Saturday, January 22, 2022

Weekly Mews: High Winds, Good Books, and More Hot Cocoa

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.

I am linking up to 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 weekend! The winds have been blowing fiercely in my corner of the world. The static electricity count is high and the skies are blue. It was a fairly uneventful week. Work was busy as usual. I got the opportunity to meet my new manager. Mouse tried out her new pointe shoes and they are working out well. Did you know pointe shoes have an average life span of 12 to 15 hours? She is still early in her training and so 15 hours takes a while to reach, but still, it passes more quickly than we would prefer. Auditions for the summer ballet and musical are coming up next weekend and Mouse is starting to feel nervous. Now for some book talk! 

New to the Shelves 

Recent purchases:


A Gathering of Crones (The Crone Wars #2) by Lydia M. Hawke


Bear Necessity by James Gould-Bourn
The Leavers by Lisa Ko

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


Last Read

It only looks like I read a lot this past week because I was so close to finishing one book when the week started, another one I was well into already, and the third was a fairly quick, hard to put down read. I finished reading Circe by Madeline Miller, which will definitely be a contender for my top books read this year. I loved every minute of it. Next up was The Maid by Nita Prose, which was just as entertaining a mystery as everyone told me it would be. Molly is such a great character. I also finished Dressed For Freedom: The Fashionable Politics of American Feminism by Einav Rabinovitch-Fox, my last carryover from 2021. It got off to a slow start and I considered giving up on it a couple of times early on, but I am glad I stuck with it because I found it to be a worthwhile read in the end. 



Reading Now

I am currently reading The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré and Hooky by Míriam Bonastre Tur. I am right on target with my reading of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, which is my year long reading project for the year. It turns out Melinda of A Web of Stories is reading the book this year as well, and she graciously shared her reading outline with me. I was just going to play it by ear but having the outline will help me with pacing it out more evenly.



Up Next in Reading

Chances are I will be in the mood for something on the lighter side after I finish The Girl with the Louding Voice. Perhaps it will be A Letter to Three Witches by Elizabeth Bass, which I hear is big on the laughs, or Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead, the second in a series in which I loved the first book. 



What I Have Been Watching

I am re-watching Jessica Jones with my husband, who had only seen one and a half episodes previously. I had forgotten how evil and frightening Kilgrave is. David Tennant does such a great job with his character. We are all caught up with Wonder Years and New Amsterdam. I put on Chuck the other day just to have on in the background as I was doing a little blog visiting and prepping. 



© 2022, 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.

72 comments:

  1. I am curious about the Crone Wars series. Hope things go well for Mouse.

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    1. Kim - The first book was good and I am looking forward to reading the second one. It's nice to have an older heroine for a change, especially in an urban fantasy series. Thank you for the well wishes for Mouse and for stopping by!

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  2. I have heard great things about The Maid and I can't wait to read Finlay Donovan's sequel! Also pointe shoes reminds me of my youth!

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    1. Sophie - I am really looking forward to reading the new Finlay Donovan book too. The first was such a fun read. Thank you for visiting!

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  3. Lots of people are loving The Maid! I am so glad you enjoyed Circe. Such a good book!

    Have a good week.

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    1. Marg - Circe was so good. I am kicking myself for not reading it sooner. I hope you have a good week too! Thank you for stopping by.

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  4. Pointe shoes sound very expensive - especially if they only last such a short time! I have The Maid and the first Finlay Donovan on my TBR for this year as I've heard such good things about them both.
    Happy reading!

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    1. Louise - Pointe shoes can be pricy. My daughter's will likely last her several months at least, but professionals can go through multiple pairs in a week. It's crazy! I hope you enjoy The Maid and Finlay Donovan is Killing It when you read them! Thank you for visiting!

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  5. I'm glad you enjoyed reading Circe, Wendy. It's definitely one of my favourite books. And I want to read The Maid since I've heard nothing but good things about it.

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    1. Melody - I think you would like The Maid and hope you do get a chance to read it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  6. I just got a notification that The Maid is at the library for me. Maybe I'll start it tomorrow.

    I wish I'd started reading Count of Monte Cristo at the beginning of the year. I wonder if it's too late to jump in.

    I'm happy that you enjoyed Circe so much. I hope Louding Voice works for you, too.

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    1. Deb - I hope you will enjoy The Maid as much as I did. I just started reading The Count of Monte Cristo this past week and am already caught up. So far it's been a fairly easy read. Thank you for visiting!

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  7. I just finished binging Chuck with my daughter, we’ve moved on to Motive now.
    Bear Necessity sounds heartbreaking.

    Wishing you a great reading week

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    1. Shelleyrae - I will have to check out Motive. I would probably enjoy that show. I have heard such good things about Bear Necessity. I hope you have a great reading week too. Thank you for stopping by!

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  8. I've read The Count of Monte Christo a few times over the years, but I always binge read it. I can't imagine keeping track of the whole plot over a year's reading time. I hope you enjoy it.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Mae - This is my first reading of The Count of Monte Cristo. I read Les Misérables and War and Peace over the course of a year. It can take me awhile to read long books and I like mixing things up. Thank you for visiting!

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  9. The winds have been terrible, haven't they? There's a block in my neighborhood that's lined in huge pine trees, and driving down it the other day was like a mine field, dodging pine cones and broken branches. Hope today is better! Have a great week, Wendy😁

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    1. Tammy - The wind seems to have subsided here today. I hope it has where you are as well! I hope you have a great week as well. Thank you for stopping by!

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  10. I only got to take pointe for one year when I was like in 8th grade I think. Then my dance teacher moved away and my mom lost her job and I never went to any more dance classes. But I still have my pointe shoes, lol. Wow, but I guess it makes sense they only last that long with all the weight put on that little bit at the toe. I just remember all the bleeding from that! You got some good books this week. Hope you enjoy the new ones!

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    1. Lisa - My husband asked me if we wanted to toss out Mouse's first pointe shoes now that she has a new pair, and we both very quickly said no! I am sorry you weren't able to continue your ballet classes. Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes. We are lucky we are able to give her this opportunity right now, but that could change on a dime. She hasn't experienced any bleeding, although she did complain of a blister. Her teachers are taking it slow, which I am grateful for. Thank you for visiting!

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  11. I have got to read Maid!

    I am eager to see what you think of Girl with the Louding Voice since I loved it and to see if the second Finlay Donovan book is good. Have a great week!

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    1. Helen - I hope you enjoy The Maid when you read it! I hope you have a great week too. Thank you for stopping by!

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  12. I had no idea pointe shoes didn't last very long.

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    1. Jennifer - I've learned so much I didn't know about pointe shoes over the past six months. Thank you for visiting!

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  13. I'm glad you enjoyed all three books that you finished!

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  14. Some great books here! I enjoyed the Count of Monte Cristo when I read it with a friend over a decade ago. We reached a point near the end where we just had to toss the schedule aside and plow through to the end.

    I enjoyed The Leavers a few years ago and really want to read The Girl With the Louding Voice.

    Good luck to Mouse on pointe... I remember how often my daughter needed to replace her shoes. Shocking!

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    1. JoAnn - I can see that happening so easily with The Count of Monte Cristo. I am glad you and your friend enjoyed it! I am glad to hear you enjoyed The Leavers. I couldn't resist it when I came across it.

      This is Mouse's second pair of pointe shoes--the first lasted four and a half months. It's crazy how quickly they go through them.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  15. I am glad you have enjoyed your reading - I would definitely like to check out Circe myself. I didn't get a lot of reading done, being tired from work, but I did have my birthday to celebrated and a cinema trip to make up for it. Take care and happy reading. 🙂

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    1. Jessica - A movie and birthday celebration definitely more than make up for not getting a lot of reading done. :-) I hope you have a great week and thank you for visiting!

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  16. I am hearing a lot of buzz about The Maid. I hope you enjoy all of these. https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2022/01/stacking-shelves-7sunday-post-4.html

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  17. I've read Bear Necessity and totally loved it!

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    1. Lark - It probably landed on my wish list (and now my TBR shelf) because of you. :-) Thank you!

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  18. My younger sister really enjoyed the Jessica Jones series! I've been thinking of starting it myself. Your post also reminded me of how much I've been meaning to get to Circe. I've been seeing so many positive reviews of it around the book community but haven't had the chance to read it yet myself.

    claire @ clairefy

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    1. Claire - I hope you like Jessica Jones if you watch it. It's dark, but we are enjoying it. I highly recommend Circe! I hope you get a chance to read it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  19. i know what you mean about static electricity. i am hating the cold weather that has moved into the florida panhandle
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. Sherry - I seem to attract all the static electricity when it's windy. Ugh. I hope your weather warms up soon. Take care and have a great weekend!

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  20. I loved the Finlay Donovan second book, I thought it was just a bit better than her first book. And WOW only 15 hours for ballet pointe shoes! It's worth it if she enjoys it.

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    1. Wendy - I am really looking forward to reading it and am glad you liked it so much. Yeah, that's what I keep telling myself about the pointe shoes . . . LOL Thank you for visiting!

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  21. I'd really like to read the Crone Wars books. It's great you enjoyed the other books you read this week. I'm hoping to get the Maid through the library. We had a couple cold days with snow but now it's warmer and melting. It's not much of a problem unless it's very windy.

    Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

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    1. Anne - I think you would like the Crone Wars books. Well, I liked the first one and have high hopes for the new one. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  22. Circe and Maid are both on my list! And oh wow Jessica Jones. It's been a few years!

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    1. Greg - I hope you get a chance to read both and enjoy them! I was surprised when my husband said he had only seen an episode and a half of Jessica Jones. I had started watching it because of him in the first place. Thank you for visiting!

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  23. One of these days I would like to read The Count of Monte Cristo.

    Have a great week.

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    1. Marianna - I hope you will get a chance to. Thank you for stopping by!

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  24. I hope everything goes well for Mouse this week. I had no idea those shoes had such a short lifespan. Professional dancers must go through at least a pair a week!

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    1. Suzanne - Thank you! I have heard that some of the professional ballerinas go through multiple pairs a week and many of the big ballet companies buy the shoes in bulk to have them on hand for their dancers. Thank you for visiting!

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  25. 15 hours?! You are going to be buying shoes all the time! I had no idea. I am curious about Circe and I cannot wait to see what you think of the new Finlay book. Have a great week!

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    1. Carole - Luckily it takes a while to build up those hours in my daughter's case, but, yeah, they go through them so fast. Too fast. It's quite fascinating--pointe shoes and all that goes into them and the prep before a dancer even dances in them. Especially for something that hurts to dance in for long. I hope you have a great week too. Thank you for stopping by!

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  26. Really, only 15 hours, WOW. Good luck to Mouse this week with her auditions. It sounds like you have some good reading ahead. I listened to the Finlay Donovan book this week and hope to get my review posted tomorrow. Have a great week, Wendy.

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    1. Carla - Thank you! Hopefully the auditions go well for her. I hope you enjoyed the Finlay Donovan book! I hope you have a great week too. Thank you for visiting!

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  27. Wow, I thought the lifespan of running shoes was bad. I'm glad I don't dance! I hope you and Mouse have a great week.

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  28. Great books on your plate! Enjoy!
    I haven't read The Leavers, but have seen lots of good things about it.
    My post is here: https://wordsandpeace.com/2022/01/23/sunday-post-50-1-23-2022/

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  29. I want to read The Maid...and I LOVED the first Finlay Donovan book, so I'm adding this one.

    Enjoy your week!

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I hope you get a chance to read both! Thank you for stopping by!

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  30. 12 to 15 hours for pointe shoes? That's amazing and maybe distressing. Nice looking assortment of books. I want to read The Maid but my TBR stack is too high to add it right now. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - I hope you do get to read The Maid at some point. Thank you for visiting!

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  31. Circe is on my reading list next ( I hope ) I am reading Lore right now and loving it. I really enjoy Greek Mythology, my dad use to read it to me as bedtime stories

    Here is my post for the day:
    https://twogirlsandtheirbookishlife.blogspot.com/2022/01/it-is-monday-what-are-you-reading.html

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    1. Tee - I hope you enjoy Circe as much as I did. I haven't read Lore, but it does sound good. Thank you for stopping by!

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  32. I enjoyed Jessica Jones. Iron Fist was good too.
    I had no idea that pointe shoes only lasted that long.

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    1. Mary - I liked Iron Fist as well. I hadn't realized how short a lifespan until my daughter started dance en pointe. I am both in awe and horrified of those shoes. LOL Thank you for visiting!

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  33. I'm utterly amazed that pointe shoes last for such a small amount of time. Crazy.

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    1. Carrie - I was too when I found out. And then to cost so much . . . Thank you for stopping by!

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  34. I remember the days of learning to dance en pointe! It was such an honor but could be so painful! But, how exciting that Mouse has made the big leap to the stiff shoes! - Melinda @ A Web of Stories

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    1. Melinda - She loves it. I don't know if she'll be able to dance en pointe in the next show they do, but I know she's hoping she can. Her instructors prefer they be training en pointe for a year at least before they are able to an by then it will be just shy of a year, so we'll see. Thank you for visiting!

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  35. Good luck to Mouse with her dancing. I used to take ballet and jazz classes when I was little and I loved it. My old dance recital pics from the late 1980's are a riot...lol.
    Happy reading this week, that's a nice cover on The Girl with the Louding Voice.

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    1. Naida - Thank you! Mouse seems to enjoy her dance classes. :-) I was going through old boxes the other day and found my soccer and choir trophies from my childhood. The box also included some of my soccer team photos. Boy, did they bring back memories! Thank you for stopping by!

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  36. I had friends in ballet and I remember they constantly went through point shoes. By the time they got them beat enough to use it was time to get another pair! So glad to see you enjoyed The Maid. It's one I want to read and Finley Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead looks fantastic!

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    1. Katherine - Pointe shoes break down quickly. It's no wonder given what they are made of, I guess, but it means frequent replacement. Thank you for visiting!

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