I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz 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. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.
After a couple weeks of rain to close out the year, the sun welcomed in the new year. It has still been chilly out, especially in the mornings and nights. I have kept my blanket handy to keep warm as I'm working. I am always cold these days. I am not sure if it's the house or me. On New Year's Day, we got together at my mom's house for chili and cornbread which was nice. I had not had chili in ages.
Between Mouse being sick (not COVID related), my unrelenting allergies, and Mouse's and my computer charging cords breaking and having to wait for replacements (a minor inconvenience in the scheme of things--but still annoying; not to mention, have you tried solely using a cell phone to blog? I am grateful I at least have that option), it's been a week. I now have a new charging cord, thankfully (Mouse is still waiting for hers) and we are both feeling much better.
The COVID-19 numbers are high again in my county with hospitals being close to capacity. The lines of cars and people to take COVID tests have been crazy long, people waiting up to four to five hours. Some of the testing places have had to close due to supply shortages. Home tests have been hard to come by. And yet I still see and hear about people not masking up when they are supposed to. Businesses are having to shorten their hours or close because of staff being sick. Fortunately, most of the people I know who have the virus have been vaccinated and their cases have remained mild.
I asked my husband the other night when we will be able to say goodbye to 2020 for good. He pointed out the trouble really started in 2019, so I suppose blaming 2020 completely is a bit unfair. I hope you are all staying safe and had a good first week of the year.
What I Was Reading
I most recently finished reading Sasha Peyton Smith's The Witch Haven, my first book of the year--and even posted my review already (not noteworthy for most of you--but for me it is)! It's a young adult historical fantasy novel, set mostly in a school for witches.
What I Am Reading Now
I am nearly finished with book 7 of Kim Harrison's The Hollows series, White Witch, Black Curse, which I am enjoying. I will likely finish it before I get the first comment on this post. Rachel has a lot on her plate and having to face off with a banshee is just one of her worries. I have not made any more progress in Dressed for Freedom sadly. The writing style is more academic than conversational and, as a result, slow going. With the way the week was, I just wasn't up for it.
What I Will Be Reading Next
Thank you for everyone who voted in this month's TBR poll. So many people voted! I do plan to read all three of the books this year--so if your book didn't win, don't fret. I will get to it (I know my daughter was disappointed the book she was hoping would win didn't).
The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhader came in with the least amount of votes (3 votes). It seems the popularity of the other two overshadowed it by quite a bit. The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré received 16 votes); and the winning book, Circe by Madeline Miller won with 21 votes.
Thank you again to all who voted!
My TBR List is 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 let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).
What I Have Been Watching
My husband wanted to watch the Daredevil series after we finished Hawkeye, and I have been watching it with him. This is his first time watching it and my second. We have also seen the first two episodes of The Book of Boba Fett and are enjoying that. I am a fan of Ming-Na Wen and so was excited she is a regular in the series.
The other day as I was working on a blog post, I turned on Netflix and was looking for a show to have on in the background. I came across the original Knight Rider series starring David Hasselhoff, which I watched with my family when I was growing up. My daughter watched a couple of the episodes with me and got a kick out of K.I.T.T., the talking car. She also picked up on the stereotypical damsel-in-distress trope that seems to run in just about every episode. We had a good laugh about that. I was about her age when the show first came out. I remember daydreaming about stowing away in the backseat of K.I.T.T. and fighting crime with Michael Knight. (We won't talk about how I also was part of the A-Team in some of my daydreams. Haha!)
Tell me what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week?
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I'm glad you are feeling better. The whole COVID thing is exhausting. We got upgraded N95 masks and are staying home as much as possible. I hope next week goes more smoothly for you!
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Anne - Thank you. It seems like allergies have been up for quite a few people this winter. We really need to upgrade our masks but finding them has been a challenge, especially ones that fit my daughter. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteEeeesh...COVID. How in the world will we have some semblance of normal? I'm hopeful that "one day" will come...sigh...
ReplyDeleteDressed for Freedom sounds fabulous!
Miaismine - I am hoping we can get it under control someday so we can at least have some semblance of normal again. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteOoh chil and cornbread. YUM.
ReplyDeleteCovid is so ridiculous. I cannot believe how many people actually fight masking. Saying it affects kids' development. that is just such a hge eye roll for me. I mean, nobody LIKES to wear masks but for heavens sake. I mean, at this rate how does it end? And can you imagine if the vaccines hadn't arrived?
Yay for Circe- bet it'l be good :)
I'm liking Boba Fett and yes she is badass! I finished the Mandaloria too- those are fun!
Greg - I agree. No one likes wearing the masks or having to take so many precautions, but I am not sure how else we can get this under control. I am really looking forward to starting Circe. Hopefully this evening.
DeleteCOVID cases are increasing here too! And I hope Mouse feels better now!
ReplyDeleteSophie - She's feeling much better, thank you!
DeleteYES, I have a feeling that 2020 never ended too. And it just seems like yesterday that we were discussing the restrictions and stuff, sigh. Our COVID numbers are increasing too, but we are still safely bundled up inside. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteGayathri @ Elgee Writes
Gayathri - I am sorry to hear your COVID numbers are increasing too. We are keeping close to home too when we are able. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteKeep safe with Covid always lurking.
ReplyDeleteI've been watching Netflix and reading books set in places I'd like to be - Paris and Tuscany.
Harvee - Reading books set in places you would like to be sounds like a great idea. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteWe came home from Christmas with colds (not, thankfully, Covid) and we are just emerging from that. I'm sticking close to home for now, retreating from face-to-face book club and the Y.
ReplyDeleteI almost joined you last week in putting in a voting feature for my next book. I like that idea so much. Maybe next month? And I was torn between voting for Circe or Louding Voice. I enjoyed both of them.
Deb - I am sorry to hear about your after Christmas colds. I am glad to hear you are feeling better and hope that continues.
DeleteI look forward to seeing which books you might have us vote on next month? I hope you join in!
Knight Rider!! Yea!! Yes, I am that old. I'm also struggling with allergies lately. Drives me insane and I can't be on cortisone the whole time.
ReplyDeleteI can't blog on my cellphone. The most I do, is answer comments. I actually prefer to work on the good old desktop!
Have a good week and enjoy your reads.
Elza Reads
Mareli - I am sorry your allergies have been bothering you too. I found it extremely difficult to blog on my phone and luckily had most of the work done ahead of time so did not have so much to do. Still, even that little seemed like a real challenge. I am so glad to have my charging cord again and a fully charged computer! I hope you have a good week too!
DeleteI am almost convinced that this is just going to be the way things are from now on. Covid doesn't looking like it will be going anywhere anytime soon. I just finished book 6 in the Hollows series and hope to read book 7 next month. It is just a fun series! My husband watches a lot of old shows so Knight Rider has been on at my house. Some of these old shows are more problematic than I remember from my childhood. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCarole - I agree COVID will be around for a long while, although I would like to think we will get to a point where it will be somewhat more controlled. Given how adverse many people appear to be to taking precautions though, I think it will take longer than it would have otherwise. Not to mention putting more people with other health issues at risk because they cannot get the care they need. I really enjoy The Hollows series too! Thank you for visiting!
DeleteCovid here is out of control too. There are several people at my work who have it and all you can do is keep your mask on and be vigilant. At least the vaccine is helping! Have a good week, Wendy😁
ReplyDeleteTammy - It seems to be running rampant in my agency too. We've had to send out extra reminders that masks are required when in the buildings. I am so glad the vaccine seems to be bringing some protection. I hope you have a great week too!
DeleteIt's been very cold here, too. We've had snow and / or freezing rain every few days. Nice to just hunker down under a pile of blankets with a book, or sit with hot cocoa and a puzzle (I've really been enjoying those lately). Sorry to hear Mouse was sick, but so glad it wasn't Covid! I've had some acquaintances catch it now, but they were vaccinated so it was a very mild case too. The stress of always being home is really wearying on my kids, though.
ReplyDeleteJeane - I am glad you are keeping warm. The mountains with the snow caps look so pretty from a distance, but I admit I am glad the snow hasn't reached us here. Being stuck at home all the time is stressful--especially when you don't have a choice. I hope you and your family are well!
DeleteWe had such great hopes at the end of 2020 that don't seem to have been realised, I guess Covid is something we will have to learn to live with. I'm going to check out your review for The Witch Haven as that book really appeals to me.
ReplyDeleteLouise - I hope you like The Witch Haven if you decide to give it a try!
DeleteI'm glad Mouse isn't down with COVID-19! I hope you all can stay safe - sounds like omicron is so much more transmissible and if people aren't masking up properly, that's quite a big risk.
ReplyDeleteEustacia - Yes, the new variant does seem to be hitting more people. Delta isn't making into the news as often here, but from what I've heard, it is still very much a threat as well. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteCute creature with The Witch Haven book :-)
ReplyDeleteVvb - My pillow bear. Haha!
DeleteHappy New Year and happy reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you and same to you!
DeleteNice reading list! Circe sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Mae - I am looking forward to reading it!
DeleteGlad Mouse didn't have Covid and I hope you're both feeling better. Things are pretty crazy in FL, so we've cut back some activities again. As for blogging on my phone...I can't stand even reading blogs that way, let alone responding to comments or posting! Glad you have cords again. And happy 2022!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn - We are both feeling better, thank you. I added a different allergy medicine in and that seems to be helping. I do not recommend trying to blog on your phone at all. It's a pain. Luckily, I had a good part of the posts done already so there wasn't much I had to do on the phone. I did do a lot of commenting on blogs that way though--and there were probably lots of typos. Big fingers tiny keys. LOL Happy New Year to you too!
DeleteIt has been cold for California, right? I'm happy we all got a bunch of rain as our state really needed. My husband and I have been sick, too. Hope you feel better!
ReplyDeleteRachel - The rain was very welcome and can come back anytime. I just don't like the cold. LOL I hope you and your husband are feeling better!
DeleteI seem to be in a funk lately...not sure if it is the weather, all the Covid news or what...but my reading is going fine :) I hope you have a great week and enjoy Circle. https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2022/01/stacking-shelves-5sunday-post-2.html
ReplyDeleteCindy - I am glad to hear your reading has not been impacted by your funk. I feel like this funk has affected us all and just won't let up. :-( I hope you have a great week too!
DeleteI'm glad you are both feeling better and that it wasn't Covid. The numbers are crazy here too.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your books and have a great week!
Yvonne - Thank you! I am too. I hope you have a great week too!
DeleteYep, the Covid thing is so tiring these days. I can't imagine blogging on my phone! Props to you for being able to do that! Glad you have your charging cords now and I hope this week goes well for you! Thanks for stopping by Lisa Loves Literature earlier!
ReplyDeleteLisa - I don't think I could blog on my phone long term. The little I did was such a headache. I'm glad I have a fully charged laptop again! I hope you have a great week too!
DeleteI can totally sympathise as I have had laptop issues too. Thankfully fixed now and I hope you both have your chargers soon. I also have blankets all over my house to keep me warm where ever I am. 😊
ReplyDeleteThis week I retuned to work. I have been reading the dual-narrative historical-fiction, The Lost Diary of Venice by Margaux Deroux and re-watching series one of A Discovery of Witches, so I am ready for the third and final series which has just been released. 🙂
Jessica - I am glad your laptop issues are fixed now. My laptop is now fully charged, thank goodness. We had a lot of spare chargers in the house evidently--but none fit mine or my daughter's computers so we had to buy new ones. I wish they'd make them all the same.
DeleteWe have blankets in just about every room too. :-)
The Lost Diary of Venice by Margaux Deroux sounds really good. I'll have to check it out. I just watched the first episode of A Discover of Witches (finally!). I look forward to seeing more.
COVID is just something we're going to has to live with. I'm not much of a TV show person but, I have heard of Knight Rider.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Marianna - I don't doubt COVID will be a part of our lives for a very long time to come, but I hope that there will come a time when it's better controlled. Life may never be the way it once was, but it cannot go on the way it has been. We need to take precautions, adapt, and create better systems and protocols to accommodate the issues we are facing--not pretend the virus doesn't exist like so many people seem to be doing. I hope you have a great week too.
DeleteWendy, so sorry you guys have been sick and also sorry about your whole cord problems. Sigh. So many things that we'd like or need and then - no - not available or on backorder or whatever. I'd just like to go to the grocery store and be able to get everything on my list and in the brand that I want. Ha! Anyway, small troubles I guess. Winter is my allergy time too and I keep trying to not sneeze or clear my throat in any public place. Sheesh! I almost want to shout out - it's not COVID! It's my cedar allergies that I've had all my life. Happily, even though everyone in our new home says this is a bad year for the cedar pollen, I'm finding my discomfort is not as bad. I was hoping that would be the case as we moved further west in Texas. There are a little different cedar varieties here so maybe I won't be as sensitive to this new mix.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your book picks and TV watching. I hadn't thought about Knight Rider for years and years. Loved that show!
Kay - Thank you. The original cord my husband ordered for my computer wasn't the right one, and so we had to wait a bit longer for the right one. Luckily, that's been resolved now and I have a fully charged laptop again. I do miss the days when the grocery store was fully stocked and we could easily find what we wanted. It could be a lot worse though--small troubles, as you said.
DeleteI had a coughing fit in the middle of the grocery store last month and felt so embarrassed. But then I thought if it scared even one unmasked person, it wasn't so bad (masks are mandatory indoors here--not that people listen). Terrible, I know. I hope you have a good weekend!
Funny, I'm always warm and my husband always freezing LOL - COVID is still raging here as well. We had some snow, freezing rain which made it a good excuse to stay in and read. Sorry you and Mouse were out of sorts. I want to try Girl With the Louding Voice in 2022. I heard Circe was excellent as well. Enjoy the week Wendy
ReplyDeleteDiane - I don't know what is--why I'm always so cold these days. I have such a hard time staying warm. I guess it's better than hot flashes--at least I can bundle up to stay warm. I hope we both will enjoy The Girl With the Louding Voice. That's the one Mouse wants me to read. I told her I'd still get to it. :-) Thank you for stopping by!
Delete2022 is not starting off well, is it? Our covid cases are way up where I live, too. I just hope things start to get better soon. Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteLark - The year has certainly gotten off to a rough start. I hope things start to improve again soon too. I hope you have a great week too!
Delete2020 is the year that never ends. I am loving Boba Fett!
ReplyDeleteJennifer - It sure feels like it, doesn't it? I am glad to hear you are loving Boba Fett too!
DeleteI thought I was going to have to use my phone to blog when my laptop stopped working. I almost gave up blogging for a few months at the thought. lol
ReplyDeleteMary - If it had been any longer than it was, I would have just not blogged. LOL Phones aren't made for that.
DeleteCirce, huh? I loved it so much I hope you do, too. I listened to the audiobook, though, so that may have made the difference. My Sunday Salon Post
ReplyDeleteAnne - Song of Achilles was a favorite the year I read it and so I have high hopes for Circe. I love Madeline Miller's writing.
DeleteYou've got a lot going on! I hope the numbers in your area begin to lessen; it's the same here: long lines for testing and none to be found in the drugstores.
ReplyDeleteHelen - I hope the numbers will begin to lessen for al of us too. There has to be a better way to manage all this. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI'm so sorry you and Mouse have been sick this week. COVID numbers are crazy here also, and this week my husband finally got a booster, so now we're all vaxxed and boosted. So, hopefully if we catch it, it will be mild. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteWendy - Thank you. I am glad your husband got the booster! Other than my daughter who isn't eligible for a booster, my husband and I have gotten ours too. :-) Hopefully it will help if we do get COVID. I hope you have a great week too!
DeleteI'm sorry that Mouse is sick. I hope she recovers soon. I'm also getting sick and tired of COVID and I just wish that it would go away soon.
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Sunday Post!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Ronyell - Thank you. She is feeling much better now. I am so tired of COVID too. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteWe too are experiencing the same issues re Omicron. After coasting through the first two years of the pandemic it’s infuriating that our govt decided to let it rip and wilfully created chaos.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy Circe
Wishing you a great reading week
Shelleyrae - You would think by now the governments would have a better response. It's frustrating to say the least. I hope you have a great reading week too!
DeleteHope Mouse feels better. I did not read Circe but I'm interested in the Louding Voice novel ... perhaps we will both get to it. We might even see the sun too up North here this week. Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Thank you. She's back to her normal self. :-) I hope you do get some sunshine up your way. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteOMG, blogging on the phone does sound challenging! I don't even like to text on the phone, since the keys are so small. LOL
ReplyDeleteI am frustrated by the people who refuse vaccines and masks! Some people even believe that Covid is a hoax!
Enjoy your week and the fun of seeing old shows like Knight Rider.
Here are my WEEKLY UPDATES
Laurel-Rain - I do not recommend blogging on your phone. Such a small screen not to mention the tiny keyboard and my fingers don't work well together.
DeleteIt is frustrating that so many people still don't take the health crisis we are in seriously or have are apathetic. I realize we are in this for the long haul, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be take precautions and working on ways to improve the situation.
I hope you enjoy your week too.
Chili on a cold day sounds divine. We are all so spoiled with your electronics aren't we? And then a charging cable goes bad and it's like, how dare you not work! lol The Covid situation is so grim. It's hard not to feel frustrated when I see the majority of people unmasked and no distanced.
ReplyDeleteTanya - I do love a good chili. :-) Yes, we are very spoiled with our electronics. Minor inconveniences in the scheme of things. I hope you have a good week and thank you for visiting!
DeleteChili is one of my brother's go-to recipes. It's okay, but he makes it too spicy for me to really enjoy. I do remember Knight Rider and also wanted to be on the A-Team. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I am sorry your brother makes his chili too spicy. I like it now and then, but ours is not too spicy at all. I am glad I am not the only one who wanted to be on the A-Team. LOL I hope you have a good week.
DeleteWhen will we see the end of 2019! So long a time. Oh dear about the computer cords and how inconvenient for both to go. Lots of good reading - enjoy.
ReplyDeleteKathryn - It's the longest year ever . . . Thank you!
DeleteI'm glad to hear you guys are feeling better. I'd love to eat chili. It always looks so tasty, but I've never made it.
ReplyDeleteThe COVID numbers are really high here too. We've been in lockdown since early december, but still... Sometimes it feels neverending.
Have a great week and happy reading.
Maureen - It can feel never ending, can't it? I hope you have a great week too.
DeleteGreat minds think alike! We've also started watching Daredevil after watching Hawkeye! My husband has already seen the series, but he's more than happy to watch it again with me.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and Mouse feel better soon! Oh, is Mouse going to be selling cookies this year? I'm yearning for some ABC Baker Girl Scout cookies! - Melinda @ A Web of Stories
Melinda - I don't mind watching Daredevil again. :-)
DeleteThankfully Mouse and I are both feeling much better. Hopefully it stays that way. We will be selling cookies this year although not pushing it too hard. I am anxious to try the new cookie. I wonder if yours and ours will be different recipes like so many of the other cookies are! I will definitely be buying Samoa cookies from you. I like them more than ABC's Caramel de-Lites.
Mmmm, a bowl of chili and cornbread sounds so good right now. The Covid numbers are awful here too. I just read a few minutes ago that our main hospital has had to open up a field hospital to accommodate the extreme influx of patients.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - They just keep going up and up. :-( I made the mistake of looking at my daughter's school's COVID dashboard. It's really bad right now.
Delete