July 2018 Wrap-up

July's TBR Pile (14/21):

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

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

Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen

Title: Out of Africa

Author: Isak Dinesen

Publisher: 1937

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 399

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (Rory Gilmore); Popsugar - Male pseudonym; Share-a-Tea

With classic simplicity and a painter's feeling for atmosphere and detail, Isak Dinesen tells of the years she spent from 1914 to 1931 managing a coffee plantation in Kenya.

This one has been on my list for years, especially after I read Circling the Sun. I was a little thrown off by the nonlinear nature to this book, but quickly got over the format. The volume is part memoir, part travelogue. I really fell into the atmosphere of Kenya and Karen's life there. Passages of this book were incredibly beautiful. It took me a bit of time to get through this one only because I had to reread some of the descriptive passages.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Fall Out Boy "The Last of the Real Ones"

I have a soft spot in my heart for FOB. Digging this song lately.

Summer Bucket List Update #2

Currently I'm sitting at 12/25 activities completed. The twins have gone back to Indiana, so I'm just hanging with the two littles until the end of summer. I hope to check a few more activities off our list before. On to the list:

Two beach days (Half Moon Bay and Stinson) ✓
Jelly Belly Factory ✓
Go to the Warped Tour ✓
Sonoma Train Town ✓
Pool party 2x ✓
San Francisco Wharf/Musee Mechanique ✓
Make popsicles 3x
Pacific Pinball Museum ✓
Go on an easy hike with all the kiddos ✓
Escape Room adventure
Rocket Fizz Visit
Baskin Robbins ✓
Mini Golf ✓
Movie in a Theater ✓
Summer brunch party
Make your own pizzas party
Make Donuts 2x
Treasure Island Flea Market or Jack London Square Market
Fourth of July Festival at Berkeley Marina ✓
Waterpark day
Cookout
Read a romance series
Make smores
Try a new (to us) ice cream place
Take the ferry to SF

Next up on the TBR pile:

Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

Title: Picnic at Hanging Rock

Author: Joan Lindsay

Publisher: 1967

Genre: Classics

Pages: 198

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Share-a-Tea

It was a cloudless summer day in the year 1900. Everyone at Appleyard College for Young Ladies agreed it was just right for a picnic at Hanging Rock. After lunch, a group of three girls climbed into the blaze of the afternoon sun, pressing on through the scrub into the shadows of the secluded volcanic outcropping. Farther, higher, until at last they disappeared. They never returned. . . .

One of those books that I have wanted to read, but never actually got to it. This is our book club selection for July so I had to read it. This book was great! I loved the characters and Lindsay's descriptions of said characters. I didn't know exactly what I was getting into, but quickly I dove into the mystery of the disappearance. I didn't quite realize that the focus of the story was on the side character more than the disappeared. I love that the mystery is never truly resolved, but left to the reader's imagination. I can't wait to watch the movies and new mini series.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Quentin: 21-22 Months

Likes: All his cars trains and planes! Wrestling with Arthur, ice cream, snacking in general, tickling mommy

Dislikes: Nap time, not eating every 15 minutes, loud noises

Sleeping: Random wake-ups some nights. I think he's having nightmares sometimes.

Eating: Loves his snacks. Both of my little kids seem to front load their eating. Breakfast and lunch are big business along with second breakfast, elevensies, and everything in between. Dinner is just not a big event.

Playing: He may not speak a lot of English, but he's got his animal and vehicles sounds down! Plus there's lot of playing chase and wrestling right now.

Milestones: Over the past two weeks, I've seen so much physical improvement. He climbs anything and everything and has started jumping.

Out and About: The past two months have been crazy busy with activities. We had a great week with J's parents, showing them to some of our favorite Bay Area attractions and places. We've also spent a ton of time at Seven Seas park.

Next up on the TBR Pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Sad that the twins are leaving today
Flies in our house are driving me nuts. If I can kill them outright, I keep closing them in our bathroom to die a slow death.
Moving back to reading books on my iPad is a weird transition
Not sure which room to tackle packing next. I hate packing kitchen stuff but we do have a ton of things that can be packed from the kitchen. Ugh!
I need to do a pantry inventory to start cleaning it out before we move.
I hate selling things on various sites. Just please buy my crap so I don't have to move it...

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Ghostly Light by Juliet Blackwell

Title: A Ghostly Light (Haunted Home Renovation #7)

Author: Juliet Blackwell

Publisher: Berkley 2017

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Pages: 315

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Read a book you're sure you'll love

When her friend Alicia hires Turner Construction to renovate a historic lighthouse in the San Francisco Bay, Mel Turner can’t wait to get her hands dirty. Alicia plans to transform the island property into a welcoming inn, and while Mel has never attempted a project so ambitious—or so tall—before, she’s definitely up for the challenge.

But trouble soon arises when Alicia’s abusive ex-husband shows up to threaten both her and Mel, and later turns up dead at the base of the lighthouse stairs. With no other suspects in sight, things start looking choppy for Alicia. Now, if Mel wants to clear her friend’s name, she’ll need the help of the lighthouse’s resident ghosts to shine a light on the real culprit...

Another great cozy mystery. I love that this one was set on an island in a lighthouse. Such a great setting. And Alicia has become a great side character. In fact, one of the reasons that I really love this series is all the great side characters. Love this story. Can't wait until Blackwell writes another one.

Haunted Home Renovation

Next up on the TBR pile:

2018 Reading Challenges Update #2

For 2018, I scaled back some of my reading challenges, but am aiming to read even more pages/books than last year. So far, I've read 143 books, which is way above previous years at this point. Let's see how I'm doing with my reading challenges for this year.

Perpetual Reading Challenges 17/30 56.7%
Mount TBR 28/48 58.3%
TBR Pile 6/12 50%
Reading Assignment 5/12 41.7%
Popsugar 28/40 70%
Share-a-Tea 12/20 60%
What's in a Name? 4/6 66.7%
Modern Mrs. Darcy 8/12 66.7%
A to Z 20/26 76.9%
Graphic Novel 48/52 92.3%
Finishing the Series 5/10 50%
Library Love 49/60 81.7%
Picture Books 83/88 94.3%
Seasonal Series: Summer. 13/25 52%
Seasonal Series: Spring 22/25 88%

Total Challenges: 0/15 I haven't finish a challenge yet, but my overall progress is very good.

Total Reading Slots: 348/466. 74.6%

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Nothing More "Just Say When"

Really dig this entire album, but this song has really been stuck in my head lately. Love it!

Life Right Now #25

As I look outside my window: It's very overcast at our house this morning. I'm sure it will burn off in a few hours.

Right now I am: Catching up on my NPR Politics podcast while eating breakfast and finishing this post.

On my bedside table: Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay; Out of Africa by Isak Denison

On my tv this week: J and I caught up with Full Frontal and we finished Bounty Hunters. Other than those two shows, we've not been watching much.

Listening to: Lots of Alt Nation and Nothing More's newest album.

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Smothered Pork Chops
Tuesday - BBQ Chicken
Wednesday - Texas Cheese Fries
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Garlic Chicken Pasta
Saturday - Honey Garlic Salmon
Sunday - Fancy BLT Grilled Cheese

On my to do list: So many things... I need to update my individual lists. But first, the twins are leaving on Thursday and we have some last minute errands to do.

Happening this week:

Monday - Errands, possible activity
Tuesday - Home day
Wednesday - Park Playdate and Arcade
Thursday - Twins are leaving
Friday - Errands
Saturday - Home day
Sunday - Book Club

What I am creating: I finished my stamp club projects in time for Saturday's club. This week I want to get to some Project Life spreads.

My simple pleasures: Wacky Cake, pool days, not being interrupted when reading, great crafting deals

Looking around the house: Things are a bit chaotic in the house right now. But I have a plan this week to clean things up.

From the camera: A little self-care this week

Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire

Title: Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children #3)

Author: Seanan McGuire

Publisher: Tor 2018

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 174

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Share-a-Tea; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Hyped Series

Beneath the Sugar Sky, the third book in McGuire's Wayward Children series, returns to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children in a standalone contemporary fantasy for fans of all ages. At this magical boarding school, children who have experienced fantasy adventures are reintroduced to the "real" world.

When Rini lands with a literal splash in the pond behind Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, the last thing she expects to find is that her mother, Sumi, died years before Rini was even conceived. But Rini can’t let Reality get in the way of her quest – not when she has an entire world to save! (Much more common than one would suppose.)

If she can't find a way to restore her mother, Rini will have more than a world to save: she will never have been born in the first place. And in a world without magic, she doesn’t have long before Reality notices her existence and washes her away. Good thing the student body is well-acquainted with quests...

A tale of friendship, baking, and derring-do.

Still so in love with this series and the worlds McGuire has created. I love that we finally get to see Confection and Sumi's story gets to continue. Plus we get to visit Nancy and are introduced to new characters. Such a great adventure story. I devoured this one in less than two days. I just couldn't help myself. This volume was great, but what I really want is more of Christopher's story. I really hope we get to see more soon.

Wayward Children

#1 Every Heart a Doorway
#2 Down Among the Sticks and Bones
#3 Beneath the Sugar Sky
#4 In an Absent Dream
#5 Come Tumbling Down

Next up on the TBR pile:

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

Title: Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children #2)

Author: Seanan McGuire

Publisher: Tor 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 190

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsugar - Twins; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Fantasy Series

Twin sisters Jack and Jill were seventeen when they found their way home and were packed off to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children.

This is the story of what happened first…

Jacqueline was her mother’s perfect daughter—polite and quiet, always dressed as a princess. If her mother was sometimes a little strict, it’s because crafting the perfect daughter takes discipline.

Jillian was her father’s perfect daughter—adventurous, thrill-seeking, and a bit of a tom-boy. He really would have preferred a son, but you work with what you've got.

They were five when they learned that grown-ups can’t be trusted.

They were twelve when they walked down the impossible staircase and discovered that the pretense of love can never be enough to prepare you a life filled with magic in a land filled with mad scientists and death and choices.

All through the first book in this series, I wondered about the history of Jack and Jill. Thankfully McGuire wrote an entire book just about their story and it was truly horrifying. I loved the world of The Moors and the cast of characters that live there. The Master and Dr. Bleak are great villains in a world of villains. I loved reading through the twins's story and ultimate expulsion back to our world. Such a great slim novel.

Wayward Children

#1 Every Heart a Doorway
#2 Down Among the Sticks and Bones
#3 Beneath the Sugar Sky
#4 In an Absent Dream
#5 Come Tumbling Down

Next up on the TBR pile:

Videos Videos Videos

Looks like fun.

The book was on my short list. Guess I should read it before the movie comes out.

Love the 80s cheese of this teaser.

This looks like it could be interesting...

Give Up the Ghost by Juliet Blackwell

Title: Give Up the Ghost (Haunted Home Renovation #6)

Author: Juliet Blackwell

Publisher: Obsidian 2015

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Pages: 320

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Yellow on cover

San Francisco millionaire Andrew Flynt wants to sell his Victorian mansion, but ghostly music, the squeaking of a long-disappeared weathervane, and an angry ghost keep running off potential buyers. After a famous psychic is called in, she informs the Flynts that their multi-million-dollar renovations to “update” the home have left its resident ghost extremely agitated. So contractor Mel Turner is engaged to track down and replace some of the original features of the house.

But when the beautiful psychic is found stabbed, it appears someone had a very human motive for murder. Now Mel must use her ghost whispering gift to uncover the secrets of the haunted house on the hill, and her sleuthing skills to catch a killer.

Another fun mystery! I really love Mel and this story was a good one. The mystery of Flora and Chantelle had some interesting twists. And the subplot involving the housewife added another fun layer. I loved checking back in with Caleb and Stan and Luz and all the rest of the fun characters. The only thing I didn't enjoy: Mel and Graham's relationship. Blergh.

Haunted Home Renovation

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #6

Reading: Give Up the Ghost by Juliet Blackwell. Love my cozy mysteries!

Watching: J and I started watching Bounty Hunters and it is a treat.

Listening: I'm behind on all my podcasts but I have been listening to a lot of Alt Nation.

Making: A week off from to do lists and chores has put me behind. I'm spending some time today making new to do lists to get back on track.

Feeling: A week of vacation activities while still at home was much needed. I'm feeling a bit more steady.

Planning: I'm getting the birthday party and retreat planning started this week. Both are happening in September, but I like to be prepared early.

Loving: We stopped by the fudge place in the city and I do so adore the fancy flavors. My favorite was Cheesecake Brownie. Yum yum!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Apocalyptica feat. Lacey "Broken Pieces"

Still really love Lacey's voice and this amazing collaboration.

Life Right Now #24

Right now I am: Relaxing a bit before we head out to brunch and then for a walk amongst the redwoods.

On my bedside table: Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire; Beneath a Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire; Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

On my tv this week: J and I finished Jack Whitehall Travels with my Father and started Bounty Hunter. Guess we are on a Jack Whitehall this lately.

Listening to: Nothing in particular. I'm behind on my podcasts from this past week.

On the menu for this week: I think I need to do a bit of meal planning today...

Monday - Hot dogs and brats on the grill
Tuesday - Ravioli
Wednesday - Kielbasa skillet
Thursday - ???
Friday - ???
Saturday - ???
Sunday - ???

On my to do list: Oh my! My to do list has gotten a bit lost this week. I think I need to do a brain purge and get my list in order for the coming weeks.

Happening this week:

Monday - Home day; chore catch-up
Tuesday - Possible $1 movie
Wednesday - Seven Seas Park and Golfland Arcade
Thursday - Pool party
Friday - Home day
Saturday - Stamp Club
Sunday - ???

What I am creating: Nothing. We've been so busy this week. I do have some projects lined up for next week.

My simple pleasures: Cold fruit flavored seltzer, a beautifully written book, sitting outside enjoying the breeze reading a book, baby hugs

Looking around the house: Housework was neglected this week while family was in town. I need to do some serious purging this coming month. The clutter is starting to take over.

From the camera: Someone loves gummy bears!

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Title: Every Heart a Doorway (Wayward Children #1)

Author: Seanan McGuire

Publisher: Tor 2016

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 173

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsugar - LGBTQ+ Protagonist; What's in a Name - Shape; Seasonal Series - LGBTQ+ Characters

Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere... else.

But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.

Nancy tumbled once, but now she's back. The things she's experienced... they change a person. The children under Miss West's care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world.

But Nancy's arrival marks a change at the Home. There's a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it's up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of things.

No matter the cost.

This slim book is just so incredibly beautiful. I know it's cliche to say that a book is beautifully written, but in this case it's true. I loved devouring every single word of this story. I loved how McGuire dumps the reader into the story without much introduction and world building. Instead we are left to figure out the situation along with Nancy. I was fully immersed from page one. I loved it and can't wait to pick up another book in this series.

Wayward Children

#1 Every Heart a Doorway
#2 Down Among the Sticks and Bones
#3 Beneath the Sugar Sky
#4 In an Absent Dream
#5 Come Tumbling Down

Next up on the TBR pile:

Chimera by Mira Grant

Title: Symbiont (Parasitology #3)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2016

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 488

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Finish a Trilogy

The outbreak has spread, tearing apart the foundations of society, as implanted tapeworms have turned their human hosts into a seemingly mindless mob.

Sal and her family are trapped between bad and worse, and must find a way to compromise between the two sides of their nature before the battle becomes large enough to destroy humanity, and everything that humanity has built...including the chimera.

The broken doors are closing. Can Sal make it home?

Such a great conclusion to this trilogy! I was so deeply invested in Sal and her fellow chimera. I couldn't wait to see how everything ended. Who would live? Who would die? What other surprises would we encounter along the way? I loved that we got to see less of Dr. Banks (seriously didn't care for him) and more of Fang and Fishy and Sherman. I loved the excerpts from diaries and autobiographies. I loved how most of the story focused on Sal as a narrator, but we did get some fun interludes featuring Sherman. Loved this series!

Parasitology

Next up on the TBR pile: