The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week, take a look ahead, and showcase our new treasures—I mean books!
Sometimes I also participate in The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz, Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality, and It’s Monday! What Are You Reading (#IMWAYR) hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.
The Past Week
In real life: Last weekend, on Saturday, we got a call that my dad was either too deeply asleep to be awakened, or he was semiconscious. The hospice nurse felt that I should come, and my stepmom was very anxious. So we flew to Utah on Sunday. When we got to their house, we were delighted to discover that Dad was doing better: he was awake and more alert than he had in a couple of weeks, though that did not last more than a couple of days. He has dementia and his physical health, balance, and strength continue to decline. There’s no telling how much time he has left, so I’m so glad we got this week with them both. I had some good conversations with Dad in his more lucid moments. I was also able to deal with some financial things on his behalf. And we were able to take both of them to the 90th birthday party of a long-time friend and fellow church member, who is known and loved by my dad’s extended family. Several of my cousins were there, so that was an unexpected bonus.
On another note, the news this week was depressing. I was horrified by the disaster in Nepal, and saddened by several deaths of prominent people, in particular Dolly Parton. She was an amazing woman: funny, smart, and wildly talented as both a singer and songwriter, but also a kind, compassionate, and generous person who made a huge difference in millions of children’s lives through her free book program. I admired her as a person and I loved her music. We’ve lost an icon.
Recent Posts
- Sunday Post – 8/23/2026
- Sunday Post – 8/30/2026 – this post
Looking Ahead
- Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel — a new Miss Marple mystery by Lucy Foley – review
- Sunday Post – 9/06/2026
What I’ve Been Reading/Watching
Reading: I finished A Many-Splintered Thing (ARC) and read Automatic Noodle (Annalee Newitz) on the plane last Sunday. Then I reread Siren’s Call and Illusion Town, books #12 and #13 in the Harmony series by Jayne Castle (aka Jayne Ann Krentz.) I’m currently rereading Guild Boss, the 14th book in the series, and reading The Haunted Librarian (ARC) by Auralee Wallace.
Listening to: I finished The Hot Zone (Jayne Castle) last Sunday. I didn’t listen to any audiobooks this week; I wanted to be present for my dad and stepmom.
Watching: Several Dolly Parton tributes on various stations, plus bits of local (Utah) news, Antiques Roadshow, Jeopardy, and way too many Rockies baseball games.
Added to the Hoard
(Click title for Goodreads page or my review.)
Purchased or Free
Kindle: The Library of Botanical Witchcraft; and Nobody’s Baby (reviewed previously.)
Ten Years Ago I Was Reading… (two-week version)
I saw this idea on Lisa Loves Literature, who got it from Musings of a Bookish Kitty (whom I also follow.) I published this review 10 years ago this week, between August 17 and August 30, 2016.
- Great World Religions: Christianity (Timothy Johnson)
- Sharp Edges (Jayne Ann Krentz)
- The Night Voyage (a coloring book by Daria Song)
Nicky @ The Bibliophibian
How did you like Automatic Noodle? I thought it was nice, but just… kinda stopped, and didn’t go where it’d seemed to be going.
I’m glad you got that time with your dad, but it must’ve been worrying as you headed there. Sending good thoughts!
Here’s my post for this week: https://breathesbooks.com/2026/08/29/stacking-the-shelves-the-sunday-post-142/
Nicky @ The Bibliophibian recently posted…Review – Fence, vol 7
Lark_Bookwyrm
I felt the same way. There were elements of the ending I was expecting, and there was some healing and growth for all the HEEI robots, but it didn’t have as strong or definitive ending as I had hoped. Maybe she’s planning a sequel?
Steph
I am glad you got some time with you dad. That has to be so hard and my anxiety would have been crazy getting there. This past week was so rough for so many…
Anne - Books of My Heart
It’s wonderful you were able to go and spend the time with them, and saw some other relatives too. I am so sad for the things happening in our govt. I’m mad that he’s cutting down the cherry trees.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Sarah @ Sarah's Book Solace
It really was a horrific news week. I am sorry to hear about your dad’s decline, but it sounds like you enjoyed the time with him this week!
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
It really has been a difficult week.I’m sorry your dad is decline but I’m glad you were able to spend some quality time with him.
I’ll be reading The Library of Botanical Witchcraft soon.
Thanks for sharing your week, happy reading
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out recently posted…It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #SundayPost #SundaySalon
Kat @ Forever Book Lover
I’m so glad you were able to make the trip and have some lucid moments and meaningful conversations with your dad. That time together, along with the unexpected chance to see extended family, sounds especially precious. Happy Reading!
Kat @ Forever Book Lover recently posted…Sunday Recap #9: Celebrations, Meal Prep & Looking Ahead
Lark@LarkWrites
It has been a sad news week this week. But I’m so glad you got some good moments with your dad. That’s a gift.
Lark@LarkWrites recently posted…Who is DS George Cross?
Sarah @ Brainfluff
Glad your dad improved when you got to see him and you were able to talk to him. Dementia is such a cruel illness. And yes – I, too, was very sad to hear of Dolly Parton’s death. When I was a teacher here in the UK, we had children in our school who were put forward for her literacy charity – they received a new book every month from her. Amazing lady and so very talented. I hope the coming week is a less stressful one, Lark.
Aj @ Read All The Things!
I’m glad your dad woke up, and you got to spend some time with him. I hope this week is better for you!
Aj @ Read All The Things! recently posted…What Is True Crime Literature?
Nicole @ BookWyrmKnits
I’m glad you were able to get in another good visit with your dad, though it sounds like there were plenty of hard moments too.
I’m curious to see what you think about The Haunted Librarian. It looks fun!
Nicole @ BookWyrmKnits recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday ~ Books With Nationalities In The Title
Lark_Bookwyrm
I’m grateful for that week. You’re right about the hard moments, though, and it’s only going to get harder from here on.
I’ve started The Haunted Librarian and I’m enjoying it!