Family Time: Sunday Post 8/07/16

August 7, 2016 Sunday Post 12

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… er, Weeks

Two weeks ago: Our hastily-redesigned vacation-cum-family-reunion with Mr. Bookwyrm’s family went well… if you don’t count the several-days-dead mouse in the garbage can when we arrived. (Such a lovely smell…) Despite that slightly rocky beginning, we had a wonderful time, mostly just hanging out together—and mostly indoors, due to a) the heat and b) the torrential late-afternoon and evening rains. On Wednesday we drove to Staunton to see Twelfth Night at the American Shakespeare Center, which was terrific. (If you’re anywhere in Virginia or Maryland, the ASC is well worth a visit.) On Thursday we went hiking; I only managed about 3 miles, but I enjoyed the day anyway, especially hanging out and having lunch by a waterfall. And on Saturday we went to Shenandoah Caverns and Luray Caverns. The latter is more impressive than the former, but both were interesting—and blessedly cool!

I mentioned the torrential rains. Thankfully, there was no flooding anywhere we were, but after some of the rains we drove through or waited out, I can see how easily a flash flood could occur. My heart goes out to the people of Ellicott City, Maryland.

Of course, there was no internet at the cabin and the lodge was 3 miles away, so I wasn’t able to post, comment, or visit at all that week.

This past week: With only three days in between to do laundry and repack—in her case, for college—Robin and I boarded a plane Thursday to visit my dad and stepmom in Utah. Again, we’re mostly just hanging out and enjoying the family time, but we made a pilgrimage to The King’s English bookshop, where we found signed books by Jessica Day George and Victoria Schwab! I forgot my camera, so no photos yet, but I hope to get back there for photos and a post.

Next week we head to New Mexico to see my mom, stepdad, sister, and sister’s family, before Robin goes back to college. I promise I will try to catch up on comments and get back on top of posting soon!

 

Last Two Weeks on the Blog

 

Upcoming on the Blog

 

What I’m Reading/Watching

Reading: I thought I’d get plenty of reading done during my vacation, but I’ve been spending a lot of time hanging out and playing cards with various parts of my extended family, so reading time has been about average. I finished Illusion Town (Jayne Castle), Death at the Day Lily Cafe (Wendy Sand Eckel; ARC), and Once a Rancher and Always a Cowboy (Linda Lael Miller; purchased and ARC respectively.) I also read Midsummer Night’s Mischief for today’s tour, and re-read a Stephanie Laurens romance. Next up is Family Time by Susan Wiggs (ARC.)

Listening: I made a little more progress on Bill Bryson’s Made in America in the last two weeks, and listened to a few more Imaginary Worlds podcasts. Great World Religions: Islam is still on hold.

Watching: 

 

New Additions to the Hoard

Cover links take you to Goodreads.

For Review or Review Consideration

Many thanks to Avon, Midnight Ink, and Kensington!

 

Purchased for Kindle

I preordered Illusion Town months ago. The others were all free or bargain prices. St. Patrick’s Gargoyle is an enjoyable but relatively light book by one of my favorite fantasy authors; I bought the Kindle so I can give away my hardcover, which I don’t really feel the need to own. I loved Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy when I read the ARC (my review), so I bought a Kindle copy when it went on sale. (I might want a hardcover for my collection, too.) The others are all previously unread.

Purchased in print

Of course I preordered HP and the Cursed Child! Having dipped into it, though, I sort of wish I’d gotten it from the library, even with the miles-long hold list. Winterwood looks fascinating: magic, Georgian England, fae, and a cross-dressing female privateer! I had borrowed it from the library months ago, but didn’t have time to get into it, so I bought a used copy. And Princess Academy is my treat from The King’s English—it’s hardcover and signed by Shannon Hale.

 

Happy reading!

12 Responses to “Family Time: Sunday Post 8/07/16”

  1. Melissa (My World...in words and pages)

    Glad things turned to the better on your vacation/reunion. That would be a stinky find with this heat though. Yuck.

    Hope you have a good week!