Sunday Post: Summer Reading Plans

The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kim, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to 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. 

Happy Father's Day all the dads out there! Does anyone have any special plans for the day? Whatever you do, I hope you have a pleasant day.

The current heatwave was enough to convince the city to turn out the local parks' water pads, including the one at the local park where we like to hang out. One hundred ten degrees is worthy. City officials aren't sure whether they will leave it on the entire summer, or set a limit for days only over 95. If the summer goes as it usually does, that will be every day. Anyway, to beat the summer heat this weekend, we decided to get out of town--at least for Saturday. We had a fun-filled day and came home exhausted. We may make our way over to our local park on Sunday for some water play, but more than likely we'll be sleeping in (to recover from Saturday), staying cool indoors, and taking it easy before the work week starts up again on Monday.

A Father and Daughter Moment From Our Saturday Outing

How are you spending your Sunday? Did you have a good week?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you have your photo in your profile? (submitted by Elizabeth) 

I do as a matter of fact. It is a photo of me with Gracie on my head. I had just gotten my hair done that day at a salon and went rather crazy trying to groom and eat my hair. It was a fun moment. Past profile photos have not included me at all, but rather been photos of cats reading in one form or another. I very rarely post photos of myself--more for professional reasons than anything else. My Facebook profile picture is of me (and my daughter), but more than likely, my blog profile will never be a photo of me.

What about you? Do you use a photo of yourself for your profile picture?

What I Am Reading: At the moment I am reading my first nonfiction book of the year. Grace Without God: The Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Belonging in a Secular Age by Katherine Ozkment was a surprising choice even to me but it was like kismet when I came across the title. You will understand when and if you read my review. As soon as I wrap this one up, I will be reading my June TBR List Winner, The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister. I am really excited about finally reading it.

What I Am Watching: I have finally gotten back to Jessica Jones and finished out the first season. A Daredevil character (my favorite one, in fact) finally made an appearance. I always get a little thrill when characters crossover from one show or another. I'm not sure why exactly.

Challenge Update & Sign Up:

COYER Summer Vacation began this weekend, and I am jumping on board again. It's really just one big reading party. There are games (including some on Facebook) and Twitter chats, book reviews, and lots and lots of reading. Although COYER stands for Clean Out Your E-Reads, the rules are being thrown out the window for the summer--at least mostly. Participants can read whatever they want whether it be e-books, physical books, or audiobooks. Doesn't matter if you buy, borrow or read an ARC. All books count. I can set my own goal--or no goal at all. COYER Summer Vacation will last from June 18th to September 5th. Are you joining in the summer fun?

Some Possibilities:
Rock Paper Tiger by Lisa Brackmann
The Curse of the Gargoyles by Rebecca Chastain
The Whiskey Sea by Ann Howard Creel
LaRose by Louise Erdrich
The Fireman by Joe Hill
The American Girl by Kate Horsley
When I Found You by Kate James
The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister
The Ninja's Daughter by Susan Spann

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I thought it would be fun to take part in the Summer 2016 Comment Challenge (Link Up Post) hosted by Lonna of FLYLēF and Alicia of A Kernel of Nonsense during the month of July. While it officially began in June, sign-ups are monthly through the summer. I first heard about it through Melinda of West Metro Mommy Reads and thought it sounded like fun. Each participant is paired with another book blogger. The pair then post comments on each other's blogs throughout the month. We all like receiving comments, which is a a definite perk, but the biggest reward will be in making a connection with another book blogger. It's a great way to get to know another blogger and possibly make a new friend. I hope you will consider joining too. There isn't much time left to sign up for July (by June 21st!)--so hurry! It'll come around again in August though, if you miss the deadline.

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While on Twitter the other evening, I saw mention of a read-along for Joe Hill's The Fireman, which I just so happen to have a copy of and want to read. Now is as good a time as any! The read-along takes place this July, and is being lead by Fire Squad Captain Care and her Co-Commander Heather. Melissa, Jen, and Melissa, Ti are the Platoon Leaders. Michelle and Katie are Advisors (because they've already read the book). To follow the read-along on Twitter, just follow the hashtag #FireManAlong.

According to the Goodreads summary, The Fireman is

. . . a chilling novel about a worldwide pandemic of spontaneous combustion that threatens to reduce civilization to ashes and a band of improbable heroes who battle to save it, led by one powerful and enigmatic man known as the Fireman. 

The fireman is coming. Stay cool.

Because goodness knows in this summer heat, I'm sure many of us will feel like we will spontaneous combust. Will you be joining along?

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I went into the the 10th annual Once Upon a Time Challenge hosted by Carl of Stainless Steel Droppings with the goal to read one Fantasy novel, and I am happy to say I ended up reading six.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman

Charming by Elliott James

The Shadow Revolution (Crown & Key #1) by Clay and Susan Griffith

Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch (review pending)

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

From Young Adult High Fantasy to quite a variety of Urban Fantasy, each book brought something different to the table, exploring mythology, a bit of fairytale, folklore and fantasy. I enjoyed each of the books I read for this challenge, but my favorite is Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. Did you take part in the challenge? What is your favorite fantasy novel?

Around the Blogosphere:

• WE INTERRUPT REGULARLY SCHEDULED POSTING FOR THE BURDEN ON MY HEART -Andi from Estella's Revenge opens up about how recent events are impacting her. I can relate to how she feels. I have no words. I can offer up prayers and thoughts but that really only goes so far. 
• Help Needed: Wednesday's Favorites - Maureen of Maureen's Books has a great feature every Wednesday in which she talks about old favorites. She's posted a poll in hopes of getting some feedback. I hope you will take a look!
• PERIOD PIECE: A PUNCTUATION POST - Chris from Bookarama talks about the current trend of leaving out periods in text messages. I guess it's out of style to text in full sentences with proper grammar, like I do.

What's Going On Off the Blog: It was an ordinary week. One exciting thing happened: I was complaining the other day about not having enough rags, and this week I'm finding just about all my socks have holes. Wishes really do come true.

The summer swim session for Mouse has started. Oh, why did I pick an afternoon time for the lesson?! What was I thinking? Oh, that's right. I wasn't.

My mother-in-law's angiogram came back clear, which is good. She meets with the cardiologist this coming week. We're all hoping the news will be good. We are all still in shock that she had a heart attack without anyone knowing . . . It's a reminder of how important it is to know the signs and take them seriously--not assume they might be something less without first getting it checked out.

 More of my roses

This Past Week In Reading Mews:

• Sunday Post: June TBR Poll Winner, New Books & Lazy Days
• Bookish Thoughts: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
• Bookish Thoughts: The Shadow Revolution by Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith

Upcoming on the Blog:
Monday - My Bookish Thoughts on Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch
Tuesday - Where Is Your Bookmark? (Including my Top Favorite Reads So Far This Year)
Thursday - My Bookish Thoughts on The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith


I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!

Daughter and Father

One of my favorite photos from three years ago.

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© 2016, Wendy Runyon of 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.