Christmas Bucket List

Fall is over (at least in my book) and we’re on to Christmas. Time for a new bucket list!

1. Make Christmas Cookies

2. Watch 5 Christmas movies

3. Decorate our new house

4. Make hot cocoa

5. Buy fun candy canes

6. Read “A Christmas Carol”

7. Build a snowman

8. Create snow angels

9. Create a popcorn garland

10. Create paper snowflakes

11. Have a snowball fight

12. Sing Christmas carols

13. Build a gingerbread house

14. Drive around and see the lights

15. Go visit Santa

16. Send out Christmas cards

17. Read 5 Christmas stories

18. Leave out cookies for Santa

19. Go to Christmas at the zoo

20. See a Christmas performance

21. Buy a special ornament

22. Take a photo of all four boys together

23. Try a new holiday coffee drink

24. Find a new holiday album

25. Donate to CSI’s Subsitute Santa drive (I used to work there!)

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:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• Really frustrated with the fact that Q refuses to go to the gym daycare. That was part of the reason why we picked this gym. Ugh!

• I need some candy canes in my life ASAP.

• Sitting at my dining room table, I can feel the slight draft from the old windows. Landlord is going to replace in the spring. Until then, I’m going to get a sweater.

• I royally screwed up an order on Black Friday and now it looks like I can only recover 1/2 of the order. Very sad…

• My library stack is out of control. Guess I need to read some more.

• Looking forward to having the ability of just hauling all the presents to Indiana in the back of the van. Means I can shop for everything now and know I have it all with me.

• Every pen I pick up in this house sucks. I guess I need to stick to my trusty Papermate Flairs.

Next up on the TBR pile:

My Name is Markham by Jodi Taylor

Title: My Name is Markham (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #7.6) 

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2016

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 51

Stars: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series; Seasonal Series - Free Space

Like a smaller and much scruffier Greta Garbo – finally – Markham speaks!

It’s Christmas and time for the first (and almost certainly last) St Mary’s Annual Children’s Christmas Party – attendance compulsory, by order of Dr Bairstow. Discovered practising his illegal reindeer dance and poo-dropping routine, our hero, along with fellow disaster-magnets Peterson and Maxwell, is despatched to Anglo-Saxon England to discover the truth about Alfred and the cakes.

In his own words, our hero reveals Major Guthrie’s six-point guide to a successful assignment and the Security Section’s true opinion of the History Department. And of historians in general. And of one historian in particular.

And, just to be clear, it is time travel, for God’s sake. Forget all that pretentious ‘investigating major historical events in contemporary time’ rubbish.

This is history without the capital ‘H’. Because this is the way the Security Section rolls!

Cute little short story from the St. Mary’s crew. I enjoyed the subject matter of this one and the fun comedy bit at the end involving the reindeer. I wasn’t as much of a fan of Markham narrating the story. I’ve gotten so used to Max’s voice that this one was a bit strange. Still love this series and pushing through to the next one!

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

• #0.5 The Very First Damned Thing

• #1 Just One Damned Thing After Another

• #2 A Symphony of Echoes

• #2.5 When A Child is Born

• #3 A Second Chance

• #3.5 Roman Holiday

• #4 A Trail Through Time

• #4.5 Christmas Present

• #5 No Time Like the Past

• #6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong

• #6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings

• #7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History

• #7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out

• #7.6 My Name is Markham

• #8 And the Rest is History

• #8.5 A Perfect Storm

• #9 The Long and Short of It

Next up on the TBR pile:

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Title: Nimona

Author: Noelle Stevenson

Publisher: HarperTeen 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 272

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - 365 Days of YA

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.

But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

I’ve been meaning to pick this one up for awhile now and I finally got it from the library. This is an utter treat of a book! I immediately fell for Blackheart and Nimona and their amazing growing relationship. I love all of the characters, but my favorite was Nimona hands down. She’s such a complex character with hidden depths. I was blown away by the reveals of her character later in the book. I really really loved this story.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair

Title: Death by Diamonds (Vintage Magic Mystery #3)

Author: Annette Blair

Publisher: Berkley 2010

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 270

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Seasonal Series - Not YA

Madeira Cutler loves her Vintage Magic boutique, but the 'visions' she gets from the garments can be hard to handle, especially when she knows the owner. At first she's thrilled to receive a package containing the beautifully bejeweled dress she designed for actress and old friend Dominique Delong while in fashion school. But the dress comes with a disturbing message from Dominique, who it seems took her last bow under very mysterious circumstances.

Oh that Madeira Cutler! Always getting into the thick of a murder investigation. I think I enjoyed this volume even more than the last one. I loved the mystery of Dom’s death and the ensuing whirlwind of designer clothes and visions. It was nice to see a bit more of Mad’s life in New York before she returned home. The only thing that bugged me about this one: the love triangle between Mad, Nick, and Lytton. I really really really don’t like Nick and wish Mad kick him to the curb. I get the sex appeal, but his jealousy without actual emotional commitment drives me bonkers. I want to see Mad explore a relationship with Lytton and soon!

Vintage Magic Mystery:

• #1 A Veiled Deception

• #2 Larceny and Lace

• #3 Death by Diamonds

• #4 Skirting the Grave

• #5 Cloaked in Malice

• #6 Tulle Death Do Us Part

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Mike Shinoda feat. K. Flay "Make It Up as I Go"

Another great pairing of artists.

On a Cold Dark Sea by Elizabeth Blackwell

Title: On a Cold Dark Sea

Author: Elizabeth Blackwell

Publisher: Lake Union 2018

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 277

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

On April 15, 1912, three women climbed into Lifeboat 21 and watched in horror as the Titanic sank into the icy depths. They were strangers then…

Con artist Charlotte Digby lied her way through London and onto the Titanic. The disaster could be her chance at a new life—if she hides the truth about her past. Esme Harper, a wealthy American, mourns the end of a passionate affair and fears that everything beautiful is slipping from her grasp. And Anna Halversson, a Swedish farm girl in search of a fresh start in America, is tormented by the screams that ring out from the water. Is one of them calling her name?

Twenty years later, a sudden death brings the three women back together, forcing them to face the impossible choices they made, the inconceivable loss, and the secrets they have kept for far too long.

One of the book club selections for this month. As a young child, I was really into the Titanic and immediately went back to childhood when I read the summary of this book. I really wanted to love the story of three women dealing with the aftermath of the sinking. But I ended up being a bit disappointed by the ending. I wanted more. The book felt like it was 100 pages too short. We don’t get a good conclusion to the story, especially in regards to Anna and Esme. I felt like the book spent too much time and even not enough substantial time on Charlotte. Not bad until the ending. Then I was disappointed.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #37

As I look outside my window: It’s a wintery wonderland out there. Not too much snow, but enough to cover the ground and make mostly everything white. The wind might get to me though…

Right now I am: Waiting on J to get up so I can go to the gym. I’m feeling blobby today.

On my bedside table: Death by Diamonds and Skirting the Grave by Annette Blair; Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel by A.W. Jantha

On my tv this week: Slowly catching up with Full Frontal (we’re still in September). I finally got to watch the finale of Bake-Off which was slightly disappointing. Plus, J and I watched a few movies this week.

Listening to: Nothing much at all. It was a slow week.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Chili and Cornbread

• Tuesday - Leftovers

• Wednesday - Sweet Potato Nachos

• Thursday - Irish Whiskey Stew

• Friday - Green Chili Enchilada Soup

• Saturday - Leftovers

• Sunday - Sesame Chicken

On my to do list: Oh so many random little things. But the biggest thing is attempting to reroute some packages from being delivered to our old California address. Ugh! There’s always something that comes up. And I’m definitely not willing to give up that entire order (packaged in four boxes with two different delivery companies to make matters even more complicated).

Happening this week: Another full week of preschool for Arthur. Thank goodness! He loves it and his attitude at home is so much better with some time away.

• Monday - Yoga (if Q cooperates); Open Gym at Romp n Roll

• Tuesday - RnR Classes; Book Club

• Wednesday - Gym (hopefully)

• Thursday - Zoo or Children’s Museum

• Friday - Errand Day

• Saturday - RnR for Quentin

• Sunday - Birthday party for Arthur

What I am creating: I’m almost done with my Christmas cards. Need to get back to finishing the Project Life album.

My simple pleasures: Cranberry sauce and twice baked sweet potatoes. Yum!

Looking around the house: Yeah, not much was finished this past week. We really need to get this stuff hung on the walls to clear up the space.

From the camera: Three boys and a dog

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Title: Purple Hibiscus

Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Publisher: Algonquin Books 2003

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 307

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - 21st Century Women Authors; Popsugar - Fave Color

Fifteen-year-old Kambili and her older brother Jaja lead a privileged life in Enugu, Nigeria. They live in a beautiful house, with a caring family, and attend an exclusive missionary school. They're completely shielded from the troubles of the world. Yet, as Kambili reveals in her tender-voiced account, things are less perfect than they appear. Although her Papa is generous and well respected, he is fanatically religious and tyrannical at home—a home that is silent and suffocating.

As the country begins to fall apart under a military coup, Kambili and Jaja are sent to their aunt, a university professor outside the city, where they discover a life beyond the confines of their father's authority. Books cram the shelves, curry and nutmeg permeate the air, and their cousins' laughter rings throughout the house. When they return home, tensions within the family escalate, and Kambili must find the strength to keep her loved ones together.

A very powerful story about family. I was rooting for Kambili and Jaja throughout the novel. I just want them to have a good life aware from hardship and strife. Of course, that wasn’t to be, but it was nice to see them gain strength over the course of the story. Adichie crafts a richly descriptive world. I especially loved the descriptions and passages about food. I wouldn’t say I loved this book, but I really enjoyed the journey.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen

Title: Royal Blood (Royal Spyness #4)

Author: Rhys Bowen

Publisher: Berkley 2010

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 318

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Seasonal Series - Wearing a Sweater

London, 1932. With her hateful brother Binky in town, Georgie has been desperately seeking an escape. So when an invitation from the Queen of England arrives asking her to represent the royals at a wedding in Transylvania—legendary home of vampires—she's delighted to accept. But when the bride starts acting a little batty and a prominent wedding guest is poisoned, something must be done lest the couple's vows become "till undeath do they part..."

Another fun romp with Georgiana and her random cast of realties and friends. it was a nice change of pace to to shift the action from England to Transylvania. And I loved meeting even more of Georgie’s royal relatives across the continent. The murder mystery was a bit silly, but at least we get a dramatic death this time. And we get to see more of Darcy. Yeah!

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:

Thanksgiving Videos

I cannot wait!!!!!

Hmmmm… do we need another Toy Story?

Maybe we do.

I am more intrigued from this trailer than the first…

Yep. This sounds about right…

And on to the current series…

A masterpiece

Might be interesting

Monstress Volume 3

Title: Monstress Volume 3

Author: Marjorie Liu, Sana Takeda

Publisher: Image 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 152

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Seasonal Series - Comic

A Hugo and British Fantasy Award-winning series—and current Eisner Award nominee for Best Continuing Series, and Best Publication for Teens, with Marjorie Liu nominated for Best Writer and Sana Takeda nominated for Best Painter and Best Cover Artist! Maika has spent most of her life learning how to fight, but how will she fare when the only way to save her life… is to make friends? Collects MONSTRESS #13-18

This series keeps getting more serious with every trade and I’m totally here for it. I’m fully invested in the story of Maika Halfwolf and the various characters orbiting her. In some ways, I’m more confused than ever about the Old Gods and the various sides and their ultimate goals. But I’m here for the journey to the answers.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

Title: The Royal We

Author: Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 497

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Reading Assignment

American Rebecca Porter was never one for fairy-tales. Her twin sister Lacey was always the romantic, the one who daydreamed of being a princess. But it's adventure-seeking Bex who goes to Oxford and meets dreamy Nick across the hall - and thus Bex who accidentally finds herself in love with the eventual heir to the British throne. Nick is everything she could have imagined, but Prince Nicholas has unimaginable baggage: grasping friends, a thorny family, hysterical tabloids tracking his every move, and a public that expected its future king to marry a native. On the eve of the most talked-about wedding of the century, Bex reflects on what she's sacrificed for love -- and exactly whose heart she may yet have to break.

A fun re-imagining of the romance of Kate and Wills. I love reading Heather and Jessica’s fashion blog and have been meaning to pick up this book for awhile now. Overall, I really enjoyed this romantic romp through England and time. I really fell for many of the side characters, especially Freddie and Gaz. I did like Bex and her story told from her own perspective. The one thing I didn’t like: the ending. It felt really rushed and not quite satisfying. But I still really enjoyed the almost 500 pages I spent with Bex and Nick.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Christmas Spirit Starting Line

My Goals:

• Read 6 Christmas related books

• Review all books read

• Watch 5 Christmas movies

My TBR:

• Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams

• A Family for Christmas by Noelle Adams

• Christmas with You by Tracey Alvarez

• Christmas Lovebirds by Rachelle Ayala

• Christmas Light by Jolyse Barnett

• Christmas with the Black Sheep by Natalie Nicole Bates

• Once Upon a Royal Christmas by Robin Bielman

• A Match Made at Christmas by Patty Blount

• A Pirate for Christmas by Anna Campbell

• Her Christmas Bonus by Rain Danvers

• A Kiss of Christmas by Jillian Eaton

• Santa Baby, I Want a Bad Boy for Christmas by Justine Elvira

• My Christmas Curse by Joan Gable

• The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield

• A Cotswold Christmas by Kate Hewitt

• Melody’s Christmas by ID Johnson

• Once Upon a Christmas by Lisa Plumley

• A Christmas Gift by Stella Wilkinson

• A Town Called Christmas by Stella Wilkinson

Music Monday -- Brandi Carlile feat. Sam Smith "Party of One"

Love these two voices together.

Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

From Christmas Spirit:

It's that time of year again!

As usual, there are multiple levels for participation, like children's books and watching Christmas movies AND the Christmas Spirit Readathon is back again this year. Keep reading for details!

Details and sign up:

• challenge will run from Monday, November 19, 2018 through Sunday, January 6, 2019 (Twelfth Night or Epiphany). 

• cross over with other challenges is totally permitted AND encouraged! 

• These must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore, a book of Christmas short stories or poems, books about Christmas crafts, and for the first time...a children's Christmas books level! 

Levels:
--Candy Cane: read 1 book
--Mistletoe: read 2-4 books
--Christmas Tree: read 5 or 6 books (this is the fanatic level...LOL!)

Additional levels:
--Fa La La La Films: watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you!
--Visions of Sugar Plums: read books with your children this season and share what you read

*the additional levels are optional, you still must complete one of the main reading levels above

• The Christmas Spirit Readathon is back again this year. I'll be hosting once again over at Seasons of Readingalso starting Monday, November 19 through Sunday, December 2! Details and sign-up can be found HERE.

• the most important rule? Have fun!!! 

• I will have a review linky posted as a page the day the challenge starts. You will find it at the top of the right sidebar. 

• Sign up in the linky below (link to your post with your reading list...you can change up your list during the challenge...I just want to be able to stop by to welcome you and see what you plan to read).

One final note: The giveaway this year will be a $15 donation to the winner's choice of a human rights organization, such as the ACLU, Boys and Girls Club, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Amnesty International, It Gets Better, Planned Parenthood, or another human rights organization of your choice, perhaps your local chapter or organization. This giveaway is open internationally.

I hope you will join me!

Grab a button...check the right sidebar...there's a grab code. And don't forget to check out the Readathon details at Seasons of Reading!

I’m in! Going to go for the Christmas Tree level of 5-6 books. I have a Kindle full of fun Christmas romances that I plan on devouring this season.

Life Right Now #36

As I look outside my window: There’s a thin layer of snow on the ground. It snowed most of the day yesterday, but light flurries.

Right now I am: Prepping breakfast for two hungry boys.

On my bedside table: On a Cold Dark Sea by Elizabeth Blackwell; My Name is Markham by Jodi Taylor

On my tv this week: Lots of Stan Against Evil S3 and The Good Place S3

Listening to: Podcasts, podcasts, and more podcasts

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Leftovers

• Tuesday - Fiesta Chicken

• Wednesday - Tuscan Kale and White Bean Soup

• Thursday - It’s Thanksgiving!!!

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Ham and Cheese Pretzel Sandwiches

• Sunday - Chili and Cornbread

On my to do list: Lots and lots of things I’m sure, but I really need to double check my big list.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Arthur preschool; Quentin gym class; Grocery shopping

• Tuesday - Zumba; Grocery shopping; Christmas card class

• Wednesday - Arthur preschool; Thanksgiving prep

• Thursday - Thanksgiving!!!

• Friday - Nothing probably

• Saturday - Coffee and conversation; Arthur pirates class

• Sunday - Nothing

What I am creating: Plugging along on the Christmas cards. I’m probably 40% done. The move really put me behind, but I like to get them all done and sent by the second week of December. I’m also trying to catch up on the family PL album. I need to work on my November Memory Planner pages. And I want to prep December Daily. Lots of crafty goals for this week.

My simple pleasures: Gingerbread lattes from Starbucks (just the right amount of sweet), reading in bed, not having to fill my gas tank every week, planner sticker orders

Looking around the house: We still have a house project list a mile long. Hoping to knock a few things out this week, especially the garage so I can park the cars.

From the camera: Surprise gift from an internet friend.

The Great St. Mary's Day Out by Jodi Taylor

Title: The Great St. Mary’s Day Out (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #7.5) 

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2016

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 96

Stars: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series; Seasonal Series - Drinking Tea

Everyone deserves to get away for a bit. Even the miscreants at St Mary's. Astonishingly, Dr Bairstow has declared a holiday. Even more astonishingly - he's paying for it. Needless to say, there are strings attached. The trip is to record the 1601 performance of Hamlet, with Shakespeare himself in the role of the Ghost. It doesn't go well, of course. With Dr Bairstow and Mrs Mack turning a simple visit to a street market into a public brawl, Professor Rapson inadvertently stowing away on a vessel bound for the New World, and Shakespeare himself going up in flames, it would seem that Max, of all people, is the only one actually completing the assignment.

A fun short story where the various characters from St. Mary’s finally get to see Shakespeare! I loved the visit to The Globe and the hijinks that ensue. My favorite, once again, is Markham. I can’t wait to see what he gets into next time.

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

• #0.5 The Very First Damned Thing

• #1 Just One Damned Thing After Another

• #2 A Symphony of Echoes

• #2.5 When A Child is Born

• #3 A Second Chance

• #3.5 Roman Holiday

• #4 A Trail Through Time

• #4.5 Christmas Present

• #5 No Time Like the Past

• #6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong

• #6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings

• #7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History

• #7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out

• #7.6 My Name is Markham

• #8 And the Rest is History

• #8.5 A Perfect Storm

• #9 The Long and Short of It

Next up on the TBR pile:

Black Magick Vol. 2

Title: Black Magick Vol. 2

Author: Greg Rucka, Nicola Scott

Publisher: Image 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 136

Stars: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The trap around Rowan Black continues to close, with the Hammer closing in on one side and the Ascension now in motion on the other. But the ultimate wound may not be wielded by magick, but instead delivered via the heart.

Collecting issues 6 through 11 of the critically-acclaimed series by New York Times bestselling creators GREG RUCKA and NICOLA SCOTT.

I stumbled upon this series a few months back and was waiting for the second trade to be available. Yeah for me that it came off hold at the library this week. I sped through this volume in one sitting. I loved seeing more of Rowan’s childhood and family history. Plus we get more developments with the group of witch hunters. The scenes in the hospital were very unnerving. Loved it! Can’t wait to get volume 3.

Next up on the TBR pile: