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, the usual visiting. The weather is still nice today but heating up this week. I changed out one of the sensors and now I can check the temps in both freezers easily without opening the doors. This week is the last for Library Love Bingo and so I’m finishing up some library reads. I’ve been cutting back on social media a bit. I finally set up a bunch of posts for Sophia.
Tuesday, I did the usual. Then I went to drop off returns at Amazon, and then a pickup at Walmart. It feels even more hot after last week’s reprieve. I had an afternoon where I didn’t feel like doing anything. At dinner, we were trying to watch some Miss Marple but none of our devices were cooperating. Our Factor order came a day late and missing one meal, both of which are unusual.
Wednesday, I walked Lulu before breakfast because it will be so hot. I was caught up in the book I was reading last night and after breakfast I just sat and finished it. I did the usual visiting then and worked ahead on some posts. We got asked to keep Marley for an upcoming week and later keep Abby for a week. So I got out a dog gate I bought months ago to see if I could figure out how to install it.
Thursday, my daughter got all excited about a professional photo shoot with Lulu and she won an 8×10 portrait for free. It turns out the studio was 2 hours away and it required a $200 deposit. I wasn’t very excited about spending all those hours driving especially on a hot day, to then be pressured to buy a bunch of photos which are always a bit oddly posed. The photos weren’t too bad and only took about 15 minutes. The people were very nice and not really high pressured. We didn’t buy a bunch of photos. While driving I was able to listen to audiobooks, and write a review when I got home. We’ve been watching the videos of Miss Marple starring Joan Hickson from the 1980s. I think I much prefer the Geraldine McEwan ones I saw on PBS in the early 2000s but I’ve only seen a couple Hickson ones. Hickson is the narrator on all the Miss Marple audiobooks I have collected.
Friday, I had tons of emails and visiting and such to do since yesterday was not productive. Lulu and I went our for a quick visit with Marley who was headed off to grooming. I found that our Google Thermostats had some kind of default home and away programming instead of the schedule I set up. It kept thinking we were not home (we’ve been home all day) and letting the temperature go to 80F/ 27C which is too hot for us. I think I have deleted those defaults and have them set to the 72 to 75 range which is more tolerable. I’ll have to watch it more closely for a bit. I’m behind on my review books and trying to do less with social media right now. OK I went a little insane with ARCs especially since I’m behind.
Saturday, I got a decent start. I did some more research on what I would need for hanging the gate. It’s still hot, but finally it will rain a bit over night and then turn to north winds for the next 10 days! My daughter helped me with the gate. We had to hang the ends on one side twice but finally got it. Lulu didn’t understand it. But it will help us separate when needed for food or rest with more than one dog. I finished both my audio and my ebook today so a fresh start on both.
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August Reading: I had another good reading month. I managed to read 20 books. Audiobooks continue to help me read more. Some count for more than one challenge. I listened to 12 audiobooks, read 8 library books, 20 COYER reads, and 3 books which I already own.
All Library books (including ones not reviewed on the blog) 2024 Library Love Challenge
I did manage to read 3 books I own (goal is 3 per month):
- Time of Justice by Robin James
- First Fate by Kendall Talbot
- Blood Defense by Marcia Clark
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 Penguin Audio (3), Macmillan Audio, Libro.fm (Blackstone Publishing), Penguin Ace (2).
(If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry)
I purchased the first four books in the Cold Case Investigations series for $15.
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.
This week’s Friday freebies on Chirp:
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
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.
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- 🎧Chain Reaction by Lee Child, Andrew Child @Andrew_Grant @LeeChildReacher @ScottBrick @prhaudio.bsky.social @PRHAudio #LoveAudiobooks - October 22, 2026
- 🎧 Do You See What I See? by Peter Swanson @PeterSwanson3@grahamhalstead @wmmorrowbooks.bsky.social @HarperAudio #LoveAudiobooks #LibraryLove - October 20, 2026
- Sunday Post – 18 October 2026 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @readingreality.bsky.social @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - October 18, 2026
I’m not sure I would drive two hours for a photo shoot for anyone but my kids 😁 Looks like we will have a couple of September books in common, Rewitched and The Village Library Demon Hunting Society. Have a good week, Anne!
Thanks Tammy. In some ways, there are so few things my daughter asks for that I don’t mind sometimes. I do a lot of things for her but those have medical necessity and aren’t fun for her.
I can’t wait to read We Solve Murders! You got some cool books! Enjoy!
Have a great week and happy reading!
Stormi
Thank you Stormi. I certainly went a bit wild on book selections but they are all so appealing.
Aw, what sweet puppers! It looks like you have a lot of books coming up – hope you enjoy them!
Thank you Denise. I went a little wild with ARCs.
I had some “free” pet photo shoot thing I got an email I qualified for, but yeah, they wanted like $200 so I just passed it over. But that’s awesome that you at least enjoyed doing it. I do love the pictures of Lulu. I have a couple gates in my tiny house just to keep an eye on my own dogs, but it has been nice when I’ve watched other dogs too. We had the heat last week, but this weekend is nice and cool. My mom has a newer Google thermostat and I can’t figure it out as easily as the older one I have, but I think she had that same issue with hers. Hope you have a good week!
Thanks Lisa. Lulu is so photogenic. After today is going to cool down, I’m here for it.
You had a great reading month in August. I hope September is good too. I have We Solve Murders to read, too. It looks really good. I hope you enjoy your books. Have a great week!
Thanks Yvonne. We sure have a lot of great books coming up.
I like the Geraldine McEwan ones as well. I think she has a saucy little mischief look about her that fits her character.
yes Geraldine McEwan seems to talk more to her cohorts and law enforcement than the Joan Hickson version does.
I would not of been to happy about that drive either or the deposit but glad it worked out ok. I have rewitched to read as well. Have a great week.
Thanks Jan. I’m looking forward to those new books.
I don’t think I could get a photo with any of my pets. They do not like to sit still, and they LOVE other people and would be too excited. Disaster! Have a great week!
We’re lucky Lulu is a cuddler and very much a pleaser so she tries to do what we want.
I just downloaded Candle & Crow, but I need to go back and remember what’s happened in the previous two books. Especially since I did the re-read of IDC and don’t remember much of IS at all!
My week was pretty good. I missed my kiddos, especially my daughter, lots. She’s busy with classes and trying to meet new friends. I did take my husband clothes shopping – he needed a lot of new stuff. So I’m glad we got that done.
I just read the beginning of the series earlier this year so that works well. I’m glad you’re working into the new routine but then you’re traveling soon too.
LOL, yeah, a cooler week just makes the hotter one behind it feel more oppressive. Good idea to get outside early. Nice that you figured out the freezer temp readers and the house thermostat monitoring.
Appreciate the extra work on my posts. You’re the best!
Nicely done on your monthly reading/listening goals. I added one of those free Chirp books, too.
Have a good week, Anne!
Thank you Sophia. I appreciate how you are on top of things. I may have bitten off more than I can chew this month, we will see. It was a lower reading month but still I read some good things. This week is supposed to be cooler and I hope to do some outside work.
Wait, Chirp has free books on Fridays? I didn’t know that! All of the newly arrived books look so good I want to read them all! I hope it’s not super hot by you this week. We have a cool down happening and I’m quite happy!
Thanks Victoria. We also have the cooling down happening this week. Chirp has been doing Freebie Friday for a couple weeks. There are about 5 books each week. I don’t know how long they will do it but I’m getting them.
I have never used Chirp but the price is right with free! You’re a wonderful Mom to take your daughter 2 hours away for a photo shoot. I hope it’s cooler where you are and that you have a wonderful week Anne.
Thanks Jodie! I really like Chirp because there is no membership or subscription. You just buy what you want. They always have something on sale. If you wishlist stuff they let you know when it is on sale. And now freebies! I like their audio player too.
Rewitched looks so cute! I love that cozy cover. Have a wonderful week!
Thanks Diana. I have some cozy picks for autumn.
We’ve had an uptick in temps too. Summer is having its last fling. I’ve actually caught up a little since I made a point to request lightly. It’s been a bit of a relief and I’ve been able to read a few non-review/library lends and it’s been nice! I did get The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco and I hope we both love it. I covet that Richard Osman, but I usually get denied by that publisher, so I’ll probably wait and request it from my library.
Thanks Rachel. This week is back to a cooling down a bit. There’s always some publisher that doesn’t like me so I get it.
I downloaded We Solve Murders too. I am excited to dive in. I hope it cools off soon.
Thank you Kimberly. This week goes to north winds so it should be better.
Bummer about the professional shoot being so far away and then having to top up money. I would be thinking twice about driving two hours for that too, but I’m glad it all worked out and you got some nice pictures. Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!
Thank you. My daughter has so little she is really excited about I try to let her do a few things when we can.
It sounds like the photo shoot was more work than it was worth. I hope you at least got some good photos from it! I am glad they didn’t pressure you into buying more. Yay for a good reading month! I had a good one too. I hope you have a great week, Anne.
Thank you Wendy. The shoot was more than I would choose but it was something my daughter really wanted to do. She doesn’t have many things she wants to do so I try to go along when I can.
Look at sweet Lulu💜 What’s that harness for? She seems comfortable with it.
You picked up some great audio ARCs this week! I’m on the hunt for the Osman book. Happy reading!
Thanks Jonetta. Lulu wears the harness for walking. It’s better to have any pull be around the whole body than just around her neck, less choking since she is a hard puller. Luckily she doesn’t weigh very much but it’s surprising how strong she is.
Gotta love free stuff 😉
I enjoy how it lets me try new things at a low cost on my own timetable.
I’ve also been cutting down on social media as well and focusing more on blogging. Sorry to hear about the warm weather, we’re still have some warm days as well. I don’t like hot weather. I hope your thermostat works better now that you set the schedule again, but weird that it forgot the schedule in the first place. That’s nice you got that gate installed, sounds handy to have that. Have a great week!
Thank you Lola. I hope you are doing better. The cooler weather came back this week and I couldn’t be more thankful.