April 2019 Wrap-up

April’s TBR Pile (23/26):

1. Book of the Month Club: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green ✓

2. Girly Book Club: Fight or Flight by Samantha Young ✓

3. Friend Book Club: The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan ✓

4. UnRead Shelf Pick: Ghostland by Colin Dickey ✓

5. Random TBR Pick: Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco ✓

6. Series Pick: And Now for Something Different by Jodi Taylor (iPad) ✓

7. Monthly Keyword (All): Turtles All the Way Down by John Green ✓

8. Monthly Motif (Mystery): Cloaked in Malice by Annette Blair ✓

9. Comic: Lady Mechanika Vol. 3 ✓

10. Comic: Umbrella Academy Vol. 1 ✓

11. Ebook: The Magnolia Inn by Carolyn Brown (iPad) ✓

12. Ebook: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (iPad) ✓

13. Historical Fiction: The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams

14. Short Stories: How Long ‘Til Black Future Month by N.K. Jemisin ✓

15. Nonfiction: The Library Book by Susan Orlean ✓

16. Nonfiction: Atlas of the Unexpected by Travis Elborough ✓

17. Nonfiction: Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy by Anne Boyd Rioux ✓

18. Young Adult: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott ✓

19. Contemporary Fiction: The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker ✓

20. Mystery: Tulle Death Do Us Part by Annette Blair ✓

21. HP Year-Long ReRead: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

22. HP Year-Long ReRead: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

23. Added: The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin ✓

24. Added: The Winter Duchess by Jillian Eaton (iPad) ✓

25. Added: Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye ✓

26. Added: Tales of Mystery and the Macabre by Elizabeth Gaskell ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 6836 pages
Pages Remaining: 614.111 pages

Current Read - The Matchmaker’s List by Sonya Lalli

Books I Gave Up On (0) 

Books bought/received (0)

May TBR Pile:

1. Book of the Month Club: The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

2. Girly Book Club: A Curve in the Road by Julianne Maclean (iPad)

3. Friend Book Club: TBD

4. UnRead Shelf Pick: The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips

5. Random TBR Pick: The Merry Spinster by Mallory Ortberg

6. Ebook: The Strange Journey of Alice Pendelbury by Mary Levy (iPad)

7. Series Pick: Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

8. Alphabet Soup: Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi

9. Monthly Keyword (Daisy): Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

10. Monthly Motif (One Sitting Reads): Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen

11. Nonfiction: The Problem of Democracy by Nancy Isenberg

12. Nonfiction Cities by Monica Smith

13. Comic: The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 8

14. Comic: The Beauty Vol. 5

15. Comic: Heathen Vol. 1

16. Comic: Giant Days Vol. 8

17. Science Fiction: Hope for the Best by Jodi Taylor (iPad)

18. Horror: The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo

19. Romance: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

20. Romance: The Matchmaker’s List by Sonya Lalli

21. Historical Fiction: The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams

22. Historical Fiction: The Light Over London by Julia Kelly

23. Historical Fiction: Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

24. Historical Fiction: Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly

25. HP Reread: The Chamber of Secrets

26. HP Reread: The Prisoner of Azkaban

27. Short Stories: Toil and Trouble

28. Young Adult: Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta

29. Young Adult: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Movies watched

• MCU - We are officially caught up with all the MCU movies out. I need to go watch Captain Marvel, but otherwise we are ready to see Endgame.

TV Shows watched

• The Tick S2 — I figured out the Duke twist towards the end, but still loved this series so much!

• Letterkenny — We are completely caught up with the series. Goodness! This better come back sometime this year. At any rate, this is going to be a series that we will probably rewatch many many times. Hilarious!

• Superstore — Keeping up with the current season.

• The Magicians S4 — Holy crap! This season was bonkers, but I loved every minute of it!

• Veep S7 — Still funny.

• Umbrella Academy S1 — We finally started this series and I’m really loving all the changes they made from the comic. Especially love Klaus!

Comments - Such a great reading month! I thought things would slow down, but amazingly I kept it up. Plus I met my Unread Shelf goal of four books. I’m super ambitious for May, but I may just accomplish my reading goals.

Next up on the TBR pile:

March 2019 Wrap-up

March TBR Pile (27/37):

1. Book of the Month Club: Early Riser by Jasper Fforde

2. Girly Book Club: A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa ✓

3. Friend Book Club: A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza ✓

4. UnRead Shelf Pick: The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

5. Random TBR Pick: Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman (iPad) ✓

6. Series Pick: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness ✓

7. Series Pick: Cloaked in Malice by Annette Blair

8. Series Pick: The Battersea Barricades by Jodi Taylor (iPad) ✓

9. Series Pick: The Steam Pump Jump by Jodi Taylor (iPad) ✓

10. Monthly Keyword (Emerald): Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix ✓

11. Monthly Motif (Royalty, Government, Empires): TBD

12. Comic: Alex + Ada Vol. 1 ✓

13. Comic: Alex + Ada Vol. 2 ✓

14. Comic: Alex + Ada Vol. 3 ✓

15. Comic: Umbrella Academy Vol. 1

16. Comic: Lumberjanes Vol. 2 ✓

17. Comic: Paper Girls Vol. 5 ✓

18. Romance: P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han ✓

19. Romance: A Counterfeit Betrothal / The Notorious Rake by Mary Balogh ✓

20. Horror: The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay ✓

21. Science Fiction: The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin

22. Nonfiction: The Library Book by Susan Orlean

23. Nonfiction: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty ✓

24. Young Adult: Paper Towns by John Green ✓

25. Young Adult: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

26. HP Year-Long ReRead: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

27. Added: And Then You Die of Dysentery by Lauren Reeves ✓

28. Added: Road to Riverdale Vol. 1 ✓

29. Added: Road to Riverdale Vol. 2 ✓

30. Added: Road to Riverdale Vol. 3 ✓

31. Added: The Beauty Vol. 1 ✓

32. Added: The Beauty Vol. 2 ✓

33. Added: The Beauty Vol. 3 ✓

34. Added: The Beauty Vol. 4 ✓

35. Added: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield ✓

36. Added: Growing Season by Melanie Legaschulte ✓

37. Added: Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 6105 pages
Pages Remaining: 620,947 pages

Current Read - Cloaked in Malice by Annette Blair; The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Books I Gave Up On (0) 

Books bought/received (5) - It was my birthday month and I took myself to Half Price Books for some goodies. I only paid $15, so good bargain shopping!

• Tales of Mystery and the Macabre by Elizabeth Gaskell

• The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

• The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman

• The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick

• The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin

Aprils TBR Pile:

1. Book of the Month Club: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

2. Girly Book Club: Fight or Flight by Samantha Young

3. Friend Book Club: TBD

4. UnRead Shelf Pick: Ghostland by Colin Dickey

5. Random TBR Pick: Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco (not pictured)

6. Series Pick: And Now for Something Different by Jodi Taylor (iPad)

7. Monthly Keyword (All): Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (not pictured)

8. Monthly Motif (Mystery): Cloaked in Malice by Annette Blair

9. Comic: Lady Mechanika Vol. 3

10. Comic: Umbrella Academy Vol. 1 (not pictured)

11. Ebook: The Magnolia Inn by Carolyn Brown (iPad)

12. Ebook: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (iPad)

13. Historical Fiction: The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams

14. Short Stories: How Long ‘Til Black Future Month by N.K. Jemisin (not pictured)

15. Nonfiction: The Library Book by Susan Orlean

16. Nonfiction: Atlas of the Unexpected by Travis Elborough

17. Nonfiction: Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy by Anne Boyd Rioux

18. Young Adult: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

19. Contemporary Fiction: The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker (not pictured)

20. Mystery: Tulle Death Do Us Part by Annette Blair

21. HP Year-Long ReRead: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

22. HP Year-Long ReRead: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Movies watched

• Isn’t It Romantic — Pretty good, although I wish they would have leaned in a bit more.

• The Beatles: Eight Days a Night — Interesting documentary. Love all the concert footage I’ve never seen.

• Aquaman — Much better than I thought it would be…

• Quartermass and the Pit — More horror and science fiction this time. Loved it!

• Iron Man - We started rewatching all of the Marvel movies.

• Iron Man 2 - I haven’t watched this one in years. Not as bad as I thought, but not amazing…

• Thor - Oh goodness! This movie needed way more Loki…

• Captain America - Good, but I think Winter Soldier is far superior.

TV Shows watched - Just the usual. Nothing too exciting.

Comments - Another amazing reading month! I really think I should up my GoodReads goal to 215 (up from the current 175). I knocked off a few from my TBR pile and a ton of library books. Hoping to read more from my own shelves in the next two months, but I need to reinstitute my library ban…

Next up on the TBR pile:

February 2019 Wrap-up

February TBR Pile (21/26):

1. Book of the Month Club: In the Hurricane’s Eye by Nathaniel Philbrick

2. Girly Book Club: American War by Omar El Akkad ✓

3. UnRead Shelf Pick: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield

4. Random TBR Pick: #65 An Argumentation of Historians by Jodi Taylor (iPad) ✓

5. Series Pick: Lord Carew’s Bride by Mary Balogh ✓

6. Series Pick: A Counterfeit Betrothal by Mary Balogh

7. Monthly Keyword (Heart): Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill ✓

8. Monthly Motif (Cover Love): A Beautiful Poison by Lydia Kang (iPad) ✓

9. Comic: Lady Mechanika Vol. 1 ✓

10. Comic: Lady Mechanika Vol. 2 ✓

11. Comic: Lumberjanes Vol. 1 ✓

12. Romance: Dark Angel by Mary Balogh ✓

13. Romance: The Notorious Rake by Mary Balogh

14. Horror: Craven Manor by Darcy Coates ✓

15. Fantasy: In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire ✓

16. Science Fiction: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

17. Nonfiction: Eruption by Steve Olson ✓

18. Nonfiction: Visualizing the Beatles by John Pring and Rob Thomas ✓

19. Young Adult: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han ✓

20. HP Year-Long ReRead: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (no review) ✓

21. Added: The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas ✓

22. Added: The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin ✓

23. Added: Damsels Vol. 1 ✓

24. Added: Damsels Vol. 2 ✓

25. Added: Exquisite Corpse by Penelope Bagieu ✓

26. Added: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 6002 pages
Pages Remaining: 627,052 pages

Current Read - A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza; Paper Girls Vol. 5; The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

Books I Gave Up On (0) 

Books bought/received (0)

March's TBR Pile:

1. Book of the Month Club: Early Riser by Jasper Fforde

2. Girly Book Club: A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa

3. Friend Book Club: A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

4. UnRead Shelf Pick: The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

5. Random TBR Pick: Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman (iPad)

6. Series Pick: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

7. Series Pick: Cloaked in Malice by Annette Blair

8. Series Pick: The Battersea Barricades by Jodi Taylor (iPad)

9. Series Pick: The Steam Pump Jump by Jodi Taylor (iPad)

10. Monthly Keyword (Emerald): Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix

11. Monthly Motif (Royalty, Government, Empires): TBD

12. Comic: Alex + Ada Vol. 1

13. Comic: Alex + Ada Vol. 2

14. Comic: Alex + Ada Vol. 3

15. Comic: Umbrella Academy Vol. 1

16. Comic: Lumberjanes Vol. 2

17. Comic: Paper Girls Vol. 5

18. Romance: P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

19. Romance: A Counterfeit Betrothal / The Notorious Rake by Mary Balogh

20. Horror: The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

21. Science Fiction: The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin

22. Nonfiction: The Library Book by Susan Orlean

23. Nonfiction: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty

24. Young Adult: Paper Towns by John Green

25. Young Adult: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

26. HP Year-Long ReRead: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Movies watched

• Accident Man — Interest little assassin movie.

• Robin Hood (2018) — Honestly a bit of a trainwreck. No thank you.

• Lost Horizon (1937) — J was surprised that I had never seen this one. Very good!

• The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai — It’s been awhile since I watched this one. Very crazy! Just like I remembered it.

• Mega Time Squad — Weird little movie from New Zealand.

• The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Four Musketeers (1974) — We continued with our re-watching of all The Three Musketeers adaptations with this two-parter from the 1970s. I always forget the random weird shit going on in the background in these.

• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse — Oh so good! And the animation style is just amazing!

TV Shows watched

• Teachers S3

• Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj S1

• The Bachelor S23

• Letterkenny S3

• The Magicians S4

Comments - Another great reading month! I didn’t follow my library ban and read a ton from my shelves, but I did read a ton. And many of those books were ones that had been on my TBR list for awhile now. SO I’m calling it a good job! Having a ton of snow days helped. I’m super excited about March’s TBR pile. Can’t wait to dive in!

Next up on the TBR pile:

January 2019 Wrap-up

January TBR Pile (29/34):

1. Book of the Month Club: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton ✓

2. BOTM: In the Hurricane’s Eye by Nathaniel Philbrick

3. Girly Book Club: The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen ✓

4. West O Book Club: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (reread) ✓

5. Random TBR Pick: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin ✓

6. Series Pick: Lord Carew’s Bride by Mary Balogh

7. Series Pick: And the Rest is History by Jodi Taylor ✓

8. Alphabet Soup: Zorro by Isabel Allende ✓

9. Alphabet Soup: Dark Angel by Mary Balogh

10. Monthly Keyword (Jewel): A Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh ✓

11. Monthly Motif (New-to-Me Author): Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon ✓

12. Comic: The Walked Dead Vol. 30 ✓

13. Comic: Rat Queens Vol. 5 ✓

14. Comic: Saga Vol. 9 ✓

15. Comic: The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 7 ✓

16. Comic: The Exile by Diana Gabaladon ✓

17. Comic: The Autumnlands Vol. 1 ✓

18. Comic: Low Vol. 2 ✓

19. Comic: Low Vol. 3 ✓

20. Comic: Low Vol. 4 ✓

21. Romance: The Ideal Wife by Mary Balogh ✓

22. Science Fiction: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

23. Nonfiction: Coffee Talk by Morton Satin ✓

24. Young Adult: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

25. Carry-Over: Open House by Elizabeth Berg ✓

26. Added: Desiccated Water by Jodi Taylor ✓

27. Added: Markham and the Anal Probing by Jodi Taylor ✓

28. Added: A Perfect Storm by Jodi Taylor ✓

29. Added: Christmas Past by Jodi Taylor ✓

30. Added: Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand ✓

31. Added: Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand ✓

32. Added: Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon ✓

33. Added: Code Girls by Liza Mundy ✓

34. Added: Skirting the Grave by Annette Blair ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 7118 pages
Pages Remaining: 633,054 pages

Current Read - In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire; Craven Manor by Darcy Coates

Books I Gave Up On (0) 

Books bought/received (2)

• Swamplandia by Karen Russell - Half Price Books clearance find

• Craft a Life You Love by Amy Tangerine - Been eyeing this one for awhile. I finally pulled the trigger and bought it.

February's TBR Pile:

1. Book of the Month Club: In the Hurricane’s Eye by Nathaniel Philbrick

2. Girly Book Club: American War by Omar El Akkad

3. UnRead Shelf Pick: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield

4. Random TBR Pick: #65 An Argumentation of Historians by Jodi Taylor (iPad)

5. Series Pick: Lord Carew’s Bride by Mary Balogh

6. Series Pick: A Counterfeit Betrothal by Mary Balogh

7. Monthly Keyword (Heart): Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

8. Monthly Motif (Cover Love): A Beautiful Poison by Lydia Kang (iPad)

9. Comic: Lady Mechanika Vol. 1

10. Comic: Lady Mechanika Vol. 2

11. Comic: Lumberjanes Vol. 1

12. Romance: Dark Angel by Mary Balogh

13. Romance: The Notorious Rake by Mary Balogh

14. Horror: Craven Manor by Darcy Coates (iPad)

15. Fantasy: In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire

16. Science Fiction: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

17. Nonfiction: Eruption by Steve Olson

18. Nonfiction: Visualizing the Beatles by John Pring and Rob Thomas

19. Young Adult: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

20. HP Year-Long ReRead: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Movies watched — We did January movie month. See what we watched here, here, and here.

TV Shows watched

• The Bachelor S23 — Back at it even though I think Colton is a bit of a wet blanket.

• Letterkenny S2 — This show makes me laugh so hard!

• The Good Place S3 — This show continues to surprise us. Love it!

• The Magicians S4 — Finally it’s back! And oh my, that was such a season opener.

Comments - I rocked my reading in January! Look at all those books I finished! Four of them were off my UnRead Shelf, so progress on my 50 book goal. Unfortunately I went a little library crazy which impaired my total. Looking for more reads from my shelves this February.

Next up on the TBR pile:

December 2018 Wrap-up

December TBR Pile (16/43):

1. TBR Pile: The Firemaster’s Mistress by Christie Dickason

2. TBR Pile: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander

3. TBR Pile: Stealing Fire by Jo Graham

4. Reading Assignment: Strange Weather by Joe Hill ✓

5. Backlist Pick: Open House by Elizabeth Berg

6. Young Adult Pick: Looking for Alaska by John Green ✓

7. Horror Pick: Z-Burbia by Jake Bible ✓

8. Series Pick: And the Rest is History by Jodi Taylor

9. Series Pick: A Perfect Storm by Jodi Taylor

10. Series Pick: Christmas Past by Jodi Taylor

11. Series Pick: An Argumentation of Historians by Jodi Taylor

12. Book of the Month Club: TBD

13. Girly Book Club: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid ✓

14. Mystery Pick: Skirting the Grave by Annette Blair

15. West O Book Club: Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel by A.W. Jantha ✓

16. Added: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken ✓

17. Christmas Spirit RC: Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber ✓

18. CSRC: Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa de la Cruz ✓

19. CSRC: Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand ✓

20. CSRC: Winter Stroll by Erin Hilderbrand ✓

21. CSRC: Driving Home for Christmas by Lexy Timms ✓

22. CSRC: Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams

23. CSRC: Mistletoe and Mischief ✓

24. CSRC: A Family for Christmas by Noelle Adams

25. CSRC: Christmas with You by Tracey Alvarez

26. CSRC: Christmas Lovebirds by Rachelle Ayala

27. CSRC: Christmas Light by Jolyse Barnett

28. CSRC: Christmas with the Black Sheep by Natalie Nicole Bates

29. CSRC: Once Upon a Royal Christmas by Robin Bielman

30. CSRC: A Match Made at Christmas by Patty Blount

31. CSRC: A Pirate for Christmas by Anna Campbell

32. CSRC: Her Christmas Bonus by Rain Danvers

33. CSRC: A Kiss of Christmas by Jillian Eaton

34. CSRC: Santa Baby, I Want a Bad Boy for Christmas by Justine Elvira

35. CSRC: My Christmas Curse by Joan Gable

36. CSRC: The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield

37. CSRC: A Cotswold Christmas by Kate Hewitt

38. CSRC: Melody’s Christmas by ID Johnson

39. CSRC: Once Upon a Christmas by Lisa Plumley

40. CSRC: A Christmas Gift by Stella Wilkinson ✓

41. CSRC: A Town Called Christmas by Stella Wilkinson ✓

42. CSRC: That Mistletoe Moment ✓

43. CSRC: The Night Before Christmas ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 4561  pages
Pages Remaining: 640,172 pages

Current Read - And the Rest is History by Jodi Taylor; The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton; Coffee Talk by Morton Satin

Books I Gave Up On (0) 

Books bought/received (0)

January's TBR Pile:

1. Book of the Month Club: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

2. BOTM: In the Hurricane’s Eye by Nathaniel Philbrick

3. Girly Book Club: The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

4. West O Book Club: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

5. Random TBR Pick: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

6. Series Pick: Lord Carew’s Bride by Mary Balogh

7. Series Pick: And the Rest is History by Jodi Taylor

8. Alphabet Soup: Zorro by Isabel Allende

9. Alphabet Soup: Dark Angel by Mary Balogh

10. Monthly Keyword (Jewel): A Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh

11. Monthly Motif (New-to-Me Author): Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon

12. Comic: The Walked Dead Vol. 30

13. Comic: Rat Queens Vol. 5

14. Comic: Saga Vol. 9

15. Comic: The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 7

16. Comic: The Exile by Diana Gabaladon

17. Comic: The Autumnlands Vol. 1

18. Comic: Low Vol. 2

19. Comic: Low Vol. 3

20. Comic: Low Vol. 4

21. Romance: The Ideal Wife by Mary Balogh

22. Science Fiction: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

23. Nonfiction: Coffee Talk by Morton Satin

24. Young Adult: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

25. Carry-Over: Open House by Elizabeth Berg

Movies watched

• Sorry to Bother You — Wow! This was amazing and weird. Loved it.

• They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead — Interesting documentary about Orson Welles.

• Game Night — There were a few really funny lines, but the overall plot was lacking.

• Ralph Breaks the Internet — I took the little boys to see a movie! We rarely (like never) go to the theater to see a movie. It was fun and the boys loved it. Even Q had minimal talking throughout.

TV Shows watched

• Doctor Who S11 — Disappointed that this was such a short season, but I did really enjoy it. “It Takes You Away” was surprisingly touching.

• Riverdale S1-2 — I finished the first season and started the second.

• The Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj — J and I started this series that’s the in-depth portion of Last Week Tonight but done with more flair. Loving it.

• The Musketeers S3 — Finally finished this series.

Comments - Holy cow! I ended the year on a high note in terms of reading. I didn’t quite finish all my reading challenges, but I got so darn close. And I had a lifetime record high books and pages read. Go me! I can’t wait to see what great reads I pick up for 2019.

Next up on the TBR pile:

November 2018 Wrap-up

November's TBR Pile (16/24):

1. TBR Pile: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander

2. Reading Assignment: The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan ✓

3. Book of the Month Club: The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

4. Book of the Month Club: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

5. Book of the Month Club: In the Hurricane’s Eye by Nathaniel Philbrick

6. Book of the Month Club November: (Skipped this month)

7. Series Pick: Lies, Damned Lies, and History by Jodi Taylor ✓

8. Series Pick: The Great St. Mary’s Day Out by Jodi Taylor ✓

9. Series Pick: My Name is Markham by Jodi Taylor ✓

10. Historical Fiction Pick: The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian ✓

11. Nonfiction Pick: Spinning Straw into Gold by Joan Gould ✓

12. Nonfiction Pick: Eruption by Steve Olson

13. Retelling Pick: Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

14. Horror Pick: Paper Dolls by Anya Allyn

15. Short Story Pick: Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant ✓

16. Added: A Magical Match by Juliet Blackwell ✓

17. Added: Black Magick Vol. 2 ✓

18. Added: East of West Vol. 8 ✓

19. Added: Monstress Vol. 3 ✓

20. Added: Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen ✓

21. Added: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ✓

22. Added: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson ✓

23. Added: On a Cold Dark Sea by Elizabeth Blackwell ✓

24. Added: Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 3939 pages
Pages Remaining: 644,733 pages

Current Read - Mistletoe and Mischief; Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel by A.W. Jantha; Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber

Books I Gave Up On (0) 

Books bought/received (0)

December's TBR Pile:

1. TBR Pile: The Firemaster’s Mistress by Christie Dickason

2. TBR Pile: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander

3. TBR Pile: Stealing Fire by Jo Graham

4. Reading Assignment: Strange Weather by Joe Hill

5. Backlist Pick: Open House by Elizabeth Berg

6. Young Adult Pick: Looking for Alaska by John Green

7. Horror Pick: Z-Burbia by Jake Bible

8. Series Pick: And the Rest is History by Jodi Taylor

9. Series Pick: A Perfect Storm by Jodi Taylor

10. Series Pick: Christmas Past by Jodi Taylor

11. Series Pick: An Argumentation of Historians by Jodi Taylor

12. Book of the Month Club: TBD

13. Girly Book Club: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

14. Mystery Pick: Skirting the Grave by Annette Blair

15. West O Book Club: Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel by A.W. Jantha

16. Christmas Spirit RC: Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber

17. CSRC: Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams

18. CSRC: Mistletoe and Mischief

19. CSRC: A Family for Christmas by Noelle Adams

20. CSRC: Christmas with You by Tracey Alvarez

21. CSRC: Christmas Lovebirds by Rachelle Ayala

22. CSRC: Christmas Light by Jolyse Barnett

23. CSRC: Christmas with the Black Sheep by Natalie Nicole Bates

24. CSRC: Once Upon a Royal Christmas by Robin Bielman

25. CSRC: A Match Made at Christmas by Patty Blount

26. CSRC: A Pirate for Christmas by Anna Campbell

27. CSRC: Her Christmas Bonus by Rain Danvers

28. CSRC: A Kiss of Christmas by Jillian Eaton

29. CSRC: Santa Baby, I Want a Bad Boy for Christmas by Justine Elvira

30. CSRC: My Christmas Curse by Joan Gable

31. CSRC: The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield

32. CSRC: A Cotswold Christmas by Kate Hewitt

33. CSRC: Melody’s Christmas by ID Johnson

34. CSRC: Once Upon a Christmas by Lisa Plumley

35. CSRC: A Christmas Gift by Stella Wilkinson

36. CSRC: A Town Called Christmas by Stella Wilkinson

Movies watched

• Mission Impossible: Fallout — A good action film to entertain me for the night.

• The Meg — Very fun action film, just don’t think too hard about it.

• Upgrade — We liked it while watching, but many aspects of this movie make no sense.

• The Three Musketeers (1948) — Not a new to me movie, but one I haven’t watched in years. Very entertaining.

• Better Starting Running — A very quirky little movie. Pretty entertaining.

TV Shows watched

• Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father S2 — Another fun romp with Jack and his father.

• Stan Against Evil S3 — This show is just so much fun!

• Full Frontal — Trying to catch up but we’re like 6 weeks behind.

Comments - November did not quite go how I was expecting reading-wise. I got waylaid from my original list by a ton of library reads. But that’s cool. I still read a ton. Hoping to end the year on a high note with the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge and attempting to complete a few of my other Reading Challenges.

Next up on the TBR pile:

October 2018 Wrap-up

October's TBR Pile (14/20):

1. TBR Pile: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander

2. TBR Pile: An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin ✓

3. Reading Assignment: Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant ✓

4. Book of the Month Club: The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

5. Series Pick: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? by Jodi Taylor ✓

6. Historical Fiction Pick: The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian

7. Historical Fiction Pick: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer ✓

8. Nonfiction Pick: Spinning Straw into Gold by Joan Gould

9. Spooky Pick: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield

10. Retelling Pick: Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

11. Mystery Pick: A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen ✓

12. Mystery Pick: A Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen ✓

13. Mystery Pick: A Veiled Deception by Annette Blair ✓

14. Mystery Pick: Larceny in Lace by Annette Blair ✓

15. Short Stories: Florida by Lauren Groff ✓

16. Added: Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings by Jodi Taylor ✓

17. Added: The Dollhouse by Anya Allyn ✓

18. Added: You’re the Rogue that I Want by Samantha Holt ✓

19. Added: Extinct by Ike Hamill ✓

20. Added: Dracula by Bram Stoker ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 4250 pages
Pages Remaining: 648,672 pages

Current Read - Spinning Straw into Gold by Joan Gould; Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant

Books I Gave Up On (0) 

Books bought/received (0)

November's TBR Pile:

1. TBR Pile: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander

2. Reading Assignment: The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

3. Book of the Month Club: The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

4. Book of the Month Club: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

5. Book of the Month Club: In the Hurricane’s Eye by Nathaniel Philbrick

6. Book of the Month Club November: TBD

7. Series Pick: Lies, Damned Lies, and History by Jodi Taylor

8. Series Pick: The Great St. Mary’s Day Out by Jodi Taylor

9. Series Pick: My Name is Markham by Jodi Taylor

10. Historical Fiction Pick: The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian

11. Nonfiction Pick: Spinning Straw into Gold by Joan Gould

12. Nonfiction Pick: Eruption by Steve Olson

13. Retelling Pick: Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

14. Horror Pick: Paper Dolls by Anya Allyn

15. Short Story Pick: Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant

Movies watched

• Incredibles 2 — Arthur and I went to see this at the theater while in Indiana. He was scared by the villain. I loved it!

• Ant Man and the Wasp — Paul Rudd is a treasure! The rest of the movie was pretty good. That mid-credit scene just about killed me.

• Peter Rabbit — Parts of this movie were really concerning…

• Tag — Funnier than the trailers and reviews made it seem.

TV Shows watched — I didn’t really want anything the first half of the month as I was visiting family and then moving with no tv. We played catch-up for the second half of the month focusing on shows currently airing.

• Food Truck Road Race S6 — Random watch while still at my mom’s house. I didn’t realize there were at least seven seasons out. I’ve only seen the first three.

• Last Week Tonight — Playing catchup

• The Good Place S3 — Playing catchup. Chidi’s breakdown was simply amazing!

• Doctor Who S11 — Only two episodes in, but I’m loving Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor.

• It’s Always Sunny S13 — Starting out strong with a fun episode featuring Mindy Kaling. I loved the “Time’s Up” episode.

• Superstore S4 — The side characters are the best parts of this show.

• Big Mouth S2 — This show surprises me with the serious topics and the big laughs.

Comments - We officially moved to Nebraska during the second week of the month. Everything has been thrown off due to the move, but I amazingly enough read a ton throughout. Looking to end the year strong.

Next up on the TBR pile:

September 2018 Wrap-up

September's TBR Pile (14/17):

1. TBR Pile: An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin

2. Reading Assignment: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde ✓

3. Book of the Month Club (carry-over): The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle DNF

4. Book of the Month Club (carry-over): Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik ✓

5. Book of the Month Club: The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

6. Book Club: Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen ✓

7. Series Pick: Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan ✓

8. Comics Pick: Rat Queens Vol. 4 ✓

9. Romance Pick: Flirting with Forever by Gwyn Cready ✓

10. Nonfiction Pick: Pox Americana by Elizabeth A. Fenn ✓

11. Classics Pick: Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston ✓

12. Young Adult Pick: Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan ✓

13. Added: Black Magick Vol. 1 ✓

14. Added: Cocktails Across America by Diane Lapis and Anne Peck-Davis ✓

15. Added: I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel ✓

16. Added: Artemis by Andy Weir ✓

17. Added: Masked Ball at Broxley Manor by Rhys Bowen ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 3968 pages
Pages Remaining: 652,922 pages

Current Read - What Could Possibly Go Wrong? by Jodi Taylor; A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen

Books I Gave Up On (0) 

Books bought/received (0)

October's TBR Pile: It’s going to be a weird month. We’re in Indiana right now and hope to be in our new Nebraska house within the next week. As such, my TBR pile is a bit nebulous right now. I did grab some books from the library here in Indiana to tide me over.

1. TBR Pile: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander

2. TBR Pile: An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin

3. Reading Assignment: Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

4. Book of the Month Club: The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

5. Series Pick: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? by Jodi Taylor

6. Historical Fiction Pick: The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian

7. Historical Fiction Pick: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

8. Nonfiction Pick: Spinning Straw into Gold by Joan Gould

9. Spooky Pick: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield

10. Retelling Pick: Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

11. Mystery Pick: A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen

12. Mystery Pick: A Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen

13. Mystery Pick: A Veiled Deception by Annette Blair

14. Mystery Pick: Larceny in Lace by Annette Blair

15. Short Stories: Florida by Lauren Groff

Movies watched

• Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom -- Super silly. A beat-for-beat remake of the first movie but without the heart. Oh well. I still root for the dinosaurs and Blue is awesome!

• Solo: A Star Wars Story — This was a lot better than I was expecting. I really only watched it for Donald Glover’s Lando. And he was glorious! The rest was pretty good.

TV Shows watched

Comments - I knocked out a decent amount of books before we packed up the house and travelled to Indiana. We’re still in a weird limbo area while visiting family in Indiana before we get into our new house in Nebraska. Hoping to get back into reading my own books soon.

Next up on the TBR pile:

August 2018 Wrap-up

August's TBR Pile (11/14):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham ✓
2. TBR Pile: Little Bee by Chris Cleave ✓
3. Reading Assignment: How to Fall in Love with a Man Who Lives in a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson ✓
4. Reading Assignment: The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert ✓
5. Book of the Month Club (July): Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
6. Book of the Month Club (August): The Dinner List
7. Series Pick: Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine ✓
8. Comics Pick: The Walking Dead Vol. 30
9. Romance Pick: The Stolen Bride by Jo Beverley ✓
10. Romance Pick: Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverley ✓
11. Nonfiction Pick: College Girls by Lynn Peril ✓
12. Classics Pick: Daisy Miller and Washington Square by Henry James ✓
13. Young Adult Pick: Unspoken by Sarah Brennan ✓
14. Added: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 3477 pages
Pages Remaining: 656,890 pages

Current Read - Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik 

Books I Gave Up On (0) 

Books bought/received (1) -- I picked up The Eyre Affair for cheap instead of waiting for the library holds list. 

September's TBR Pile:

1. TBR Pile: An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
2. Reading Assignment: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
3. Book of the Month Club (carry-over): The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle
4. Book of the Month Club (carry-over): Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
5. Book of the Month Club: TBD
6. Book Club: Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen
7. Series Pick: Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan
8. Comics Pick: Rat Queens Vol. 4
9. Romance Pick: Flirting with Forever by Gwyn Cready
10. Nonfiction Pick: Pox Americana by Elizabeth A. Fenn
11. Classics Pick: Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
12. Young Adult Pick: Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan

Movies watched

• The Avengers: Infinity War -- I was not ready for that emotional roller coaster. 
• Deadpool 2 -- So f*ing funny. Love it when they break the fourth wall.
• Ready Player One -- Not as bad as I was thinking it would be, but a little too flashy.
• The Trip -- A rewatch for us as we wanted to watch the other two movies. 
• The Trip to Italy -- Loved this crazy film featuring two crazy guys.
• The Trip to Spain -- Loved the final movie. So good.
• Absolutely, Anything -- Not quite sure why this has such a low rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It's not great, but it's also not a steaming pile of garbage as the rating implies. 
• Won't You Be My Neighbor? -- This has been on our list for awhile now. Very moving!

TV Shows watched

• Bachelor in Paradise S5 -- So much more fun than the regular series. 
• Legion S2 -- We're slowing making our way through the season. Only a few more episodes to go. 
• Supernatural S5 -- Finishing the last season that I watched all the way through. 

Comments - As expected, my reading slowed down this month but I still knocked out quite a few from my shelves. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

July 2018 Wrap-up

July's TBR Pile (14/21):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay (not pictured) ✓
2. TBR Pile: Little Bee by Chris Cleave
3. Reading Assignment: How to Fall in Love with a Man Who Lives in a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson
4. Book of the Month Club (July): Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
5. Comics Pick: Locke and Key: Heaven and Earth ✓
6. Comics Pick: The Walking Dead: Here's Negan ✓
7. Romance Pick: Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed by Jo Beverley ✓
8. Romance Pick: The Stolen Bride by Jo Beverley
9. Romance Pick: Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverley
10. Classics Pick: Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen (not pictured) ✓
11. Horror Pick: The Boy on the Bridge by M.R. Carey
12. Young Adult Pick: Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire ✓
13. Young Adult Pick: Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire ✓
14. Young Adult Pick: Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire ✓
15. Mystery Pick: Give Up the Ghost by Juliet Blackwell ✓
16. Mystery Pick: A Ghostly Light by Juliet Blackwell ✓
17. Science Fiction Pick: Symbiont by Mira Grant ✓
18. Science Fiction Pick: Chimera by Mira Grant ✓
19. Novella Pick: Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire ✓
20. Random Pick: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
21. Added: The Walking Dead Vol. 29 ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 3518 pages
Pages Remaining: 660,367 pages

Current Read - Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine

Books I Gave Up On (0) 

Books bought/received (1) -- Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye. I snapped this up from the clearance section at Half Price Books. We took in three bags to sell and only walked out with 5 books bought (2 for the twins, 1 for me, and 2 for Arthur).

August's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham (iPad)
2. TBR Pile: Little Bee by Chris Cleave
3. Reading Assignment: How to Fall in Love with a Man Who Lives in a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson
4. Reading Assignment: The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert (not pictured)
5. Book of the Month Club (July): Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
6. Book of the Month Club (August): TBD
7. Series Pick: Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine
8. Comics Pick: The Walking Dead Vol. 30 (not pictured)
9. Romance Pick: The Stolen Bride by Jo Beverley
10. Romance Pick: Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverley
11. Nonfiction Pick: College Girls by Lynn Peril
12. Classics Pick: Daisy Miller and Washington Square by Henry James
13. Young Adult Pick: Unspoken by Sarah Brennan 

Movies watched

• Rampage -- Way more entertaining than it should have been. Loved it!
• Please Stand By -- An interesting coming-of-age story.

TV Shows watched

• Jack Whitehall Travels with My Father S1 -- So incredibly funny! And we're excited to learn that there's going to be another season.
• Bounty Hunters S1 -- We went on a Jack Whitehall binge clearly. This one was very fun. Here's hoping for another season.
• The Tick S1 -- J made me watch this one and I loved it so much! 
• Legion S2 -- Finally restarted the second season.

Comments - A big dip in my reading this month but no worries. I'm now back to my usual reading levels. I've pulled about 20 owned books that I want to read before we move in September. Hoping to get those knocked out and refrain from checking out too many library books.

Next up on the TBR pile:

June 2018 Wrap-up

June's TBR Pile (40/44):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan ✓
2. TBR Pile: The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie DNF
3. Reading Assignment: A History of the Wife by Marilyn Yalom ✓
4. Book of the Month Club (June): The Anamoly by Michael Rutger ✓
5. Series Pick: Murder on the House by Juliet Blackwell ✓
6. Comics Pick: Manhattan Projects Vol. 6
7. Comics Pick: Paper Girls Vol. 1 ✓
8. Comics Pick: Paper Girls Vol. 2 ✓
9. Comics Pick: Paper Girls Vol. 3 ✓
10. Comics Pick: March Vol. 1 ✓
11. Comics Pick: March Vol. 2 ✓
12. Comics Pick: March Vol. 3 ✓
13. Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 1 ✓
14. Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 2 ✓
15. Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 3 ✓
16. Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 4 ✓
17. Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 5 ✓
18. Comics Pick: The Haunted Mansion ✓
19. Comics Pick: Creatures of the Night ✓
20. Comics Pick: Moonstruck Vol. 1 ✓
21. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 1 ✓
22. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 2 ✓
23. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 3 ✓
24. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 4 ✓
25. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 5 ✓
26. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 6 ✓
27. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 7 ✓
28. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 8
29. Mystery Pick: A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas ✓
30. Classics Pick: Out of Africa by Isak Denison 
31. Young Adult Pick: The Selection by Kiera Cass ✓
32. Young Adult Pick: The Elite by Kiera Cass ✓
33. Young Adult Pick: The One by Kiera Cass ✓
34. Young Adult Pick: The Selection Stories by Kiera Cass ✓
35. Zombie Pick: A Mad Zombie Party by Gena Showalter ✓
36. Carry-over Pick: Parasite by Mira Grant ✓
37. Added: Across a Star-swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund ✓
38. Added: The Stanforth Secrets by Jo Beverley ✓
39. Added: Home for the Haunting by Juliet Blackwell ✓
40. Added: Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass ✓
41. Added: The Heir by Kiera Cass ✓
42. Added: The Crown by Kiera Cass ✓
43. Added: Keeper of the Castle by Juliet Blackwell ✓
44. Added: Paper Girls Vol. 4 ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 9362 pages
Pages Remaining: 663,885 pages

Current Read - Symbiont by Mira Grant

Books I Gave Up On (1) -- The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie. I didn't connect to any of the characters and was fairly bored by the fairly large section that I did read. Decided to move along.

Books bought/received (0)

July's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay (not pictured)
2. TBR Pile: Little Bee by Chris Cleave
3. Reading Assignment: How to Fall in Love with a Man Who Lives in a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson
4. Book of the Month Club (July): Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
5. Comics Pick: Locke and Key: Heaven and Earth
6. Comics Pick: The Walking Dead: Here's Negan
7. Romance Pick: Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed by Jo Beverley
8. Romance Pick: The Stolen Bride by Jo Beverley
9. Romance Pick: Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverley
10. Classics Pick: Out of Africa by Isak Denison (not pictured)
11. Horror Pick: The Boy not he Bridge by M.R. Carey
12. Young Adult Pick: Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
13. Young Adult Pick: Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
14. Young Adult Pick: Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire
15. Mystery Pick: Give Up the Ghost by Juliet Blackwell (not pictured)
16. Mystery Pick: A Ghostly Light by Juliet Blackwell
17. Science Fiction Pick: Symbiont by Mira Grant
18. Science Fiction Pick: Chimera by Mira Grant
19. Novella Pick: Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire
20. Random Pick: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Movies watched

• Howard's End -- Have to say that I wasn't the biggest fan of this story. 
• Emma (2009) -- Love this version on the Austen classic. Romola Garai is perfect as Emma.
• American Satan -- The classic story of Faust is always good material for a movie. While this one had an interesting take on the story, I don't think it was executed very well. 
• Forbidden Planet (1956) -- We introduced the twins to this classic science fiction movie.  
• Tomb Raider -- Meh. 
• The Girl with All the Gifts -- They amped up the creep factor, but a pretty true adaptation of the book. Really enjoyed this one.
• A Bad Idea Gone Wrong -- Fun little indie comedy we watched yesterday. Enjoyed it.

TV Shows watched

• Call the Midwife S2 -- Slowly working my way through this show.
• Elementary S5 -- Keeping up with the currently airing season.
• The Bachelorette S14 -- So here for Becca's season!

Comments - Holy cow! I started the month with a giant stack of comics and managed to read almost all of them. I'm so very excited about my reading this past month. Beyond the comics, I knocked out a fun YA series, a couple of nonfiction reads, a few fun cozy mysteries, and the start of a great science fiction trilogy. I can't wait to see what July brings!

Next up on the TBR pile:

May 2018 Wrap-up

May's TBR Pile (16/17):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Sourdough by Robin Sloan ✓
2. TBR Pile: Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien ✓
3. Reading Assignment: Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (iPad) ✓
4. Book of the Month Club (April): Circe by Madeline Miller ✓
5. Book of the Month Club (May): Skipped as wasn't excited about the books this month...
6. Series Pick: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter ✓
7. Series Pick: The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter ✓
8. Comics Pick: The Walking Dead Volume 28 ✓
9. Romance Pick: Slightly Tempted by Mary Balogh (not pictured) ✓
10. Romance Pick: Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh (not pictured) ✓
11. Romance Pick: Slightly Sinful by Mary Balogh (not pictured) ✓
12. Classics Pick: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (iPad) ✓
13. Nonfiction Pick: The Little Book of Feminist Saints by Julia Pierpont and Manjit Thapp ✓
14. Young Adult Pick: For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund ✓
15. Short Stories: Mad Hatters and March Hares ✓
16. Science Fiction Pick: Parasite by Mira Grant
17. Added: The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman (not pictured) ✓
18. Added: For Darkness Shows the Stars Short Stories by Diana Peterfreund ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 5065 pages
Pages Remaining: 673,247 pages

Current Read - A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books bought/received (0)

June's TBR Pile: I went a little crazy in the comics aisle at the library and broke my library ban hard. But, I'm so excited to read this giant stack of comics. 

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan (not pictured)
2. TBR Pile: The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie
3. Reading Assignment: A History of the Wife by Marilyn Yalom
4. Book of the Month Club (June): TBD
5. Series Pick: Murder on the House by Juliet Blackwell
6. Comics Pick: Manhattan Projects Vol. 6
7. Comics Pick: Paper Girls Vol. 1
8. Comics Pick: Paper Girls Vol. 2
9. Comics Pick: Paper Girls Vol. 3
10. Comics Pick: March Vol. 1
11. Comics Pick: March Vol. 2
12. Comics Pick: March Vol. 3
13. Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 1
14. Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 2
15. Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 3
16. Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 4
17. Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 5
18. Comics Pick: The Haunted Mansion
19. Comics Pick: Creatures of the Night
20. Comics Pick: Moonstruck Vol. 1
21. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 1
22. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 2
23. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 3
24. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 4
25. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 5
26. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 6
27. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 7
28. Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 8
29. Mystery Pick: A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas
30. Classics Pick: Out of Africa by Isak Denison (not pictured)
31. Young Adult Pick: The Selection by Kiera Cass 
32. Young Adult Pick: The Elite by Kiera Cass
33. Young Adult Pick: The One by Kiera Cass 
34. Young Adult Pick: The Selection Stories by Kiera Cass
35. Zombie Pick: A Mad Zombie Party by Gena Showalter 
36. Carry-over Pick: Parasite by Mira Grant

Movies watched

• Mad Max: Fury Road -- Finally saw this one. It has been on my short list since it came out. 
• Black Panther -- Oh my! Oh my! This may have just become my favorite Marvel movie so far. Such great characters! 
• Red Dawn (Riff Trax Version) -- Obviously I have seen the original Red Dawn many times, but we watched the Riff Trax version this month and I was dying of laughter!
• Road House (Riff Trax Version) -- We continued our Patrick Swayze nonsense. Not quite as funny as Red Dawn, but entertaining.
• Pitch Perfect 3 -- I needed some mindless fun.

TV Shows watched

• Supernatural S4-5 -- Working our way through this colossal series. 
• Full Frontal -- We finally caught up!
• Plebs S3 -- The last episode was a great send-off for the boys.
• Elementary S6 -- J and I have been watching this one in real time. We usual figure out the killer very quickly, but it's still an entertaining show.
• The 100 S6 -- Oh my. This show is super cheesy and yet I can't wait to watch it!
• UnReal S3 -- With J out of the country on a work trip, I get to watch some of the shows that I have ignored in favor of shows we both watch. I finally get to watch S3 for this one!

Comments - Another great reading month in the books. I knocked out a few more book from my unread shelves. I also started a few good series. I even sorted through my unread shelves and put 10 books that I am no longer interested in reading into the "To sell" pile. Here's to June's giant stack of comics. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

April 2018 Wrap-up

April's TBR Pile (19/26):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Radium Girls by Denise Kiernan (not pictured) ✓
2. TBR Pile: Parasite by Mira Grant
3. TBR Pile: The Dress Lodger by Sherri Holman
4. Reading Assignment: The Words We Live By by Linda Monk (not pictured)
5. Book of the Month Club (April): Circe by Madeline Miller (not pictured)
6. Series Pick: If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell ✓
7. Comics Pick: Revival Volume 8 ✓
8. Short Stories: The Emerald City by Jane Yolen ✓
9. Romance Pick: Slightly Married by Mary Balogh ✓
10. Romance Pick: Slightly Wicked by Mary Balogh ✓
11. Romance Pick: Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh ✓
12. Classics Pick: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
13. Nonfiction Pick: It’s All Relative by A.J. Jacobs
14. Nonfiction Pick: Lost San Francisco by Dennis Evanosky and Eric J. Kos ✓
15. Nonfiction Pick: Lost Worlds of the San Francisco Bay Area ✓
16. Nonfiction Pick: Bachelor Nation by Amy Kaufman (not pictured) ✓
17. Spring Into Horror Pick: Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice (not pictured)
18. SIH Pick: The Great Halifax Explosion by John Bacon ✓
19. SIH Pick: Alice in Zombieland by Gina Showalter (not pictured) ✓
20. SIH Pick: The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King ✓
21. SIH Pick: Jennifer Government by Max Barry ✓
22. SIH Pick: Dead Bold by Juliet Blackwell ✓
23. SIH Pick: Penny Dreadful Volume 1 ✓
24. SIH Pick: The World of Lore Monstrous Creatures by Aaron Mahnke (not pictured) ✓
25. Added: NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (not pictured) ✓
26. Added: River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey (not pictured) ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 6237  pages
Pages Remaining: 678,312 pages

Current Read - Circe by Madeline Miller

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books bought/received (19) -- I escaped my kids for a few hours and hit the library's book sale. I got all these books for $4. 

• Earthly Joys by Philippa Gregory
• Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott
• The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman
• Zorro by Isabel Allende
• Across the Universe by Beth Revis
• A Fine Passion by Stephanie Laurens
• To Distraction by Stephanie Laurens
• The Black Swan by Mercedes Lackey
• Four In Hand by Stephanie Laurens
• All About Love by Stephanie Laurens
• A Secret Love by Stephanie Laurens
• The Perfect Lover by Stephanie Laurens
• Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens
• The Golden One by Elizabeth Peters
• Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas
• Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
• Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier
• St. Raven by Jo Beverley
• Winterset by Candace Camp

May's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Sourdough by Robin Sloan
2. TBR Pile: Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien
3. Reading Assignment: Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (iPad)
4. Book of the Month Club (April): Circe by Madeline Miller
5. Book of the Month Club (May): TBD
6. Series Pick: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter
7. Series Pick: The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter
8. Comics Pick: The Walking Dead Volume 28
9. Romance Pick: Slightly Tempted by Mary Balogh (not pictured)
10. Romance Pick: Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh (not pictured)
11. Romance Pick: Slightly Sinful by Mary Balogh (not pictured)
12. Classics Pick: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (iPad)
13. Nonfiction Pick: The Little Book of Feminist Saints by Julia Pierpont and Manjit Thapp
14. Young Adult Pick: For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
15. Short Stories: Mad Hatters and March Hares
16. Science Fiction Pick: Parasite by Mira Grant

Movies watched

• Annihilation -- Very different from the book, but I think I liked it. Not a movie for everyone.
• The Shallows -- Pretty, but the story and thriller aspects were fairly boring.
• RKO 281 -- The fictionalized account of the making of Citizen Kane. Interesting...

TV Shows watched

• Magicians S3 -- We finished off this season and oh my, it was wonderful! Can't wait to see what S4 brings.
• Veep S6 -- We completely forgot about watching the last season of this show. Don't worry, we rectified our oversight.
• Supernatural S4 -- Plugging away at this series. We finally meet at least one of the angels.
• The Shannara Chronicles S2 -- We finally finished this series. Kinda sad it was canceled, but oh well.

Comments - Wow! I read over 6000 pages this month! I don't quite believe it. I don't feel like I've been reading excessively, but apparently I have found more time for it. Really hoping to keep this going and read more great books in May!

Next up on the TBR pile:

March 2018 Wrap-up

March's TBR Pile (15/16):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss (not pictured) ✓
2. TBR Pile: The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant ✓
3. Reading Assignment: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning ✓
4. Book of the Month Club (February): The Philosopher's Flight by Tom Miller ✓
5. Book of the Month Club (March): Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser ✓
6. Series Pick: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins ✓
7. Series Pick: Spirit Bound by Rachel Hawkins ✓
8. Series Pick: Ramses the Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra by Anne Rice ✓
9. Comics Pick: The Wicked + the Divine Vol. 6 ✓
10. Comics Pick: One Week in the Library by W. Prince, John Amor, and Frazer Irving ✓
11. Romance Pick: A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh ✓
12. Classics Pick: Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell ✓
13. Nonfiction Pick: The Words We Live By by Linda Monk
14. Carryover Pick: As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner ✓
15. Added: Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal ✓
16. Added: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 4582 pages
Pages Remaining: 684,549 pages

Current Read - If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books bought/received (1) -- I picked up Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides based on the recommendation from a bookseller at my local independent bookstore.

April's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Radium Girls by Denise Kiernan (not pictured)
2. TBR Pile: Parasite by Mira Grant
3. TBR Pile: The Dress Lodger by Sherri Holman
4. Reading Assignment: The Words We Live By by Linda Monk (not pictured)
5. Book of the Month Club (April): TBD (not pictured)
6. Series Pick: If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell
7. Comics Pick: Revival Volume 8
8. Short Stories: The Emerald City by Jane Yolen
9. Romance Pick: Slightly Married by Mary Balogh
10. Romance Pick: Slightly Wicked by Mary Balogh
11. Romance Pick: Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh
12. Classics Pick: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
13. Nonfiction Pick: It’s All Relative by A.J. Jacobs
14. Nonfiction Pick: Lost San Francisco
15. Nonfiction Pick: Lost Worlds of the San Francisco Bay Area
16. Nonfiction Pick: Bachelor Nation by Amy Kaufman (not pictured)
17. Spring Into Horror Pick: Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice (not pictured)
18. SIH Pick: The Great Halifax Explosion by John Bacon
19. SIH Pick: Alice in Zombieland by Gina Showalter (not pictured)
20. SIH Pick: The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King
21. SIH Pick: Jennifer Government by Max Barry
22. SIH Pick: Dead Bold by Juliet Blackwell
23. SIH Pick: Penny Dreadful Volume 1
24. SIH Pick: The Worlds of Lore Monstrous Creatures by Aaron Mahnke (not pictured)

Movies watched

• Justice League -- Wow that was boring... 
• The Foreigner -- James Bond as a villain was the perfect choice. And Jackie Chan is amazing in this low-key roll. Really enjoyed this one!
• War Dogs -- Mediocre in my opinion. I realize that it's based off of a true story, but I just didn't find it super fascinating.
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi -- Oh so good! Star Wars isn't my number one fandom, but I do enjoy the movies. This one was just great.
• The Mummy -- We were bored. So much exposition.
• The Imitation Game -- We finally watched this one. So so good!
• Rubber -- That was one of the weirdest movies I've ever seen.
• Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle -- Arthur and I watched this one. Pretty entertaining.
• Neighbors 2 -- Mediocre comedy. There were a few scenes but that's it.

TV Shows watched

• The Magicians S3 -- Love love loving this season! The departures from the books really do make sense and I love all the character growth.
• Another Period -- So dumb, but I love it!
• Happy S1 -- Such a strange show.
• Supernatural S3 -- Still working through this series a few episodes at a time.

Comments - Another awesome reading month! So excited that my momentum has continued through the early spring. On to April!

Next up on the TBR pile:

February 2018 Wrap-up

February's TBR Pile (23/28):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson (iPad) ✓
2. TBR Pile: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins ✓
3. Reading Assignment: Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (iPad) ✓
4. Book of the Month Club (December): The English Wife by Lauren Willig ✓
5. Book of the Month Club (January): As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner
6. Book of the Month Club (February): The Philosopher's Flight by Tom Miller
7. Series Pick: The Stone Angel by Juliet Dark ✓
8. Series Pick: A Toxic Trousseau by Juliet Blackwell ✓
9. Series Pick: The Gunslinger by Stephen King ✓
10. Comics Pick: Saga Vol. 8 ✓
11. Comics Pick: Moonshine Vol. 1 ✓
12. Comics Pick: Forbidden brides of the faceless slaves in the secret house of the night of dread desire by Neil Gaiman ✓
13. Comics Pick: Low Vol. 1 ✓
14. Comics Pick: The Last Temptation
15. Comics Pick: Kingsman: The Secret Service ✓
16. Comics Pick: Monstress Vol. 2 ✓
17. Comics Pick: Revival Vol. 7 ✓
18. Comics Pick: House of Mystery: Room and Boredom
19. Comics Pick: Jane by Brosh McKenna ✓
20. Comics Pick: ApocalyptiGirl ✓
21. Romance Pick: A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh
22. Nonfiction Pick: Literary Wonderlands by Laura Miller ✓
23. Nonfiction Owned Pick: The Poet and the Murderer by Simon Worrall ✓
24. Random Pick: Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal ✓
25. Added: The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell by Mira Grant ✓
26. Added: Revival Vol. 4 ✓
27. Added: Revival Vol. 5 ✓
28. Added: Revival Vol. 6 ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 4617 pages
Pages Remaining: 689,131 pages

Current Read - As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books bought/received (2) -- While on my weekend retreat, I picked up two books at the used book store. Really excited for both of these as I keep hearing them recommended on multiple podcasts.

March's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss (not pictured)
2. TBR Pile: The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
3. Reading Assignment: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
4. Book of the Month Club (February): The Philosopher's Flight by Tom Miller
5. Book of the Month Club (March): TBD
6. Series Pick: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
7. Series Pick: Spirit Bound by Rachel Hawkins
8. Series Pick: Ramses the Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra by Anne Rice
9. Comics Pick: The Wicked + the Divine Vol. 6
10. Comics Pick: One Week in the Library by W. Prince, John Amor, and Frazer Irving
11. Romance Pick: A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh
12. Classics Pick: Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
13. Nonfiction Pick: The Words We Live By by Linda Monk
14. Carryover Pick: As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner

Movies watched

• Logan Lucky -- We usually enjoy Soderbergh's movies. 
• Mr. Right -- Hilarious! We do love Sam Rockwell in this house.
• Heavy Metal -- Wow! What the hell did I just watch?
• Murder on the Orient Express -- Really enjoyed this one, especially all of the blocking, camera angles, and use of glass.

TV Shows watched

• The Magicians S3 -- Excited to start the journey on the Muntjac.
• The Good Place S2 -- Holy cow that was a crazy season...
• People of Earth S2 -- I'm still loving this show.
• Last Week Tonight -- So glad it's back!

Comments - Another amazing month of reading! I have no idea how I read as much as I did, but I'm totally here for it. Let's hope I can keep this rolling into March...

Next up on the TBR pile:

January 2018 Wrap-up

January's TBR Pile (18/20):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman ✓
2. TBR Pile: Nefertiti by Michelle Moran ✓
3. Reading Assignment: Arabian Nights ✓
4. Book of the Month Club (December shipped late): The English Wife by Lauren Willig
5. Book of the Month Club (January): As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner
6. Series Pick: Spellcasting in Silk by Juliet Blackwell ✓
7. Series Pick: No Time Like the Past by Jodi Taylor ✓
8. Nonfiction Pick: The Origin of Satan by Elaine Pagels ✓
9. Classics Pick: The Bostonians by Henry James ✓
10. Comics: The Walking Dead Vol. 27 ✓
11. Comics: Diana Prince Wonder Woman Vol. 1 ✓
12. Comics: Diana Prince Wonder Woman Vol. 2 ✓
13. Comics: Diana Prince Wonder Woman Vol. 3 ✓
14. Comics: Diana Prince Wonder Woman Vol. 4 ✓
15. Comics: Wonder Woman Rebirth Vol. 1 ✓
16. Comics: Wonder Woman Rebirth Vol. 2 ✓
17. Romance Pick: The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky ✓
18. Romance Pick: The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky ✓
19. Romance Pick: A Refuge at Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky ✓
20. Added: A Haunting is Brewing by Juliet Blackwell ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 5561 pages
Pages Remaining: 693,748 pages

Current Read - The English Wife by Lauren Willig

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books bought/received (0)

February's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson (iPad)
2. TBR Pile: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawksins
3. Reading Assignment: Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (iPad)
4. Book of the Month Club (December): The English Wife by Lauren Willig
5. Book of the Month Club (January): As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner
6. Book of the Month Club (February): TBD
7. Series Pick: The Stone Angel by Juliet Dark
8. Series Pick: A Toxic Trousseau by Juliet Blackwell
9. Series Pick: The Gunslinger by Stephen King
10. Comics Pick: Saga Vol. 8
11. Comics Pick: Moonshine Vol. 1
12. Comics Pick: Forbidden brides of the faceless slaves in the secret house of the night of dread desire by Neil Gaiman 
13. Comics Pick: Low Vol. 1
14. Comics Pick: The Last Temptation
15. Comics Pick: Kingsman: The Secret Service
16. Comics Pick: Monsters Vol. 2
17. Comics Pick: Revival Vol. 7
18. Comics Pick: House of Mystery: Room and Boredom
19. Comics Pick: Jane by Brosh McKenna
20. Comics Pick: ApocalyptiGirl
21. Romance Pick: A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh
22. Nonfiction Pick: Literary Wonderlands by Laura Miller
23. Nonfiction Owned Pick: The Poet and the Murderer by Simon Worrall
24. Random Pick: Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal

Movies watched

• Geostorm -- J downloaded this just for me and my love of disaster movies. Way too much talk and not enough crazy action sequences.
• Colossal -- This movie did not go where I thought it was going to... Interesting, just unexpected.
• The Big Sick -- Mom and I watched this before I left Indiana. So so good. 
• Blade Runner 2049 -- I really enjoyed this one. There were a few issues, but overall I think it was a very solid movie.
• Kong: Skull Island -- Haha! This was my silly pick. Love some giant animals and destruction.
• The Light Between Oceans -- I wanted to watch the movie ahead of last Sunday's book club discussion of the novel. Fairly accurate translation of the book to screen. 
• Thor: Ragnarok -- Oh so good! I laughed at loud at some many parts (the snake story!) but it was also a great examination of the characters. 

TV Shows watched

• The Bachelor -- Was excited to be at my mom's house when the season started. We love/hate The Bachelor!
• People of Earth S2 -- Such a weird and twisted show. We love it!
• The Good Place S2 -- Oh my, this show just keeps surprising me.
• Happy S1 -- J's new pick. Very dark and twisted, but with some great scenes.
• The Librarians S4 -- This season is a bit more sentimental than I would like, but it's our light-hearted show.

Comments - Wow! Check out those reading totals! I had no idea I would get so much reading done in January. A lot of the pages were read while still in Indiana before traveling back home. I know my reading pace will not continue, but it was nice to start the year off right. Looking forward to what February brings!

Next up on the TBR pile:

December 2017 Wrap-up

December's TBR Pile (8/12):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman (January meeting)
2. Series Pick: The Water Witch by Juliet Dark ✓
3. Nonfiction Pick: Goldilocks and the Water Bears by Louisa Preston
4. Read Your Book Shelf Pick: Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor ✓
5. Carryover: Bonk by Mary Roach ✓
6. Currently Reading: A Vision in Velvet by Juliet Blackwell ✓
7. Carryover/Must Finish Read: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon ✓
8. Cozy Mystery: Spellcasting in Silk by Juliet Blackwell
9. Paranormal Fiction: The Stone Angel by Juliet Dark
10. Added: A Christmas to Remember by Lis Kleypas, Lorraine Heath, Megan Frampton, Vivienne Lorret ✓
11. Added: Christmas Magic by Ginny Baird ✓
12. Added: The Sometime Bride by Ginny Baird ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 3334 pages
Pages Remaining: 699.309 pages

Current Read - The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman; No Time Like the Past by Jodi Taylor; Wonder Woman Comics

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books bought/received (2) -- Both came from my Broke and the Bookish Secret Santa.

• I, Jane by Diane Haeger
• Hand Lettering by Megan Wells

January's TBR Pile (no picture as I'm still in Indiana):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
2. TBR Pile: Nefertiti by Michelle Moran
3. Reading Assignment: Arabian Nights
4. Book of the Month Club December (my first one shipped late): The English Wife by Lauren Willig
5. Book of the Month Club (January): As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner
6. Series Pick: Spellcasting in Silk by Juliet Blackwell
7. Series Pick: No Time Like the Past by Jodi Taylor
8. Nonfiction Pick: The Origin of Satan by Elaine Pagels
9. Classics Pick: The Bostonians by Henry James
10. Comics: The Walking Dead Vol. 27
11. Comics: Diana Prince Wonder Woman Vol. 1
12. Comics: Diana Prince Wonder Woman Vol. 2
13. Comics: Diana Prince Wonder Woman Vol. 3
14. Comics: Diana Prince Wonder Woman Vol. 4
15. Comics: Wonder Woman Rebirth Vol. 1
16. Comics: Wonder Woman Rebirth Vol. 2
17. Romance Pick: The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky
18. Romance Pick: The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky
19. Romance Pick: A Refuge at Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

Movies watched

• Christmas in the Smokies -- Love a good cheesy Christmas movie. Although this one suffered from an unneeded religious bent.
• A Christmas Prince -- My silly Netflix movie. Mildly entertaining while I addressed Christmas cards. 
• A Dogwalker’s Christmas Tale -- Silly stupid romantic comedy, but I do love my cheesy Christmas movies.
• Christmas Crush/Holiday High School Reunion -- Super silly movie, but I enjoyed it. Totally Mean Girls 10 years later and set at Christmas.
• My Santa --  Not my favorite. There was no chemistry between the leads.
• Christmas in the City -- Weird carryover from Christmas Crush, but this one was decent.
• Merry Kissmas -- Loved the Nutcracker theme of this one. 
• The Italian Job -- J was surprised that I had never watched this one. Very enjoyable 1960s action film.
• Naughty & Nice -- Except for the male lead's name (seriously Pepper?), I actually enjoyed this one.
• How Sarah Got Her Wings -- Tone was off on this one. Not a huge fan.
• La La Land -- I finally watched this one and completely fell into the movie. Love the entire look and feel of this one.
• A Princess for Christmas -- Definitely cheesy in places, but I liked this one.
• Christmas Inheritance -- This one was better than I thought it would be.
• Me Before You -- How did I miss seeing this movie? I loved the book when I read it a few years back. Definitely a tear-jerker.
• Bridget Jones's Baby -- I enjoyed the first two movies, I enjoyed this one. Love Colin Firth, not a huge fan of Renee but that's okay.
• Rough Night -- I was under the impression that this was a crazy comedy, but it was a lot darker than I was anticipating. Still pretty decent. 
• Maleficent -- I actually really liked this one. Maybe because Maleficent was always my favorite the Disney villains.
• Shin Godzilla -- Our New Year's Eve movie pick. The twins were a bit bored, but I really enjoyed it.

TV Shows watched

• People of Earth S1 -- We finished the first season before I left. Holy cow! That was good! Can't wait to start S2.
• Dirk Gently S2 -- J gets to watch the finale without me. Boo! Hope I can stream it here...
• Lizzie Borden Chronicles -- So campy! But I'm loving it!

Comments - For the crazy traveling and random childcare crap this month, my reading totals are very respectable. My last book of 2017 was finished on Dec. 22nd. From there I'm counting any reading for 2018 as I'm not likely to finish another book before the New Year. I'm also looking forward to all the new reading challenges. On the watched front, I knocked off a huge list of movies for the holidays. Byproduct of the kiddos not sleeping while here in Indiana. Oh well, at least I was fairly entertained.

Next up on the TBR pile:

November 2017 Wrap-up

November's TBR Pile (14/20):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman ✓
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: Bonk by Mary Roach
3. Series Pick: In a Witch's Wardrobe by Juliet Blackwell (not pictured, library hold) ✓
4. Nonfiction Pick: 1776 by David McCullough
5. Read Your Book Shelf Pick: Star of the Sea by Joseph O' Connor
6. Classics Pick: The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton ✓
7. Currently Reading: Hexes and Hemlines by Juliet Blackwell ✓
8. Currently Reading: The Devil in the Shape of a Woman by Carol Karlsen ✓
9. Scary Pick: Omega Days by John Campbell ✓
10. Library random pick: Bad Girls Throughout History by Ann Shen ✓
11. Extra: Tarnished and Torn by Juliet Blackwell (not pictured, library hold) ✓
12. Extra: A Vision in Velvet by Juliet Blackwell
13. Extra: Spellcasting in Silk by Juliet Blackwell
14. Extra: A Toxic Trousseau by Juliet Blackwell
15. Added: A Bridge Across the Ocean by Susan Meissner ✓
16. Added: The Coldest City by Antony Johnston ✓
17. Added: How to Talk to Girls at Parties by Neil Gaiman ✓
18. Added: Saga Vol. 7 ✓
19. Added: East of West Vol. 7 ✓
20. Added: The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 3643 pages
Pages Remaining: 702,643 pages

Current Read - Bonk by Mary Roach; A Vision in Velvet by Juliet Blackwell

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books bought/received (0)

December's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman (January meeting)
2. Series Pick: The Water Witch by Juliet Dark
3. Nonfiction Pick: Goldilocks and the Water Bears by Louisa Preston
4. Read Your Book Shelf Pick: Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor
5. Classics Pick: ???
6. Carryover: Bonk by Mary Roach
7. Currently Reading: A Vision in Velvet by Juliet Blackwell
8. Carryover/Must Finish Read: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
9. Cozy Mystery: Spellcasting in Silk by Juliet Blackwell
10. Paranormal Fiction: The Stone Angel by Juliet Dark

Movies watched

• Get Hard -- Somewhat entertaining. 
• Sky High -- J was surprised I had never seen this one. It was way better than I thought it would be based off the description. 
• Hotel Transylvania -- Arthur's pick. Decent animated movie.
• Hotel Transylvania 2 -- And then Arthur had to watch the sequel.
• The Hitman's Bodyguard -- J's pick and a highly entertaining one at that. Loved it! We laughed so hard.
• Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets -- I wanted some fun Luc Besson and this delivered. Plot holes, but it was entertaining.
• The House -- Definitely had entertaining parts. Love Raffi!
• Lost in La Mancha -- Wow! That film production was a train wreck!
• Hearts of Darkness -- Documentary kick last week... Pretty interesting
• Man of Steel -- J finally convinced me to watch this one (after an entire bottle of wine) and it was just as bad as I thought it was going to be. Ugh!
• Batman v Superman -- This movie was so boring! And 3 hours long! I'm amazed I made it through. Really the only parts I cared about where scenes featuring Alfred and Wonder Woman. Otherwise, didn't care. 
• Suicide Squad -- This one was just confusing. What was the tone? Did any character grow? What changed in the DC Universe after this movie? 

TV Shows watched

• Stranger Things S2 -- Holy cow! Still adore this show even though I felt like this season was a lot of set-up for season 3 instead of a contained storyline.
• Star Trek: Discovery -- Still sticking with this one even with the issues. We finished the first half of S1, but there were problems.
• Zapped -- Our current random British comedy. It has it's moments. 
• Stan vs. Evil S1 -- Oh my! This was way too funny!

Comments - November turned out to be a great reading month. I thought I was going to hit a slump after October's craziness, but I surprised myself. I read a ton of books and knocked out a few reading challenge slots. On the TV and movie front, we watched a fair amount. We even forced ourselves to watch the start of the DC Universe movies even though they were painful. We'll see what happens for December... 

Next up on the TBR pile:

October 2017 Wrap-up

October's TBR Pile (12/20):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly √
2. Series Pick: Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell (not pictured) √
3. Nonfiction Pick: Reading People by Anne Bogel √
4. Nonfiction Pick: The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick
5. Read Your Book Shelf Pick: The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl
6. Discworld Pick: The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett (iPad)
7. Scary Pick: The Dream Cycle of H.P. Lovecraft
8. Scary Pick: The Gates by John Connolly √
9. Scary Pick: Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff √
10. Scare Pick: 99 Coffins by David Wellington
11. Scary Pick: Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
12. Scary Pick: 8.4 Peter Hernon √
13. Nonfiction Scary Pick: The Devil in the Shape of a Woman by Carol Karlsen
14. Nonfiction Scary Pick: The Poet and the Murderer by Simon Worrall
15. More Nonfiction: The Tea Reader edited by Katrina Avila Munichiello √
16. Food Pick: Voracious by Cara Nicoletti √
17. Cozy Mystery: A Cast-Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell (not pictured; library hold) √
18. Added: The Mummy by Anne Rice (iPad) √
19. Added: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (not pictured) √
20. Added: Haunted Castles by Ray Russell √

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 3606  pages
Pages Remaining: 706,286 pages

Current Read - The Devil in the Shape of a Woman; Hexes and Hemlines

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books bought/received (0)

November's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: Bonk by Mary Roach
3. Series Pick: In a Witches Wardrobe by Juliet Blackwell (not pictured, library hold)
4. Nonfiction Pick: 1776 by David McCullough
5. Read Your Book Shelf Pick: Star of the Sea by Joseph O' Connor
6. Classics Pick: The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
7. Currently Reading: Hexes and Hemlines by Juliet Blackwell
8. Currently Reading: The Devil in the Shape of a Woman by Carol Karlsen
9. Scary Pick: Omega Days by John Campbell
10. Library random pick: Bad Girls Throughout History by Ann Shen
11. Extra: Tarnished and Torn by Juliet Blackwell (not pictured, library hold)
12. Extra: A Vision in Velvet by Juliet Blackwell
13. Extra: Spellcasting in Silk by Juliet Blackwell
14. Extra: A Toxic Trousseau by Juliet Blackwell

Movies watched

• Why Him -- Stupid, but it had it's moments.
• The Little Hours -- Fairly entertaining. Apparently we decided to go from one Franco to the other this month...
• Spiderman: Homecoming -- We finally saw this and really enjoed it. A good sueprhero movie that didn't dwell so much on the teenage angst. Thank goodness.
• Despicable Me 3 -- Mildly entertaining
• Crimson Peak -- Finally! It's been sitting on the server for so long and we finally watched it.
• The Haunting (1963) -- A very true adaptation of the book. The voice-over is weird, but I see what the filmakers were trying to do.
• The Haunting (1999) -- Such a bad movie. After reading the book, I understand just how bad it is...
• Baby Driver -- We're huge fans of Edgar Wright and this did not disappoint. And the soundtrack is amazing.

TV Shows watched

• Episodes S5 -- Sad this show is over, but it was oh so good! And I don't even mind the feel-good ending.
• Last Week Tonight -- Always a bit depressing, but we love it.
• Adam Ruins Everything -- Even Arthur enjoys this one.
• Avatar S3 -- Arthur and I finally finished this series. 
• Dirk Gently S2 -- Love this totally weirdo show!
• The Good Place S2 -- Every week we debate theories about what is going to happen. Love it!
• Star Trek: Discovery S1 -- We're still watching and have our theories, but still waiting for more philosophical discussions...
• Stranger Things S2 -- Oh my goodness!!!

Comments - I killed the FrighFall Readathon this month! 8 of my 12 books read were "scary" reads. And I passed 3500 pages for the month. November won't be this good for reading, but I'll take some entertaining reads.

Next up on the TBR pile:

September 2017 Wrap-up

September's TBR Pile (7/10):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff √
2. Series Pick: Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine √
3. Nonfiction Pick: The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick
4. Read Your Book Shelf Pick: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (put in the sell pile; just not speaking to me anymore)
5. Discworld Pick: The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
6. Romance Pick: One Night for Love by Mary Balogh √
7. Comic Pick: The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 5 √
8. Added: The Great Quake by Henry Fountain √
9. Added: The Lost City of Z by David Grann √
10. Added: Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine √

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 2320 pages
Pages Remaining: 709,892 pages

Current Read - The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick

Books I Gave Up On (1) -- Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa. A YA Dystopian novel that I just couldn't get into. I think this one would have grabbed me when I was 15. Alas, I am not 15 and consequently I am just bored by it.

Books bought/received (1) -- I ended up preordering Anne Bogel's Reading People. Because I preordered, I get the audio version read by Anne herself as a bonus. 

October's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
2. Series Pick: Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell (not pictured; library hold)
3. Nonfiction Pick: Reading People by Anne Bogel
4. Nonfiction Pick: The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick
5. Read Your Book Shelf Pick: The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl
6. Discworld Pick: The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett (iPad)
7. Scary Pick: The Dream Cycle of H.P. Lovecraft
8. Scary Pick: The Gates by John Connolly
9. Scary Pick: Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
10. Scare Pick: 99 Coffins by David Wellington
11. Scary Pick: Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
12. Scary Pick: 8.4 Peter Hernon
13. Nonfiction Scary Pick: The Devil in the Shape of a Woman by Carol Karlsen
14. Nonfiction Scary Pick: The Poet and the Murderer by Simon Worrall
15. More Nonfiction: The Tea Reader edited by Katrina Avila Munichiello
16. Food Pick: Voracious by Cara Nicoletti
17. Cozy Mystery: Cast-Off Coven by JUliet Blackwell (not pictured; library hold)
18. The Mummy by Anne Rice (iPad)

Movies watched

• Wonder Woman -- Finally! And it was so good. Sure, there are some issues, but I loved seeing a badass female superhero lead a movie!
• The Great Wall -- Our silly big blockbuster pick. We made an agreement to not pick on the historical inaccuracies. Otherwise we would have never made it through the movie.
• Hot Tub Time Machine -- We needed a good silly comedy one night. This is a go-to!
• The Island of Lost Souls (1932) -- A classic from our Science Fiction Top 100 list. Definitely better than the crazy remakes...
• Sausage Party -- J's pick. It was thoroughly stupid, 
• Boss Baby -- Arthur's pick. Actually a pretty decent animated movie. Alec Baldwin voicing the baby was perfect casting!
• The Lost City of Z -- Amazingly this movie did not make me as angry as I thought it would. Decent adaptation of a book based on a true story of exploration in the Amazon. I would watch it again... 
• The War of the Worlds (1953) -- It's been years since I watched this one. Part of the Top 100 Science Fiction Movies. We're making our way through the entire list, watching some for the first time and rewatching others.

TV Shows watched

• Ken Burns' The National Parks -- We finally got around to watching and it was beautiful. 
• Supernatural S2 -- Working our way through the series slowly, but surely...
• Rick and Morty S3!!! -- Woot woot!
• The Good Places S2 -- Oh man! The first two episodes were great. I can't wait to see where they go with this season.
• Star Trek: Discovery -- We're reserving judgement in the hopes that the show is more philosophical than action, but the first two episodes were pretty good at setting up the series.
• Avatar: The Last Airbender S3 -- J finally fixed the files (they were in Hebrew), so Arthur and I can finally finish the series.

Comments - So I didn't reach my pages read goal of 2500 pages this month, but I wouldn't call the month a failure. I knocked off some decent reads and one bad one (Fates and Furies). I read two more volumes in one my newest favorite series, The Great Library. We also watched a fair amount of movies and watched a fair amount of TV. October's TBR pile is very ambitious, but I'm hoping to knock out at least half of the books pictures> I would love a good showing for the FrightFall Readathon.

Next up on the TBR pile: