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:

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

Title: Into the Drowning Deep

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2017

Genre: Horror

Pages: 440

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR: Reading Assignment; Seasonal Series - Red on Cover

Seven years ago the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a mockumentary bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a tragedy. 

Now a new crew has been assembled. But this time they're not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life's work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost. 

Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. 

I finally got this one through my Care Exchange group and I immediately dove into the book. I couldn’t put it down, it was just too good. Horrifying, but good. I fell for all the characters we met and desperately wanted all of them to survive (but knew that some definitely would not survive). Grant gives the reader a horrifying set-up and payoff on a boat in the middle of the ocean. I was looking over my shoulder and my ceilings for monsters from the deep. Very scary! They even invaded my dreams. I love when a horror book unsettles me. I was completely sucked into this world and was so incredibly disappointed when I reached the last page. Now I must read the prequel story.

Next up on the TBR pile:

2018 Reading Challenges Update #3

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 184 books. I have no idea how I’m doing this, but loving all the good books I’ve knocked out! Let's see how I'm doing with my reading challenges for this year. 

• Perpetual Reading Challenges 24/30

• Mount TBR 42/48

• TBR Pile 9/12

• Reading Assignment 8/12

• Popsguar 36/40

• Share-a-Tea 20/20 **

• What's in a Name? 5/6

• Modern Mrs. Darcy 11/12

• A to Z 25/26

• Graphic Novel 51/52

• Finishing the Series 5/10

• Library Love 60/60

• Picture Books 88/88

• Seasonal Series: Spring 22/25

• Seasonal Series: Summer. 24/25

• Seasonal Series: Fall 12/25

Total Challenges  3/16

Total Reading Slots 442/491

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Within Temptation feat. Jacoby Shaddix "The Reckoning"

Great YouTube find!

Life Right Now #33

As I look outside my window: My yard is full of golden yellow leaves and I’m really going to miss them when the lawn guy comes next week.

Right now I am: Actually writing this on Saturday afternoon. We are planning on attending the zoo’s Trick-or-Treating event tonight and I’m unsure of when we will be getting home.

On my bedside table: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield; Spinning Straw into Gold by Joan Gould

On my tv this week: Playing catchup on currently airing shows. I also almost finished S4 of UnReal. One more episode to go!

Listening to: Catching up on a few podcasts. I listened to Lore, Aaron Mahnke’s Cabinet of Curiosities, NPR Politics, Pod Save America, and What Should I Read Next.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken

• Tuesday - Ham and Potato Soup

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken

• Friday - Spaghetti

• Saturday - Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Sunday - Spicy Thai Noodles

On my to do list: I already signed up Q for the kid gym place. Now I need to get Arthur signed up for preschool and the family signed up for a the local gym. I’m weirdly excited about the gym and am currently planning what classes I want to try and attend. Other than that, I am going to try to get to the DMV for my Nebraska license and then the library for a library card! And I almost forgot that I need to buy Elf the Musical tickets for December.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Playdate at our house

• Tuesday - Children’s Museum Trick or Treating

• Wednesday - It’s Halloween!!!!

• Thursday - Art and gym classes at Romp n Roll

• Friday - ??? Probably errands

• Saturday - Playdate at our house

• Sunday - Open crafting at our house

What I am creating: I currently working on my October Memory Planner pages. I hope to get around to some card making this week.

My simple pleasures: Falling leaves, PSL, time at the theatre, good cake

Looking around the house: Things are finally coming together around here. The master bedroom is still horribly messy, but the office/craft room looks decent.

From the camera: At the theatre!

Fall Bucket List Update #2

Another season, another bucket list. This one will be a bit weird as we are moving to a different state at the end of September. There is a short list of things we want to hit before leaving California and a list of things for Indiana and Nebraska. It's going to be a mixed bag.

California:

1. Visit Rocket Fizz ✓

2. Take a Ferry Ride to San Francisco ✓

3. Have a Beach Day ✓

4. Enjoy my Retreat Weekend! ✓

5. Celebrate Arthur and Quentin's Birthdays! ✓

6. Visit Children's Fairyland ✓

7. Visit Children's Creativity Museum

8. Eat at Black Bear

9. Buy pie in Guerneville ✓

10. Have one more pool party ✓

Midwest:

1. Visit Fort Wayne Zoo ✓

2. Visit Science Central ✓

3. Visit Omaha Zoo

4. Visit Omaha Children's Museum

5. Get a new library card

6. Find a good park

7. Go see a movie in the theater - Arthur and I finally saw Incredibles 2 ✓

8. Go to Vala's Pumpkin Festival - So big! But lots of fun! ✓

9. Eat at Coney Island

10. Travel to OBM Sparkle Party in Iowa City

11. Find a good indie bookstore

12. Visit the comic books store

13. Find a good brunch place (Wheatfields?)

14. Have dinner with a friend alone

15. Join a new parent group

16. Join a book club

17. Get my crafty business started

18. Go to Fort Wayne for Thanksgiving

19. Create a fall signature cocktail

Next up on the TBR pile:

Videos for a New House!

This trailer is much more intriguing than the previously released one.

Finally watched the movie last week so I had to look up the Honest Trailer!

Yeah Salem!

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Title: Dracula

Author: Bram Stoker

Publisher: 1897

Genre: Horror

Pages: 488

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NPR Horror); Popsugar - Play or Musical; Mount TBR

Dracula is an 1897 Gothic horror novel by Irish author Bram Stoker. Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to move from Transylvania to England so he may find new blood and spread undead curse, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing. 

A fun spooky reread for my October. I think it’s been at least 5 years since I last read this book and have forgotten how much I really enjoy it. I love the rich descriptions of Transylvania and The Count. I always forget the journey to the castle and the foreshadowing we get about the horror that awaits. So good! And then we get an expansion of characters featuring some truly memorable ones. Renfield! My favorite! I love every encounter with him. I sped through the rest of the book just to get to the demise of The Count. Love it!

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer

Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Author: Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer

Publisher: Dial Press 2009

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 288

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - 21st Century Women Authors; Popsugar - Vegetable; What’s in a Name - Vegetable

“I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.” January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb. . . .

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.

I finally picked up this raved about book and absolutely loved it! The first 25 pages were a bit slow as we introduce the characters and the backstory. Once Juliet arrived on Guernsey I couldn’t stop reading. It was just too engaging! I fell for every single inhabitant on the island and even the ones not on the island. I love the epistolary structure of the book. It adds just a bit of fun and novelty into a great storyline. At times I was almost in tears learning about the characters. But at other times, I was laughing at the jokes and misadventures. This is a book that is going to be kept on my read and loved shelf for years to come. I’m certain I’ll be rereading this in the coming years.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper "Shallow"

I’m really excited about this movie and loving this song!

Life Right Now #32

As I look outside my window: Sunny but chilly morning

Right now I am: Prepping to go to the pumpkin patch today. Or really the pumpkin amusement park, the thing is seriously huge!

On my bedside table: Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant; Dracula by Bram Stoker

On my tv this week: Lots of catching up on some shows including The Good Place, Doctor Who, and It’s Always Sunny

Listening to: Aaron Mahnke’s Cabinet of Curiosity. Love these little Lore-esque stories.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Prosciutto and Fig Pizza (Pepperoni for the kiddos)

• Tuesday - Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Honey Garlic Salmon

• Friday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken

• Saturday - ???

• Sunday - ???

On my to do list: I hope to finish organizing my craft area and putting away all of our clothes. Otherwise, I have the usual list of house chores to do this week. We also want to inquire about getting library cards this week.

Happening this week:

• Monday - I signed Quentin up for a free trial toddler music class. Hope it’s fun. Arthur’s going to stay home with J.

• Tuesday - Nothing so far; maybe library

• Wednesday - Intro to the local MOMs group playdate

• Thursday - Another MOMs group playdate; Initial book club meeting I’m organizing

• Friday - Probably grocery

• Saturday - The Little Engine that Could at The Rose Theatre

• Sunday - Dracula Book Club

What I am creating: I finally pulled out some supplies and made a few cards yesterday. I knocked out two design team cards and a stack of half-finished cards.

My simple pleasures: Falling leaves, a variety of good restaurants, all the pumpkins and pumpkin flavored things,

Looking around the house: Things are slowly coming together in the house. Soon we might be sufficiently moved in.

From the camera: Q “reading” his dinosaur book. Dinosaurs are his favorite things hands-down.

An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin

Title: An Object of Beauty

Author: Steven Martin

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing 2010

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 295

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile

Lacey Yeager is young, captivating, and ambitious enough to take the NYC art world by storm. Groomed at Sotheby's and hungry to keep climbing the social and career ladders put before her, Lacey charms men and women, old and young, rich and even richer with her magnetic charisma and liveliness. Her ascension to the highest tiers of the city parallel the soaring heights--and, at times, the dark lows--of the art world and the country from the late 1990s through today.

This book has been sitting on my shelves for a few years and now I know why. It’s not a bad book. In fact, I think the right person would love this book. I am not that person. I just felt ambivalence toward the book and characters the entire time I was reading it. I wasn’t rushing to read the next page or staying up for one more chapter. I thought about abandoning it at one point, but pushed through to find out the end of Lacey’s story. My main issue is with the characters. None are likable or relatable. I just couldn’t get behind anyone and ultimately didn’t care what happened to them.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Extinct by Ike Hamill

Title: Extinct (Extinct #1)

Author: Ike Hamill

Publisher: 2013

Genre: Horror

Pages: 389

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; A to Z - X; Seasonal Series - Creatures of the Night

Channel Two predicted a blanket of snow for Thanksgiving weekend--unusual, but not alarming for the little Maine island. What comes is a blinding blizzard, and a mass disappearance of nearly every person Robby Pierce knows. He and his family flee, trying to escape the snow and the invisible forces stealing people right from the street.

Miles away, Brad Jenkins battles the same storm. Alone, he attempts to survive as snow envelops his house. When the storm breaks, Brad makes his way south to where the snow ends and the world lies empty. Join Brad, Robby, and the other survivors as they fight to find the truth about the apocalypse and discover how to live in their new world.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I love the world-building and the overall plot line. I loved the creep factor, especially the first 1/3 of the book. But, I just didn’t love the characters. If I had to pick a favorite, I guess I would say Brad. However, I just wasn’t a fan of any of the characters. By the end of the book, none of the characters really appealed to me. And yet, I really really wanted to find out what happens with the thing in the snow. I wanted to get a closer look at the shadow creatures and the water. And there was a big question when it came to the Chinese buffet. Who was actually in there? As I still really need answers to these questions, I’m going to read the next book in the series.

Extinct

• #1 Extinct

• #2 Instinct

• #3 Black Friday

• #4 Distinct

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• Finally in our new house and getting unpacked.

• Super anxious to unpack my craft stuff but I need to wait for the desk to be delivered to properly unpack…

• Different layout is bringing up new questions. Good questions, but still questions.

• I ask one question on Nextdoor and next thing you know I’m organizing a book club for the area.

• Ditto for playgroup

• I would love to get out and explore, but both kids caught a cold while traveling. We’re stuck inside until further notice.

• Next shopping trip needs to include winter coats and boots for the boys.

• Amazingly, we have gloves and hats.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Florida by Lauren Groff

Title: Florida

Author: Lauren Groff

Publisher: Riverbed Books 2018

Genre: Short Stories

Pages: 275

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsugar - Stranger Read; Modern Mrs. Darcy - 2018 Award Nominee

In her thrilling new book, Lauren Groff brings the reader into a physical world that is at once domestic and wild—a place where the hazards of the natural world lie waiting to pounce, yet the greatest threats and mysteries are still of an emotional, psychological nature. A family retreat can be derailed by a prowling panther, or by a sexual secret. Among those navigating this place are a resourceful pair of abandoned sisters; a lonely boy, grown up; a restless, childless couple, a searching, homeless woman; and an unforgettable, recurring character—a steely and conflicted wife and mother. 

I had heard great things about this collection of stories and decided to read it after loving Groff’s The Monsters of Templeton. Although I must say that I did like Fates and Furies at all. And so I dove into this story collection, but just couldn’t find myself loving these stories at all. I’m not a fan of Groff’s writing. Her vagueness in plot and insubstantial characters can’t keep my attention. I finished this collection, but I think I’m done with Groff’s writing…

Next up on the TBR pile:

Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen

Title: Royal Flush (Royal Spyness #3)

Author: Rhys Bowen

Publisher: Berkley 2009

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 332

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Seasonal Series - Eating Soup

Scotland, 1932. Back home until a little London scandal blows over, minor royal Lady Georgiana Rannoch has two equally important objectives. Queen Mary wants Georgie to keep the divorced, American, and entirely unsuitable Wallis Simpson from seducing the Prince of Wales, while Scotland Yard wants her to stop one of the members of the shooting party at Balmoral from turning their sights from the quails to His Royal Highness...

Another fun mystery featuring the misadventures of Georgie and the royal set. I loved the change of scenery to Scotland and the reintroduction of Binky and Fig. This mystery was tons of fun to figure out. I didn’t quite catch the connection until right before the reveal, but it was fun following the clues with Georgie.

Her Royal Spyness:

• #0.5 Masked Ball at Broxley Manor

• #1 Her Royal Spyness

• #2 A Royal Pain

• #3 Royal Flush

• #4 Royal Blood

• #5 Naughty in Nice

• #6 The Twelve Clues of Christmas

• #7 Heirs and Graces

• #8 Queen of Hearts

• #9 Malice at the Palace

• #10 Crowned and Dangerous

• #11 On Her Majesty’s Frightfully Secret Service

• #12 Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - First Aid Kit "Rebel Heart"

Love their sound. This new song is just too good to pass up.

You're the Rogue that I Want by Samantha Holt

Title: You’re the Rogue that I Want

Author: Samantha Holt

Publisher: 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 227

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; A to Z - Y; Seasonal Series - Rain in Background

Red never shies away from a challenge. 

Never.

But when Miss Hannah St. John strides into his life demanding—yes, demanding—he help her, he’s certain she’s more challenge than even he can handle.

Hannah is determined to transport an artifact from France—one that will change everything—even if it means working with a lawless man like Red. Nothing is more important than preserving history. 

Nothing.

Not even the touch of a smuggler who inconceivably makes her stomach twist.

When it becomes clear the irritating bluestocking will do anything for this blasted artifact and needs saving from herself, the earl-turned-smuggler steps in. 

Carting a cursed stone across the country with a know-it-all woman is not Red’s idea of fun, particularly when their journey runs far from smoothly…so why does he find himself enjoying her company just a little too much?

I love a good fluffy romance and this was just what I needed this week. I really enjoyed the misadventures of Red and Hannah on their journey to London. A couple of the instances really were too much of a coincidence, but I still loved their reactions to everything. And a very steamy ending to the book. I might just have to pick up the next in the series.

Rogues of Redmere

• #1 You’re the Rogue that I Want

• #2 When a Rogue Loves a Woman

• #3 Waiting for a Rogue Like You

Next up on the TBR pile:

Dollhouse by Anya Allyn

Title: Dollhouse (Dark Carousel #1)

Author: Anya Allyn

Publisher: 2017

Genre: Horror

Pages: 311

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seasonal Series - Creepy Book

A dark presence is collecting girls, deep in the forest. Two girls have vanished, and now a third. Cassie and her friends desperately search the forest for their friend, who went missing on a hike. When they find vintage dolls hanging from strings on branches, they should have turned back.
But they didn't.

The dolls lead to a crumbling mansion. Beneath the mansion lies a macabre, life-sized dollhouse that is controlled by a terrifying being. In the dollhouse, you must dance until your feet bleed, sit on the toy shelf if you're bad, and if you've been very bad, you are sent to the toy box - a pitch-dark cavern that contains beings beyond nightmares.
And now there is no escape.

As I’m still in Indiana, most of my reading is done at bedtime, but I can’t have the lights on or the kids won’t go to bed. So… I started with the As on my Kindle and picked some random read. This one starts out fairly slow, featuring four kids talking a nature hike in the bush in Australia. And then things turn extremely creepy. I’m a bit confused about the ending, but really enjoyed the horror story up until then. I wonder if the second book is a continuation or a different set of characters? I Might just have to buy it and find out.

Dark Carousel

• #1 Dollhouse

• #2 Paper Dolls

• #3 Marionette

• #4 Music Box

Next up on the TBR pile:

Spooky Videos?

This version is just gorgeous!

I cannot wait!!!! Janet!

This trailer makes the movie look much more interesting…

I must watch!

This is joyful!

Fun fun!

They are finally making an adaptation of The Boys!

So incredibly excited about this one!!!!!