Sunday Post (87) / 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.

I can't believe it's the middle of April already. Summer will be here in the blink of an eye! I enjoyed the warmer weather this week.  Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate.

Update on my cat niece Kitty: she doesn't like having the IV treatments every other day but she is doing okay otherwise. Thanks for your thoughts and kind comments. 

"The Chickens Build a Wall" (based on the children's book by Jean-Francois Dumont)

"Harry Peeper and the Mirror of Erised" (based on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone)

This past week was National Library Week and we had our Peeps diorama contest at the library. There were a total of 13 entries--more than I expected. Seven of the entries were from staff (including the two above) and six from the public. Hopefully even more will participate next year. Right now voting is going on for "Peeple's Choice".  There was an interesting mix of "based on a book or movie", "pop culture" and "political". You can see all of the dioramas here.

This week I have my spring craft night on Tuesday where we will be making yarn wreaths. I only have four people signed up but that's okay because I was worried I wouldn't be able to find enough wreath forms. It will also be cheaper and I can use the leftover money for bigger programs this summer like my 80s murder mystery dinner or Comic Con. Speaking of  my library's Comic Con, I was thrilled to be able to book Mark Clark, the author of Star Wars FAQ, as a presenter. I am also working on some low key ideas to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Wars next month. Because it falls right before Memorial Day weekend, I don't want to plan a big event. 

The big news this past week was Star Wars Celebration. I wish I'd been able to go to Orlando but it was fun to watch some of the live stream events. I was especially thrilled to see the new  teaser trailer for The Last Jedi. Also very happy about the new character. I can't wait to see the movie! 

Last week on my blog:

Duels and Deception by Cindy Anstey (review)

Books read:

The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg

I liked this book though it didn't have a plot really or character development. It's the story of a town from beginning to modern day with an Our Town kind of vibe.

The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes

I wasn't planning to read this yet but it is my afternoon book group's reading selection for April and I thought I'd better read it soon since we meet next week. The historical part was interesting but the contemporary part has issues and I read in the author's note afterword that the "inspired by true events" part wasn't exactly true. I think we'll have plenty to talk about at book group.

Currently reading:

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (reread)

This is my third time reading The Hobbit. I first read it in 2002, immediately after I read The Lord of the Rings so I was disappointed by it. Then I read it again in 2012 before the first movie came out and I loved it. It is my evening book group's April selection and I'm looking forward to the discussion. I think there are some in the group who have never read it.

On my TBR pile:

The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff

The Vicar's Daughter by Josi S. Kilpack

A Twist in Time by Julie McElwain

New books received:

Geekerella by Ashley Poston (library book)

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole (library book)

Beartown by Fredrik Backman (for review)

Purple Hearts by Tess Wakefield (for review)

The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichert (for review)

No One Can Pronounce My Name by Rakesh Satyal (for review)

That Thing We Call a Heart by Sheba Karim (for review)

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (for review)

The Lines We Cross by Randa Abdel-Fattah (for review)