Sunday, March 29, 2020

This Week in Reading - March 29


It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:


Summer on Honeysuckle Ridge by Debbie Mason - I wasn't going to get anything but then I saw this one. The cover is gorgeous and the premise involves home renovation and a main character starting over so I couldn't resist.  (NetGalley)

Antiques Fire Sale by Barbara Allan - And once I started I couldn't really stop!  This is a mystery series that has been on my TBR because it's a cozy mystery involving antiques which is one of my favorite things.  (NetGalley)

Killing Time by Susanne Trauth - I read the previous one in the series last year and really enjoyed it and this one involves Halloween which a favorite cozy mystery holiday so I couldn't pass it up.  (NetGalley)

Murder in Waiting by Lynn Cahoon - The Tourist Trap series is one of my absolute favorite cozy series so I had to pick this one up!  (NetGalley)

Currently:



Reading: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein, and Laeitia Rodd and the Wandering Scholar by Kate Saunders

Listening:I finished The Storm Sister by Lucinda Riley and am just starting Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

Watching:  We finished Grantchester and The Pale Horse (which only vaguely resembled the Agatha Christie book and was very good in the middle but a little too art-y at the beginning and end).  I'm not sure what we are going to start next.

Off the Blog:

I hope everyone is doing well in quarantine or self isolation or social distancing or whatever you're doing.  We are basically going full self isolation because my husband can work from home and my son is home schooled.  Other then the internet and a drive I haven't had contact with the outside world since March 19 when I had a doctor's appointment.  My husband is the one going out to the grocery store and to pick out take out.  We are trying to balance cooking at home and getting takeout to help out local businesses (and so I don't have to cook!).  They announced at the end of this week that school is switching to distance learning for the rest of the school year with the hope that big events like prom and graduation ceremonies can be scheduled either at the beginning of June or end of May. 

I haven't had really any extra time.  I know a lot of people are very stressed or getting sucked into the news black hole but so far I'm neither of those things but things are still a bit crazy here.  I've found a channel of YouTube called Soothing Relaxation that's all pretty spa-type music that I've been loving for when I'm trying to go to sleep or when I'm reading.  It definitely helps settle the mind and tune out the background noise a bit.  How is your quarantine going?

On the Blog:

What Happened:

What's Coming Up:

Monday:  The Blue Castle - Fiction Review
Tuesday: My Nonfiction Reading List
Wednesday:  TBD
Thursday:  Books from the Backlog
Friday: Friday Fives
Saturday:  March Reading Recap

Have a great week and happy reading!

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26 comments:

  1. GregMarch 29, 2020 at 12:19 AM

    Everything is so up in the air now isn't it? Funny how quickly life can change with something like this! I love relaxing music too and especially now- will definitely be checking out that recommendation.

    We've been alternating between cooking at home and getting take out too. We just discovered a new pizza/ sandwich place that is amazing haha so we'll be frequenting them often to help them stay in business! And because they're yummy. :)

    Take care and stay well!

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  2. Kathryn TMarch 29, 2020 at 2:13 AM

    The cover of the Mason book is very inviting, I agree. Will be so interested to see how you find the Amor Towles book, so many readers have mentioned it. Take care, staying home makes big sense.

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  3. chucklesthescotMarch 29, 2020 at 2:58 AM

    I think I need to find something to help me de-stress in some way as I think the stress of various things is making me a bit sick at the moment. My dad is feeling pretty run down too. I'm glad your family is at home and staying safe. I guess it'll take time to adjust to this new normal!

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  4. Gayathri LakshminarayananMarch 29, 2020 at 5:23 AM

    We are just settling into a new normal and I think it is slowly hitting me realizing that the world as we knew it is done. Everything will have changed in 2-3 months. It is crazy!


    Gayathri @ Elgee Writes

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  5. sjhigbeeMarch 29, 2020 at 6:57 AM

    I love the sound Antiques Fire Sale, Katherine. At least you are well set up for teaching the Tornado, given you've been home-schooling for a while... Have a safe, healthy week.

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  6. KayMarch 29, 2020 at 7:20 AM

    Sounds like your lives are moving along and aren't you glad you had already started homeschooling? You're way ahead in that regard. Thanks for the soothing music recommend. Reminds me that when I homeschooled our daughter (eons ago in the 90's), we used to have music on the background - instrumental music. It was just what we needed. Take care and enjoy your new books!

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  7. StormiMarch 29, 2020 at 8:10 AM

    Those books sound great! I am glad you guys are all doing good. We are staying at home with a few runs to Walmart now and then for food replishing. We wouldn't have to keep going and looking if people wouldn't panic so much and grab it all up before anyone else has a chance to shop. I mean seriously, I got to wonder where everyone is putting all the MEAT! We only have a small freezer...lol. Hard to do keto without my meat!

    Have a great week and happy reading!
    Stormi
    Week in Review

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  8. Natalie @Natflix&BooksMarch 29, 2020 at 8:59 AM

    I've been on spring break but am starting to teach remotely this week. We're currently scheduled to go back in a couple of weeks, but I doubt that will happen. I love calm.com and always sleep with a white noise machine. Stay safe and happy reading!

    Natflix&Books

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  9. La La in the LibraryMarch 29, 2020 at 9:34 AM

    I'm used to the being home, but I'm trying to stay away from Baz as much as possible because he's still working and they still have no masks or hand sanitizer. I miss hugs and even just sitting in the same room with him. I walk around with paper towels and rubbing alcohol wiping every place he touches. It's really stressful. 😛

    Have a wonderful week! 🌞

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  10. Laurel-Rain SnowMarch 29, 2020 at 10:29 AM

    Antiques Fire Sale looks good! I'll be checking it out.

    I try to avoid the online news videos that seem to thrive on generating hate and panic...and I love that some are posting music videos. Music is so relaxing!

    I am enjoying more time to read and watch movies. Stay safe!

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  11. Carole's Random LifeMarch 29, 2020 at 10:39 AM

    I feel so bad for all of the kids graduating this year. Graduation, Prom, and senior nights might not happen at all for a lot of them. I know a lot of people think that our schools might go back at the end of the month but I don't see it happening. It is great that you are still getting take out. We are so limited on where we can eat that we haven't done that yet but I hope to order out at least once next week.

    Stay safe, enjoy your new books, and have a great week!

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  12. Literary FelineMarch 29, 2020 at 10:54 AM

    I have heard such great things about A Gentleman in Moscow. Perhaps one day I will read it! My daughter's teacher evidently mentioned to the class via Zoom on Friday that they will be set up with Google Classroom soon. I am not sure all that will entail, but I am glad the school is doing something. We haven't been officially told we will be out for the rest of the term school wise, but the governor has said it is likely.I hope all is well. Stay safe.

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  13. BerlsMarch 29, 2020 at 11:37 AM

    I'm glad your situation is working out so well! We haven't been doing takeout at all because my husband is too nervous. I wish we would give ourselves a cooking break, not to nesntion I knoe local restaurants are really struggling to survive this.

    Stay safe and have a good week!

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  14. NicciMarch 29, 2020 at 11:52 AM

    Summer on Honeysuckle Ridge sounds like a nice one!

    I've wasted too much time and head space on keeping up with the news the past few weeks. I'm thinking this week, I need to keep it switched off. We're in lockdown for another two weeks (government mandated) so I'm hoping that by switching the news off my stress level will go down!

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  15. shelleyrae @ book'd outMarch 29, 2020 at 11:55 AM

    All our local cafes and restaurants have moved to takeaway since the govt. shut down all eat in establishments. I’d love to order out but unfortunately it’s not in our budget. My children’s school has moved to formal online instruction as of this week so we’ll see how it goes. Under normal circumstances they only have 2 weeks left before the two week Easter break anyway.

    Wishing you a great reading week and good health

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  16. StacyReneeMarch 29, 2020 at 1:07 PM

    Not everyone in my household can stay home so I'm most worried about it being brought home! I am avoiding the news when I can, trying to stay busy cleaning and gardening but it's tough! I wish I could concentrate on reading right now!
    I hope you have a great week! Stay safe! :)

    Stacy Renee | LazyDayLit

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  17. Lark @ The Bookwyrm's HoardMarch 29, 2020 at 1:11 PM

    I'm glad you're able to all stay home, and that it hasn't disrupted your life too much. My husband has been teleworking for two weeks now. Since I already work from home, I'm enjoying having him around! We go for walks, but other than that, we pretty much stay home except for the occasional trip to the dump to drop off our trash and recycling. I'm having trouble concentrating on reading, but have been enjoying listening to Harry Potter (again.) Oh, and thanks for posting about the new Lynn Cahoon book; I just requested it from NetGalley.

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  18. Jen | Book DenMarch 29, 2020 at 1:56 PM

    I haven't had take out in a really long time. I miss the balance of not having to constantly cook.

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  19. NorthwomanMarch 29, 2020 at 2:27 PM

    I'm so glad you are having an easier transition since you already had things in place. We are doing ok but it's more an adjustment for us. I prefer more time at home but I'm anxious about the financial aspects for many not just me. We aren't getting any takeout with our GF issues and are trying to self-isolate the most possible. I am reading too much of the news. But I also hope to do some projects with my extra time once I settle into the new normal.

    Stay healthy, relaxed and happy reading!

    Anne - Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post   

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  20. MysticaMarch 29, 2020 at 10:42 PM

    Trying to settle in to a new lockdown routine with full curfew and failing! very little reading done and just drifting.

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  21. ROMarch 30, 2020 at 6:05 AM

    I feel bad for all the parents who have basically gone back to school because they have to work with their kids at home, and I'm telling you that my son is going bonkers(lol) He's even been resorting to playing practical jokes(something he's never done-lol) to maintain his sanity. I'm trying to get this business going so that's taking up some time, but I still have time to read or watch Netflix.(lol) Be well and sending lots of hugs, RO

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  22. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzMarch 30, 2020 at 10:18 AM

    Your calmness is soothing. I have had to stop news notifications from my phone, and I am filled with anxiety every time I go out of the house. I think I am getting a little calmer as days pass, though. The worst of it is that I am having trouble reading anything but children's books. I am going to try again today to read something other than those.

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  23. BeaMarch 30, 2020 at 11:48 AM

    The state ordered all schools and daycares closed until at least May 4th so I'm home, self isolating. I'm in the at risk population so I've been inside except for a grocery trip and checking my mail. I may switch to online grocery shopping for an extra level of safety. It sounds like you and your family are handling things well. Stay safe!

    I also got the Allan and Mason books, too hard to resist! Have fun!

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  24. YvonneMarch 30, 2020 at 2:12 PM

    I'm doing okay with the self-isolation. I can't seem to concentrate on any one thing so I do a few things. I just need to cut back on the amount of news I watch on TV.

    The Debbie Mason book looks really good.

    Thank you for your kind words for the loss of my cat.

    Take care and stay safe.

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  25. SusanMarch 30, 2020 at 4:04 PM

    Same. I'm basically just hunkering down, with the occasional trip to the grocery store, pharmacy, and physical therapist. Arizona's governor just announced today that schools will not reopen this school year. Bummer. I figured it was coming, but still ... this is going to be the longest school break EVER!!

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  26. StefanieApril 17, 2020 at 5:30 PM

    Your quarantine is going like ours except my kids get assignments from their schools and we are not doing take out. I've been cooking two meals a day where a part of them may be from frozen food or canned. I'm just grateful to have food for us.

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