Weekly Mews: January Wrap Up & February's Maybes

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 will save you from my thoughts on the state of affairs in the country this weekend; not much has changed on that front unfortunately. Several local high schools held walkouts protesting ICE and the current administration this past week and more are planned in the near future.

 

On the home front, Mouse is busy with her second semester of school, concert band and the spring musical rehearsals. There is some overlap in rehearsal schedules between band and theater, which she was worried would mean not being able to do the musical after all, but her teachers were able to work out a plan. Whew! 

I have been struggling with a few health issues, but, with the hospital strike limiting care, I have put off reaching out. I do have a video appointment with a doctor to see about my recent back trouble though as that doesn't seem to be getting better despite my rudimentary self-care. Walking does help somewhat, and I have been spending a lot of time on my feet as a result (although that has taken it's own toll). There's no doubt stress and grief are contributing factors. I have been attending a grief support group and that has helped some. 

The weather here has been lovely, spring-like even, except no blossoms and very few green leaves on my trees yet. The Santa Ana winds did blow through the middle of last week, but they didn't turn out to be too strong, fortunately. My half sister in Pennsylvania reported getting quite a bit of snow and below freezing temperatures. It sounds like many of you had similar weather. I hope you are staying safe and warm! 

Books Read in January

At the beginning of the month, I leaned heavily into books with themes centering grief and loss: Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: A Year of Magical Reading by Nina Sankovitch and What We Lose by Zinzi Clemons. They both filled different needs for me in my grief journey. Like Nina, I am finding comfort and reflection in my reading. Zinzi's novel hit me on a more emotional level, often capturing my grief in a more raw way. 

I jumped back into a couple of book clubs in January. The House of Doors by Tan Twang Eng may have gotten off to a slow start for me, but I found much to admire about the authors writing style and the depth in which he wrote about this characters. My Fantasy/Science Fiction book club started the year off with Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik. I was quite excited about reading this one, having read some of the author's other work, and it did not disappoint. I had been craving a fantasy read, and these stories hit the spot. While I started Buried Deep and Other Stories in print, I ended up switching to the audiobook due to time constraints. It was well worth it. 

Another of my January reads was A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James, who has become a favorite of mine in recent years. I love a good ghost/haunted house story from time to time. Whereas Simone St. James's novel was the fun kind of horror novel, Women of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna Everhart was a different kind of horror story, a historical novel based on real events. I am drawn to books about lesser known historical events, and, although I may not have enjoyed it as much as I would have liked, I did find it to be a worthwhile read. And perhaps a warning of what may come again if certain people currently in power or with influence get their way.

To lighten things up throughout the month, I listened to System Collapse (Murderbot Diaries #7) by Martha Wells. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was that the next book is not out yet. I have really enjoyed the Murderbot series. I also read both Boyfriends. Vol. 1 and Boyfriends. Vol. 2 by refrainow. These slice of college life romance graphic novels are really sweet and have a way of always putting a smile on my face at least for a little while. 

A monthly feature in which I l share the books I read this month ten years ago. 

(Rating Scale: 5 Paws=Outstanding; 4 Paws=Very Good; 3 Paws=Good; 2 Paws=Okay; 1 Paw=Didn't Like)

The titles are linked to my original reviews of each book when available. 

I am hard pressed to pick a favorite book among my January reads. There were no five star reads, but four of the book I read earned 4 stars. If I had to narrow it down, I will have to go with What We Lose for the emotional impact it had on me and System Collapse for being a much needed escape. 

What was your favorite book read in January? Did you have a good reading month?

One of my unofficial goals this year is to work my way through my collection of Medusa re-imaginings (I think I have six on my TBR shelves). I just started reading I, Medusa by Ayana Gray. I am really excited to read this one as I have heard good things about it. 

What are you reading right now?

~ Next Up (Maybe) ~ 

I was very close to putting together a TBR List poll for this month, but in the end took my daughter's advice and decided not to. I actually had asked my family if I should start it back up again. My husband was all for it, knowing it's my favorite monthly feature. Mouse, on the other hand, said no, that I should read to my mood since I have so many other commitments right now. The cats did not even try to offer their input. They only wanted more treats. So, while I am not doing a poll, I couldn't help but compile a list of the possibilities that caught my eye when I looked over my bookshelves. Of course, there's always a chance I will end up going in an entirely different direction too.

The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter  by Brionni Nwosu

Keeper of Lost Children  by Sadeqa Johnson

Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen  by Cheryl W. Thompson

The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum  (A Harriet Stone Mystery Book 1) by Valerie Wilson Wesley

Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? Do any of them interest you?

~ February Book Club Reads ~ 

It is easy to make reading plans, but not always as easy to carry them out. I am hoping to attend three of my book clubs this month if the stars align and my schedule allows:

Playground  by Richard Powers

Conjure Women  by Afia Atakora

The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 1  by Natsu Hyuuga, 

illustrated by Touco Shino, Translated by Kevin Steinbach

Have you read any of these? If so, what did you think?

Following in the footsteps of Deb of Readerbuzz, who shares three good things in her Sunday Salon posts, I thought I would try to do the same. With all the worries and stressors in life, I want to highlight some of the good, even the seemingly small stuff. 

1. They came! Monday morning as I peered out the window, I saw a bird at my mom's bird feeder. The little bird must have told her friends because not too much later, the feeder was the water cooler of the neighborhood with so many House Finches vying for spots at the feeder. I worried that the other feeder, in a different part of the yard, would go unnoticed, but that changed by afternoon. It's a wonder I managed to get any work done this week because of the time I have spent watching my new little friends from my windows. As I type this, I'm watching one of the finches jump from blade to blade on our outdoor patio fan, which is slowly rotating in the wind. (There's even a squirrel that comes to visit. He was quite unhappy to learn he's blocked from the feeders themselves, but he has been collecting what he can from the ground.

2. These beautiful flowers came with a note that read: "Just wanted to make you smile today." 

 

3. I am so grateful to my husband for his support these last two weeks as he comforted me during my overwhelming muscle spasm episodes and for talking me through a panic attack. Really, for pretty much taking care of me in general and Mouse who has been under the weather too. 

Catching some sun and a nap

What have you been up to this past week? 

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

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