March 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

March's TBR Pile (21/21):

1. Book Club Selection: I Robot by Isaac Asimov √
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan √
3. Series Pick: The Magicians by Lev Grossman (reread) √
4. Nonfiction Pick: The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell √
5. Jar Pick: The Maze Runner by James Dashner √
6. Jar Pick: Graphic novel -- The Manhattan Projects Vol. 3 √
7. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 1 √
8. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 2 √
9. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 3 √
10. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 4 √
11. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 5 √
12. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 6 √
13. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 7 √
14. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 8 √
15. Added: Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr √
16. Added: The Manhattan Projects Vol. 4 √
17. Added: The Manhattan Projects Vol. 5 √
18. Added: The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig √
19. Added: The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig √
20. Added: The Walking Dead Vol. 24 √
21. Added: Fables Farewell √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Chester's Colorful Easter Eggs by Theresa Smythe
2. Hello, Arlo
3. Big Red Fire Engine by Ken Wilson-Max
4. Hoot Hoot by Sebastien Braun
5. Duck, Duck, Goose by Tad Hills
6. Duck and Goose Go to the Beach by Tad Hills
7. Duck and Goose by Tad Hills
8. Hello Dinosaur by Dwell Studios
9. A Surprise for the Easter Bunny by Megan Bryant
10. Red Light, Green Light by Yumi Heo

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 4227 pages
Pages Remaining: 761,550 pages

Current Read - The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- None yet, but so close on a few.

Books bought/received

Comments - Holy Cow! My reading for 2016 has been crazy. I feel like I have more time to read with a more independent toddler. Milking this for all it's worth!

April's TBR Pile:

1. Book Club Selection: (already read)
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
3. Series Pick: The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig
4. Nonfiction Pick: Failure is Impossible by Lynn Sherr
5. Jar Pick: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
6. Jar Pick: A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

Dia & Co. Box (March)

I used to do Stitch Fix, but since having my son, I’m too big for most of their items. Their 14+ sizes are very limited. I’ve heard they are working on it, but until then, Stitch Fix is not a good fit for me. Someone in my online mom group pointed me towards Dia & Co. They specialize in size 14+. Yeah! I signed up immediately and received my first box this week.

Details of how it works:  For $20 a shipment, you get a personalized style pack of five items.  Then, you try everything on and decided to keep 1, 2, 3, 4, or all 5 items.  The $20 stylist fee is credited to your purchase.  And if you buy all five items, you get an extra 20% off.

My fifth Dia and Co. box. I think this will be my last box for awhile. I'm just not impressed with the pieces and the fact that they didn't listen to my stylist notes... I specifically said no long sleeve tops and asked for flowy tops. Let's see what I got.

Item #1: ASOS Curve Dark Wash Chambray Shirt $37.64

Pros: um... I got nothing

Cons: Super boxy and shapeless on me. Material was very heavy weight, Couldn't really roll up the sleeves.

Item #2: Katherine Necklace $42.00

Pros: Pretty

Cons: I just don't really wear chunky jewelry. Plus, this was way too fancy for my everyday wear.

Item #3: BB Dakota Crochet Yoke Dress $96.00

Pros: Lightweight. Decent length.

Cons: Price point! Holy moly! This is a thin slip of a dress that costs almost $100. I just don't think I can justify that.

Item #4: Modamix Corrine Skirt $79.00

Pros: Fits perfectly. Very cute.

Cons: Very heavy material. Don't think it would work for summer in California.

Item #5: Prospero Hooded Knit Top $52.00

Pros: Thinner material. Fits nicely. Comfy.

Cons: Do I need another pull over sweater?

So, what did I keep?

..

..

..

..

..

#5 Prospero Hooded Knit Top - This was the only piece that I will actually wear on a regular basis. As I said in my intro, I'm canceling my Dia & Co. boxes for awhile. I'm just not that impressed with them right now...

Top Ten Tuesday -- Recent Standouts!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join.  If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!

Today I'm sharing some of my most recent standout reads.

1. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan -- Our book club selection for March. Loved that it was set in San Francisco.
2. Fables Vol. 22 -- The last volume in my favorite comics series. Did not disappoint.
3. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel -- Been on my list for forever. Amazing read!
4. The House of Hades by Rick Riordan -- Really need to finish this series. Loved this installment.
5. Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon -- Very good sequel to Outlander. Now I can catch up with the television series.
6. Chocolat by Joanne Harris -- Book club selection for January (my pick). Much darker than the movie version, but I really enjoyed.
7. Pink Carnation Series by Lauren Willig -- My favorite historical romance series. Deep into #8.
8. Morning Glories Series -- A new favorite comic series. Really need to get the next volume.

Music Monday -- The Lumineers "Ophelia"

Love their sound.

Life Right Now #9

As I look outside my window: Darkness (okay so I'm writing this on Saturday night because I know I'll forgot to on Sunday morning)

Right now I am: Sitting on the couch while the twins play video games, my mom reads, and the toddler is actually sleeping.

Thinking and pondering: When will I start to feel better? Having a bit of a week...

On my bedside table: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (reread for book club in April), The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig (love the Pink Carnation series!), and possibly Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (one my TBR short list).

On my tv this week: Mom had me watch Gotham while I was here. Not too bad, although I'm not jumping up to watch it. Other than that, we just haven't been watching much tv while here in Indiana.

Listening to: Catching up on podcasts including the end of this season's Here to Make Friends. I love their snark about The Bachelor series. Can't wait until May when The Bachelorette starts. I've also been trying to catch up with One Bad Mother (only 1 episode behind now) and What Should I Read Next (5 episodes behind).

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Dinner out with mom and great aunt
• Tuesday - Dinner out with mom
• Wednesday - I imagine carry-out as Arthur and I will have been traveling all day
• Thursday - ??? Maybe a freezer meal
• Friday - Mongolian Beef with rice and veggies
• Saturday - Black Bean Soup and Quesadillas
• Sunday - Sausage Crescent Roll with Eggs

On my to do list: Travel home! Write a few blog posts. Finish my current book before I leave for California (Indiana library book). Follow-up emails for the spring social. Probably laundry and cleaning...

Happening this week:

• Monday - Lunch and catching up time with an Indiana friend; Dinner with mom and great aunt
• Tuesday - Packing to go home
• Wednesday - Travel Day
• Thursday - Travel decompress day (probably laundry and cleaning house also)
• Friday - ???
• Saturday - A One Bad Mother area meetup! I can't wait to meet some of the OBPs in real life!
• Sunday - Two books clubs! Busy busy...

What I am creating: Nothing. Can't wait to get back into my craft area when I get home.

My simple pleasures: Lemon pound cake, iced tea, Hershey nuggets, snuggles from the toddler, dinner with an old friend.

Looking around the house: Arthur has seriously strewn toys everywhere. Guess what i'm doing on Monday.

From the camera: Arthur and his Easter egg. So excited about dyeing them. It was his first time...

101 in 1001 Update #14

What I did:

3. Complete 52 once a week photos of Arthur — Still plugging along with this. You can see weeks 1-9 here.

13. Pass 500 books for Arthur’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten (489/500) — We're sitting so close to 500! Probably won't make it in March as we're traveling, but I imagine we will reach this goal in April.

28. Read 100,000 pages toward 1,000,000 page goal (48,970/100,000) — In February I somehow read 3895 pages. Holy cow! I've never had a February that strong. And in March, I read 4227 pages (I know March isn't over, but I probably won't finish another book before it is...) My reading is on point this year!

34. Make 250 different greeting cards (183/250) — Only 7 more cards this past month. We've been crazy busy!

75. Two week money fast (starting with full gas tanks and a full pantry)-- With my Happiness Project goal of no frivolous spending for February, I actually completed this goal without realizing it! Woo!

93. Unplug completely for 24 hours -- Another surprise completion. The weekend retreat was a great way to unplug for awhile. Very refreshing!

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 (2/10) 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 45. Make 50 new recipes (45/50) 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 54. Try 25 new restaurants (16/25) 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 72. Donate something extra at each MVPA social x 10 (5/10) 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

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

Title: I, Robot

Author: Isaac Asimov

Publisher: Gnome Press 150

Genre: Science Fiction, Short Stories

Pages: 253

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NPR Scifi/Fan); Read My Own Damn Books; Book to Movie

The three laws of Robotics: 1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm 2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

With these three, simple directives, Isaac Asimov changed our perception of robots forever when he formulated the laws governing their behavior. In I, Robot, Asimov chronicles the development of the robot through a series of interlinked stories: from its primitive origins in the present to its ultimate perfection in the not-so-distant future--a future in which humanity itself may be rendered obsolete.

Here are stories of robots gone mad, of mind-read robots, and robots with a sense of humor. Of robot politicians, and robots who secretly run the world--all told with the dramatic blend of science fact and science fiction that has become Asmiov's trademark.

My first Asimov! J has been trying to get me to read his works for years now. I've always been too scared. I dove in this short story collection and really enjoyed it. My favorite story has to be "Catch that Rabbit."  I love the storyline but more that that, I really enjoyed the commentary on human psychology. Overall, this short story collection has some intriguing commentary on humanity highlighted through the use of robots. Looking again at the publication information, I was so surprised to find this kind of work being produced in the late 1940s. Very fascinating! With this volume under my belt, I may be ready to tackle the Foundation series...

Movie:

So, this movie isn't really based on any of the short stories in the collection. There are hints here and there. And of course the inclusion of the three laws of robotics. But the plot and characters are definitely something else entirely. I wasn't a huge fan of the movie when it was released and I still am not a huge fan after reading the book and rewatching the movie. I just wasn't that excited about the plotline or characters.

Videos for Spring

A very small group of videos for today. I'm really behind on my blog reading...

Really enjoyed the series. Hope the movie lives up to it...

Looks utterly ridiculous, but now I kinda want to see this.

Of course J and I have to see this!

I love these medley videos.

Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker

Title: Dear Mr. You

Author: Mary-Louise Parker

Publisher: Scribner 2015

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 240

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NonAd); Nonfiction

An extraordinary literary work, Dear Mr. You renders the singular arc of a woman’s life through letters Mary-Louise Parker composes to the men, real and hypothetical, who have informed the person she is today. Beginning with the grandfather she never knew, the letters range from a missive to the beloved priest from her childhood to remembrances of former lovers to an homage to a firefighter she encountered to a heartfelt communication with the uncle of the infant daughter she adopted. Readers will be amazed by the depth and style of these letters, which reveal the complexity and power to be found in relationships both loving and fraught.

Our book club selection for April (yeah I finished it early). And I must say that I wasn't a huge fan at all. I just couldn't get behind her style of writing. Some of the essays were very intriguing, but others fell flat for me. I really enjoyed the one about her grandfather. Very moving. I just don't think this book was for me...

Fables Vol. 22

Title: Fables Vol. 22 Farewell

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Graphic Novel

Doubling as the final volume of the series, creator Bill Willingham, artist Mark Buckingham and a host of the industry’s finest artists deliver the end to this legendary Vertigo series that sees the final fates of beloved characters Bigby Wolf, Snow White, Rose Red, Boy Blue, Pinocchio and countless others. Ready or not, ever after is here.

A fitting end to the Fables series. I was so excited to open this volume and see how some of the storylines were wrapped up. I loved how they answered some of the big lingering questions. I loved following Snow and Bigby's children's throughout the volume. I got a little choked up with the last Boy Blue story. Sad to see my favorite comics series end, but such a great end it was.

Music Monday -- iPod Shuffle

Amy Winehouse "I Heard Love is Blind" 

A.F.I. "Miss Murder"

The Killers "Miss Atomic Bomb"

Life Right Now #8

As I look outside my window: Sunny but I know it's cold out there. We are in Indiana in March...

Right now I am: Enjoying a bit of late brunch before the in-laws come to pick up Arthur and I.

Thinking and pondering: Our game plan for this week. The twins are off for spring break and we have a whole week to fill with activities...

On my bedside table: Fables Vol. 22; The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig; Dead Mr. You by Mary Louise Parker

On my tv this week: I finally finished The Bachelor. So upset with his choice, but super glad that my choice gets to be the new Bachelorette. Otherwise, we haven't really watched tv while in Indiana.

Listening to: The twins babble on about their games...

On the menu for this week: No idea. Mom keeps a lid on her dinners, but I do know that she wants me to make Chicken Parmesan sometime this week.

On my to do list: Take the boys shopping. Make sure to buy them shoes...

Happening this week:

• Monday - Shopping day with the twins
• Tuesday - Probably the library and maybe visit to grandma and grandpa.
• Wednesday - Nick has a doctor's appointment for his broken arm. We have to drive all the way down to Anderson. Blech!
• Thursday - No idea...
• Friday - Mom's off so we might do something together
• Saturday - No idea...
• Sunday - Easter. No idea about our actual plans yet.

What I am creating: Lots of lists. I didn't bring my craft supplies as we are only here 2 weeks, but I did plan on working on my blog and other to-do lists and plans.

My simple pleasures: Lemon cake, iced tea, snuggling with the toddler.

Looking around the house: This isn't even our house and Arthur has a ton of toys here.

From the camera:

The Walking Dead Vol. 24

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 24: Life and Death

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries;Graphic Novel

As the fair opens at Alexandria, old friends return from afar and new adversaries make their introductions.

Collects THE WALKING DEAD #139-144.

Holy cow! That was one crazy volume. It's always something the world of The Walking Dead, but this one was a real shocker. I was floored by the end of the last page. I can't believe what happened. Now I need to find Volume 25.

The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

Title: The Mischief of the Mistletoe (Pink Carnation #7)

Author: Lauren Willig

Publisher: New American Library 2010

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 384

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; What's in a Name -- Tree (cheating just a bit here)

Despite her dear friend Jane Austen's warning against teaching, Arabella Dempsey accepts a position at a girls' school in Bath, just before Christmas. She hardly imagines coming face-to-face with French aristocrats and international spies.

Reginald "Turnip" Fitzhugh-often mistaken for the elusive spy known as the Pink Carnation-has blundered into danger before. When Turnip and Arabella find their Christmas pudding yielding a cryptic message, they are launched on a Yuletide adventure. Will they find poinsettias-or peril?

I so enjoy this series... This volume was a nice callback to the Twelfth Night celebration and Dovedale. I loved seeing the same party but from a different perspective. Arabella and Turnip were a great couple. They definitely fit well together. And it was nice to see that Turnip wasn't a complete idiot. My favorite parts were his interactions with Pinchingdale. Very fun! And it was nice to re-encounter characters from previous volumes. On to number 8!

Pink Carnation:

• #1 The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
• #2 The Masque of the Black Tulip
• #3 The Deception of the Emerald Ring
• #4 The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
• #5 The Temptation of the Night Jasmine
• #6 The Betrayal of the Blood Lily
• #7 The Mischief of the Mistletoe
• #8 The Orchid Affair
• #8.5 Away in a Manger
• #8.7 Ivy and Intrigue
• #9 The Garden Intrigue
• #10 The Passion of the Purple Plumeria
• #11 The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla
• #12 The Lure of the Moonflower

Top Ten Tuesday -- Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join.  If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!

Spring TBR: I have a nice mix of books on this list. Lots of volumes that I've been meaning to read for awhile now. Here's hoping I get to them this quarter!

1. The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
2. Paper Towns by John Green
3. Bossypants by Tina Fey
4. A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
5. The Bostonians by Henry James
6. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
7. The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa
8. The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman
9. The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan
10. Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Usually I add my previous season's TBR list and progress down here. Somehow I completely missed the Winter TBR post. How exactly did I do that? I have no idea. Oh well. Guess we get to start fresh this spring.

Music Monday -- Tor Miller "Carter and Cash"

Digging this on Alt Nation lately... 

The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig

Title: The Betrayal of the Blood Lily (Pink Carnation #6)

Author: Lauren Willig

Publisher: New American Library 2011

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 512

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; 52 Books - W11

Whisked away to nineteenth-century India, Penelope Deveraux plunges into the court intrigues of the Nizam of Hyderabad, where no one is quite what they seem. New to this strange and exotic country- where a dangerous spy called the Marigold leaves venomous cobras as his calling card-she can trust only one man: Captain Alex Reid.

With danger looming from local warlords, treacherous court officials, and French spies, Alex and Penelope may be all that stand in the way of a plot designed to rock the very foundations of the British Empire...

Another great volume in one of my favorite series. Penelope wasn't a very likable character in the previous books. At first, I wasn't fan of her in this book. But then we got a deeper understanding of her character and I actually started to like her. Alex was a great hero and I loved him from the start. The two of them were a perfect pair. I loved their journey, but the ending of the book was a bit abrupt. I was hoping for more. However, the change of scenery to India was a very nice move. I loved getting a glimpse of Hyderabad in the early 1800s. And finally we get another French operative unmasked in the process. A very successful volume of this series. Can't wait to dive into #7.

Pink Carnation:

• #1 The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
• #2 The Masque of the Black Tulip
• #3 The Deception of the Emerald Ring
• #4 The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
• #5 The Temptation of the Night Jasmine
• #6 The Betrayal of the Blood Lily
• #7 The Mischief of the Mistletoe
• #8 The Orchid Affair
• #8.5 Away in a Manger
• #8.7 Ivy and Intrigue
• #9 The Garden Intrigue
• #10 The Passion of the Purple Plumeria
• #11 The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla
• #12 The Lure of the Moonflower

Vacation...

Heading off to a weekend retreat with some of my mom friends and then off to Indiana for a few weeks. I'll still be posting here, but my entries will be lighter than usual. I'll be back to normal in April.

The Manhattan Projects Volume 3-5

Title: The Manhattan Projects Volume 3, 4 The Four Disciplines, 5 The Cold War

Author: Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra

Publisher: Image 2013; 2014; 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 152; 144; 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Graphic Novel

What if the research and development department created to produce the first atomic bomb was a front for a series of other, more unusual, programs?

It's the fourth volume of the world's greatest secret science history, The Manhattan Projects! "The Four Disciplines" follows our fractured cast as they focus on their own diverse, secret experiments and global power plays resulting in inevitable betrayal.

It's the fifth volume of the world's greatest secret science history, The Manhattan Projects. "The Cold War" reveals the dark days of the 'real' Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of an American President, and the end of the Manhattan Projects-Star City alliance.

Three more awesome volumes of The Mahattan Projects. So many twists and turns. The storyline wraps up a few threads and begins a few others. Plus, we get to see what happens to the Soviet-American alliance and what's out there in space. I sped through these three volumes on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to see what happens next!!!

52 Weeks of Arthur: W1-9

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. Without further ado, here are weeks 1 through 9: