Saturday, July 03, 2021

Weekly Mews: June Reading Wrap Up & July's TBR List Poll--Paris, Anyone? (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. 


Happy July! After talk of the heat the last time I visited here with you, the temperatures have been more reasonable. Still hot but bearable. My poor husband's work space at home gets extremely warm during the day even with the air conditioner so he has a fan set up too. Then you have me, who had to bundle up when I was in the office this past week. Stepping into the heat at the end of the day was kind of refreshing. We were quite excited one day early in the week to get some rain with a passing thunderstorm. It was over all too soon though. We desperately need more rain. But that is nothing new. 

In reading . . . 
Then

I recently finished reading Lydia Hawkes' Becoming Crone, the first in a new urban fantasy series. Just the mention of witches and magic is enough to grab my attention, but I also wanted to give this one a try because the heroine wasn't your typical young "chosen one" heroine. She's sixty, with gray hair and all the aches and pains that come with aging. It is a refreshing twist on a popular fantasy trope.

Now

At the moment, I have bookmarks (one virtual, admittedly) in two books. I am reading the 5th book in Jennifer Ashley's Kat Holloway Below Stairs historical mystery series, Death at the Crystal Palace, and I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights an Dilemmas of The Reading Life by Anne Bogel. What could be better, reading one of my favorite series and also a book about one of my favorite things to do--reading!

Next

I never quite know what will tempt me next until I am ready to start a new book, but it is nice to plan ahead--even if I end up changing my mind at the last minute. Currently, I am considering Esme Addison's A Hex for Danger (An Enchanted Bay Mystery #2). The paranormal cozy sounds really tempting and I enjoyed the first book in the series. Or there is Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali, a contemporary YA novel featuring a Muslim girl trying to figure out who she wants to be. It is getting great reviews. Or perhaps I will be more in the mood for a twisty thriller like Liv Constantine's The Stranger in the Mirror . . . Choices, choices. 



What I Have Been Watching

My family and I have continued to devote our Wednesday TV time to Loki and Fridays are for High School Musical: the Musical: the Series, season 2. We are enjoying Loki, especially this past week's episode. I cannot believe there are only two more episodes left. I am enjoying the High School Musical series more this season than I did last. I think the characters have grown on me. 

We have also added The Mysterious Benedict Society to our weekly watch list, which we all quickly got hooked on. On the nights we aren't watching any of the above mentioned series, we are enjoying Crime Scene Kitchen, a baking competition show. I wish I could be one of the judges tasting those delicious deserts! I think we have reached the saved up episodes on Hulu and will now have to wait for the next episode when it's dropped.

I just finished the first half of the sixth and final season of Teen Wolf, which I think is the show's best season yet. Certainly the most disturbing. 

On the movie front, we watched quite a few movies this past month: Monkey Trouble, Dog Gone Trouble, Ace Ventura Pet Detective Jr., The Guardian Brothers, Kiki's Delivery Service, and In the Heights. My husband and I broke down and subscribed to HBO/MAX for a month so we could watch In the Heights, which did not disappoint.



Off the Blog

I am still not sure where June went. Work continues to be busy. The managers officially announced the new work schedules for my office. I think many staff are pleased they will be able to continue on a hybrid (partly home/partly in office) schedule. My cat Gracie will be happy to continue having me home with her some days. With one of my fellow supervisors moving to another office, we have been left short staffed, which will require a bit of shuffling of work hours. I am not sure yet if mine will be impacted, although it's a very real possibility. 

Mouse got a week long break from her dance and rehearsals the week before last. The studio's competitive dancers attended a competition in Las Vegas. Mouse does not compete hence the break for us. This past week Mouse attended a couple of her classes via Zoom because she wasn't feeling well (she had the sniffles). I am glad the studio is still offering Zoom dance classes and hope they will continue to do so. It's a great option. 

Mouse started swim lessons this past week. We do not have access to a pool regularly and so pool time is very limited, but a friend offered her pool for private lessons for a few of the girls from the dance studio. Time with friends and in the pool makes Mouse a happy girl. 

I somehow managed to strain a muscle in my back the other day and so have been in a bit of pain. Ugh. It's so frustrating. And inconvenient. 

It is going to be a busy month. Am I up for it? Because ready or not, here we go! 


From our visit to Disneyland in June

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

Monthly Wrap Up
 
New to the Shelves in June

Recent e-books added to my e-reader:


A Bollywood Affair (Bollywood #1) by Sonali Dev
The Body in the Garden (Lily Adler Mystery #1) by Katharine Schellman
Becoming Crone (The Crone Wars #1) by Lydia M. Hawke

One day in June, I dragged my family to my favorite local independent bookstore and came away with four books, two for me and two for my daughter.


The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar
We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez

Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega
Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 1 (Tongari bōshi no Atelier #1) 
by Kamome Shirahama, and translated by Stephen Kohler

Have you read any of these books? What books did you add to your TBR this past month? 

Here is what I finished reading in June:
  • Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors (The Rajes #1) by Sonali Dev  
  • The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (The Hollows #2) by Kim Harrison
  • Just Add Magic by Cindy Callaghan
  • Magic Misfits (#1) by Neil Patrick Harris
  • The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley
  • The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
  • Murder in the East End (Kat Holloway Below Stairs #4) by Jennifer Ashley
  • Every Which Way But Dead (The Hollows #3) by Kim Harrison
  • Becoming Crone (The Crone Wars #1) by Lydia M. Hawkes
  • Tales From a Not-So-Happy Birthday (Dork Diaries #13) by Rachel Renée Russell

There was a brief moment when I thought a slump was coming on the beginning of June, but it turned out to be more of a blip. I read some great books. Jennifer Ashley's Kat Holloway Below Stairs series continues to be a favorite, and I enjoyed diving more into Kim Harrison's Hollows series at my friend's recommendation. I have a lot of catching up to do! The Invisible Husband of Frick Island and Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev were wonderful, and The Midnight Library was a moving read. Becoming Crone was a great start to a new series. Mouse and I enjoyed what we read together too. 

My blogging suffered tremendously this past month. I have not had much time to devote to it. I am hoping to get back into a regular blogging pattern soon and actually post some of those overdue reviews. 

The end of June also means we are half way through the year. I was looking over my year in reading so far and was surprised at how many books I gave high ratings too as compared to last year. I cannot help but wonder how much of that is tied to my mood. Last year was such a difficult year all around and while this year has been challenging too, I am in a better place mentally. 

How did your June shape up? Do you have a favorite among the books you read?


Challenge Progress 

I set my goals for my reading challenges low on purpose. I have enough pressure and stresses in life without adding more to it, but I do like to set goals and reach for them just the same. Being that I tend to be a mood reader, keeping my goals low allows me flexibility to read what I want when I want as well. Even so, I am upping my goals for most of the below challenges given how well I have done so far only six months into the year. Clearly I need to work on that Nonfiction Reader Challenge a bit more . . . 

The Spring COYER Challenge hosted by Michelle and Berls of Because Reading Is Better Than Real Life lasted from March through June and I committed to reading eight (8) books. I ended up reading sixteen (16) books that qualify! I only have managed to post reviews to eight, however. So, whether I count all sixteen or just the eight- yay me! I will eventually get the reviews posted!

  1. The Gilded Ones (Deathless #1) by Namina Forna
  2. The Arrangement (Plainclothes Tootsie #1) by M. Ravenel
  3. The Memory Collectors by Kim Neville
  4. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
  5. Arsenic and Adobo  (Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery #1) by Mia P. Manansala 
  6. The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba (Cuba Saga #4) by Chanel Cleeton
  7. The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday by Kiley Dunbar
  8. Shadowed Steel (Heirs of Chicagoland #3) by Chloe Neill
  9. Angel of the Overpass (Ghost Roads #3) by Seanan McGuire
  10. Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
  11. A Peculiar Combination (Electra McDonnell #1) by Ashley Weaver
  12. Swimming Back to Trout River by Linda Rui Feng
  13. Written in Bone: Hidden Stories in What We Leave Behind by Sue Black
  14. Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors (The Rajes #1) by Sonali Dev
  15. The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley
  16. Murder in the East End (Kat Holloway Below Stairs #4) by Jennifer Ashley

July1st kicked off the beginning of the Summer COYER Challenge, and I am hoping to keep the momentum going. In Summer COYER, anything goes! There are no limits and no conditions. This part of the challenge lasts from July through October. Yes, October falls in the autumn season (at least in the Northern Hemisphere)--but if you think about it, it balances out since school starts in August and people start thinking that's the end of summer . . . 

I decided against making a numeric goal this time around and instead am giving myself plenty of wiggle room and not setting any hard and fast rules.  I do want to continue the attempt to clear out some of the books on my e-reader, including ARCs. I also would like to catch up on at least a couple of my favorite series, but I have not quite solidified that goal in my mind--which series, how many, etc. I definitely want to read at least three nonfiction books over the course of the challenge. Maybe adding that to this challenge will give me an extra incentive to meet my goal in the Nonfiction Reader Challenge. Mostly, I just want to have fun with my reading! 

As for the Goodreads 2021 Reading Challenge, I never take this one very seriously, but what a good feeling to be only half way through the year and already have met my goal by 500%! 😂


For those participating in reading challenges this year, how you are doing? Are there any challenges you are struggling with? Which ones are you doing well in?


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). 

I have to stop this! For a second month in a row, I had settled on three books for you to consider in this month's poll. Perfectly good and wonderful sounding books. Then Stacy mentions July in Paris and all bets are off. Plus all of these sound like so much fun.  Help me choose what to read next! 


The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris
by Jenny Colgan
Life is sweet in this heartwarming tale of a little chocolate shop in Paris, by the bestselling author of Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams and Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe.

As dawn breaks over the Pont Neuf, and the cobbled alleyways of Paris come to life, Anna Trent is already awake and at work; mixing and stirring the finest, smoothest, richest chocolate; made entirely by hand, it is sold to the grandes dames of Paris.

It's a huge shift from the chocolate factory she worked in at home in the north of England. But when an accident changed everything, Anna was thrown back in touch with her French teacher, Claire, who offered her the chance of a lifetime — to work in Paris with her former sweetheart, Thierry, a master chocolatier.

With old wounds about to be uncovered and healed, Anna is set to discover more about real chocolate — and herself — than she ever dreamed. 
[Goodreads Summary]


Paris on Repeat
(Wish & Wander #1) by Amy Bearce
GROUNDHOG DAY gets a hilarious French twist in this delightful upper middle grade novel about first crushes and friendship when an eighth-grade class trip to Paris goes horribly wrong and the worst day of one girl’s life keeps happening over and over.

Fourteen-year-old Eve Hollis is ready to push through her fears and finally let her crush know how she feels. And what better place to tell him than on top of the Eiffel Tower in the City of Love? But things don’t go as planned, and Eve is sure she’s had the worst day of her life— until she wakes up the next morning to realize the whole disaster of a day is happening again. She’s trapped in a time loop.

Desperate to make it stop, Eve will have to take some big risks and learn from her mistakes or she’s destined to live the most awkwardly painful day of her life over and over again, forever.  [Goodreads Summary]



Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim 
Become enamored with the splendor of Paris in this heartwarming and delightful story about writing one’s own destiny and finding love along the way.

Vanessa Yu never wanted to see people’s fortunes -- or misfortunes -- in tea leaves.

Ever since she can remember, Vanessa Yu has been able to see people’s fortunes at the bottom of their teacups. To avoid blurting out their fortunes, she converts to coffee, but somehow fortunes escape and find a way to complicate her life and the ones of those around her. To add to this plight, her romance life is so nonexistent that her parents enlist the services of a matchmaking expert from Shanghai.

The day before her matchmaking appointment, Vanessa accidentally sees her own fate: death by traffic accident. She decides that she can’t truly live until she can find a way to get rid of her uncanny abilities. When her eccentric aunt, Evelyn, shows up with a tempting offer to whisk her away, Vanessa says au revoir to America and bonjour to Paris. While working at Evelyn’s tea stall at a Parisian antique market, Vanessa performs some matchmaking of her own, attempting to help reconnect her aunt with a lost love. As she learns more about herself and the root of her gifts, she realizes one thing to be true: knowing one’s destiny isn’t a curse, but being unable to change it is. [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.

89 comments:

  1. July in Paris sounds fun! I'll try to remember it for next year. I've got several unread Paris books on my shelves. I hope your back is feeling better!

    Here’s my WEEKEND WRAP-UP POST this week. — Diana

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    1. Diana - I always remember Christmas in July but rarely July in Paris. Perhaps one year I will devote the month of July to Holiday books set in Paris. :-)

      Thank you for the well wishes. I hope I can rest more tomorrow and hopefully that will make a difference.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  2. Oh Becoming Crone sounds great! I love that concept. I have Paris by Edward Rutherford somewhere but heck it's a beast of a book to read on a whim, haha.

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    1. Hannah - Isn't that great? I'm not in that age bracket yet, but getting closer every year. It's nice to see older heroines in the lead for a change, especially in that type of book. Oh yes, I can imagine Rutherford's book would not be a book you'd pick up on a whim. It does sound like it will be good though. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  3. Okay I *might* have voted for Vanessa Yu mostly because of the cover? But I have also heard the most about it (seemingly good!) so I figured that was the way to go hah. I also really love the idea of having a theme to read- that would help my indecision!

    Glad things are a bit less unbearable! I really want to see In the Heights but I cannot justify it hah. I was curious about The Mysterious Benedict Society mostly because Shannon Kook is in it 😂

    Hope you have a wonderful July!

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    1. Shannon - Haha! Thank you for voting. I love that cover too.

      In the Heights was good, but I get not wanting to splurge just to see it. We likely won't keep the subscription beyond the month, but hopefully we can take advantage of it while we have it.

      I love Shannon Kook! It hadn't even dawned on me though that was him until you said something. How did I miss that?!

      I hope you have a great July as well! Thank you for visiting!

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  4. You have so much going on between Mouse's stuff, work, reading, blogging, and Disneyland?!!! I don't know if I am up for crowds that big yet. I hope you had fun.

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    1. Helen - The normal life of my family. Haha. We made it to Disneyland before they opened the park to outside residents and when masks and social distancing was still required. Still probably too crowded for comfort, but so much less so than normal. We went at the beginning of the month for my husband's birthday.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  5. I hope you get some rain soon. And I like reading about older protagonists too- it's a nice change! Hope your new reads are good- i like a couple of the spookier looking ones. :)

    Thanks for the kind words over at my blog too :)

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    1. Greg - Thank you! I have a feeling more heat and sunny skies are in the forecast for me, unfortunately. Yes! It is a nice change to read about an older protagonist. So many just seem to get younger. Or maybe that's just me getting older . . .

      Thank you for visiting!

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  6. Glad it's cooled down a bit. I would gladly send you some of our rain. That seems to be all we get lately and I'm kind of done with it! Enjoy July in Paris! Love the picture from Disneyland. We used to go to Disney World regularly but I've never been to Disneyland. You've got some great books! The Jennifer Ashley is one I want to pick up soon. I've loved the rest of the series and I liked A Hex for Danger. I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - Me too. My husband would say it hasn't cooled down enough, but I'll take what I can get. I wish there was a way you could send some rain.

      I am really enjoying the latest Jennifer Ashley book. Such a great series. I am glad to hear you enjoyed A Hex for Danger. I might just make that one my next read as a result. :-)

      Have a great week too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. Ahh my daughter and I still haven't watched Loki! And we're huge fans. We named our cat Loki! In The Heights was so good. So inspirational! Sounds like you had a great month! Hope July is just as good :)

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    1. Cheryl - Are you waiting to the end to binge the Loki series? I wish we would do that. Loki is a great name for a cat. LOL I am glad to hear you liked In the Heights too. I hope you have a great July too. Thank you for visiting!

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  8. Becoming Crone sounds fantastic! I definitely added that to my wishlist on Goodreads! How nice to have an 'older' heroine in a book!

    And how nice of that dance mom to let several girls come to her pool for private swimming lessons! That must be so much fun (and also important!) for the girls.

    Have a wonderful week ahead, I hope work won't become more busy for you with one manager not in your office anymore.

    Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

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    1. Linda - I hope you get a chance to read Becoming Crone! I agree, it is really nice of the dance mom to let the girls use her pool. The dance parents at our studio are so supportive of one another and the kids. We're like one big family. :-)

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

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  9. Wow, June looks like it has been a month and a half for you, Wendy! Well done for still managing to read so many books and glad the weather has cooled a little for you! Sadly my June was officially my lowest month of reading of the year, so far! I only finished two measly books and had to DNF another one. However my favourite of the month has to go to the insightful and comforting The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis, which was great! Whilst in my viewing I loved the new crime-drama series Mare of Easttown and the heart-warming film Blue Miracle. Take care and happy reading in July! 😃

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    1. Jessica -

      I am not sure how I managed it, honestly. There were some short books in there, which helped, I am sure. You had a lot to deal with recently, and so I can understand why reading was difficult. Hopefully things will be better for you this month. My husband was just talking about Mare of Easttown yesterday. We might have to check it out while we have our month subscription to HBO/MAX. Thank you for visiting!

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  10. I don't know how in the world you get any reading done with all the other things you have in your life! Wow.

    You are doing great on your challenges. I need to update my challenges and see how I stand.

    I've been planning for Paris in July since the last Paris in July, I think. I've got a great stack of books here, including the last two books on your list of potential reads.

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    1. Deb - I try to get some reading in every day, but it helped last month that I wasn't blogging most of the month. Something always has to give, sadly.

      I hope you enjoy Paris in July! It sounds like it will be a fun event.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  11. I will definitely be trying Becoming Crone. A heroine who is older than me for once will be amazing to read about.
    I used to have so many arc commitments that I never really had a choice in what to read next, now I find I struggle to choose a book! Whatever you pick I hope it's a great read.

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    1. Louise - I hope you enjoy Becoming Crone if you read it! The second book is due out the beginning of next year, I think. I am looking forward to reading it.

      Even with all the ARCs I have to read, I still struggle with what to read next. I like to have some ideas before I finish my current book(s) because otherwise I end up spending a day or two trying to figure out what to pick up next.

      I hope you have a great week. Thank you for visiting!

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  12. I love the sound of Becoming Crone! Thank you for the recommendation - and I'm sorry that you are all suffering so with the heat:(. I hope the back quickly recovers - and that you all have a great week, Wendy:).

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    1. Sarah - Becoming Crone was fun. I hope you like it if you read it. Thank you. I am a bit more used to the heat than some of the parts of the country that are suffering from it now. At least here we expect it and so are equipped to deal with it. I really feel for the regions that aren't in the same position. I know it's much worse for them. Thank you for the well wishes. my back feels a little better today from being able to rest. Pain medication helps too. I hope you have a great week too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  13. I am not sure I am any help in choosing which book to read because they all sound good. I do enjoy Jenny Colgan, although I tend to listen to her books rather than read them! And I want to read Vanessa Wu. Maybe that means reading the other one.

    Work has really impacted my reading and blogging for the last six weeks or so. I have to find some more balance somehow!

    I think this week's episode of Loki was my favourite so far. This episode made more sense to me at least.

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    1. Marg - I think they all sound good too. :-) I hope you are able to find balance between work and your reading and blogging. It often feels like a constant battle between the two for me. And add in everything else.

      I agree. I think this past episode of Loki was my favorite so far too. Everything is beginning to really take shape now.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  14. I'm terrible with challenges but, Paris in July sounds fun. You had a good June, I only read Midnight Library from your list. Glad work is still partially hybrid that makes it easier I am sure. Finally, I wish we could send you out rain - we've had a whole week of rain. In fact Memorial Day weekend and 4th of July weekend were both rainouts. My youngest granddaughter's party was yesterday and it had to be indoors. Have a good week.

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    1. Diane - I am glad we are able to continue with the hybrid as well. It will look a little different for me than it does now--I'll have to go into the office more often, but I expected that. There will be more in the office at once too, and so I won't be the only one there anymore. I have mixed feelings about that as I've gotten used to being alone. LOL

      I wish you could send me some of your rain too. I could send you some of our sunshine.

      I hope you have a good week too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  15. Now you are tempting me to watch In the Heights. I do love having HBO MAX and have found many delightful movies there.

    The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris looks yummy!

    Enjoy July, and thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I was browsing HBO/MAX today and saw a few movies and shows I would like to check out. I hope I get the chance. I am not sure how long we'll keep the subscription.

      Yes! I think The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris looks yummy too. I can't resist that title, :-)

      Thank you for visiting!

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  16. I know what you mean about the air conditioner at work, lol. My office is so cold sometimes I have to wear a sweater, then when I go home for lunch, I revel in the 90 degree heat because it feels so good! Hope you have a lovely week, Wendy😁

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    1. Tammy - Why do they keep the office so cold?! I shouldn't complain though, It's easier to put on the layers than to suffer in the heat. I hope you have a great week too. Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. I love that I've found another book blogger who is a moody reader like me! Every time I try to say what I'm going to read next, I come up with half a dozen answers ... unless I have a blog tour coming up. Luckily, I do, so I was able to say very likely I know what I'll be reading.

    Anyway, love your wrap-up and it's been a long time since I participated in My TBR List :)

    -Megan @ Bookstacks & Golden Moms

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    1. Megan - It isn't unlike me to pick something completely different from the books I was considering reading next too. I'm sure that happens to you as well. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  18. What a great reading month you had! Glad to hear you weren't in a slump. I loved hearing about your daughter's swimming lessons and dance classes - that is exactly how I spent my childhood summers 🙂.

    The Below Stairs Mysteries look intriguing, I will have to look for those. I am waiting for The Invisible Husband From Frick Island to come in at the library - can't wait!

    Have a great July!

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    1. Gretchen - It does feel like it turned out to be a good reading month. I wish we could have gone on a little vacation this summer, but with everything it just hasn't worked out. Probably for the best this year.

      The Below Stairs books are such fun. I really like the heroine, Kat Holloway. I hope you will give the series a try. And I really hope you love The Invisible Husband From Frick Island as much as I did.

      I hope you have a great July as well. Thank you for stopping by!

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  19. The Loveliest Chocolate Shop looks wonderful. Also, The Stranger in the Mirror looks good. I hope your back is better. Have a great week!

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    1. Yvonne - I just love the title of The Loveliest Chocolate Shop. I've enjoyed what I've read by Colgan too, which helps. I am glad you think the Stranger in the Mirror sounds good too. I hope it will be! Thank you for the well wishes and I hope you have a great week too. Thank you for visiting!

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  20. What a great month you had! Must have been great to go to Disney! Happy July!

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    1. Freda - We had a fun time. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  21. This was a great blog post to read, from start to finish.

    I love the Disneyland picture so much!

    I'm glad your reading slump turned out to just be a blip and I hope your back behaves itself so you can accomplish all the things in July!

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    1. Jinjer - Thank you! I was worried I rambled on too much. LOL I hope my back will start behaving soon. I have too much to do to be laid up at all. In September I can rest a little.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  22. Im excited to read Becoming Crone. Hex of Danger was a fun escapist book, I think you'll like it. Recently I read and loved Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of The Universe. Have a great week!

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    1. Victoria - I hope you enjoy Becoming Crone when you read it. I am glad to hear you enjoyed Hex of Danger. I really enjoyed the first book. I've been wanting to read the Aristotle and Dante books. So glad to hear you loved them! Have a great week too. Thank you for stopping by!

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  23. Happy 4th! I am glad to see the continuing hybrid office arrangements, the teleheath and other zoom options for things. It is very convenient. It has cut my drive time which was audiobook time but I still prefer them for some things.

    I wanted to read Becoming Crone but my TBR is messed up. I did read and enjoy Death at the Crystal Palace.

    The heat is here for July and August and I have been wrapping up outdoor work to stay inside with AC. Back pain is no joke. I hope you feel better very soon.

    Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

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    1. Anne - Happy 4th to you as well! I am glad telehealth options will remain as well. And I'm glad I will be able to continue on a hybrid schedule. Hopefully it will work out and will become permanent.

      Thank you for the well wishes. You stay cool and I hope you have a great week. Thank you for visiting!

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  24. Sounds like you've had a lot going on! Love that pic from Disney. Did you like Luca? I think we're going to watch that tonight or tomorrow.

    Oh and I really liked A Bollywood Affair and Ghost Squad!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. Nicole - I feel like we are back up to being as active as we were pre-pandemic. Just still wearing masks and maybe not going out as much. We really enjoyed Luca and I hope you will too! It's really cute.

      I am glad you enjoyed both Ghost Squad and A Bollywood Affair. I am looking forward to reading them. I'm hoping I can talk my daughter into reading The Ghost Squad with me.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  25. Sorry about your back! I hope it feels better soon. And we're in desperate need of rain where I live. But there's none in the forecast, only a week of 100+ days. But then, it is July, and July is always hot in Utah. I had to vote for Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop because it just sounds so cute. Have a great week! :)

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    1. Lark - Thank you. It's feeling a little better today and hopefully I won't do anything to make it worse before it's better. Thank you for voting! I love the sound of Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop too. I hope you are able to stay cool and enjoy you week as well! Thank you for visiting!

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  26. I hope your back feels better.
    I loved Teen Wolf, such a great show.

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    1. Mary - Thank you! I hope so too! I'm glad someone else watched and enjoyed Teen Wolf. :-) I finished the final season up today. I really enjoyed it and am sad there won't be more.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  27. You have so much going on and some of it sounds such fun! Happy fourth!

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    1. Romance Reader - I hope you have a Happy 4th of July too! Thank you for visiting!

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  28. Happy 4th of July! Ahhh Loki! We finally watched the 3 Thor movies last week while on vacation because I want to watch the new Loki show.
    Happy reading this week! The Jennifer Ashley series sounds good and Disney looks amazing!

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    1. Naida - Happy 4th of July to you too! I hope you enjoy Loki when you watch it. It ties into the Avengers movies as well, in case you haven't seen them and want to before you watch the show. It's not necessary though.

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

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  29. Ghost Squad is a great read, I hope your daughter enjoys it. Happy July!

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    1. Alicia - I am glad you enjoyed The Ghost Squad. I am hoping I can talk my daughter into reading it with me. Either that or I'll have to borrow it after she reads it. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  30. I see a few books I've read or want to read. I am patiently or not so patiently waiting to see if my library buys the latest in the Jennifer Ashley series, if not I'll have to buy it! I liked The Midnight Library, I think not everyone did though. And of course i enjoy Sonali Dev! Happy reading.

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    1. Kathryn - I liked The Midnight Library too, although I had some minor issues with it it. I hope your library gets the new Jennifer Ashley book! Thank you for stopping by!

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  31. Witch Hat Atelier looks really cute!! And how is the latest Kat Hollway book? I'm super excited about that one!

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    1. Eustacia - My daughter loved it. It ended in a cliffhanger though so she's anxious to get her hands on the next volume. She's read it several times now. I am loving the new Kat Holloway book. Thank you for visiting!

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  32. I have been holding on for Loki to complete its run before I watch — I couldn’t bring myself to wait for episodes every week — streaming has spoiled me 😁

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    1. Verushka - That's probably smart. My husband is too impatient to wait. LOL Thank you for stopping by!

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  33. I vote for the Magical Teahouse. I might have to get it for my Paris in July reading :) Jason heads back to the office tomorrow for the first time in over a year. I'm having mixed feeling about it.

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    1. Stacy - Thank you for voting! I hope Jason's first day back in toe office goes well. Thank you for visiting!

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  34. I hope that your back is better soon. Those are difficult injuries because they come out of nowhere and take forever to get over.

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  35. I hope you get some rain. I watched Teen Wolf the movie way back when. Not sure if it's the same one that you posted. Have a great week!

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    1. Jamie - I wish we would get some rain too. The tv show Teen Wolf was a spin off from the original movie you mention, but quite darker and less comical. It is very good. Thank you for stopping by!

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  36. I'll have to look for Becoming Crone. I like urban fantasy and this one sounds intriguing. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - I hope you will give Becoming Crone a try! Thank you for stopping by!

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  37. June came and went and July is racing ahead as well. My son leaves for Kansas on 7/15 and then soon enough I will be taking the girl to college. I am trying not to count the days down but it's hard not to.

    I am glad your work will allow a hybrid schedule. I think in the end our campus will too but the union is having some trouble with negotiations for some groups.

    I am glad Mouse is able to do her swim lessons. It's so important and it is so much easier for them to learn when young. I am glad she got a nice little dance break too while the others competed.

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    1. Ti - Yes, July is certainly racing it's way ahead too! I wish your son and daughter the best. I imagine it is bittersweet.

      I hope the union is able to come to agreeable terms with the university. I imagine it isn't an easy process.

      Mouse took swim lessons when she was younger but they just didn't take that well even though she loved the water. She's picking it up fast now though. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't relieved. All of the county's child death reports come through my office and child drownings are top among them, sadly. So, her knowing how to swim has always been a priority for me.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  38. wow, busy, busy, busy. i don't know where june went
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. Sherry - I'm not sure either! Thank you for stopping by!

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  39. Oh, Becoming Crone sounds intriguing!
    Glad you're enjoying Loki and Teen Wolf - I hope to binge-watch Loki when the season is finished and I'd love a Teen Wolf rewatch as it's one of my favorite shows :) Hope you'll have a great July!

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    1. Lindsey - I really enjoyed Becoming Crone. I hope you enjoy Loki. I am looking forward to the finale. I'm so glad I didn't go in with any preconceived notions. Another Teen Wolf fan! I really liked the show and can see myself re-watching it again and again. I hope you have a great July too. Thank you for visiting!

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  40. What a great month you had! I'm happy to see you enjoyed The Midnight Library. It's on my TBR. Happy reading in July!

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    1. Dedra - I hope you like The Midnight Library when you read it! Have a great week and thank you for stopping by!

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  41. I voted for Paris on Repeat because I tend to enjoy Groundhog Day type books. I Hope you enjoy whichever wins.

    Sorry about your back, I hope it's better soon! And yay for private swimming lessons, that's awesome. Dante seems afraid of the water right now, I'm hoping he'll outgrow that with exposure - I've always been a bit of a fish.

    Have a great week!

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    1. Berls - Thank you for voting! My daughter wants to read Paris of Repeat with me so even if it doesn't win, I imagine it won't be long before we do read it.

      Mouse was in swim lessons for a few years when she was younger, but, even though she loved the water, she never quite got the hang of swimming. Until now. I'm really glad she has this opportunity this summer.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  42. Wow, you had a seriously busy June. I'm impressed at how much reading you were able to squeeze in with so much else going on. My son and I are really enjoying Loki too. I'm sad that it's almost over too.

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    1. Suzanne - Some of that reading time was waiting during dance classes. LOL I am glad you and your son are enjoying Loki too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  43. my kids and I have been watching Loki too and loving it. but I had no idea that it was only a 6 episode series. also loving your blog. all the cats.

    my post: https://blessedmommysc.blogspot.com/2021/07/happy-independence-day-sunday-post-2.html

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    1. Kelly Lyn - These Marvel shows have really short seasons, don't they? I wish they would be a little longer. Thank you for visiting!

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  44. With work and all your daughter's activities plus home stuff, your summer is packed with activity. I adore independent book stores and when I head to Philly later this summer, I have so many to visit. My budget is history and so is my TBR. As far as movies go, I love the goofiness of Jim Carey as Ace, and have seen that movie many times. Hope your neck is better now!

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    1. Danielle - Pretty much our average summer. I just wish this year we could get away. Perhaps next year. I hope you are able to visit some indie store when you visit Philadelphia. That sounds fun! I haven't seen the Jim Carrey in a movie in years. He wasn't in Ace Ventura Pet Detective Jr., although his character was referenced. More as a deadbeat dad, sadly.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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