Sunday Post: 5/26/13

May 26, 2013 Sunday Post, Sunday Salon 24

The Sunday Post is a meme sponsored by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.  It’s a chance to share news.  A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Another week of working on the index; I’m a little behind where I want to be, so I’ll be working hard this weekend and the coming week.  I’m a little blue because I’m missing my 30th college reunion this weekend, in part because of the index.  But the work — and the income! — is very welcome.

Our daughter had her last violin recital with her beloved teacher on Thursday.  Rather than have the advanced violin students play individual pieces, Mrs. R had them focus on their music for their chamber music group.  They played Vivaldi’s Concerto Grosso in D minor (the whole thing) and the first movement of his Concerto for 2 Violins in A minor.  Robin and another girl played first violin for the Concerto Grosso, and Robin played first violin for the A minor for 2 violins.  It’s just amazing to contrast the little 7-year-old Robin squeaking out “Twinkle, Twinkle” with this accomplished 18-year-old playing real classical repertoire, and playing it well.  I hope we can find her a teacher near her college for next year. 

My husband has been working so hard, Robin and I decided play lawn fairies and mow the lawn for him.  Yeesh.  I haven’t mowed in probably 30 years, and I’d forgotten how heavy the darn lawnmower is.  Thank goodness Robin did two-thirds of it.  (I’m supposed to keep the landscaping nice; he does the mowing and clipping bushes.  He’s kept his part of the bargain over the years.  Me, not so much.  I don’t have a green thumb, and I tend to wilt in the heat and humidity.) 

The weather this week has been lovely and cool, albeit a bit wet.  I’m trying to get out for a walk every day to enjoy the coolness, knowing that the aforementioned heat and humidity are on their way.   My husband plans to grill tomorrow, but other than that, we don’t really have any Memorial Day plans.  We used to watch PBS’s Memorial Day Concert, but we gave up cable TV last month, so unless they stream it online, we’ll have to skip it this year.  (So far, this is the first time I’ve missed having cable since we gave it up.  Mostly, we do very well with Netflix and Hulu — and I don’t watch much TV anyway.  I’d rather read!)

I wish you all a wonderful Memorial Day and a good week to come!

The past week on the blog: 

    The coming week:

    • Top Ten Tuesday: Freebie surprise topic — I’m still trying to decide!
    • Saturday: News & Notes 
    • Reviews: TBD

     Challenges:

    I joined the Clean Sweep ARC Challenge for May, hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Kimberly at The Windy Pages. This past week, I did manage to finish several review copies, but haven’t yet written the reviews.

    I’m also participating in the NetGalley Challenge sponsored by Red House Books, which runs all year. I’ll post the titles for this challenge at the beginning of June.

    New arrivals:   

    Lots of lovely new books for me to review this week, and a few good ones from the library as well!

    For Review: 

    Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss for giving me an e-ARC of Magic Marks the Spot, the first in what looks like a rollicking MG fantasy series about a girl who wants to be a pirate.  Sounds like a lot of fun — I can’t wait to read it!

    Many thanks to Harlequin for approving these four.  I finished Sea Glass Island already; I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series about three sisters (reviews are coming!)  The others look good too: light reading, perfect for summer!

    I also downloaded Vera Nazarian’s Cobweb Bride and Sheila Connolly’s Relatively Dead via NetGalley’s Read Now program, courtesy of publishers Norilana Books and Beyond the Page (respectively.)

    Finally, Gallery is letting me read Banquet of Lies, by Michelle Diener.  There’s no cover available yet, but it’s a historical mystery/spy story set in Great Britain, with an upstairs-downstairs flavor.

    From the library: 

    I want to reread Tuesdays at the Castle before reading Wednesdays in the Tower, which I can hardly wait to start!

    I borrowed Scarlet earlier this spring, but had to return it before I had time to read it.  Robin read it and liked it, so at least its time in our house wasn’t wasted.  This time around (ever the optimist!) I hope to squeeze it in before it has to go back — despite all those lovely ARCs with deadlines breathing down my neck. 

    What’s new in your TBR pile this week?

     


    24 Responses to “Sunday Post: 5/26/13”

      • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

        Right on both counts! Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you have a good Memorial Day, too — oh, wait, you’re on the other side of the pond, so yours is in November, isn’t it? Well, have a great week, anyway!

    1. Creations by Laurel-Rain Snow

      You have some great books in your pile…I love those covers…and while I haven’t read any of these authors, I am now tempted!

      I think it’s been even longer since I mowed the grass….which is why I’m glad I now live in a place that provides gardening service. Even though I grumble every week at how much noise they make…lol.

      Enjoy your new week, and here’s MY SUNDAY SALON POST

    2. Vasilly

      I haven’t mowed a lawn in years (I no longer have one), but I do miss it! 😉 I’ve been wanting to read Tuesdays at the Castle for awhile now. It looks so interesting. Have a great weekend.

      • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

        I love having a lawn. Taking care of it, not so much! I just re-read Tuesdays at the Castle last night; it’s so much fun. I’ll start Wednesdays in the Tower tonight. Happy reading!

    3. kimbacaffeinate

      I love all the Harlequin books they just scream summer. As an at home Mom, I use to cut the lawn and loved it, but my RA has put a stop to that. Enjoy your weekend with that lovely family of yours! The Sunday Post

      • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

        They do, don’t they? I’m sorry about your RA; I have a friend who struggles with that, and it’s really tough. Thanks for coming by, and enjoy your weekend, too!

    4. Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings

      All those nice sweet reads. I enjoy all those great feel good books. I loved Scarlet. I hope you do too. Glad you got the lawn mowed. It is a pain in the butt, right?

      • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

        I think my hands hurt more than my posterior. 😉

        Can’t wait to start Scarlet, but I need to get through Game of the Gods, first — I’ve got a review copy and the book is coming out June 4, I think.

        Have a great week!

      • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

        It all depends on the division of labor in your house. My honey has been working a lot of extra hours recently. Seems only fair the rest of us should pick up some of his chores!

    5. Victoria Hooper

      Ooh that pirate book sounds so fun! 🙂 Some other great stuff too, hope you enjoy them all. I wish we had a lawn (we live in a flat), but at the same time I am glad we don’t have to mow one! Have a fantastic week! 🙂

      • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

        There are some distinct advantages to flat or condo living, and not having to deal with the yard/garden is one of them. (Unless you’re someone who loves to garden, of course.)

        And I agree, the pirate book sounds awesome. Can’t wait to start it!

    6. Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

      Nice haul Lark! I kinda wish I would be allowed to mow the lawn but it seems to be one of those men only things when it comes to the men in my life from my dad to my brother to the hubby….of course this just means extra reading time! I hope you had a great week and I’m sorry I haven’t been around much to comment!
      Thanks for stopping by my Sunday Post this week!
      Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

      • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

        Oh, I’d really prefer not to mow, but my husband is working so hard these days, and if it rains on the weekend, he just can’t get to it. So I really need to learn to pick up the slack. (Alas, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak — I am definitely out of shape.)