Sunday, May 30, 2021

The Sunday Post #273

 

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The Sunday Post is a chance to recap the past week, talk about next week, tell you what I’m reading, and share news. It’s hosted by The Caffeinated Book ReviewerReaderbuzz, and Book Date.

 


The Sunday Post #273

 

 

 

 

On The Blog Recently

 

 

 

 

 

In My Reading Life

 

I read The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry. I really expected to love this novel. The cover and synopsis sound exactly like a “me” book. It’s historical fiction about a female fossil hunter who becomes obsessed with finding the legendary Essex Serpent. Sounds awesome, right? Unfortunately, I felt pretty “meh” about it. It was fine. I like the flawed characters and how they thwart the expectations of polite society and forge their own paths in life. They’re all very strong-willed. My problem is the lack of action. I think the story has both too much and not enough going on. The author has a ton of ideas. The plot slowly wanders from idea to idea, and then the book ends. It never came together for me. I feel like I spent most of the book waiting for something big to happen that would tie the ideas together. Nothing happens except a love triangle. Maybe my expectations were too high. It’s not a bad book. It’s just not as adventurous as the synopsis made it sound.




Then I read Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. This book is adventurous! It’s a young adult fantasy novel about a crew of young thieves who get offered millions to kidnap a scientist. Danger ensues. I didn’t plan on reading this book, but I loved the Crows parts of the Shadow & Bone TV series and wanted to read the source material. Unpopular opinion, but I like the show more than the book. I’ve never been a massive Leigh Bardugo fan. I think the characters in the show have bigger personalities. The book has a ton of perspectives, and they aren’t distinctive enough for me. I wish the author had picked two or three characters and focused on developing them rather than bouncing around. That being said, I love Kaz! He causes excellent plot twists. I now want to read all the criminal mastermind stories. Please recommend books about smart people who are up to no good.




Speaking of smart people who are up to no good, I read Bomb: The Race To Build—And Steal—The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin. It’s a short, fast-paced nonfiction book about the atomic bomb and the Soviet government’s efforts to steal it. Steve Sheinkin is one of my favorite nonfiction writers. He manages to make history books read like thrillers. This is not dry, boring textbook stuff! Even though I knew the story of the atomic bomb, I couldn’t put this book down. I flew through it in a few hours. I especially like the discussion about the ethical dilemmas the scientists faced. They knew they were creating something that would irrevocably change the world in horrible ways. It’s fascinating to read about. I highly recommend this book if you like history or thrillers.




Right now, I’m reading The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert. I love it so far! It’s a creepy portal fantasy that reminds me of Seanan McGuire’s Every Heart A Doorway. I’m interested to see where it goes.




 

  

In The Rest Of My Life

 

Five things that made me happy recently:

 

  1. I got extremely lucky and somehow managed to get Monday off work. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a holiday off. I don’t know what to do with myself. What do normal people do on holidays? Sleep? That’s probably what I’ll do.
  2. Hockey playoffs! The Avalanche are doing great so far.
  3. My dog is still alive. We had a trip to the emergency vet and a stressful few days, but she’s not dead. Cross your fingers that her new medicines make her feel better.
  4. I started the stupidly expensive Nutrisystem diet. I work a lot during the summer and don’t have the energy to think of healthy meals. Nutrisystem mails food to me so I can be lazy. So far, it hasn’t been awful.
  5. I cheated on Nutrisystem and tested out a new restaurant. The nachos were delicious. I will be going back.

 

 

 

 

I’m Not (Very) Annoying

 

 

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Take care of yourselves and be kind to each other. See you around the blogosphere!





27 comments:

  1. Enjoy your holiday - sleep and read until you have to return to work! Have a wonderful week ❤️

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  2. Thank god your dog survived!!! And I never sleep on days off but go for walks etc. Usually I am a busy bee LOL

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  3. Holidays are the days you do the things you love in life and don't have time to do when you are working. I miss holidays. You don't get holidays when you retire.

    We have been frustrated with Netflix lately. It freezes up and pixelates, so we haven't been able to get through a whole Shadow & Bone episode.

    Bomb would definitely be a book I'd like.

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  4. All the days are sort of the same once retired and besides I have so much I want to do. But I do try to cook a bit more for holidays. I got peaches at the farmer's market on Friday so I think I will make peach crisp. Enjoy your day off!

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  5. I always have plans for unexpected holiday days and then I normally just end up reading.... That's if we don't go anywhere for the day!

    I liked Six of Crows the book, haven't read Shadow and Bone and we've only watched 2 or 3 of the series so far. I feel I need to read the tie-in book perhaps.

    I do hope your doggie will be okay....

    Diets are mend to be broken and then taken up again!

    Have a good week ahead!

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  6. The Hazel Wood is creepy! I thought same. Fossil hunters and monsters sounds promising too.

    Glad your team is doing well. Mine... well, never mind. :)

    Nachos are always an excellent choice.

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  7. Yayyyy! Enjoy your holiday day off doing whatever you want! The day is yours!

    Nachoooooooooos.

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  8. Kaz is a great character, as well as a fan favorite. I thought he had a great story arc in those books too. Sorry to hear your dog had some health issues. Sending healing vibes. I have had family members who did great on Nutrisystem (and only did it for 1 - 2 months). They were all men, who seem to lose easier, but they have kept it off.

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  9. Sleep is always a good option!
    A shame about the Essex Serpent - the cover is very attractive.

    Wishing you a great reading week

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  10. Too bad The Essex Serpent didn't work for you as it does sound really good. At least your other books were great reads. See what I read and more at Girl Who Reads

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  11. I love that you "cheated" on Nutrisystem with nachos. Yum! And congratulations for getting a holiday off. I strongly advise reading and naps.

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  12. Sleeping on a holiday sounds good to me! I've considered Nutrisystem but I would be tempted to cheat too :) I hope your dog is feeling better and the meds helped. Have a great week!

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  13. Yay for a day off!! Enjoy it. :) And The Essex Serpent does sound like it would be really good. It stinks that it wasn't as good as you expected.

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  14. I'm with you on not being a huge Leigh Bardugo fan - Six of Crows was pretty painful for me to get through!

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  15. Enjoy your holiday off! I hope your dog's new meds work for her and that she's feeling better soon.

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  16. Sometimes I think Word was invented by demons!

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  17. We were just talking about having holidays off. This is the first in a while that my brother has to work. He's in retail. I was in education and always had holidays off. I liked Bardugo's Grisha books but didn't love Six of Crows and haven't read its sequel due to lack of interest. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  18. I'm glad to hear that your doggo is okay! Those unexpected vet emergencies are nasty!

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  19. Congrats on having today off, I hope it was a great day of rest for you! I read the first Six of Crows book a long time ago and have been considering rereading it and then continuing , before I watch the Netflix show. But I've heard such good things about the show, I'm eager to just watch it.

    Have a great week!

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  20. That's awesome you got the day off, and hey, if sleep is what you want to do, then sleep away!! I kind of wish I had the money for something like Nutrisystem that really breaks down what I should. I am doing a subscription of sorts for lunches - which I need to talk about soon - but I'm still struggling with figuring out food and just trying to get better with being a healthier eater. Ugh. Can't someone just make me food everyday? LOL

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  21. Aww, that sucks about Essex Serpent. I've been intending to read it for some time now.

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  22. What happened to your dog? Ugh. Our dog hurt her leg and was in a splint/cast for 6 weeks. It was pretty bad and now has to go to rehab next week. What kind of meals does Nutrisystem send? Are they petite microwavable dishes? I'm thinking like Lean Cuisine ....

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  23. I'm glad to read your dog is still alive. I hope the medicines will work. ;)
    I can't wait to read Six Crows. And I still have to watch the show! Sigh..
    Have a great week and happy reading.

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  24. I am so glad that you got the holiday off. I hope that you were able to take a nice nap. I do hope that your dogs is doing better. It is so hard when fur babies start having trouble. I hope that you have been having a great week!

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  25. I loved Six Of Crows! I'm glad your dog is still alive. I hope the medicines are effective. And that you enjoyed your Monday off!

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  26. So glad your pup is okay. I hope he continues to get better! And I hope you enjoyed your day off.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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