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:

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery

Title: Anne of Avolnea (Anne Shirley #2)

Author: L.M. Montgomery

Publisher: 1909

Genre: Classics

Pages: 276

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Reading Assignment; Popsugar - Childhood Classic I've Never Read; Seasonal Series - Green on Cover

Following Anne of Green Gables (1908), the book covers the second chapter in the life of Anne Shirley. This book follows Anne from the age of 16 to 18, during the two years that she teaches at Avonlea school. It includes many of the characters from Anne of Green Gables, as well as new ones like Mr Harrison, Miss Lavendar Lewis, Paul Irving, and the twins Dora and Davy.

I liked this volume more than the first in the series. Anne at 16 is a much more interesting character than Anne at 11. And I loved the introduction of some new characters and residents of Avonlea. Overall it was a very fun read for the day.

Anne Shirley:

• #1 Anne of Green Gables
• #2 Anne of Avonlea
• #3 Anne of the Island
• #4 Anne of Windy Poplars
• #5 Anne's House of Dreams
• #6 Anne of Ingleside
• #7 Rainbow Valley
• #8 Rilla of Ingleside

Next up on the TBR pile:

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Title: Anne of Green Gables (Anne Shirley #1)

Author: L.M. Montgomery

Publisher: 1908

Genre: Classics

Pages: 198

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Popsguar - Mentioned in Another Book; Seasonal Series - Set in Spring

When a scrawny, freckled girl with bright red hair arrives on Prince Edward Island, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert are taken by surprise; they'd asked for a quiet boy to help with the farm work at Green Gables. But how can you return a friendless child to a grim orphanage when she tells you her life so far has been a 'perfect graveyard of buried hopes'? And so, the beguiling chatterbox stays. Full of dreams, warmth and spirit, it is not long before Anne Shirley wins their hearts.

Somehow I have lived for 36 years having never read this book. As a child I was a huge fan of The Secret Garden and Little Women, but never picked this one up. Strange. Having read it, I understand the appeal to young children. Anne is a precocious and entertaining character. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I chalk that up to being a grown woman. 

Anne Shirley:

• #1 Anne of Green Gables
• #2 Anne of Avonlea
• #3 Anne of the Island
• #4 Anne of Windy Poplars
• #5 Anne's House of Dreams
• #6 Anne of Ingleside
• #7 Rainbow Valley
• #8 Rilla of Ingleside

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Au/Ra "Panic Room"

Oh my! I think I may have found a new favorite singer.

Life Right Now #18

As I look outside my window:

Right now I am:

On my bedside table: A giant stack of comics. I've got so many to choose from and I may just have to spin a wheel.

On my tv this week: I finally started UnReal S3 and am loving it! I have a few episodes left. 

Listening to: Mostly podcasts. Not much music this week other than some random radio while running errands. 

On the menu for this week: With J gone this week, I don't really have a set plan right now for dinner. I'm thinking we will have spaghetti one night, snack dinner one night, grilled cheese and soup one night, takeout dim sum one night, leftovers, and ??? 

On my to do list: I'm mostly in survival mode, but I imagine there are a few things on my list for this week. Guess I should check my planner, huh?

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home day
• Tuesday - Playdate at Seven Seas
• Wednesday - Lawrence Hall of Sciences at Berkeley
• Thursday - Pool party at our house
• Friday - Errand day
• Saturday - No plans yet
• Sunday - Ditto

What I am creating: Yesterday I finished my Project Life spreads for April and half of May. I also got most of my May Memory Planner finished. I just need to finish this past week obviously. This coming week I'm hoping to get to Arthur's Project Life album from last year.

My simple pleasures: Apple pie, a good white wine, fun movies, singing show tunes

Looking around the house: I'm keeping this house amazingly clean this week. Weird...

From the camera: Playtime at Chabot

For Darkness... Short Stories by Diana Peterfreund

Title: Among the Nameless Stars (For Darkness Shows the Stars #0.5)

Author: Diana Peterfreund

Publisher: 2013

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction

Pages: 54

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

Four years before the events of FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS, the servant Kai left the North Estate, the only home he’d ever known, and Elliot North, the only girl he ever loved, in search of a better life. But the journey was not an easy one.

Loved this little short story focusing on Kai's adventures directly after he left the North estate. I loved meeting some interesting characters and the overall progression of the story. 

Title: The First Star to Fall (For Darkness Shows the Stars #1.5)

Author: Diana Peterfreund

Publisher: 2013

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction

Pages: 34

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

New Pacifica was designed to be a tropical paradise, a refuge for humanity filled with natural wonders and technological marvels. A place of perfect peace where "war" was only a world out of history... or so the privileged teen Persis Blake was always taught.

But then comes the revolution and the death of a queen, and suddenly it's no longer enough for Persis to trust the words of her parents, the lessons of her teachers, and the decrees of the men in power. 

One terrible night, Persis witnesses the truth: there are those who will stop at nothing to destroy her world... but is there anyone who can save it?

So this was definitely a departure from the pervious story. I'm intrigued by where this is going... Guess it's time to pick up the companion book.

For Darkness Shows the Stars

• #0.5 Among the Nameless Stars
• #1 For Darkness Shows the Stars
• #1.5 The First Star to Fall
• #2 Across a Star-Swept Sea

Next up on the TBR pile:

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Title: For Darkness Shows the Stars (For Darkness Shows the Stars #1)

Author: Diana Peterfreund

Publisher: Balzer + Bray 2012

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction

Pages: 407

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - 365 Young Adult, YA Retellings; A to Z - F; Seasonal Series - Free Space

It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go. 

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret—one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

I remember hearing about this adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion when it was published, but promptly forgot about it. Thank goodness I saw it on my perpetual lists and finally got it from the library. This is such.a treat! Peterfreund has taken the amazing story of Anne Elliott and Captain Wentworth and set it in another time and place. We still get the social commentary on social classes, but now it's in a post-apocalyptic society. We get an interesting society to explore and fun side characters to liven up the party. We get a bit of mystery concerning the Fleet Posts. And we get the amazing spirit and courage of this books Anne, Elliott North. I sped through this volume just waiting for the letter from Wentworth, Wentforth, to Anne, Elliott. And I wasn't disappointed. I'm very interested to see what Peterfreund does in the sequel, but first, I think I'll read the two short stories. 

For Darkness Shows the Stars

• #0.5 Among the Nameless Stars
• #1 For Darkness Shows the Stars
• #1.5 The First Star to Fall
• #2 Across a Star-Swept Sea

Next up on the TBR pile:

Quentin: 20 Months

Likes: Scout (his LeapFrog dog), Magnatiles, applesauce, snuggles, all the books!

Dislikes: Naps, not being able to explore/climb everything, sitting to eat meals

Sleeping: I think naps are a thing of the past. In the last month, he has probably taken like 8 naps. Oh my. I just can't deal some times. 

Eating: Still a much better eater than Arthur, but overall he's starting to get picky again. 

Playing: He's really been into attempting to build things with the magnatiles and all the cars and trucks in the house. He's also been wanting to color everything in sight, much to the detriment to my planner. 

Milestones: I think we are close to getting actual English words. His babble is starting to resemble sounds close to things. He has his own words for food, water, and other things. Apparently, I'm "Yaya." 

Out and About: So many activities! We got in a ton of activities before the twins come in June. 

• Oakland Zoo visit (twice!)
• Jelly Belly Factory
• Children's Wonderland in Vallejo
• Bay Area Discovery Museum
• Hop n Play 
• Half Moon Bay Beach
• Children's Discovery Museum
• Happy Hollow
• Rotary PlayGarden San Jose
• San Jose Museum of Art
• Lindsay Wildlife Experience

Next up on the TBR Pile:

Ahoy Videos

We finally watched Black Panther, so it's time for the Honest Trailer!

Sad this got canceled... I would have watched it. Dumb, but possibly entertaining.

Didn't know Moulin Rouge was becoming a theatrical musical...

Dumb romantic comedy? Add it to my queue immediately!

I missed the Bluths.

Rami Malek looks just like Freddie! I can't wait to see this one...

Looks pretty dumb, but I am here for Keanu and Winona.

Dumb, but we'll watch it eventually.

Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien

Title: Birthmarked

Author: Caragh O'Brien

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press 2010

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 361

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Popsugar - Ugly Cover; Seasonal Series - On My Shelf For Years

Sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone and her mother faithfully deliver their quota of three infants every month. But when Gaia's mother is brutally taken away by the very people she serves, Gaia must question whether the Enclave deserves such loyalty. A stunning adventure brought to life by a memorable heroine, this dystopian debut will have readers racing all the way to the dramatic finish.

Overall a real disappointment for me. I usually like post-apocalyptic fantasies, but this one was just way too familiar. A world ravaged by climate change? Check. Society divided for the "good fo the people"? Check. Clothes colored for position in society and fertility issues a la The Handmaid's Tale? Check. The future of the society hinging on one young girl? Check. The result was fairly boring. I just didn't connect to any of the characters. I wasn't on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens next. I just didn't really care. I'm sure there are people out there that loved this one. I just found it very boring and won't be continuing the series. At least, I got one more book off my unread shelves. 

Birthmarked

• #1 Birthmarked
• #1.5 Tortured
• #2 Prized
• #2.5 Ruled
• #3 Promised

Next up on the TBR pile:

Spring Bucket List Update #3

Not a great showing, but I did finish a few more items off the list. Let's see how we've done so far this season. 8/25 

1. Have an Easter Egg Hunt ✓ 
2. Dye Easter Eggs ✓  
3. Beach picnic ✓ -- It was a bright and sunny day with minimal wind, so perfect! Although I did burn the top of my scalp. 
4. Ride the steam train at Tilden (planned for May 27th)
5. See the baby goats/sheep/pigs at the farm (planned for May 27th)
6. Go to the farmer's market
7. Make fun cupcakes
8. Make a fairy door
9. Have a cookout ✓
10. Visit Happy Hallow ✓
11. Create a gardening project for Arthur
12. Paint my nails a springy color
13. Play with sidewalk chalk
14. Go to a botanical garden
15. Visit five different parks ✓ -- Castro Valley Park, Seven Seas Park, Coyote Pointe, Hellyer County Park, Children's Wonderland in Vallejo
16. Fly a kite
17. Make strawberry shortcake ✓
18. Have an ice cream sundae night
19. Visit Chabot twice before our membership runs out -- Went on April 19th (planned for May 24th)
20. Blow bubbles ✓
21. Make a rainbow craft
22. Host a tea party
23. Make dirt pudding
24. Bake flower pot bread
25. Go berry picking

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Hamilton "First Burn"

These ladies are killing it! Love this new version of Burn. 

Life Right Now #17

As I look outside my window: A pretty sunny day. I need to get outside before the sun goes down. 

Right now I am: It's 3:30pm on Saturday. I'm trying to remember to finish this before tonight. Enjoying a minute of peace while Q is napping and Arthur is playing. 

On my bedside table: Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery, Parasite by Mira Grant, stack of comics

On my tv this week: J and I finished S1 of Big Mouth and finally caught up with Full Frontal. 

Listening to: Lots of random songs I've been finding on YouTube. And of course, BVB in the car for Arthur. 

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Cajun Stuffed Chicken
• Tuesday - Leftovers
• Wednesday - Orecchiette with Sun Dried Tomatoes, Sausage, and Broccoli
• Thursday - Waffles, Bacon, and Eggs
• Friday - Tilapia
• Saturday - Pizza Night
• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: Ugh. My never-ending to-do list. I need to do another brain dump today and get everything up to date. I know I want to take care of a few Spring Bucket List items this week. 

Happening this week:

• Monday - Possible playdate at our house
• Tuesday - San Jose Adventure
• Wednesday - Taking J to the airport; Card class
• Thursday - Chabot Space and Science Center
• Friday - Home Day
• Saturday - Crop Day
• Sunday - Tilden Little Farm and Steam Trains

What I am creating: I'm finishing up my swap cards for the new catalog. And I'm on the last week in April's MP planner pages. From there, I might turn to Project Life for awhile. 

My simple pleasures: Lots of hot tea, looking at hair dye colors, a stack of comics just waiting to be read, good sleep.

Looking around the house: Arthur finally finished picking up his toys (seriously that was taking forever). Now I get to vacuum. 

From the camera:

Nothing More "This is the Time (Ballast)"

Just because I found this version on YouTube. Love  love love it!

The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter

Title: The Queen of Zombie Hearts (White Rabbit Chronicles #3)

Author: Gena Showalter

Publisher: Harlequin Teen 2014

Genre: YA - Fantasy

Pages: 459

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: A to Z - Q; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Great Friendship

I thought I had nothing left to give. I thought wrong. They started the war. Now I will end it. 

Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.

I sped through this volume just like the first two. I can't get enough of Ali and Cole and all the assorted fun characters. I am right there for the big mysteries. These books are just so much fun to read. I don't want to put them down and can't wait to see what happens next. This particular volume had some very interesting developments. We finally get to meet the head of Anima and see some big developments in Ali's abilities. Lots of fun. Can't wait to pick up the next one.

White Rabbit Chronicles:

• #1 Alice in Zombieland
• #1.5 Cole... Meet Ali
• #2 Through the Zombie Glass
• #3 The Queen of Zombie Hearts
• #4 A Mad Zombie Party
• #4.1 Kat in Zombieland

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• I really need a few hot weather pieces for my wardrobe. Hoping to get shopping soon. 
• Still on a roll with my reading. hoping to keep this up.
• I've scored a few great Groupons lately and it's going to make summer that much better. 
• I need to make a food list for summer. I imagine a Costco run is in my future. 
• Q's love of dogs is just too adorable
• Two cats keep fighting in our backyard. I'm so sick of it.
• Coyotes were spotted near our house after the sun had arisen. They are very bold lately. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Bedwyn Saga #4-6 by Mary Balogh

Title: Slightly Tempted (Bedwyn Saga #4)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell 2003

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 384

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series 

Young. Ravishing. Exquisitely marriageable. From the moment he spies Lady Morgan Bedwyn across the glittering ballroom, Gervase Ashford, Earl of Rosthorn, knows he has found the perfect instrument of his revenge. But wedlock is not on the mind of the continent’s most notorious rake. Nor is it of interest to the fiercely independent Lady Morgan herself…until one night of shocking intimacy erupts in a scandal that could make Gervase’s vengeance all the sweeter. There is only one thing standing in his way: Morgan, who has achieved the impossible—she’s melted his coolly guarded heart. For Gervase, only the marriage bed will do, but Morgan simply will not have him. Thus begins a sizzling courtship where two wary hearts are about to be undone by the most scandalous passion of all: glorious, all-consuming love.

Eh. I wasn't the biggest fan of this volume. Morgan and Gervase's entire relationship had its issues. I just didn't love how everything played out.

Title: Slightly Sinful (Bedwyn Saga #5)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell 2004

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 368

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series 

As the fires of war raged around him, Lord Alleyne Bedwyn was thrown from his horse and left for dead—only to awaken in the bedchamber of a ladies' brothel. Suddenly the dark, handsome diplomat has no memory of who he is or how he got there—yet of one thing he is certain: The angel who nurses him back to health is the woman he vows to make his own. But like him, Rachel York is not who she seems. A lovely young woman caught up in a desperate circumstance, she must devise a scheme to regain her stolen fortune. The dashing soldier she rescued from near-death could be her savior in disguise. There is just one condition: she must pose as his wife—a masquerade that will embroil them in a sinful scandal, where a man and a woman court impropriety with each daring step...with every taboo kiss that can turn passionate strangers into the truest of lovers.

Oh my. I really loved this one. Rachel and Alleyne were so much fun to follow. I loved every bit of their relationship. Definitely the winner of the series. 

Title: Slightly Dangerous (Bedwyn Saga #6)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Delacorte 2004

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 400

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series 

All of London is abuzz over the imminent arrival of Wulfric Bedwyn, the reclusive, cold-as-ice Duke of Bewcastle, at the most glittering social event of the season. Some whisper of a tragic love affair. Others say he is so aloof and passionless that not even the greatest beauty could capture his attention. But on this dazzling afternoon, one woman did catch the duke’s eye—and she was the only female in the room who wasn’t even trying. Christine Derrick is intrigued by the handsome duke…all the more so when he invites her to become his mistress. 

What red-blooded woman wouldn’t enjoy a tumble in the bedsheets with a consummate lover—with no strings and no questions asked. An infuriating lady with very definite views on men, morals, and marriage, Christine confounds Wulfric at every turn. Yet even as the lone wolf of the Bedwyn clan vows to seduce her any way he can, something strange and wonderful is happening. Now for a man who thought he’d never lose his heart, nothing less than love will do.

With her trademark wit, riveting storytelling, and sizzling sexual sparks, Mary Balogh once again brings together two polar opposites: an irresistible, high-and-mighty aristocrat and the impulsive, pleasure-loving woman who shows him what true passion is all about. A man and a woman so wrong for each other, it can result only in the perfect match.

Not as excited about this volume. It had its entertaining parts, but overall I wasn't that excited. Not quite as weak as the volume featuring Freyja, but still not my favorite at all. 

Bedwyn Saga

• #0.1 One Night for Love
• #0.2 A Summer to Remember
• #1 Slightly Married
• #2 Slightly Wicked
• #3 Slightly Scandalous
• #4 Slightly Tempted
• #5 Slightly Sinful
• #6 Slightly Dangerous

Next up on the TBR pile:

Sourdough by Robin Sloan

Title: Sourdough

Author: Robin Sloan

Publisher: MCD 2017

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 272

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsugar - Involving a Heist; I Love Libraries

Lois Clary is a software engineer at General Dexterity, a San Francisco robotics company with world-changing ambitions. She codes all day and collapses at night, her human contact limited to the two brothers who run the neighborhood hole-in-the-wall from which she orders dinner every evening. Then, disaster! Visa issues. The brothers close up shop, and fast. But they have one last delivery for Lois: their culture, the sourdough starter used to bake their bread. She must keep it alive, they tell her—feed it daily, play it music, and learn to bake with it.

Lois is no baker, but she could use a roommate, even if it is a needy colony of microorganisms. Soon, not only is she eating her own homemade bread, she’s providing loaves daily to the General Dexterity cafeteria. The company chef urges her to take her product to the farmer’s market, and a whole new world opens up.

When Lois comes before the jury that decides who sells what at Bay Area markets, she encounters a close-knit club with no appetite for new members. But then, an alternative emerges: a secret market that aims to fuse food and technology. But who are these people, exactly?

Overall, I really enjoyed our book club selection this month. I loved Lois's adventure with the sourdough starter. I loved all the descriptions of the starter and the bread it created. I loved the relationships Lois cultivated at General Dexterity and the Marrow Fair. I even enjoyed hearing about the other residents of the Marrow Fair, especially Horace. What I didn't love was the weird pseudo-corporate espionage that happened in the last 30 pages or so. I didn't like the characters involved and I certainly didn't like the outcome. Plus the way it was written made the ending seem very forced and abrupt. I would have liked a bit more to draw the conflict out. Oh well. At least most of the book was very entertaining.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - CHVRCHES "Miracle"

Really digging this new album

Life Right Now #16

As I look outside my window: The sun is starting to set on a very pretty day...

Right now I am: Typing this while the boys watch an episode of Pink Panther before it's bed time.

On my bedside table: The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter; Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien; stack of various comics

On my tv this week: J and I watched a few episodes of Full Frontal (only a couple weeks behind), Big Mouth, Supernatural, and Plebs.

Listening to: Not too much this week. Mostly I listened to podcasts (NPR Politics, Pod Save America, Reading Glasses, UpFirst, and Lore).

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Mexican Quinoa
• Tuesday - Mongolian Beef
• Wednesday - Cheesy Artichoke Pasta
• Thursday - Leftovers
• Friday - Chicken Pad Thai Nachos
• Saturday - Beef Stew
• Sunday - Cajun Stuffed Chicken

On my to do list: Lots of crafting projects to finish. I need to check in with the twins about summer. After, I need to start planning our activities for summer. Plus I have the last batch of Care Exchange cards to send out. 

Happening this week:

• Monday - Doctor appointment. Oh joy...
• Tuesday - Lindsay Wildlife Experience and picnic
• Wednesday - Jelly Belly Factory and Children's Wonderland
• Thursday - Home Day
• Friday - Children's Discovery Museum
• Saturday - Coffee and Cards
• Sunday - Stamp Club

What I am creating: So many cards. I'm finishing my retiring products stack and trying to complete by half done kits. Trying to make room for all the new goodies!

My simple pleasures: A good book, pretty new ink colors, pretty new patterned paper, Amazon Prime.

Looking around the house: We spent most of Friday cleaning and it looks like nothing has been done. Ugh! At least the kitchen island is cleared off. 

From the camera: Beach babies. It was chilly but the sun was out and the wind wasn't too bad.