• Home
  • About
  • Archives - Wading Through
  • Archives - The Craft Sea

Wading Through...

  • Home
  • About
  • Archives - Wading Through
  • Archives - The Craft Sea

Currently #20

Reading: I started Starling House by Alix E. Harrow. Loving this haunted house story.

Watching: We’re deep into spooky movie month. So many good choices this year.

Listening: After a very short horror audiobook, I started White Cat by Holly Black. I’m not sure that I really like it, but I’m going to give it a few more chapters.

Making: It’s soup season in this house. This coming week, I’m definitely making Chicken Tortilla Soup and Baked Potato Soup.

Feeling: The weather has turned to cool and rainy, but that’s okay. I’m cozy!

Planning: I’ve got a list of house chores for this fall. First up is finishing the clothes cleanout.

Loving: It’s the season for my nightly cup of hot tea. So good!

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: Currently
categories: Life
Tuesday 10.17.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Homeschool W8-9: Two Busy Weeks Complete with a Birthday Party

A’s Monday ELA, Math, and History

Q’s Monday ELA, Math, and History

What We Studied

We had two weeks full of activities and school coming before and after the boys’ birthday party. Some day we might have a quieter week, but fall is definitely not the season for it. Maybe November… For now, we will continue with our fast speed of study.

Q’s Wednesday Math, and ELA

A’s Wednesday ELA, Math, and Science

Literature and Poetry

Arthur finished reading Echo Mountain. I really enjoyed that book, and Arthur seemed to also enjoy it. The second week, we focused on Langston Hughes including his poetry and a historical fiction book. Beyond the actual literature, we are working on some basic grammar skills and starting our writing journey. He also continued his Super Secret Notebook from Blossom & Root.

  • Poetry for Young People: American Poetry

  • Poetry for Young People: African American Poetry

  • Reading Explorer: Intro

  • Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

  • Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome

  • That is My Dream by Langston Hughes and Daniel Miya

  • Langston’s Train Ride by Robert Burleigh

  • Visiting Langston by Willie Perdomo

  • The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes

  • I, Too, Am America by Langston Hughes

  • Sail Away by Langston Hughes

  • Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes by Floyd Cooper

Quentin spent the school days reading book tied to his fall themes. We covered apples, fall, leaves, corn, and scarecrows. He also worked on some basic grammar.

  • Sing a Song of Seasons

  • Where I Live: Poems About My Home, My Street, and My Town

  • How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro

  • Applesauce Day by Lisa J. Amstutz

  • Bad Apple by Huw Lewis Jones

  • Apples for Little Fox by Ekaterina Trukhan

  • The Poisoned Apple by Anne Lambelet

  • Corn Aplenty by Dana Meachen Rau

  • A Questzalcoatl Tale of Corn by Marilyn Parke and Sharon Panik

  • Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will Share by Kevin O’Malley

  • Popcorn Country by Chris Peterson

  • From Kernel to Corn by Robin Nelson

  • The Story of Corn: It Starts with a Seed by Robin Nelson

  • Of Corn Silk and Black Braids by Vincent L. Johnson

  • Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington

  • It's Fall! by Renee Kurilla

  • The Scarecrow’s Dance by Jane Yolen

  • Scarecrows by Calvin Harris

  • The Scarecrow's Hat by Ken Brown

  • Samurai Scarecrow b Rubin Pingk

  • Hopefully the Scarecrow by Michelle Houts

  • Scarecrow Magic by Ed Masessa

  • Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant

Math

Arthur continued to dive into Singapore 5A. We are definitely going to slow down our math lessons a bit to make sure that Arthur achieves mastery. We also continued our next logic book.

  • Singapore Common Core 5A

  • Orbiting with Logic

Quentin continued working toward the end of Singapore 1B with a unit on math to 120. I’m still debating if we should take a small review break after finishing 1B and before beginning 2A. We also continued our logic book.

  • Lollipop Logic Book 3

  • Singapore Common Core 1B

Q’s Thursday ELA, Math, and Apple Unit

A’s Thursday ELA and Math

Social Studies

Arthur continued through the passage of time with a few weeks on topics such as the Pony Express, Transcontinental Express, and conflicts with the Native Americans.

  • DK American History

  • We were There Too! Young People in US History

  • Words that Build a Nation

  • Heart and Soul

  • Nat Geo Our Country’s Presidents

  • An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States

  • Red Cloud: A Lakota Story of War and Surrender by S.D. Nelson

  • Which Way to the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin

  • They're Off: The Story of the Pony Express by Cheryl Harness

  • In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph M. Marshall III

  • Coolies by Yin

Quentin continued with Mesopotamia with a focus on stories. And then we did a mini introduction unit to Egypt with a focus on deserts.

  • History Quest Early Times

  • DK When on Earth?

  • Human Wold

  • DK History

  • DK Timelines of Everything

  • DK A Child Through Time

  • A History of Western Art

  • DK Science Year by Year

  • The Genius of the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages by Izzi Howell

  • Mesopotamia by Sunita Apte

  • Lugalbanda by Kathy Henderson

  • Lost Cities

  • DK Myths, Legends, and Sacred Stories

  • Gilgamesh the King by Ludmila Zeman

  • Destination Desert by Laura Perdew

  • Desert Song by Tony Johnston

  • The Sahara Desert: The Biggest Desert by Aileen Weintroub

  • Life in a Desert by Carol K. Lindeen

  • Desert Biome by Grace Hansen

  • How the Sphinx Got to the Museum by Jessie Hartland

Q’s Snail Unit

A’s Monday ELA, Math, and Langston Hughes Unit

Science

Arthur explored more of the periodic table and atom basics. We also covered another chapter in our Story of Science all about Galileo.

  • RSO Chemistry

  • DK Super Simple Chemistry

  • Story of Science Vol. 2: Newton at the Center by Joy Hakim

  • DK The Elements

  • The Periodic Table of Elements by Jenny Karpelenia

Quentin covered units on Mollusca and echinoderms. I’m loving the slow progress through our main science text.

  • RSO Life

  • DK Oversimple Biology

  • Are You a Snail by Judy Allen

  • Slimy Snails by Laura Hamilton Waxman

  • Some of These are Snails by Carter Higgins

  • Snail Trail by Ruth Brown

  • How to Party Like a Snail by Naseem Hrab

  • Snail Crossing Corey R. Tabor

  • Wake Out, Snail! by Gay Hay and Margaret Tolland

  • The Rainbow Snail by Karin Akesson

  • Are You a Snail? by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries

  • Snails are Just My Speed! by Kevin McCloskey

  • Big as a Giant Snail by Jess Keating

  • The Snail with the Right Heart by Maria Popova

  • Escargot by Pashka Slater

  • A Book for Escargot by Pashka Slater

  • Snail Mail by Samantha Berger

Q’s Monday Snail Unit, ELA, and Math

Apple Tasting

STEAM Coop

Arthur continued with his Art Mediums theme with two weeks of working with clay. He really really loved working with clay. Quentin’s class covered nocturnal animals with lots of fun games.

A’s Tuesday ELA, Math, and Langston Hughes Unit

Q’s Tuesday Math, ELA, and Corn Unit

Art/Music/Crafts/Cooking/Documentary

And I continued not fitting in these subjects. I just could’t seem to get it to fit in our schedueles. I suspect this will be an issue until November, but hoping we can slide it in at least half of the weeks.

  • DK Music and How it Works

  • DK The Arts

  • Modern Art Adventures by Maja Pitamic and Jill Laidlaw

  • 13 American Artists Children Should Know

  • A Child's Introduction to Art

  • Women in Art by Rachel Ignotofsky

  • We are Artists by Kari Herbert

Q’s Desert Unit

Fossil Hunting

Field Trip

No field trip this week, but we did go to Vala’s twice. We’re hoping to get in three more Vala’s visits before Halloween.

IMG_5283.jpeg
IMG_5292.jpeg
IMG_5301.jpeg
IMG_5293.jpeg
IMG_5308.jpeg
IMG_5326.jpeg
IMG_5339.jpeg
IMG_5345.jpeg

High

The birthday party was amazing! The Art Party was a huge success and the kids seemed to have fun creating.

Low

I’m definitely going to need another quiet home day soon.

IMG_5472.jpeg
IMG_5475.jpeg
IMG_5478.jpeg
IMG_5488.jpeg
IMG_5499.jpeg
IMG_5503.jpeg
IMG_5483.jpeg
IMG_5507.jpeg

Next Week

  • Starting our next read alouds

  • Finishing 1B for Math (Q) and taking the next lessons in 5A slowly (A)

  • Beginning Egypt for Q’s History

  • Completing the Transcontinental Railroad for A’s History

  • Covering more of the Periodic Table

  • Learning about insects

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: homeschool
categories: Life
Monday 10.16.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Music Monday - Pierce the Veil feat. Chloe Moriondo "12 Fractures"

Oh yes! Loving this new collaboration. Apparently I’m on a bit of an emo kick lately.

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg
venus blind.jpg
sensor.jpg
stolen.jpg
jujutsu7.jpg
jujutsu 8.jpg
frankenstein.jpg
alley.jpg
deserter.jpg
water moon.jpg
liminal.jpg
black paradox.jpg
tombs.jpg
gyo.jpg
soichi.jpg
uzumaki.jpg
jujutsu 9.jpg
jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: Pierce the Veil, Chloe Moriondo
categories: Music
Monday 10.16.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Life Right Now #29

Right now I am: Grabbing my sweater to head on out to the coop steering committee meeting. This will be our first one and I’m excited to start chatting about the future of the coop.

On my bedside table: The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry; Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

On my tv this week: We continued our spooky movie month with some great selections including a rewatch of the original Candyman.

Listening to: Mostly just a mix of music, but I did start an audio book. Not sure if I like it yet…

On the menu for this week:

  • Monday - Salsa Chicken

  • Tuesday - Baked Potato Soup

  • Wednesday - Family Night at Vala’s

  • Thursday - Lemon Ginger Turmeric Chicken and Rice Soup

  • Friday - Orecchiette with Sausage, Broccoli and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

  • Saturday - Chicken Tortillas Soup

  • Sunday - Roast Pork Cubano

On my to do list: I finished cleaning out the boys’ clothes yesterday, so I’m moving on to my clothes. It’s going to be a project, but I will feel so much better when it’s finished!

Happening this week:

  • Monday - Chemistry Class

  • Tuesday - Vala’s Day

  • Wednesday - Playdate with a friend; Vala’s Family Night

  • Thursday - Coop

  • Friday - Nature Hike; Friend’s Birthday Party

  • Saturday - Home Day

  • Sunday - Nerdy Bookish Friends Zoom

What I am creating: The birthday party and recovery took it out of me. I would love to get to my September and October Memory Planner pages today and throughout this week, but we’ll see if I have time…

My simple pleasures: Raspberry Italian Soda, rainy days, spooky movies, spooky books

Looking around the house: I would like to finish cleaning off the weird hall table today, but otherwise things are in good shape. For the party, I cleaned off part of the kitchen counters and I’m really loving the feel. I’m going to try and keep everything as cleared off as I can.

From the camera: After our nature hike, we went hunting for fossils. Q was super excited to find some.

tags: Life Right Now
categories: Weekly Wrap-up
Sunday 10.15.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

Title: Nettle & Bone

Author: T. Kingfisher

Publisher: Tor Books 2022

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 245

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall TBR

This isn't the kind of fairytale where the princess marries a prince.
It's the one where she kills him.

Marra never wanted to be a hero.

As the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter, she escaped the traditional fate of princesses, to be married away for the sake of an uncaring throne. But her sister wasn’t so fortunate—and after years of silence, Marra is done watching her suffer at the hands of a powerful and abusive prince.

Seeking help for her rescue mission, Marra is offered the tools she needs, but only if she can complete three seemingly impossible tasks:
—build a dog of bones
—sew a cloak of nettles
—capture moonlight in a jar

But, as is the way in tales of princes and witches, doing the impossible is only the beginning.

Hero or not—now joined by a disgraced ex-knight, a reluctant fairy godmother, an enigmatic gravewitch and her fowl familiar—Marra might finally have the courage to save her sister, and topple a throne.

Following yesterday’s fairy tale retelling, I had picked up this other fairy tale inspired book by T. Kingfisher. After a very straight forward tale, I loved how this one completely changed the script. Marra isn’t the damsel who is searching for a love but to save her sister. I loved seeing Marra reach out to a motley crew of characters to help her on her quest. The story unfolds as a great quest with glimpses into other worlds and the magical. I really enjoyed this slim novel.

Fall Reading Challenge.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: Fall TBR List, fantasy, T. Kingfisher, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 10.14.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The Seventh Bride by T. Kingfisher

Title: The Seventh Bride

Author: T. Kingfisher

Publisher: 47North 2015

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 226

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall TBR

Young Rhea is a miller’s daughter of low birth, so she is understandably surprised when a mysterious nobleman, Lord Crevan, shows up on her doorstep and proposes marriage. Since commoners don’t turn down lords—no matter how sinister they may seem—Rhea is forced to agree to the engagement.

Lord Crevan demands that Rhea visit his remote manor before their wedding. Upon arrival, she discovers that not only was her betrothed married six times before, but his previous wives are all imprisoned in his enchanted castle. Determined not to share their same fate, Rhea asserts her desire for freedom. In answer, Lord Crevan gives Rhea a series of magical tasks to complete, with the threat “Come back before dawn, or else I’ll marry you.”

With time running out and each task more dangerous and bizarre than the last, Rhea must use her resourcefulness, compassion, and bravery to rally the other wives and defeat the sorcerer before he binds her to him forever.

I’m slowly working my way through all of T. Kingfisher’s books and I finally grabbed this Bluebeard retelling. I loved how we are just thrown into an unknown land full of unknown dangers. We get to see the entire story unfold from Rhea’s perspective and hers is very limited. She’s never been away from the mill and the small village. And yet, she explores her new prison and learns its secrets in time to save everyone. This is a typical fairy tale set-up and follow-through but with FMC that grows greatly throughout the pages. I really enjoyed this book. Meeting Lord Crevan’s wives was my favorite part. So much fun!

Fall Reading Challenge.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: T. Kingfisher, 5 stars, fantasy, Fall TBR List
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 10.13.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

  • The boys’ birthday party is over… time to turn to all the other projects and tasks I put to the side for a few weeks.

  • Diving deep into spooky movie month and spooky book month. I love this time of the year.

  • We’ve now been to Vala’s five times this year. Hoping for a total of eight visits. Not tired of it yet!

  • Hoping that the rain holds off this morning for coop. I really really don’t want to host in my house today.

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: Odds and Ends
categories: Life
Thursday 10.12.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scarytales by Kiersten White

Title: Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scarytales

Author: Kiersten White

Publisher: Scholastic 2017

Genre: MG Horror

Pages: 224

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall TBR

Once upon a time, a girl skipped into the forest and became a zombie.Wait, no, that's not how this story is supposed to go. Let's try again.Once upon a time, a boy did a horrible job as a sheep-sitter and burned his tongue on stolen pie.No, children in these stories are always good and virtuous. From the top.Once upon a time, a king and queen tried to find a princess for their son to marry, and he wound up fleeing from a group of very hairy vampires.Hmmm...What about, once upon a time, a bunch of fairy tales got twisted around to be completely hilarious, a tiny bit icky, and delightfully spooky scarytales... in other words, exactly what fairy tales were meant to be. Grab some flaming torches, maybe don't accept that bowl of pease porridge, and get ready for a wickedly fun ride with acclaimed author Kiersten White and fairy tales like you've never heard them before.

I grabbed this one for me to read during spooky book month, but ended up reading it to the kids for our night time read. It was the perfect choice for a bit of spookiness without proper horror. Instead we get some fractured fairy tales featuring some classic horror tropes and monsters. All with White’s unique brand of humor throughout. I absolutely adored the idea of the awareness of the narrator for both the reader and the characters in the stories. The little asides were just perfect. The stories themselves are fun twists on the classic stories. My favorite was definitely Red Hiding Hood as a zombie horde leader. This was the perfect read for this month and such a delightful library find.

Fall Reading Challenge.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: middle grade, horror, Kiersten White, Fall TBR List, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 10.11.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie

Title: Episode Thirteen

Author: Craig DiLouie

Publisher: Redhook 2023

Genre: Horror

Pages: 437

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall TBR

Fade to Black is the newest hit ghost hunting reality TV show. Led by husband and wife team Matt and Claire Kirklin, it delivers weekly hauntings investigated by a dedicated team of ghost hunting experts.

Episode Thirteen takes them to every ghost hunter's holy grail: the Paranormal Research Foundation. This brooding, derelict mansion holds secrets and clues about bizarre experiments that took place there in the 1970s. It's also famously haunted, and the team hopes their scientific techniques and high tech gear will prove it. But as the house begins to reveal itself to them, proof of an afterlife might not be everything Matt dreamed of. A story told in broken pieces, in tapes, journals, and correspondence, this is the story of Episode Thirteen—and how everything went terribly, horribly wrong.

Very creepy descent into the mysteries of a haunted house that ended with a bit whomp whomp instead of a satisfying ending. I was very creeped out while reading this book at night in bed. None of the characters are extremely lovable, but they are very intriguing with their own backgrounds and roles within the show. I must say that Jessica was my least favorite in that she never settled on her role within the show and I wanted to see her more clearly. Beyond that nit picking about Jessica, I started to root for the team as a whole after the incident with the apparition in the room upstairs. From there, things start to fall apart for the team, and I was more into the book. Once the team went into the well, I was speeding through the pages to the end. However the ending just wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t feel satisfied by the ultimate ambiguous nature of the finish. I wanted just a little bit more.

Fall Reading Challenge.png
star-rating-remains-the-most-important-part-of-a-review-cad0047.cad0047.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: horror, Craig DiLouie, 4 stars, Fall TBR List
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 10.10.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Music Monday - Spiritbox "Jaded"

Very much into this newer song by Spiritbox. I love how the singer can change her voice so much.

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg
venus blind.jpg
sensor.jpg
stolen.jpg
jujutsu7.jpg
jujutsu 8.jpg
frankenstein.jpg
alley.jpg
deserter.jpg
water moon.jpg
liminal.jpg
black paradox.jpg
tombs.jpg
gyo.jpg
soichi.jpg
uzumaki.jpg
jujutsu 9.jpg
jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: Spiritbox
categories: Music
Monday 10.09.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham

Title: This Delicious Death

Author: Kayla Cottingham

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire 2023

Genre: YA Horror

Pages: 290

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall TBR

Two years ago, a small percentage of population underwent a transformation known as the Hollowing. Those affected were only able to survive by consuming human flesh. The people who went without quickly became feral, turning on their friends and family. Luckily, scientists were able to create a synthetic version of human meat that would satisfy their hunger. As a result, humanity slowly began to return to normal.

Cut to Zoey, Celeste, Valeria, and Jasmine, four hollow girls living in Southern California. As a last hurrah before graduation they decide to attend a musical festival in the heart of the desert. They have a cooler filled with seltzer, vodka, and Synflesh… and are ready to party. 

But on the first night of the festival Val goes feral and ends up killing and eating a boy in one of the bands. As other festival guests start disappearing around them the girls soon discover someone is targeting people like them. And if they can't figure out how to stop it, and soon, no one at the festival is getting out alive.

Well that was delightfully fun! A very YA (but don’t let that scare you off) horror romp set at a music festival in the desert. The teenagers felt very much like Zillenial teeneagers, but not in a terrible way. I actually really liked getting a look at the younger generations outlook on life through the lenses of a pseudo-zombie storyline. Thankfully this book gets right into the weird and the spooky not dwelling on a ton of exposition right away Instead, we dive right into the music festival and then learn about the characters backstories through chapter starters. Overall a fun romp for spooky month.

Fall Reading Challenge.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: Kayla Cottingham, young adult, horror, Fall TBR List, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 10.07.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Girls of Brackenhill by Kate Moretti

Title: Girls of Brackenhill

Author: Kate Moretti

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer 2020

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Pages: 316

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall TBR; COYER

When Hannah Maloney’s aunt dies in a car accident, she returns to her family’s castle in the Catskills and the epicenter of a childhood trauma: her sister’s unsolved disappearance. It’s been seventeen years, and though desperate to start a new life with her fiancé, Hannah is compelled to question the events of her last summer at Brackenhill.

When a human bone is found near the estate, Hannah is convinced it belongs to her long-lost sister. She launches her own investigation into that magical summer that ended in a nightmare. As strange happenings plague the castle, Hannah uncovers disturbing details about the past and startling realizations about her own repressed childhood memories.

Fueled by guilt over her sister’s vanishing, Hannah becomes obsessed with discovering what happened all those years ago, but by the time Hannah realizes some mysteries are best left buried, it’s too late to stop digging. Overwhelmed by what she has exposed, Hannah isn’t sure her new life can survive her old ghosts.

Ultimately, the twist at the end really annoyed me. In general, I steer away from mystery/thrillers as I often guess the twist or it’s so off the wall that it’s just not believable. For whatever reason, this one was on my recommended list (maybe from the podcast I like?) and I picked up for spooky season. We get some spookiness right towards the beginning, but this book quickly veers into very humdrum murder territory. I thought Hannah was an interesting main character, but by the end, I was not rooting for her at all. What is is with all these thrillers where the FMC is with someone boring, but instead of just breaking up with them goes out and cheats on them or does something truly horrible? Very much dislike that trope. Anyhoo, the house was not given enough atmospheric tension for my liking and I came away from the book pretty disappointed.

Fall Reading Challenge.png
COYER.jpeg
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: 3 stars, Kate Moretti, mystery, thriller, coy, Fall TBR List
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 10.06.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

In the Fire by Jeaniene Frost

Title: Into the Fire (Night Prince #4)

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Publisher: HarperCollins 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 375

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall TBR; Finishing the Series

In the explosive finale to New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost’s Night Prince series, Vlad is in danger of losing his bride to an enemy whose powers might prove greater than the Prince of Vampires’ . . .In the wrong hands,  love can be a deadly weapon

For nearly six hundred years, Vlad Tepesh cared for nothing, so he had nothing to lose. His brutal reputation ensured that all but the most foolhardy stayed away. Now, falling in love with Leila has put him at the mercy of his passions. And one adversary has found a devastating way to use Vlad’s new bride against him.

A powerful spell links Leila to the necromancer Mircea. If he suffers or dies, so does she. Magic is forbidden to vampires, so Vlad and Leila enlist an unlikely guide as they search for a way to break the spell. But an ancient enemy lies in wait, capable of turning Vlad and Leila’s closest friends against them . . . and finally tearing the lovers apart forever.

We get to the conclusion of Vlad and Leila’s story. And I must that I think this series could have been one book less. I enjoyed this volume. I liked wrapping up their story and uncovering all the mysteries. But when I look back at the series as a whole, I think it really should have been shorter. The third book especially suffered from pacing. Anyway, we get to finally see what Leila’s childhood accident really means and uncover the secrets of her past. We see Leila and Vlad somewhat becoming more open with each other, although I was mighty angry at Vlad for the bit about Mencheres in this one. My biggest plus in this book was the inclusion of Ian as a character. We have seen him throughout the larger Night Huntress world, but usually as an antagonist. His introduction to Cat was quite memorable even if you kinda wanted to stake him in the heart. Obviously this series sets Ian up to have his own spin-off series featuring his demon enemy and Veritas, the Law Guardian. I am excited to move on and read those books soon.

Night Prince

  • #1 Once Burned

  • #2 Twice Tempted

  • #3 Bound by Flames

  • #4 Into the Fire

Fall Reading Challenge.png
Finishing the Series.jpeg
star-rating-remains-the-most-important-part-of-a-review-cad0047.cad0047.png
Spice Meter.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: Jeaniene Frost, romance, vampires, Finishing the Series, Fall TBR List, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Thursday 10.05.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Eat the Rich by Sarah Gailey

Title: Eat the Rich

Author: Sarah Gailey, Pius Bak, Roman Titov

Publisher: BOOM! Studios 2021

Genre: Comics

Pages: 128

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

WELCOME TO CRESTFALL BLUFFS! With law school and her whole life ahead of her, Joey plans to spend the summer with her boyfriend Astor at his seemingly perfect family home. But beneath all the affluent perfection lies a dark, deadly rot… something all the locals live in quiet fear of. As summer lingers, Joey uncovers the macabre history of Crestfall Bluffs, and the ruthlessness and secrecy lying in wait behind the idyllic lives of the one percent. Who can Joey save? Who wants to be saved? And can she even survive to tell the tale? The bold, horrifying psychological thriller from Hugo Award-winning author Sarah Gailey (The Echo Wife, Magic For Liars) and artist Pius Bak (Firefly, The Magicians) with colorist Roman Titov and letterer Cardinal Rae. Collects Eat the Rich #1-5.

Creepy little story where I think it’s going to one way and it goes another. I’ve really become a fan of Sarah Gailey’s work in the past few years. It’s great to see them try something a little different with a graphic novel. I sped through this slim volume in an afternoon simultaneously horrified by the contents and wanting to know more. Very gory commentary of our society and I really enjoyed it.

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: 4 stars, Sarah Gailey, graphic novel, horror
categories: Book Reviews
Thursday 10.05.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Title: A Court of Silver Flames (ACOTAR #4)

Author:Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury 2021

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 757

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall TBR; Finishing the Series

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other's arms.

Up until this volume, I adored this series. I loved seeing Feyre find her place and make a family. I loved the political dealings between all the factions. I loved the romance of it all. But then we get to this volume and I am very disappointed. I really really disliked Nesta from her first appearance and I’ve never warmed up her all. She was so incredibly hateful towards Feyre and everyone else throughout the entire series that I just couldn’t connect to her. Even when we get an incredibly long book focused on her, I still don’t care. I really disliked how she treated Cassian. Even with her connections to Emerie and Gwen, I didn’t care about Nesta. I would have loved to have had the story focused on Emerie and Gwen or even Elain. Instead. I pushed myself through 750 pages of whiny angry Nesta. Even the spicy scenes couldn't temp me to give it a higher rating. So much was left undone at the end of this book. I just couldn’t.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

  • #1 A Court of Thorns and Roses

  • #2 A Court of Mist and Fury

  • #3 A Court of Wings and Ruin

  • #3.5 A Court of Frost and Starlight

  • #4 A Court of Silver Flames

Fall Reading Challenge.png
Finishing the Series.jpeg
star-rating-remains-the-most-important-part-of-a-review-cad0047.cad0047.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: Sarah J. Maas, fantasy, Fall TBR List, Finishing the Series, 3 stars, faeries
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 10.04.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Currently #19

Reading: I picked up Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie from a list of truly terrifying novels and it’s living up to its reputation. Very, very spooky read for this week.

Watching: J had me start watching Preacher last month and we’ve been loving it so far. Onto season 2 right now.

Listening: When I get an hour or so, I queue up an episode of 99PI or Hello from the Magic Tavern. I’m to 2016 with those shows! Only many many years to go…

Making: For this year’s birthday party, our theme is an art party! I’m busing prepping the art stations all around the house. I have five stations to get ready in time for Saturday’s big event.

Feeling: Between the party, coop, regular activities, and general gigantic to do list, I am a bit stressed right now. I’m going to feel so much better after this weekend. I love doing a big themed party every year, but it is a lot of work.

Planning: Obviously I’m finalizing the birthday party plans. I have a shortlist of supplies to still buy (mostly things I forgot last week) and all the food to prep including baking two simple cakes.

Loving: So far this year, we’ve been to Vala’s three times! I still absolutely love it there. And as we are homeschoolers, buying season passes actually makes sense and is definitely worth the cost. I have five more visits scheduled between now and Halloween. Plus J has to go with us once.

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: Currently
categories: Life
Tuesday 10.03.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Homeschool W7: An Exhausting Week

Q’s History

Math & ELA Monday

What We Studied

Another week, another instance of me over-scheduling events and exhausting myself. The kids seem okay. I’m just so tired after last week…

A’s Science

ELA with Apple Until

Literature and Poetry

Arthur kept reading Echo Mountain. This is a gem of a book, but be forewarned, there are lots of big topics discussed. I’m really enjoying a book that I’ve never read before. Beyond the actual literature, we are working on some basic grammar skills and starting our writing journey. He also continued his Super Secret Notebook from Blossom & Root.

  • Poetry for Young People: American Poetry

  • Poetry for Young People: African American Poetry

  • Reading Explorer: Intro

  • Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

Quentin finished our current Zoey and Sassafras book. I decided to mini theme unit about fall and apples to celebrate the season. So we spent our extra time reading picture books about those topics instead of diving into a new big read aloud. He also worked on some basic grammar.

  • Sing a Song of Seasons

  • Zoey and Sassafras 4: Caterflies and Ice by Asia Citro

  • Where I Live: Poems About My Home, My Street, and My Town

  • Apple Picking Day by Candice Ransom

  • My Autumn Book by Wong Herbert Yee

  • Fall Weather Fun by Martha E.H. Rustad

  • Leaf by Leaf: Autumn Poems

  • Hello Autumn Shelley Rotner

  • The Apple Orchard Riddle by Margaret McNamara

  • A is for Autumn by Robert Maass

  • Apples by Gail Gibbons

  • Kit and Kaboodle Visit the Farm by Michelle Portice

  • Enough Apples by Kim Kane and Lucia Masciullo

  • Apples A to Z by Margaret McNamara

  • Apples to Applesauce by Inez Snyder

  • It's Fall by Celeste Bishop

  • Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie by Herman Parish

  • Apples by Jacqueline Farmer

  • Fall Apple Fun by Marta E.H. Rustad

  • Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka

  • Leaves by David Ezra Stein

Zipline Fun

 

Math

Arthur continued to dive into Singapore 5A. We are definitely going to slow down our math lessons a bit to make sure that Arthur achieves mastery. We also continued our next logic book.

  • Singapore Common Core 5A

  • Orbiting with Logic

Quentin continued working toward the end of Singapore 1B with a unit on math to 120. I’m still debating if we should take a small review break after finishing 1B and before beginning 2A. We also continued our logic book.

  • Lollipop Logic Book 3

  • Singapore Common Core 1B

Apple Unit

Q ELA and Science

Social Studies

Arthur jumped back into BYL 6 and History Quest: US History with Reconstruction. We covered the time period and the impeachment of Andrew Johnson. Our curriculum also had us take a step back to reconnect with Native Americans before and during the Civil War. We will be continuing with that storyline next week.

  • DK American History

  • We were There Too! Young People in US History

  • Words that Build a Nation

  • Heart and Soul

  • Nat Geo Our Country’s Presidents

  • An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States

  • Red Cloud: A Lakota Story of War and Surrender by S.D. Nelson

Quentin covered the invention of writing with a focus on cuneiform. We took it easy and didn’t immediately jump into the next unit. We will get there.

  • History Quest Early Times

  • DK When on Earth?

  • Human Wold

  • DK History

  • DK Timelines of Everything

  • DK A Child Through Time

  • A History of Western Art

  • DK Science Year by Year

  • The Genius of the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages by Izzi Howell

  • Mesopotamia by Sunita Apte

A’s ELA/Math/Science

Science

Arthur is embarking upon RSO Chemistry this year. We will be doing the experiment portions with a group of coop friends. This week’s class focused on reviewing atoms and elements and taking a look at the first ten Elements on the periodic table. The experiments this week were not anything exciting, but the kids did get to play Periodic Table Battleship. We also covered two chapters in our Story of Science all about Galileo.

  • RSO Chemistry

  • DK Super Simple Chemistry

  • Story of Science Vol. 2: Newton at the Center by Joy Hakim

  • STEMQuest: Astonishing Atoms and Matter Mayhem

  • DK The Elements

Quentin caught back up for science with mini units on cnidaria and earthworms.

  • RSO Life

  • DK Oversimple Biology

  • Jellyfish by Kristen Rajczak

  • Jellyfish by Mari Schuh

  • Jellyfish by Grace Hansen

  • How Old is a Whale? Animal Life Spans from the Mayfly to the Immortal Jellyfish by Lily Murray

  • Wiggling Worms at Work by Wendy Pfeffer

  • This is a Book to Read with a Worm by Jodi Wheeler-Toppen

  • Earthworms by Lisa J. Amstutz

  • Thank You, Earthworms by Emma Huddleston

  • Le's Look at Earthworms by Suzanne Paul Dell'Oro

STEAM Coop

Arthur’s class finished out their 2-week dive into drawing with another great lesson on shading and shapes. He was so excited to take home the sketchbook and writing tools. Quentin’s class was taught by me and we focused on leaves and art. I had the kids make a chalk pastels silhouette of a leaf. We then scoured the park for treasures and made our own leaf men a la Lois Ehlert’s classic book. I’m very excited to not teach for the next weeks as we transition to our winter building and I prep for my board game unit starting in November.

Art/Music/Crafts/Cooking/Documentary

And I continued not fitting in these subjects. I just could’t seem to get it to fit in our schedueles. I suspect this will be an issue until November, but hoping we can slide it in at least half of the weeks.

  • DK Music and How it Works

  • DK The Arts

  • Modern Art Adventures by Maja Pitamic and Jill Laidlaw

  • 13 American Artists Children Should Know

  • A Child's Introduction to Art

  • Women in Art by Rachel Ignotofsky

  • We are Artists by Kari Herbert

Field Trip

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent at Vala’s enjoying the pumpkin patch. It was Quentin’s birthday on Tuesday and he picked the patch. For his birthday dinner, he chose the Chinese buffet. Very yummy all around!

High

Thursday night, Arthur attended his first homeschool dance. A member of our HS community started organizing three yearly dances last school year. Thankfully she has continued it. The kids (6-18) get to have a safe space to hang out and dance the night away. As Arthur is 9, I got to drop him off for his two hour dance period. I popped down the street to the cider house to read and enjoy a spiced apple cider before having to pick him up. He loved it! And he even won one of the raffles collecting a 2 liter bottle of root beer. He was in heaven!

IMG_5069.jpeg
IMG_5072.jpeg
IMG_5080.jpeg
IMG_5096.jpeg

Low

Friday morning we were supposed to do our usual nature hike. I drove all the way before realizing that I had forgotten my wallet home. We had to turn around and drive all the way home. No nature hike for us. Pretty disappointing and threw off our whole day.

IMG_5125.jpeg
IMG_5141.jpeg
IMG_5164.jpeg
IMG_5169.jpeg

Next Week

  • Finishing Echo Mountain

  • Deciding on Q’s next read aloud

  • Finishing 1B for Math (Q) and taking the next lessons in 5A slowly (A)

  • Getting back into our history texts

  • All the birthday party prep!

IMG_5172.jpeg
IMG_5179.jpeg
IMG_5185.jpeg
IMG_5197.jpeg
lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: homeschool
categories: Life
Monday 10.02.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Music Monday - blink-182 "More Than You Know"

Finally, we get new music Mark, Tom, and Travis. I’m so excited about their new album!

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg
venus blind.jpg
sensor.jpg
stolen.jpg
jujutsu7.jpg
jujutsu 8.jpg
frankenstein.jpg
alley.jpg
deserter.jpg
water moon.jpg
liminal.jpg
black paradox.jpg
tombs.jpg
gyo.jpg
soichi.jpg
uzumaki.jpg
jujutsu 9.jpg
jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: Blink-182
categories: Music
Monday 10.02.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

October 2023 Life Goals

Let’s check in on September’s goals and my progress.

  • Read 18 Books ✓

  • Plan the Boys’ Birthday Party ✓

  • Finish Out Our Summer Bucket List ✓ - We didn’t do great due to illness, but some things were check off.

  • Start Our Fall Bucket List ✓ - Focusing on our favorites this year.

October Goals:

  • Read 18 Books

  • Figure Out Christmas Plans

  • Visit Vala’s 5x

  • Make a TBR for the Rest of the Year (Hit the shortlist TBR choices!)

Next up on the TBR pile:

lovesickness.jpg venus blind.jpg sensor.jpg stolen.jpg jujutsu7.jpg jujutsu 8.jpg frankenstein.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg water moon.jpg liminal.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg uzumaki.jpg jujutsu 9.jpg jujutsu 10.jpg
tags: Monthly Life Goals
categories: Life
Sunday 10.01.23
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 
Newer / Older

Powered by Squarespace.