Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #2)

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton 2014

Genre: YA Romance

Pages: 339

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: She Reads Romance - YA Romance; In Case You Missed It - 2014

Where I Got It: Library

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren't always forever. Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

And that was pretty much trash… I had mostly enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy even if they were young adult. I am a completionism and dove into this book hoping for some more yearning glances across a courtyard and sweet young love. Instead, we get a depiction of a pretty toxic relationship. All the things that the main characters think are sweet and amazing as in fact very toxic behaviors. The amount of mistrust and jealously all over these pages was immediately off-putting. Through in the absolutely refusal to see the world from anything beyond their own perspective, and I hated it. Added to all that, the sex scenes were super cringe and not just because it was two 18 year olds. They were just very badly described. That book was pretty much a waste of my time.

Anna and the French Kiss

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Next up on the TBR pile:

A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne

Title: A Soul to Keep (Dustwalker Brides #1)

Author: Opal Reyne

Publisher: Opal Reyne 2022

Genre: Romance

Pages: 534

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Spooky Season

Where I Got It: Library

Spice Rating: 8

All Reia ever wanted was freedom.

Known as a harbinger of bad omens and blamed for Demons eating her family, Reia is shunned by her entire village. When the next offering is due and the monstrous Duskwalker is seen heading their way, her village offers her an impossible choice – be thrown into the prison cells or allow herself to be sacrificed to a faceless monster.

However, he is not what he seems. His skull face and glowing eyes are ethereal, and she finds herself unwittingly enchanted by him.

All Orpheus ever wanted was a companion.

Each decade, in exchange for a protection ward from the Demons that terrorise the world, Orpheus takes a human offering to the Veil – the place he lives and the home of Demons. The brief companionship does little to ease his loneliness, and their lives were always, unfortunately, cut short.

He'd thought it was a hopeless endeavour, until he met her. She’s not afraid of him, and his insatiable desire deepens
within every moment of her presence.

But will Orpheus be able to convince Reia to stay before she’s lost to him forever?

CW: Death, explicit sex with tentacles

This is another super explicit romance book that I stumbled upon and ultimately enjoyed. At the core, this series is clearly exploring trauma and its affects. Reia has been neglected her entire life after surviving a horrific event. Orpheus is suffering from confusion and fighting against his nature to find a companion. These two unlikely creatures are forced together and begin to peal back the layers. The book itself moves pretty slowly for the first 200 pages. We get a lot of inner monologue from Reia and a lot of world building. I do wish that some of the monologue was trimmed as it become very repetitive later on in the book. The chapters from Orpheus’s perspective were much more interesting. And then we get to the sex scenes. They are not for the faint of heart, nor are they for people who are not open to the weird. Those scenes are extremely explicit earning my highest spice meter rating of 8. Be forewarned. The ending was very rushed and somewhat confusing. There’s a lot of exposition and information dump towards the end that I don’t think I completely understood all. But, I’m willing to keep learning and keep reading this series.

Duskwalker Brides

#1 A Soul to Keep
#2 A Soul to Heal
#3 A Soul to Touch
#4 A Soul to Guide
#5 A Soul to Revive
#6 A Soul to Steal
#7 A Soul to Protect
#8 A Soul to Embrace

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan

Title: A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir of Lady Trent (Memoirs of Lady Trent #1)

Author: Marie Brennan

Publisher: Tor Books 2013

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 334

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 52 Book Club - Relating to “Wild”

Where I Got It: Library

You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart―no more so than the study of dragons itself. But such study offers rewards beyond compare: to stand in a dragon's presence, even for the briefest of moments―even at the risk of one's life―is a delight that, once experienced, can never be forgotten. . . .

All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world's preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.

Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities; and of her thrilling expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever.

I finally got around to the beginning of this series and it was very enjoyable. Written as a scientific memoir, we follow Lady Trent on her first adventure concerning dragons. Along the way, we are treated to a study of Vystrana and its people. At times, this book is fairly slow. The style is definitely of 19th century prose. Lady Trent adds in a ton of asides and explanations of theories and actions as the book progresses. And yet, was very intrigued and wanted to see where the story went. This book reminded me greatly of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries (which I loved), but slightly slower and duller. Emily Wilde was a much more exciting narrator. And yet, I did ultimately enjoy this book and plan to continue the series in the future.

Memoirs of Lady Trent

#1 A Natural History of Dragons
#2 The Tropic of Serpents
#3 The Voyage of the Basilisk
#4 In the Labyrinth of Drakes
#5 Within the Sanctuary of Wings
#6 Turning Darkness into Light

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Weathers "Wasn't Gonna Go Out"

Emo-pop? Um yes! I need some right now.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #28

Right now I am: Enjoying my coffee before needing to go pick up Arthur from his first sleepover.

On my bedside table: Hmmm… there’s a ton of random library books sitting on my floor. So I guess I’ll pick something from there.

On my tv this week: We’ve been continuing all of our Dropout shows.

Listening to: I jumped back into podcasts with a ton of 99PI, Magic Tavern, and You’re Wrong About. I’m also about halfway through an audiobook.

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Pot Roast
Tuesday - Snack Dinner
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Cod with Hoisin Sauce
Friday - Hawaiian Pork Nachos
Saturday - Pomegranate Chicken
Sunday - Vegetable Beef Soup

On my to do list: Um… I have no idea. I’m sure that I have a ton of random tasks, but I’m just shoving my list to the side right now.

Happening this week:

Monday - Home Day
Tuesday - Sketchbook Hang; Co-op Happy Hour
Wednesday - Home Day
Thursday -Academic Co-op; Fall Homeschool Dance
Friday - Fontenelle Forest Hike
Saturday - Home Day
Sunday - Breakfast Club

What I am creating: Nothing much. I’m really in a lull right now.

My simple pleasures: Chocolate cake, video game time

Looking around the house: I should do a big pickup and clear some piles.

From the camera: Always love to visit the waterfall at Platte River SP

Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

Title: Mistress of Rome (Empress of Rome #1)

Author: Kate Quinn

Publisher: Berkley 2010

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 470

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf

Where I Got It: Unread Shelf

First-century Rome: A ruthless emperor watches over all—and fixes his gaze on one young woman...

Thea is a slave girl from Judaea, purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida Pollia. Now she has infuriated her mistress by capturing the attention of Rome’s newest and most savage gladiator—and though his love brings Thea the first happiness of her life, their affair ends quickly when a jealous Lepida tears them apart.

Remaking herself as a singer for Rome’s aristocrats, Thea unwittingly attracts another admirer: the charismatic Emperor of Rome. But the passions of an all-powerful man come with a heavy price, and Thea finds herself fighting for both her soul and her sanity. Many have tried to destroy the Emperor: a vengeful gladiator, an upright senator, a tormented soldier, a Vestal Virgin. But in the end, the life of Domitian lies in the hands of one woman: the Emperor’s mistress.

I cannot tell you how many years this book has sat on my Unread Shelf. I know that I got it before we moved back from California, so at least 6 years. I’ve read many of Kate Quinn’s later books, but never this series. We picked it for our November book club selection and I finally dove in. Overall, I really enjoyed this look at Ancient Rome. The first 150 pages are fairly slow, but once we get past those, the story really gets going. We have to establish our world and our characters before we get to the meat of the story. Thea was a great outsider character left to navigate the treacherous and unjust world of Rome. I was rooting for her right from the beginning. Marcus was fascinating and I really wanted to see more of him that we got. Lepida was horrid and I really wished she has faced a more terrible end, but at least she did face her end. I liked the interplay of the storylines and the different levels of Roman society depicted. We got a little of everything, even a few real historical people. I just wish it had been about 100 pages shorter with some extra slow and long sections trimmed down. Still, I have the rest of the series and will put them in my TBR short pile.

Empress of Rome

#1 Mistress of Rome
#2 Daughters of Rome
#3 Empress of the Seven Hills
#4 Lady of the Eternal City

Next up on the TBR pile:

Illicit Temptations by Katee Robert

Title: Illicit Temptations (Make Me #1)

Author: Katee Robert

Publisher: Harlequin Feature 2024

Genre: Romance

Pages: 320

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: She Reads Romance - Faking It with the Boss

Where I Got It: Library

Spice Rating: 5

What if the one person you shouldn’t want is the one you can’t resist?

Make Me Yours
Becka Baudin gets what she wants, and she wants Aaron Livingston—but only for a quick affair. Weeks later, her coveted freedom starts to disappear thanks to a plus sign on a pregnancy test. Aaron insists she move in to his penthouse and commit to a relationship, but Becka demands he give her space without pushing for more. They are total opposites—with different jobs, interests, lives. But their chemistry keeps pushing them together…for better or for worse?

Make Me Need
Trish Livingston desperately needs her new job. Which means putting up with the world’s grumpiest boss—who is also her brother’s best friend and business partner, Cameron O’Clery. The way he looks at her is pure disdain…but when he touches her, it’s pure fire. With family and business ties at stake, they are not supposed to be together. There’s a fine line between hate and lust, and they are going to cross it…but at what cost?

I got super excited when a new Katee Robert book popped up in the library catalog. I did not realize that this is a repacked, reissue of two novellas she wrote years ago. And so this is two boiler plate romances featuring very traditional cis hetero main characters. I could predict every beat of these stories from the beginning. They aren’t bad, but then again, they aren’t really anything special. Not really my cup of tea anymore. I want something a bit deeper and definitely more intriguing.

Make Me

#1 Illicit Temptations (Includes Make Me Yours and Make Me Needs)
#2 Forbidden Games (Includes Make Me Want and Make Me Crave)

Next up on the TBR pile:

To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

Title: To Shape a Dragon’s Breath (Nampeshiweisit #1)

Author: Moniquill Blackgoose

Publisher: Del Rey 2023

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 511

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Spooky Reading Season

Where I Got It: Library

The remote island of Masquapaug has not seen a dragon in many generations—until fifteen-year-old Anequs finds a dragon’s egg and bonds with its hatchling. Her people are delighted, for all remember the tales of the days when dragons lived among them and danced away the storms of autumn, enabling the people to thrive. To them, Anequs is revered as Nampeshiweisit—a person in a unique relationship with a dragon.

Unfortunately for Anequs, the Anglish conquerors of her land have different opinions. They have a very specific idea of how a dragon should be raised, and who should be doing the raising—and Anequs does not meet any of their requirements. Only with great reluctance do they allow Anequs to enroll in a proper Anglish dragon school on the mainland. If she cannot succeed there, her dragon will be killed.

For a girl with no formal schooling, a non-Anglish upbringing, and a very different understanding of the history of her land, challenges abound—both socially and academically. But Anequs is smart, determined, and resolved to learn what she needs to help her dragon, even if it means teaching herself. The one thing she refuses to do, however, is become the meek Anglish miss that everyone expects.

Anequs and her dragon may be coming of age, but they’re also coming to power, and that brings an important realization: the world needs changing—and they might just be the ones to do it.

I was intrigued by the Own Voices perspective and the promise of dragons and adventure. Unfortunately, the book really fell short of the second half of that equation. The book starts out strong, but quickly becomes mired in a super naive and seemingly invincible protagonist as she navigates the academics. Quite frankly, there was too much school work talk in the middle. I wanted to really see how Anequs integrated into the society, or not as the case may be. At times she seemed to easily slide into society while also criticizing everything with no consequences. If found the no consequences aspect to be very frustrating. Not sure of the author’s message as to that angle. There was so much promise to this book, but it just didn’t land for me. I am very interested in where our book club discussion goes with this book.

Nampeshiweisit

#1 To Shape a Dragon’s Breath
#2 TBD

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W12: Slowing Down was Helpful

What We Studied

After the whirlwind that was August, September, and October, we hit November and everything slowed down. So so helpful for us. We grabbed a few minutes to breath before diving back into curriculum. (The fact that the election was this week really solidified the need to slow down and take a breath.) As such, I didn’t take many photos this week. We focused on our pace and tried to incorporate our usual activities.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur is primarily using Hearth and Story G5 for his language arts this year. We started our new read aloud that is an intriguing fantasy. I cannot wait to see where this story goes. We also covered more grammar and extra language arts assignments.

Poetry for Young People: Carl Sandburg
The Goblin’s Puzzle by Andrew Chilton

Quentin is primarily using Blossom & Root G1 for his language arts this year. We will pull some elements from Build Your Library Level 2 and random books that we have around the house. Monday we wrapped up our spooky season reading with a collection of books about an imaginary monster. On Tuesday, we moved onto a classic read.

Poetry: The Alligator's Smile and Other Poems by Jane Yolen
How I Met My Monster by Amanda Noll
Hey, That's My Monster by Amanda Noll
I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Write Shop B

Math

Arthur is using Singapore’s Math in Focus Course 1. Effectively this is Singapore’s 6th grade math text. Arthur finished a chapter on rates, ready to move onto percents. We also finished the Financial Literacy G5 boo.

Math in Focus Course 1 Book A
EM Financial Literacy G5

Quentin is using Singapore’s Primary Mathematics Common Core edition 2B and 3A. He started with the lessons in 2B. I imagine that we will be slowing working through that this semester. Q started the last chapter in 2B, a chapter on geometry. We’re slowing working through it and will finish next week.

Primarily Logic
Singapore Primary Common Core 2B
EM Financial Literacy G2

Social Studies

Arthur is using Curiosity Chronicles Early Modern History Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 this year. We covered the section on Natives and Colonists in North America. Most of this chapter was a review for Arthur, but it was good to review and learn about it from a different perspective.

Curiosity Chronicles Early Modern History Vol. 1
DK History
DK Timelines of Everything
DK Timelines of Everyone
DK A Child Through Time
Brave Wolf and the Thunderbird: Tales of the People by Joseph Medicine Crow
The People Shall Continue by Simon J Ortiz
Spanish Missions (A True Book) by John Perritano
Samuel de Champlain by Liz Sonneborn
Explore with Samuel de Champlain by Cynthia O'Brien

Quentin is using History Quest Middle Times with Build Your Library Level 2 supporting. We moved onto a chapter covering the ancient Khmer Empire.

History Quest Middle Times
DK When on Earth?
DK History
DK Timelines of Everything
DK Timelines of Everyone
DK A Child Through Time
Kingfisher Atlas of the Medieval World
DK Explorers

Science

Arthur is using RSO Biology 1 this year has the main science text. Our academic coop will also be using RSO Biology 1 as a basis for the fall semester course, so we will be just supplementing at home. We will also be doing some of Blossom & Root’s Book Seeds and various other small units in between. Arthur covered the nervous system during co-op. We supplemented with some extra materials at home. Specifically we covered Blossom and Root’s Bookseed about Gregor Mendel. We finished watching the documentary series One Strange Rock. We all really enjoyed this series.

RSO Biology 1
The Smallest Spot of a Dot: The Little Ways We're Different, The Big Ways We're the Same by Lindsey Davis and Michael Tyler
Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas by Cheryl Bardoe
Remembering Rosalind Franklin by Tanya Lee Stone
The Code of Life: All About Genes, DNA, Genetic Engineering, and Why You are the Way You Are by Carla Hafner
Story of Science Vol. 3 by Joy Hakim

Quentin is using RSO Earth & Environment and RSO Astronomy 1 as a base. Of course, we have a ton of extra science resources laying around the house. And I will be hosting some one-off science exploration days that align with the units. Q covered earthquakes and volcanoes. We are ready to switch gears slightly to tackle Blossom and Root’s Prehistory Unit.

RSO Earth and Environment
DK First Earth Encyclopedia
Earth by Quinn M. Arnold
From a Super Continent to Seven: The Pangaea and the Continental Drift
First Earth Encyclopedia 18-19
Plate Tectonics Lab 3: Forces that Shape Earth - Earthquakes
Fault Lines and Tectonic Plates by Kathleen M. Reilly
Geo Detectives: Volcanoes and Earthquakes by Anita Ganeri
Danger! Earthquakes by Seymour Simon
The Magic School Bus Presents Volcanoes and Earthquakes
Zhang Heng and the Incredible Earthquake Detector by Randel McGee
Nat Geo Kids Volcanoes
Volcanoes by Gail Gibbons
The Magic School Bus Blows Its Top by Joanna Cole
Danger! Volcanoes by Seymour Simon
Muse Magazine: Eruption
When Plant Earth was New by James Gladstone

Academic Co-op

For math, Arthur covered equivalent fractions. They even got to make trail mix for a practical application. In biology, they covered the nervous system. In civics, we covered the election results and the electoral college. And the kids continued their election project.

Art and Music

Art will be very sporadic this year, but we do have some fun excursions planned. And I will incorporate art projects into a lot of other subjects and unit studies. We covered a Harbor + Sprout module about Art in Nature.

For music, we are using Music Lab: We Rock! as our spine. Each week we will be learning about a different rock musician and focus on a particular song. I have also created Spotify playlists so we can listen on the go. We got back to music covering Jimi Hendrix. He wasn’t their favorite, but it was an interesting exploration.

Music Lab: We Rock!
DK Music and How it Works
DK The Arts

Field Trip/Activities

On Friday, we traveled to Lincoln to visit Morrill Hall for exploration and a presentation. Q’s group (the younger kids) saw a show about the Sun, Earth, and Moon system. Arthur’s group saw a show about how light enters our eyes. So an astronomy focus and a biology focus for the day. In between and opposite of the showings, we explored the museum. It was a very cold and rainy day, but perfect one to be inside a museum.

High

Wednesday was such a tough day in our house. I did force us to get outside and enjoy the sunshine just a bit. And we met up with some friends at the park, so extra perk.

Low

The election results really really brought us down.

Next Week

Continuing our read alouds
Finishing our next math chapters, Q finishing 2B
Potentially Q starting an online language arts supplement
Completing our homework (A) from co-op
Learning about Britain and Ireland (A) and prehistory (Q) for history
Listening to Pink Floyd and more for music
Visiting Joslyn for some art time

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Zedd feat. Muse "1685"

Um… weirdly I’m digging this song this week

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #27

On my bedside table: Um… I have a ton of library checkouts, but not sure what I want to read next. I’m deep into a historical fiction right now.

On my tv this week: J and I mostly caught up on a ton of the Dropout shows.

Listening to: I’ve gotten back into a ton of my podcasts including Magic Tavern, 99PI, Nerdette, Nothing is Real, and You’re Wrong About.

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Peanut Sauce Chicken Bowls
Tuesday - Shrimp Lo Mein
Wednesday - Chicken and Noodles
Thursday - Smoked Sausage and Potatoes
Friday - Thai Red Curry
Saturday - Quentin Pick
Sunday - Pot Roast

On my to do list: I’m certain many things, but the only thing I can think of right now is making a meal plan and grocery list.

Happening this week:

Monday - Home day
Tuesday - Home day
Wednesday - Joslyn Art Explorers
Thursday - Academic Co-op
Friday - Platte River Hike
Saturday - Arthur at a Friend’s Birthday Sleepover
Sunday - Home day

What I am creating: Yesterday I finished my September Memory Planner. Today, I’m hoping to work on my October Memory Planner pages. Crafting a bit is really helping me be calm.

My simple pleasures: Pumpkin pie syrup in my creamer for an extra special coffee

Looking around the house: Meh. I’m in the middle of a big kitchen cleanout, so there are piles everywhere in there. The island is full of half eaten snacks and everyone has been instructed to not open anything new…

From the camera: Fascinating gypsum sand crystals from Morrill Hall

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert

Title: Desperate Measures (Wicked Villains #1)

Author: Katee Robert

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca 2024

Genre: Romance

Pages: 320

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fairytale Retellings; She Reads Romance - Guardian

Where I Got It: Library

Spice Rating: 6

Once upon a time, I was a sheltered princess. Now he owns me, body and soul.

One night, and my entire life went up in flames. All because of him. Jafar. As my world burned around me, he offered me a choice: walk away with nothing but my freedom…or rise to his challenge and win my fortune back.

I bargained.

I lost.

Now Jafar owns me, and even as my mind rails against him, my body loves the delicious punishments he deals out. It's almost enough to believe he cares. But a gilded cage is still a prison, and I'll do anything to obtain my freedom.

Even betray the man who captured my heart.

Another romance novel that explores the idea of consent. I was warned off of this book years ago by a friend. I understand her hesitations over this book. The opening chapters are brutal. We are not eased into this story. We have to immediately confront the brutality that Jafar brings to the situation. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read this one, but noticed that this version includes Robert’s footnotes and commentary. I was intrigued, so I dove in. I actually ended up enjoying this novel. We get a progression on a relationship that I wouldn’t want to be in, but plays itself out on the pages for the reader. I enjoyed seeing the communication and boundary lines solidified as the pages pass. Yasmina is such a sheltered character that it hurt to read her reactions in many of the chapters. Once she started to grow, I started to really root for her as a character. The ending was absolutely perfect for these two characters. And Robert’s footnotes add great commentary to the story and her writing process and growth. I hope that the rest of the series will be released in the same way.

Wicked Villains

#1 Desperate Measures
#2 Learn My Lesson
#3 A Worthy Opponent
#4 The Beast
#5 The Sea Witch
#6 Queen Takes Rose

Next up on the TBR pile:

Alice in Borderland Vol. 1

Title: Alice in Borderland Vol. 1

Author: Haro Aso

Publisher: VIZ Media LLC 2021

Genre: Comics

Pages: 344

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fairytale Retellings (replacing Rumplestitlskin)

Where I Got It: Library

Eighteen-year-old Ryohei Arisu is sick of his life. School sucks, his love life is a joke, and his future feels like impending doom. As he struggles to exist in a world that can’t be bothered with him, Ryohei feels like everything would be better if he were anywhere else. When a strange fireworks show transports him and his friends to a parallel world, Ryohei thinks all his wishes have come true. But this new world isn’t an empty paradise, it’s a vicious game. And the only way to survive is to play.

The first game starts with a bang, but Ryohei manages to beat the clock and save his friends. It’s a short-lived victory, however, as they discover that winning only earns them a few days’ grace period. If they want to get home, they’re going to have to start playing a lot harder.

I’ve had this series on my TBR for years now. Funnily enough, it was watching Katee Robert’s instagram stories that brought it back to the top of the pile. Very quickly, we are dumped into Borderland and attempt to start understanding the rules of the game. I was concerned that Ryohei was going to be super annoying throughout, but very quickly attempts to focus on his new reality and the games. Volume 1 includes the introduction plus two games. We get to see some of Borderland’s other players and begin to understand the implications of the games. Plus there are some tantalizing clues as to the ultimate strategies. Cannot wait to read Volume 2.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

Title: Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse #1)

Author: H.D. Carlton

Publisher: HD Carlton 2021

Genre: Romance

Pages: 585

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Where I Got It: Library

Spice Rating: 8

The Manipulator
I can manipulate the emotions of anyone who lets me.
I will make you hurt, make you cry, make you laugh and sigh.
But my words don't affect him. Especially not when I plead for him to leave.
He's always there, watching and waiting.
And I can never look away.
Not when I want him to come closer.

The Shadow
I didn't mean to fall in love.
But now that I have, I can't stay away.
I'm mesmerized by her smile, by her eyes, and the way she moves.
The way she undresses...
I'll keep watching and waiting. Until I can make her mine.
And once she is, I'll never let her go.
Not even when she begs me to.

So Many Content Warnings on This One!!!!! Please look these up before reading.

I knew going into this book that this might be amazing or absolutely terrible. It ended up being something I really enjoyed exploring, but it’s definitely not the book for most people. I want to make it clear that I view this book as fantasy (and it’s not because of the ghost element). Combining the MMC’s crusade and his treatment of Adeline, this is squarely a fantasy novel. I didn’t read this as a realistic romance. I read this as a fantasy novel revolving around a romance. A distinction that made my reading of this book much more enjoyable. In here, Carlton is exploring the theme of consent. While our characters don’t have a clear conversation, there are many instances where they talk about consent. Adeline, whether she is admitting it or not, has a lot of power in their dynamic. It is in her continued baiting and comments that give the MMC consent. I am not saying that this book doesn’t have some problematic areas, but that I really enjoyed this exploration.

Cat and Mouse

#1 Haunting Adeline
#2 Hunting Adeline

Next up on the TBR pile:

Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren

Title: Tangled Up in You (Meant to Be #4)

Author: Christina Lauren

Publisher: Hyperion Avenue 2024

Genre: Romance

Pages: 320

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fairytale Retellings

Spice Rating: 3

She has a dream. He has a plan. Together they’ll take a leap of faith.

Ren has never held an iPhone, googled the answer to a question, or followed a crush on social media. What she has done: Read a book or two, or three (okay, hundreds). Taught herself to paint. Built a working wind power system from scratch. But for all the books she’s read, Ren has never found one that’s taught a woman raised on a homestead and off the grid for most of her twenty-two years how to live in the real world. So when she finally achieves her lifelong dream of attending Corona College, it feels like her life is finally beginning.

Fitz has the rest of his life mapped out: Graduate from Corona at the top of his class, get his criminal record wiped clean, and pass himself off as the rich, handsome player everyone thinks he is. He’s a few short months from checking off step one of his plans when Ren Gylden, with her cascading blonde hair and encyclopedic brain, crashes into his life, and for the first time Fitz’s plan is in jeopardy.

But a simple assignment in their immunology seminar changes the course of both their lives, and suddenly they’re thrown out of the frying pan and into the fireon a road trip that will lead them in the most unexpected directions. Out on the open road, the world somehow shifts, and the unlikely pair realize that, maybe, the key to the dreams they've both been chasing have been sitting next to them the whole time.

For most of this book, I was fully engaged in the story. I do love the forced proximity trope and the sunshine/grump trope, and this one was a great example of those. The beginning was a bit slow, but once we got on the road, the story really got moving. I loved seeing Ren and Fitz begin to trust each other and find themselves on the road trip. The scene in the biker bar was hilarious and just perfect for their story. I was interested to see how their relationship progressed. But then we get to the last fourth of the book. Everything was way too rushed for my tastes. I wanted to sit with the characters a bit more. I wanted to see the characters interact with others (like Mary!) and let those other characters see how they have changed. I wanted to see the main characters in their next place. The epilogue was a complete throwaway. I just really wanted more with this book.

Meant to Be:

#1 If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
#2 By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
#3 Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova
#4 Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren
#5 Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #19

Reading: I finally started reading the November book club selection, To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose. I’m really intrigued by the story.

Watching: I finally started No One Wants This and am absolutely loving it!

Listening: I’ll admit that I’m listening to all politics podcasts. This is going to consume my entire week.

Making: The weather turned, so it’s soup time. I’m pulling out all he cold wether recipes to put on our meal plan. This week, I made ham and potato soup.

Feeling: It’s time to snuggle up with a blanket and be cozy.

Planning: Christmas is getting close and it’s time to make definitely holiday travel plans. We will be traveling to Indiana like usual, but the specific days shift around.

Loving: I finally managed to make flu shot appointments and get them taken care of. I also got my COVID booster. (None of the local places have COVID boosters for kids.) I love being able to cross essential tasks off my list.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W11: Celebrating the Last Autumn Fun

What We Studied

We celebrated the last fun bits of autumn before the weather turned. Two last visits to Vala’s, a fun Halloween night, and more outdoor activities. We even managed to cover a ton of schoolwork in between the events.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur is primarily using Hearth and Story G5 for his language arts this year. We finished our Edgar Allan Poe collection. We also covered more grammar and extra language arts assignments.

The Complete Stories of Edgar Allan Poe
Poetry for Young People: Edgar Allan Poe
Poetry for Young People: Carl Sandburg

Quentin is primarily using Blossom & Root G1 for his language arts this year. We will pull some elements from Build Your Library Level 2 and random books that we have around the house. We continued reading spooky stories and one-off Halloween themed books we have laying around the house.

Poetry: Spectacular Science
Poetry: The Alligator's Smile and Other Poems by Jane Yolen
The Littlest Witch by Brandi Dougherty
The Littlest Mummy by Brandi Dougherty
Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler
Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
A World Full of Spooky Stories by Angela McAllister
The Little Old Lady Who was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
In a Dark, Dark Room retold by Alvin Schwartz
Write Shop B

Math

Arthur is using Singapore’s Math in Focus Course 1. Effectively this is Singapore’s 6th grade math text. Arthur focused on a chapter continuing his review of ratios. I do love how the chapter tied ratios to real-life situations. It wasn’t just random problems.

Math in Focus Court 1 Book A
EM Financial Literacy G5

Quentin is using Singapore’s Primary Mathematics Common Core edition 2B and 3A. He started with the lessons in 2B. I imagine that we will be slowing working through that this semester. Q continued sped through the chapter on data, getting close to finishing the entire textbook.

Primarily Logic
Singapore Primary Common Core 2B
EM Financial Literacy G2

Social Studies

Arthur is using Curiosity Chronicles Early Modern History Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 this year. We covered the section on East Africa covering Ethiopia and Mutapa and N’dongo.

Curiosity Chronicles Early Modern History Vol. 1
DK History
DK Timelines of Everything
DK Timelines of Everyone
DK A Child Through Time
Kings and Queens by Fiona Macdonald

Quentin is using History Quest Middle Times with Build Your Library Level 2 supporting. We moved onto a chapter covering Japan.

History Quest Middle Times
DK When on Earth?
DK History
DK Timelines of Everything
DK Timelines of Everyone
DK A Child Through Time
Kingfisher Atlas of the Medieval World

Science

Arthur is using RSO Biology 1 this year has the main science text. Our academic coop will also be using RSO Biology 1 as a basis for the fall semester course, so we will be just supplementing at home. We will also be doing some of Blossom & Root’s Book Seeds and various other small units in between. Arthur covered inheritance during co-op. We supplemented with some extra materials at home. We continued watching the documentary series One Strange Rock. We will continue watching sporadically throughout the fall. I’m counting this as science for kids.

RSO Biology 1
Genetics by Chrstine Petersen
DNA and Heredity by Casey Rand
The Secret Code Inside You: All About Your DNA by Rajani LaRocca
The Code of Life: All About Genes, DNA, Genetic Engineering, and Why You are the Way You Are by Carla Hafner
Story of Science Vol. 3 by Joy Hakim

Quentin is using RSO Earth & Environment and RSO Astronomy 1 as a base. Of course, we have a ton of extra science resources laying around the house. And I will be hosting some one-off science exploration days that align with the units. Q covered plate tectonics and changing earth. We watched an episode of One Strange Rock.

RSO Earth and Environment
DK First Earth Encyclopedia
Earth by Quinn M. Arnold
How Mountains are Made by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Fault Lines and Tectonic Plates by Kathleen M. Reilly

Academic Co-op

For math, Arthur did a Halloween project. Really math is all a review of him, but it’s good practice. In biology, they covered inheritance. In civics, we covered voting. And the kids started their election project.

Art and Music

Art will be very sporadic this year, but we do have some fun excursions planned. And I will incorporate art projects into a lot of other subjects and unit studies. We didn’t have a Harbor + Sprout module this week.

Music Lab: We Rock!
DK Music and How it Works
DK The Arts

Field Trip/Activities

I hosted a rock and fossil exploration day at Schramm. I taught a little lesson about rocks and fossils. The kids then got to uncover gems, sort fossils, and explored at the Geologic Site. I think it was a big success! It is a lot to plan, but thankfully I don’t have another until January.

High

We got two more Vala’s visits in before the month ended. The last one was supposed to be our big campfire night. Unfortunately, the burn ban was still in effect so the campfire had to be canceled. We still met up with a group of homeschool friends and spent many hours having fun. It was tiring, but oh so much fun.

Low

Um… Halloween is over?

Next Week

Slowing down to regroup
Starting our new read alouds
Finishing our next math chapters
Completing our homework (A) from co-op
Learning about North America (A) and Khmer Empire (Q) - history
Listening to Jimi Hendrix, and more for music

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Snow Patrol "All"

How did I miss that Snow Patrol has new music out? I really used to love them.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #26

On my bedside table: The last spooky season reads and the beginnings of the holiday romances.

On my tv this week: We’re close to catching up on all the Dropout shows (well, not all, but many of them). That’s about it.

Listening to: Mostly just all of the random music on my Apple Music

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Ham and Potato Soup
Tuesday - Buffalo Chicken Nachos
Wednesday -Tacos and Black Bean Soup
Thursday - Apple Bacon Sweet Potatoes
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Peanut Sauce Chicken
Sunday - BLT Grilled Cheese

On my to do list: I have a list of random little things that I need to do, but my big projects are done for the season.

Happening this week:

Monday - Home Day
Tuesday - Zoo Day
Wednesday - Park Day
Thursday - Academic Co-op
Friday - Field Trip to Morrill Hall
Saturday - Home Day
Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Nothing much. I need to make a list of creative projects to tackle.

My simple pleasures: Iced tea, checking off to-dos, a quiet moment

Looking around the house: After a whirlwind clean for book club yesterday, things are looking decent around here. I do need to take my Halloween decor down and leave the autumn decor up.

From the camera: Loving our Halloween season!

The Nighthouse Keeper by Lora Senf

Title: The Nighthouse Keeper (Blight Harbor #2)

Author: Lora Senf

Publisher: Atheneum Books 2023

Genre: MG Horror

Pages: 320

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Spooky Season RC

Where I Got It: Library

Evie Von Rathe has been home for only a few weeks from her adventure in the strange world of seven houses when Blight Harbor’s beloved ghosts begin to disappear. Did they leave without saying goodbye, or has something gone horribly wrong? Soon Evie is invited to a mysterious council meeting, where she learns about the Dark Sun Side and a terrible secret.

Yes, the ghosts have gone missing. And that means serious trouble.

Another fun and creepy adventure story featuring the other side and the dead and living residents of Blight Harbor. I loved seeing the addition of a new companion for Evie with Lark. But, the overall adventure wasn’t as creepy as I would have liked. The bit on the train with the ghouls was delicious, but otherwise, I wanted more creepy. Hopefully, The Clackity actually makes an appearance in the third book. I need to have more dealings with an actually interesting villain.

Blight Harbor

#1 The Clackity
#2 The Nighthouse Keeper
#3 The Loneliest Place

Next up on the TBR pile: