Sunday Post (13) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next. I will also be sharing my It's Monday post on Twitter #IMWAYR.

I had a nice weekend visit with my parents and on Saturday my sister and her husband came over for dinner with their dogs so we got to meet Jordy, their new Sheepadoodle puppy. Jordy is very sweet and she gets along with her big brother Raji.
 

A photo posted by Christina T (@readextensively) on Jul 25, 2015 at 3:50pm PDT

A photo posted by Raji Parker and Jordy (@raji_parker.and.jordy) on Jul 25, 2015 at 7:08pm PDT

 
The weather was beautiful though a little humid so we spent some time outdoors. My parents' gladiolas are blooming and they look very pretty. I meant to take a picture but forgot. Their garden is growing like crazy and I got to eat some of the fresh produce. We also got some sweet corn from a local farmer. Their corn is so tasty and my parents have been buying from them since I was a teen.

My book groups meet this week and while I finished the book for my afternoon group, I ended up hating the book for the evening group so I didn't finish it (Home to Woefield by Susan Juby). I feel guilty about that but at the same time I don't believe in forcing myself to read something that I really don't like! I found the characters to be annoying and it is written from multiple points of view. Also the way it is written makes the characters sound like they are part of a documentary and they are telling the interviewer their perspective on the same stories/events. I am curious to see how the other members of the book group felt about it.

I also have some reviews that I hope to get caught up on but my laptop is giving me some problems. I almost bought a new one when Best Buy had a sale over the weekend but I decided to wait and do some research to find a good one. I'm also tempted to buy an iPad though I'm not sure how that would work with blogging. Hopefully my current laptop will hold out a little longer but I know its days are numbered.

Last week on my blog:

Top Ten Books That Celebrate Diversity (post)

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert (review)

Books read:

A School for Brides by Patrice Kindl

I liked this book once I got into the story. It is humorous and while not as good as Jane Austen (really what is?) I think readers who like that time period and style of writing would enjoy this light YA novel. There is a bit of mystery also regarding some missing jewelry and a mysterious suitor. It is a companion novel to Keeping the Castle but it can definitely be read as a standalone.

The Crown of Ptolemy by Rick Riordan

I thought this novella was a fun team up between Carter and Sadie Kane and Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase. It also included sample chapters of the new book which stars Annabeth's cousin Magnus. I think it even gave a glimpse of some Norse gods (Thor and Frigg).

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead (reread)

I listened to this book on audio because I was looking for something to download from Overdrive for my long drive. While I love the book I wasn't a big fan of the narrator, especially her voice for Adrian.

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson (reread)

I wanted to reread this book before I read The Heart of Betrayal. I also need to write a review of it still so that is going to be my next priority. I think I liked it more the first time I read it because the author uses this device to hide the identity of which guy is the prince and which is the assassin and when you reread it, you already know. It was good to reread it though because I picked up on some things I missed the first time.

Currently reading:

If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins

So far I like this though the characters can be a little frustrating. Both sisters are struggling with some issues in their lives-one is still friends with her ex-husband and his sweet and perfect new wife and the other has marital problems she doesn't want to face. I think this is very different from what Kristan Higgins typically writes but there are still some humorous elements to the writing style.

What I might read next:

The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson

Ana of California by Andi Teran

New books received:

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon (for review)

The Crown of Ptolemy by Rick Riordan (purchased)