News:
The girls are almost two, and they've definitely started acting like it. Trying to take all three of my children to the grocery store is one hell of a challenge. I have to push one buggy with the girls inside, and then pull another one behind me with the groceries. My son can help push that one, but he's still too short to see over the top, and it's likely he would lost control and crash into something. I have to promise cookies and let them snack on whatever we're buying, just to get through the store with my sanity. Playgrounds are safe, because it's okay for them to act bananas, but public outings can be a nightmare.
I've been getting ready for the Origin Event in Austin! They sent out an email that showed which authors were no longer attending, and which ones had been added on to the list. I already have books set aside so they can be signed while I'm there, and I'm also planning on buying a few books at the event. Jacob bought my ticket in January, so I've been waiting almost an entire year for this thing. I've met Jennifer L. Armentrout once before, and she is the sweetest person! Also, The Darkest Star!!
I added a few more Book Blogger Icon Tags!
I added a few more Book Blogger Icon Tags!
(The Halves of Us ⋆⋆⋆ / The Seven Torments of Amy & Craig ⋆⋆⋆⋆) *both giveaways are still open
Tuesday: Shadow of the Fox (Shadow of the Fox, #1) by Julie Kagawa ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Wednesday: Nothing!
Friday: Once and for All by Sarah Dessen ⋆⋆⋆
Saturday: Final Thoughts [6] Marvel Two-In-One (#1-10) by Chip Zdarsky ⋆⋆⋆⋆
What I'm Currently Reading:
I thought it was a good month to read Nightmares! to my son, but we're only halfway finished with the book. The main character, Charlie, is mean. I understand he's having nightmares, and he's unhappy with his father's marriage, but he's often cruel for no reason. I hate the way he treats his brother and stepmother, and he's even a jerk to his friends. I'm also not a fan of some of the language used throughout the book (calling people stupid or yelling that a child is fat). I skip over the majority of those paragraphs. I feel like they're unnecessary and really detract from the story.
I'm listening to the audiobook for Roomies and LOVING it! Christina Lauren is one of my favorite author duos, and they're kicking ass with their books. The audio is great because Calvin is Irish, and I really enjoy hearing the narrator's accent for him. I know there's a smile plastered to my face every time I listen to this, and I'm excited to see where the story goes. There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments as well!
Phoenix Unbound is one I started and really enjoyed, but haven't had a chance to dive back into it. We've been really busy lately, so my physical copies have been neglected. Yay audiobooks! However, Strange the Dreamer is an audiobook I've been struggling with (I don't think he'll ever leave the library). There is a lot of world building, and I feel like it's overwhelming the characters and the story. I've been told it gets better after awhile, and someone else suggested reading this one instead of listening to it.
Me and Me is one I've set aside for the moment. I believe it's going to be a book I need to really be in the mood for, and my first attempt didn't go very well. I'll try to read it again soon! I was supposed to review it for a blog tour, but received my copy late.
What I Plan on Reading Next:
Watch You Burn will by my next physical book, and Circe is what I have on deck for audio!
What I'm Watching:
The Seven Deadly Sins finally has a third season! I feel like I watched the first one ages ago, and the second season was only a few episodes. I really love anime! It's one of the few things my brother and I did together growing up. We're opposites in almost every other way. Seven Deadly Sins is fun and full of crazy shenanigans. There are a ton of characters, and the villains are pretty badass. I binged the entire season in two days, and I love that they've finally found all seven sins. There's a lot going on in this season, and they leave things pretty open for the next one. Now to wait -- again.
Jacob and I have also started watching The Good Place. I adore Kristen Bell and really love her in this! We've enjoyed it so far, though I'm not sure how long she can hide in plain sight... Chidi is my favorite! We're also trying to get through S2 of Luke Cage and S2 of The Iron Fist. S3 of Daredevil just came out and we are EXCITED.
Challenge Updates:
Goodreads: 367 / 250
Beat the Backlist: 54 / 100
Ho Ho Ho Readathon: starts November 9th!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! Are you reading anything amazing that I should add to my list? Let me know!
Ooh The Origin Event sounds awesome! I need to get Circe too, because mythology.
ReplyDeleteAnd welcome to the Sunday Post. :)
I'm really excited about the event! It's been ages since I've gone to something bookish. Kids! I am dying to start Circe! I loved her previous book and have only heard good things about this one. I received a review copy, but was unable to get to it on time. Luckily, an audio version is already available.
DeleteThank you! I'm happy to be here. <3
I need to read Phoenix Unbound. I hear so many things about it that just make me excited and nervous to read.
ReplyDeleteI salute you for braving the shopping with three kids! I can barely survive shopping with one! I actually think I'd cry if I had to do that. I currently have my shopping delivered just because I can't face having to take him, lol.
The beginning of Phoenix Unbound was brutal! There's a large of harsh content that wasn't easy to read, and it makes you hate humanity. I definitely cringed a few times and wanted to save some characters while simultaneously murdering others. There's a pretty big twist at the start, too. I'm curious how the story will play out!
DeleteI've tried ordering food online and having it delivered, but it's so expensive. We're also vegan and eat a lot of organic foods, which are hard to find at the larger stores that offer online shopping. If I let the kids snack while I shop, they tend to do okay. I just have to shop very fast!
You know I just googled the Origin event. I didn't realize JLA was organizing another con. Very nice. I see a bunch of awesome authors on that list. I only had one child, so I cannot relate to having to manage multiples when trying to do things.
ReplyDeleteI met JLA at BEA a few years ago! I can remember it so clearly, because I was jazzed to be waiting in line with Jerri Smith-Ready. <3 A few of the authors attending the event are authors I've followed for years. It's crazy that they're all going to be in one place! I've been getting my books together for the last week or so. I want to make sure I don't forget anything!
DeleteMy kids are insane! My son is four and the girls will be two next month. It's a difficult age for sure, but the good outweighs the bad. I never wanted kids growing up, and now I can't imagine my life any other way. I love being a mother, and I'm already dreading when they start school. What am I supposed to do then??
Have fun at the Origin event! And I really liked Phoenix Unbound!
ReplyDeleteThank you! And that's good to know! I've only seen positive reviews for it, and I've enjoyed what I've read so far.
DeleteMany intriguing books for you. I enjoyed the Draven one. I expected more for Strange the dreamer though. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteDid you think Strange the Dreamer improved as the story progressed? I'm hoping it does when he finally leaves the library, though I've been reluctant to pick it up again. The audiobook expired from my library and was only recently added back to my phone.
DeleteOh, the terrible twos! My grandson is three now and still has a few temper tantrums, but it's getting better. I can't imagine taking three little ones to the grocery store! Yikes! I did it with two when my kids were little, but mostly I waited for my husband to either go instead or to watch the kids. My daughter has her groceries delivered mostly and I don't think the charge is that much. She has a six month in addition to the three-year old.
ReplyDeleteAudio books are the greatest, right? Roomies was just okay for me, I really wish we had the male POV too. I bet I would've liked the book better if I listened instead of just read. Not cool having all that negativity in a middle grade (?) read. Still so thrilled you loved Magic Bites! :)
The fee to deliver where we are is a tad more expensive, because there's nothing close. We're also military, so it's more cost effective to shot at the Commissary when we can. Everyone says babies are hard -- waking up every two hours to feed them, diapers, etc., but I think that's the easiest part. Now they have their own personalities and they understand what it means to want something. They can also choose whether or not they want to listen to you. I try to wait on my husband, too, but it doesn't always work out that way. Bummer, right?
DeleteI'm sorry Roomies was meh for you! I'm enjoying it so far, and I'm about halfway through the audiobook. They haven't really had any conflict yet, so I'm curious how they will handle it. Also, her best friend? Lulu? She's been awful, but still seems to contribute to their lives. I wish Holland would talk to her best friend and tell to back the hell off. She's being totally disrespectful and uncaring of her best friend's marriage, regardless of its authenticity. Lulu knows Holland has cared about Calvin for awhile now.
Yes, it's a middle grade book! I think that makes it worse, but kids don't need to see all that hate directed at other children. It's not an authentic experience either, because these things are happening in dreams and with unrealistic creatures. However, when an adult teases and taunts a child -- ugh. I hate it. It sets a horrible example.
Magic Bites was amazing! I cannot wait to dive into the next book! <3
I've heard so many good things about Circe, I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm really looking forward to the mythology!
DeleteI can't imagine going out with 3 little kids. it was crazy enough with just one. lol
ReplyDeleteIt's insanity. I don't normally bribe my children with sweets, but I totally do when we go grocery shopping. Whatever it takes to keep their little butts in the buggy and my son willing to help push one along, haha.
DeleteI can’t even imagine shopping with kids. Hats off to you for accomplishing it. I’ve heard good things about The Good Place but haven’t tried it yet. One day.
ReplyDeleteI try to limit the number of times we go to the grocery store, so I usually buy a ton while I'm there! It takes an eternity to unload the car and put everything away, but it's worth it. I hope you're able to watch The Good Place soon! :)
DeleteOh, shopping with three kids sounds like a really hard thing to do! Especially since they are still little and need attention all the time.
ReplyDeleteI love The Good Place too - it is so much fun!
The girls are almost two, so they can walk on their own, but letting them loose in the store would be hazardous for everyone. They never go in the same direction, and I can't be in two places at once! My son is a big help, but he's only four. There's only so much he can do, haha.
DeleteHave you seen both seasons of The Good Place? We're halfway through the first season.
LOL, so you caved in to the Sunday Post, too? 😉 I tried it a long while ago, and I was doing my own monthly version of it, because having to post every Sunday was too overwhelming for me. Go figure, I threw the towel after three months nevertheless. My life updates where nonexistent - same stuff every time - and I didn't have many bookish stuff to share, but it was too much work anyway. I love to read everyone's updates though. I get to live vicariously! 😆 I mean...I get to know you all better. Like your adventures in mothering 😉.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this is something I will do every Sunday, or just occasionally when I have something to share. It also depends on how often I post during the week.
DeleteI love learning little tidbits about everyone's lives! It's so much fun to get to know them outside of their reviews.
Yay! You're joining The Sunday Post! Welcome! Hopefully you'll have better luck than me because I tend to disappear after doing it for awhile, haha. My life is well... uneventful, so I only post when there IS something to say. How do you like Strange the Dreamer?
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to participate! I doubt it will be a weekly thing, but we'll see. My life is crazy, and I don't always stick to features and memes. I really like reading everyone else's Sunday posts -- you learn something new about the blogger!
DeleteOther than what I said in the post? Hmm -- it's just not working for me so far. There's a lot of world building, which is usually nice, but I feel like it's overwhelming the rest of the story. The characters get swallowed up in the descriptions of everything else. It's also a little slower than I would like! I'm hoping it picks up soon, or it might be one I DNF.
Oh gosh, I have three nieces and nephews and it's tough to bring them anywhere, so I get that! I don't know if I'm doing the Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon or not, but it will be fun to see what books people read and recommend.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
It's challenging for sure! Getting them ready to leave, getting myself ready, packing a diaper bag and my purse, and then making sure there's nothing in the floor the dogs can chew up (shoes, toys, etc.). It's a hassle just getting everyone into the car! It's nice that you take your nieces and nephews out. I hope you're able to participate in the HoHoHo Readathon, but I'm sure you'll find some awesome reads regardless. <3
DeleteMy brother just started Seven Deadly Sins newest season and he loves it!
ReplyDeleteI hate that I'm able to watch it so quickly! I always want it to last longer, haha. I'm glad your brother is enjoying it, too! There's still a lot of story to tell, so hopefully they'll make a fourth season soon.
DeleteI love Luke Cage and Iron fist was just so-so. Sadly both of them are cancelled, I hear. What a bummer. But, yes Daredevil is here. Yay!
ReplyDeleteGayathri @ Elgee Writes
We're about halfway through S2 of Luke Cage. It's been okay so far! I'm loving Misty's new arm, and all of her interactions with Colleen. Maybe they'll do a Heroes for Hire series with Danny and Luke? That might be fun!
DeleteOh yay! You get to go to a book event! It's been a while right?
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
It has been an eternity! Have you read a lot of Jennifer L. Armentrout books? Are you familiar with the Lux series? It's one of my favorites! I think you were there at BEA the year I met her... we were standing in line with Jerri? Right? It's been so long I can't remember.
DeleteYay, so happy you joined in the fun and on a week I checked out. Boo. The Origin Event sounds so awesome and oh my I remember food shopping with wee ones. My first two are exactly 24 months apart and the last two 16. It was crazy!
ReplyDeleteIt's okay! Breaks are a necessary for a blogger's health. <3 I post more during the week than I do on the weekends, but that's when we do a lot of stuff as a family. I'll try to do my blog hopping during naps, but it doesn't always work out. Four kids does sound crazy! I can't imagine adding another one right now. I might literally lose my mind. ;)
DeleteI tried listening to Roomies, but had trouble getting into it. Which is weird, because I love listening to Christina Lauren's books usually! And I love an Irish accent! Jealous of the Origin event, and I loved The Darkest Star! Hope you have a good time!
ReplyDeleteLisa Loves Literature's Sunday Post
I've really enjoyed other audiobooks for Christina Lauren's books, too! Roomies just didn't click for me the way the others did. The Irish accent was awesome, and I loved when it slipped into Holland's voice. I don't think the narrator realized it, but it's subtle.
DeleteI'm jealous you've already read The Darkest Star! <3
Once your little ones get a bit older, its nice when they help you out at the grocery store. I would have my children get items off the shelves and place it in the cart. Okay, it was more like throwing the item in the cart, but they were happy helping. Once you develop a routine with them, it will get so much easier.
ReplyDeleteI still have to read Roomies, I have it but just haven't had the chance. The Origin Event sound like so much fun, I hope you have a wonderful time. I wish we had more book events here in Colorado Springs, most are in Denver, but it's not the big events.
Have a lovely day.
We have a pretty basic routine. There are set days when we do certain activities like going to the library, and every other day we find a playground or go hiking. Sometimes the dogs go with us, and sometimes we take bicycles (I pull the girls in a thing behind by bike!). They're way too young to be let loose in a grocery store, though. Even department stores are iffy. The only time I let them go crazy is at a Toys R Us, but they don't have those anymore.
DeleteSo we're good as far as routines go, but their ages keep them from really understanding more than the basics right now. My son is great at helping out, which is why I trust him to help push a buggy. He just can't see over the top, so that's dangerous for him to do alone.