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.
Don’t forget to look at my giveaways on the right sidebar.
Sunday, I’m feeling fairly caught up and things are going along pretty well. I finished my COYER Series in a Month Challenge today. I only wrote short reviews on Goodreads for these. I’m about a week ahead on my blog posts / reviews which is comfortable. The temperature has dropped both yesterday and today but it felt comfortable when out walking Lulu. We took our long route that takes us past the swans. Both were there: Pa on the right, Ma on the nest.
Monday, I had a Wegman Instacart. I set up a bunch of posts. Lulu and I walked to check on the swans again. I wrote a review and worked on the Library Love Q2 email. Then I did some menu planning.
Tuesday, my daughter had a doctor appointment with her neurologist in the afternoon. She’s been with this doctor longer than any other here in North Carolina. She’s moving out of state and we’ll miss her. We picked up some takeout since it’s a different area of town. Another variety of SDB iris started blooming. The lilac bush has buds and the peonies are poking out of the ground. Lulu and I walked briefly after dinner. It was cool and windy so she had to wear a sweater.
Wednesday. I did some visiting and finalizing of posts. It started cold, but gradually warmed up. I took Lulu for a walk. Then I went to work weeding, spraying weed killer in sidewalk cracks and where nothing should grow. Then I got the garden planted: the broccoli, snow peas and spinach and basil, which I was afraid would freeze last weekend.
Thursday, I managed to do a few things outside before it started the rainy day. I also pared down emails in my accounts handling, filing or deleting as appropriate. We got our COVID second boosters this afternoon. We got a few items at Harris Teeter while we were there. Then I listened to my audiobook while sorting, filing and shredding paperwork, getting ready for tax prep. I made chicken pad thai for a second time, improving on the recipe. It’s good but I’ve got one more change for the next time making it. We went to bed at 10 pm which confused Lulu.
Friday, I woke to Lulu barking to go outside. It’s pretty much the only time she barks. She’s rarely in the crate that long because usually my daughter is up all night but not last night. I wrote a review, setup and finalized a few posts. Lulu and I walked the longest and hilliest route on this lovely day. For dinner we tried the mini waffle maker I gave my daughter for Christmas. It really works well!
Saturday, well for some reason we needed a bunch of stuff. So I did curbside pickup orders for BJ’s and Sam’s Club. I don’t like to do it on Saturday but that’s how it worked out. Lulu went along for the ride and things went smoothly. I did the typical computer stuff and house stuff. I did more sorting and filing preparing to do my taxes. Then Lulu and I took the other long route which views the swans nesting. I’m trying a new recipe tonight Spinach Lasagna Rolls.
I buddy read the Psy-Changeling Trinity series by Nalini Singh with Berls. That’s 5 books. We both listened to the audiobook version. Angela Dawe is an amazing narrator. I got mine at the library. I did short reviews on Goodreads which I linked up here.
- Silver Silence 4 hearts
- Ocean Light 4 hearts
- Wolf Rain 4.5 hearts
- Alpha Night 5 hearts
- Last Guard 5 hearts
March Reading: I had another good reading month. I managed to read 29 books. Audiobooks continue to help me read more. Some count for more than one challenge. I listened to 18 audiobooks, read 10 library books, 19 COYER reads, and 4 books which I already own.
All Library books (including ones not reviewed on the blog) 2022 Library Love Challenge
I did manage to read 4 books I own (goal is 3 per month):
- At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost
- Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost
- Serial by Casey Hill
- Victim by Casey Hill
Stacking the Shelves is hosted by 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):
Many thanks to Tor Books, Berkley, Gallery / Scout Press, William Morrow / Avon, Simon & Schuster Audio,
(If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry)
NOTHING.
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.
Don’t forget the Read-along facebook chat this afternoon for Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost.
Anne
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- 🎧 A Killing on the Hill by Robert Dugoni @robertdugoni #BrillianceAudio #LoveAudiobooks #KindleUnlimited🎧 - April 25, 2024
- Murder in Rose Hill by Victoria Thompson @gaslightvt @BerkleyPub - April 23, 2024
- Sunday Series: Joe Pickett by CJ Box @cjboxauthor #DavidChandler @RecordedBooks#SundaySeries #LoveAudiobooks - April 21, 2024
Such lovely views on your walk! Thank you for sharing the photos. I am glad you had a good reading month. I am trying to get back into audiobooks. They’ve never been my mainstay in reading because it takes me forever to get through a book, but as I try to get in more walking, especially while my daughter’s in her dance classes, I can listen at the same time. My mind sure does wander though! I didn’t know Ruth Ware had a new book! I’ll have to check it out. I hope you have a good week and enjoy your reading.
Thank you Wendy! Audiobooks really have nearly doubled my reading time. I listen while walking with Lulu, doing chores, and errands or crafting. It’s really easy once I got used to it. The Ruth Ware book is coming out in July.
I really should visit the library more. Especially since my condo is quickly running out of room for more books. But great job of getting some of your own books read, too.
Thanks Mark. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my library. It helps me try books and new authors for free. I initially read Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs and Jeaniene Frost books at the library before buying them. Now I own nearly everything they write and in multiple formats. But I especially love the ability to try the first book in the series or read the first few if I want to review the 2nd or 3rd one. I only buy digital these days unless I am getting it autographed or something.
Love the pics. Looks like you have a beautiful area there.
Those Jeaniene Frost books seem really popular.
Hope you have an amazing weekend!
Hey Greg! Thank you. Happy birthday to you, a bit late. I do love the neighborhood spaces which are well kept. I researched and chose North Carolina after many years in Minnesota. I love having 2-3 growing seasons and nice weather year round. But we do get a couple days of snow, so all the seasons. The Frost books seem even more popular partly because I’m doing a Read-along this year but they were one of my first urban fantasy reads (11 years ago) and I love the humor in them.
I wonder if I’d like N. Carolina. I suspect I would. I do like the north in that winter kills all the bugs 🙂 but I could use a little warmer. 🙂
yes I did a lot of research. I originally went to Minnesota from Iowa for education and skiing, and all the things which make me sneeze are dead most of the year. But with allergy meds the pollen isn’t as much of an issue so in 2015 I moved to a climate where I could grow more flowers and veggies, and ride my Harley year round more easily. I also have oceans and mountains about 2-3 hours away. Both the business and medical services are great and several good colleges. And yes the weather is what I like. FL or TX would be too hot for me. I like the cultural diversity here also.
I’m the same- the deep south would be just TOO hot (and humid). Sounds like you picked a great place- I like how the carolinas (especially North) are warmer but not like FL. Some day if I move I need to look at North Carolina or Virginia maybe. 🙂
You have some lovely places for walking. I am eager to hear how people like The It Girl.
Thank you! I like having a few different routes in the neighborhood, of differing lengths. Lulu LOVES to walk.
Sounds like you got some lovely reading done. This is the first time I’m heearing of the IT girl. I’ll add it to the tbr
The IT girl is out in July. I had a good reading month but better I got a bit ahead so I don’t have to stress about reviews for the upcoming week so much.
Some very nice photos you shared! I like the looks of all your new books, and haven’t read any of them yet. Have a good week ahead!
Thank you Mia! Most of the books are not released yet so I think most people haven’t read them yet. But I’m excited to have the chance to read them.
That walk sounds so lovely, with the nesting swans! What a peaceful sight. 🙂
I enjoy it a lot, getting outside and seeing what is happening. Lulu LOVES it.
I hope you’ll find another doctor who will be as good as the one leaving Anne! Also I should get back to the psy-changeling series too!
Thank you Sophie. Dr. McNeil told us who she thought would be the best fit and they are in the same practice so it should be ok.
I love that you always walk by the swans to check on them😁 Lulu looks so cute in her sweater! Have a good week, Anne!
Thank you Tammy. It’s sort of ridiculous but I like to see them. One time another dog was going by and barking at them! Lulu never barks at them or other dogs when we walk (even if they bark at her). She has NEVER barked on a walk. Now she does whine when she wants to go for a walk and sometimes when she sees another dog, but no barking. She also wants to lick any bare ankles when we meet people. lol
I hope that swans will stay safe. It is so wonderful to see them. I will get a new doctor too. The old one retired to the end of the first quarter and I have no clue how the new one will be. So good luck to us both. Happy reading, Anne.
Thank you Vi. The swans have been in the neighborhood for years and doing well, so I am pretty sure they will be ok. The babies don’t always fare as well when the parents kick them out.
I love your photos, it’s so nice to be out and about now in the warmer weather. Wow, you sure read a lot of books last month!
Thank you Wendy. I like to get out and see what is happening, what people are doing for yard/lawn care, which houses are for sale in the neighborhood, etc. Lulu loves to walk. She is very smart and knows the time we usually walk and will come find me and whine (she does the same at the time I normally start cooking dinner) Audiobooks have helped me double the number of books I read because I can listen while we walk, when doing chores, running errands or crafting. I get in a few hours nearly every day while walking and cooking.
Yay for getting the garden started. Its still too cold here. There has been frost on the ground the past 4 days. Friday it snowed a little. Sigh. Oh well!
Have a great week!
My basil is looking a little pale. It may have been too soon for it but everything else is going well. I don’t think we will have more frost but we’ll see. I really like the long growing season here.
Fantastic photos – you have some beautiful scenery to walk in. And doesn’t Lulu look adorable in her warm coat? I need to get reading the Nalini Singh series – it’s been recommended to me so many times and is on my TBR but I never seem to get around to starting it!
Thank you Louise. Lulu is adorable. I had never read Nalini Singh but that’s why I did the Read-along to have it all be in shorter time period rather than wait a year between books. They are awesome. That’s why I do the Read-alongs to tackle a series which I’ve always wanted to read OR one I’ve loved but haven’t reread for awhile and not altogether instead of spread out over years. I hope you get to read them.
Ooo, the new Ruth Ware. Enjoy 🙂
Thank you! I always enjoy her books.
Lovely pictures. Even though the weather was cooler, I’m glad it was still comfortable on your walks with Lulu. I hope you can find another neurologist for your daughter that you both like. I hope how hard it is to find doctors that are not only competent, but that you also like. I hope you have a wonderful week. 🙂
Thank you Jenni! With midterms finished I think my daughter will feel better.
You had some lovely scenery on your walks. Your Iris is beautiful! I want to try chicken pad thai. Sounds good.
I have an e-arc of Something Wilder and I’m looking forward to it. They had the audio up on Netgalley but it was one of those “wish for it” things that never happen for me.
I know. Wish For it never works out for me either. I was surprised how easy it is to make chicken pad thai which is good. It does require a few different ingredients we don’t always have but it can be made and taste great at home. I love having my flowers. That’s why I worked on planting all the perennials the last 3 years.
Great week. You got a lot done and are doing well on your reading challenges.
Thank you Angela. I felt a little more in control of things at least.
Love your photos. I can see you had a great reading month. and you have received some awesome sounding books. Here is hoping you have a great week.
Thank you Nadene. I feel grateful to get to read so many great books.
You really got outside this week and that’s great plus way to go getting ahead on posts and getting tax papers together. I’m hoping to get out in the yard by mid-week when the heavy rain stops and get to the leaves that blew in from a high wind storm and get up all the branches that came down. We had snow a few times last week, but it melted quickly which is the good thing about spring snow squalls. My walks are still my shorter routes between wet weather moments, but still nice. I started my seeds and put the trays in the south windows where hopefully they’ll get enough sun to sprout in a bit.
Nicely done on the stack of reads this week and meeting the challenges. I did the Series one and was glad to get another one out of the way.
Have a great week, Anne!
Thank you Sophia! I love hearing about your walks and gardening, and of course, reading. The more hours of sun or later sun or warmer temperatures just seem to energize me.
That’s a beautiful iris! The wisteria is blooming in Charleston and it smells and looks so lovely. The only time I’ve regularly seen swans was while we were in Alaska last summer. They are such beautiful and graceful birds. How nice that you can see them on one of your walking routes.
Enjoy your week!
Thank you Jen. I love this time of year with new plants and everything getting cleaned up and growing. With perennials, I have less to do and can just enjoy them too.
I loved Hot Enough To Burn. Such a good book.
Lulu is so cute. My dog usually jumps on my bed at 6am to tell me he needs to go out. My day starts too early. lol
Thank you Mary. Lulu is our best girl. I always enjoy Cynthia Eden so it was an easy freebie to choose.
sounds like a good week and i see you have some good looking books to read. lulu looks so cute, all dressed up and ready to go
Thank you Sherry. It is a good time of year with new growing and the perennials where I don’t have to do much work. Lulu is just always cute. I am so happy to be able to get so many great things to read.
Thanks for sharing the pictures from your walk! I love reading about your gardening. I’m curious about The Vampire Book Club.
Well The Vampire Book Club is a freebie so you could try it too. It’s by the same author as the Vampire Knitting ones and I have at least one of those to try also.
Yea for some walking weather and blooming flowers. I was on a admitted students college tour with my son on Saturday and got in over 14,000 steps. It was sunny and we even peeked at the beach near by. He wants to go visit one more before he decides… I just want him to make a decision!
Well it’s a big decision so he probably should see the ones he is seriously considering. If it weren’t for Covid, I’d be excited about visiting all the different places. But I know it’s a relief to have a decision made and be able to plan accordingly.
I’m so impressed at how much you’ve read/listened to while you lead such a very busy life! My reading numbers have gone through the roof this last year simply because I spend so much time resting in bed, or on the settee:). Love the pic of Lulu sitting up. Thank you for sharing Anne – and for your lovely positive encouragement. I often think of you, remembering just how much you struggled and seeing you now so busy and active again has given me lots of hope and inspires me to keep on going! Have a great week:)).
Thank you Sarah. You really encouraged me when I was in so much pain. I hope you get past this soon and feel more of a return to things you want to do. With Covid out there, we aren’t returning “back to normal” any time soon. We will continue taking some precautions. But we really enjoy our life. I’m happy for alone time to read or work on various projects without interruptions. Audiobooks have helped me double my reading quantity because I listen while doing most things like walks and chores. Oddly it adds up to lots of hours. Lulu is a great comfort and joy.
My flowers and plants are all poking out of the ground. I can’t wait to see everything in bloom. It sounds like you had a busy week and you had a great reading month. I hope that you enjoy all of your new reads!
Thank you Carole. The hard work is done with the perennials. Although I did have to do some weeding. It was a good week where I felt on top of things. This week has blown up.
Lulu looks so cute in her sweater and the mini waffle maker sounds fun!
Thank you Jinjer. Lulu always looks cute. I was surprised how easy it was to use the tiny waffle maker and how well it worked.
A double Lulu fix💜💜💜 Thanks for that! I love your walk vistas.
Congrats on that buddy read with Berls. I love a good series binge read. I also got the new CL audiobook and can’t wait to start.
Have a great week, Anne!
Thank you Jonetta! I’m enjoying them. Also thinking about how early I will have to get up to manage it in the summer when it gets so hot.
Another busy week! You finished lots of reading in March! Love that photo of Lulu sitting up on her hind legs. My Lulu does that too sometimes and it’s so cute.
Thank you! It was an excellent reading month and I felt a lot more caught up. My calendar is jam packed through the end of May and most of June now so I can’t even add in something which catches my eye. (: But I have some great things to read. My Lulu does that a lot, especially when she wants me to go (walk, get dinner) or be picked up. She is SO smart, she knows exactly what time is normal for those too.
Sounds like you had a good week, and an excellent reading month in March!
I really did. Thank you.
You have great books on your list. And I loved that series by Nalini Singh.
Thank you. I’m very happy with my books.