Sunday, March 15, 2020

Weekly Mews: School Closures, Social Distancing & Birthday Cake

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by 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. I am also linking The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz where participants discuss what they are reading and other bookish topics. 


Friday afternoon the order came down that all schools in our county close for at least the next three weeks. Given all the other schools in the state and country that had been closing it was just a matter of time really, but it still felt sudden. My husband also got word from his supervisor that he and his coworkers will be working from home until early April. There are still some things that need to happen before he can start that transition, but it will be taking place before the end of this week. As far as I know, I will continue to go into work as usual. My mom is supposed to be traveling down to stay with us for awhile and help with Mouse, but she's got a cold and we're waiting to hear what her doctor says about her visiting given the circumstances.  Everyone's being advised to practice social distancing for the time being to try to slow the spread of the virus. It's all a bit crazy out there right now.


This past week we celebrated Mouse's birthday. We had a small family celebration one evening and brunch with a couple of friends another day. I think she would tell you she's had a good birthday overall!

On to what I have been reading!


In Five Years by Rebecca Serle (Atria, 2020; Fiction; 266 pgs)
Twenty-five. That's the number I count to every morning before I even open my eyes. [Opening]
I've always been waiting, haven't I? For tragedy to show up once again on my doorstep. Evil that blindsides. [excerpt from 81%]
I recently finished reading In Five Years by Rebecca Serle, which I enjoyed. It is about a woman who falls asleep the night of her engagement and has a premonition five years into the future--only she was in a different apartment and appears to be engaged to someone else. She almost convinces herself it is a dream when she actually meets the guy from the premonition. If you are thinking romance, it is not one. But it is sort of a love story in its own way. I could relate to the main character in her penchant to plan and always be prepared. She is thrown for a loop, however, by not only the premonition, but events that follow, her emotions all over the place, and must really take a look at who she is and what she wants in her life. I did not expect In Five Years to be the tearjerker it turned out to be. And while the novel felt a bit predictable much of the time, when it came to the ending . . . well, it really made the book for me.


The Five Year Plan by Carla Burgess (HQ Digital, 2020; Romance; 555 pgs)
'How did you get invited to this exhibition, Orla?' Emma turns to look at me, her loose black hair streaking back from her face as the wind howls down the street towards us. [Opening] 
Before that I read The Five Year Plan by Carla Burgess, which definitely fell into the romance category. Two very different people: a ambitious young journalist who knows just what she wants and has a plan to get there; and an adventurous photojournalist who lives in a tent and takes life as it comes. Neither is interested in a committed relationship when they meet, but they fall in love--and then go their separate ways; their futures headed in two completely different directions. Several years later they meet again and their feelings for each other are as strong as ever. I really liked Aiden and Orla early on: the easy way they talked to each other and how well they complimented one another. I was not as impressed with Aiden years later, however. I imagine he was coming from a place of hurt feelings and so should cut him some slack, but I thought at times he was unkind to Orla and should have given her the benefit of the doubt. One minute he was mad at her and accusing her of not being honest with him (she was confused about her own feelings), and the next, when she asks him to tell her what was wrong, he refused and told her to let him know when she figured it out. I don't know why that bothered me so much. But it was moments like that that that annoyed me about him. Still, I did enjoy The Five Year Plan overall. It was funny, especially in  those early years, and quite charming.


How are you all holding up during these difficult times? What have you been up to? What are you reading? 


Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 





It was no surprise given your comments which book would come out on top in this month's poll! Little Fires Everywhere received 9 votes and 6 went to The Magicians. Twelve of you voted for the winner, Big Little Lies. I am a couple chapters in now and dying to know what happened and to whom! Somehow I have managed to avoid all spoilers to the book since it first came out.


Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
A murder . . . a tragic accident . . . or just parents behaving badly? What’s indisputable is that someone is dead.
But who did what?
Big Little Lies follows three women, each at a crossroads:
Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny and biting, passionate, she remembers everything and forgives no one. Her ex-husband and his yogi new wife have moved into her beloved beachside community, and their daughter is in the same kindergarten class as Madeline’s youngest (how is this possible?). And to top it all off, Madeline’s teenage daughter seems to be choosing Madeline’s ex-husband over her. (How. Is. This. Possible?).
Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. While she may seem a bit flustered at times, who wouldn’t be, with those rambunctious twin boys? Now that the boys are starting school, Celeste and her husband look set to become the king and queen of the school parent body. But royalty often comes at a price, and Celeste is grappling with how much more she is willing to pay.
New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for the nanny. Jane is sad beyond her years and harbors secret doubts about her son. But why? While Madeline and Celeste soon take Jane under their wing, none of them realizes how the arrival of Jane and her inscrutable little boy will affect them all.
Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive. [Goodreads Summary]

Thank you for voting! I hope you all have a wonderful week! Happy Reading!


© 2020, 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.

38 comments:

  1. In Five Years sounds interesting.

    I am waiting for the instruction that we need to work from home. I think it will come later this week.

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    1. Marg - I enjoyed it! How is everything going for you? Everything is so surreal right now. I hope you are well and staying safe!

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  2. It's always fun to see which book is chosen for you to read.

    In Five Years is waiting for me at the library. I hope to stop by today and pick it up.

    Trying to remain calm during these difficult times.

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    1. Deb - I appreciate the help in deciding what to read next! It really is a struggle sometimes--too many choices! I hope you enjoy In Five Years when you read it. Stay safe!

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  3. Happy Birthday to Mouse! She just snuck in before the shutdown.
    I hope your mother is well and able to stay with you, I’m sure you can do with her help in the current circumstances.

    Wishing you a great reading week and good health

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    1. Shelleyrae - Thank you from Mouse. My mother, unfortunately, was not able to come down. On the plus side, her cold is finally lifting and she is feeling better. I hope you and your family are well and staying safe.

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  4. I'm glad Mouse had a good birthday - her cake is gorgeous!

    Both books sound good to me.

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    1. Kathy - Thank you. I hope you are doing well and are staying safe.

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  5. We live in crazy times for sure. Every thing is closed it seems. I hope your mom can join you Wendy. Stay well.

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    1. Diane - It's all so surreal. We are managing. I hope you are well and staying safe. My mom wasn't able to make it down, unfortunately, but she is well.

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  6. sounds like a good week. i'm glad you are getting into the big little lies characters. i was surprised how much i loved the book
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. Sherry - It was a nice week. Something to hold onto, definitely. I hope you and your family are well and staying safe.

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  7. They've closed all our public schools here in Utah, too. For two weeks right now. But I bet that number goes up. It's so surreal. Hope you and yours are staying well! :)

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    1. Lark - I agree. It really is all so surreal. Our schools are closed until the end of April, but I have a feeling they won't be back in session the rest of the school year. I hope you are staying safe and well too!

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  8. I'm so glad Mouse was able to celebrate her birthday and what a gorgeous cake! My husband just got word that they are working from home for the foreseeable future. I'm kind of glad as now we can all stay put if we have to. Right now we're only doing necessary errands and appointments but I'm trying to keep that to a minimum. Enjoy Big Little Lies. I really enjoyed it!

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    1. Katherine - I am glad you husband is able to work at home and you are all able to be together. I am still working outside the home, although I am being allowed to work from home two days out of the week starting this next week at least. The rest of the days I'll be in the office. I'm not thrilled--I'd rather be sheltering in place too--but I'll take what I can get. I hope you are all well and safe.

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  9. Last night, we were informed that the country I work in will be going on a partial lockdown. Everyone's scrambling to make plans for a two week suspension of work and it is not fun. I've been gravitating to lighter reads - like Miss Read!

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    1. Eustacia - I really need to move onto a lighter read and give that a try. My reading has really suffered these past couple weeks. :-( I hope you are well and staying safe!

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  10. Happy birthday to Mouse! I love that cake. It’s adorable. I hope you have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. AJ - Mouse sends her thanks for the birthday wishes! She picked out the cake design herself. I hope you are well and stay safe.

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  11. Wishing our government would be as concise instead of which we are getting a lot of contradictory advice that is leaving us ever more confused.

    Thank you for featuring such a great selection of books. Like lots of others I'm gravitating towards fun reads ... and definitely none involving conspiracy theories.

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    1. Felicity - I know that feeling. I think the U.S. government really is bumbling the job here. I hope you are staying safe and well, Felicity.

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  12. It is a bit crazy all around right now. All the schools here are closed. And people are still panic-buying toilet paper like 2-ply somehow has the power to cure the coronavirus. At least you've got some good books to read. Hope your family stays well! :)

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    1. Lark - Yes, it is so crazy right now. We still cannot find paper products at the stores. And let's not even talk about cleaning supplies. It's really bad out there. I wish I could say I have been reading, but that hasn't been the case. I hope you and your family are safe and well.

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  13. All school's here closed until April 13th.

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    1. Mary - Have they extended the deadline? Ours was extended to the 30th of April, but there is talk of them staying closed for the rest of the school year. I hope you are safe and well, Mary.

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  14. Wendy, hope you and your family remain well. Beautiful cake for Miss Mouse's birthday! Take care and I loved Big, Little Lies. Hope you do too.

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    1. Kay - Thank you. I hope you and your husband are doing well and staying safe as well.

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  15. Hope you are all coping well with the ever-changing current situation. Your daughter's birthday cake is beautiful. And, I am so glad you're liking Big Little Lies as it pulled me right in.

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    1. Helen - Thank you! It was a yummy cake too. :-) I hope you are well and staying safe.

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  16. I'm glad to hear Mouse had a wonderful birthday.

    Hope you and your family stay well, Wendy. And I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Big Little Lies.

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    1. Melody - I hope you are doing well, Melody, and your family and you are safe!

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  17. Oh, I wish I was reading Big Little Lies for the first time all over again. Did you finish the book (considering I'm late stopping by). If yes, I hope you enjoyed it!

    As I post this, Ohio has just issued the Stay Home order so this is new grounds again (for us). I've already been home this week so let's see what this means for us now.

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    1. Athira - I actually haven't finished yet. I think with everything going on, it isn't the best book for my mood. I probably would love it at any other time, but all I can think about is that the characters are all the kind who would hoard TP. I hope you and your family are well and safe!

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  18. Happy birthday to mouse. Hopefully your mom turned out to be okay, this virus is no joke as we are coming to learn slowly. Good luck to you and your family!

    https://aab-edu.net/

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    1. Shaban - Mouse says thank you. My mom's cold is on its way out. She wasn't able to make it down to visit us, but she is safe at home. I hope you and your family are safe and well!

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  19. Happy birthday to Mouse and hope you guys are well. Life is so crazy now! Take care and be safe. :)

    I love Big Little Lies!

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