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.
I am loving the summer weather here right now. It is in the nineties and sunny. We had one day of an ugly haze which many wondering if it was smog. It turned out it was dust from a dust storm in the eastern desert. This weekend we are kicking back and watching some of the Olympic events. Although I really need to dust. And there's the rest of the laundry to get to . . .
A souvenir from my mom to Mouse, from her trip to Vietnam
How is your weekend? What are you up to? Are you reading anything worthwhile? Please share!
Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.
If you recommend a book to someone, do you also send that person your review? (submitted by Elizabeth)
No, I do not generally give someone a copy of my review when I am recommending a book to him or her. I might offer a comment about how much I liked a book why I think the person might like the book too, but nothing more than that. I will share a link to my review if asked. To actually send or hand someone a copy of my review unsolicited would make me uncomfortable, actually.
I do post links to my reviews on Twitter and Goodreads, as well as on NetGalley or Edelweiss when appropriate. And occasionally I will include links to my reviews when listing my monthly reads in one of my online book groups (although generally I don't). I also link my reviews when I am discussing a book on my own book blog, more for reference sake than to recommend a book.
What about you? Do you give or send your review when recommending a book?
New to my Shelves: Look what came in the mail this Saturday! I am always excited to see My Lit Box arrive. Look at my goodies this month: A copy of Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn, an image by Xavier Xpayne of Radio Raheem, a character from Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, and a bookmark in honor of what would have been James Baldwin's 92nd birthday if he were still alive. Here Comes the Sun has been on my radar for quite a while now. I am glad to have a copy all my own!
Did any new books come your way this week?
I do post links to my reviews on Twitter and Goodreads, as well as on NetGalley or Edelweiss when appropriate. And occasionally I will include links to my reviews when listing my monthly reads in one of my online book groups (although generally I don't). I also link my reviews when I am discussing a book on my own book blog, more for reference sake than to recommend a book.
What about you? Do you give or send your review when recommending a book?
New to my Shelves: Look what came in the mail this Saturday! I am always excited to see My Lit Box arrive. Look at my goodies this month: A copy of Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn, an image by Xavier Xpayne of Radio Raheem, a character from Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, and a bookmark in honor of what would have been James Baldwin's 92nd birthday if he were still alive. Here Comes the Sun has been on my radar for quite a while now. I am glad to have a copy all my own!
Did any new books come your way this week?
What I Am Reading: I just started reading Susan Spann's The Ninja's Daughter, a mystery set in 1565 Japan. It is my first book by the author, and I am excited to be reading it for an upcoming tour. This past week I finished reading the mystery The Sixth Idea by P.J. Tracy and a romance with a strong mystery element, When I Found You by Kate James. I enjoyed both.
What I Am Watching: We stayed up late to watch the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics on Friday night. We all slept in the next day. I got the chance this past week to catch a couple episodes of Stranger Things, a science fiction horror show set in the 1980's. It is as good as everyone said it is. I am quite enjoying it. I also watched an episode of Zoo (I am one behind now). I admit I am not enjoying the show as much as I did the first season. My interest is beginning to wane.
Around the Blogosphere:
- On Reviewing Less - Memory of In The Forest Of Stories on scaling back
- Thoughts on Thursday: Why I Read What I Read - Charlie of Girl of 1000 Wonders, asks us to explore why we read what we read and how we pick the next book we will read.
- Starting With The ‘Right’ Book - Charlie of The Worm Hole, asks "When was the last time you ‘knew’ you should be starting with a certain book but read another instead?" Particularly when the book is by the same author.
What's Going On Off the Blog: It was a relatively quiet week. The theme at summer camp this week was insects and Mouse came how with lots of pictures she had colored of bugs. Our adjustment and strict adherence to her new bedtime seems to be working as she's a lot more pleasant and cooperative in the evenings when it's time for bed. I would still like to aim for earlier, especially with school starting and her needing to be up a bit earlier. So, we will continue to work on that over the next two weeks.
In just another week and a half, Mouse will meet her new soccer team. Her first official soccer team. She's been playing soccer since she was two, but is was more of a class setting with lots of fun skill-building games but no actual games other than scrimmages amongst each other as the kids got older. I was half dreading to hear when the scheduled practices would be during the week, and it could have been worse. I work in an office that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and everyone's shift is pretty much set to ensure we have adequate coverage at all times. I have some leeway as a supervisor, but not much. I figured it didn't hurt to ask. I went into my manager's office with a couple optional plans, along with the reason why I felt coverage wouldn't be disrupted.
My manager and I had been considering starting me earlier on my shift for awhile now, and so my request to leave earlier one day a week fit in with that as I would need to make up the time somehow (and leaving later was out of the question). So, with approval for the permanent (as permanent as any shift schedule can be) earlier start time, my manager also approved my request to flex my time to attend the soccer practices during the soccer season. I expected a no, to be honest, and so was thrilled when she let me have it. Mouse will be able to attend the weekly practices, and I get to adjust to waking up even earlier (ugh).
My new schedule and soccer start the week after next. Mouse is excited and nervous. There are five other girls on her team and she's eager to meet them.
Mouse's swim lessons are coming along. I have to remind myself that it isn't fair to Mouse or me to compare her progress with other children's. It's hard sometimes when I see her friends picking it up so quickly, and Mouse still struggling. If it was any other sport or activity, I probably would not stress as much about it, but when it comes to water safety and swimming, especially with her grandparents having a pool in their backyard, it's a priority for me that she learn to swim. Mouse loves the water. She loves playing in the water.
But she's so afraid to try swimming on her own. It's easy to blame the instructor last summer whose actions traumatized Mouse and made her afraid to even try further, but I don't know if that's all it is. When I've casually asked Mouse, it generally goes back to that moment.
Her current instructor and I emphasize the fun of learning to swim. I do my best not to pressure her. And Mouse enjoys the lessons. She loves her instructor and is always eager to go to lessons. When I've asked her if she wants to take a break, she always says no. So, I don't feel as if I am pushing her to do something she doesn't want to do. Children learn at different speeds, and Mouse will get there when she's ready. She has come a long way from when she started with the private lessons in terms of her fears. I am really proud of her.
This Past Week In Reading Mews:My manager and I had been considering starting me earlier on my shift for awhile now, and so my request to leave earlier one day a week fit in with that as I would need to make up the time somehow (and leaving later was out of the question). So, with approval for the permanent (as permanent as any shift schedule can be) earlier start time, my manager also approved my request to flex my time to attend the soccer practices during the soccer season. I expected a no, to be honest, and so was thrilled when she let me have it. Mouse will be able to attend the weekly practices, and I get to adjust to waking up even earlier (ugh).
My new schedule and soccer start the week after next. Mouse is excited and nervous. There are five other girls on her team and she's eager to meet them.
Mouse's swim lessons are coming along. I have to remind myself that it isn't fair to Mouse or me to compare her progress with other children's. It's hard sometimes when I see her friends picking it up so quickly, and Mouse still struggling. If it was any other sport or activity, I probably would not stress as much about it, but when it comes to water safety and swimming, especially with her grandparents having a pool in their backyard, it's a priority for me that she learn to swim. Mouse loves the water. She loves playing in the water.
Her current instructor and I emphasize the fun of learning to swim. I do my best not to pressure her. And Mouse enjoys the lessons. She loves her instructor and is always eager to go to lessons. When I've asked her if she wants to take a break, she always says no. So, I don't feel as if I am pushing her to do something she doesn't want to do. Children learn at different speeds, and Mouse will get there when she's ready. She has come a long way from when she started with the private lessons in terms of her fears. I am really proud of her.
- Sunday Post: July Wrap Up, Roses & Another Month of the Comment Challenge!
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (08/02/2016) (Including My Top Ten Books You'd Buy Right This Second If Someone Handed You A Fully Loaded Gift Card)
- Shelf Control: Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park
- Bookish Thoughts: The American Girl by Kate Horsley
Help me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:
My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Sunday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow. While I will attempt to post my review that same month, I make no promises--it may go up the following month.
I originally was going to list three cozy mysteries for you to choose from, but cozies feel more like fall reads to me. And we are still in the middle of summer. Instead, I went for three rather short-ish books that sounded like fun escapist reads. Will you help me choose which one to read next? I actually have a favorite of this bunch, which hasn't been the case since I started this meme. Can you guess which one it is? (The covers are linked the books' Goodreads pages.)
The Girl's Guide to the Apocalpse by Daphne Lamb
Welcome to the Apocalypse. Your forecast includes acid rain, roving gangs and misplaced priorities, in this comedic take on the end of the world as we know it, from debut author Daphne Lamb. [from Goodreads]Verdell doesn't sound the easiest of characters to like (self-involved, ill-equipped), but the description of this novel suggests it will be full of laughs--not to mention a book that doesn't take itself too seriously. This sounds like a good escape from today's realities.
Club Monstrosity by Jesse Petersen
Natalie’s one of Frankenstein’s creations and works in a New York City morgue. So of course she needs therapy. She and her friends—er, fellow monsters—have formed the world’s most exclusive, most dysfunctional support group. What could go wrong? [from Goodreads]When one of their group ends up murdered, the members of Monstofelldosis Anonymous decide to do a little investigating on their own. Petersen's book sounds like it will offer a few laughs, maybe a few suspenseful gasps, and be entertaining all the while.
Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell
She has 30 days to turn her enemy into her boyfriend... [from Goodreads]Charlie's job is at risk of losing her job unless she can prove that her algorithm for love works. Reporter Daniel, on the other hand, is out to prove this online matchmaking scheme is pure con in order to rebuild his ruined reputation. A light romance with a touch of humor seems like a great summer read.
I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!
© 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.
I love the warm weather too! Though that dust storm doesn't sound like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually send people links to my reviews either when I recommend a book. I figure they can find it easily enough if they're actually interested by visiting my blog or checking GR.
That's great that you were able to get your work schedule adjusted, and how exciting that Mouse is starting with her first official soccer team! Good luck to her :-)
I have that Apocalypse book, so I voted for that one because I want to see what you think of it lol. It sounds funny.
Have a great week!
Kristen - It wasn't what I expected from a dust storm at all, but maybe it's because we just got what was leftover.
DeleteI am grateful my boss was willing to work with me schedule-wise. So many activities seem to be scheduled so early for kids--it makes it hard for working parents and their kids. :-S
Thank you for voting! The Girl's Guide to the Apocalypse does sound like it will be a fun one!
Yay for nice weather- and the Olympics! I love the Games and will be watching as much as possible for the next two weeks. I liked Stranger Things, and I've totally fallen off the wagon with Zoo. After liking the first season, I watched the S2 premiere and have just stopped. Not sure why my interest waned so fast, but it just wasn't grabbing me.
ReplyDeleteThe Ninja's daughter sounds interesting, I think that period of time in Japan would be fascinating. And good luck with the soccer!
I voted for Geek Girl's Guide to the Apocalypse- it sounds fun.
Greg - Our poor air conditioner isn't having to work as hard, which is nice. And I'm not afraid to go outside. :-)
DeleteMy husband is hoping Los Angeles will win their bid for the next Olympics so we can attend. Haha.
You haven't missed anything by not watching the Zoo this season behind the premiere.
Thank you for voting! Two votes for the Girl's Guide to the Apocalpyse so far. :-)
The weather has been the same up here, except no dusty wind. We just have bad air.
ReplyDeleteYay for soccer starting! That's too bad about the swimming. Water safety is so important. If she can at least learn to flip on her back and float for now would help a lot. Then hopefully the rest will follow.
Oh man, I forgot all about Club Monstrosity! I wanted to read that. So of course that's what I voted for. :)
Have a great week!
Christy - Bad air makes staying indoors much more attractive, doesn't it? We need rain to clean the air.
DeleteMouse is really excited about being on a real team. :-) At this age, it's all about having fun and isn't very competitive. Which is good because my daughter is not competitive at all. LOL
She's so afraid to even try to float on her own. She is just recently willing to lie on her back in the water (as long as her instructor holds on). She'll get there, I'm sure. We have to keep the faith, right?
Club Monstrosity sounds so good! Thank you for voting. :-)
I'm so glad you were able to change your work times a little bit so that Mouse can go to soccer practice. It goes to show that you can't get a 'yes' if you don't ask.
ReplyDeleteI hope Mouse will learn swimming, and it's true that it's hard sometimes when it comes to comparing. I keep telling my kids to only compare themselves to themself... but I know I sometimes compare myself to others, so I can't really expect that they get it all the time.
I voted for your Greeklandia book, I just thought the title was a good one ;)
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
Lexxie - I am glad too! I know not every working parent is as lucky--and I know I wouldn't have been if the practice time was any earlier--or more days during the week. She'd still get to play the games on Saturdays even if she couldn't make the practices, but she would miss out on so much, I think. This way, she can get the full experience.
DeleteThat's a good lesson--to only compare yourself to yourself. It's hard to follow sometimes though.
Thank you for voting! I look forward to seeing which one will win. :-)
I recommend books all the time to friends and colleagues but I've never once told them to go read my review! That would seem too in your face for me and verging on spammy. If the person knows you blog, they know they can check the review.
ReplyDeleteAnd fair play to your boss, it's great that they have been so accommodating. It means a lot and really helps you have a work/life balance where you can fit in the mportant things. I'm sure Mouse will be swimming confidently eventually if you just keep doing what you are doing. The best thing is that she enjoys it.
Trish - I think so too--it seems a bit tacky to me. It'd be different if I was a publicist pitching a book, but I'm just a reader/book blogger.
DeleteI am very grateful to my boss for being so accommodating. I know she doesn't have to be. And probably wouldn't be if it interferred with our agency's business needs.
And thank you for your kind words about Mouse's swimming. I know you are right. :-)
Club Monstrosity and Girl's Guide to the Apocalypse BOTH sound amazingly good! Such a hard vote to make lol!
ReplyDeleteVerushka - I think they both sound good too! I look forward to reading both of them.
DeleteI love those nesting dolls! So cute!
ReplyDeleteI bet she will have a blast with soccer. Glad you were able to get a schedule adjustment too!
Steph - Aren't they beautiful? I love nesting dolls. I think she'll have a lot of fun with soccer too. She isn't very competitive, but at this stage, it's okay because no one else is really either. LOL
DeleteIt takes so much time to "un-learn" bad attitudes and bad habits. My friend was telling me the other day about the horrible experience she had when she was learning to ride a bike...and how, to this day, she still won't get on a bike. Let's hope that won't happen for Mouse.
ReplyDeleteHere's my first (what?!!) movie review.
Deb - It really does take time, and getting over a bad experience can be especially hard. I'm glad she's not completely afraid of the water. That's hopeful, at least.
DeleteLove the cover of The Ninja's Daughter! A manager who knows how to be flexible often gets better results--I'm glad your manager let you make the alteration to your schedule!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - Isn't it a great cover? I like it too. I'm still early in the book, but liking it so far.
DeleteI really wasn't expecting my manager to say yes as she can be rather rigid about certain things. I am glad she was willing to be flexible in this regard. I think it helped that I went in with a plan of why it would work too, not compromising our business needs. She may be demanding, but she's also reasonable and flexible when need be.
I think we're the only people in the country not caught up in the Olympics. I bet things will just click with Mouse and swimming one day.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I imagine you are right. One day, it will suddenly click for her and she'll be like a little fish. :-)
DeleteThe Girls Guide to the Apocalypse got my vote.
ReplyDeleteRachael - Thank you for voting! I look forward to seeing which one wins. :-)
DeleteI don't send my reviews as well! What I do is just babble on incoherently so they get that I really like it, or shrug and say "eeehhhh" when I don't quite do.
ReplyDeleteI voted for Geeklandia! And I added it to my TBR list as well, it sounds so cute.
I'm glad Mouse likes her swimming lessons! I remember when I was trying to learn how to swim nothing really came out of it because it was a large class, and the instructor really couldn't teach us all properly. I still like pools though, haha.
Nina - Haha! That sounds like me too, especially when I really like a book.
DeleteThank you for voting! Geedlandia does sound cute, I agree. I am trying not to cheat and see which one is winning so far. It's always so tempting.
We tried the group lessons for awhile and she was slowly making progress. And then last summer she had that bad experience when the instructor dropped her in the water because she was frustrated Mouse wasn't picking up the skill fast enough. Mouse has been in private lessons since this spring. She's much happier.
Good news that you were able to rearrange your work schedule to fit the soccer schedule! Trying to work the things we want our kids to do into our schedules is one of the hardest things about being a parent. Mouse will get the whole swimming thing but I do understand why you are anxious for it to go faster. My mom never learned to swim and she is terrified of the water; my dad was a very strong swimmer so she knew he would want us around water. We started taking lessons early and all became strong swimmers which really made life easier for my mom.
ReplyDeleteLisa - It really is. I don't want Mouse to lose out on certain experiences just because she has working parents. I know it won't always be possible, but I am glad she'll be able to get the full experience this time around at least. :-)
DeleteMy office records every child death in the county and drownings are one the number one causes, especially this time of year. It's a very real fear of mine, especially with so many people who have pools. It's one area I don't want to have to worry about her so much, you know? I am glad your dad encouraged you all to become strong swimmers. I know it helped your mom sleep at night.
I haven't heard of any of the books on your list but Lost in Geeklandia sounds like fun. I hope all goes well with your daughter's soccer team and that she has a great time. I'm glad you were able to get your work schedule changed so you can attend.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of your summer! I love the warmer weather and sunny days too.
Christina - Thank you! I think she will have a lot of fun with her soccer team. It's a chance for her to meet some kids in our area as well as enjoy herself. :-)
DeleteI hope you enjoy the rest of your summer too!
We haven't started watching the Olympics yet but I want to try and watch a little tonight. It is tough about the swimming. Eleanor and Paul got it really quickly but Emma was never a fan. She took all the same lessons but never got it as quickly and when it came down to it she just didn't like it. She can swim now well enough but it still isn't her thing. That's awesome about the work schedule! That coordination is always so challenging and that's great you were able to come up with something that worked for everyone. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I hope you enjoy some of the Olympic games. I wish they gymnastics were on earlier. They always play them so late. Often when we're already in bed.
DeleteThank you for sharing your story about your kids and swimming. That goes to show you how differently kids take to different activities. They each have different strong suits.
I feel grateful I was able to work out a way for Mouse to attend her soccer practices. I was prepared to either ask for a refund or have her just attend the Saturday games, but I'm glad it worked out.
Good for you, changing your work schedule. There was a time, back in the day, when we had flex time. But then management took it away. That's when I started counting down to when I could retire. LOL. I didn't like the management style of the agency from then on. So glad that I am now beyond those years.
ReplyDeleteI am eager to read The American Girl.
Enjoy your week and the new school year Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Laurel-Rain - Even as a supervisor I try to accomodate my staff when I can, but it isn't always possible. We have to ensure our coverage needs are met first. In all the years I've been with the agency, I have seen us go from flexible to rigid, to flexible again and back to rigid. Right now we seem to be in between.
DeleteI hope you get a chance to read The American Girl and enjoy it when you do!
The Lit Box?? Never even heard of it. We don't have such fun boxes in SA! And to order it is just sooooo expensive if you add postage with. So jealous. Good luck with the new work schedule! Here's my Sunday Post: http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2016/08/the-sunday-post-07-august-2016.html
ReplyDeleteMareli - My Lit Box is a subscription box that offers diverse or POC author books. I am really enjoying it. I wish there was a way to make stuff like that available to those in other countries for less money. Shipping is outrageous when shipping overseas. :-(
DeleteThank you for the good luck wishes! I am not excited about having to wake up even earlier than I do, but it's the price of getting off earlier--and that's a perk I like. Haha
I've been binge watching White Collar with the man. The new work schedule seems to work out well for you - so glad your boss said yes! It never does hurt to ask. It is so fun to see Mouse's new activities. I hope she loves her new soccer team. The swimming fears are tough because you want her to be safe and enjoy the water. The more she realizes she can really do, I think the more she'll start becoming an independent swimmer. Turning the skill-building and practice into games was one of the big motivators for me. I became the fastest swimmer and could beat all the boys! I also enjoyed the rings at the bottom of the pool. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCharlie - I haven't seen White Collar, but it looks good!
DeleteI'm both dreading and looking forward to the new work schedule. The getting up earlier--not so much. Haha! I'm excited Mouse will get to attend her soccer practices. She's really looking forward to playing this season on a real team. :-)
She seems to enjoy the private lessons and the individual attention of her teacher. She's gotten over some of her fears, although it's a work in progress. I agree with you; I think the more confident she feels in her self, the more she'll excel. Her instructor and I are doing our best to keep it a fun and stress-free experience for her to help her get there.
I've never been a great swimmer (and I hate getting my face wet or water in my nose). When I ended up at a college that requires students to pass a swim test to graduate, I did the whole test using a back stroke. Hopefully Mouse will do better, but I think you are smart to make sure she is at least safe if she falls in the deep end.
ReplyDeleteJeanene - Me too! I am not a fan of water in my face either, and so tend to swim on my back when in the pool. I really just want her to be able to hold her own in the water. As you said, make sure she is safe if she falls in.
DeleteI'm glad your boss was able to flex your schedule so you could be there for Mouse's practices. She'll remember that when she's grown. And you're doing the right thing with the swimming. If she enjoys and wants to keep going, don't worry about the slow progress; she'll get there in her own time.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea which book you should read, but the light romance seems particularly summery, so I voted for it. Have fun!
Lark - I think she'll really enjoy it, and am glad she'll be able to participate fully in the season. And you're right. She'll get there with the swimming when she's ready.
DeleteThank you for voting!
Glad to hear you're having some nice weather lately. And that's a relief it wasn't smog, but just dust.
ReplyDeleteUsually I don't send my review when recommending someone a book. They can usually find my review easily if they want to or ask for it. But unless it's obvious they want to read my review, I wouldn't send them my review.
That's nice your work schedule could be shifted around so you can go to Mouse her practice. I hope she'll enjoy it!
I voted for the Girl's Guide to the Apocalypse, as it sounds like a fun one. I hope you'll have a great week!
Lola - Thank you! The cooler temperatures have been so nice. I hope it lasts, but we probably won't be so lucky.
DeleteI hope she'll enjoy being on a soccer team too. I think she will. :-)
Thank you for voting! The Apocalypse book does sound fun. :-)
I am so sorry Mouse had such a bad experience with swimming last year! That is awful. Hopefully as she gets more good times, that experience fades! And I hope she enjoys soccer! Thats awesome that your job was able to accommodate! I remember how difficult it was for my parents to try and figure out how they were going to get us all to all our sports!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week!
Samantha - Thank you. I am hoping she'll work through her fears the more she realizes how much she loves the water. It would nice if she makes friends (and I do too) and another parent can help out--maybe we can trade off even--but I don't want to rely on that. Where there's a will, there's a way, right? I'm just glad I was able to work it out for her this time. :-) I do think that if my mother ever really does move down this way as she keeps saying she would like to do, it would help tremendously!
DeleteMy granddaughter is five and this weekend swimming really clicked with her and she gained confidence. It has been a struggle, especially since we have a pool. Hopefully it will happen for Mouse too! I love the nesting dolls (I collect them). Have a great week.
ReplyDelete'Nise - I am so glad your granddaughter is gaining more confidence in swimming! Hopefully Mouse will too at some point. We don't have regular access to a pool and so it's going to be a step back when her lessons end the end of this month. I had hoped she could keep up the private lessons, but the pool will be closing with the start of school. We'll have to wait until they start again before getting back to it. Hopefully she won't forget everything she's learned.
DeleteI really need to watch the Olympics too! Here’s my Sunday Post!
ReplyDeleteRonyell - We've enjoyed what we've seen so far. :-)
DeleteI love the summer wether and am so excited to watch the Olympics - even if it keeps me up late!! I really need to start Stranger Things. Everyone has loved it. I voted for A Girl's Guide to the Apocalypse because it sounds super fun. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteGrace - I am not a fan of the triple digit temperatures, but I do like the longer days during the summer. :-) I wish I could stay up late to watch the Olympics, but then I wouldn't be able to function at work the next day. Ugh. Stranger Things is good. I hope you get a chance to watch it!
DeleteThank you for voting! I hope you have a good week too!
That is so great your work is willing to make it so you can take Mouse to soccer! I wish my work was so easy-going. I have been trying to take Mackie to obedience and it never works for my work schedule. :(
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Kelly - I feel very lucky my boss agreed. I really hadn't expected it given the demands of our office.
DeleteI totally agree with you regarding the question of sending review links along with book recommendations. That would make me feel uncomfortable, too. It just feels like that would be an ego trip kind of thing to do. I don't expect people to read my review of a book just because I'm recommending it. So we're on the same page here! (Yes, pun intended, lol.) Like you, I would send a review link if someone asked me for one, but not unless that happened.
ReplyDeleteJames Baldwin is one of those writers whose books I'm embarrassed to admit I've never read....gotta do something about that! As for "Here Comes The Sun", it sounds like too much of an emotional story for me to handle, so I'll pass on it. Hope you do enjoy reading it, though!
I've heard of "The Ninja's Daughter", and it does sound very interesting! I might give this one a go. Thanks for mentioning it!
For your TBR read, I picked "Lost In Geeklandia". It sure sounds like a fun read, and the other two books come across as too depressing. But that's just me. I don't know if you and the rest of the people who voted will agree. The thing is, lighthearted, fun reads seem more appropriate for summer. But again, this is my own opinion. :)
I LOVE those "stackable" dolls your mom gave to Mouse!! What a beautiful treasure! They have similar dolls in the Ukraine. They're gorgeous examples of folk art. I'm sure Mouse will love them for many years to come!
How WONDERFUL that you were able to work out a flexible schedule with your manager, in order to be there for Mouse's soccer practices!! Most managers are NOT that understanding, believe me! I've NEVER met one like yours -- at least, not in office settings. In my part-time school job (at night), I have had two supervisors who were kind, understanding, and sweet. They were both Assistant Principals, each at a different school. One was a man, the other, a woman. I worked in one school two nights a week, and at the other one the other two nights. I still have a part-time night job (I teach ESOL to adults), but the Assistant Principal at this school is not quite that nice. I just stay out of his way, though. Ditto for the Principal, who can be nice, but not all the time.
Again, I've never, ever met a really nice, kind manager at ANY of the office jobs I've held. I guess the corporate world is not normally known for kindness and understanding....so you are VERY lucky, Wendy!!
I'm so glad Mouse is all hyped up about her soccer practices!! Who knows, maybe she'll be a soccer star in the future!
It's great to hear that her swimming lessons are going so well, too! The most important thing is that her fear of the water is gone. And you're very right to keep up her lessons, since of course Mouse will be using her grandparents' swimming pool, at some point.
Thanks for sharing all of your bookish and family "mews", Wendy!! LOVE reading these posts!! Hope you all have a WONDERFUL week!! (I am now on vacation for the next two weeks. YAY!!!) <3 :)
Maria - Thank you for your thoughtful comment! It's nice to know there are many of us on the same page when it comes to book recommendations and sharing our reviews.
DeleteI haven't read anything by James Baldwin either--this will be my first. I have heard wonderful things about the book and am excited to read it. As you know, I like emotional books from time to time, but I know not everyone does.
Sadly, I'm making very slow progress in my reading right now. It's not the book's fault. I'm blaming my interest in the Olympics.
Thank you for voting! All three books are actually billed as being humorous and light, which is why I selected them for the TBR List Poll this month. :-)
It came as a surprise to me too that my request was granted. I don't think it would have been if it had interfered with our business needs. I don't know that I'll be so lucky again, but I'm grateful I am able to do it now.
I hope you have wonderful week too! Enjoy your vacation!
P.S. I just went back and re-read the short synopsis for the Apocalypse book. I missed the part about the humor, the first time around. I just saw the words "Apocalypse" and "dystopian", and skipped over the rest. Weird how the brain works, right? I don't usually enjoy reading dystopian novels, but, since humor is involved in this particular one, I would definitely make an exception. Too late now, though, since I've already voted....lol. So, you now know that, for me, it's a tie between "The Girl's Guide to the Apocalypse" and "Lost In Geeklandia". Enjoy whichever book wins!! <3 :)
ReplyDeleteMaria - Hopefully I'll eventually get to read all three. :-)
DeleteLost in Geeklandia sounds so cute. I voted for that one. I think it's really awesome your boss is able to work with your schedule and Mouse's soccer schedule.
ReplyDeleteTina - It does sound cute, doesn't it? :-) Thank you for voting!
DeleteI am still in shock she said yes. I keep waiting for her to take it back. LOL
I only show my reviews online too some readers who ask but in person I don't I just recommend them the book. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog hop.
ReplyDeleteKatiria - It sounds like all of us are on the same page when it comes to book recommendations and sharing our reviews. :-)
DeleteLost in Geeklandia sound interesting. Hope you enjoy whichever book wins! Glad you're having great weather, too!
ReplyDeleteHmm... I also don't send my review to people who ask for book recommendations. I might mention, as an aside, that I blog reviews and if they are interested in my thoughts, they can find me at such and such website or on Goodreads, or something like that. But sending someone my full review of a book feels a bit weird--like I'm forcing reading material on them. But for the most part, I only recommend and stated some highlights of why I recommend said book.
Ani - I hope I do too. I peeked and it's a tie right now. I've never had a tie yet . . .
DeleteI feel the same way about sending reviews along with my recommendations. It would feel weird, I think. Like you, I might explain why I think they might like a book, but that's about it.
Great Lit Box goodies - that book is also on my wishlist! I hope Mouse continues to have a good time with swimming class. Sounds like she's doing great!
ReplyDeleteIliana - I really need to make time for my Lit Box books. All of them have sounded so good. Hopefully soon!
DeleteIt's wonderful that your superior gives you flexi time so you can attend Mouse's soccer. I think many companies here still adhere to strict office hours, though some are trying to change that after more requests from working mothers.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying not to get caught up with the Olympics too much; and I'm selective with the events I watch. :)
Melody - I think it helps that my boss is a working mother herself. :-)
DeleteYou are probably wise not to get caught up in the Olympics too much. We are not big sports fans in our house, but the Olympics are a big deal. I love seeing so many athletes from varying countries and backgrounds come together and not only compete, but also form friendships. Some of them have had to overcome quite a few obstacles to get to where they are. The refugees in particular have won my heart. I am so glad they are able to compete despite their circumstances. I do wish American media coverage was better though. :-(