July has been: Busy. My vacation is behind me, and life has returned to normal. Or as normal as it can be.
The weather has been: Monsoon-like. A few thunderstorms; rain that comes in bits and spurts, but when it does rain, it comes down fast and hard; strong winds; downed trees and flash floods. It's been hot and humid. But rain, glorious rain!
We had beautiful weather for our vacation. Of course, the coast always has milder temperatures than inland.
I am listening: My plan to finish The Girl on the Train in July didn't happen. I don't think I even hit play on my phone. It's just been too crazy a month, and I haven't had any good audiobook time to devote to it.
The weather has been: Monsoon-like. A few thunderstorms; rain that comes in bits and spurts, but when it does rain, it comes down fast and hard; strong winds; downed trees and flash floods. It's been hot and humid. But rain, glorious rain!
We had beautiful weather for our vacation. Of course, the coast always has milder temperatures than inland.
I am listening: My plan to finish The Girl on the Train in July didn't happen. I don't think I even hit play on my phone. It's just been too crazy a month, and I haven't had any good audiobook time to devote to it.
I have been watching: I am all caught up on Orange is the New Black, a Netflix show set in a women's prison. I really like that show. I agree with everyone else who has said that Piper isn't a particular favorite. I don't watch the show for her. I am two seasons into Lost Girl, which I started watching months ago. It's a Canadian show about the Fae living among us. I have enjoyed this second season more than the first. I have added Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries to my Netflix queue upon several of your recommendations. I can't wait to watch it. Movie wise, this past month I watched The Time Traveler's Wife, which I thought fell short of capturing the essence of the book--and yet it had its moments. I still cried. But when don't I cry? I'm such a cry baby when it comes to books and movies.
My July in reading: I did not open a book during my vacation, but still I managed to read about as much as I usually do in a month. I always wish I could read more, but don't most of us? Mysteries seem to be most on my mind of late, and it's carried over into August. I was proud of myself for not waiting until the last minute to read my latest Postal Book Club pick and will be sending that out in the mail soon to the next person on the list. I've had such fun being a part of the group. I have been working on my summer reading list, and am happy with my progress so far--I wasn't sure I would actually stick to it, to be honest. Lists and I don't always get along.
My July in reading: I did not open a book during my vacation, but still I managed to read about as much as I usually do in a month. I always wish I could read more, but don't most of us? Mysteries seem to be most on my mind of late, and it's carried over into August. I was proud of myself for not waiting until the last minute to read my latest Postal Book Club pick and will be sending that out in the mail soon to the next person on the list. I've had such fun being a part of the group. I have been working on my summer reading list, and am happy with my progress so far--I wasn't sure I would actually stick to it, to be honest. Lists and I don't always get along.
The child this past month: Mouse finally did get over the passing of our vacation, but she still asks every now and then when we can go again. Her favorite color is still pink. Her favorite television show is Miles and of Tomorrowland. We've been busy with swim and soccer classes.
The cats this past month:
Parker and Gracie weren't particularly happy to take a little "vacation" themselves. They are good sports though. Neither tends to hold grudges. If anything, they were especially loving after our return home.
How did July turn out for you? Does anything in particular stand out? What was your favorite July read?
The cats this past month:
Parker and Gracie weren't particularly happy to take a little "vacation" themselves. They are good sports though. Neither tends to hold grudges. If anything, they were especially loving after our return home.
How did July turn out for you? Does anything in particular stand out? What was your favorite July read?
Plans for August: I will be reading and reviewing Wet Silence by Sweta Srivastava Vikram, a book of poetry by Hindu widows in India, as part of a tour later this month. I couldn't resist after reading the description of the book. I hope to get to Sharon Bolton's Little Black Lies and Rich Zahradnik's Drop Dead Punk this month as well. Other than that, we shall see where the month takes me.
I confess sometimes I waste precious reading time playing games on my tablet (Sudoku is my guilty pleasure), and this month I want to make a point of putting away the games and turning to a book instead. I should add Twitter and Facebook to that list. Both are huge time-sucks for me.
I confess sometimes I waste precious reading time playing games on my tablet (Sudoku is my guilty pleasure), and this month I want to make a point of putting away the games and turning to a book instead. I should add Twitter and Facebook to that list. Both are huge time-sucks for me.
What are your plans for August?
July In Reading Mews:
Number of Books Completed in July: 5
Number of Books Completed in July: 5
- Cold Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff
- The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan
- Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin
- Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart
Favorite Book of the Month: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Currently Reading:
Currently Reading:
- Drop Dead Punk by Rich Zahradnik
- Girl On the Train by Paula Hawkins (audio)
Reviews Posted:
- A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison
- From the Archives: The Invisible Ring and Dreams Made Flesh by Anne Bishop
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
- The Silenced by Heather Graham
- Cold Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff
- From the Archives: Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
- Bookish Thoughts: The Others Series (Books 1, 2 & 3) by Anne Bishop
- Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Posts of Interest This Week:
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (07/07/2015) (Including Top Ten Hyped Books I've Never Read)
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (07/14/2015) (Including Last Ten Books That Came Into My Possession)
- Where Is Your Bookmark? ((07/21/2015) (Including Top Ten Books That Celebrate Diversity/Diverse Characters )
- Mouse's Corner: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, A Guest Post by Alexandra Sokoloff
- Where Is Your Bookmark? ((07/28/2015) (Including Blogiversary Celebration)
© 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.
We had a ton of rain too -- Now I'm worried that August will be drought-like.
ReplyDeleteI waste too much time on tablet games too (Two Dots & Sudoku)
Beth - Our recent rain did little to help with the drought here. There are so many fires all over the state now too that just make it worse. Some of those fires were caused by lightning. So, as wonderful as the rain has been, it has brought with it more trouble than it might be worth in the long run. :-(
DeleteI haven't tried Two Dots . . . Not that I should be looking into it right now. LOL
I'm with Mouse - I want more vacation! We are so, so dry here and could use some of that rain.
ReplyDeleteKathy - Me too! More vacation would be so nice. It's really dry here too, unfortunately. Even with our rain it wasn't enough to help much. As I was telling Beth, in some cases, it made the situation worse by adding fire to the mix because of the lightning (and other causes). We've had a few down here in the southern part of the state, but I know the northern half is in worse shape.
DeleteWe had all the rain in late spring, but are now back to heat and drought. Blah! I hope you enjoy Little Black Lies--by far my favorite Bolton.
ReplyDeleteI think we could all use more rain! Except Texas. They've seen enough this summer, I think.
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading Little Black Lies. That's next up, I am pretty sure. :-)
I think you've gotten our share of rain. It's been crazy dry here and hot as can be. All the plants look super scraggly. I'm glad Mouse has recovered from being back from vacation! I haven't listened to audio books all summer but the Tornado starts school next week and I'll definitely be getting back to them. I'm really excited! I'm in line for the audio of The Girl on the Train at the library but I think it will be awhile before I get it.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - We might have. I just wish it would have lasted. I hope the start of school next week for Tornado goes smoothly! Hopefully The Girl on the Train will come your way sooner than you expect. :-)
DeleteI am such a cryer too. Which is the exact opposite of how I am outside of reading and watching movies. In "real life", it takes a lot to bring me to tears but I can cry at a dang television commercial and weep like a baby at tragedy in books.
ReplyDeleteHeatherAnne - I am glad to hear I am not the only one who cries at commericals. :-)
DeleteMy summer this year has been a real bust. LOL. A bust in that we did nothing, went nowhere and well, now my kids are starting school and we all feel like we got the short end of the stick. My daughter was too old for camp but too young to be legally left at home so the poor thing has to go to work with my husband to hang out at the office. Great for a day, not great for 5 weeks. She had an acting camp for two weeks but that was only half day. She's grumpy. I'm grumpy. Heck, we are all grumpy.
ReplyDeleteTi - That sounds like my summer last year. My daughter still remembers me working weekends just so I could build up my hours for my medical leave. As it was, we only got a week's vacation this summer.
DeleteMaybe this way your daughter will be excited to start school after being cooped up in her dad's office all summer. :-)
Your vacation sounds like it was a lot of fun! That is all that matters. :-) I had grand plans to listen to Girl on the Train but that hasn't happened yet. I'm expecting the ebook to be available from my library any time now so I may just wait for that.
ReplyDeleteAthira - It was! And way too short. :-) I hope you like The Girl on the Train when you get to it. I'm sure it's good in print/e-copy too.
DeleteWe have some rain here over the past few days, which is a good thing considering how hot and humid the weather has been.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on The Girl on the Train and Little Black Lies. I'm hoping to read the latter soon.
Melody - Feel free to send some of your rain our way if you keep getting more. ;-)
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading Little Black Lies!
Sounds like Mouse had a very good summer to me.
ReplyDeleteWendy do you board your cats when you go away or have someone come in? Ours hate when we leave and they can tell several days ahead and sulk! I know cats like to stay home --creatures of habit --like me, but we are thinking of a pet hotel for a longer trip so I was curious.
Diane - She did. :-) A busy one, at that.
DeleteWe do tend to board our cats. Since Parker takes medication on a daily basis, I feel more comfortable boarding him. Gracie goes so they can still be together. If we're gone just overnight, I'm okay leaving them home alone.
I never read as much on vacation as I think I will. Apparently you're supposed to interact with your family and explore the area you're at. Kind of puts a crimp on the reading. You're lucky your cats handled it so well!
ReplyDeleteLisa - Haha! Yes, reading during vacations often takes a backseat to spending time with family and exploring the area you are visiting. Growing up, I often wandered off on my own when my family was camping and find a rock to sit and read on. I'd be there for hours. :-)
Delete