Saturday, April 03, 2021

Weekly Mews: Marching Into April (March Wrap Up & April's TBR List Poll--Please Vote!)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  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 It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

As part of my monthly wrap up, I am linking up to Nicole of Feed Your Addiction's Monthly Wrap-Up Post and Stacking the Shelves hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently. 


Spring is definitely in the air in my little pocket of California. My redbud trees are in full bloom, the lizards are scurrying about in the sun, my next door neighbors are preparing for their weekend trip to the lake, and it is too hot to sleep with all those darn blankets on at night. 

What I Am Reading: I got a jump start on National Poetry Month and ended March with From the Inside: The Inner Soul of a Young Poet by Thanvi Voruganti. I had come across it on NetGalley, and it immediately caught my attention due to its tie-in to the pandemic. I hope to share a bit about it later this month during my Poetry Corner. 

I am now reading Chanel Cleeton's The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba (The Cuba Saga #4), which grabbed me right away. I have not read any of the earlier books in the series, but that has not been an issue. Each of the books feature different protagonists. 

Mouse and I are in the middle of Tales of a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen (Dork Diaries #9) by Rachel Renée Russell. There was one day this week in which Mouse decided to give me a break from reading with her (but really because she wanted to start a new Nancy Drew Clue Crew book). It was right before we jumped into the part of the book where Nikki's arch-nemesis, Mackenzie takes over writing the diary. So, even though I thanked my daughter for her thoughtfulness, internally I was wishing she'd picked a between-books moment instead. My wait did not last long fortunately, and we are now well into Makenzie's not-so-kind diary entries.

Next up I am considering reading The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday by Kiley Dunbar, which sounds like a dream come true vacation for booklovers. 


What I Am Watching: My family and I recently watched Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I have not yet read the book, but we were looking for a movie to watch and that one sounded good. It took a moment for all of us to settle into, but we all enjoyed it in the end. 

This past month I watched the Marvel show Inhumans on Disney+.  It runs for only a season, and I can see why. I really liked Lockjaw (because who would not love a giant pug that can transport people anywhere in a flash?). Other than him, the show was not very memorable. 

I have reached the end of Supernatural. There were tears. I can see why so many people thought there was no need for that final episode. I have mixed feelings about it myself. I take comfort knowing I can re-watch the show any time I want to. 

Having caught up on Vampire Diaries and The Originals this past summer, I decided to start at the beginning of Legacies again. I had seen the first season awhile ago, which is what spurred my re-watch of The Vampire Diaries. Even my husband has gotten into Legacies this time around. I don't know what it is about these shows--call them my guilty pleasures. 

My husband and I are really enjoying The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, as I knew we would. I am so glad the filmmakers went all out on the quality and effort put into both this and WandaVision


Off the blog: March seemed to fly. Mouse celebrated a birthday, and she and I had our semi-annual dental appointments. The whole family enjoyed a week off from work and school for a much needed spring break. My mom visited with us for a few days, and it was great to see her again after over a year apart. Saying goodbye was hard. Anjin, Mouse and I spent a day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido.  Reservations were required to visit and capacity was strictly limited--it made for a not-so-crowded park which was really nice. Masks were required as well. Most of the indoor or close-proximity exhibits were closed, as was the tram tour, all of which we knew about going in. It was just nice to get away--this was our first big outing in a year. I feel like I'm coming out out of a cocoon. Slowly and cautiously. 

My county moved into the Red Tier easing some of the pandemic restrictions. Now there's talk we may be moving to the Orange Tier soon, which will mean even less restrictions. I admit I am a bit nervous as I watch the virus rates rise again in other parts of the country and around the world. There comes a certain sense of security as more and more people become vaccinated, but every day I hear about friends or coworkers who themselves or family members are contracting the COVID virus, a couple of whom are in the hospital receiving treatment. 

Easter always seems to creep up on me. We are not religious and so the day is more of a celebration of spring for us with an Easter twist. There will be baskets full of goodies, an egg hunt and way too much candy. Otherwise, it will be a quiet Sunday for us. For those of you who celebrate, I hope you have a Happy Easter! 

Visiting the elephants as the Safari Park

Sleepy rhinoceros at the Safari Park

The lioness keeping watch at the Safari Park

California Juniper Bonsai Tree (Harry Hirao), approximately 200-300 years old at the Safari Park

California Juniper Bonsai Tree (John Y. Naka), approximately 300-400 years old at the Safari Park

Kangaroo on the move at the Safari Park

Tell me what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching?


New to the Shelves in March
:

E-book deals I could not resist: 

Stolen Remains (Lady of Ashes #2) by Christine Trent
A Virtuous Death (Lady of Ashes #3) by Christine Trent
The Mourning Bells (Lady of Ashes #4) by Christine Trent
Death at the Abbey (Lady of Ashes #5) by Christine Trent
A Grave Celebration (Lady of Ashes #6) by Christine Trent
Fate's Edge (The Edge #3) by Ilona Andrews
Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher #1) by Kerry Greenwood


Mouse got a few books for her birthday last month: 

Katie the Catsitter (#1) by Colleen A.F. Venable, illustrated by Stephanie Yue

Hannah Saves the World by A.M. Luzzader, illustrated by Chadd VanZanten
Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel adapted by Mariah Marsden, illustrated by Brenna Thummler (original story by L.M. Montegomery)
Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy by Rey Terciero, illustrated by Bre Indigo 

Girl with the Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts
The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis
The Forbidden Library (#1) by Django Wexler
Summer of the Woods (Virginia Mystery #1) by Steven K. Smith


We made our first trip to an actual Barnes and Noble store in over a year. I got one book for myself and my daughter chose four of her own: 

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass adapted by Eva Mason, 
original by Lewis Carroll

Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter (Dork Diaries #10) by Rachel Renée Russell 
Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy (Dork Diaries #11) by Rachel Renée Russell 
Tales from a Not-So-Secret Catastrophe (Dork Diaries #12) by Rachel Renée Russell 


Did you add any new books to your TBR stacks and shelves? Have you read any of these? If so, what did you think?


Here is what I finished reading in March:
  • Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker (Dork Diaries #6) by Rachel Renée Russell
  • The Gilded Ones (Deathless #1) by Namina Forna 
  • The Arrangement  (Plainclothes Tootsie #1) by M. Ravenel 
  • Tales from a Not-So-Glam TV Star (Dork Diaries #7) by Rachel Renée Russell
  • The Memory Collectors by Kim Neville
  • The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
  • Passiflora by Kathy Davis
  • Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After (Dork Diaries #8) by Rachel Renée Russell
  • Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie's Kitchen #1) by Mia P. Manansala
  • From the Inside: The Inner Soul of a Young Poet by Thanvi Voruganti
March is always a busy month for me life-wise and and this year was no different. As a result, I stepped away from my blog for a bit and had a nice break. I did not get to focus on review writing like I planned and so have some major catching up to do. I might end up doing some extra mini-reviews, but we'll see. It was another great reading month in terms of the books I chose to read and the books I read with Mouse. There was not a book I did not enjoy. The Gilded Ones was as good as I hoped it would be, and while The Memory Collectors got off to a slow start, I really enjoyed it in the end. The Lost Apothecary was amazing. The Arrangement and Arsenic and Adobo left this mystery reader looking forward to more. I also fit in two poignant poetry collections, which I look forward to telling you about later this month. 

 How was your March? Do you have anything planned for this month?


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

My TBR List is 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. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 


As I considered what three books to offer for your consideration this month, my eyes fell on my shelf of unread novels written in verse. Two of these lost in a previous poll. Maybe one of them will be the winner this round. I look forward to seeing which one you pick for me to read this month!


Brown Girl Dreaming
 by Jacqueline Woodson
Jacqueline Woodson, one of today's finest writers, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.

Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.
 [Goodreads Summary] 

A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman 
Padma Venkatraman’s inspiring story of a young girl’s struggle to regain her passion and find a new peace is told lyrically through verse that captures the beauty and mystery of India and the ancient bharatanatyam dance form. This is a stunning novel about spiritual awakening, the power of art, and above all, the courage and resilience of the human spirit.

Veda, a classical dance prodigy in India, lives and breathes dance—so when an accident leaves her a below-knee amputee, her dreams are shattered. For a girl who’s grown used to receiving applause for her dance prowess and flexibility, adjusting to a prosthetic leg is painful and humbling. But Veda refuses to let her disability rob her of her dreams, and she starts all over again, taking beginner classes with the youngest dancers. Then Veda meets Govinda, a young man who approaches dance as a spiritual pursuit. As their relationship deepens, Veda reconnects with the world around her, and begins to discover who she is and what dance truly means to her. [Goodreads Summary]

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo 
Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself.

So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems.

Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent. [Goodreads Summary]

 


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


© 2021, 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.

70 comments:

  1. Oh man, now I have to find that Katie the Catsitter book for my almost-ten-year-old. She loves cats!

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    1. Jeane - My daughter has read Katie the Catsitter a couple of times now. She loves it. I hope your daughter will too if she reads it. Thank you for visiting!

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  2. We're loving Falcon and The Winter Soldier in this house too! Cap and Bucky were always my favourites in the MCU (couldn't choose between them) and Sam Wilson is an awesome character who I also adored. I'm beyond happy that we're getting more depth on Bucky and Sam with this series and that their banter and chemistry is finally getting to shine.

    We're slowly easing out of covid restrictions here too but outdoor spaces (like zoo's and theme parks) aren't allowed to reopen until mid-April... Shops etc will be mid-May. It's slow but cautious and I appreciate it. I'll definitely do what you did and have a trip out when I can just to start re-claiming normal!

    Enjoy the Edge book! I feel like it's one of Ilona Andrews's lesser known series but I enjoyed it. :)

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    1. Nicci - I am glad you are enjoying Falcon and the Winter Soldier too! Cap is my favorite, but Bucky is a close second of the MCU characters. And, I agree, Sam is awesome too. I just love them all!

      I think the zoos here re-opened the end of January or so when the outdoor restrictions began to ease a bit. We've been taking it slow and are just beginning to take more and more risks, still with safety in mind.

      I enjoyed the first Edge book and look forward to reading more. You're right--it doesn't seem to get a lot of attention, does it?

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  3. I really enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (both the books and the movie). I hope you get the pick them up soon!

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    1. Eustacia - Generally I like to read the book before seeing the movie, but it didn't work out in this case. I still hope to read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children some day. Thank you for visiting!

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    1. Stephanie - There were a couple of baby elephants that we could see. So cute! Thank you for stopping by!

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  5. Glad you got some kind of outing!! Happy belated birthdays! Happy April!

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    1. Freda - It was a much needed change of scenery! Thank you for visiting!

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  6. The Christine Trent books look interesting. I like the covers!

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    1. Jenclair - I think so too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. I love the photos and that you got outside. We are so close and yet some people are now getting COVID as we are becoming more vaccinated.

    Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

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    1. Anne - I'm worried our numbers will start rising again as things open up more, but I guess we'll see. It was so nice to do something fun and different. We enjoyed our day trip. Thank you for visiting!

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  8. I've read all three of your TBR choices and I like them all. All are written in verse. Come to think of it maybe that is what you were going for. Ha. Here are my reviews if you want to know what I thought at the time when I read them: A Time to Dance ; Brown Girl Dreaming ; Poet X . I don't think you can go wrong with any of these books.

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    1. Anne - Yes, I chose them all because they were written in verse. :-) I am looking forward to seeing which one wins. Thank you for stopping by!

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  9. Spring is definitely in the air! I love the idea of lizards running around. :) Whenever I'm in Florida I always enjoy seeing them scamper abut (I haven't been to CA). We don't really have that here...

    I forgot they made an Inhumans show. I always loved the Inhumans in the comics as a kid but I remember hearing the show was not that good. Bummer. And same here with the bookstore. I went into B&N for the first time in a year just today! And went a little crazy! :)

    I love the pics, especially of the rhinoceros!

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    1. Greg - We have a lot of little lizards. There was one yesterday that was just hanging out on the ledge of the window. Didn't seem bothered that he had a cat on the other side of the screen staring at him. :-)

      I liked the Inhumans in S.H.I.E.L.D., and some of that was crossed over into the Inhumans show, although not much so. I was disappointed it wasn't better.

      Yay for being able to go into a bookstore again!

      Thank you for visiting!

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  10. I am loving Falcon/Winter Soldier, too! The bromance is adorable. lol I can't wait for more episodes.
    I'm so happy that you enjoyed The Arrangement! Your review was so humbling. Thank you so much again!!

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    1. Marie - I love Sam and Bucky's relationship on the show too.

      I look forward to reading more of Tootsie's cases. She's such a great character.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  11. Happy Spring! I love seeing the nature around me coming back to life.
    I watched Inhumans with my eldest daughter. I completely agree with you, Wendy - it didn't hold my attention either.

    Hope you have a good week.

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    1. Flora - I love that about spring too. Everything coming to life again. I am glad I am not the only one who wasn't impressed with Inhumans. I hope you have had a good week too! Thank you for visiting!

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  12. We are enjoying The Falcon and the Winter Soldier here too!

    We went to San Diego Zoo but not to the Safari park. It looks like a good place to visit.

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    1. Marg - I am glad you are enjoying The Falcon and Winter Soldier too. :-) I really like the San Diego Zoo too, although the Safari Park is my favorite of the two. I think it's because of the strong focus on conservation education (which the San Diego Zoo has too--they are the same organization) and the big open spaces the animals have. Some zoos seem to small and cage-like. It makes me feel bad for the animals.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  13. I love your photos from the Safari Park, I recently went to the one near me and had a great time!

    I loved Brown Girl Dreaming!

    I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Vicki - Thank you! I am glad you got to go to the one near you as well! It was just so nice to get out, wasn't it?

      I am glad to hear you loved Brown Girl Dreaming. I don't know why I haven't read it yet. I know I'll love it.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  14. Thank you, Wendy and a Happy Spring Celebration to you! 🐣 My March was also a very busy month, which meant I didn't read loads, however the three books I finished I enjoyed very much. I hope you enjoy all your new books, take care and happy reading! 🙂

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    1. Jessica - I am glad you enjoyed your March reading! I hope you are enjoying your week. Thank you for stopping by!

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  15. I want to rewatch Supernatural. I watched a lot of it a few years back but stopped randomly and now I don't remember anything lol But since it's over, I can now just binge watch to the end.

    That's so fun you went to the safari park! I miss going there. I heard that indoor things might be able to start opening up soon, so I'm hoping things like the Long Beach Aquarium open indoor. I want to take my son but can't really justify all the hastle of taking a 15 month old to those things if there isnt much open >.< hahah

    Happy reading!

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    1. Molly - My husband had watched the first several seasons of Supernatural years ago but stopped for some reason too. So, when I decided to catch up, I started from the beginning.

      I love the Long Beach Aquarium. Hopefully you will be able to take your son soon. My daughter's old enough to wear a mask. And now that I think about it, she didn't complain once about having to wear it all day at the Safari Park.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  16. Spring is here finally in the Northeast too, after a little snow on April 1. No joke. :) I'm enjoying The Falcon and The Winter Soldier too, despite not enjoying WandaVision. Off blog, you had a great month, it looks like.

    Both Brown Girl Dreaming and The Poet X, I've read and they are really, really good. The Poet X: I highly recommend on audio with the author reading it.

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    1. Bryan - I heard about the April 1st snow. :-) It's overcast where I live today, but I don't see rain in our forecast. We could really use the rain.

      I have a physical copy of Poet X and so will be reading it that way. I am glad to hear the audio is book.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. I am very glad that you had such an enjoyable, if busy, March. And much-belated birthday greetings to you and Mouse. It sounds like you had a lovely reading month - and thank you for the pics of your outings. It must have been lovely to have your mother coming to stay. I have only seen my mother twice in the last year and obviously, I haven't been able to hold or hug her. So I'm very much looking forward to being able to getting to that stage:)).

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    1. Sarah - Thank you. I hope you will be able to hold and hug your mom soon. It was really nice being able to visit with my mom, and I am glad she was able to come. Thank you for visiting!

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  18. Thanks for sharing the pictures. I really loved the picture of the lioness. All 3 TBR choices look great so you are in luck with whichever is chosen. How fun to go to a bookstore IRL! Have a great week!

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    1. Victoria - Isn't the lioness beautiful? I love the big cats. I guess that isn't much of a surprise. LOL Thank you for stopping by!

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  19. All those books should keep Mouse satisfied for a little while :)
    You’ve had a marvellous March, wishing you an awesome April

    Have a great reading week

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    1. Shelleyrae - She's already dived into many of them. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  20. i have never seen a rhinocerous-its kind of the equivalent of seeing a dinosaur lol. I have seen wolves and bears out of captivity. it's amazing

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    1. I haven't seen wolves or bears in the wild, although I have been to places where there have been bear sightings. I have seen lots of deer, coyotes, wild burros, and mountain lions in the wild though, around where I live. Some of the rhinoceros breeds are extinct now and conservationists are trying to find ways to bring them back. It's so sad that all of these amazing animals are endangered. I have a friend who calls rhinos real life unicorns. My daughter who loves unicorns doesn't buy it though. LOL Thank you for stopping by!

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  21. I'm always delighted to arrive at National Poetry Month. I'm reading Poemcrazy now, and I hope to read more this month.

    How wonderful to have your mom visit. It's amazing to take an outing. Yes, exactly like we are coming out of a cocoon. Thank you especially for sharing the bonsai photos. Bonsai are one of my favorites. I've always wanted to have one, but I have a bit of fear that I would kill something 200 years old!

    I'm off to look for The Lost Apothecary now.

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    1. Deb - Poemcrazy sounds good. I will have to add it to my wish list!

      I think I read more poetry the end of last month than I have so far this month. Hopefully that will change soon.

      These were the only photos that didn't include my daughter of the bonsai trees--they had some impressive mini-forest ones that were just gorgeous. How they've survived so long is just amazing to me.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  22. Ok. I was really torn over whether to vote for Brown Girl Dreaming or Poet X as they are both fantastic. I agree that it's scary to watch the numbers rising as they are up here in Santa Barbara and elsewhere. It feels never-ending.

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    1. Helen - Thank you for voting! I do want to read both eventually. I noticed our numbers are beginning to rise again in the past two weeks. I have a feeling this time around though we won't be going back to lockdown unless the situation gets really bad. It really does feel never-ending.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  23. I loved The Vampire Diaries, The Originals and am enjoying Legacies. I hope you like it too.

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    1. Mary - We are enjoying Legacies. We're about halfway through season two now, and then we'll have to take a break until Netflix gets the latest season. Thank you for visiting!

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  24. I'm going to be reading Brown Girl Reading soon so I hope you do too :) We're slowly and cautiously doing more things outside and I anticipate that we won't do much more than that for the summer. Vaccines are just a piece of the puzzle so until the numbers come down significantly we're gonna be as cautious as we can. It's nice to be outside though! The zoo looks like a good choice, we haven't done that yet.

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    1. Stacy - I hope you enjoy Brown Girl Dreaming! It doesn't look like it won, but I do want to read it still at some point. Thank you for stopping by!

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  25. I'm loving all the flowering trees in our neighborhood right now, they really make it seem like Spring. Hope you have a wonderful week!

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    1. Tammy - I love the spring blooms on the trees. So pretty! Thank you for visiting!

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  26. The sun is directly over Sri Lanka till the 14th of April. It makes for very unpleasant weather. Thank the lord for air conditioning. It is now not a luxury or one which I don't mind sacrificing something else to have!
    Looking at your animal pictures I realized how lucky we are to have elephants in the wild here, but sadly they are always under threat.

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    1. Mystica - I imagine it is very hot in Sri Lanka right now. I wish I could send you some of my cooler temperatures. Air conditioning was a wonderful invention, wasn't it?

      I would love to see an elephant in the wild. It makes me sad to see so many of these great animals endangered.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  27. Great zoo pics! I hope you enjoy The Girl With the Louding Voice. I thought it was a great book. :)

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    1. Lark - Thank you! I hope I will enjoy The Girl With the Louding Voice too! Thank you for visiting!

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  28. We were low key planning a California trip when the pandemic hit last year and the San Diego zoo was at the top of my list. It'll be a few years before we get out there now but it's still at the top. Sounds like a perfect outing. Chanel Cleeton is on my TBR. All her books look absolutely gorgeous. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - Hopefully you will make it out to California one day. I really like the San Diego Zoo, although the Safari Park is my favorite hands down. If you get the chance to do both, I highly recommend it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  29. Yay for having a week off with Spring Break. Happy Belated Birthday to Mouse! It looks like she got some awesome books. I love it!
    I have The Lost Apothecary to hopefully read soon - glad you loved it.
    I still need to read some poetry, or a novel in verse for National Poetry Month.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Lauren - Thank you for the birthday wishes for Mouse. She made out book wise for her birthday. :-) I hope you enjoy The Lost Apothecary when you read it!

      Thank you for visiting!

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  30. Love the Zoo pictures! The Borrow a Bookshelf Holiday sounds a lot like a book by Samantha Young just recently with the same idea, Much Ado About You. I might have to check this one out. Ah, the Supernatural episode totally had me crying! Hope you have a good week!
    Lisa Loves Literature

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    1. Lisa - Thank you! I've heard of Much Ado About You. I think I have another of Young's books on my TBR shelf, but not that one. Thank you for stopping by!

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  31. What a busy month you guys had but sounds like a blast with the birthday celebration and getting to see your mom. That's such wonderful news! You are right, now that more are getting vaccinated it does make you feel a bit more hopeful about everything. I can't get over how old those bonsai trees are. That's amazing! And, I'm looking forward to hearing more from your poetry corner!

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    1. Iliana - I couldn't get over how old the bonsai trees were either. Thank you for visiting!

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  32. I would love to read the Inhumans comics. I had started reading it a while back but didn't get to finish - it's many volumes long, so not exactly quick reading.

    I love that you enjoy the TVD saga. I think I stopped watching TVD and Originals just before the last season and never got back to them. So I didn't know about Legacies at all. I almost want to go back and rewatch it all.

    So good that you got to visit the zoo. It must be a huge relief to be finally out of the purple tier. (It feels strange for me to write this because even though we are in the same country, we know how some states have tried not to fully close :/) I hope many more safe and fun outings are on the cards for you.

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    1. Athira - I haven't read any of the Marvel comics, but I think my husband may have read some of them.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  33. I love your zoo photos. I think the zoo would be way more fun without the crowds. It’s hard to the animals with a thousand people in the way. I hope you’re having a great April!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. AJ - Thank you! Yes, the zoo was so much more fun without the crowds. We were able to see more during our visit than we usually are. I worried we would be out of shape for all that walking, but I think we all managed fine--but boy did we feel it when we got home! Thank you for visiting!

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  34. Spring always remind me of beautiful flowers. The zoo trip seemed like lots of fun! I hope you'll enjoy "The Girl With the Louding Voice" as much as I did!

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    1. Melody - Me too. :-) I love spring flowers. You and Lark convinced me I need to read The Girl with the Louding Voice. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  35. Looks like you've got some great new reads. And I love those photos.
    We are still in lockdown here.. Unfortunately people seem to be taking them less serious every day. I do wish things get better soon.
    Have a great week and happy reading.

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    1. Maureen - Thank you! I hope your lockdown is lifted soon. The numbers here are starting to rise again, but I have a feeling the government will not be adding more restrictions again regardless. I am not sure many people here would listen even if they did. :-S Thank you for visiting!

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