Sunday, June 5, 2016

This Week in Reading - June 5

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:

Thornyhold by Mary Stewart- I read most of Mary Stewart's books in college but it's been a long time and I remember very little about them.  I decided I wanted to revisit her books and randomly selected Thornyhold as the one I wanted to reread.  Of course that's the one book my library doesn't have!  Luckily I got it used from Amazon and it arrived this week.  I'm looking forward to reading it!(Amazon)

Other than that it was a quiet week.  I've got one book request pending on NetGalley and with that publisher it could go either way.  I'm trying to cut way back on my book acquiring.  I know I say that a lot but lately it's gotten all a bit out of control.  I'm out of space and definitely need to do some major catch up on my review books.  I know I have a pre-order or two coming next week but hopefully that will be about it!


Currently:

Reading: The Language of Bees by Laurie R. King (part of the Sherlock Holmes/Mary Russell series), It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas and Haunted Destiny by Heather Graham

Listening:  I've found a whole bunch of new podcasts that I'm interested in which means I have tons of podcasts to catch up on.  Since my listening time during the summer isn't what it is during the school year I've decided to give audio books a rest for a little while and focus mostly on podcasts.  Some of the new ones I'm trying out are Stuff You Should Know, Real Crime Profile, True Crime Garage, The Night Time Podcast, and Stuff You Missed in History Class.  I've also discovered and am really enjoying it Read It and Weep where they tackle a movie, book or television show and discuss it in a way that normally has me laughing.  I also have really been enjoying Overdue which focuses on books we should have read by now.  And I still have my trusty favorites - TV Crimes, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Super Serials, The Readers, History Chicks, All the Books, What Should I Read Next, Get Booked, and Avon on the Air.

Watching:  We only have 2 episodes of The Blacklist left *sob*.  I'm hoping Netflix decides to get season 3 very very soon!  I'm also hoping to watch Live and Let Die now that I've finished the book.  I have a James Bond project worked out in my head that I'm hoping to turn into a post or series of posts.  And I'm about ready to start one of my favorite indulgences - The Bachelorette.  I'm a few episodes behind but I'll get caught up before the finale.  I'm also planning on starting Supernatural back up.  I'd taken a break for the last few weeks but now I'm ready to go back and see what the boys are up too.

Off the Blog:

We had a little adventure this week.  Wednesday night the Tornado was in bed and J and I had settled down to watch The Blacklist.  A little thunderstorm had popped up as so often happens during the summer but for the most part it sounded pretty far off.  Then all of a sudden we heard this huge boom and the power cut out.  Then the whole world outside the winds was glowing green and there was this super loud buzzing noise.  It was a bit like being inside a massive bug zapper on serious steroids.  It glowed green for a few seconds and then faded down to where it was still really bright.  J went running outside and I went to get the Tornado who by this point was unnerved by all the noise and the fact that the lights were out.  It turned out that lightening had struck the transformer by our driveway and it was blazing.  Through the rain and the trees I could see the flames shooting up.  I called the fire department because there are a clutch of trees between the power lines and our house and it was just too easy to picture the flames jumping from tree to tree and finally towards our roof.  The good thing about living outside city limits is that we have a volunteer fire department and they're very enthusiastic.  Within just a few minutes we had about 7 guys in full fire gear watching the fire and making sure it didn't spread.  At one point we had 15 or so people, 1 fire truck, 2 first responder vehicles, and about 8 personal vehicles all out in front of our house with lights blazing.  It was quite a scene.  Luckily, it came to nothing and the utility even got the power back on within a few hours.  I am waiting to see if I got any super powers from the lightening striking so close but so far nothing.  The Tornado was beside himself with excitement between the fire truck and all the lights, all the people running around, the fire and the power going out.  I have a feeling he'll be talking about it for awhile!

Other than that not much has happened this week.  Emma went back down to school and Paul is spending a lot of time with his friends waiting to get notice of when he leaves for boot camp.  The Tornado and I declared Fridays "Fun Friday" and spent most of the day in our pajamas playing video games.  I killed it on Mario Kart but he still has me beat on Super Mario 3D World.  

On the Blog:

What Happened:

What's Coming Up:

Monday: Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) - Review
Tuesday: Top Ten Reasons I Love Agatha Christie
Wednesday: Tea Cups and Carnage - Blog Tour Review + Giveaway
Thursday: Haunted Destiny - Paranormal Romantic Suspense Review
Friday: Friday Linkups featuring current book
Saturday: The Year of Cozy - Review

Have a great week and happy reading!

23 comments:

  1. I'm slowly getting more into podcasts, mostly ones about certain shows but I want to branch out a bit. Read It and Weep sounds promising.

    Your James Bond project sounds cool, looking forward to that. I think watching the movies after reading the books would be fun. I've never read any of the books but watched the movies a lot, my dad was a fan so as a kid I saw them all. And that does sound very dramatic- glad it wasn't serious! I'm sure the Tornado enjoyed all the activity- all the flashing lights and responders w/ their gear! Good luck with the superpowers! :)

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  2. I've been saying I'm going to cut back on review copies, but last week, well, that didn't go very well lol. I mean, I don't have a ton, but I want to get to some older backlisted books I've been craving, and I get too stressed reading other books when I know I have review copies.

    You know, I've never listened to a podcost. To be honest, I'm not even sure exactly what they are? I'm glad you're enjoying them though!

    That lightning incident sounds crazy! I swear for a moment I thought maybe you had some sort of alien encounter with the glowing green light lol. I'm glad it didn't turn into a more serious problem, and at least the Tornado had fun!

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  3. Oh, so to hear about your recent excitement, although it seems Tornado was quite pleased! I'm glad no major damage was done.

    We've had some big storms in Australia - which is weird as we also usually get them in summer (and it's now winter here).

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  4. I say I am not going to get books all the time and then I see one and grab it...lol. Good luck with not grabbing any. :)

    I wish I could get into podcast but I am just not a fan of listening to people talk about shows or books, etc. I am still trying to catch up on all my shows I dvred...lol.

    Happy reading,
    Stormi

    Week in Review

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  5. Oh wow!!! How scary about the transformer. I can imagine Tornado was excited. My son would have been beside himself! I understand about the volunteer fire dept. We have them too and they are the best :) Hope you have a great week!
    My Sunday Post

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  6. Oh my goodness! A blazing transformer... so how long was your electricity out? I hope none of the wiring or fittings were damaged! I love Mary Stewart's The Little Broomstick, but haven't read any of her adult books - I should look them out... Have a great week.

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  7. I need to branch out and find more podcasts to listen to . I just need to find more time! Wow that is some serious excitement you guys had. Glad everyone and everything turned out ok!!! I like your idea of fun Fridays!! Have a great week!!

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  8. Well I'd say that's enough excitement for one week!! I've only read one Mary Stewart novel, but would like to read more. Thanks for the podcast suggestions, too... I don't keep up very week, but still always on the lookout for new one.

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  9. I'm always looking for good podcasts to listen too. Thanks for the tips. I'm glad to hear everything turned out ok with the fire, that had to be a little scary. I'm not sure if our volunteer fire dept would be as quick. Have a great week.

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  10. I am so bad at keeping up with podcasts. I like them, but I just can't seem to work them in around everything else!

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  11. What an eventful thunderstorm- glad I wasn't there as I really am not a big fan. Definitely made for an eventful week by the sounds of it though.

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  12. OMG That thunderstorm sounds crazy, I love watching them - not that we get them often here in my part of the world.

    I have tried and failed to listen to audio books but I am in love with the Welcome to Night Vale podcast, it keeps me company on my drive home!

    Have a great week!

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  13. I think we had the same storm. One boom was the loudest I have ever heard. Probably the same one you heard. I got up and checked on my Mom. She had the lights on and bed covers pulled up to her chin. LOL We never did lose power or anything. Not even fallen limbs from the Pecan trees. I missed the beginning of this season of Blacklist so going to catch all of it on Netflix or On Demand. I love that show!

    My Sunday Post

    My Sunday Post

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  14. Omg! The green glow would have freaked me out! I am happy you are all safe and there was no alien invasion. I have to stop back for your Wrinkle review. I am excited to read it! I love and adore that book. I am also dropping back for your food post. I used to love playing video games with my son when he was little. I would play them now, but the games he plays now make me nervous. Heh heh. Have a wonderful week. :)

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  15. I loved Mary Stewart books too, I used to haunt the library looking for hers when I was much younger! When I was at a used book fair I picked up a few copies of her books to keep. Like you I am saying cut back on review books. I have decided anyone that emails me from now on it is just a firm but nice NO. Also not too much trolling on NG and Edelweiss. I want to catch up with the books I have bought.

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  16. What an adventure for you! I've seen articles of ppl dying from lightning strikes. What great thinking on your part to call 911 and what a great volunteer group that came out quickstyle to monitor the fire. With your transformer gone, will house insurance cover another as they don't see cheap?

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  17. Oh, wow, lightning and a fire, as well as a power outage...very scary and a bit interesting as well.

    I'm glad the Tornado was more excited than frightened.

    I got Deep Dark this week, so I'm off to check your review (if I haven't already!).

    Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.

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  18. I recently discovered Bookish Blether (podcast) - highly recommended! Loving the cover on Thornyhold - not sure I've read the author before.
    Very scary when a transformer blows. Happened to us a few years ago and blew out our new TV, coffee maker, toaster and microwave!! I guess there's a reason when they say to unplug when appliances aren't in use but we still don't unplug the TV.

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  19. So glad that your house is safe.

    I gave up on podcasts since I couldn't keep up and it was stressing me out.

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  20. Glad to hear there wasn't major damage. I love Blacklist. Supernatural rocks, we are currently watching Person of Interest on Netflix. Sounds like you are reading and listening to some great reads..enjoy!

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  21. I'm trying to be good about not requesting any NetGalley books too--although I did request one today after reading someone's Sunday post. What an exciting night you had with that storm. I can just picture Tornado's excitement at seeing the fire trucks and firemen. I am glad the fire didn't spread and the power went back on quickly.

    I hope you have a great week, Katherine!

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  22. I love your Friday plans with Tornado - how fun! Blowing transformers aren't fun, but one struck by lightening is even less. It's an exciting event to watch, but can be very dangerous. Glad your area responders were quick to the task and things turned out alright!

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  23. LOL at your enthusiastic firefighters. That's awesome :D Glad everything turned out okay! Good luck with the book restraint. I know the feeling of a too large pile and not enough hours very well. lol

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