Weekly Mews: The Latest Buzz on the Bees & More Author Events This Week

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.

I am linking up Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.  

The temperatures have warmed up this week, and it sounds like they will continue to rise as we officially head into the summer season. It was a busy week with work and the usual activities. We celebrated Anjin's birthday this past week. We had dinner out and cake at home afterward. My mom was able to join us. There was also a little karaoke late into the night with just Anjin, Mouse, and me (they stayed up even later than me--I could only keep my eyes open so long). I attended two book signings this past week, one with my mom and the other with Anjin and Mouse. That was fun!

The bees have finally been evicted.  Initially, the bee person tried to get to the hive by cutting through the outside wall under the vent the bees were going in and out of. Unfortunately, there was solid wood behind the stucco wall, and so he decided it might be easier to get to them from the inside. He ended up cutting a nice size hole in our kitchen ceiling. From what my husband could see of the hive, it was in about four or so sections, each about an inch thick, a foot and a half long and 8 inches wide. We are not sure if the bee person found more--I don't think my husband asked for the exact count. I did see a partial view photo after though. It's amazing the intricacy of a hive and the honeycombs, and to imagine those little bees putting that all together on their own. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have the bees out finally.

Nina an Gracie are waiting for their evening treats

Nina and Gracie will sometimes allow Gracie to groom her head,

just one or two licks,

and then it's a battle of the paws to see who will win the round this time. 

What have you been up to this week? 

This week I finished reading The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton, which was a delightful contemporary romance. 

I am currently reading The Keeper by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, which Mouse recommended I read. She read it about a year ago, and it's one of her favorites. She's promised to let her grandmother read it next. I also recently started Locked in Pursuit (Electra McDonnell #4) by Ashley Weaver. It's the latest in one of my favorite historical mystery series set during World War II. I have my bookmark in Daphne Du Maurier's Don't Look Now & Other Stories, which I am enjoying as well. du Maurier definitely had a gift for writing disturbing tales! 

Next up, will be my TBR List Poll winner! Murder Road by Simon St. James won with an overwhelming 13 votes, followed by An Inheritance of Magic by Benedict Jacka with 8 votes. The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay came in third place with 4 votes. I can't wait to start reading Murder Road! 

Thank you again to all who voted!

My TBR List is hosted by Michelle at Because Reading. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books from my TBR pile 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).  

New to my shelves:

My mom and I attended an author event for Trisha R. Thomas at our local indie bookstore this past week. I had read an e-copy of her historical fiction novel, The Secret Keeper of Main Street,  last month, but wanted to get a print copy for my personal library. Trisha Thomas shared with the audience her inspiration for her main character, Bailey, and about her own experiences as a seamstress, She and her character both found themselves in some interesting situations! She also talked a little about her ties to Oklahoma, the setting of the novel, including the long drives from California to Oklahoma to visit family and then back again every summer while she was growing up. She and her family were afraid to stop along the way due to the color of their skin and the rampant racism during that time. They would stop along the road when they needed to grab a gas can from the trunk to fill up the car and continue on their way. She shared a little about the three main female characters in her novel, reading passages from her book. It was a pleasure to meet and talk with the author afterwards. I am so glad my mom and I got the opportunity to go!

Then tonight, my husband, Mouse, and I attended an author event for Gary Phillips at the same indie bookstore. Anjin and I had heard him speak in our pre-Mouse days at the L.A. Times Festival of Books and are familiar with some of his work. Although he was there to talk about his latest historical crime fiction novel, Ash Dark as Night, the second in his Harry Ingram, news photographer series, he gave the audience background about his inspiration for his characters as well as the time period in both the first (One-Shot Harry) and second book. He also shared his plans for the third installment, which was exciting! I enjoyed hearing Gary Phillips talk about his father, and the influence his father had on the character of Harry. Although his dad was a World War II veteran and Harry is a Korean War veteran, the two have quite a bit in common. The author talked about his research, and the challenge of whittling 40 pages of research into two paragraphs, and about his experience writing graphic novels. I wasn't sure if Mouse would be all that interested in what he had to say, but she found it interesting too. A few of the people in the audience had read the first book in the series, One-Shot Harry, last year and voted it  as their favorite crime fiction novel of the year. They had a lot of good questions and comments. It was an honor to meet and talk with Mr. Phillips. My husband, Mouse, and I were all happy we were able to go. 

 

A couple other books I couldn't resist while we were at the bookstore: 

Mirrored Heavens (Between Earth & Sky, #3) by Rebecca Roanhorse

The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez (thanks for the recommendation, Anne!)

Have you read any of these books or authors? If so, what did you think? 

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

---

© 2024, 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.