Saturday, September 23, 2017

Weekend Mews (09/23/2017)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by the wonderful Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. As well as Stacking the Shelves hosted by the great Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.

Happy autumn! It is now officially fall. My daughter was getting out the car the other day, and I suggested we go leaf stomping as there were some brown leaves scattered on our driveway. She took great pleasure in turning them into dust, hearing them crunch beneath her feet. Most of our trees' leaves are still green. Another sign of fall came by way of my needing to cover up at night these last couple of nights. I noticed the neighbors one street over have hooked up their Halloween lights (Christmas lights, but for Halloween) and the dance studio Mouse takes classes was decorated with ghosts, and spiders and jack-lanterns this week. Soon we will be planning our trip to the pumpkin patch, I imagine. 

What are you up to this weekend? Mouse had an early morning soccer game today (another win for their team-yay!). As is becoming our tradition this soccer season, we followed it up with breakfast out. Then it was off to the library. We have settled in for the afternoon. Mouse and I made a blanket fort, which she said turned out pretty awesome. But only one person can fit in it at a time. A small person at that. We also did a little science project. Now we are trying to decide what to do about dinner. I voted for ice cream, but I do not think my husband and daughter will go for that. Well, maybe my daughter will . . .

Thank you to everyone for their kind thoughts and well wishes for my senior cat, Parker. He is scheduled for an ultrasound this coming week. The fur on his belly has just barely grown back after the last one. Poor little guy.


New to My Shelves (book covers are linked to Goodreads page for each book, with the exception of the library books)

Thanks to Alicia of A Kernel of Nonsense, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli finally made it off my wish list and onto my TBR pile. I am looking forward to finally reading this one!





I am very picky about which books I select to read for Penguin's First to Read program because I am not a fan of reading books in PDF format. Occasionally, a book is offered though that I just cannot resist. Death in the Stacks by Jenn McKinlay is one such book.  Although I haven't read any of the other books in the series, cozy mysteries tend to be suitable for stand alone reading, and so I'm going to give the series a try with this one. 





I was slow about getting around to choosing my Kindle First book for September. I went with Teresa Driscoll's I Am Watching You. It feels like it's been a while since I lost myself in a good thriller, and the premise of this one appealed to me.





Little Britches and the Rattlers by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Vincent Nguyen
The Magic School Bus: Comes to Its Senses by by Kristin Earhart, illustrated by Carolyn Bracken, created by Joanna Cole
Jane vs. the Took Fairy by Betsy Jay, illustrated by Lori Osiecki
Frozen Fever: Anna's Birthday Secret adapted by Jessica Julius
Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale, illustrated by Guy Francis
Rulers of the Playground by Joseph Kuefler

What I Am Reading: I am a good way into The Fire by Night by Teresa Messineo. Set in World War II, the novel is about two nurses stationed on different fronts of the war, one in Europe and the other in the Pacific. I suspected I might like the book given my attraction to WWII fiction, but I find I am enjoying it even more than expected. I plan to finish it soon, and then dive back into Brad Watson's Miss Jane. I seem to have let that one fall by the wayside this month somehow.

What I Am Listening To: My cat, Gracie, purring on my lap as I type this.

What I am Watching: The Magic School Bus. Oh, and I took Katherine of I Wish I Lived in a Library up on her recommendation to see a Hallmark Aurora Teagarden movie, Real Murders. I thought it was a lot of fun.

What My Week Was Like: It was a typical week in the Literary Feline household. I found myself with a little extra reading time a couple times this week, which was nice. Homework went a little more smoothly this week--we're starting to find our groove. This school year, Mouse is much more talkative about her school days, which is nice. I get more than an "I don't remember" out of her when I ask her questions about it.

It was a rough week at work. The kind of days that make me come home and hug my daughter close and thank my lucky stars.

We got a flyer about the upcoming Holiday Showcase for Mouse's dance studio. It only took a couple hours for my eyes to return to their sockets after bulging out at the cost of the costume.

What I Am Worried About: I am still worried about Parker. And with another earthquake hitting Mexico (my prayers go out to those impacted), I am making more of an effort to make sure we are prepared in case we get one here. The last big one I went through was the Northridge Earthquake in 1994. I have felt several more since then, of course, but none of those have caused that much damage.

What I am Grateful For: This beautiful day and being able to spend it with my family. Oh, and also to Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches.


This Week In Reading Mews:

Around the Blogosphere:

Tell me about what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week? Do you have anything planned for this coming week?


© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

56 comments:

  1. Some Halloween decorations are popping up around here but it still feels like summer. They say it'll cool off in a week or so.

    Sorry you had a rough week at work.

    I can't imagine what it would be like to live through an earthquake.

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    1. Kathy - Just when it seems like our cooler weather is here to stay, I find out it's going to be in the 90's this week. Oh well.

      Thanks for visiting, Kathy. Enjoy your week!

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  2. I hope your senior kitty is okay, it's stressful isn't it as pets get older? Have a great week :)

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    1. Maree - Thank you. I hope he'll be okay too. :-( The vet was really worried about him during his last visit, but the new medicine does seem to be helping. We'll know more after the ultrasound, hopefully.

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  3. I'm always jealous of Halloween festivities in the States! It all looks like so much fun.

    I really need to read Simon - he's been on my TBR forever! 🙈

    Last week we built blanket forts too! We made a big one after converting our entire lounge into structure for it and it was such fun - I remembered why I loved forts as a kid and didn't want to crawl out to stop playing. 😂

    Sorry about your rough week at work - I hope this one is going to be better!

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    1. Di - Our neighborhood goes all out for Halloween too. It's crazy, but fun. :-)

      I hope we both end up liking Simon!

      Wow! Your blanket fort sounds really fun! We built a slightly bigger one today and my younger cat and daughter have been spending a lot of time in there. :-)

      Thanks for visiting, Di!

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  4. I love fall, and stomping some leaves is always fun. We used to burn our leaves when I was a kid and I always loved that smell, of burning leaves. And best of luck to Parker with his ultrasound.

    Death in the Stacks looks fun, McKinlay's cozies always look so inviting! And I Am Watching You does look like a good thriller. I've been reading so many lately, I'll have to check that one out too!

    Hope you have a fabulous week! :)

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    1. Greg - I remember jumping in leave piles when I was a kid. That was always fun. :-) We never lived in a place where leave burning was allowed, but I bet I would like the smell too.

      Thank you for the good luck wishes. He's been eating since he started the new medication, so at least there is that.

      I am looking forward to starting Death in the Stacks soon.

      I hope you have a great week too. Thanks for visiting, Greg!

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  5. I would love to stamp in the leaves this fall and I hope your cat is doing alright.

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays!

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    1. Ronyell - It is fun stomping on leaves. :-) Thank you for the kind words for my cat. I hope he will be okay too.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. Sorry to hear about your Cat. I hope he will be fine! ;)
    The weather is definitely changing, and I love it. Can you believe it's almost October already?! Crazy.
    Have a great week and happy reading!

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    1. Maureen - Thank you. Parker was my first ever cat and it's because of him I cam to love cats. Hopefully the tests will go is answers we can work with.

      I'm not quite ready for October, but it'll be here before I know it!

      I hope you have a great week too. Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. I am having trouble believing it is fall in NJ when the temperature is over 90. That's not right. The 80s appear to be sticking around this week too, according to the forecast (I hope it's wrong). I loved Simon so much! What a lovely story of first love and self discovery. Hope you love it.

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    1. Sam - It's supposed to get back up in the 90's this week, I'm sad to say. Oh well. So much for fall. I am glad to hear you loved Simon. I can't wait to read the book! Thank you for stopping by!

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  8. haha, I would definitely pick ice cream every single time!

    Have a great week and happy reading!

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    1. Lynn - Haha! We didn't actually have ice cream for dinner after all, but we did have it for desert. :-) I hope you have a great week too. Thanks for visiting!

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  9. Enjoy your books and thanks for sharing the news around "the blogosphere." I'll check them out. Have a wonderful week. :)

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    1. Geybie - Thank you! I am looking forward to reading them. :-) I hope you have a wonderful wee too. Thanks for visiting!

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  10. I love that with cozy mystery series you can jump right in the middle usually. Death in the Stacks sounds really great so I hope that you enjoy it. I also like the sound of the KU book that you chose so I will be watching for your thoughts on that. I'm sending lots of well wishes for your kitty! I hope that you have a wonderful week Wendy with lots of great books!

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    1. Samantha - I like that too, considering how often I do that now. Being able to jump in anywhere is a big plus, especially for the longer series. Thank you for your well wishes for Parker. He's being more social today, which is a good sign. Hopefully it'll last. I hope you have a great week too. Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Leaves already? It seems like summer has stuck with us for a while longer, because even though it has been cool and rainy, there are still no leaves. They haven't even turned colorful yet! I can't wait till they do though. I loooooove it!

    I hope Parker's well during his checkup! Adorable little baby. Cats are the best.

    Oh yes... Dance costumes cost fortunes :/ that's pretty bad. Also, I had to google those ice cream sandwiches you mention and I wish I hadn't. Now I'm sad we don't have them here :D

    Have a great week!

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    1. Evelina - Not many, but yes, actual leaves! I was so excited to see them. It's going to be warmer this week, which makes me a bit sad. I was enjoying the cooler weather.

      Thank you for the well wishes for Parker. He's a real trooper, that cat. He's been through a lot.

      I wish you had Skinny Cow near you too. It's actually pretty good!

      Thanks for visiting, Evelina. I hope you have great week too.

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  12. Oh, sending good thoughts to Parker!

    Leaf stomping sounds great! I used to love walking through them and listening to the crunch.

    I love the Aurora Teagarden movies, too. In fact, I enjoy all those Hallmark mystery movies, and recall that a couple of years ago, Hallmark wasn't even available from my provider.

    I tend not to download the Kindle First books, but I do scroll through the titles. Now I am tempted to go back, since yours looks very good.

    Enjoy your week...and thanks for reminding me about Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches. LOL

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    1. Laurel-Rain - Thank you for the good thoughts for Parker. He's having a better day today, thankfully. Hopefully it continues.

      Leaf stomping is a lot of fun, especially when they are dry. :-)

      I hope to see more of the Aurora Teagarden movies. I wish I had known what a gem of a channel Hallmark was before now.

      I don't always get a Kindle First book either, but I like to see what's available and sometimes one calls to me.

      I hope you have a great week too! Thanks for visiting today, Laurel-Rain!

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  13. I enjoyed Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda -- hope you do too! And best wishes to Parker, poor baby.

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    1. Nikki - I am glad to hear you enjoyed Simon vs the Homo Sapien Agenda! I am looking forward to finally reading it. Thank you for the well wishes for Parker. Thanks for stopping by!

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  14. You are a good mom! Leaf stomping and library trips and blanket forts... and even the occasional ice cream for dinner.

    I am so behind on Jenn McKinlay's Library Lover's Mystery series. I was enjoying them, but I got sidetracked and never got back to them. I should pick up where I left off.

    Poor Parker! I hope he'll be ok.

    Earthquake prep is a good idea, given where you live. Here, hurricanes are a bigger worry (though we rarely get hit, and we're far enough inland that the strength has usually diminished if we do.) Even so, I don't always remember to prep well ahead.

    I love what you're thankful for. :-)

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    1. Lark - Thank you. That is kind of you to say. I have my good mom moments. LOL

      I am looking forward to trying the Library Lover's Mystery series. Hopefully Death in the Stacks will be a good one. I know how easy it is to get sidetracked from series though--I am in the behind in so many.

      Thank you too for the well wishes for Parker. He is having a better day today. I hope it lasts.

      It's easy to forget that earthquakes are a threat here because they are so few and far between--or rather the ones we frequently get are practically unnoticeable. But we probably should be ready for a big one just in case.

      Thank you for visiting, Lark!

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  15. Some of the people in town here are already decorating for Halloween. I wish we could, but the deer and other animals come and eat anything we put in our yard. Joys of living up in a mountain I guess. lol... Enjoy the new books you got this week.

    Happy reading...

    Jenea's Book Obsession's Sunday Post

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    1. Jenea - I can see how the deer and other animals eating your decorations would be a problem. Oh, but to live in the mountains . . . I would love that. I guess there has to be a trade off. :-) Thanks for visiting!

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  16. The calendar may say fall but it feels more like summer here. I don't mind either way...I like both :)

    I've been wanting to read the Jenn McKinlay series, but haven't had a chance yet. It looks great.

    I hope Parker will be okay!

    Have a great week!

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    1. Yvonne - I think I spoke too soon about fall weather starting here too. Well, it started, at least, but it's back to summer weather this week.

      I'm looking forward to reading Jenn McKinlay's book soon.

      Thanks for visiting, Yvonne. Have a great week too!

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  17. I just don't think you should think about Halloween until at least October 1st! Too, too, early. I hope your kitty is ok. X

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    1. Emma - That's how I feel too! Haha. Thanks for the well wishes. And thank you for visiting!

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  18. Weekend Mews? HOW ADORABLE! I've been wanting a copy of Simon VS. the Homo Sapiens for awhile. I hope you enjoy it and the rest of your new books! :)

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    1. Sarah - Thank you! I'm looking forward to finally reading Simon VS. the Homo Sapiens. :-) Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

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  19. I also picked Teresa Driscoll's I Am Watching You for my September book. Fall is here, but I want some more fall weather. I hope everything turns out alright for Parker!

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    1. Charlie - Hopefully we both will enjoy I Am Watching You. It's going to be warmer this week, more summer like, and I'm a little bummed. I was happy to see the cooler temperatures this week. Hopefully the heat won't last. Thank you for the good thoughts for Parker. We should know more on Tuesday. Hopefully it is good news. Thanks for stopping by, Charlie!

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  20. I should prepare for a earthquake since I live near napa ca and they had a pretty big one last year. Death in the stacks was very good.

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    1. Tracy - It's easy for those of us who live near fault lines to get lazy about preparing for the bigger ones, I think. We're so used to the littler ones. Hopefully you won't get another big one since you just had one last year. Although you never know, do you?

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. This reminds me that I need to invest in some Halloween decorations this year. I just love it when fall comes around.

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend. - Katie

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    1. Katie - I probably should look into beefing up our Halloween decorations. I only have three or four. My daughter is starting to notice. LOL Thanks for visiting, and I hope you have a great week.

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  22. I wish we had Halloween celebration here too. I just get so much happy vibes whenever I see this festival going around. I hope you enjoy your festivals :)

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    1. Simant - It's one of my daughter's favorite celebrations. We need to think about getting our decorations out! Thank you for visiting.

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  23. You definitely need to check out Jenn McKinlay's other books too. It's one of the series I'm current on and I love them all!

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    1. Barb - I will make sure I do! I am glad you enjoy her books. :-) Thanks for visiting, Barb.

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  24. I enjoy a little bit of leaf crushing myself. Something about the sound that I can't resist. I like the First to Read program but hate the PDF format as well since it is such a pain. Congrats to Mouse for the win! Enjoy all of your new books and have a great week!

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    1. Carole - There's just something about the way they crunch under our feet. :-) I am glad I am not the only one who isn't a PDF fan. Thanks for visiting!

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  25. I love that your neighborhood is starting to get decked out for Halloween!

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    1. Jennifer - It's even more decorated now. She of my neighbors really get into it. :-) Thanks for visiting!

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  26. I love fall weather. Too bad we don't have that over here.

    I hope the ultrasound result for Parker will be a good one.

    Enjoy your books and have a great week, Wendy!

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    1. Melody - I wish I could share our fall weather with you. It's very pleasant. Although, my allergies have been kicking in.

      As you know by now, the ultrasound results weren't good at all. My poor little guy. He put up a good fight.

      Thanks for visiting, Melody.

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  27. I'm so glad you enjoyed the Aurora Teagarden movie. Real Murders is a good one! I love the idea of a murder club. I'm sorry to hear about Parker but hopefully the ultrasound will provide answers. The leaf crunching sounds fun! I need to remember to encourage the Tornado to so stuff like that. I always feel like I"m in a rush. I'm not a big PDF format fan either. I hate that I can't adjust text size - or at least I haven't figured out how. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - I think I'm becoming addicted to the Hallmark channels. :-S

      I understand about being in a rush all the time. I feel that way a lot too. My daughter has gotten in the habit of saying sorry every time I mention we are running late. :-( It's not her fault most of the time, and I hate that she feels it is.

      Thanks for visiting, Katherine.

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