The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly at the Caffeinated Reviewer! It's an opportunity to share news, post a recap for the previous week, showcase books, and highlight what's planned for the week ahead.
News:
I finally feel settled in! Hooray! The house is unpacked, we've hung stuff on the walls, and there's something resembling a routine happening now. I know where the best thrift stores are (check out my Instagram for pictures), and even made a friend (maybe). We really hit it off conversationally over brunch, but we're at very different points in our lives. I'm married with three kids, and she's a newly wed trying to get pregnant. I know that shouldn't matter, but it does. It's so hard to schedule kids around Adult Things, and she's so young... We'll see how it goes.
There's a tattoo convention happening this month that I'm thinking about attending! I would love to find a new artist to do more work while we live here, since driving all the way back to Texas would be a hassle for new ink. There's this one guy that specifically does fine line black and grey, and his amazing (@nickthetailor)! He's from Philly, so the drive from here would be several hours, so I was hoping to stop by his booth at the event. Anyone live in Virginia and want to go with me?? There's another event in August if this one doesn't work out.
The monster is loving his new school and teacher, so thank the stars for that. The schools here are a little further ahead in their materials, but he's catching up like a champ. I'm so proud of him! The school had a BINGO night last week, and we had so much fun participating. There's a Mother & Son Dance coming up that I've been officially invited to (with an orchid and a card that had me happy-sobbing), so I'm looking forward to cutting a rug with my kiddo. He's too young to be embarrassed, so it should be fun! ;)
There are so many wonderful things to do in the area, most of them are outdoors and adventurous! There's also a ridiculously large playground within a few miles of the house. It's completely fenced in and super interactive. They love going there, and the weather is warming up, so we'll be there a lot. There's also a lot of history in the area, and we love discovering new things!
We finally got a utility bill in the mail, so we made a trip to the library (two are very close to the house and open on the weekends). The monsters all got library cards and new tote bags! The limit is technically 30 books per card, but I told the kids it was 5. I do not need 90 library books floating around the house getting mixed in with the books we already have. The libraries also use Hoopla, which I'm excited to try! It will be my first experience with it, but I've only heard wonderful things.
I'm blogging regularly again, and feel like I'm catching up on everything I missed. I'm getting back on a schedule and reading ARCs before they're released. I've been visiting your lovely blogs and seeing what you've been up to (a lot of horror, suspense, thriller reading going on). It feels great to be back!
Previous week on the blog:
- Sunday: A Handful of Reviews [2] The Easy 5-Ingredient Vegan Cookbook by Nancy Montuori (★★★☆☆) & Once Upon a Word by Jess Zafarris (★★★★★)
- Monday: NA
- Tuesday: In Five Years by Rebecca Serle (★★★⋆☆)
- Wednesday: State of the ARC [19]
- Thursday: My Weekly Pull [112] & Can't Wait Wednesday [82]
- Friday: NA
- Saturday: When Dimple Met Rishi (Dimple and Rishi, #1) by Sandhya Menon (★★★⋆☆)
What I'm currently reading:
The Raven and the Dove (The Raven and the Dove, #1) by Kaitlyn Davis
Landline by Rainbow Rowell 🎧
Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett
- The Raven and the Dove is amazing. The characters are so complex... it's like I love them, but also hate them a little bit? They're all doing what they think is best, but I think it's going to blow up in their faces. I can't wait to see how everything unfolds!
- Landline has been a stellar audiobook so far! It's about the complexities of marriage, and balancing everything life throws at you. It's not always easy to make things work, but expressing love for your partner is important. Sometimes you have to fight for a person to show them you still care.
- Chasing Lucky is going to be a buddy read with Karen (For What It's Worth) when Fonzi and Figment are feeling better. We both love Jenn Bennett, so I'm sure this will be something we enjoy. :)
What I plan on reading next:
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Tigers, Not Daughters (Tigers, Not Daughters, #1) by Samantha Mabry
The Honey-Don't List by Christina Lauren
Tigers, Not Daughters (Tigers, Not Daughters, #1) by Samantha Mabry
The Honey-Don't List by Christina Lauren
What I'm watching:
I'm re-watching an old favorite: Yu Yu Hakusho. I always forget how young they are, because they do very Adult things, yet they're technically in middle school. I think Yusuke Urameshi is 14, so it's weird when you think about it...
Husband and I are also watching The Masked Singer (I guess the Taco correctly! Jacob knew who the Robot was, so we're tied), and Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. It's like Glee and Pitch Perfect mixed with Gilmore Girls.
Frozen II finally happened... and then it happened again, and again, and again. My girls are obsessed. My son likes it, but the girls pretend they're Anna and Elsa, and it's nonstop. They sing, dance, quote the characters...
Challenge updates:
- Audiobook Challenge 7 / 50+
- Beat the Backlist Challenge 15 / 110
- Discussion Challenge 1 / 1-10
- Goodreads Challenge 65 / 365
Batch of Books Giveaway:
Rules: This giveaway officially starts on March 8th and will end on March 21st at 11:59 PM. The winner will be announced on March 22nd on this post within the Rafflecopter form, and also notified via email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or I will have Rafflecopter select another winner (read my full giveaway policy here). Good luck!
International friends - - your giveaway will be a little different! Instead the book mentioned above, you can choose one book (up to $15) from The Book Depository! Just make sure they ship to you, which you can check right here. I know it's not the same thing, but I don't want to leave anyone out!
If the first winner is international, a second winner will be chosen for the books listed above.
Books included in the giveaway:
- Kingsbane (Empirium, #2) by Claire Legrand
- Nightmares! (Nightmares!, #1) by Jason Segel, Kirsten Miller & Karl Kwasny
- Pure (Pure, #1) by Julianna Baggott (ARC)
- Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
- Foul Is Fair (Foul Is Fair, #1) by Hannah Capin (ARC) *there is some water damage on the back cover and the last several pages (kids), warped but legible
- Scavenge the Stars (Scavenge the Stars, #1) by Tara Sim
Glad you're getting settled in! Sounds like things are going well.
ReplyDeleteI have an arc of Chasing Lucky and it sounds awesome. It'll be my first Jenn Bennett. Hope you enjoy!
After the initial madness (moving into an unfinished house, things not working right, getting my son enrolled in a new school, car accident, etc.) things are looking up! ;) Chasing Lucky will be your first Bennett book?? You have to let me know your thoughts as you're reading! Jenn Bennett is my JAM! <3
DeleteI'm LOVING Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. Such a fun show. I'm really glad to hear that you're settling in and it sounds like there are a lot of fun things to do and places to see where you live, which is such a plus!!! I hope you're able to make it to the tattoo convention so you love that artist's work!!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist is amazing! I hated waiting a month after the pilot for the second episode! It was torture. ;) There are a ton of things to do in the immediate area, and even more slightly outside of it. The beach is like 15 minutes away... <3
DeleteScavenge the Stars would be my first read from these books.
ReplyDeleteI thought it had a really interesting concept! I don't think I've heard of another book doing a Count of Monte Cristo retelling. :)
Delete"the girls pretend they're Anna and Elsa, and it's nonstop. They sing, dance, quote the characters..."
ReplyDeleteLOL, that's awesome! Though I guess it can wear on you a little, what with being in the house with them all the time 😉.
I missed your Sunday Posts, with all your funny tales and activities and whatnot. I hope that the coronavirus won't affect your area and you will be able go on enjoying all that outdoor fun!
Thank you for the giveaway! 🧡
I think Frozen is an excellent book for kids! It's just... constant. I need a break, haha. I've missed doing a weekly Sunday Post, so I'm happy to be back. <3
DeleteI laughed when I read the part about telling the kids the limit was 5 books. I remember those days, when my daughter would fill a bag with books every Sunday and demand I read them. You are wise to fib a little. Glad to hear things are going well in your new home. It must be quite a relief that school is working out. Whew! I loved Landline. It was such a wonderful story of people falling back in love with each other. I live for that stuff. Bennett's book is not in my immediate future, but it might make the TBR in two or so weeks. I have a billion April books.
ReplyDeleteNormally, we're very against lying to the children, but it felt necessary. Their bags were STUFFED until I said something about 5 books. Everyone had to sit down and select their favorites. ;) Like you said, they want to read them RIGHT AWAY when we get home, and I just can't. <3 Yes! I am so relieved school is a positive thing in his life, and that he's enjoying it here. My one complaint would be the half-days. It's hard to do naps for the girls when I'm having to pick him up a few hours after dropping him off.
DeleteLandline has been fantastic so far! I've been taking my time with it. :) I feel you o n the April books -- eesh. I'm only reading the Bennett book now since it's a buddy read!
I'm happy to hear you are settled in. You are doing better than me with 3 kids also. I'm mostly organized now. Yay for library cards. I'll be interested to hear how you like Hoopla. I've never had that at a library. I requested the Honey Don't List on audio so that will be later this month.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week and happy reading!
Anne - Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post
Yay for being organized! It makes life so much simpler. I'll let everyone know how Hoopla works out next Sunday, if I can get it set up this week. ;) I hope we both love The Honey-Don't List! <3
DeleteSO much going on :D
ReplyDeleteI am glad you guys are settled. New playground, sweet! Good school, yay!
I need to check the Bennet too
Yes! SO. MUCH. We're settled and very happy about it! ;)
DeleteHooray for being settled in and creating a routine. That goes a long way to making it feel like home. The mom-son dance sounds so sweet. And awesome that you library uses Hoopla! Our local library system uses Overdrive, Hoopla and Axis 360 and I've used them all. It's great to have so many options. Landline wasn't my favorite by Rowell but I still enjoyed it. I'm about 65% into The Honey-Don't List and really enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteIt does go a long way to making it feel homey here! Routines are the best! The libraries here use Hoopla, Overdrive and Libby, so we'll see how that balances out. I've never heard of Axis 360! I'm happy to hear the newest CLo isn't a disappointment! Their books are always hit-or-miss for me. :)
DeleteI totally understand your friend difficulties! I'm childfree in my 30s so planning meetups with my mom friends is always a challenge, but we make it work! I'm glad you're enjoying your new home. Hurray for the library! The Raven and the Dove is a book I've definitely been curious about. I hope you love all your new reads!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you're able to make it work! I was able to do that when we lived around family, because I always had a willing babysitter (or two or three, haha) that I trusted to watch the kiddos. It's just easier when I can go out with a friend that also has kids, because then we do something kid-friendly together.
DeleteThe Raven and the Dove was FANTASTIC! I hope you have a chance to read it soon. :)
It sounds like your move was a positive one! I would love to live in a town with a lot of history. California is sadly lacking. I used to LOVE going to the library with my mom. We didn't have much money growing up, but my mom always thought of things for us girls to do that were fun and inexpensive. I have fond memories.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to Lucky Chance. Hope it's good!
Yes! Once we got through the initial craziness (still struggling with some of the house stuff), things settled down. We were able to explore the area, find things for everyone to do, and try new places to eat! I really like living somewhere with a lot of history, and enjoy reading the markers and signs when we go places. There's this one trail that used to be a highway that ran alongside the canal, and it was called The Tunnel of Trees. The trees were so tall, and they stretched across the road creating darkness even in the daytime. They had signs at both entrances telling people to use their lights! The old highway has been closed off and converted, so now people walk/run/bike the 8-9 miles.
DeleteWe love looking for fun, inexpensive things to do! They're usually more fun too. :)
It can be hard to find a group of friends. My friends from childhood waited to have kids. We hung out but they did a lot of stuff without me in our 20s. Now that I have some free time, they have little kids. I did enjoy spending time with some of the parents of my daughter's friends. I am glad to hear that you are settling in to your new house. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI've made a few acquaintances with parents at my son's school, but there's never a lot of time to talk before or after. They do half-days, so picking up and dropping off tend to happen quickly. I haven't lost hope that it'll click one day with someone. ;)
DeleteYay for getting settled in! It is so important to know where the thrift shops are. :)
ReplyDeleteRight?? I've already explored a few and brought a ton of things home, haha. Mostly storage containers that double as amazing decorations, but also stuff for the walls. <3
DeleteI’m glad you are all settling in so well! Your new library is so generous - 30 books per card? Ours is 8!
ReplyDeleteThanks for including us international peeps in your giveaway :)
Wishing you a great reading week
Our last library allowed 50 books per card and 5 movies! I believe it was 15 audiobooks at once as well, although I never knew why someone would need that many! It's just easier to read library books in small batches, especially with three kids and myself. ;)
DeleteGlad you're getting settled in! :) That's always a good feeling. Sounds like a nice area too.
ReplyDeleteOh dude I saw your message on Tweeter. How effing awesome is that Star Wars poster? Love it!!!
Frozen 2 weeeee!
I love the area we're in! It's perfect. :)
DeleteRight?? We hung it up in the bedroom, obviously. <3
Thanks for stopping by! Well it looks like the move has been a good thing! It sounds like an area with lots to do and a good school and library situation. I'm glad you're settling in so quickly! I dread to think how many moving vans it would take just to relocate my books. my dad's cds and our dvds!!!
ReplyDeleteIt takes the movers forever to pack all of my books! Longer every time... haha! #noregrets It's always good to live somewhere with a great school and library situation! We definitely lucked out in that regard. :)
DeleteSounds like you moved to a great area and yay! A new friend (maybe!). It is hard when you are at different stages of your life for sure. I hope if not her, you find someone else soon to hang with!
ReplyDeleteIt's a tentative friendship! She travels a lot for work too, so our schedules have rarely lined up. I did ask if she wanted to go to a Backstreet Boys concert with me, haha! She'll be out of the country apparently, so that was a bust. Husband definitely doesn't want to go. ;)
DeleteGood to hear that you are getting settled in and things are going well. I too tell Eleanor that there is a book limit, otherwise we'd have tons of library books on top of the 100s she already has crammed on to every shelf in her playroom!
ReplyDeleteWe lose library books ALL THE TIME. They're never late, but I have to scour bookshelves the day their due in order to find the ones the girls shelves for themselves. Now we have a Library Shelf, so hopefully that helps with some of the confusion. ;)
DeleteYay for eldest Monster loving his new school! That must be a weight off your mind. 👍✨,
ReplyDeleteHoopla! That's great you have Hoopla now. ☺
Ask Again, Yes is my answer for the Batch of Books giveaway. 📚✨
Have a wonderful new week! 🌞
It's such a relief! I was so worried about pulling him during the middle of a school year, but he has transitioned really well. He's sick right now, so that blows, but he's on the mend and asking when he can go back. However, there's a girl in his class that does not like it when I'm sitting next to him when she gets there. Apparently next to MY son is HER spot. It's hilarious how serious she is. My son doesn't even notice!
DeleteHoopla! I'm sure I'll love it. <3
You settled in WAY faster than I did lol I finally have reached a state of calm and happiness though. I think it's my view :-) And spring!
ReplyDeleteThe pets are fairly stable - for now lol so I'm jumping into Chasing Lucky tomorrow.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
Being unorganized is SUPER STRESSFUL, so I'm a crazy person when we first move somewhere new. I have to find a place for everything, and I usually rearrange rooms and cabinets several times before settling on a specific placement. It drives Jacob bananas, because he can never find anything. I'm glad you've reached a peaceful place! <3
DeleteI'm happy to hear they're doing okay (for the most part). I'll start CL tomorrow as well!
Yay for finally getting settled in. That has to feel good.
ReplyDeleteThat Jenn Bennett book is one that I can't wait to read. I always have such great luck with her books.
It felt amazing! I'm slowly catching up on ARCs and blogging, and then I'll feel even better! One day, one room, one book at a time. ;) Jenn Bennet is my JAM - - love her and her books!
DeleteSo glad you're settling into your new home! It sounds like you have a lot of fun things to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteFoul is Fair looks like a fun read!
Yes! There's a lot to do in the area, and I cannot wait for SPRING. It's still pretty cool here in the mornings and at night, but Daylight Savings has made it more tolerable. More sunlight in the afternoons! Foul Is Fair was intense! A very interesting concept for sure.
DeleteSounds like a fun and busy week. Good for you that you're getting settled in the new house and making a friend. We've been living in this house since August, and we are very slowly making progress. We've hanged some paintings this weekend and did some stuff in the garden.
ReplyDeleteAnd I wish I was making friends around here.. It's just hard! Being a mom, working three days a week.. I don't even know where to start. And I totally get why it's different when someone is in another point in life.. But maybe it won't matter as much this time. ;)
If only I didn’t life so far away.. I’d love to go to a tattoo convention. I’ve got three tattoos myself and somehow always find myself wanting more. LOL!
Have a great week and happy reading.
I can't wait to work on our garden! The people we're renting from said someone comes out in the spring to do mulch, trim trees and bushes, etc., and I asked if that was required. I love being outside and doing that sort of work, so it would save them money, and make me happy at the same time. :)
DeleteI recently found a Star Wars poster (for the original movie!) at a thrift store and hung it in our bedroom. It was a nice surprise for my husband when he came home (that and the fact that I'd hung and leveled it all by myself). <3
Making friends is hard. She and I had a nice brunch, was it was so obvious we were at very different points in our lives. I've tried talking to some of the other parents, but people with kids are busy. All. The. Time. I totally get it, but I want some Mommy Time! Haha. I wish you lived closer too! We could hang out AND go to tattoo conventions. I have several and still want more. <3
It's great that you finally feel settled in and that your son is loving his new school! It's so cute how he officially invited you to the danceI hope things go well with your potential new friend!
ReplyDeleteI was having such a rotten day when he came in with my husband carrying an orchid and saying, "Mama? Will you go to the Mother and Son Dance with me?" It was a complete surprise and MADE my day. <3 The dance is next week, and I'm worried they might cancel it like everything else...
DeleteNightmares! sounds good.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a unique read!
Delete