Sunday, June 29, 2014

This Week in Reading - June 28


It's Sunday so it's time for the weekly wrap up with Sunday Post from Caffeinated Book Reviewer where we get to talk about what's going on, what's coming up and anything bookish and not so bookish.

What I Got:

NetGalley:

The Hexed by Heather Graham - I read The Cursed earlier this month and really enjoyed it so I'm looking forward to the next one in this supernatural romantic suspense series.

Harbor Island by Carla Neggers - this is the 3rd of Carla Negger's books that I've read but the first one not in the Swift River Valley series.  This is a romantic suspense involving art theft and Ireland.

The Way You Look Tonight by Belle Andre - this author has been highly recommended and while I still haven't read the previous one of hers that I have I decided to go on and get this one too.

Embellished to Death by Christina Freeburn - I've been in a cozy mystery kind of mood lately and this fit right into that.  I like that there's a PI involved to keep it from being the random woman whose asking questions she has no business asking and expecting people to answer them.

That's it from NetGalley this week and while I have some requests still pending I'm going to give the request button a rest for awhile until I get caught up.  

Other:

Only one book from other sources this week and that was The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman.  I've been intrigued the premise and hooked by the stunning cover for awhile so I was really excited to get this book in a giveaway from the awesome April from Bookishly Speaking.  Can't wait to read it!

Audiobooks: 

As I mentioned last week I'd just figured out how to get audiobooks from the library.  I ended up getting 3 and so far I've really been enjoying listening to them.  I've had some trouble figuring out an activity that's mindless enough I can focus on the book but still doing something so I don't get distracted.  I started with Sarah Silverman's book Bed Wetter.  I don't really care for her comedy acts but I thought a humor book might with not much of a plot might be a good way to start.  I'm not sure I'd want to read it but I enjoyed listening to it.  I've now moved onto The Great Gatsby which I've been meaning to reread for ages.  Question though - does anyone feel like audiobooks are kind of cheating towards a book count?  I listened to the entire Silverman book but I feel funny about counting it on Goodreads because I didn't actually physcially read it.  Anyone else have that issue?
Also, I discovered my library has a number of different language books so I've been teaching myself Irish this week.  It's been very entertaining.

Other Stuff:

I picked my first regular size tomato yesterday!  I was so excited to have my first BLT of the season.  So yummy!  I've got tons of cherry tomatoes that already ripe but they're not so great for sandwiches.  I do need to make a pasta salad or something with them soon though.

We bought The Lego Movie last week for the Tornado.  We saw at the theater when it came out and he loved it.  We have literally watched it everyday for a solid week.  I can basically recite the movie now and I'm kind of surprised I don't dream in Lego figures.  The good thing is he's gotten back to really playing with his Legos and it's not Yo Gabba Gabba which we had been watching.

On the Blog:

Last Week:

A review of the paranormal romantic suspense The Cursed by Heather Graham
A Top Ten Tuesday about favorite cover trends - it was really fun to see how different everyone's opinions were. 
A somewhat disappointing mystery - Vertigo 42 by Martha Grimes
A fun romantic suspense with Julia Quinn's The Sum of All Kisses
Some excerpts from the newest cozy I'm reading Home for the Homicide by Jennie Bentley
A review for a gothic romance from Victoria Holt with The Secret Woman

Next Week:

The review for a really fun non-fiction - Jennifer, Gwyneth and Me by Rachel Bertsche
My top ten favorite classics though I haven't decided what genre
A Friday linkups with the blog hop question, book beginning and 56 though I can't promise that this week won't be an Agatha Christie
And at least 2 more book reviews.

What's ahead for you this week?  Happy reading!

52 comments:

  1. Great new books, Katherine. Enjoy the week ahead.

    My recap: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/06/weekly-book-recap-73.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know this can be a controversial topic, but I think books are books regardless of how they are "consumed". Audiobooks allow me to fit more books into my life and goodreads is all about keeping track of your books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I definitely agree with you it's just taking me a little bit to get my head around "consuming" them differently!

      Delete
  3. I hope you enjoy The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street. I'm not sure if it's for me or not, but I love the cover. Seriously #coverho-worthy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it gorgeous! I totally judge books by their cover!

      Delete
  4. I don't enjoy listening to books, but whatever works for you! I am curious about The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street...what a catchy title and lovely cover. Enjoy!

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the cover and title! I'm hoping the book lives up to it. I'm liking listening for now but I can see how you wouldn't. I do like "reading" a book while putting up laundry or whatnot.

      Delete
  5. I understand how you're feeling about audiobooks but I do think they count. What about people who can't see and listen to audiobooks or read braille, would you say then that it doesn't count? They're perfectly valid book formats so enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's more of a mental thing. I definitely think they count - partly for the reasons you mention- but it takes me awhile to adjust to new things. I've accepted it more now!

      Delete
  6. I love cherry tomatoes! I cut them in quarters and use them on tacos, nachos, and Mexican rice, or just make rice in the rice cooker and toss the tomatoes on rice in a bowl with a fried egg, cheese and hot sauce. Yum!

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rice, tomatoes, fried eggs, cheese and hot sauce!!! I'm seriously drooling. Tacos sound good. May have to make those tonight to use up some of my tomatoes!

      Delete
  7. LOL about Yo Gabba Gabba- I remember those days! Can't say I miss the show actually... :) And we never saw the LEGO movie but heard it was quite good. Will have to rent that...

    Nothing like fresh tomatoes from the garden...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yo Gabba Gabba - I just stare at it in complete bewilderment at times. It's so strange in all levels. The Lego Movie is actually really good and that's coming from someone who has seen it a dozen times in as many days!

      Delete
  8. I got the Hexd too. She has another one on there too..it is not part of the Krewe, so I snagged it because I am curious ..LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just got that one! Can't wait. I really like Graham as an author so far so I'm excited!

      Delete
  9. OMG Yo Gabba Gabba, I am sad and glad my kids don't watch that anymore. we spend a lot of time watching Disney Jr.. I haven't planted a garden this year but I might go get a tomato plant just to get fresh tomatoes. BLT are my favorite, I also slice them up and drizzle with Olive Oil, Salt and Oregano...so yummy :)

    Enjoy your new reads and Have a great week Katherine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yo Gabba Gabba is a new addition that he's probably too old for but there's something so oddly hypnotizing about it. I have an oregano plant so I may have to have your method for dealing with tomatoes! Sounds delicious!

      Delete
  10. I love cutting the little tomatoes in half, mix it with cucumber and spinach and mix all together with some Italian dressing. Then put it on some really good French or Italian bread. Yum. Sometimes I add avocado. Now I'm hungry. lol. Hope you enjoy your books. I desperately need to read another Graham book soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm seriously drooling! That sounds fantastic!

      Delete
  11. I am looking forward to reading Hexed. It'll be my first full length novel by the author.

    Yo Gaba Gaba was popular in our house for a short time, and it seems like we've forever been into Disney Jr. Jake and the Neverland Pirates and the Octonauts are the main favorites right now.

    I hope you have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I made the mistake of picking up one of those DVDs that have a bunch of different shows for $5. One of those was Yo Gabba Gabba and he was hypnotized even though he's probably a little too old for it. It's a strange show. I really enjoyed Cursed so I have high hopes for Hexed.

      Delete
  12. My only tomato plant is in a pot and doesn't see to be doing that well. Next year, I may put it in an enclosed raised bed! Enjoy your tomato harvest this year. Happy week of reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have raised beds and so far so good. The weather this year has been cooperative as compared to last year which was not tomato growing weather!

      Delete
  13. Your tomatoes sound so good, Katherine! I've only got herbs and some bell pepper plants. And I do think however you get your books it's still counts as reading.

    The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street does have a great cover! I hope you enjoy it and all the books you got this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm really enjoying it. I've expanded a little this year so I have a few different kinds of peppers, zucchini, squash and cucumbers as well!

      Delete
  14. Hexed looks good, hope that you enjoy! Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really liked the previous one in the series so I'm hoping this is as good!

      Delete
  15. I love the cover of Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street! Hope you enjoy your new books (: Also, I love the Lego Movie, it's so cute. Batman!!! Have an awesome week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Batman is my favorite character in that movie! He never gets old and I've watched it a LOT.

      Delete
  16. I would like to read Ice Cream Queen and Hexed. I don't prefer audio books, but I wanted to branch out so I took out an audio book from the library this weekend. I have to figure out how I want to listen to it since I don't work, so I don't drive by myself for any long distances in the car. I no longer have a radio/cd player in the house. I guess on my computer or if I can somehow get it to play on my kindle, hmm...lol.
    I love cherry tomatoes! I eat them by the handful for a snack, or in the following no-brainer recipe: I just mix them in a bowl with some thinly-sliced mini cucumbers, then I add a dressing of equal parts of quality mustard & apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of either sugar or splenda. Then I sprinkle shaved fresh Parmesan on top. Yummy!
    Have a good week and enjoy your good haul of books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had the same problem as you with audiobooks in CD form. Since I don't drive by myself it was just impossible to make work. I've been able to get them on my phone so I've been listening while doing laundry or unloading the dishwasher or other mindless tasks.
      I LOVE your no-brainer recipe. I'll definitely have to give that a try. Sounds delicious!

      Delete
  17. I haven't listened to an audio book for a while, I may have to try it again soon.
    Hope you enjoy your new books and have a great week.
    Sharon @ Sharon's Book Nook!

    ReplyDelete
  18. My garden isn't growing so well. So today I put some miracle grow on it and I also put some stakes in the ground to try to help the plants stank up better. I need to get my top ten list done soon too. I am going to try to get a graphic together for it. Those can take some much time to get together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't have much luck last year but the weather seems to be agreeing with my this year! Hopefully the Miracle Grow and the stakes help!

      Delete
  19. Love the cover of Ice Cream Queen! Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  20. The Hexed looks good. Enjoy your week!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I used to have a really tough time counting audiobooks toward my yearly count so I didn't count them at all. Now I do keep track but I keep them separate from paper books. I think I might have more trouble counting graphic novels. It can take me weeks to listen to an audio (and my favorite back when I was working was to listen to work and then read during lunch) but a couple of hours to read a graphic novel. Should that count? Who knows. :)

    I think I read another by Gilmore about Dairy Queen but I'm too lazy to look up to see if it's the same author. Hope you have a great week Katherine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a hard time getting my mind around the listening part but I think I've made peace with it now! The what counts and what doesn't question is tricky!

      The book about Dairy Queen sounds familiar. If I like this one I'll have to look for it.

      Delete
  22. I've always wondered what BLT means, lol. Have a great week Katherine! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! My are probably more BT - heavy on the bacon and tomato, light on the lettuce.

      Delete
  23. I count audiobooks as regular books, but I do know I get distracted during them. It makes it hard for me to review them, and I wasn't going to, but now I've started trying. I listen to them when I'm running, working in the garden, and driving to work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm getting better about wrapping my brain around the whole audio thing. I don't do change well. I love the idea of listening while running but the running part hasn't actually happened!

      Delete
  24. I don't feel like it's cheating when you add an audiobook you've finished to your Read shelf in Goodreads. It's a different format but the story is still the same so Listen On LOL :) Off to read your review of The Sum of All Kisses :) Thanks for stopping by my Sunday Post :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm getting better! It's more mentality than anything else I guess. It's getting better the more I listen.

      Delete
  25. I can't really get on with audiobooks, my attention just slips I'm afraid, and even whilst walking doesn't work. It's a shame because I do walk quite a bit…
    I do love cherry tomatoes, didn't do any this year actually. Enjoy your books.
    Peggy @ The Pegster Reads

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I kept thinking I had to listen to them while driving and since I'm normally with a 4 year old who is generally talking that wasn't working. So far I've had luck but I can see how it wouldn't work.

      Delete
  26. Audiobooks totally count! I wish I had more time to listen to them though. Right now, I listen while exercising or doing housework. I know a few of my blog friends listen to them while knitting or crocheting, but I don't have a hobby like that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the idea of knitting or crocheting but I don't have a hobby like that either yet! I wish I had more time to listen to them too but so far I'm enjoying them now that I've made the mental switch!

      Delete
  27. Some nice books. And yeah for the starts of fruit! :) Oh hope you get loads of tomatoes.

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete