It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

Thanks everyone for all the well wishes for Wyatt last week! He is feeling better!

I've been a bit AWOL from the blogging world, it's been a really really long twelve days! But hopefully things will be back to normal starting soon. Today would be good actually. 

I can't believe it is almost already December! November disappeared before I knew it. I think tonight we are going to have a simple dinner, one of our comfort foods, Pannukkau and go for a walk to look at Christmas lights, then come back and have some tea. I love winter walks, even more so when there is snow. I can't wait!

Read Last Week:

  

I needed some happy reading, and The Rancher's Christmas Song fit the bill. It made me want lots of snow though! And horses. 

I really enjoyed The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow too! The department store setting in London made me think of the tv show The Paradise, and the story itself was really entertaining. I liked the characters too, especially quick witted Sophie. 

Reading This Week:

I have seen mixed reviews on this title, so I am looking forward to reading it. 

Watching:

Lots of Christmas movies. I've been soaking it all in - the two that stand out in my mind are The Christmas Bunny (set in Michigan!) and The Christmas Prince. I'm a sucker for these type of movies. Lol. I also watched Love Actually for the first time this season. It's my all time favorite movie ever.

What about you? What's been going on in your world?

The Sunday Post/It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Check out the The Caffeinated Book Review for the Sunday Post

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

Last week was a doozy. Tuesday Wyatt and I were on the way to one of his appointments when another driver hit our car, waved to me, then drove away. I have never been in a hit and run accident before, and honestly, I had no idea what to do. We were on an overpass so there was no shoulder to pull over onto, but the doctor's office was about a quarter mile up the road so I just went there. It was not a big accident, no damage was done to us or the car, thank goodness, but it was traumatic. I was worried about Wyatt of course, but he seemed ok at the appointment. Them the very next day, Wyatt came down with the stomach flu. My little guy is little, so after a few episodes we had to take him to the emergency room, and after some blood tests they admitted him for dehydration. Dehydration sounds so minor but it is so serious, especially in little kids.  To top it off, it was my birthday. It was a crazy crazy week. I must admit, I am feeling kind of drained, physically and emotionally. 

Needless to say, I didn't get any reading done, other than magazines. (Country Living and Birds and Blooms to be specific). I did get some Christmas shopping done - thanks internet!

Reading This Week:

Same plan. This is a review book so I need to get it done ASAP!

Watching:

Well, I watched quite a bit of tv. Lol. I binge watched Hart of Dixie (love that show!), HGTV, and Grace and Frankie. I love that darn show. Jane Fonda looks amazing, and I want to be a version of Frankie when I get older. Lol.

What about you all? How was your week?

Weekend Update

Check out the The Caffeinated Book Review for the Sunday Post

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

Posting a little early for me, but tomorrow (Sunday) we are going to be out, visiting my stepmom. Billy is going to do a few chores for her, while she teaches me how to felt stuff. I am looking forward to it!

This past week was pretty much, just you know, life. Routine. But it was a good week nonetheless. I read another amazing book - two five star books in a row! 

Read Last Week:

Omgilovedthisbook! It was just so so good. I loved all the things about it. And, it was so perfectly autumn on top of it all. Except now, I want ooey gooey appley desserts and I want to eat them up while drinking some ice cold tart cider. Goals, right? 

Reading This Week:

I kind of have book hangover. Two great books in a row - how to follow that up?? I'm going with a Christmas romance! 

Watching:

We just finished up Stranger Things, and have moved on to Alias, Grace and Grace and Frankie. (weird, all that Grace). Plus, Riverdale! 

How about you guys? 

A Few Quick Reviews

I waited very impatiently for this to come in from my library holds, and it was very much worth the wait. I absolutely loved this book! It was one I couldn't put down. I wanted to read it for the setting - the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, near the Seney Wildlife Refuge, one of my favorite spots in all Michigan. If you have ever been there, you are familiar with the Seney stretch, and just how far you are from cities and well, other people.

The characters are amazing, and I loved how this story is told. It begins in the now, present day, with Helena as a married woman with two daughters. Her father, who had kidnapped her mother and held her prisoner for fourteen years or so, has escaped from prison. And Helena, raised by the Marsh King himself, knows his ways better than anyone, and has the skill set to match his. She knows she is the one who will have to catch him, that no one will be able to beat him on his own turf. As the chase wears on, the reader learns about the years in captivity through Helena's memories - and while her mother was a true prisoner, Helena's experience was different. The Marsh King is her father, and while he was not a good man, she spent twelve years of her life learning from him, and trying to impress him. She wanted to follow in his footsteps, and was starving for any affection from him. While he was abusive, callous, and a kidnapper, he did seem to care about Helena, as much as he was able to care about another human being, or at least that is my opinion, as he did take the time to teach her the things important to him. And when Helena and her mother were free, Helena had to adjust to an entirely different world, one that was confusing and had many rules - and people. This whole book was fascinating, riveting, and fast paced; as I said, I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it.

Caraval was another great read - entirely different, but definitely worth reading. It was fun, like a crazy mixed up Alice in Wonderland meets Willy Wonka meets...something not so nice. While this crazy kaleidoscope of magic and fantasy and game play is all supposed to be part of the show, with everyone either a player or an actor, there is maybe a bit more going on than meets the eye. Scarlett is a little annoying at first, but she grows on you, as the game takes over and she is further from her horrible father, who is a perfect villain. I loved all the magic and color and imagery in this imaginative story; I loved the setting and the characters, and I really enjoyed every bit .

 I can't wait for the second book in the series, Legendary, to come out - I am looking forward to reading more in this world, and about these characters.

The Sunday Post/It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Check out the The Caffeinated Book Review for the Sunday Post

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

We spent Halloween trick or treating with Wyatt's little cousin (my niece) and we had a blast! The sidewalks were filled with costumed children, parents, people outside. It was festive and and friendly and reminded me of the 1980s, when kids were always trick or treating. We even had to wait sometimes to get on porches, it was such a busy night. I loved it, and I know everyone else did too.

After the franticness of our October, we are easing into November slowly. And from all appearances, it looks like we will stay in this mode for quite a while. But that is ok - November is the perfect time to start hibernating at home all cozylike. 

Read Last Week:

I picked this up on a whim from my review pile, and then found I couldn't put it down! It was so addictively good! I read way past my bedtime with this one. So good I actually gave it five stars on Goodreads. It caught me off guard with how good it was. 

Reading This Week:

So far, I am in love. I have a thing for apples though. Lol.  

I am also slow reading this one:

Wildwood by Roger Deakin I am occasionally in the mood for these nature nonfiction reads. I loved Meadowland last year, and this is reminiscent. 

Watching:

Stranger Things, Outlander, Riverdale, and rewatching the Great British Bake Off.

How about all of you? How have you been?