Sunday, June 5, 2016

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:


The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson (review)
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.



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). 



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)




19 comments:

  1. I just read Court of Mist and Fury this week and really enjoyed it. I can't wait to hear your thoughts as well. I also want to read Wanderlost and Mystic Summer this summer. I'm glad to hear Wanderlost was good. I hope you enjoy Love & Gelato....it is definitely a fun summertime read. I'm glad you had a nice weekend - the gardens look gorgeous!

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  2. I can't wait to read ACOMAF! I really enjoyed the first one and looking forward to more Rhys in this one. Glad to hear you enjoyed Wanderlost. It looks like a fun summer read. Hope you have a great week and enjoy your new books :)
    My Sunday Post

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  3. The Schnormeier Gardens looks like it was beautiful. Glad you got to visit with family. I use to love the summer reading programs as youth. River Road looks really good Christina. Have a wonderful week and enjoy your new reads!

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  4. I'm adding Love & Gelato to my wish list for summer. Thanks!

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  5. Those pics are great - looks like a beautiful place! I like the water fall too. And glad you had a nice Memorial Day! Love and Gelato is one I'm looking forward to as well- I love that it's set in Italy and that cover jumps out at me every time. :)

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  6. Looks like a beautiful place! I want to read Wanderlust. Looks like a fun story!

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  7. Wow, really busy! The prom murder mystery sounds amazing. So much fun.

    I'm glad you spent some time with family and I love the pics - the gardens look amazing!

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  8. While there were no flowers the whole garden looks very tranquil and the summery feel of the clothes adds to it! Will be interested to see what you think of One True Loves.

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  9. Looks like a really relaxing garden. Glad you had an enjoyable time.

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  10. The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love looks right up my alley, though to be honest I think I'm more of a nerd than a geek. :)

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  11. I am waiting very impatiently for my hold of Court of Mist and Fury to come in ~ now I am even more intrigued!

    The Geek's Guide looks fun, so does Mystic Summer.

    Your day sounds like it was lovely!

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  12. Some good picks this week. I want to read River Road. Happy Reading!

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  13. Your pictures are gorgeous. Very nice mix of books. River Road is on my TBR list.

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  14. The garden is lovely, and that bridge makes a gorgeous photo. It sounds like you had a lovely get-together.

    I am eager to get my hands on One True Loves and Mystic Summer. Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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  15. Those gardens are lovely - and a great way to get in extra steps!

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  16. Congrats to your mom. You probably are not eating enough food to lose, especially if you exercise. It seems crazy to eat to lose, but its true. Hope you have a great week of reading.

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  17. I love Japanese gardens and these look beautiful.

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  18. I read The Weird Sisters a long time ago.

    Lots of great-looking books.

    ENJOY your reading week.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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  19. That looks like such a beautiful place to visit. Its nice that you had the opportunity to go. Happy reading to you.

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