House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Title: House of Hollow

Author: Krystal Sutherland

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 302

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf; Unread Shelf RC - February: Title I Couldn’t Resist

Iris Hollow and her two older sisters are unquestionably strange. Ever since they disappeared on a suburban street in Scotland as children only to return a month a later with no memory of what happened to them, odd, eerie occurrences seem to follow in their wake. And they're changing. First, their dark hair turned white. Then, their blue eyes slowly turned black. They have insatiable appetites yet never gain weight. People find them disturbingly intoxicating, unbearably beautiful, and inexplicably dangerous.

But now, ten years later, seventeen-year-old Iris Hollow is doing all she can to fit in and graduate high school on time--something her two famously glamourous globe-trotting older sisters, Grey and Vivi, never managed to do. But when Grey goes missing without a trace, leaving behind bizarre clues as to what might have happened, Iris and Vivi are left to trace her last few days. They aren't the only ones looking for her though. As they brush against the supernatural they realize that the story they've been told about their past is unraveling and the world that returned them seemingly unharmed ten years ago, might just be calling them home.

Exactly my brand of creepy for this February. I received this book at our December book club book and bottle exchange. When it was revealed, a friend remarked that “Tobe’s going to steal that one” and she was so right. I was immediately hooked by the dark fairy tale premise and the cover. I was reminded of Rory Power’s Wilder Girls in tone and characters. Once, I dove into this book, I could not stop and ended up reading it in basically one sitting. So good! It’s a very creepy and gory story, but full of adventure and twists and turns that feel appropriate and not cheesy. Iris is a a good character, but Vivi is definitely the star of this book for me. I loved getting to know all three Hollow sisters and eventually learning the truth. I did end up basically guessing the ending, but I was still here for the ride. And I loved the ending, not too sad, not too happy, and definitely not all tied up in a bow. Definitely a keeper and one that I will recommend to other dark fairy tale lovers.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #2

Reading: Nearing the end of Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. it’s just so so good…

Watching: It’s February Movie Month. So far, it’s been a mile bag, but we are committing to a varied list of movies to watch.

Listening: Definitely moving back to my hard rock playlists. They are my favorite.

Making: I finished my 2021 Memory Planner and have started working on collages for my 2022 Memory Planner. I am waiting for photo paper to be delivered so that I can print them.

Feeling: The past four days I had a huge scar tissue flare-up that resulted in a ton of pain. Thankfully it is subsiding. I’m feeling a lot better. And hoping that our walk in the woods today helps loosen everything.

Planning: We don’t have a full extra events calendar prepped for February yet. Guess I need to add some extra fun to our plan.

Loving: J has been making cognac sazeracs and I have been loving them! Definitely my current cocktail of choice.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W21: Two Documentaries Related to Our Studies

What We Studied

A fairly normal week for us. We covered a decent amount of work, and had an outing between it got really cold again.

Literature and Poetry

We continued our new read aloud. There’s a dragon, a journey, and a collection of folklore stories. I’m digging it. After a rocky first few chapters, Arthur become invested when the dragon appeared.

• The New Kid on the Block by Jack Prelutsky

• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

• Fact vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex

Math

Arthur worked through the end of 3B Unit 7 about capacity. And we covered Unit 8 about money. Basic addition and subtraction. Both boys also begged to do some Khan Academy math, so we covered that

• Logic Liftoff

Social Studies

This chapter of History Quest focused on the Yuan and Ming Dynasties in China. We already covered Marco Polo’s travels a few chapters ago, but we remet him again and his involvement with Kublai Khan.

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• When on Earth

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• Kublai Khan, The Emperor of Everything by Kathleen Krull

• No Year of the Cat by Mary Dodson Wade

• Ancient China by Brian Williams

Arthur Independent Time

To allow for one-on-one time with Quentin, I have added an hour of independent work time for Arthur. Each week, he will have a mix of packet work (mostly grammar and math review), independent reading time, and special projects. Many of his projects will be aligned with our literature selections (some taken from B&R Language Arts curriculum) and history.

Science and STEAM Coop

For science, we did a bit more of a weather unit and kept tracking the weather throughout the week. In coop, I taught the older kids about climate change. We made greenhouse gas molecules out of gumdrops and toothpicks and talked about ways that we could combat climate change.

• Climate Change and Rising Temperatures by Kevin Kurtz

• The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole

• Stand Up! Speak Out! A Story Inspired by the Climate Change Revolution by Andrew Joyner

We also covered more about emotions and various socio-emotional states and strategies. We’ll be finishing this unit next week.

• Rock n Roll Soul by Susan Verde

• Good People Everywhere by Lynea Gillen

• What Does It Mean to Be Present? by Rana DiOrio

• Try a Little Kindness by Henry Cole

• Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller

• Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

• Incredible You! by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

• What Were You Thinking? by Bryan Smith

• You Get What You Get by Julie Gassman

Art/Music

None this week

Quentin

I have scheduled at least four 1-hour time blocks for one-on-one time with Quentin. I bought Blossom and Root’s Early Years Volume 2 curriculum to use as our base. I love the variety of activities and some of the bigger projects included. Q finished Sh, Ch, and Th digraphs and started moving into Level 1 readers. We kept working on math skills and pencil control.

ELA

• Biscuit Phonics Books

• Saturday by Oge Mora

• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

Math

• Lollipop Logic Book 1

Other

• Big and Little: A Story of Opposites by Cheryl Pilgrim

• When the Snow is Deeper Than My Boots are Tall by Jean Reidy

• Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

Field Trip

On Monday we took a walk at the OPPD Arboretum. We invited our coop friends, but no one could actually make it. Still, we had a lovely walk enjoying the park in wintertime. Another hour for our 1000 Hour Outside challenge!

On Tuesday, we had a virtual field trip with the National Weather Service. The presenter did a great job teaching the kiddos and dealing with all the interruptions that come from smaller children on zoom. The presentation covered a lot of the information we covered in coop last week and there was time for questions.

Documentary Selection

I have carved out a one hour time block each week to watch a documentary related to our studies. We watched two different documentaries this week. For history, we watch NOVA S44 E15 Secrets of the Forbidden City. For science, we watched NOVA S49 E5 Arctic Sinkholes.

Misc. Picture Books Read

• Oops Pounce Quick Run! An Alphabet Caper by Mike Twohy

• Except Antarctica by Todd Sturgell

• A House that Once Was by Julia Fogliano

• The Smart Cookie by Jory John

• Seeds Move by Robin Page

High

• Another outdoor walk really helped all our moods. No one else joined us, but we still enjoyed a lovely hour at the OPPD Arboretum. It was nice to see the park in the winter as last time we were there it was 95 degrees and late summer.

Low

• By the end of the week, attitudes has taken a downward trajectory. I don’t think the boys are getting enough sleep. We’re trying to push up their bedtime, but they are resisting…

Next Week

• Starting 3B Unit 9 for math

• Finishing reading Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

• Changing our plans to have Black History theme for coop at our house.

• Covering the Age of Exploration for history

• Getting acquainted with Renoir for art (didn’t get to it this past week)

• Working on phonics for Quentin

• Hoping to spend more hours outside

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #4

As I look outside my window: It’s gray, but fairly warm today.

Right now I am: Finishing How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith before starting brunch.

On my bedside table: An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole; Fuzz by Mary Roach

On my tv this week: It’s February Movie Month! We try to watch new-to-us (or at least haven’t seen in decades) movies instead of flipping over to television shows. So far, we watched some really good ones and J introduced me to The Godfather.

Listening to: Catching up on some podcasts. I also listened to both countdowns this week from Octane and Alt Nation. Trying to incorporate more music into my routine.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Firecracker Chicken

• Tuesday - Pork and Green Chile Stew

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Mosterdsoep (Dutch mustard soup)

• Friday - Sega Wat

• Saturday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken

• Sunday - Sloppy Joes

On my to do list: Can't remember what’s on my list right this second, but I did make a list on Friday. I know that I’ve checked off a few things already, but I’m sure there’s lots to do. I do know that I want to finish my current nonfiction read today or tomorrow (it’s due in 4 days) and a need to put away all the clothes. I also need to do a library run and a grocery store run today.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Normal School Day

• Tuesday - Fontenelle Forest Walk (it’s going to be 50 degrees)

• Wednesday - Normal School Day

• Thursday - Coop at our house

• Friday - Great Plains Black History Museum field trip

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Jane Austen Bowl at Edge of the Universe

What I am creating: I’m working on my 2021 December Daily album. I have about Falk of the pictures printed (need more photo paper) and most of the layout set. I need to start journaling and embellishing. And finish printing when my delivery arrives on Tuesday.

My simple pleasures: Not hurting, seriously my body has been in a lot of pain these past few days. I can hardly remember a time that it didn’t hurt, even though I know that was like Thursday. Hoping this flare up subsides soon.

Looking around the house: I really need to do a cleaning day. We’re hosting coop this week, so I need to get the first floor in decent shape at least.

From the camera: I actually finished my 2021 Memory Planner! I’m ready to start my 2022 album.

Playing Cupid by Christine S. Feldman

Title: Playing Cupid (Heavenly Bites #3)

Author: Christine S. Feldman

Publisher: 2014

Genre: Romance

Pages: 82

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Much as she loves her meddling matchmaker of a grandmother, free-spirited Aimee Beasley is tired of dodging the dull and downright tiresome dates the older woman keeps trying to arrange for her. So when she notices her beloved Gran preening in the presence of a distinguished elderly gentleman who’s been visiting their apartment building, Aimee is delighted at the prospect of turning the tables on her.

But her plans to match her grandmother up with the gentleman in time for Valentine’s Day hit a snag when Aimee realizes he’s the uncle of their downstairs neighbor, a stodgy thirty-something history professor named Doyle with whom she butts heads on a regular basis. She’ll need to find a way to make nice and enlist his help, or her plan to see her long-widowed Gran happily matched again will never work.

For Gran’s sake, she’s determined to find a way. In the process, she starts to realize that her cranky downstairs neighbor has a softer side she never suspected existed.

And when it comes to romantic heroes, history professors may not have gotten a fair shake…

This one was marginally better than the second story in the series. I loved the banter between Aimee and Doyle. That’s really what kept me reading. But again, just as we are getting to the interesting part, the story ends. I always want to see what happens next in the relationship. Oh well. At least there’s a few more stories deleted from my Kindle library.

Heavenly Bites

• #1 Pastels and Jingle Bells

• #2 Love Lessons

• #3 Playing Cupid

Next up on the TBR pile:

Love Lessons by Christine S. Feldman

Title: Love Lessons (Heavenly Bites #2)

Author: Christine S. Feldman

Publisher: 2013

Genre: Romance

Pages: 90

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Self-assured Nadia Normandy knows everything there is to know about men and dating, which seems to be why little old Mrs. Beasley maneuvers her into taking unsuspecting and bookish accountant Benji Garner under her wing. Her mission? Shape him up for the opposite sex, preferably in time for New Year’s Eve.

A challenge? Sure, but Nadia discovers that Benji’s got a charm all his own, and she finds herself avoiding her usual social scene in favor of time spent with him—all in the name of mentoring him, of course.

Except that after a while, it starts to feel less like mentoring and more like something else—which could present a problem, because just as Nadia begins to realize she didn’t know quite as much about men as she thought, other women are starting to notice her unlikely protégé.

Much like Nadia is beginning to notice him in a whole new way herself…

I enjoyed the little novella that was first in the series. So, I decided to keep reading in the series. Unfortunately, the author gives up just enough to get us interested, and then ends the story. I liked Nadia, but the biggest draw was Benji. I would have liked to learn even more about him. Nadia could be a bit abrasive and Benji smoothed her edges. Decent, but probably very forgettable.

Heavenly Bites

• #1 Pastels and Jingle Bells

• #2 Love Lessons

• #3 Playing Cupid

Next up on the TBR pile:

Sapiens Vol. 1 by Yuval Noah Harari

Title: Sapiens Vol. 1: The Birth of Humankind

Author: Yuval Noah Harari

Publisher: Harper 2020

Genre: Comics

Pages: 248

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?

In this first volume of the full-color illustrated adaptation of his groundbreaking book, renowned historian Yuval Harari tells the story of humankind’s creation and evolution, exploring the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.” From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens challenges us to reconsider accepted beliefs, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and view specific events within the context of larger ideas. 

Featuring 256 pages of full-color illustrations and easy-to-understand text covering the first part of the full-length original edition, this adaptation of the mind-expanding book furthers the ongoing conversation as it introduces Harari’s ideas to a wide new readership.

I didn’t really learn anything from this comic version of Harari’s book, but it was enjoyable. I really enjoyed how accessible this one is for every person.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• One last coop to teach for the (hopefully) semester. I taught the first four weeks of the spring semester and I’ve going to relish taking the b real.

• About 25% of the way through Cloud Cuckoo Land and it’s oh so good! I just want to curl up and read for the entire day.

• The big winter storm missed us, but it has been super cold the past few days.

• We have an early morning to switch out the library books before driving to coop. I hate early mornings.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren

Title: Beautiful Player (Beautiful #3)

Author: Christina Lauren

Publisher: Gallery Books 2013

Genre: Romance

Pages: 465

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

When Hanna Bergstrom receives a lecture from her overprotective brother about neglecting her social life and burying herself in grad school, she’s determined to tackle his implied assignment: get out, make friends, start dating. And who better to turn her into the sultry siren every man wants than her brother’s gorgeous best friend, Will Sumner, venture capitalist and unapologetic playboy?

Will takes risks for a living, but he’s skeptical about this challenge of Hanna’s…until the wild night his innocently seductive pupil tempts him into bed- and teaches him a thing or two about being with a woman he can’t forget. Now that Hanna’s discovered the power of her own sex appeal, it’s up to Will to prove he’s the only man she’ll ever need.

Hanna and Will were a great couple and I ended up enjoying their book. I’m still hung up on Max and Sara, but this volume does a decent job as getting me invested in these two characters. Hanna can be a bit naive at times and I was a bit annoyed by the whole “woman knows nothing when it comes to sex” trope, but Will was entertaining and a fun guy to be around. I flew through this one in just a few days. It had the right amount of steamy scenes and talky scenes. Plus we get some great cameos from our other characters and one big reveal at the end. I’m definitely going to keep reading the series as my fun light-hearted reads in between more serious fare.

Beautiful Bastard

• #1 Beautiful Bastard

• #1.5 Beautiful Bitch

• #2 Beautiful Stranger

• #2.5 Beautiful Bombshell

• #3 Beautiful Player

• #3.5 Beautiful Beginning

• #3.6 Beautiful Beloved

• #4 Beautiful Secret

• #4.5 Beautiful Boss

• #5 Beautiful

Next up on the TBR pile:

February 2022 Life Goals

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

• Read 15 Books ✓

• Map Out My Year ✓

• Work on a Craft Project ✓ - I’ve almost finished with my 2021 Memory Planner.

• Get a Jump on Our 1000 Hours Outside ✓

• Plan a Few Trips - Nope. Not yet.

• Plan Out Homeschooling for January - March - Working on it.

• Pull Down Christmas Decorations ✓

February Goals:

• Read 15 Books

• Finish my 2021 Memory Planner

• Log 10 Hours Outside

• Finish Coop Tasks for Winter

• Have a Movie Month

• Have a Valentine’s Day Party

Next up on the TBR pile:

January 2022 Wrap

January TBR Pile (16/22):

1. BOTM: TBD

2. Bookworms BC: The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz ✓

3. Friend BC: (Already Read)

4. Currently Reading Buddy Read: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles ✓

5. Romance: Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler ✓

6. Romance: Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler

7. Romance: Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez ✓

8. Romance: Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday

9. Romance: Beautiful Bombshell by Christina Lauren ✓

10. Comics: Monstress Vol. 6 ✓

11. Comics: Lumberjanes Vol. 20 ✓

12. Comics: Far Sector ✓

13. Nonfiction: How Zoologists Organize Things by David Bainbridge ✓

14. Nonfiction: The Comfort Book by Matt Haig ✓

15. Fantasy: A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

16. Fantasy: House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

17. Fantasy: Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse ✓

18. Fantasy: Questland by Carrie Vaughn ✓

19. Added: Barbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon ✓

20. Added: All the Feels by Olivia Dade ✓

21. Added: Once and Future Vol. 3 ✓

22. Added: Billion Dollar Loser by Reeves Wiedman ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 4753 pages
Pages Remaining: 429,551 pages

Current Read - House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland; Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren; Sapiens Vol. 1 by Yuval Noah Harari

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books Bought/Received (0)

UnRead Shelf Progress

• Starting Number: 305

• Books Read: 2

• Books Acquired: 0

• Books Unshelved: 0

• Finishing Number: 303

February TBR Pile:

1. BOTM: TBD

2. Bookworms BC: (Not Reading)

3. Friend BC: Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor (reread)

4. Friend BC: Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

5. Currently Reading Buddy Read: Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

6. Jane Austen Rereads: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

7. Fantasy: Gilded by Marissa Meyer

8. Horror: House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

9. Romance: Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler

10. Romance: Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren

11. Romance: Beautiful Beginning by Christina Lauren

12. Romance: Beautiful Beloved by Christina Lauren

13. Comics: Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

14. Nonfiction: How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith

15. Nonfiction: Share You Stuff, I’ll Go First

16. Mystery/Thriller: The Hidden by Melanie Golding

Movies watched

• Eternals - I liked it, but felt like there was enough in there to make 2 movies.

• Sing 2 - Enjoyable kids movie.

• Matrix Resurrections - At times, trying too hard to be clever…

• The Duke - Delightful British biography comedy.

TV Shows watched 

• The Witcher S2 - A very exciting second season.

• The Bachelor - Still don’t like Clayton…

• Below Deck - My silly guilty pleasure show.

• The Great S1 - We’ve almost made it to the end of the first season. I am really enjoying it.

• Doctor Who - I just didn’t love this season at all. It felt very disjointed.

• Righteous Gemstones S1 - How did we not watch this one yet? Oh so good!

• Only Murders in the Building S1 - Delightfully fun.

Comments - A very decent showing for this month’s reading. And we knocked out some television series.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W20: Getting Used to Winter Walks

What We Studied

We ended up with a light week, but covered some ground.

We found a visitor at Heron Haven

Literature and Poetry

We started our new read aloud. There’s a dragon, a journey, and a collection of folklore stories. I’m digging it. Not sure how much Arthur is, but we’ll keep going.

• The New Kid on the Block by Jack Prelutsky

• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Math

Arthur worked through 3B Unit 7 about capacity. We discussed milliliters and liters. We’ll be finishing the unit this coming week.

• Logic Liftoff

Social Studies

We covered two Indian Empires for our middle times. Specifically, we learned about Razia Sultana.

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• When on Earth

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

Arthur Independent Time

To allow for one-on-one time with Quentin, I have added an hour of independent work time for Arthur. Each week, he will have a mix of packet work (mostly grammar and math review), independent reading time, and special projects. Many of his projects will be aligned with our literature selections (some taken from B&R Language Arts curriculum) and history.

Science and STEAM Coop

For science, we did a mini unit on weather to coincide with our coop theme. At home we learned about the weather and various weather states. We tracked the weather and working on some activities. In coop, I taught the older kids and we discussed what makes the weather and made a weather station.

• Snow is Falling by Franklyn M. Branley

• One Snowy Morning by Kevin Tseng

• First Snow by Nancy Vlau

• Some Snow Is... by Ellen Yeoman

• Snow Day! by Candice Ransom

• The Snow Day by Komako Sakai

• Sizing Up Winter by Lizann Flatt

• What Will the Weather Be? by Lynda Dewitt

• Watching the Weather by Lisa J. Amstutz

• Weather Words and What They Mean by Gail Gibbons

• What Makes a Blizzard? by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld

• Kate, Who Tamed the Wind by Liz Garton Scanlon

• Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse

• The Fog by Kyo Maclear

Art/Music

None this week

Quentin

I have scheduled at least four 1-hour time blocks for one-on-one time with Quentin. I bought Blossom and Root’s Early Years Volume 2 curriculum to use as our base. I love the variety of activities and some of the bigger projects included. We covered a variety of snow activities, shapes, colors, and math.

ELA

• Biscuit Phonics Books

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Math

• Lollipop Logic Book 1

Other

Field Trip

On Monday we had a nice walk at Heron Haven. It was a bit icy, but it was lovely to get outside for an hour. This wasn’t a big coop field trip, but a more spontaneous outing to take advantage of the weather.

Documentary Selection

I have carved out a one hour time block each week to watch a documentary related to our studies. We ended not watching anything particular.

Misc. Picture Books Read

• The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright

• Let's Pop, Pop, Popcorn! by Cynthia Schumerth

• Jackrabbit McCabe and the Electric Telegraph by Lucy Margaret Rozier

• Interrupting Cow and the Chicken Crossing the Road by Jane Yolen

• Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

• Max and Marla are Going on a Trip by Alexandra Boiger

• Snow Falls by Kate Gardner

• Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakast by David Ezra Stein

• Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise by David Ezra Stein

• In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek

• I am by Human: A Book of Empathy Susan Vrede

• I am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Vrede

• I am Courage: A Book of Resilience by Susan Verde

• I am One: A Book of Action by Susan Verde

• I am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde

• When the Snow Falls by Linda Booth Sweeney

• Tidy by Emily Gravett

High

• Tuesday morning we had a lovely relaxing playdate with a friend. The friend had to leave the coop, but it’s nice to continue the friendship.

Low

• We lost a whole afternoon of school because I decided that we needed to clean up the playroom. It needed to be done, but involving the kids meant that it took almost four hours.

Next Week

• Finishing 3B Unit 7 for math

• Continuing reading Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

• Concluding weather and climate change for coop

• Covering China for history

• Getting acquainted with Renoir for art

• Working on phonics for Quentin

• Spending more hours outside

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Title: A Gentleman in Moscow

Author: Amor Towles

Publisher: Penguin 2019

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 462

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf; Unread Shelf RC - January (Putting Off Reading)

In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery.

Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose.

I waited so long to read this! Already this is going onto my Top 10 of 2022 list at the end of the year, it’s that good! Towles has crafted a beautiful story of love, loss, human connection, and change. We get to journey with the Count through 30 years of his life under hotel arrest. We see him share in the joy and pain of others he encounters. We see him develop strong bonds with many others. We see him notate the changes happening in his beloved home country all while not being to experience them outside of the building. Within the plot, Towles sprinkles passages of philosophy and culture and life lessons. I have marked so many passages in my book that it just looks silly. I found myself rereading certain passages over and over again, committing them to memory (the coffee making paragraph is a particular favorite). I was so incredibly sad when I reached the last page, but also so glad that I was able to spend so much time with a wonderful and interesting human being.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #3

On my bedside table: Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler; How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith

On my tv this week: We binged only Murders in the Building S1. Oh so good! Yesterday we started Resident Alien S2. it’s been a wild television show week.

Listening to: I completely caught up with the Maintenance Phase podcast so I started diving back into some other podcasts that I’ve gotten behind on.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Leftovers / Tobe out for dinner

• Tuesday - Maafe

• Wednesday - Spicy Shrimp Burrito Bowls

• Thursday - Jalapeño Popper Bacon and Bean Soup

• Friday - Baked Firecracker Chicken

• Saturday - Tuscan Kale and White bean Soup

• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: I have a ton of school stuff to organize, a couple of craft projects to finish, and a kitchen pantry to inventory.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Morning walk at OPPD Arboretum; Book Club

• Tuesday - Virtual National Weather Service Tour; Trivia @ Edge of the Universe

• Wednesday - Home Day

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - Home Day; D&D

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Still working on my 2021 Memory Planner. I’ve completed through September. That’s means only two months to go.

My simple pleasures: Hot chocolate, nature walks, new puzzles

Looking around the house: Blergh. I should do some house work today.

From the camera: View of the wetlands at Heron Haven. Look at all those geese and ducks!

The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

Title: The Comfort Book

Author: Matt Haig

Publisher: Penguin Life 2021

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 272

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf Project; Winter TBR Pile

THE COMFORT BOOK is Haig’s life raft: it’s a collection of notes, lists, and stories written over a span of several years that originally served as gentle reminders to Haig’s future self that things are not always as dark as they may seem. Incorporating a diverse array of sources from across the world, history, science, and his own experiences, Haig offers warmth and reassurance, reminding us to slow down and appreciate the beauty and unpredictability of existence.

I was given this book at our bookish retreat book exchange. I didn’t quite know that I needed this little book of pieces of comfort, and yet this was exactly what I needed this winter. Pandemic fatigue and worry has done a number on my mental health and I definitely needed a bit of comfort. This little book is filled with Haig’s collection of words to comfort and lift up. Not a book to read straight through, but one to pick up and read a few pages when you need a little pick-me-up.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Winter Bucket List Update #1

After taking a bit of a break from bucket lists in 2021 (seriously, that year was a trash fire), I’m back this year. We have a variety of projects that we want to accomplish this coming year and I want to make some intentions for each season. For winter:

1. Check off 150 hours of our 1000 hours outside project - We officially have 4 hours posted. Not a great start, but the weather has really been hindering us.

2. Have a birthday day out for my 40th!

3. Weekend trip to Chicago

4. Read 50 books (16/50)

5. Day trip to Des Moines

6. At least 6 zoo visits (1/6)

7. Trip to see the frozen waterfall at Platte

8. Movie Month February .

9. Weekly Game Day/Night with Arthur — We started this, although terrible attitudes caused us to miss a week.

10. Make winter crafts

11. Design board for future kitchen renovation

12. Make Valentine’s

13. Have a monthly (indoor) picnic

14. Finish one craft project - I’m currently 70% of the way finished with my 2021 Memory Planner. Hoping to finish soon!

15. Monthly bingo/trivia nights - Our last one got canceled, but I’m making up for it with a trivia and a bingo night in February.

16. Go sledding

17. Buy a new Nebraska State Park permit ✓ And we’ve even used it once already.

18. Do a donation drop - I’ve done a toy cleanup, just need to gather some more things before doing the drop.

19. Take the kids bowling

20. Dye my hair purple

21. Log 50 miles on the treadmill

22. Learn to knit

23. Replace 50% of my socks ✓

24. Make homemade cinnamon rolls

25. Complete 3 television series - We finished The Witcher S2 and It’s Always Sunny S15, but no big series yet. I really want to finish Hustle something this season.

Up Next on the TBR:

Billion Dollar Loser by Reeves Wiedeman

Title: Billion Dollar Loser: The Epic Rise and Spectacular Fall of Adam Neumann and WeWork

Author: Reeves Wiedeman

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company 2020

Genre: Nonfiction - Business

Pages: 304

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Winter TBR

Christened a potential savior of Silicon Valley's startup culture, Adam Neumann was set to take WeWork, his office share company disrupting the commercial real estate market, public, cash out on the company's forty-seven billion dollar valuation, and break the string of major startups unable to deliver to shareholders. But as employees knew, and investors soon found out, WeWork's capital was built on promises that the company was more than a real estate purveyor, that in fact it was a transformational technology company.

Veteran journalist Reeves Weideman dives deep into WeWork and it CEO's astronomical rise, from the marijuana and tequila-filled board rooms to cult-like company summer camps and consciousness-raising with Anthony Kiedis. Billion Dollar Loser is a character-driven business narrative that captures, through the fascinating psyche of a billionaire founder and his wife and co-founder, the slippery state of global capitalism. 

This was a terrible book. In that, it detailed the rise and fall of pretty terrible company. In the vein of Jon Carreyou’s Bad Blood, Wiedeman set out to trace the trajectory of another unicorn startup. I am not well-versed in business, but I have been steeped in Silicon Valley startup mindset. WeWork fell into all the traps for ego and idealism at the expense of security and realism. Right away, I could not stand Adam Neumann but recognized exactly how he charmed his way to the top and then back down. At times, the writing got bogged down in numbers when I wanted it to tell a bit more of a human story. But overall, this was a fascinating read.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Starting 2022 with Some Videos

This looks so weird. I must see it!

This looks strange and intriguing. I must add to the list.

Such a delight!

We can’t wait for the second season!

Oh yes. This looks right up our alley.

Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin

Title: Far Sector by

Author: N.K. Jemisin, Jamal Campbell

Publisher: DC Comics 2021

Genre: Comics

Pages: 213

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

The first murder in 500 years. Twenty billion suspects. One hope.

The City Enduring, a booming metropolis at the edge of the universe, hasn’t experienced a violent crime in generations. The Emotion Exploit has erased its citizens’ full range of feelings, allowing three resident races to overlook their turbulent history and coexist peacefully—until now.

Rookie Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein is still adjusting to her assignment to protect this strange world when a brutal murder rattles its social order, threatening to undo centu r ies of controversia l pro gress . As the populace rises up against the legacy of the Emotion Exploit and leaders grapple for power under threat of a new war, Jo must rely on her unique instincts—as a Green Lantern and the only human in this sector—to solve the crime and guide the City Enduring toward a more promi sing future.

I don’t usually read “cape” comics, but I made an exception for one written by N.K. Jemisin. I mean, who an resist another story from Jemisin? For this one, Gerard Way resurrected some of the side stories from the DC Universe into a new series called Young Animals. In this volume, we get a story about a solo Green Lantern in the far searches of the sector struggling to understand the culture, the people, and the murder of a citizen. Immediately, I fell for the complicated society full of rogues and confusion. And then we get the murder mystery to keep up going. And finally, we get Sojourner herself. I loved the weaving of her background on Earth and her current standing as a Lantern. Strong, yet flawed women are my catnip and Sojourner is exactly what I needed. I really enjoyed this story.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Mistletoe & Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler

Title: Mistletoe & Mr. Right (Moose Springs, Alaska #2)

Author: Sarah Morgenthaler

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca 2020

Genre: Romance

Pages: 422

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Winter TBR

Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can't stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana's determined to prove that she belongs...even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town's hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into.

And really...how hard could it be?

The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding, and it's not getting any easier now that his dream girl's back in town. When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose, it's clear she needs help, fast...and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye. It's an all-out Christmas war, but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town, Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong...together.

Still enjoying this series of romances. Lana was an intriguing character in the first book and I was hoping we could get to learn more about her. Thankfully her story is the entire second book. Right away we dive right back into the story of Moose Springs and it’s colorful inhabitants. I’m glad we get to see what happened with Zoey and Graham but the main focus is shifted away from their story. We get to follow Lana as she struggles to find her place within her family and with the town. We get some great banter between Lana and Rick, but not as much as I would have liked to see. And I kept forgetting that these books are closed door. I would have like a romance a bit steamier than what we got. And yet, I’m still going to read the third book in the series.

Moose Springs, Alaska

• #1 The Tourist Attraction

• #2 Mistletoe and Mr. Right

• #3 Enjoy the View

Next up on the TBR pile: