On My Nightstand July 5, 2025

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rocks painted by my niece many years ago

I did so much yard work yesterday in the name of catching up on an audiobook I had to have read for a discussion today. I think I dehydrated myself in the name of reading. Do other people have these issues?

Quote of the Week

“I can’t be normal so I’ll be something else.”
— Death of an Author by Nnedi Okorafor

cattitude

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper Book - The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver - Enjoying this, but I might switch to audio because I want to hear the Kentucky accents.

Kindle - Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton - For a book club. Sounds like perfect summer reading.

Audiobook - Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor - This is the one I dehydrated myself for yesterday. The first half discussion is today and the second half will be next week. It’s so good so far!

perennial flowers - really taking off this year

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On My Nightstand June 29, 2025

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summer flowers are starting to take over

How was everyone’s June reading month? Despite everything going on I was able to lose myself in some really good books. Yay summer reading! I’ll post some reviews next week.

Quote of the Week

“Surviving in remote places is all about setting up contingencies. If one thing goes, there’s another option to take its place.”
— Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Weekend Goals

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper Book - Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy - Marilla’s back story - just what I needed!

Kindle - Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq - Still working on these short stories!

Audiobook - In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson - I’ve been wanting to re-read this Australia travel memoir and last week’s heat wave inspired me to start.

Backyard reading

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On My Nightstand June 21, 2025

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reading before a summer league game

It’s officially summer now, but I’m already planning for fall. We’ve got some book lists, uniform needs, sports physical forms, and SAT dates ready. It’s going to be too hot this week to be outside much anyway. Might as well get something done.

We had a tree fall in the yard this week during a big storm. That’ll be this weekend’s project.

Quote of the Week

“It was a June morning, and as early as it was, the room was full of sunny warmth and light.”
— Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

The cat’s summer hangout- there’s no ac in this room so that’s where they go

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper Book - Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage - I needed something simple to read when it’s hot outside and this fits the bill. I have to say the author got the voices/attitudes just right.

Kindle - Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq - I love having a book of short stories on my kindle for when I’m on the go.

Audiobook - I’d Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman - Not my favorite Lippman but it’s a good listen while I’m doing yard work.

at least we got some rainbows after the storms

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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Walking Wednesday June 4, 2025

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Looking at the weather report this may be the last tolerable week before the humidity of summer starts. I’ve been taking advantage!

I got the new Stephen King book from my library so I had to jump on that. There’s a long like of people waiting behind me! I wasn’t exactly in the mood since I just finished a Stephen King book, but the holds list at the library is the boss!

Walking Wednesday May 21, 2025

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I love this part of the summer when it’s warm but not like sweaty devil’s breath warm. The roses apparently love it too because they’re blooming like mad. It was supposed to rain all week, but we’ve actually had some sunny days.

I’m between audiobooks, but am just about to start There’s Always This Year. I’ve been looking forward to this one since last summer!

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Walking Wednesday April 30, 2025

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Since I got back from vacation my steps counts have been higher than they have in a long time, but I haven’t been taking many pictures. So I’m going back to more vacation pictures this week.

I just started listening to The Cautious Traveller’s Guide To The Wastelands by Sarah Brooks. This was on my summer reading list last summer!

Walking Wednesday August 28, 2024

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The weather has been amazing lately, so getting my steps in has not been an issue. Also one night this week I was going to bed and saw I had exactly 11,111 steps. I don’t know why but that made me really happy. I am always amused by the little things.

I’m going to start listening to Jimmy Buffet’s A Salty Piece of Land this week. One last summer book I guess.

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On My Nightstand July 21, 2024

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We just got back from my annual extended family vacation in New Hampshire. What a time. I am still processing. It’s an awesome thing to see children turn into adults and adults who should be slowing down decide they should do new things like zip lining. I am profoundly grateful for this time with my family. I am also profoundly grateful to be home with my books and my cats!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“both human nature and a pastry are frail...”
— All Fours by Miranda July

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Sandwich by Catherine Newman - Very timely to read this book about a woman on vacation with her kids and parents while on vacation with my kids and parents.

Audiobook - The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen - I never got to this last week, but am looking forward to it now. The Olympics start soon!

Print - I’m not sure! I finished My Own Country while I was away and aren’t sure what I’m in the mood for now! Picking out my next book is fun so I’m looking forward to deciding.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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On My Nightstand July 13, 2024

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It’s a busy morning. My daughter is on her way home from summer camp. Once we pick her up let the laundry begin!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“I hate estimable young men with brown eyes!”
— Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Feral Creatures of Suburbia by D. Liebhart (ARC) - Still working on this one. No reflection on the book, just hasn’t been a kindle type week.

Audiobook - The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen - I’ve been wanting to read this book about the Atlanta Olympics bombing for a while, and figured now is the time.

Print - My Own Country by Abraham Verghese - I absolutely love Verghese’s fiction. I’m happy to say his non-fiction is just as immersive. This is a memoir about his early days as a doctor during the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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Walking Wednesday July 10, 2024

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I’ve been trying to stick to shady spots for my walks, and also have been varying my routes to drop off books at various little free libraries. (Yes that is my copy of Murder Your Employer- I finally gave up. I’m sure this is a me problem since so many others have loved it, so I’m confident it will find a good home soon.)

I’m about to start listening to Babel by R.F. Kuang. I had a long wait for this one from the library. I hope it was worth it!

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On My Nightstand July 6, 2024

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This week went by so fast! The weeks with days off always do. I’ve been trying to take advantage and read, but it’s so hot I’ve just been falling asleep a lot. I have also been distracted by season two of The Mole on Netflix. Nothing beats the original Anderson Cooper version, but these new ones are pretty good.

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“From past investigations, Juliet had learned that few combinations were more delightful than investigations and scones.”
— The Perils of Lady Cathering de Bourgh by Claudia Gray

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Feral Creatures of Suburbia by D. Liebhart (ARC) - If this book is as good as the cover it will get a good review from me.

Audiobook - Claws for Concern by Miranda James - These cozies are nice light listens for my audio walks.

Print - I’m about halfway through The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray. This series is so fun.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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Walking Wednesday July 3, 2024

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The weather has been all over the place, but the long days make it easy to get out and walk. It’s amazing that anything can survive this stinking heat and humidity but I’ve seen all sorts of flowers and insects plus a fox this week.

I’m listening to Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. This is a re-read for me and I’m enjoying it.

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On My Nightstand June 29, 2024

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It’s almost July, my youngest is away at camp, and the weather report says approximately 3 million degrees with 200% humidity. Summer reading is in full swing!

We’re halfway through the year so I’m going to be working on some best of 2024 so far lists this week, plus starting to think about the reading challenges I’m committed to and how best to finish them before the end of the year. None of that is necessary or required of course, but I really do love planning my reading almost as much as I love reading!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“‘There is nothing in this world so pathetic, so moronic, so meaningless as dieting.’”
— Butter by Asako Yuzuki

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Long Island by Colm Tóibín I’m loving this one just as much as the first one so far. I’m so glad I was able to get it from the library so quickly.

Audiobook - Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver - I’m not sure if this is working for me on audio so I might switch to print. I’ve read it before so I know I like the story.

Print - Still working on Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes. Hopefully I’ll get some time to finish this weekend.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

Note: Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Walking Wedesday June 26, 2024

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It’s been so hot here I’ve had to resort to taking 2-3 short walks a day instead of one long one. Everything is so dry. We need some rain soon! I read this morning that it’s been a month and that sounds about right.

I just started listening to Margo’s Got Money Troubles. This was one of my most anticipated summer reads so I’m really looking forward to it. I hope it lives up to expectations!

Walking Wednesday June 5, 2024

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I ran into a lot of wildlife this week! Soccer practice is coming to an end so I will need to find another walking routine yet again. My daughter wants to start going to the gym which may not be a terrible idea once it starts getting really hot.

I’ve been listening to The Exchange by John Grisham. It’s fun to catch back up with Mitch and Abbey from The Firm!

Food and Lit May: Spain

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This month’s #FoodAndLit country on Litsy was Spain. I checked out a few cookbooks from the library, and had dreams of making fabulous tapas, but time and budget demanded I dial it back. I was so happy to find this gazpacho recipe on Gimme Some Oven. It used things I had on hand and was quick to throw together. Score!

I read two books set in Spain. The first, Walking With Sam by Andrew McCarthy, was excellent on audio. Plus the story of father and newly adult son walking across Spain came at the perfect time- my nephew graduated and my son turned sixteen last week. I told my brother about it and he downloaded it right away as well. Book therapy!

The second book I read was Sleeping Arrangements by Madeline Wickham. This really could have been set anywhere, but the easy read set in a Spanish Villa was great for evening porch reading during a busy week.

Next month we read and eat from Iceland!