by Anastasia Higginbotham.

- I saw this promoted on Twitter, and the publisher was offering a PDF version for free, so I decided to try it out.  It is very brief (it's supposed to be a kids book), and I appreciate the mixed-media type of art work.  As for the content, I was of mixed feelings.

Murder at an Irish Wedding (Irish Village Mystery, bk 2) by Carlene O'Connor

- This is an autographed paberback cozy mystery.  Anyone interested in it once I'm done?  Send me a direct message via Instagram @ponderingbks or email (jump_up_thrice [at] hotmail [dot] com) with your mailing address.  I offered last week with no takers, so it is still available.

Murder on Pleasant Avenue (Gaslight Mystery, bk 23) by Victoria Thompson

- This is a library copy.  I wanted to read more from my personal collection as part of my library "decluttering", but I can't resist a Victoria Thompson mystery.  I love this series and her Counterfeit series as well.

Currently reading:

I had the opportunity to hear Kekla Magoon speak at YALSA 2019, and I have a copy of Light It Up, but it is a second book, and I need to read books in order.  In early March, I checked out library copies of both the print and audio for How It Went Down (which is the book that introduces the situation/neighborhood for Light It Up).  It is pretty intense and on top of that Covid-19 was happening, and I just couldn't focus.  However, it is very relevant (a black teen is shot and killed by a white man - not a cop), and I do still have that second book in my collection, and it did sound really intriguing when Kekla spoke about it, soooo... I'm giving it another go.

Up next:

We'll see.  Maybe Light It Up.  Maybe a cozy.  Maybe another must-read library book.  Maybe a little fantasy or romance.

What are you reading?