July 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

July's TBR Pile (11/15):

1. Book Club Selection:The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato √
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood √
3. Series Pick: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
4. Nonfiction Pick: Thunderstruck by Erik Larson √
5. Jar Pick: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
6. Jar Pick: The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig √
7. Additional: Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke (review pending)
8. Additional: High Rise by J.G. Ballard (review pending)
9. Additional: Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick √
10. Added: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner √
11. Added: The Scorch Trials: The Graphic Novel Prelude √
12. Added: The Curious Case of the Werewolf that Wasn't... by Gail Carriger √
13. Added: Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger √
14. Added: The Last Star by Rick Yancey √
15. Added: George Washington's Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton
2. Dinosaur vs. Mommy by Bob Shea
3. Larry Gets Lost in Prehistoric Times by Andrew Fox
4. Froggy Goes to the Library by Jonathan London
5. Calling All Cars by Sue Fliess
6. Race Car Count by Rebecca Kai Dotich
7. Go-Go Gorillas by Julia Durango
8. Digger Dog by William Bee
9. Red Car, Blue Car by Jonathan Litton
10. Job Site by Nathan Clement
11. Pete the Cat: The Wheels on the Bus by James Dean
12. The Little Shop of Monsters by R.L. Stine and Marc Brown
13. The Pirate Jamboree by Mark Teague
14. How to Find Gold by Viviane Schwarz
15. The Rise and Fall of Oscar the Magician by Matthew Porter
16. Let's Play by Herve Tullet
17. Ten Playful Tigers by Betty Schwartz and Lynn Seresin
18. Digger the Dinosaur by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
19. Listen to My Trumpet by Mo Willems
20. Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa Partners by Erica Silverman
21. The Toy Breaker by Geoffrey Hayes
22. Oliver, Amanda, and Grandmother Pig by Jean Van Leeuwen
23. Happy Pig Day by Mo Willems
24. Race Around the World by Susan Amerikaner
25. Peep and Ducky Rainy Day by David Martin
26. Tickle Monster by Edouard Manceau
27. The Find It Book by Margaret Wise Brown
28. One Bear Extraordinaire by Jayme McGowan
29. Elmer and Grandpa Eldo by David McKee
30. Billy and Goat at the Street Fair by Dan Yaccarino
31. I'm Cool by Kate & Jim McMullan

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3407 pages Pages Remaining: 750,218 pages

Current Read - An Innocent, A Broad by Ann Leary

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  - Perpetual Challenges: I knocked 20 books off my extremely long list of perpetual reading lists.

Books bought/received 

2016 Total Spent: $15.27

Comments -

August's TBR Pile:

1. Book Club Selection: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: An Innocent, A Broad by Ann Leary
3. Series Pick: Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
4. Nonfiction Pick: Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin
5. Jar Pick: Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick
6. Jar Pick: Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger
7. Series in August: Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
8. Carry-over: Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
9. Carry-over: High Rise by J.G. Ballard

George Washington's Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade

Title: George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Save the American Revolution

Author: Brian Kilmeade

Publisher:Sentinel 2013

Genre: Nonfiction - U.S. History

Pages: 236

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual); Nonfiction; Book to Movie

When George Washington beat a hasty retreat from New York City in August 1776, many thought the American Revolution might soon be over. Instead, Washington rallied—thanks in large part to a little-known, top-secret group called the Culper Spy Ring. He realized that he couldn’t defeat the British with military might, so he recruited a sophisticated and deeply secretive intelligence network to infiltrate New York.

Drawing on extensive research, Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger have offered fascinating portraits of these spies: a reserved Quaker merchant, a tavern keeper, a brash young longshoreman, a curmudgeonly Long Island bachelor, a coffeehouse owner, and a mysterious woman. Long unrecognized, the secret six are finally receiving their due among the pantheon of American heroes.

I'll admit that I picked this up because of my love of watching Turn: Washington's Spies. For all my background in U.S. History, I had never really learned much about the Culper Ring other than it existed. I wanted to see if the tv show was at all factual. While there are certain liberties taken to amp up the dramatic flair and a few characters combined or changed slightly, the show is true to the spirit of the ring. Many historical characters do appear (Tallmadge, Simcoe, Rivington, Brewster, Woodhull, and Townsend). I enjoyed this quick introduction to the Culper Ring and spies during the American Revolution. I knocked off a star because of just how short this volume is. I would have liked more in depth information, maybe more about the actual methods they employed or more detailed accounts of how their ring fit into the larger picture. Very good, but not amazing.

2016 Reading Challenges Update #2

This year I scaled back on the number of challenges and number of spots. I wanted to switch the focus from reading challenge to just reading. So far my strategy seems to be working very well!

Total Challenges: 3/13 23%

Total Spots: 299/400  74.8%

Individual Challenge Progress:

• Perpetual Reading Challenges  20/20  100%**
• Read My Own Damn Books  27/40  67.5%
• I Love Libraries  24/24  100%**
• Nonfiction  15/20  75%
• Popsugar  22/40  55%
• What’s in a Name   3/6  50%
• Fairytale Retelling  3/10  30%
• Books to Movies  6/10  60%
• Finishing the Series  5/6  83.3%
• Graphic Novel  31/52  59.6%
• Women Authors  13/20  65%
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks  30/52   57.7%
• Picture Books   100/100  100%***

*Successes: I added another completed challenge (perpetual reading challenges) and made some serious progress on a few others (Women Authors, Books to Movies, Nonfiction, and Read My Own Damn Books).

**Failures (Needs Improvement): Fairytale Retelling. Man, that number is very low. I need to get on that...

Videos for Your Week

Mega Comic Con Edition

Such a Guy Ritchie look! Plus, he always has amazing music in his movies...

A female led action film? I'm totally going to have to see this one.

Haven't been impressed with the D.C. movies, but this one looks much better...

I'll watch anything with Benedict...

Don't really know much about this, but it looks pretty good.

Another documentary to add to our list.

This looks so wonderful and atmospheric. Must see...

James Corden and Michelle Obama do karaoke!!!!

Oh Keegan. You are adorable!

Oh Jon. Nice to see you're living well.

I need to go to all the places listed in this one!

Interesting shark video...

Pregnancy Update at 30 Weeks

Due Date: October 5th

Weight Gain: 17 pounds. Decent progress so far.

Symptoms: Scar tissue pain - constant and at times almost unbearable.

What's different this time: Thankfully no baby hiccups yet. Arthur had them constantly and it really got old after awhile.

Cravings/Aversions: I've been craving all the sweets lately. I've been baking up a storm.

Sleep: The past two weeks, my sleep has gone downhill. I'm up at least four times a night due to being uncomfortable.

I am loving: A beautiful baby blanket a crafty friend made me. Perfect in yellow, gray, and white.

I miss: Beer. With the temperatures in the 90s, I've been craving a refreshing beer.

I am looking forward to: The hear breaking. I'm hot all the time and it's so incredibly uncomfortable.

I'm spazzing about: Or still indecision when it comes to a name. I like to plan things ahead of time. Hoping we can get this settled soon.

Milestones: Um... I got nothing this week.

Movement: This kid is super crazy all the time. Last night, he was doing barrel rolls and it was so very painful. But I am glad I can feel him multiple times a day.

Preparation: Arthur has been moved to a big boy bed! Amazingly, it went relatively painlessly. He's gotten up a few times, but either right when he goes to sleep or after the sun comes up. J moved the crib to the twins' room where it will stay for a few months after the baby comes.

Baby’s (name pending) Stuff: Other than moving the crib, I haven't gotten anything else for the baby.

Thunderstruck by Erik Larson

Title: Thunderstruck

Author: Erik Larson

Publisher: Crown 2006

Genre: Nonfiction - History

Pages: 463

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NonAd); Nonfiction; 52 Books - W30

Set in Edwardian London and on the stormy coasts of Cornwall, Cape Cod, and Nova Scotia, Thunderstruck evokes the dynamism of those years when great shipping companies competed to build the biggest, fastest ocean liners; scientific advances dazzled the public with visions of a world transformed; and the rich outdid one another with ostentatious displays of wealth. Against this background, Marconi races against incredible odds and relentless skepticism to perfect his invention: the wireless, a prime catalyst for the emergence of the world we know today. Meanwhile, Crippen, “the kindest of men,” nearly commits the perfect murder.

Oh man. Another awesome Erik Larson book that I can't believe took me this long to read. And it's on a subject that I knew little to nothing about. Amazing! It took me a bit to really get into this volume, but once I did, I was hooked. Larson has an amazing way of making the reader care about the characters and keep us on the edge of our seat throughout. My favorite parts of this volume were the politics of Marconi's business dealings. So very very interesting and complicated! The ending was a bit abrupt for a Larson book, but I was still satisfied by the story and conclusion.

Music Monday -- Breaking Benjamin "Defeated"

Another Octane favorite. 

Life Right Now #24

As I look outside my window: Super bright sunshine is blinding my spot on the couch. Thankfully Arthur's not up yet so I'm stealing his shady spot.

Right now I am: Eating a bagel, drinking coffee, and prepping to go to book club. Just going to be one mom friend and me today, but I don't care. It's a few hours away from the toddler. I need a bit of a break.

Thinking and pondering: Lots of people are contributing to a keepsake box for our friend who lost her husband last week. I want to write a personal note, but trying to decide what is the hardest part.

On my bedside table:  Washington's Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade; A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander

On my tv this week: San Andreas, The Wolverine, The Scorch Trials, Keanu. We had an interesting movie watching week. I enjoyed the ridiculousness of San Andreas and Keanu. The Wolverine was decent. And The Scorch Trials was just bad. I caught up on Reign over the week and holy crap that took a turn.

Listening to: One Bad Mother -- woohoo! Caught back up.

On the menu for this week:  Usually I have a beautiful meal plan for the upcoming week and somehow I've just dropped the ball after the twins left. So I have no idea what we are eating for the upcoming week. Guess what I'm doing tonight...

On my to do list: Get some stamps to send my August cards; finish Thunderstruck; send a few emails; switch Arthur to a twin sized bed!!!!

Happening this week:

• Monday - Maybe some errands
• Tuesday - Dropping Josh off at the airport for a ridiculously short trip to D.C.
• Wednesday - Maybe Seven Seas Park and Finance Committee Meeting
• Thursday - Bay Area Discovery Museum
• Friday - Nothing so far
• Saturday - Nothing so far
• Sunday - Book Club for The Glassblower of Murano

What I am creating: Starting to work on my August design team cards.

My simple pleasures: An ice cold Coke after a long morning at the park. I've tried to limit my pop consumption, but every once in awhile, I need one!

Looking around the house: Oof! I seriously need to vacuum and do a big general pick-up.

From the camera: The attitude from our summer social...

101 in 1001 Update #18

What I did:

3. Complete 52 once a week photos of Arthur -- This past month I documented weeks 19 through 27. Only half a year to go...

28. Read 100,000 pages toward 1,000,000 page goal (60,302/100,000) -- In June I read a whopping 4713 pages! Only 40,000 more pages to meet my goal. Should take me about a year.

34. Make 250 different greeting cards (233/250) -- 13 differently designed cards this past month. Getting so close to my goal.

54. Try 25 new restaurants (19/25) -- On a trip over to the Pacific Pinball Museum in Alameda, we had lunch at Otaez and grabbed some yummy ice cream at Cookiebar.

72. Donate something extra at each MVPA social x 10 (7/10) -- Our summer social is tomorrow. We held a joint canned food and school supply drive. Ready to donate!

Remaining goals and total:

Friends, Family, and Love

1. Send out homemade holiday cards in December 2x (1/2)
2. Build a snowman
5. Date nights x 20
6. Complete a Jar of Life
7. Host a tea party
9. Write a personal manifesto
10. Take a picture of myself every first day of the month
11. Give 5 Just Because gifts
12. Give Arthur 25 pictures books in 25 days for December 2016
16. Take Arthur and twins to go see Santa

Crafting and Culture

17. Attend an opera or musical
18. Reread the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit
20. Finish one of my Perpetual Reading Challenges
22. Ask 20 friends to suggest one book, and read them all
23. Watch a meteor shower
24. Attend 5 concerts (1/5)
25. Complete 10 Day in the Life posts (3/10)
27. Tour a factory
29. Finish 2015 and 2016 Project Life book (family and Arthur)
30. Finish 2015 and 2016 December Daily
32. Watch 100 different TED Talks and do a short review/analysis on the blog (new series)
33. Watch/rewatch every Academy Awards Best Picture since the year I was born (1982) 1982: Gandhi 1983: Terms of Endearment 1984: Amadeus 1985: Out of Africa 1986: Platoon 1987: The Last Emperor 1988: Rain Man 1989: Driving Miss Daisy 1990: Dances with Wolves 1991: Silence of the Lambs 1992: Unforgiven 1993: Schindler’s List 1994: Forrest Gump 1995: Braveheart 1996: The English Patient 1997: Titanic 1998: Shakespeare in Love 1999: American Beauty 2000: Gladiator 2001: A Beautiful Mind 2002: Chicago 2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2004: Million Dollar Baby 2005: Crash 2006: The Departed 2007: No Country for Old Men 2008: Slumdog Millionaire 2009: The Hurt Locker 2010: The King’s Speech 2011: The Artist 2012: Argo 2013: 12 Years a Slave 2014: TBD 2015: TBD 2016: TBD
35. See a drive-in movie
36. Listen to every song by The Beatles
37. Finish watching every Star Trek television episode and movie
38. Have a Pixar movie month
39. Complete The Artist’s Way
41. Learn Ruby on rails

Food and Drink

44. Take a cooking class
46. Open a cookbook to a random page and make what ever is on it
48. Take a bartending class
51. Make fresh pasta
52. Learn to make a good martini
53. Do a brewery tour
55. Try 5 new to me foods

Health and Fitness

57. Lose 2 pants sizes
58. Walk a 5K
59. Get a massage
60. Take a yoga class
61. Get three pedicures (1/3)
62. Do a spa day
65. Get lasik
66. Get CPR certified again

Travel

67. Stay at a Bed and Breakfast
68. Go on a vacation with Josh
70. Travel to a new state

Philanthropic

71. Give a 100% tip
73. Pay it forward at Starbucks/coffeeshop

Financial

76. Open an Etsy shop

Miscellaneous

79. Get Arthur’s tattoo
80. Get a passport
82. Learn how to use our DSLR
84. Make a chalk mural on the driveway/porch
87. Complete a coloring book
89. Take an IQ test
90. Play Bingo in a bingo hall
95. Go to a convention (blogging, SU, etc)
96. Dye my hair purple
97. Revamp my wardrobe
98. Take real photos of me for my blogs
99. Post a vlog
100. Go apple/berry/etc picking

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Title: The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner #2)

Author: James Dashner

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 361

Rating: 3/5 stars  Movie: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NPR YA, 100 YA); Book to Movie

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end.

Thomas was sure that escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers. But WICKED isn’t done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch.

There are no rules. There is no help. You either make it or you die.

The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch—the most burned-out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off.

There are others now. Their survival depends on the Gladers’ destruction—and they’re determined to survive.

I didn't have super high expectations for this sequel, but I was still disappointed. There's too much misdirection and confusion. I didn't feel that the characters grew at all. We just get nonstop action for 361 pages. Overall, I just wasn't interested in the book...

Title: The Scorch Trials: The Graphic Novel Prelude

Author: James Dashner

Publisher: kaBoom 2015

Genre: YA Fantasy, Comic

Pages: 96

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Randomly saw this on the shelf and grabbed it. The volume contains a few different short comics about people and events before The Scorch Trials. I loved the story centering on the creation of WICKED and the big players. Plus we get some interesting insight into Brenda and Jorge. I actually liked this volume more than The Scorch Trials.

Movie:

J and I finally watched the movie last night and basically picked it apart the entire time. I'm so not impressed with the movie. They changed a ton of major events and added some characters. I was so confused the entire time. And the victims of the Flare? Atrocious! The filmmakers went all Resident Evil with them when I saw them more like Reavers from Firefly... As J said, "by tomorrow, I will have forgotten the entire movie." Yep, my thoughts exactly...

The Maze Runner

• #0.5 The Kill Order
• #0.6 The Fever Code
• #1 The Maze Runner
• #2 The Scorch Trials
• #2.5 Thomas’s First Memory of the Flare
• #3 The Death Cure
• #3.5 The Maze Runner Files

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• Excited about the summer social on Saturday, but already tired.....
• Seriously, I'm only 29 weeks and so over this pregnancy
• Target had their sparkling cucumber mint water on sale this week! It's a lifesaver keeping me from drinking pop
• Super excited about our Munchery deliver today: seared tuna bowl, pepper steak and smashed potatoes, and past with clams. Which to make for tonight?
• Arthur's finally getting the concept that there's a baby in my belly. So cute!
• Hoping to switch Arthur to a twin mattress this weekend.
• Need to watch more Outlander this week
• Still broken-up about a friend's tragedy. Trying to send words of encouragement but so hard when she's 3000 miles away.

The Last Star by Rick Yancey

Title: The Last Star (Fifth Wave #3)

Author: Rick Yancey

Publisher: Putnam 2016

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 338

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - 365 Days of YA; Finishing the series; 52 Books - W29

The enemy is Other. The enemy is us. They’re down here, they’re up there, they’re nowhere. They want the Earth, they want us to have it. They came to wipe us out, they came to save us.

But beneath these riddles lies one truth: Cassie has been betrayed. So has Ringer. Zombie. Nugget. And all 7.5 billion people who used to live on our planet. Betrayed first by the Others, and now by ourselves.

In these last days, Earth’s remaining survivors will need to decide what’s more important: saving themselves . . . or saving what makes us human.

I wasn't too excited about The Infinite Sea, but this volume redeemed the series for me. Thankfully we got back to some character development instead of constant action. And we get a satisfies, if not predictable, conclusion to the story. I almost wish this series was a two-parter instead of a trilogy. A lot of fat could have been trimmed from the second and third books to make one volume.

Ffith Wave:

• #1 The 5th Wave
• #2 The Infinite Sea
• #3 The Last Star

Music Monday -- iPod Shuffle

The New Basement Tapes "Kansas City"

Anberlin "Younglife"

A Day to Remember "All Signs Point to Lauderdale"

Life Right Now #23

Right now I am: Recovering from a crazy long day in San Francisco yesterday.

Thinking and pondering: A dear friend's husband died unexpectedly this morning. I am still in shock. She's currently living all the way across the country near her family. I'm at a loss at how to support her in this difficult time, but will continue to think about it.

On my bedside table: The Last Star by Rick Yancey; Thunderstruck by Erik Larson

On my tv this week: J and I caught up with some Another Period, Brain Dead, and Silicon Valley. On the movie front, we introduced the twins to Going Postal.

Listening to: Not much listening to music this week. I have been busy listening to Arthur's nonstop chatter. Wow that little boy has really opened up his vocabulary this past month.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Italian Noodle Soup
• Tuesday - BBQ Chicken (double batch as I'm delivering some to a friend who just had a baby)
• Wednesday - Mongolian Beef over rice and veggies
• Thursday - Munchery delivery (we got a 50% off box)
• Friday - Munchery delivery
• Saturday - Munchery delivery
• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: Summer social tasks, clean the house, probably some other things I'm forgetting about.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Shopping day: Social supplies, groceries
• Tuesday - Park day maybe; Board meeting
• Wednesday - Summer Social Prep Meeting
• Thursday - Library probably; Stamp club
• Friday - Buying summer social food (Costco run)
• Saturday - Summer Social; Friend's baby shower if not totally beat after the social
• Sunday - Book Club, Happiness Project Checkin (aka my day away)

My simple pleasures: Arnold Palmer's, the view from SF Wharf, my own bed

Looking around the house: The kitchen is a disaster zone. J had to take apart the dishwasher after it clogged. The result is dirty dishes and crap everywhere, Not looking forward to cleaning all that up.

From the camera: Hooligans outside of the candy store...

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Title: The Handmaid's Tale

Author: Margaret Atwood

Publisher: 1985

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Pages: 325

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsguar - Classic from 20th Century; What's in a Name - Profession; Women Authors

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are only valued if their ovaries are viable.

Offred can remember the days before, when she lived and made love with her husband Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now....

A reread for this month's book club. I first read The Handmaid's Tale way back in college for one of my women's studies classes. I was blown away by the parallels to our current society. I love Atwood's presentation of this tale that may or not be true. Offred is an intriguing character full of contradictions. I love that she is a flawed character. She could be anyone. We join her on a journey through the treacherous world of Gilead. I can't wait to have a great book club discussion.

Pregnancy Update at 28 Weeks

Officially I was 28 weeks on Wednesday, but my appointment wasn't until yesterday so I thought I would push my post until today.

Due Date: October 5th -- I'll be having another c-section due to scar tissue concerns. This baby is coming sometime the week of October 5th. We'll discuss a specific date as it gets closer.

Weight Gain: 16 lbs -- Decent for me. I stated out heavier than I've ever been and was hoping to keep my weight gain under 20 lbs. I will probably end up more like 25 lbs, but I'm okay with that.

Symptoms: Random nausea, fatigue (probably due to chasing a toddler), carpal tunnel at night, near constant scare tissue pain

What's different this time: I have a toddler to take care of! Well that and my scar tissue has been causing pain from week 1. With Arthur, I didn't feel it until almost 7 months along. I've resigned myself to dealing with the scare tissue pain. Most days it's a dull ache although it can get quite intense.

Cravings/Aversions: Like all my pregnancies, I'm so into fruit! I could eat fruit all day long. Thank goodness we live in California where it's decently cheap.

Sleep: Meh. Some nights good, some nights bad. I consider it a good night if I only have to wake up to pee once or twice and immediately go back to sleep. Some nights I suffer from insomnia...

I am loving: Baby kicks

I miss: Being able to get off the couch without bracing myself

I am looking forward to: Choosing a name. We've narrowed it down to three, but are still debating the final choice. Soon...

I'm spazzing about: J has to go to Romania in September for work. He's trying to schedule it early in the month, but my goodness it will be close to my due date.

Milestones: Third trimester has started!

Movement: This kid is super active. No problems doing my kick count.

Preparation: Haha! Not really any prep going on right now. We need to transition Arthur out of the crib this month so that will be open for the baby.

Baby's (name pending) Stuff: A crafty friend make me a beautiful gray, yellow, and white baby blanket. It's so soft and snuggly! Can't wait to use it.

Taken on Wednesday before heading to the park. Excuse the wet hair and bathroom decor.

July's Video Picks

Just a little John Oliver for your morning... 

I always love these Mode videos on fashion.

James Corden is just adorable

Missing my John Green lists for Mental Floss. This one is very interesting.

Classic Garbage... Love it!

52 Weeks of Arthur: W19-27

One of my 101 in 1001 Days goals is to take weekly photos of Arthur. I want to create a photo book for this year. Instead of posting them each week, I’m going to post in 9 week intervals. See W1-9 here and W10-18 here. Without further ado, here are weeks 19 through 27:

The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato

Title: The Glassblower of Murano

Author: Marina Fiorato

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 2009

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 348

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Women Authors; 52 Books - W28

Venice, 1681. Glassblowing is the lifeblood of the Republic, and Venetian mirrors are more precious than gold. Jealously guarded by the murderous Council of Ten, the glassblowers of Murano are virtually imprisoned on their island in the lagoon. But the greatest of the artists, Corradino Manin, sells his methods and his soul to the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, to protect his secret daughter. In the present day his descendant, Leonora Manin, leaves an unhappy life in London to begin a new one as a glassblower in Venice. As she finds new life and love in her adoptive city, her fate becomes inextricably linked with that of her ancestor and the treacherous secrets of his life begin to come to light.

Our book club selection for July. This particular book has been sitting on my shelves for awhile after picking it up for super cheap at Half Price Books. I'm not sure why I can bypassing it as I did enjoy this historical fiction. At first I was hesitant about switching from the past to the present and back. Often those transitions are clunky. Thankfully Fiorato weaves the two stories together in a way that had me intrigued. I learned a lot about glassblowing and Venice. As a character, I didn't connect that well to Leonora, but I still wanted to read her story. Overall, a decent historical fiction novel.

Series in a Month Challenge!

Challenge Hosted by Berls @ Fantasy is More Fun & Michelle @ Because Reading

This sounds like the perfect challenge for me! I have a ton of series just sitting on my shelves unread. For this August, I'm going to attempt to read the The Finishing School series by Gail Carriger. I've read the first book, but still have three books in the series to tackle.

The Finishing School

• #1 Etiquette and Espionage -- already read
• #2 Curtsies and Conspiracies
• #3 Waistcoats and Weaponry
• #4 Manners and Mutiny

If I speed through this series, I may just start something else (thinking a romance trilogy).

The Rules

1. Pick 1 series. Yes, just 1. Announce which series you’ve picked on your sign up post.
2. Read EVERY book in the series. You don’t have to read novellas or short stories, just the core books.
3. Read them all between 12am (your time) August 1st and 11:59pm (your time) August 31st. They MUST be marked (on Goodreads) as started and finished in the month of August to count.
4. Enjoy bragging to everyone about how you’re all caught up on whatever series you read (AKA – have fun)!

The Nitty Gritty / Inevitable questions

Here’s some questions that we’ve anticipated (and asked each other as we figured it out) and we can update this section as we get more questions (assuming there will be).

• Q: Can I read more than 1 series?
  • I know we have some reading over-achievers out there who want to do more. Go ahead, we’ll cheer you on, but there’s no bonus points or higher levels for reading more than 1.
  • Q:How many books constitutes a series?
    • We’re going to say 3 published books – so if it’s a trilogy it counts. If you want to take on a 40 book series, be our guest. And good luck!
    • Q: Can I have started the series?
      • Yes… but you have to read at least 3 books to finish the series. We get it. You read one or two, intend to come back but then never do. Now’s your chance. If you have only 2 books remaining, though, it doesn’t count (see rereads below for exception). There must be at least 3 books remaining. So if it’s a trilogy and you’ve read 1 – it doesn’t count. This is a challenge, after all. It’s not supposed to be THAT easy 🙂
      • Q: Does the entire series have to be published and complete?
        • No. But there must be at least 3 books published for it to count (or if you’ve already read 1 book, 4 published). So if there’s going to be six books, but only 4 are published and you’ve read the first one, it counts. So if it’s a trilogy that not yet complete, that wouldn’t count.
        • Q: Can I reread a series?
          • You can’t reread an ENTIRE series. But if you have less than three books remaining in a series (so 2 or 1) you may reread 1 or 2 books, so that you’re reading 3 books. For example, if you’ve read 3 books in a 5 book series, you could reread 1 book and then read the 2 unread books, bring your total to three.

The giveaway!

Bragging rights! Nah, just kidding. We will be awarding <2> $5 Gift Cards to Amazon, selected randomly from everyone who successfully completes the challenge. I think we MAY be able to get Michelle to make fun “I Read a Series in a Month logos” too, to help with the bragging. 😛