I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by the wonderful Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where participants 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. As well as Stacking the Shelves hosted by the great Team Tynga's Reviews, a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.
What I Am Reading/Listening to Now: I don't often have more than one book going at once, unless it is an audiobook and a print/e-book. Right now I find myself having started four:
- I Want My Epidural Back: Adventures in Mediocre Parenting by Karen Alpert - which I can only read in small doses.
- Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie - recommended by my husband.
- Girl in Disguise by Greer Macallister - I am listening to this one in audio and have about three hours left to go.
- Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum - a book long on my TBR shelf I am finally dusting off to read for a read-along hosted by Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) and Anna (Diary of an Eccentric) over at the War Through the Generations Challenges blog this month.
May In Review: I had high hopes to read more in May, but it evidently was meant to be an average reading month. I am still wondering where all my reading time went to. I was home for nearly a week from work with strep throat this past month, and focusing on a book was impossible. I couldn't read with Mouse for about a week and a half. I ended up binge watching Supernatural in between naps. I also dedicated more time to blog prep, catching up on my review writing and scheduling posts for the upcoming summer. So, I guess in between that, work, and family life, I do know where all my reading time went after all . . . Hopefully June will be better.
Solely For Me:
- LaRose by Louise Erdrich
- Planetfall by Emma Newman
- Radio Girls by Sarah Jane-Stratford
- Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary-Robinette Kowal
- The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes (Audio)
Some of the Books I Read With My Daughter in May (many of which we read over and over and over again. And then again):
- Mom, There's a Bear at the Door by Sabine Lipan & Manuela Olten
- Fancy Nancy and the Mean Girl by Jane O'Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser & Ted Enik
- How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
- Rocket Writes a Story by Tad Hills
- Fancy Nancy: Fancy Day in Room 1-A by Jane O'Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser & Ted Enik
- Froggy Bakes a Cake by Jonathan London & Frank Remkiewicz
- Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer
- One by Kathryn Otoshi
- It's Mine! by Leo Lionni
- Biscuit Goes to School by Alyssa Satin Capucilli & Pat Schories
- The Dark by Lemony Snicket & Jon Klassen
- Lexie the Word Wrangler by Rebecca Van Slyke & Jessie Hartland
- Beautiful Bananas by Elizabeth Laird, Liz Pichon
- Chalk by Bill Thomson
- Scary Party by Sue Hendra
- Wave by Suzy Lee
- Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin & James Dean
- What's Inside? Neighborhood by by DwellStudio
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty & David Roberts
My Favorite Book Read in May: How to choose?! Radio Girls was so much fun to read and brought out the researcher in me. In many ways, I think it was my favorite. But Erdrich's LaRose was such a beautiful and touching story. For different reasons, I think of it as a favorite this past month too.
Mouse's Favorite Book Read in May: Mouse loved making up her own stories to the illustration-only books, Chalk and Wave, this month. Her favorite though was Lexie the Word Wrangler, which I think spoke to the reader and budding writer in her. We read the book multiple times during its two week visit with us from the library.
Book Reviews Posted in May (but not necessarily read in May):
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (Including My Top Favorite Covers for Each Year of Blogging)
- Sunday Post: It is Time For May's TBR Poll & Free Comic Book Day!
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (Including My Top Ten Things I Would Like to See More of in Books)
- Sunday Post: Happy Mother's Day! (And My May TBR List Winner)
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (05/23/2017)
- Mouse's Corner: Happy Memorial Day
How did your May shape up reading wise? What was your favorite book you read in May?
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New To My Shelves:
June's My Lit Box arrived recently much to my excitement. May's theme was "Growing Pains" and was filled with a number of goodies, including a tote, magnet and two books.
Sunday Sugar by Q. Gibson & It's Not Like It's a Secret by Misa Sugiura
Deadtown & Hellforged
I bought one e-book this past week:
Ancillary Justice (Imperial Radch #1) by Ann Leckie
Have you read any of these? What new books did you add to your shelves this week?
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Thank you for helping 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 Saturday 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 (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).
For the next couple or so months you might notice a theme in my poll reading choices. While last month the theme was historical fiction, this month it is mysteries. In both cases, all books had the word "girl" or "girls" in the title. I'm determined to work my way through all my girl-titled books! Which do you think I should read next? Thank you for voting!
Dead Girl Walking by Christopher Brookmyre ~ Journalist Jack Parlabane will do anything to rebuild his reputation and put the past behind him. Finding musician Heike Gunn may be his last chance. She's disappeared and everywhere Parlabane looks he finds more secrets and unanswered questions.
The Lost Girls of Rome by Donato Carrisi, Howard Curtis (translator) ~ A forensic analyst with the Rome police recently lost her husband. The authorities believe it was a suicide, but his wife isn't convinced. She begins her own investigation into his death, which leads her into dangerous territory, including a possible centuries-old secret society.
Girl in the Dark by Marion Pauw, Hester Velmans (translator) ~ A mother and lawyer is struggling to deal with issues with her own son, when she discovers she has a brother she never knew about. Digging for the truth, she discovers her brother is autistic and in a hospital for the criminally insane. He was accused of murdering a neighbor and her daughter. Could he really have committed the crime he is accused of? She isn't so sure.
I hope you all have a great weekend and upcoming week! Happy Reading!
© 2017, 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'm sure strep throat set you back - that is one nasty germ. May wasn't a great reading month for me either because we've had so much going on and I've been in and out of town. I don't think things are going to settle down for a while.
ReplyDeleteKathy - This was the first time I ever remember having strep throat, and it took me by complete surprise. I put off going to the doctor at first because I was so sure it was just a bad cold or the flu. Luckily, no one else in the house came down with it. That seems like some sort of miracle, considering how contagious it is!
DeleteI hope you are able to find some down time in all the busy-ness that's taken over your life right now, Kathy.
Have a wonderful week, and thanks for visiting!
Strep is nasty! Hope you're feeling better! I'm interested in Ancillary Justice as well, it's just popping up all over my world, so I may have to give it and read it! For your TBR List I choose Dead Girl Walking, for the music aspect and the cover. I liked the Lost Girls of Rome cover and an old secret society was tempting, but in the end, I'm going with Dead Girl Walking. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteShaunesay - It was horrible. I am feeling much better now, thank you. I don't read a lot of science fiction (although I am trying to change that), and Ancillary Justice is definitely a step into the deep end--at least from what I am used to. I am enjoying it so far. I know it's gotten mixed reviews.
DeleteThank you for voting! Dead Girl Walking does sound good. I really have no favorites this month. All my choices sound good to me. :-)
I hope you have a great week, Shaunesay. Thank you for stopping by!
Although all three sound interesting, I'm choosing Dead Girl Walking because I've enjoyed the books I've read by Brookmyre. I've only read one of the Jack Parlabane series, but promised myself I'd pick up the earlier books in the series. :)
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I have heard good things about Brookmyre, and am anxious to read Dead Girl Walking. This will be my first one. Thank you for voting, Jenclair! I hope you have a great week. Thank you for visiting. :-)
DeleteThe Lost Girls of Rome sounds amazing, so that got my vote!
ReplyDeleteTrish - I think it sounds really good too. I am looking forward to reading it! Thank you so much for voting! I hope you have a great week, and thank you for visiting.
DeleteThe Lost Girls of Rome got my vote though it was a tough choice between that one and Girl in the Dark. So sorry to hear about the strep throat. I've never been one who can read while really sick. At best I stare blankly at TV. Love all the books you're reading with Mouse! We're big Pete the Cat fans around here!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Thank you. I am such a baby when it comes to sore throats as it is, and that one was killer. Not to mention the other symptoms I had no idea came with strep. I am so glad that experience is behind me.
DeleteMouse really enjoys the Pete the Cat books, especially now that she's recognizing more and more words. Her favorite to read to me though are the Biscuit books. :-)
Thank you for voting! I am not sure which one I would like to win. I think I will be happy with any of them.
Have a great week, and thank you for stopping by, Katherine!
I went with Dead Girl Walking.
ReplyDeleteMouse read so many good books! My little hasn't been reading so much lately so I feel like a trip to the library is needed. I also love the title of "I want my epidural back".
Tina - Thank you for voting! I don't think I can go wrong with any of the choices--at least, I hope not. Haha
DeleteI am enjoying I Want My Epidural Back, although the humor is a tad darker than is comfortable for long.
I am hoping we can keep up the reading with summer coming. Luckily, it doesn't take much to convince Mouse to read with me, although she's still so hesitant about her own actual reading. Practice will bring confidence, I am sure.
Thank you for visiting, Tina! I hope you have a great week.
Don't feel bad, my May was kinda lackluster for reading too. :) And yup- maybe June will be better lol. Glad to hear Radio Girls was good- I've seen that one on a few blogs. yay for new urban fantasy- I need to read more of that.
ReplyDeleteI voted for The Lost Girls of Rome- secret societies get me every time. :)
Greg - Here's to a better June in reading. :-) I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Radio Girls (although I hoped I would).
DeleteThanks for voting, Greg! The Lost Girls of Rome does sound good. I can't resist a secret society either.
Have a great week! Thanks for visiting!
My Lit Box looks like a good one! I have to look into that. I went with Girl in the Dark because I have had the one and haven't gotten around to it. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteGrace - I think the organizer of My Lit Box is going through a YA phase right now. Not that I mind. There are so many good sounding books coming out right now. I'm looking forward to reading this month's selection.
DeleteThank you for voting! Girl in the Dark does sound really good, I think. I hope you have a great week too, and thank you for stopping by!
My May didn't go quiet as planned either. Having strep is terrible though. Glad you're on the mend. Ohh you read LaRose. I have it but haven't read it yet. I've enjoyed other books of hers too. Hope you have a better June.
ReplyDeleteChristy - Maybe June will be better for both of us! Thank you for the well wishes. Every hint of a sore throat now, I feel panicked because I worry the strep is coming back. Luckily, it usually turns out to be my allergies
DeleteLaRose was my first by Erdrich, but now I definitely want to read more by her.
I hope you have a great week, Christy! Thanks for visiting.
I have had Those Who Save Us on my kindle for years. I look forward to your thoughts on it...maybe you will inspire me to finally get to it. It sounds like you had a good month except for the strep throat. I hope your June is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteCarole - Those Who Save Us seems to be a book a lot of us have been hanging onto for awhile . . . I haven't heard any negative thoughts about it yet, which is good. It is a sad one.
DeleteI hope you have a great week, Carole. Thank you for visiting!
Strep throat is no minor thing...glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about Those Who Save Us...and Radio Girls is on my radar.
Enjoy! Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Laurel-Rain - I am still not sure where I caught the strep as no one in the house had it, but I guess it will be a mystery left unsolved. I'm just glad it's over.
DeleteI do recommend Radio Girls if you get the chance! I'll let you know about Those Who Save Us. :-)
Thank you for visiting, Laurel-Rain! Have a great week.
I can see where your reading time went too! I hope the strep is all gone. That really saps your mojo. Nancy's urban fantasy books look great. I've not heard of her before. Here's to a new month and great reads!
ReplyDeleteMy Sunday Post
Laura - Thank you! I am feeling much better now. I don't remember ever having strep before, and I was surprised how miserable it made me. I'm glad it's gone.
DeleteThe final book in Nancy Holzner's series is coming out and so I decided now would be a good time to dive into the series. Hopefully I can start it soon.
I hope you have a great week, Laura! Thank you for visiting.
Radio girl is a book I have had my eyes on for a while I need to get to it soon. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteMegan - I hope you do decide to give Radio Girls a try. I really enjoyed it. It's made me even more curious about the real life people mentioned in the book. I hope you have a great week too! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteIt still sounds like you got a pretty good reading month. I love that you read a lot with your daughter. Sounds like a perfect way to spend time with your girl.
ReplyDeleteBecause I was so busy with our wedding, I haven’t read all that much in May. But I’m back at it now! :D
Those Nancy Holzner books look like a lot of fun!!
Have a great week Wendy and Happy reading!
Maureen - Congratulations on your marriage! How exciting! I think it's very understandable why you weren't able to read much in May. :-)
DeleteMouse and I do love reading together. :-)
I am looking forward to trying Holzner's series!
I hope you have a great week, Maureen. Thank you for visiting!
Ancillary Justice is one I keep hearing people talk about, so I believe it's probably good :) enjoy!
ReplyDeleteEvelina - I am enjoying Ancillary Justice so far! I know it's gotten some mixed reviews, and so I was a little nervous about starting it.
DeleteThank you for stopping by! I hope you have a great week.
Hope you enjoy your new reads! I am voting for Lost Girls of Rome, the poll won't come up for me to vote on. (Wifi is so horrible in the Philippines. :( )
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Stormi
Week in Review
Stormi - Thank you for voting! I will make sure your vote gets recorded. :-) I think Lost Girls in Rome sounds really good as well.
DeleteI hope you are enjoying for visit in the Philippines! Have a great week, Stormi. Thanks for dropping in.
My May seemed to be less than average. I only completed 4 books in total. The Queen of Tearling was my favourite.
ReplyDeleteCai - I really want to read The Queen of Tearling. I am glad to hear you liked it so much!
DeleteThank you for stopping by, Cai. Have a great week!
Girl In The Dark looks good, I look forward to reading your review on that one. I am sure that strep throat kept you from doing too much reading. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCindy - I wish I was one of those readers who could read when I am sick, but, alas, that is rarely the case for me. I think Girl in the Dark sounds good too. I am looking forward to reading it! Thank you for voting!
DeleteI hope you have a great week, Cindy. Thanks for visiting!
I'm lucky if I read three books a month, but I'm ok with it. I hope you're feeling better, when I'm sick I can't read at all. I Want My Epidural Back sounds interesting! And it looks like you and the little one read some good books in May.
ReplyDeleteThe Lost Girls of Rome looks really good, happy reading!
Naida - I average about four or five usually, but I always hope to read more. I am feeling much better, thank you. I'm like you, I can't read when sick either. I Want My Epidural Back is quite tongue in cheek.
DeleteThank you for voting. The Lost Girls of Rome does sound good, I agree!
I hope you have a great week, Naida. Thank you for stopping by!
Sorry to hear you were so ill this month and yet couldn't get more reading in :( I've been dealing with severe sinus headache lately and it keeps me from reading more because keeping my head down hurts!
ReplyDeleteI love that you read such an eclectic mix of books! From kids' to UF to literary, such diverse picks. Main reason I love to follow your blog!
I read The Round House by Erdrich but haven't read LaRose. Many readers were disappointed by her books, find them slow, but I think sometimes that is the beauty of a story, to soak up the atmosphere and the author's mood. Enjoy your week!
Rita - Thank you. I am so sorry you have been dealing with health issues as well. Sinus headaches are no joke. They can be quite painful, I know. I hope you are feeling better.
DeleteSometimes I wish I had more of a reading niche, but I think I would get bored too easily if I read the same types of books all the time.
LaRose had its slow moments, but I still liked it quite a bit. I think some books are meant to make you slow down to read them. It's easy in today's day and age to want to rush through everything. I fall into that trap all too often, I'm afraid.
I hope you have a great week too! Thank you visiting.
Strep throat is sufficient to knock you back such that reading seems more of a chore. I have voted for the Christopher Brookmyre - it certainly won't be dull... I am impressed with just how much you read with Mouse - brilliant! She may or may not grow up to be a reader (sadly neither of my two are particularly book minded, even though I read constantly to them when they were little) BUT she will always be very comfortable around books. Have a great week and a successful monthe. My Sunday Post - https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2017/06/04/sunday-post-4th-june-2017/
ReplyDeleteSarah - It really is! I hadn't realized how bad strep throat could be!. Thank you so much for voting! I haven't read anything by Brookmyre before, but I am looking forward to giving him a try.
DeleteI hope Mouse will grow up to be a reader. Hopefully I'm giving her a good foundation. I know it's no guarantee though. There's so much else that can capture her attention out there.
I hope you have a great week too--and feel better! Thank you for stopping by, Sarah.
Oh girl in the dark sounds amazing!!! Hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteSamantha - Doesn't it? I think so too! Thank you for voting and visiting! I hope you have a great week too.
DeleteI've had Those Who Save Us and Shades of Milk and Honey on my TBR list for years. Hopefully I'll get to them someday.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a lot going on in May. Strep is awful. It is hard to concentrate on reading when you aren't feeling well. Hope June is a better month for you!
Christina - So many books and so little time . . . We do our best, don't we? Or at least try to. Haha
DeleteI hope you have a great week, Christina! Thank you for stopping by.
My daughter left me her copy of Radio Girls, so I hope to get to that soon. I've stalled in the middle of LaRose on audio, but am not really sure why... absolutely love the author's narration and writing. Hopefully I'll get back to it soon. Sorry to hear about the strep...fingers crossed June is a better month.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn - I hope you enjoy Radio Girls as much as I did, JoAnn. I found myself slowing down in the middle of LaRose too (although I read the print version), but it did pick up for me. I hope it does for you as well. Thank you for your well wishes!
DeleteI hope you have a great week, JoAnn! Thank you for visiting!
Ugghhh...those strep throats can be brutal. I hope you get better soon!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Sunday Post!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays!
Ronyell - I feel much better now, thank you. :-) I hope you have a great week and thanks for visiting!
DeleteSorry about the strep throat! Hope you're feeling better now, and maybe you'll finally get some more reading done soon!
ReplyDeleteKristen - Thank you. I am feeling much better now. Yes, I hope June will find me reading more, but we shall see! With Mouse out of school for half the month, I'm not sure what to expect!
DeleteThank you for visiting, and I hope you have a great week.
Hi- Glad you are feeling better now, it's always terrible to be too sick to read.
ReplyDeleteMy reading so far this year has not added up to many reads. In May I listened to Archer's Quest by Linda Sue Park and I started Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata. I added 4 books to my library (3 of them I found at Salvation Army): Cat vs. Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett, Son of the Black Stallion by Walter Farley, Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn, and Bush Craft 101 by Dave Canterbury.
Does Mouse ever read to the cats? I know lots of libraries have dogs available that kids read to and I think a cat would be good too.
I voted for Dead Girl Walking. I checked for the author on Bridges/Wilbor but couldn't find anything by him there.
Have a great week!
Carla - Thank you! I wouldn't wish strep on anyone. How are you liking Kira Kira? It sounds like it would be interesting. I hope you enjoy your new books!
DeleteMouse doesn't read to the cats, I'm afraid. I've suggested to her that Parker especially might enjoy it, especially a tale about Pete or Biscuit, but she says she'd rather read to me or her dad. Maybe someday she'll read to our cats. :-)
Thank you for voting! Dead Girl Walking does sound good! I hope you have a great week, Carla. Thank you for visiting!
You asked me about Kira Kira and I hadn't got back to you..
DeleteI thought to a certain degree you had to make alot of assumptions about what was happening with the older daughter and the folks. I enjoyed the Iowa connection although it was short. I really find myself wondering what the story would've been had it been told by the older sister.
I could relate to Katie watching the sunset because it was the "last time ever that the sun would set on a day (her loved one) had lived".
Enjoy your time off the blog!
These all sound so good! I voted for The Girl in the Dark.
ReplyDeleteI love that you have shared the books you've been reading with your daughter - as the mum of a 3yr old girl it's fun to see which books other kids are enjoying!
Bron - Thank you for voting, Bron! I hope to read The Girl in the Dark soon. I agree, they all sound good.
DeleteYou and your daughter have a lot of great reading ahead of you!
I hope you are enjoying your weekend! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Bron.
I adore the cover of It's Not Like it's a Secret, I hope the inside is just as good! I love how cat-themed your blog is :) <3
ReplyDeleteAmanda - I think it is a great cover as well! I haven't had a chance to start Not Like It's a Secret yet, but I am looking forward to it.
DeleteThank you! I'm quite fond of cats, as you can probably guess. :-)
Thank you for visiting and have a great weekend!
It is no fun to be sick and unable to read! Glad you are better. I've got to get a May wrap up going before June is over! I've been distracted with the new grandson.
ReplyDeleteNise' - No, it's definitely not. I am glad to be better too. I can understand wanting to spend all your time with your grandson instead of online. :-) He's much more important! Thanks for stopping by, Nise'! I hope you are having a great weekend.
DeleteWendy, children's books are my "world," so naturally that's what I'm drawn to first and foremost. You've got some GREAT books on Mouse's list and she obviously has good taste! I can tell you WAVE and CHALK are two favorites of mine, too :) You (and she) may enjoy the pic I have of Bill Thomson holding up one of his paintings from CHALK, my having met and talked with him a bit at the Princeton Book Festival :D Lucky me! Just scroll way down the page and you'll find him :)
ReplyDeletehttps://writersideup.com/2014/09/21/up-a-festival-of-books-in-princeton/
Meanwhile, I'm adding LEXIE, THE WORD WRANGLER to MY TBR! :D
Donna Marie - My daughter just came home with her latest book club order--and I couldn't believe how many books there are. I thought I'd done better at keeping it down this time. Oops. My poor six year old can barely lift the bag the teacher put them in.
DeleteThank you for the link to your book festival post! I see you met Tad Hills! Mouse loves his books. We gave her teacher two of his books for the classroom, and Mouse hated to part with them. The Chalk picture is so fantastic! We just love that book. Thank you for sharing!
I hope you are able to find Lexie, The Word Wrangler. It's a great story.
Thanks for visiting, and I hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Oh, Tad is SUCH a sweetheart! I had the pleasure of helping him in setting up a charity thing when KidLitTV had their 1st Birthday party. He's as darling as you would imagine him to be. You can see it in his smile. Humble, kind and genuine :) Nice to know, right? :D
DeleteWendy, I just read LEXIE THE WORD WRANGLER :) VERY clever!
DeleteOh Wendy, I can relate to a not very productive reading month. I hope June is already looking up or you. I love that you share Mouse's books too :) I'm juggling several books right now and one of them is also the Jenna Blum book. Looking forward to checking out the discussion for that one!
ReplyDeleteIliana - So far June is looking good. Hopefully it will continue. I hope your June reading is going well! It looks like I read more when I share Mouse's books. ;-) I am glad you are reading the Jenna Blum book too. I am liking it so far--but so sad.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Iliana. Have a great weekend!
May was a really terrible reading month for me. Hopefully I will do better this month... although it's not looking good considering that all the spare time is going into Netflix!
ReplyDeleteI need to check out the books you read with your daughter - I'm always on the lookout for more good ones for my three year old!
Thanks for stopping by my blog this week and I hope you've had a great one!
Di - I hope you are having a better reading month. Netflix is all too easy to fall victim to, isn't it? I'm guilty of that too.
DeleteI hope you are having a great weekend so far! Thank you for visiting.