Sunday Post (52) / 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.

It has been a busy two weeks! I can't believe Memorial Day is already behind us. I had a nice trip home to visit my family and my sister and her husband stopped by while I was there so it was great to see them too. We celebrated my mom's retirement from teaching. The weather has been hot but mostly sunny and I am enjoying it.

On Friday I went to Schnormeier Gardens in Gambier, Ohio for their annual open house. They family opens the gardens to the public once a year. I've been wanting to go for a few years so I was thrilled to be invited by some ladies from my evening book group and to have the day off so I could actually go. The gardens are on 75 acres of land and are inspired by Japanese and Chinese culture. I was disappointed there weren't more flowers but it was very pretty. I loved the bridge and the waterfalls. While in Gambier we had lunch and visited the Kenyon College bookstore where I almost bought an adorable children's/YA book called Lizzy Bennet's Diary by Marcia Williams.  After our tour of the gardens we stopped to get something cold to drink at a lovely coffee shop. I rarely get to do things like that and I had a fantastic day.

Yesterday I worked and we were very busy at the library. This week is the start of our Summer Challenge (formerly known as summer reading program). I bought the stuff for the prizes and now I have to put the gift baskets/boxes together. I'm also busy planning my 80's prom murder mystery dinner for the library. I am really excited about it but I need to figure out decorations and my costume. I am not wearing a prom dress (people can wear anything 80's related). I want something more comfortable and if I could recreate a style I loved as a kid/tween (without sewing) that would be perfect. I will be spending the afternoon searching Pinterest for inspiration :)

#FitReaders Weekly Check In

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

I had a couple of good step days especially Friday while walking at the Schnormeier Gardens (I was told it is a 3 mile walk but it feels like I walked a lot more--still sore!). I've been doing better with my eating habits and even had a few days where I ate gluten and dairy free. It is still a challenge and I had some small slip ups. I worry that I may not be eating enough to lose weight and build muscle.

Sunday--6,344 steps
Monday--3,471 steps
Tuesday--10,231 steps
Wednesday--5,873 steps
Thursday--5,420 steps
Friday--13,819 steps
Saturday--11,170 steps

Last two weeks on my blog:

Top Ten Books I've Changed My Mind About (post)

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson (review)

Top Ten Beach Reads (post)

The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson (review)

Books read:

The Mourning Hours by Paula Treick DeBoard

This was my afternoon book group's May selection and I liked it. It was mostly well received by our members too. The story is about a family in a small town in Wisconsin and what happens when the son and golden boy is accused of a crime. 

Wanderlost by Jen Malone

Wanderlost was a fun book and I enjoyed reading about Aubree's crazy experiences as a tour guide in Europe. 

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

My evening book group read this for May and I struggled with it. The characters aren't very likable and the writing style took some time to get used to. It is written in first person plural and there are a ton of Shakespeare references. I love Shakespeare and have read several of his plays but I still didn't catch all the references used by this quirky family.

The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson

Nerd love :) I loved this contemporary twist on Much Ado About Nothing and while I didn't understand all the geek culture references (I haven't watched Doctor Who or read many comic books) it was still a lot of fun. 

Currently reading:

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

This sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses is a polarizing book. People seem to either love it or hate it and so far I love it. I was not a big fan of a certain character in the first book so that could be why :)

Currently listening to:

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (reread)

I am at the part that is hard to read about (after the third task). I hate that part of Goblet of Fire because it is sad and creepy. Probably why I stopped listening for a few days and listened to 80's music on Pandora during my work commute instead.

On my TBR pile:

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I've read another novel with a similar premise (only in that case the poor woman married another man believing her first husband was dead until he suddenly reappeared). 

The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash

I'm hoping this will be as fun as The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You. I have never been to a Comic Con though I kind of want to go.

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

This is the other armchair travel YA book I have on my TBR pile for this summer. I can't wait to read it. I love that it is set in Italy, a place I'd love to visit in real life.

New books received:

738 Days by Stacey Kade (for review)

Mystic Summer by Hannah McKinnon (for review)

I Will Send Rain by Rae Meadows (for review)

The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash (for review)

Almost Like Being in Love by Beth K. Vogt (for review)

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (purchased)

River Road by Carol Goodman (library book)