The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week, and showcase books and things we have received.
Stacking The Shelves is also a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Marlene from Reading Reality. It’s all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!
Don’t forget to look at my giveaways on the right sidebar.
Sunday, I managed to figure out a hip stretch which reduced my pain a lot. I spent quite a bit of time visiting and doing some computer work. I finally managed to go through the probably 40 or 50 emails I had of review requests. I didn’t choose many, as much as I want everything.
Monday was rainy and I ended up sleeping very late. I was happy to have my daughter get up to have dinner with me. I called my brother which turned into a 3 hour call until 1 am. He was able to update me on how everything is going with Mom in the new place. Of course, she doesn’t like it but mostly because it is new. She is quite resistant to change, even when it is for the better. She has her own private room and bath, and says the food is good. Unfortunately I didn’t do the right things during the call and was in a lot of pain afterwards.
Tuesday, I still didn’t get up too early. When I took Lulu out I saw that one of my standard dwarf bearded iris had bloomed! It seems too early; they bloom in early April in Minnesota. But then I have broccoli and lettuce still growing in the garden here. Obviously there is some weeding to do and I had done this bed in November. My heating pad stopped working and the pain was horrible. My daughter lent me one of her heating pads until I get my replacement.
Wednesday was typical bed in the morning, office in the afternoon and bed again in the evening. I did cook dinner but the pain was too bad to sit and I had to eat standing up.
Thursday was busy and there was snow! I was worried about how I would do but it went pretty well. We took Lulu to the vet for an ear infection and while there she had her toenails trimmed and anal glands expressed. They managed it all in less than 30 minutes. She is up to 22 lbs so we really have to feed her less. She should be 15 lbs. She saw a puppy in another car and just whined because she wanted to play with it. We dropped her off at home and went on to our chiro / massage appointments. I have to say, other than one sharp spasm when I sat down to dinner, I felt the most normal I have in weeks. I made chocolate chip cookies; this time with dark chocolate chips. Yummy. My new heating pad arrived!
Friday, I woke up stiff again. I got up to the office, wrote my review, and started trying to get everything organized for what I read next. I updated my calendar to February because …. Charlie Hunnam.
Saturday, I needed to get the faulty heating pad to UPS store for return and pick up from the pharmacy. Then I finally got upstairs to work on things. I also shopped the Audible sale, in case tomorrow is too busy. I put together a Food Lion Instacart for Monday. My daughter got up in time for us to have dinner together. Tomorrow we are supposed to get more snowy weather and I’m looking forward to book club and Read-along chats.
Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality. These are the exciting ARCs I received this week (If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry):
I am so grateful to MacMillan audio, Thomas & Mercer, 47North, and Tantor Audio.
(If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry)
I picked up Lies to Tell for 99¢ as it’s in a series where I have other books. Then Amazon reminded me I hadn’t picked any of the free Kindle offerings in Amazon First for the month and they were allowing 2 books.
I bought some audio on the Audible 2-1 sale.
Now the really scary one. This is all the Kindle and Audible freebies I grabbed this past week. You can see why I need to do Thrifty Thursday to be sure I read a few at least one each month.
I really meant to cut back on freebies BUT they are free so I guess that won’t be happening.
I’m not including things like reviews posted or upcoming as they are always in the right sidebar. And, my challenge status is also there.
Anne
- Sunday Post – 13 April 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @readingreality.bsky.social @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - April 13, 2025
- Series on Saturday: Kelley Armstrong Edition @KelleyArmstrong @kelleyarmstrongauthor#SeriesOnSaturday - April 12, 2025
- 🎧 The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose @NitaProse#LaurenAmbrose @penguinaudio.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks @PRHAudio - April 10, 2025
I see we shared some of the same book picks this week! Have you not read Come Sundown? That is SO good, especially on audio.
Your continued suffering with pain is unfortunate, Anne. I’m praying that you get some much needed extended relief?
I have not read Come Sundown. Other than In Death series, I am not well read in the Nora books. Thanks Jonetta. I really hope I get more relief too. The chiro says it is moving better but I’m starting the 6th week and it seems like forever sometimes.
Ok I’m curious why you have so many photos with Charlie Hannah! Hope you have a more pain free week, Anne.
Thanks Tammy! I hope the pain diminishes soon too. I am a Harley rider and big fan of Sons of Anarchy. I was lucky enough to see him at motorcycle rallies and Harley events and then also some ComicCon type events. He definitely recognizes me.
I actually love baking with dark chocolate, it tastes so much better than ppl realize. It looks like you added some great books there, I have heard some good things about Layla Hagen.
Yes I used to not think I liked dark chocolate but I do. I really get the best books! (for me)
Ouch, your back pain sounds painful. Love your calendar for 2021, especially the page for February *smile* Enjoy it. Happy reading and get well soon.
Thanks Vi! My back/leg pain has improved but partly because I limit my movements so much. I just want it to go away! At least I get in lots of reading.
I’m glad your finding ways to stretch and I hope it helps. Love your calendar…reminds me that I need to add more pics of myself to my blog.
Thanks Trin. I have to take my fun where I find it these days.
So sorry you’ve been in pain!
Thank you Nicole. I want it to go away. It’s less because I limit my movement severely but I don’t want to limit; I want to do things.
I am so very sorry that you are still struggling so badly with the pain in your hip! Though glad that the most recent massage managed to ease it back somewhat. Snow? Isn’t that unusual for you where you live? We keep being threatened with a sprinkling, but I’m glad to say it hasn’t happened yet this year! I hope the coming week is a good one, Anne.
Yes I’m tired of the back/hip/leg pain. Limiting my movements severely means less pain but also not doing things. Thank you Sarah! We only get about 2 days or so a year of snow which doesn’t stick. It might be in December, January or February. We had some snow early in the week and it was possible today, but it’s all rain today. My back yard is very wet and puddly.
Glad you were able to get some relief from the pain. Hopefully this is a continuing trend! And my dog is a bit overweight too. The vet is telling us how bad it can be for her joints as she ages so I am trying to cut back her food. But, she just steals her brothers! Dog will do anything for food.
We are fortunate that Lulu is the only dog and not completely food oriented. That said she loves her home made food and finishes it quickly. Sometimes she then looks around for more food but we are trying to be careful about watching her portions better now. The pain has its ups and downs. I just want it to end.
I have to be careful with my dog’s food too! So far so good. I hope next week will see you less sore Anne! Have a great week.
Thanks Sophie! It is easier if I make progress even if it is baby steps.
Snow in NC. Fun that your Iris was blooming. I’m glad you found a helpful stretch and were able to get in a chiro appt. I’ve been reading a stretching book for review to help with my flexibility and neck pain. It’s doing good stuff already.
Nice haul. I have the Mark Lawrence book, too, and of course, Stranger in Town.
Have a good week, Anne!
We usually get 2-3 days of snow here which doesn’t last. I have an eARC of the Lawrence book but decided I wanted the audio. The next book is coming out in a few months and I don’t know what format I will review yet. I like the audio for this type of fantasy and have purchased many of the Lawrence books on audio. Thank you Sophia!
Ah Charlie Hunnam, it’s funny to see him all big and grown up! I first saw him in Queer As Folk about twenty years ago, I must watch Sons of Anarchy again, I only managed the first season.
I love Sons of Anarchy but I have seen Queer as Folk and almost everything else of his work. He’s a really nice guy.
I hope that this week will be a pain-free one for you! I still haven’t bought anything from the Audible sale. I need to be sure to do that tonight. I hope that your mom starts to like her new home. It is tough to make these big decisions for a parent. Enjoy all of your new books and have a great week!
Thank you Carole! I’m glad I did the Audible deals on Saturday, both so I could include them and because Sunday just got busy as expected. Well pain free isn’t happening but let’s hope it continues to get to be less.
I have also had pain issues over the past years, sometimes more often than other times. I have found that the stretching before I get out of bed does help. I use a heating pad a lot. Sigh.
Your books look good…I have Come Sundown on my Kindle, and I hope to finally get around to it!
Have a great and pain-free week!
I’ve never had pain like this. I started using ice on the back and heat on the legs, but now mostly heat. I have so many great books to read. Thank goodness because I am sitting around so much more. I’d be bored without them.
I am so sorry to hear about your back. Hoping it improves soon.
Thank you. Me too or at least lessens quite a bit. It’s frustrating to have it go on and on.
Pain can be so exhausting. I hope you get some consistent relief soon. Thanks for sharing the picture of the iris. Ah flowers.
I’m excited to see all the perennial beds I planted last year. I wasn’t sure they would bloom this first year so it was thrilling to see!
Oh many interesting things for you to read!
Take care.
Thank you! I’m enjoying my books.
I’m so sorry to read your back pain in still bothering you so much. That sounds really horrible. The nurse in me just wants to think of something to help you out!
I love the Charlie Hunnam pictures. I wasn’t a big fan of Son’s of Anarchy.. But he sure is nice to look at. 😉
Have a great week and happy reading.
Thank you Maureen. I just keep trying different strategies to improve things and keeping what works. I’m sure my doctor would be horrified at how much acetaminophen / ibuprofen I am taking so I won’t ever be mentioning it. Charlie Hunnam is a nice guy in addition to being quite the looker.
Sorry to hear the pain is still lingering. I sure hope this week brings some relief, Anne. I almost one-clicked that Layla Hagen freebie because I’ve enjoyed some of hers in the past, but realistically there’s no telling when or even if I would ever get to it so I passed on it. *sigh*
Thank you Tanya. I don’t worry about how many books I have on my Kindle. I’m limited in movement right now and I’d be bored without them. I read a book almost every day.
I’m sorry you’re in pain. I’ll wing some {{{posivibes}}} your way and see if that helps. From some friends posts about the snow I think you got way more than we did. It was only a light dusting here by Greensboro. And it did not stick on the roads or grass. Just on things like the vehicles or roof. Poop. I hope you have a better week this week!
Thank you Carol. We maybe got a little more snow but it didn’t stick much.
That’s great you figured out a hip stretch that worked well for your pain. That’s a lot of review requests you had to wade through. It’s hard at times to be careful not to request/ accept too many books. Chocolate chip cookies are always a win, that’s nice you baked some this week. And that’s impressive the vet visit for Lulu went so fast. I hope this week is a good one for you!
Thanks Lola. I hate to say no but realistically I only want to take requests I can actually review. I was so glad we could take care of Lulu so quickly even if it was spendy.
Glad you mom is getting situated, even with the changes, hopefully she’ll be happier there soon. Sorry to hear you are still in pain. *HUGS*
Thanks Jen. I just really hope for some improvement.
I’m glad you’re feeling better after your chiro appointment. I have read good reviews of Armstrong’s thrillers. Enjoy your new books!
Thank you Laura. I’ve been thrilled to have great reading available when I’m stuck moving less.
Glad to hear you found some stretching to help with the pain. I have hip issues, early arthritis being one of them, from leaning towards my patient all the time and I need to be more regular with the exercises they’ve prescribed. It does help.
We got a lot of rain and also snow in the mountains near us. Enough to shut down “the grapevine” a portion of the 5 FWY that is well-traveled by trucks transporting goods a few miles north of us.
I have Stranger In Town as well and can’t wait to read it! Such a great series! Hope we both love the new installment!
I’m trying to remember to do all the things which help. It’s just frustrating as I’ve not ever had anything like this and it has lasted so long. At least I have great books to pass the time. A Stranger in Town was a winner for me! I hope you enjoy it too Rachel.
After spending the last week with a painful foot, that then caused problems elsewhere due to the strange way I was hobbling around, I can totally sympathise with your back/leg problems – which must be so much worse. I hope things are improving, it’s not just annoying but kind of gets you down after a few days. Fingers crossed you’re on the mend.
You have lots of new books to look forward to at least and maybe a bit more time to fit them in.
Lynn 😀
This week is finally better. I’m having some normal times, in addition to pain / spasms. But the pain is less often, so I’m able to move a bit more instead of just trying to be still all the time.
I have a couple of lingering review request e-mails I am considering. I don’t often say yes to e-mails–NetGalley is more my downfall, unfortunately. Your standard dwarf bearded iris is so cute! I noticed blooms on my rose bushes the other day. It’s too wet out there right now for me to take pictures. The sun is out today though, so everything will likely be drying out soon enough.
It looks like you have some great reading ahead of you! I hope you enjoy your new books. Have a great week, Anne!
Thanks Wendy. Even if I don’t take any of the requests, I do go through them. I’m hoping to feel good enough to get out and do the yard work again next month. In the meantime, I am trying to get ahead on my reading.
I hope your health keeps improving, pains have a tendancy to bring themselves back to mind when you forget them ! My boyfriend is a big fan of Sons of anarchy, he had a Ducatti but it seems a Harley would be better for his legs 😉 Enjoy your book haul and tell us about Michael Connelly, I heard about this series, I know it’s a favourite for many people but I haven’t read it yet.
Just when I forget I’m not normal and move a bit too much or too fast, it hurts. But those times are getting farther apart now. I love my Harley and my SOA guys. At least the last 6 weeks, I’ve had plenty of reading time.
Sorry to hear you’re still in so much pain! 🙁 Heat pads are wonderful though, aren’t they? Make such a difference.
The Charlie Hunnam pictures are awesome! He’s such a handsome guy and blondes aren’t usually my type, lol.
I hope you enjoy Spellmaker! I have that one on ebook but I haven’t read it yet.
Thank you Nicci! This week is finally an improvement but it’s been 6 weeks! I’m glad to have a bit more movement and reduced pain. All the SOA guys are pretty fun and nice to fans.
I loved Spellbreaker, the first one, so I’m excited to read the sequel, Spellmaker.