News:
It's ridiculously hot here in VA. I honestly thought Texas was bad during the summer, but the heat index is supposed to be 115 tomorrow. It rained a few days ago - - bliss - - and we all played in the rain. We splashed in puddles, jumped on the trampoline, and just enjoyed being outside without feeling like our faces were going to melt off. We'd taken a bike ride earlier in the day, and it was sweltering. How are you guys dealing with the heat this year? I'm seriously considering an ice bath... 😉
We've elected to do online learning in the fall, so we're stuck with that option for the first semester. Other people will attend classes at the school, and then switch to online learning if there is a confirmed case at the school, or something else happens that requires them to stop teaching in person. If you have a choice, how are you proceeding with the upcoming school year?
Previous week on the blog:
- Sunday: NA
- Monday: NA
- Tuesday: Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis (★★★★⋆)
- Wednesday: My Weekly Pull [124] & Can't-Wait Wednesday [99]
- Thursday: NA
- Friday: NA
- Saturday: Deal with the Devil (Mercenary Librarians, #1) by Kit Rocha (★★★★★)
What I'm currently reading:
The Unready Queen (The Oddmire, #2) by William Ritter
The Mall by Megan McCafferty
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig 🎧
- I'm reading The Unready Queen with my son and we're almost finished with it! I think I might this book more than the first.
- I just started The Mall, but it's been enjoyable so far.
- House of Salt and Sorrows is creeptastic! I honestly don't know what is real and what is imaginary anymore. I have about two hours left in the audiobook, so I should finish it soon.
What I plan on reading next:
More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn
Orphan Eleven by Gennifer Choldenko
The Time of Green Magic by Hilary McKay
What I'm watching:
Nothing right now. We're still trying to work our way through Space Force, but haven't watched an episode in ages. We did watch two movies last weekend! American Ultra and Booksmart. There was one scene in Booksmart that had me in TEARS. Hilarious!
Challenge updates:
- Read the Alphabet Challenge 15
- Audiobook Challenge 14 / 50+
- Beat the Backlist Challenge 27 / 110
- Discussion Challenge 2 / 1-10
- Goodreads Challenge 209 / 365
Ooh I've seen a lot of praise for The Mall and More Than Maybe, I hope that you enjoy them! :) I go to college in VA and my school has decided to invite us back on campus for the semester with mask-wearing policies and most of our classes being online.
ReplyDeleteclaire @ clairefy
I didn't finish The Mall, but I'm enjoying More Than Maybe so far! I didn't know you were in VA! I'm happy the college you're attending is taking precautions for the fall semester. A lot of schools just want to wait and see what happens, and they're not asking teachers what they'd be comfortable with.
DeleteIt's less hot than it was last year here...I hope it stays this way. You actually played in the rain? LOL. It sounds messy, but fun!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with online learning! Your little boy sounds very mature and amenable, so I assume it won't be a problem.
Of course I played in the rain! I want to share all of these memories with my kids before they don't want to play with Mom anymore. ;) It wasn't messy, just wet. Online learning presents its own set of challenges, but we'll deal with them as they come up.
DeleteSpace Force was a bit of a struggle here, it took a wee while to get through, I did enjoy it in the end.
ReplyDeleteHere in Scotland we sitting just under 20 deg c, we are finding it warm!
Have a good week.
I don't hate Space Force, but it's not like I'm counting down the minutes until I can watch another episode. If my husband suggests watching it, it's just something we do. :) I like a lot of the cast, so that's a bonus. The story itself is meh. Jacob said people in the military (like him) probably find it more humorous and relatable.
DeleteI am going to keep an eye out for you updates on THE MALL. Reviews are all over the place, so I moved it down my TBR (I need only good book right now). If I had a school aged child, she would be staying home. The good thing is that you have a background in education and are in a position to really support your child's education(are the girls school aged yet?)
ReplyDeleteI only made it 10% into The Mall before DNFing it, if that helps. I posted my review for it on Goodreads, and it will post on here on the 31st (DNF&Y post). Basically, the main character was obnoxious and the writing too wordy. 🤷🏻♀️
DeleteThe girls would've started Pre-K this year, but I was always planning on doing that at home like I did with my son (even though there's two of them, which makes it a little harder for them to focus 😉). Having an educational background has been super helpful, I just never imagined using it like this. It's like homeschooling, but not quite...
Ugh, we are going through a heat wave right now, and I hate it! I don't like hot weather.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows, so I'm glad to hear you are, too!
Saaame. We've been getting emails from the city about staying hydrated and not keeping children or pets outside for too long. Our dogs barely get through their potty breaks before wanting back inside. Summer is my least favorite season, haha. House of Salt and Sorrows was great! Really eerie! :)
DeleteThat's great that you feel comfortable with online learning at home. That's definitely what I would lean to if I had a child. I wouldn't be at all on board with sending a kid back to school now.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy The Mall. It didn't work for me but I know several readers who really enjoyed it.
I feel comfortable with teaching him, but that doesn't mean I want to! ;) My son LOVES school! He likes talking to kids his own age and interacting with them every day. I know he misses socializing and hate that he's stuck at home. He keeps asking me when the virus will be over. 😐
DeleteI think it is hot everywhere right now, so gross! But, I do prefer the heat (usually) over the cold. Hope you guys are doing well!!
ReplyDeleteI hate feeling sweaty and salty! I prefer bundling up and sitting next to a fire. :) We're doing okay - - getting bored at home. Jacob and I try to keep things interesting and exciting, but there's only so much you can do. <3
DeleteWe started watching Space Force and it was ok but we haven't gotten back to it yet. I forgot about Booksmart. I still need to see that one.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
Jacob loves Space Force! I think some of the military references go over my head, but it's an enjoyable show. I LOVE John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, and Steve Carell. I also like that Jane Lynch is in it. However, I wish they'd explained Lisa Kudrow's role more. Maybe it does later on, but right now it's a big WHAT?!
DeleteYeah - she just kind of vanished lol
DeleteI always think it's too hot here then I see the temps you guys in the US have to deal with and I calm myself down, lol.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a choice with the schools. They go back in September or parents get fined... To be fair though, covid cases in the community are low right now. The "R" rate is estimated around 0.5-0.75 in my region so I'm happy with the measures the school are proposing. If that number begins to climb dramatically... Who knows? And I'm sure it will climb as more things open and the weather grows colder over the autumn. Just got to take it week by week at the moment, I think, and do your absolute best to stay safe.
Wow. They haven't threatened to fine parents here (that I know of), but it seems like an extreme measure. Parents are allowed to worry about their children's safety, and implementing a fine seems harsh under these circumstances. I'm happy to hear cases in your community are low. I've really started stressing out now that more children are dying from the virus. I hope you and yours stay safe, Nicci! <3
DeleteWell it’s midwinter here so I’m cozy under a heated blanket, but the heat will come again soon,
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week
Jealous! I want to be cozy and under a blanket! ;)
DeleteIT'S BEEN SO HOT! Not VA hot, but Chicago was in the 90s most of last week. It's been 90s today and yesterday but humidity is up.
ReplyDeleteBooksmart is such a great movie! Which scene had you crying? Also crazy that that's Jonah Hill's sister, but now I see it.
WOW. I think it's hot everywhere, haha. It rained yesterday and we played outside on the trampoline! A nice reprieve from the oppressive heat. :) YES. I'd heard that is was Jonah Hill's sister, and it was obvious from watching some of her mannerisms.
DeleteThankfully Scotland has a pretty mild climate and we don't often get it too hot. I get very grumpy when it does!
ReplyDeleteThat settles it then! I need to move to Scotland, because I also get very grumpy when I'm too hot. ;)
Delete