Sunday Post – 1/31/16

January 31, 2016 Sunday Post 24

The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week, take a look ahead, and showcase our new treasures – I mean books!

My Week

I flew home Tuesday and got right back to work Wednesday. It’s been good to be back even though I’ve barely had time to unpack — this will be a short post because I’m up to my ears in work.

My dad called Friday to tell me that my aunt H passed away Friday. (Not the wife of the uncle who died two weeks ago; this was his eldest brother’s widow.) It was expected; she had pneumonia and congestive heart failure, and she was 89 or so. But it’s the second death in the family in under three weeks, and it’s hard. We’re losing my parents’ generation too quickly. At least I got to visit her briefly when I was there last weekend, although I don’t think she recognized me. I’d like to fly out again for the funeral or memorial service, but I won’t (or rather, can’t) decide for certain until the date is set.

Between death and grief, family gatherings, and work, I haven’t done well with keeping up with the blog this month — or with any of my challenges. I’m reading, but mostly re-reads and other comfort reads, very much on the whim of the moment.  I’ll probably end up pulling out one or two of my “reserve” reviews for next week.

 

Last Week on the Blog

Krentz_SecretSisters

 

Upcoming on the Blog

Cahoon_TouristTrap-06_MurderOnWheels
  • Mon. 2/01:  – January Challenge Wrap-Up
  • Tues. 2/02: TBD
  • Wed. 2/03: TOUR & Guest Post: Murder on Wheels (Lynn Cahoon)
  • Thur. 2/04: TBD
  • Fri. 2/05: TBD
  • Sat. 2/06: News & Notes 2/05/16 – tentative
  • Sun. 2/07: Sunday Post 2/06/16 – tentative

What I’m Reading/Watching

As I said above, it’s been a week for re-reading — I finished the Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy (Dark Witch, Shadow Spell, Blood Magick), then re-read Heart Change (Robin D. Owens, part of her Celta series.) I’m apparently on a fantasy-romance kick right now, because I went on to read two more in the Celta series that I hadn’t read before, Heart Fate and Heart Search.  I should really get back to all my ARCs, so hopefully I’ll be working on a few historical romances and starting on Cathy Ace’s The Case of the Missing Morris Dancer this coming week. (Or I might jump ahead and read the new Amanda Quick novel!)

 

New Additions to the Hoard

Cover links take you to Goodreads.

 For Review

 

Gifted
Rowling_HP-01_PhilosphersStone_illus_UK-ed_MED-600x707

SQUEEE! Yes, that is the British edition. We ordered a copy for Robin for Christmas — British, because she prefers the original text (unmodified for US readers.) And my husband ordered one for me, as well. But mine arrived damaged, and after some discussions with Amazon-UK, we agreed to a refund and then ordered a new copy from Book Depository. It came while I was in Utah, and was waiting for me when I got back.

 

Purchased for Kindle

I’ve read and reviewed Princess Elizabeth’s Spy, and read both the Agatha Christies, but the others are new for me.

 

From the Library

 

I hope you have a terrific week,  and happy reading!

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24 Responses to “Sunday Post – 1/31/16”

    • Lark_Bookwyrm

      Thank you, Michelle. Everyone here has been so warm and supportive and it really does help… especially the virtual hugs from friends like you.

  4. Jan @ Notes from a Readerholic

    You and your family have had a traumatic month or so. Even when death isn’t a surprise it can be hard to process. I hope you’re able to go to the service.

    I received Til Death Do Us Part this week, too. I’m looking forward to it since I haven’t read anything by Amanda Quick for awhile.

    Take care and have a good week.
    Jan @ Notes from a Readerholic recently posted…Sunday Post: Jan 31My Profile

    • Lark_Bookwyrm

      It’s really been a rough month, for my dad’s side of the family at least. My mom’s side is (thankfully) doing just fine.

      I’m supposed to be reading several books for February and March, but I think I might squeeze the Amanda Quick book in. Her books are always fun — though this one might be a little darker than usual, from some things she said in her newsletter or blog or someplace (I forget where.)

  5. Lola

    It’s always nice to be home again if you have been gone for awhile. Good luck with your work, you sound busy. I am sorry to hear about your aunt, that must be so hard to have two deaths in the family so close together. I am so sorry for you and your family.
    Enjoy your comfort reads. The illustarted Harry Potter books looks great! Take care of yourself and I hope this is a better week for you!
    Lola recently posted…Sunday Post #163My Profile

    • Lark_Bookwyrm

      Thank you, Lola. It’s been hard — surprisingly so, given that I’ve known my aunt was in failing health for several years. I still find my eyes welling up with tears unexpectedly. But I’m taking care of myself and my husband has been wonderfully supportive.

    • Lark_Bookwyrm

      It was a good week bookwise, at least. I should treat myself to some time to just pore over the illustrations in the HP book. So far I’ve only had time to peek.

  7. Greg

    I am so sorry to hear about your aunt. One loss is hard enough… I read your Down the Rabbit Hole post- so true! The Internet can be such a time trap! I don’t use Goodreads enough, I need to, and same for Twitter. Picmonkey I should try as I’m a novice at graphics, don’t really have any skills in that area LOL.

    I love the cover of Princess Elizabeth’s Spy, and those Christie covers as well.
    Greg recently posted…Sunday Post #127My Profile

    • Lark_Bookwyrm

      I lose so much time on the Internet, and on the computer generally. I’m beginning to think I need to set a timer just so I don’t fritter the day away! PicMonkey is a good program for novices; it’s pretty easy to use.

      They’ve been redoing a lot of the Christie covers, and I like the new style (like these.)

  8. Rita @ View From My Home

    Sorry about your melancholy month and grieving. Hope you can lose yourself in your family and your work.

    I like some of the books you showed, Murder on Wheels really appeals to me, and that Harry Potter cover is amazing! My grandson, in third grade, is slowly making his way through the HP series and is about to start #3. I’m so glad that my grandkids love books!
    Rita @ View From My Home recently posted…Weekly Wrap-Up 1/31/16My Profile

    • Lark_Bookwyrm

      Thank you, Rita, for your kind thoughts. And I love that your grandson is reading the HP books, and that your grandchildren love books — what a joy that will be for them!

    • Lark_Bookwyrm

      Thank you, Charlie. Everyone has been so supportive, both here and in person, and I’m so blessed to have so many people who care.

    • Lark_Bookwyrm

      I’ve always turned to reading when things are sad or stressful — and usually things I’ve read before, or authors who always deliver so I know exactly what to expect, and don’t get any unpleasant surprises.