Parasyte Vol. 6 by Iwaaki Hitoshi

Title: Parasyte Vol. 6

Author: Iwaaki Hitoshi

Publisher: Del Rey 1993

Genre: Comics

Pages: 288

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

ENEMY MINE: Shinichi has been hiding his true nature from the world: His body has been colonized by an alien being, and now he's half-human, half-alien. The other alien invaders, led by the cruel and beautiful Tamura, have discovered his secret. Shinichi is a threat to their plan to destroy the human race-a threat that these ruthless creatures will no longer ignore . . .

It feels like we really are entering the endgame of this series. We really start to understand exactly what the parasite infected humans are aiming for. And we get to see Shinichi coming to terms with this own “friend.” I enjoyed the discussions that the two of them have. They lend an air of philosophical discussion in between the action sequences. I am very eager to see how this all ends.

Parasyte

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

Next up on the TBR pile:

Parasyte Vol. 5 by Iwaaki Hitoshi

Title: Parasyte Vol. 5

Author: Iwaaki Hitoshi

Publisher: Del Rey 1992

Genre: Comics

Pages: 304

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

MONSTER: Shinichi was just an ordinary high school student, until his body was invaded by a parasite, a horrifying alien being. Now Shinichi is a monster with a human face . . . and a human conscience. He is unlike anything else in the world-part man, part alien, and caught in a desperate struggle to save his own soul.

I think we hit the low point of the series. This volume really slows down the story to check-in with the other parasite characters and eventually engage in one big fight. We get a few little scenes of interest between Shinichi and Migi, but mostly, I was just flipping pages to see what happened next. Still fully into this series, but this volume almost felt like a bit of a pause in the storyline.

Parasyte

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Demon's Queen by Katee Robert

Title: The Demon’s Queen (A Deal with a Demon #6)

Author: Katee Robert

Publisher: Trinkets & Tales LLC 2024

Genre: Romance

Pages: 164

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: She Reads Romance - Paranormal; Cover Lover - Illustrated Scene

Where It Got It: Library

Spice Rating: 7

Eve’s life might not be perfect, but it’s hers. She has money, freedom, and a client list that she’s handpicked over the years. If sometimes she gets a little too attached to those clients? Well, that’s her problem. After a stressful day, she’s looking forward to dinner and a long night with Azazel…until he asks her to sign a contract under the guise of roleplay—and then kidnaps her to another realm.

Azazel has been in love with Eve for years, but he knows his place. The window to offer her a contract has long since closed, so he takes her in the only way he can—as her client. Until one of his enemies realizes exactly how much Eve means to him…forcing him to lie to her to protect her.

Unfortunately for Azazel, Eve isn’t thankful for the protection. She may be stuck in the demon realm with her new captor, but she’s going to make him choke on every moment they spend together.

Too bad her heart is more in the mix than she’d ever admit…

Finally! We finally get Azazel and Eve’s story! I’ve been waiting this entire series for this pairing and it does not disappoint. We get to see a woman who came from nothing and found something like a life who then gets basically kidnapped to the demon realm. But thankfully, her captor is Azazel who, even though he missteps many times, truly cares about Eve. I loved seeing these two characters circle each other before finally professing their feelings. We get great cameos from many other characters in the series. We also get the opposite side of scenes from my of the books adding to the full series story. Sad that this series is at an end, but have really enjoyed the ride.

A Deal with a Demon

• #1 The Dragon’s Bride

• #2 The Kraken’s Sacrifice

• #3 The Gargoyle’s Captive

• #4 The Succubus’s Prize

• #5 The Demon’s Bargain

• #6 The Demon’s Queen

Next up on the TBR pile:

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 1

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 1

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media LLC 2018

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Although Yuji Itadori looks like your average teenager, his immense physical strength is something to behold! Every sports club wants him to join, but Itadori would rather hang out with the school outcasts in the Occult Research Club. One day, the club manages to get their hands on a sealed cursed object. Little do they know the terror they’ll unleash when they break the seal…

I finally started this series! And it really starts off with a bang! We get introduced to our main characters and the action starts right away. I loved puzzling things out with Itadori and trying to understand the world we’ve been thrown in. The inclusion of our Sensei and other students really helped round out the introduction story. We got a few great action sequences and some world-building in this volume. I cannot wait to continue with this series, and eventually watch the anime.

Jujutsu Kaisen

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

• Volume 9

• Volume 10

• Volume 11

• Volume 12

• Volume 13

• Volume 14

• Volume 15

• Volume 16

• Volume 17

• Volume 18

• Volume 19

• Volume 20

• Volume 21

• Volume 22

• Volume 23

• Volume 24

• Volume 25

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #5

Reading: Finally got and started reading Sweet Obsession by Katee Robert. Not sure if it is one of my favorites in this series, but I am enjoying it.

Watching: I’m into 2019 with my Stray Kids content. I’m finding all those silly little clips that get used in compilation videos. Now I know where they came from.

Listening: I moved beyond Stray Kids to dabble in some other Kpop groups. On the way, I dowloaded some BlackPink albums and found Jennie’s new album. Really digging it!

Making: I started making the name tags for the retreat. I always love digging into my paper stash and finding some cute designs.

Feeling: I have not slept well in weeks lately. I’m just tired.

Planning: I need to get started on planning my Enrichment lessons for May. I have no idea what th do for a lesson, but I imagine I need to just google some things for a few minutes to find some great ideas.

Loving: Enjoying Stray Kids has really kept me afloat lately. They are a lifesaver.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - BAND-MAID with The Warning "Show Them"

Fun collab between a band from Japan and one from Mexico.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #9

As I look outside my window: It’s chilly but sunny today. Unfortunately, I am absolutely exhausted.

Right now I am: Deep into Stray Kids content from 2018…

On my bedside table: All the manga still, plus Sweet Obsession, Kinky History, and Everything is Tuberculosis.

On my tv this week: Along with our regular television shows, I’ve been watching a ton of Stray Kids past content. I decided to go chronologically with my viewing. I’m nearing the end of the 2018…

Listening to: All the Stray Kids

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Chicken Ranch Tacos and Black Bean Soup

• Tuesday - Tuscan Kale and White Bean Soup

• Wednesday - Out for Book Club

• Thursday - Chicken Tikka Masala

• Friday - Chili Verde

• Saturday - Garlic Shrimp Pasta

• Sunday - Huevos Rancheros

On my to do list: I imagine a ton of things, but as I didn’t really sleep last night, I’m ignoring most of my tasks in favor of things that are going to make me happy: reading, Stray Kids, KPop, coffee, and maybe some crafting.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Zoo Day

• Wednesday - Book Club

• Thursday - Enrichment Co-op; Academic Co-op Debrief

• Friday - Schramm Hike

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Hopefully I can get to my March Memory Planner pages this afternoon. We’ll see where I get…

My simple pleasures: Sleep would be nice

Looking around the house: Meh it’s fine…

From the camera: My new keychain! Wolfchan wearing the God’s Menu outfit!

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

Title: Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales (Emily Wilde #3)

Author: Heather Fawcett

Publisher: Orbit 2025

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 368

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Cover Lover - Proper Noun in the Title

Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project yet: studying the inner workings of a faerie realm—as its queen.

Along with her former academic rival—now fiancé—the dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, Emily is immediately thrust into the deadly intrigues of Faerie as the two of them seize the throne of Wendell’s long-lost kingdom, which Emily finds a beautiful nightmare filled with scholarly treasures.

Emily has been obsessed with faerie stories her entire life, but at first she feels as ill-suited to Faerie as she did to the mortal world: How can an unassuming scholar such as herself pass for a queen? Yet there is little time to settle in, for Wendell’s murderous stepmother has placed a deadly curse upon the land before vanishing without a trace. It will take all of Wendell’s magic—and Emily’s knowledge of stories—to unravel the mystery before they lose everything they hold dear.

We come to the end of Emily Wilde’s storyline, and I really loved this quiet fantasy story. We pick up right where we left off from the second book. We spend most of our time in Faerie trying to understand Wendell’s realm and the dangers there. We get to met some interesting new characters and encounter old ones. We travel around Faerie while referencing so many stories and previous plot points. In general, I actually enjoyed the story. My one quibbling point about this book is the narration. At points, the narration becomes very dry and the story lags. But there is a minor point of issue. Overall, I really loved this series as an antidote to fast-paced fantasy.

Emily Wilde

• #1 Encyclopaedia of Faeries

• #2 Map of the Otherlands

• #3 Compendium of Lost Tales

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry

Title: The Secret Book of Flora Lea

Author: Patti Callahan Henry

Publisher: Atria Books 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 355

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Cover Lover - An author that has a common name spelled in an uncommon way

Where I Got It: Library

In the war-torn London of 1939, fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora are evacuated to a rural village to escape the horrors of the Second World War. Living with the kind Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry, in a charming stone cottage along the River Thames, Hazel fills their days with walks and games to distract her young sister, including one that she creates for her sister and her sister alone—a fairy tale about a magical land, a secret place they can escape to that is all their own.

But the unthinkable happens when young Flora suddenly vanishes while playing near the banks of the river. Shattered, Hazel blames herself for her sister’s disappearance, and she carries that guilt into adulthood as a private burden she feels she deserves.

Twenty years later, Hazel is in London, ready to move on from her job at a cozy rare bookstore to a career at Sotheby’s. With a charming boyfriend and her elegantly timeworn Bloomsbury flat, Hazel’s future seems determined. But her tidy life is turned upside down when she unwraps a package containing an illustrated book called Whisperwood and the River of Stars. Hazel never told a soul about the imaginary world she created just for Flora. Could this book hold the secrets to Flora’s disappearance? Could it be a sign that her beloved sister is still alive after all these years?

Our book club selection for this month. I was hoping for a decent historical fiction featuring a mystery and family connections. I was pretty disappointed by the outcome of this one. The coincidences and “twists” of the story were too ridiculous and silly. It felt like it just got too saccharine. The author pulled at the reader’s heartstrings in a way that I do not appreciate. Beyond that, I had some technical writing issues. So many parts were a a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. I dislike. Finally, the weird anachronisms got to me after awhile. The British main characters talk in American vernacular at the time. Um no.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Parasyte Vol. 4 by Iwaaki Hitoshi

Title: Parasyte Vol. 4

Author: Iwaaki Hitoshi

Publisher: Del Rey 1992

Genre: Comics

Pages: 287

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

SIXTH SENSE: Shinichi, an ordinary high school student, is the only one who knows that aliens have invaded Earth and are controlling the minds of thousands of unwitting victims. It's a secret too dangerous to share . . . but too big to cover up. Then Shinichi meets Kana, a brave young girl with a strange gift that may allow her to detect the alien parasites. Has Shinichi at last found an ally to combat these creatures?

Another big death in this volume. I was so not expecting that to happen, but really, I guess I should have. Of course we need to keep the story’s tension rising. The parasites keep evolving and are now cooperating. Definitely not a good thing for the strictly human population on Earth. I’m very interested in how Shinichi is changing compared to the other parasite infected. I cannot even imagine where this story is going but I am excited to continue the journey.

Parasyte

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• Weather issues caused co-op to relocate indoors this week. Not the best start to our semester.

• I have completely fallen down the Stray Kids web series hole. So many shows that I had to search through the Wiki to get the complete list and the airing dates. Currently in 2018 working through some of these shows. (Now I know where a ton of famous clips come from.)

• The colony of bees that live in my head that get angry sometimes and cause me problems seems to have all died. I think I am in the middle of a colony collapse. Not a good place to be…

Next up on the TBR pile:

Parasyte Vol. 3 by Iwaaki Hitoshi

Title: Parasyte Vol. 3

Author: Iwaaki Hitoshi

Publisher: Del Rey 1991

Genre: Comics

Pages: 283

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

ALIEN NATION: Aliens parasites have invaded Earth and taken over the minds of ordinary people. Shin has been infected with a parasite, but he still can think and act for himself. Now he's been approached by two mysterious victims of the invasion: Tamiya, a beautiful schoolteacher, and Shimada, another student. What do the aliens want with humanity? and with Shin?

And the story has begun to really get serious with this volume. We get to see how Shin has started to change and how his relationship with Migi has evolved. I love how we get to experience and puzzle out the changes along with our characters. The addition of a new character in Shimada added great tension and suspense. Loved how that chapter ended. Definitely still excited to keep reading.

Parasyte

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

Next up on the TBR pile:

Parasyte Vol. 2 by Iwaaki Hitoshi

Title: Parasyte Vol. 2

Author: Iwaaki Hitoshi

Publisher: Del Rey 1991

Genre: Comics

Pages: 288

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

PERSONAL DEMON: Shin looks like an ordinary high school boy, but he has a terrible secret: an alien parasite has infected his body. This mysterious creature is ruthless, deadly, and utterly indifferent to human suffering . . . and it is beginning to assert itself over Shin. As Shin fights for control of his body, can he also hold on to his humanity?

This volume had some terrible gut punches. I was so not expecting the emotional weight in this one. I was flipping pages with an increasing sense of dread that was finally revealed on the page. I am really loving how this story is evolving and changing just as Migi and Shin are evolving and changing. And I’m really enjoying the subtle art involved in the differences between the humans and parasite-infected humans. Guess I’m deeply involved in this series now. And I just realized that there was an anime version of the series.

Parasyte

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

Next up on the TBR pile:

March 2025 Wrap-up

March TBR Pile (24/25):

1. Bookworms BC: Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah ✓

2. Friend BC: Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld ✓

3. Nerdy Bookish Friends BC: Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis ✓

4. Nerdy Bookish Friends BC: The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle ✓

5. Kid Book Club: The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan ✓

6. Kid Read Aloud: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin ✓

7. Kid Read Aloud: Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

8. Romance: A Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire by Sarah Hawley ✓

9. Romance: My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine ✓

10. Romance: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood ✓

11. Romance: The Demon’s Bargain by Katee Robert ✓

12. Fantasy: The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab ✓

13. Nonfiction: The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair ✓

14. SciFi: All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall ✓

15. SciFi: Fragments by Dan Wells ✓

16. SciFi: Ruins by Dan Wells ✓

17. Comics: Moonshine Vol. 2 ✓

18. Comics: Moonshine Vol. 3 ✓

19. Comics: Moonshine Vol. 4 ✓

20. Comics: Moonshine Vol. 5 ✓

21. Comics: Sex Criminals Vol. 1 ✓

22. Comics: Sex Criminals Vol. 2 ✓

23. Comics: Sex Criminals Vol. 3 ✓

24. Comics: Sex Criminals Vol. 4 ✓

25. Comics: Parasyte Vol. 1 ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 6526 pages
Pages Remaining: 171,522 pages

Current Read - Sex Criminals Vol. 5 and 6; Parasyte Vol. 2 and beyond; Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 1 and beyond

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books Bought/Received (11) - It’s my birthday month which is always a good time for buying lots of books.

From online, I ordered

• Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

From Book of the Month, I ordered

• The Wedding People by Alison Espach

• Jane and Dan at the end of the World by Colleen Oakley

• Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

On my birthday day out, I bought (some kids books and homeschool resources that I’m not detailing here)

• Krakatoa by Simon Winchester

• Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall

• 1421 by Gavin Menzies

• Wicked Pursuit by Katee Robert

• Divine Intervention by KM Virtues

• Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

• Lady Mechanika Vol. 8

UnRead Shelf Progress

• Starting Number: 289

• Books Read: 0

• Books Acquired: 11

• Books Unshelved: 0

• Finishing Number: 300

April TBR Pile:

1. Bookworms BC: (not reading)

2. Friend BC: The Secret Book of Flora Lee by Patti Callahan Henry

3. Nerdy Bookish Friends BC: Dawn by Octavia Butler

4. Kid Book Club: (not reading)

5. Kid Read Aloud: Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

6. Kid Read Aloud: Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

7. Romance: The Demon’s Queen by Katee Robert

8. Fantasy: Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

9. Comics: Sex Criminals Vol. 5

10. Comics: Sex Criminals Vol. 6

11. Comics: Parasyte Vol. 2

12. Comics: Parasyte Vol. 3

13. Comics: Parasyte Vol. 4

14. Comics: Parasyte Vol. 5

15. Comics: Parasyte Vol. 6

16. Comics: Parasyte Vol. 7

17. Comics: Parayste Vol. 8

18. Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 1

19. Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 2

20. Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 3

21. Comics: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 1 01

22. Comics: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 1 02

23. Comics: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 1 03

Movies Watched

• No Country for Old Men

• Nosferatu

• Stardust - Rewatch with the kids

TV Shows Watched

• Last Week Tonight

• Clone High (2022)

• The Bachelor

• Below Deck: Down Under

• Interview with a Vampire S1

• Dimension 20: Fantasy High S1

• Um, Actually

• Alice in Borderland S1

• SKZ Code S1

• Kingpin Katie

• Stray Kids Survival Show

• Stray Kids Two Kids Room (2019) Vol. 1-3

Comments - My reading has suffered from my current mental state, but I did find a work around: MANGA! I checked out multiple manga series and have been slowly working through them. I think April is going to be a month of manga.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W27: Spring Finally Arrived!

What We Studied

After a March filled with weird weather, this week finally cooperated and we took full advantage. Our schoolwork was shortened to spend multiple days outside with friends. It was well worth it to boost our general mental health. Apparently I took like no photos this week. All of our photos in this post were ones that Arthur took at Heron Haven.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur is primarily using Hearth and Story G5 for his language arts this year. Arthur took a break from novels to focus on some short stories. We also covered more grammar and extra language arts assignments.

• Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

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 started a fun book of a young girl and an intelligent squirrel. So much comedy in this story. We love it.

• Poetry: The Tree That Time Built

• Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

Math

Arthur is using Singapore’s Math in Focus Course 1. Effectively this is Singapore’s 6th grade math text. We got back into our math textbook and started a chapter about the Area and Circumference of Circles.

• Math in Focus Course 1 Book A

Quentin is using Singapore’s Primary Mathematics Common Core edition 2B and 3A. We moved onto 3A starting slow to easy back into our lessons. Taking it slow but moving along.

• Singapore Primary 3A

• Primarily Logic

Social Studies

Arthur is using Curiosity Chronicles Early Modern History Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 this year. We covered a section about the potato famine in Ireland and then social reform movements. We also watched more PBS Eons vides. Getting closer to finishing the entire series.

• Curiosity Chronicles Early Modern History Vol. 1

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

Quentin is using History Quest Middle Times with Build Your Library Level 2 as his main history curriculum. We covered a chapter focused on New Ideas for Europe, exploring the Reformation and the Scientific Revolution. We have one more chapter left in the curriculum.

• History Quest Middle Times

• DK When on Earth?

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

Science

Arthur finished his RSO Biology 1 course with the end of the academic co-op. We switched gears and focused on reading some more chapters from the Story of Science. We only have about six chapters left in the book. I also want to work through a few Blossom & Root Bookseeds this late spring.

• 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. We covered climate and climate change.

• RSO Earth and Environment

• DK First Earth Encyclopedia

Academic Co-op

With the cancellation, our spring semester has ended.

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.

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 listened to Parliament-Funkadelic and Hall & Oates this week. Arthur preferred the funk and Quentin preferred H&O, which was surprising. I love seeing how they have such different opinions about different bands.

• Music Lab: We Rock!

• DK Music and How it Works

• DK The Arts

Field Trip/Activities

On Friday, we got back into our nature walk routine with a visit to Heron Haven. Our last few attempts have been thwarted by weather issues. It was lovely to explore the wetland and spot signs of spring and some animals. We had a good group of multiple families join us allowing for some socializing time for the kids and the adults.

High

Thursday we had our enrichment kick-off playdate. We were supposed to be at Chalco, but the Papio RND had closed the playground for a field trip (hate when they do that and do not post anywhere in advance). We had to scramble to relocate and made it to Zorinsky. Not my favorite park, but most of the families joined us for some great playtime. It was also a chance for some of the new families to meet the old families. Love seeing our little community come together and form relationships.

Low

We had another playdate on Friday afternoon downtown. Nine families RSVPed and only three (including myself) actually showed up. Very disappointed in all these families who claim to want to community and just never show up to anything but make posts in the FB group about needing friends and activities. So come? Frustrating.

Next Week

• Finishing our read alouds

• Moving forward with our math textbooks

• Traveling to the United States and then War in Europe (A) and Elizabethan Times (Q) for history

• Exploring astrophysics (A) and soil (Q) for science

• Listening to Queen for music!

• Going to Lincoln to explore Morrill Hall and whatever else we decide to do while there

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Aurora "Dreams"

I just absolutely adore her voice!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #8

As I look outside my window: Another pretty gloomy day…

Right now I am: Making my big brain dump to-do list. Haven’t done one of these for awhile.

Thinking and pondering: Which project should I work on today? Maybe the retreat tasks?

On my bedside table: All the manga. My reading is still a bit broken, so I’m focused on manga series to keep me going.

On my tv this week: Beyond finishing Dimension 20 S1 with J, I consumed a ton of Stray Kids content. I went and found the Survival Show and watched the entire thing.

Listening to: Stray Kids only

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Grilled Cheese

• Tuesday - Leftovers

• Wednesday - Cajun Stuffed Chicken

• Thursday - Garlic Shrimp Pasta

• Friday - Pizza Night

• Saturday - Crab Coconut Curry

• Sunday - Salmon

On my to do list: So many tasks, mostly admin task the homeschool groups and updating records and such. But I also need to just clean out some piles of random crap and get my April curriculum in a better order.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Lincoln Day

• Wednesday - Platte River State Park hike

• Thursday - Enrichment Co-op

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - Co-op Book Club

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Maybe name tags for the retreat…

My simple pleasures: Stray Kids everything, pumpkin spice faux lattes

Looking around the house: I took care of some random piles in the living room so that looks much nicer. And the laundry is put away, which means it’s time to do more laundry.

From the camera: I was terrible at taking photos this week. Thankfully Arthur grabbed some great shots at Heron Haven on Friday.

Sex Criminals Vol. 4: Fourgy

Title: Sex Criminal Vol. 4: Fourgy

Author: Matt Fraction, Chip Zdarsky

Publisher: Image Comics 2017

Genre: Comics

Pages: 136

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

Everybody's favorite sex-having, time-freezing, bank-robbing crew of lovable love-misfits come together and ask themselves the big question: are we still into this? THE ANSWER MIGHT SURPRISE YOU (if you think the answer is no). Collects SEX CRIMINALS #16-20

I’m feeling very meh about this series right now. There are a few elements that I enjoy, such as the humor and comedy. But, I’m kinda bored with the main storyline. I feel like this story is getting too complicated and straying away from the clever premise. I’m still going to keep reading (there’s only two more trades), but I’m not super into it right now. I’m more interested in my manga series right now.

Sex Criminals

• Volume 1: One Weird Trick

• Volume 2: Two Worlds, One Cop

• Volume 3: Three the Hard Way

• Volume 4: Fourgy

• Volume 5: Five-Fingered Discount

• Volume 6: Six Criminals

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Demon's Bargain by Katee Robert

Title: The Demon’s Bargain (A Deal with a Demon #5)

Author: Katee Robert

Publisher: Trinkets & Tales 2022

Genre: Romance

Pages: 123

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Quarter of a Century - 2022; She reads Romance - Erotic

Where It Got It: Library

Spice Rating: 7

Lenora made a mistake. She trusted the wrong man, and in a moment of weakness, he stole a family heirloom from her. Her only chance to get it back will be during Samhain, when the Shadow Market opens and magical folk gather for three days to celebrate, and unfortunately she can’t do it alone. She needs a demon.

Ramanu’s entire existence is making bargains. They’re a bargainer demon, after all. They’ve had their eye on Lenora for some time now, so they’re pleased when she summons them to help with her little thief problem…especially because it means spending time in close proximity with her.

Lenora thought she could get away with a bargain that didn’t require seven years of service, but when Ramanu informs her those are the terms, she decides to go it alone…even though the demon wants to tag along to the market. But as the clock ticks down and all Lenora’s attempts to reclaim her amulet fail, making a deal with Ramanu might be the only option she has…

And they might take her heart right along with her soul.

The library finally got this book in circulation, and I finally got it off hold. Thank goodness! I was really hoping that Ramanu would get his own story. This one was a bit different as there wasn’t a bargain made to kick off the story. Instead, we meet a witch who summons a demon to help get back her magical necklace. Lenora is a prickly character, but I appreciate her take charge attitude and Ramona’s soft-boy bodyguard position. The story is super short, but lots of fun and very spicy. Excited to finish out the series with Azazel’s story.

A Deal with a Demon

• #1 The Dragon’s Bride

• #2 The Kraken’s Sacrifice

• #3 The Gargoyle’s Captive

• #4 The Succubus’s Prize

• #5 The Demon’s Bargain

• #6 The Demon’s Queen

Next up on the TBR pile:

Sex Criminals Vol. 3: Three the Hard Way

Title: Sex Criminal Vol. 3: Three the Hard Way

Author: Matt Fraction, Chip Zdarsky

Publisher: Image Comics 2016

Genre: Comics

Pages: 132

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

So it turns out Jon and Suzie aren't alone — other people around the world, like them, freeze time when they climax. A self-appointed group wants to regulate and control them through fear and intimidation. Jon and Suzie are falling in love and want their freak flags to fly, but if they're going to fight back they can't do it alone. And really, isn't that a metaphor for the whole series? That we might all be alone but we're all alone together? I think so. If you read only one comic with a semen-demon in it this year, please make it SEX CRIMINALS V3: THREE THE HARD WAY. Collecting issues #11-15.

Oh my goodness! The fairy! Absolutely killed me in this volume. To be honest, most of the storyline, I flipped through pretty fast. But I had to stop and laugh out loud at the appearance of the fairy. I did appreciate that Ana and Suzie made peace with each other. I must say that I don’t really care about Rach and Robert at all. But that’s okay. I will keep reading.

Sex Criminals

• Volume 1: One Weird Trick

• Volume 2: Two Worlds, One Cop

• Volume 3: Three the Hard Way

• Volume 4: Fourgy

• Volume 5: Five-Fingered Discount

• Volume 6: Six Criminals

Next up on the TBR pile: