Saturday, May 6, 2017

Sunday Post (88) / 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 had a great time in Mexico. My sister and I stayed at the Riu Playacar, an all-inclusive in Playa del Carmen. Although neither of us can swim, it was still a lot of fun. One day we went into town to check out their shopping area (Quinta Avenida) which had some local shops as well as lots of name brand stores (Sephora, MAC, American Eagle, etc.) and on another day we went to the spa (expensive but nice). The resort had a nice shallow swim up bar we could sit in when it got too hot (though the heat wasn't that bad at the beach). The weather was beautiful which made it hard to come back here where it has been cold and rainy. We had warmer weather in February! I know it will warm up eventually--hopefully soon. Now I need to start exercising to work off all the strawberry daiquiris and desserts I indulged in every day. :)

This week is the Bout of Books readathon and I am planning to participate. I have a lot of books on my TBR pile so maybe this will motivate me to read a little more instead of watching TV. I also need to spend some time catching up on reviews. I need to write several reviews for books I read in April.


Books read:


The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (reread)


Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

Even though this relied on the whole secret letter writing thing I thought it was done very well. A really good exploration of grief and I liked the development of their relationship.


The Wonder of Us by Kim Culbertson

I read this on the flight to Mexico. It is about two friends who are estranged but go on a trip to Europe together and hope to repair the rift between them. I enjoyed reading about the different locations they visited. I liked Abby but I thought Riya was harder to relate to. 


Purple Hearts by Tess Wakefield

Although I found Cassie's behavior to be frustrating at times, I thought this was a good beach read. It kept my attention on the beach anyway unlike other books I tried to read.


The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff

I had tried to download the new Rick Riordan book to my Kindle for my flight back to the States but it didn't work so I started reading this one and found myself engrossed in the story. It was sad but really good and I think it would be a great selection for book groups.



Currently reading:




The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan

I usually enjoy Rick Riordan's books and while I prefer the Percy Jackson series and the Heroes of Olympus series, I am happy that Leo is a major character in this one. Of course it is still narrated from the whiny and spoiled POV of Apollo but that adds to some of the humor though he does get on my nerves at times. 



On my TBR pile:



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

I want to reread this before I pick up A Court of Wings and Ruin. I loved this book when I read it last year.


A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

After the cliffhanger ending of A Court of Mist and Fury I can't wait to read this but I'm also nervous about it. It is not going to be easy to read some of it.


The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichert

I thought The Coincidence of Coconut Cake was fantastic and I think this sounds pretty good too though cider makes me think of fall instead of summer.


Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman is becoming a "must read" author. I've heard that this is different from his other books but it has received really positive reviews. The story revolves around a small town where hockey is all important and what happens when scandal hits the team.


The Vicar's Daughter by Josi S. Kilpack

This is a Regency era love story that I believe is partly inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac.


Geekerella by Ashley Poston

This contemporary retelling of Cinderella sounds like so much fun!



New books:



The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan (purchased)


A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas (purchased)

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (purchased)

Every Wild Heart by Meg Donohue (library book)

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck (library book)

22 comments:

  1. Glad you had fun in Mexico! Sounds like a great trip. I need more swim-up bars in my life lol. And yeah the weather has been so cool here too- frustrating. I'm ready for 70's but we can't even get that high.

    Are you going to do a Hobbit review? I really should re- read it.

    Have a great week!!!

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    1. I certainly hope we get to see some warmer temperatures soon. It is frustrating to start May off with sweaters just when I thought I could pack that stuff away.

      I think I reviewed The Hobbit already a few years back so I probably won't write a review of it now. I did love it though and we had a fantastic book discussion about The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien, mythology, etc. Lots to ponder.

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  2. Mexico sounds fun, coming back to rain..not so much! And you have some fab books! I love the sound of Purple Hearts and The Wonder of Us, and The Women in The Castle. Enjoy!

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  3. Ahhh! Your picture looks amazing. I am so glad you had a nice time. This is really crappy weather to come home to. We only have a high of 55 and today is our town's spring festival. Not so much! I think Mother Nature is confused. I am glad you found Purple Hearts to be an entertaining beach read. I really loved it and can't wait to see who they cast as Luke. Gina Rodriguez from Jane the Virgin will be Cassie and I think that is absolutely perfect! I hope you have a good week!

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    1. That is too bad about the spring festival. Hope it is fun anyway!

      I just read your review of Purple Hearts and was thrilled to hear that Gina Rodriguez will star as Cassie. That is who I pictured as her while reading the book! Perfect casting!

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  4. I've never heard of a swim bar, but it sounds wonderful. You have so many great books...how could tv possibly compete?!

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  5. Oh your vacation looks so wonderful!! Swim up bars are the BEST!!!

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  6. What a wonderful sounding vacation! I am glad you and your sister had a good time, Christina. I have only been to Tijuana, which I don't think really counts as a trip to Mexico, just being over the San Diego border. That was many years ago.

    Have fun with Bout of Books! It sounds like it will be a lot of fun. I need to spend more time reading too--avoid social media more and stop playing phone games. I do good for awhile, but then it all creeps back on me. LOL

    I am glad you liked The Orphan's Tale even though it was sad. I've been hearing good things about The Women in the Castle and I am looking forward to reading Beartown. I hope you enjoy all your new books!

    I hope you have a great week, Christina!

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  7. Loads of good books. Yay for finishing The Hobbit and Geekerella has been drawing my attention lately :)

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  8. I am listening to Beartown and yes, it is very different from his previous books. The Orphan Tale was very good. Glad you had a lovely trip! Hope the week ahead is a good one for you.

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  9. Glad that you had a great vacation, Christina! I really hope it warms up too in Chicago. I didn't imagine the temps being in the 40s! I'm also really looking forward to and am nervous about Court of Wings and Ruin. I'm waiting for my copy to come in.

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  10. Mexico sounds divine and so relaxing -glad to hear you had a great time!
    Some great books are on your list this week. I'm keen to read both The Women in the Castle and The Orphan's Tale. Enjoy and happy reading!
    Amanda @ Mrs B's Book Reviews

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  11. Mexico sounds like so much fun!

    I am currently reading A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman ad loving it so I'm looking forward to Bear Town.

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  12. Aaah! A Court of Wings and Ruin. I can't wait to read that book.

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

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  13. Mexico sounds like a wonderful holiday...very jealous.

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  14. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. You have a great assortment of books too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  15. What a lovely vacation! Sometimes a break like that is just what we need.

    Enjoy your books, and I'm curious about Letters to the Lost...and I want to read Bear Town.

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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  16. I've been avoiding reading the Apollo series, but I am enjoying the Magnus Chase series.

    It was another busy week but I did manage to finish some books. Come see what I'm reading.

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  17. You have an amazing array of some very attractive books coming in. Good to hear the Mexico trip was so delicious, you can remember it while waiting for your own good weather to return! I really liked The Orphan's Tale too, though yes it was sad.

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  18. Sounds like a lovely time away. That beach shot has me drooling! Such a great variety of books. I am looking forward to The Women in the Castle.

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  19. I can't even begin with the books you have listed that look good - too many! I really want to read the new Maas and Backman though.

    Ah, swimming is overrated, and I was on the swim team. It's all about relaxing and it sounds like you did a fab job at that! :) Swim up bar sounds perfect! :) I am glad you had a fun time, it sounds wonderful!

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