Saturday, November 15, 2014

This Week in Reading - November 16



It's time for Sunday Post time hosted by the very awesome Kimba over at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

What I Got:

Nothing!  While it does make me a little sad I desperately needed a quiet week to help catch back up.  I have a few request pending so next week probably won't be silent but I am trying to get my NetGalley ratio up a bit.

Currently:

Reading: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie by Rita Mae Brown and Maybe this Christmas by Sarah Morgan

Listening:  Almost done with Erica Bauermeister's The Lost Art of Mixing.  I'm enjoying it but not as much as I enjoyed The School of Essential Ingredients.  Not sure what's up next.  I'm on the wait list for the audio version of Jim Gaffigan's Food. The wait list is fairly long so I'm looking for something to listen to while I wait.

Watching:  Sleepy Hollow and Elementary.  The beginning of Sleepy Hollow where Katrina and Crane were discussing the Bachelor made me laugh and I'm warming up to Kitty on Elementary.  I'm kind of bummed because I just found out that TNT is cancelling Perception which is one of my favorite summer shows.  This was after they cancelled Memphis Beat the year before which I also really liked.  Not happy!

Off the Blog:

Well our college trip was a success.  Emma and Paul enjoyed looking around the school and the Tornado and I kept ourselves busy.  The town has a small zoo but it had the audacity to be closed on Monday.  Luckily they had an enormous playground and he ran around happily for awhile.  It was a lot of driving in a very short time so we were all glad to be be fun.  The school is still Emma's 2nd choice but Paul really liked it so we'll see.  The ride there and back ended up being pretty funny as who ever was in the front seat was in charge of the radio and they kept trying to outdo each other.  At one point Emma landed on an 80s Hip Hop channel (what did we do before all 900 channels on satellite radio?) and they concluded that the 80s were a weird time.

How is already mid-November?  There's so much to be done!  Thanksgiving meals and then all the Christmas stuff.  December gets a little crazy for us.  Other than my parents the rest of my family lives out of state so we end up having a Christmas celebration with my dad before he leaves town and then with my mother before she leaves town and than Christmas Eve dinner with J's family.  It's lots of fun but come Christmas Day I'm ready for our lazy day tradition!

It looks like Eleanor is moving out of her dorm room this semester.  She works at a bookstore and some of the other employees rent a house and need another roommate.  She's so excited to have her own space and I think it'll be good for her to have to manage a budget a bit more.

The weather decided to get unusually cold here this past week and I'm not loving it.  We actually had a freeze the other night.  I'm just happy I moved my pepper plants inside before that happened!  Not loving the cold but I do love coats so that makes it a little better!

Also, anyone got any miracle allergy cures?  I'm pretty much allergic to everything that blooms and a few unfortunate foods (I'm allergic to goat cheese.  How did that even happen??) which I can deal with but twice a year for a few weeks they go really nuts, like so nuts my daily Benadryl won't help and I wander around the house wailing and wringing my hands.  I finally figured out what causes this (it's the stuff they spray on cotton.  I live about a mile away from a cotton gin and several cotton fields) so I can be prepared but it's starting to drive me insane! Any advice? At this point I'm open to just about anything short of animal sacrifice!

On the Blog:

What Happened Last Week:

Monday: Mission to Murder - Review - a fun cozy mystery series

What's Coming Up:

Monday: Tim Cratchit's Christmas Carol - Review
Tuesday: Top Ten Anticipated Sequels
Wednesday: TBD
Thursday:  TBD
Friday: Friday Linkups
Saturday:  Writing in the Kitchen - Review

Happy Reading!

62 comments:

  1. Good luck on getting your NG ratio up. I can't ever seem to get it past 89%. Glad your college trip went well!

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    1. We had a good time and when it comes to NetGalley ratio I need all the luck I can get!

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  2. We got cold this week and the snow is flurrying- it's funny we're in the snow belt and just a few miles to the east there's hardly any snow on the ground! It's definitely snowy here! Hope your weather imrpoves- I don't think ours will! :)

    That's funny about the 80's... I would be very unhappy without my satellite radio!

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    1. I don't think I could handle living in the snow belt! I don't handle cold well! I love my satellite radio! I don't remember how I travelled without it!

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  3. "At this point I'm open to just about anything short of animal sacrifice!" Oh I could have advised to sacrifice a chicken then dance like an Indian shooing away bad spirits. Hahahaha!

    Here's mine:
    WeeklyWrap@EverythingNyze

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    1. A few more days and I would've been looking for a chicken!

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  4. It's great that the college trip went well even if the zoo was closed. It's getting colder here as well, but I hope we'll have a few more nice days before it becomes coat-and-boots weather for the rest of winter.
    I don't think I've ever been able to not get any new books at all in a week... I'm so bad! I'm happy when I add less than five, but even that didn't happen last week.
    Have a spectacular Sunday, and a great week. Happy reading.

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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    1. I'm not sold on the whole winter thing . I can handle temps in the 50s because I like the clothes but colder than that and I want to cry!

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  5. The 1980s WERE a weird time. I am in awe that your kids would want to be at the same school -- they must be close. Most kids I know want to be far away from each other.
    My post: http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/2014/11/sunday-after-ball.html

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    1. They're not planning on it but I think they'd be ok with it. They get along pretty well.

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  6. Yeah, I am kind of bummed about Perception too. :( I am sort of warming up to Kitty but I still don't really want her there..lol. It messes up the whole Sherlock/Watson vibe.

    Happy reading....and watching!
    Stormi
    Week In Review

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    1. I haven't gotten over Perception yet. I really liked that show! I agree about Kitty. I'm warming up to her though!

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  7. Well now I am depressed..I love Perception. Yeah I like Kity she is quirky. I hope you like Morgan's book it was nice to finally get Tyler's story.

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    1. So far I'm really enjoying Tyler's story! I'm still sad about Perception. I'm hoping they'll replace it with something good

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  8. I actually don't mind when I don't get books some weeks - my piles of books to be read is quite daunting at the moment that I need some time to catch up!!!

    I still need to read the second book in Sarah Morgan's trilogy and then I can get to her Christmas one. I really enjoyed the first one, so I just need to find the time to get both of these read!

    Have a great week and hope you figure out your allergy stuff.

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    1. In theory a quiet week is good because my TBR is groaning but it does make me a little sad! The allergies are finally getting better! The Sarah Morgan book is really good so far! Definitely worth reading!

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  9. I keep wanting to read the Rita Mae Brown books with animals...I have only read her other books, like Rubyfruit Jungle and High Hearts. In studying her list, she obviously wrote a ton of animal themed books, so I need to catch up!

    Enjoy your week, and what an adventure you had visiting colleges...and listening to 80s music. I watched an old movie last night from 1980, just filled with music from that era, since Neil Diamond was the star (The Jazz Singer).

    Next I'll watch Urban Cowboy...LOL.

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. I don't think Brown is for me but I can definitely see why she has such a following! Enjoy Urban Cowboy!

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  10. Your two audio books sound like some good, cozy winter reading! It's getting cold!

    ... about your kids. Their conclusion about the 80s LOL.

    Here's my last week. Enjoy the upcoming week :)

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    1. I really enjoyed The Lost Art of Mixing though I did enjoy the first one better. The drive was pretty entertaining!

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  11. I tried to leave a message but am not sure if it worked...Blogger and Wordpress.org butt heads when the "comment as" drop down is the limited version. I'd rather not post as my Google acct, and the only other choices never work (Wordpress, bc it is for .com only, and OpenID). There's a way to change it so ppl who want to type in their blog URL can do that.

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    1. I've changed the settings so hopefully it will work better for you!

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  12. Have a good week! Sounds like this past one was very busy, but you spent it with the kids so it's all good. Sometimes it's not a bad thing to not get any books because then you can concentrate on ones you already have :) Enjoy!

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    1. I definitely need to concentrate on the books I have! It was really good to spend time with them but yeah I could definitely use a quieter week!

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  13. Awesome week for you. I had two weeks of an empty mailbox, but received two books this past week. Empty mailboxes are good sometimes, even though it is disappointing.

    What college did you tour?

    ENJOY this week of reading.

    Elizabeth

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    1. I can definitely use some empty mailbox weeks even though I don't love it! We you're University of Southern Mississippi. The campus is beautiful and they have a lot to offer

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  14. Oh my gosh allergies like that would be awful. No suggestions whatsoever. Sorry! Hope it passes quickly.

    Yay for working on getting the NG ratio up! I've been working on that this year as well. Slow going but really nice seeing that number climb a little higher :)

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    1. It's passing and now that I've figured out what the trigger is it's less annoying. I am enjoying watching my ratio go up but it's so hard not to request all the books!

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  15. I've thought about trying to catch up with Elementary. There are so many great shows out there but I just can't remember to keep up with any of them. Thank goodness for Netflix. We just started S3 of Gilmore Girls.

    Glad the college visit went well for everyone! And yes, the 80s was a strange time but I'm a bit (or a lot) partial to the music. ;) I need to pop back and see what you thought of the NPH memoir! I'm sadly WAY behind on my blog reading.

    Hope you have a great week!

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    1. I understand about Elementary. I feel the same way about Person of Interest. I really want to try it but I'm so far behind I don't know if it's possible. What did we do before Netflix??

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  16. I'm trying to figure out how it got to be mid-November, too! We got home last night and are leaving again on Friday for a weekend in Philly. It will be tough to come back and have it be Thanksgiving week, so I need to come up with a game plan/schedule in the next couple of days.

    Glad the college visit went well!

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    1. We had a good time! Sounds like you're in the middle of the craziness! I'm struggling with this November thing! So much to do!

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  17. I was good to this week and didn't get any new books (even the free ones!). I'm trying to get my Netgalley score up too so I only go there if I am posting a feedback (it's so hard not to browse lol). I love Sleepy Hollow! The opening scenes are always so funny. Our families have weird work schedules so we often don't see everyone on the actual holiday day (usually a day or more after). So we get spend the actual day low key and relaxing at home. Glad the college visit went well! You had a busy week so hopefully you'll get to relax this week. Have a great week!

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    1. Sleepy hollow so far has never disappointed me! Love it! Good for you for not getting any new books! So difficult! I do love the relaxing holidays. We don't often have them but I always enjoy them!

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  18. I was doing really well with my netgalley ratio, but lately I requested a few books and didn't review any. I definitely need to work on getting my ratio up again. I am currently reading a netgalley book, so that's something at least. Having a week with no new books can be nice once in a while.
    I don't like the cold, but I do like winter. It isn't that cold here yet. I know you can take anti-histamins (hope that translated right) medicine against allergies, besides that I wouldn't know. My boyfriend has hayfever and medicine can help with that a bit.

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    1. I do the same thing with NetGalley. I do really well and than go on a spree! I do take Benadryl which is an antihistamine regularly and that normally helps but isn't doing too much. I did try another medicine though and that seems to be helping.

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  19. zyrtec d (over the counter), singular and flonase (prescription) keeps my allergies in check.

    It is nice those weeks

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    1. I'm thinking of trying Zyrtec. I did try Allegra and that helped more than my usual Benadryl but I think it must be made of gold for how much it costs!

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  20. It has been very chilly by me also but I love it and I can't believe how quickly christmas is sneaking up on us.

    I am almost at 50% with my ratio but I am hoping to work on it soon to get it higher. I have so many books on Netgalley that I want to read just can't seem to find the time.

    If you find a cure let me know because somedays I could rip off my face it's so bad lol.

    Thank a great week and Happy Reading!

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    1. I have the face ripping off thought! Glad to know I'm not the only one! I did get some help with Allegra but I don't want to use that too regularly because for what it costs it must be made of gold!

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  21. I really need to get moving on my Netgalley ratio. I'm awful!

    I hope you have a great week.

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  22. Close your windows, use a saline wash/rinse, when you've been outside change into fresh, pollen-free clothes as soon as you're inside, try Zyrtec, and curse like crazy. :P Allergies are miserable, just miserable.

    I liked Perception too; I'm sorry to see it go.

    No new books, that's good. A breather now and then is helpful. I'm doing the NetGalley November challenge which is helping me and soon it will be COYER and that'll help too. We can do it!

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    1. I've got the cursing part down! I change clothes but I need to get better about making everyone take off their shoes. I'm still bummed about Perception! I really liked that show!

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  23. I also need to work on my NetGalley ratings. I have pretty much abandoned it! I play 80s music sometimes for my students when they're working on something in groups (and I know they can handle listening to it!), and the majority also think the 80s are weird! I moved my plants inside yesterday. We didn't have any freezing nights last week, but we came pretty darn close! I've gotta give them a little extra TLC this week.

    I'd kick the Benadryl for the allergies. I take an off-brand of Zyrtec from Costco. As long as it has Cetirizine Hydrochloride it is good to go. I live in Austin, TX and I know a few people whose doctors have recommended they NOT move due to their allergies.

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    1. We have allergy issues here big time. I used to take Zyrtec but quit. I should probably give it another try!
      The 80s definitely produced some interesting music!

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  24. I have no idea what to do about allergies. I don't get them so I am lucky there. I love Sleepy Hollow myself. I haven't tried Elementary yet. Though it looks really good.

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    1. Oh you are definitely lucky! I'm healthy other than the whole allergy thing so I shouldn't complain but my eyes are so itchy! I like Elementary! They've put a good twist on the story.

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  25. need to look finally into Erica's books. thanks for sharing

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    1. I liked the first book way better than the second but they're both a great read/listen!

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  26. I'm happy to hear that the college trip went well and that you had a good time even if the zoo was closed.

    I've always been hesitant to watch Elementary, maybe it is because I grew up with the Basil Rathbone Nigel Bruce films. Anyway, I hope you have a nice week and that your allergies clear up.

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    1. Thanks! We had a lovely time! I like how they've done Elementary. It's true to the story but they've put enough twist that I don't feel like it's cheating on the original.

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  27. Looks like you've been busy enough. We watch Elementary too and enjoy it. I just watched a version of Emma (Jane Austen) the other day and forgot that he played Knightley in that version. It was kind of funny in a way. :) Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

    Tressa @ Wishful Endings

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    1. I'll have to look for that version of Emma! It'd be fun to see Sherlock as Mr. Knightley!

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  28. Sleepy Hollow! I can't wait to get the first series on dvd because it looks like something I would really enjoy.

    Hope you manage to catch up on your reading :) I keep thinking of joining Netgalley but I have such a massive TBR pile already I also feel like I need to catch up before I take on anything new, especially if there deadlines involved (I don't know much about how NG works).

    Have a great week!

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    1. I really love Sleepy Hollow! It's intense but then they mix in some humor! I have a love/hate relationship with NetGalley! I don't know if I should tell you to get an account now or run away!

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  29. I'm not sure if this will help, but for hayfever type allergies i.e. sneezing, runny nose etc, I've always headed towards horseradish, garlic + vitamin C tablets. I haven't used them in years as I haven't felt the need to take the smelly tablets each day but I do remember them working well for me when I did.
    Yay for no books this week, a chance to make a dent in the TBR pile.
    Have a great week.
    Sharon @ Sharon's Book Nook!

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    1. That is a smelly combination! I may try it though! I definitely need to make a dent in my TBR!

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  30. I'm not wild about Kitty in Elementary. I'm not sure why they brought her into the show. I'm glad the college visit went well. I have allergies pretty much all year round. My doctor prescribed a nasal spray which has really helped. I still take benedryl some, but don't need it everyday. I think the spray is over-the-counter now. It's called Fluticasone Propionate. I hope the allergies get better.

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    1. Thanks! The allergies are starting getting better but I wish they would just go away!

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  31. At the moment, nobody, including myself, could believe that it's mid-November already and we can already count the days until another year ushers in. I think it's nice that you and your kids got to bond while you're looking for schools. Your tornado really does seem like he has limitless energy. I'm trying to pull up my ratio at Netgalley as well. Every time I hit that 80% mark and say I'm happy, I get all request-twitchy again and start looking for new books to request. I'm hopeless. lol :) Thanks for sharing and for stopping by my Sunday Post :)

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    1. Limitless energy definitely describes him! We had a good time but it was good to be home! I do the same with NetGalley. As soon as my ratio starts getting good I go on a requesting spree!

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