Sunday Post: Winter Is Here

The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. 

My Facebook feed is full of photos of the snow this weekend. I am thinking of all of you caught in the storms. We got a little rain Saturday afternoon, but it barely counted. Mouse was still able to go for her bicycle ride and my husband and I for a walk.

How are you faring today? Did you have a good week?


New to My Shelves: Although audiobooks are not my preferred way to take in a book, I have a membership to Audible and occasionally take advantage of their deals. I used some of my points to get these four this week:

Brownies and Broomsticks (A Magical Bakery Mystery #1) 

by Bailey Cates (narrated by Johanna Parker)

The Ice Princess ((Fjällbacka #1) 

by Camilla Läckberg (narrated by David Thorn)

The Preacher (Fjällbacka #2) 

by Camilla Läckberg (narrated by David Thorn)

The Stonecutter (Fjällbacka #3) 

by Camilla Läckberg (narrated by David Thorn)

What I Am Reading: I wasn't able to get in as much reading as I hoped. I left my e-reader at work one night and so there went my bed-time reading. Not that I would have been awake enough to read anything. Getting up earlier to work out has taken its toll. This past week I finished reading Moonlight Over Paris by Jennifer Robson. After leaving behind 1924 Paris, I have settled into 1955 rural Georgia. I am now reading Deborah Mantella's My Sweet Vidalia. It is described on Goodreads as a

. . . wise and witty, outstanding for its use of vibrant, poetic language and understated Southern dialect, as well as Mantella's clear-eyed observations of race relations as human relations, a cast of unforgettable characters, an in-depth exploration of the ties that bind, and its creative perspective. My Sweet Vidalia is a rare, wonderful, and complex look at hope, strength, the unparalleled power of unconditional love, and a young mother's refusal to give up.

One of the characters is a rather despicable human being. I might have let out a few choice words for him while reading last night. Luckily no one was around to hear me. Do you ever talk to your books? Or is that just me?

What I Am Watching: I had hoped Mouse's first introduction to Harry Potter would be through the books, but, alas, she has discovered the movies first. We haven't made our way through all of them yet, but she's insisting. I have reservations about her seeing the later movies, but we will see. She loves Hogwarts. And I just love her excitement over the fantaastical world J.K. Rowling has created. I hope she will like the books just as much--if not more.

My husband, Mouse and I just began season 4 of Doctor Who. These are all episodes my husband and I have seen before, of course, but we are getting closer to where we left off. I am all caught up with the medical drama Code Black. It reminds me of ER, which was a family favorite when I was growing up. Saturday night we watched The Lion King. Now I want to see the musical again.

What's Going On Off the Blog: My emotions have been kind of all over the place recently. Stress. Health issues. Maybe even horomones, although I hate that excuse. Work has picked up, and, as always, is not without its challenges. In addition to that, we are on a heightened security alert due to a credible threat made against staff as well as recent car break-ins in the office parking lot. To top it off, my daughter and I butted heads earlier in the week, and I am still kicking myself over the way I responded. I know I will have many more moments like that--no one is perfect--but it doesn't take away from how it made me feel.

Saturday my family and I bought a mattress for my daughter's "new" bed at the local high school. They were having a fundraiser, and we needed a mattress, and so it all worked out well for everyone. Mouse's bed is one of those convertible cribs that went from crib to toddler bed to a full size bed. She's quite excited.

Challenge & Dare Update: 

• What's In a Name? Reading Challenge  ~ I have yet to read a book for this one, I am afraid. Unless a broken wheel counts. I imagine somewhere someone does have a broken wheel in their home they use as maybe a table or chair or a planter . . . Yeah, it doesn't work. I guess it's good there is only a six book requirement. 
• Nonfiction Challenge ~ Another challenge I have yet to start. 
• COYER ~ I have read 8 books that qualify for the Clean Out Your E-Reads Challenge. I am really pleased with my progress so far. I have even linked my reviews to the challenge site--at least the ones that I have posted so far.
• The TBR Triple Dog Dare ~ I am doing well here too, sticking only to review books I received before January 1st. I wish I could say it was easy, but a couple have come my way since then that I have had the urge to pick up and read. I am standing firm, and I will succeed!
• FitReaders ~ This week I was able to get in three formal cardio workouts, as well as some informal walking which was my goal. As I mentioned before, I am taking it slow to start. This next week I hope to bump it up to five formal workouts. It will be easier with my husband back at work and no holidays to work around.

I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!

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© 2016, 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.