Sunday, March 20, 2016

Sunday Post (45) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading



The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s 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 now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

Happy first day of spring! It is ironic that the high is in the low 40s today and there is snow in the forecast but I guess that isn't too unusual for Ohio in March! 

This week I will be heading to my parents' house on Wednesday. I was already planning to go home this weekend to celebrate Easter and my dad's upcoming birthday but on Wednesday my mom will be getting the results of her bone marrow biopsy and I wanted to be there for that. The doctor believes she knows what the result will be so I've been doing some research to be prepared but I'm also praying that the doctor is wrong and we get good news. It wouldn't be the first time my mom has stumped science.

The library's Celtic music concert on Tuesday was a big success. There weren't enough chairs for all the people in attendance so I saw some folks standing up in the back. The music was fantastic. A local musician and instrument maker played the harp, various kinds of pipes, and even an accordion at one point. He played mostly Celtic music with a few movie songs that had a Celtic feel also included (In Dreams from The Lord of the Rings, Misty Mountains from The Hobbit and A Narnia Lullaby from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe). Since my music programs are usually poorly attended I was thrilled. I definitely plan to invite him back for next year! 









#FitReaders Weekly Check In

#FitReaders is hosted by Felicia at The Geeky Blogger and Jen at That's What I'm Talking About

I did much better with my steps this week which made me really happy! I exercised on most days this week but what really helped me get my steps in was shopping! I needed some retail therapy and spending an afternoon in Barnes and Noble on Wednesday did wonders for me both mentally and physically :)

Unfortunately I did not eat a very healthy diet and Girl Scout cookies and chocolate were on the menu (though I did have a few healthy things like oatmeal, spinach and broccoli too). While I plan to try to eat healthier this week I have a feeling I won't succeed. I'm sure we'll have birthday cake for my dad and my parents usually ply me with chocolate every time I visit!

Sunday--6,398 steps
Monday--6,435 steps
Tuesday--10,511 steps
Wednesday--11,218 steps
Thursday--10,814 steps
Friday--12,092 steps
Saturday--12,069 steps




Last week on my blog:


Newt's Emerald by Garth Nix (review)


Books read:



The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman

I liked this book though I preferred the historical fiction part to the paranormal fantasy stuff. That aspect reminded me a little bit of Cassandra Clare's books with the demon-like Deceivers. I definitely liked her YA fantasy novel Eon more than this one though I may read the sequel just to find out what happens.



Books listened to:



Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (reread)

I enjoyed this audio book version of Pride and Prejudice. I thought the narration was well done and it was just fun to revisit a favorite novel. Now I want to watch the miniseries again. I may also check out some other Jane Austen novels on audio book. With my upcoming road trip I need to find something good to listen to!



Currently reading:



The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien (reread)

Not much progress made this week. I am at the part where Frodo and Sam discover that Gollum is still following them. Things are about to get interesting.


A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan

I like this book so far. Something about the writing style reminds me a little of Liane Moriarty. The main character is in her late 30s and with her husband's sudden loss of job has to leave her beloved part time job as a magazine book reviewer to take a full time job, meaning less time to spend with the kids too.




On my TBR pile:



Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

I am moving this contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice up on my TBR pile because I think it would be fun to read it so soon after rereading the original. I've never read anything by Curtis Sittenfeld but I hope I will enjoy this novel.


The Skylighter by Becky Wallace

I thought the first book in this series was fantastic (The Storyspinner) and it sort of ended on a cliffhanger so I am eager to read The Skylighter to find out what happens next.





The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig



New books received:


See How They Run by Ally Carter (from the library)

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews (for review)

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld (for review)

16 comments:

  1. Way to go with your steps! I sometimes use retail therapy as a way to up my steps, too - good for the mind and the body :) When I'm having a bad eating week, I just make sure I drink more water than I usually do - it helps to balance it - or at least I think it does (and that's what I'm sticking with!).

    I'm currently listening to Jane Eyre and am really enjoying it. It's the first time I've ever listened to a classic (and the first time I've read the book itself) and I think I'm definitely going to try listening to another classic. I'm listening to it in preparation to read Jane Steele. I might follow your move, though, and listen to Pride and Prejudice before reading Curtis Sittenfeld's book...good idea!!!

    Hope you have a great week!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I enjoyed A Window Opens...and I'm eager to get my hands on My Grandmother...etc. Mary Kay Andrews books are fun! I need another one for the weeks ahead.

    I hope your mom gets good news, too. Enjoy your time with your parents.

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    ReplyDelete
  3. Safe travels. I will be thinking of you and your Mom. I forgot it was the first day of Spring. Probably because NE didn't get the memo. Have a nice visit with your family :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy first day of spring! And good luck with your mom's biopsy- hoping for all the best. Your Celtic event looks great- hearing that music put me in mind of the movies. :)

    Girl Scout cookies are always a win, healthy or not. :) Enjoy your trip and have a great Easter next week.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Be safe while Traveling. Traveling can be really good. I hope you enjoy your new books. The Dark Days Club was really enjoyable.

    Grace @ Books of Love

    ReplyDelete
  6. It completely slipped my mind that it was the first day of spring today. Happy Spring! I hope you have a nice visit with your parents, and that your mom's test results are good. I am glad to hear the Celtic music concert went well. I wish I could have been there. The Dark Days Club sounds like something I would like.

    You are doing awesome with your steps. March hasn't been my month. I really need to get back to working out.

    I hope you have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I hope everything is ok with your mom. *Fingers crossed* Let me know how it goes. Enjoy your holiday at home with your family and your dad's birthday. My birthday falls on Easter this year...so that's always fun! :) I felt the same way about Dark Days Club. I liked the historical part of it and may pick up the sequel, but it didn't "wow" me. I felt like parts of the novel were really slow. I am SOOO excited to read Eligible. I can't wait to hear what you think. Also, The Weekenders definitely needs to be in my beach bag this summer. I hope you had a nice weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Enjoy your time with your parents. A little birthday cake is okay! Holding your mom in my prayers today.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Enjoy your time with your parents. A little birthday cake is okay! Holding your mom in my prayers today.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Safe travels, and great steps! I hope the news about your mom is good. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hope you will find good news about your Mom, always a worrying time. I know what you mean about A Window Opens being a bit like LM. I thought about asking for the MKA book but decided will listen to it after it publishes.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good job on keeping up with your daily steps! I can't wait to read The Dark Days Club.

    My It's Monday! What Are You Reading? post.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I hope your mom's news is positive! Looking forward to Mary Kay Andrew's books and am interested in Eligible. Have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I haven't read any of these but any writer that reminds you of Liane Moriarty, has piqued my interest. I'm going to add that to my list.
    http://runwright.net/2016/03/17/10-books-on-my-spring-tbr/

    ReplyDelete
  15. I will have to re-read LOTR at one point. I've been reading quite a number of good reviews for The Girl From Everywhere - would love to read what you think about it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. ENJOY the Fredrick Backman book. I have it on my shelf too.

    I hope your week has been good.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My It's Monday, What Are You Reading

    ReplyDelete

Reading Extensively is now an award free blog. Thanks for stopping by! Please leave a comment. I enjoy receiving feedback! Due to increase in spam, I've enabled comment moderation. Sorry for any inconvenience!