The weather has been: Hot! As soon as spring began, summer weather settled in. We had a week of temperatures in the 90's. And one day of 100. We had to turn on the air conditioner. I was really trying to avoid that this early in the year. The temperatures seem to be cooling down again, thankfully. Spring is definitely in the air.
I am listening: I am a failure when it comes to audio books. I did not listen to even one minute of one during the entire month of March. I have enjoyed listening to my daughter sing Katy Perry's Roar though. She may not be in tune, but she's got a lot of the words down. I love listening to my daughter sing.
I am listening: I am a failure when it comes to audio books. I did not listen to even one minute of one during the entire month of March. I have enjoyed listening to my daughter sing Katy Perry's Roar though. She may not be in tune, but she's got a lot of the words down. I love listening to my daughter sing.
I am watching: I saw Insurgent in the theater. In 3D, in fact, because I wanted to go to the early show. I texted my husband as I waited for the movie (and previews) to start how old everyone was in the theater with me. I expected a younger crowd. I realized suddenly though that I am old too. *sigh* I enjoyed the movie (although I don't feel the 3D version is worth it) quite a bit, but wish I had re-watched Divergent first. I felt kind of lost in the beginning. It's been awhile since I read the books. Mostly what I thought about as I watched the movie was the third book--if you've read it, you know what I mean.
I also saw the new live action version of Cinderella in the theater. Twice. I hadn't really planned to see it the first time. The second time, I went with my husband and daughter (she wanted to see the Frozen cartoon--"but not the Frozen movie because that's scary"--that was showing before the movie). And if you know anything about my daughter, you know her wanting to go to the movies at all is a rare thing. She hates movies (unless it's Caillou's Holiday Movie--you've heard me say that before, haven't you?). Anyway, Cinderella was very well done, I thought. I loved the way it was similar to the Disney cartoon version and yet also different to make the story fuller. Shaina's blog post entitled Cinderella, The Survivor: A New Look At An Old Story is a must read. She captured my thoughts on the movie--and the story--well.
What I am reading: I read only 3 books during the entire month of March. Well, 3 1/2 if you count the one I didn't (and don't plan to) finish. Of the 3 I did finish, one was a novella. On the plus side, those three books I did read I really enjoyed.
Besides currently reading Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, which I will likely finish in April, I have begun reading Diamond Head by Cecily Wong. I am actually quite excited about this book, the story of a family over several generations, from China to Hawaii. I will be reviewing the book later this month for a blog tour. I also hope to start A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison soon.
I also saw the new live action version of Cinderella in the theater. Twice. I hadn't really planned to see it the first time. The second time, I went with my husband and daughter (she wanted to see the Frozen cartoon--"but not the Frozen movie because that's scary"--that was showing before the movie). And if you know anything about my daughter, you know her wanting to go to the movies at all is a rare thing. She hates movies (unless it's Caillou's Holiday Movie--you've heard me say that before, haven't you?). Anyway, Cinderella was very well done, I thought. I loved the way it was similar to the Disney cartoon version and yet also different to make the story fuller. Shaina's blog post entitled Cinderella, The Survivor: A New Look At An Old Story is a must read. She captured my thoughts on the movie--and the story--well.
What I am reading: I read only 3 books during the entire month of March. Well, 3 1/2 if you count the one I didn't (and don't plan to) finish. Of the 3 I did finish, one was a novella. On the plus side, those three books I did read I really enjoyed.
Besides currently reading Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, which I will likely finish in April, I have begun reading Diamond Head by Cecily Wong. I am actually quite excited about this book, the story of a family over several generations, from China to Hawaii. I will be reviewing the book later this month for a blog tour. I also hope to start A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison soon.
I am thinking/feeling: Overwhelmed. For much of March I have felt overwhelmed, both at work and at home. And a bit like an underachiever. I feel like I did not accomplish much during the month, especially after all the out of town guests finally left and Mouse's birthday was a thing of the past. I finally took down the birthday streamers and decorations this past weekend. The Christmas/Valentine's/Birthday/Spring tree also came down. I know many of you are disappointed there won't be an Easter or Independence Day tree. And I'm sorry for that. Mouse was sad when we took the tree down. When I told her that her pink princess tower tent could go back up, she was happy again.
The child this past month:
Plans for April: The Los Angeles Times Book Festival is coming up in three weeks and it just happens to be the weekend we are planning a visit to Disneyland. I am not sure I will be able to both, but it sounds like we might try. I have not even looked at who will be at the festival, which is surprising given how I usually can't wait to see the schedule. Are any of you local bloggers going?
I do hope to read more this coming month to make up for the shortage of books I read this past month.
I do hope to read more this coming month to make up for the shortage of books I read this past month.
How did March turn out for you? Does anything in particular stand out?
What was your favorite March read?
What was your favorite March read?
March In Reading Mews:
Number of Books Completed in February: 3
Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop
Magic of the Gargoyles by Rebecca Chastain
Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes
Number of Books Completed in February: 3
Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop
Magic of the Gargoyles by Rebecca Chastain
Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes
Favorite Book of the Month: Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes
Currently Reading:
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- Diamond Head by Cecily Wong
- Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (audio - yes, still. I have to finish it this month. I have to.)
Reviews Posted:
- A Highlander's Obsession by Vonnie Davis
- From the Archives: Mini Reviews from 2006 of Linda Fairstein's Alexandra Cooper Series
- Shady Cross by James Hankins
- From the Archives: More J.A. Jance
- From the Archives: Spending time with Alexander McCall Smith's Precious Ramotswe
- Mouse's Corner: Lost Kisses by Trudie Trewin and illustrated by Nick Bland
- Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
Posts of Interest This Week:
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (03/03/2015) (Including Top Ten Books You Would Classify As ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS From the Past Three Years)
- Mouse's Corner: Birthday Wishes
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (03/17/2015) (Including Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR List)
- TGIF: Hopping As I Muse and Book It Through Friday (03/20/2015)
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (03/24/2015) (Including Top 10 Books From My Childhood That I Would Love To Revisit)
- A Day In the Life of Me
- TGIF: Hopping and Booking Through Friday (03/27/2014)
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (03/31/2015) (Including Ten Books You Recently Added To Your To-Be-Read List)
© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Jane Eyre is my favorite classic, so it's always nice when someone else is reading it!
ReplyDeleteJillian - It's my favorite classic too. It's my third time reading it. You've reminded me I need to check in with my husband and see where he is in the book!
DeleteI can't wait to hear what you'll think of "Diamond Head"; this book has been on my wishlist ever since you first mentioned it. Plus, it has a lovely cover!
ReplyDeleteI've just begun reading "Behind Closed Doors" and what an intense opening! I could tell it'd be a dark suspense.
Hope you've a great reading month ahead! :)
Melody - We'll have to compare notes when we finish reading Diamond Head. :-) So far, I am enjoying it. And yes, the cover is really pretty, isn't it?
DeleteI hope you enjoy Behind Closed Doors! It's quite different from Diamond Head. LOL
I barely read much in March. Maybe 3 books here as well. I don't know why March was so slow. I hope you get to go to the LA book festival! I've wanted to go there for years but have never been able to time a visit to LA at the same time as the festival.
ReplyDeleteAthira - A slow reading month for both of us. You have a good excuse though, being on vacation. :-)
DeleteI hope someday you will be able to attend the L.A. Times Festival of Books. It's so much fun.
You know, Wendy, some months are like that. Busy with life. And reading slows down. It's all good. Have enjoyed everything you posted and shared this last month and, as always, the Mouse pics are perfect. I think that Behind Closed Doors is going to be my next read. My current read, Tell Me No Secrets, is very compelling, but I have been a bit busy the last couple of days and haven't been able to spend much time on it. Book group tonight and I have to prepare for that. Maybe later this week.
ReplyDeleteKay - I had a feeling March would be a slower month for me since February was such a good reading month. It always seem to work that way for me. April will be more normal, I think. I hope you like Behind Closed Doors when you read it! Maybe you have by now--I'm so slow to comment back.
DeleteHope you are able to visit both places this month! March was a good month on the reading month for me. My favorite was The Secret Wisdom of the Earth.
ReplyDeleteNise' - Thank you! I hope so too. It will make for a busy weekend, but a fun one. :-) I am glad March was a good reading month for you. The Secret Wisdom of the Earth sounds interesting!
DeleteAs much as I am looking forward to snow melting, I couldn't imagine being at 100 all ready! That would be quite the shock to our system. lol I am more of 'moderate' person anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteKelly - It was so strange to have a heat wave in the middle of March. It's back to more "normal" weather these days. I was hoping for rain today, but it doesn't look like it is meant to be.
DeleteMy reading slowed down in March as I began quilting again. Behind Closed Doors is going on my list, though!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - Your quilts are so beautiful. I'm glad you have been sharing them with us!
DeleteI hope you like Haynes' series if you do decide to read it!
Some months just gang up on us but don't feel overwhelmed or like an underachiever! I failed on audio books in March as well. I seem to need a long break between audios for some reason. Have fun in Disneyland and the LA Book Fair if you can make it. Both sound pretty great!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Here's hoping April will be a better, more productive month all around!
DeleteMarch seemed a bit overwhelming to me and just so long. You would think I would have read more books! ha. Oh well, here's hoping April brings us good books and more time to enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteIliana - March is such a long month too in terms of days. Oh well. It's a new month. Hopefully it will be a good one!
DeleteI'm glad you liked Insurgent. I enjoyed the first movie and 'watched' it when I was bloggiong last week so it would be fresh. Now I just need to find time for the movie theater!
ReplyDelete