Long Time No See....And...A Tell Me Something Tuesday

OMG! I haven't blogged since APRIL. I have no idea what's going on with me but I just can't seem to sit myself down to type out a post. I have read a few books and wanted to share a few things but... nope.

Life is lifing lol Good things, bad things, everything in between but we're plugging along. I'm trying to get the through the last day of a heatwave right now. It's been over 100 for 4-5 days now. Although the "cooldown" will still be in upper 80's low 90's. 

So maybe this is the first of many posts to come or maybe you won't hear from me again until Christmas. Either way - HI! I miss you and I do try to sporadically visit you all. I'm mostly on IG now, if you would like to chat. 

I saw the topic for TMST and thought I would use it to jump in with a new post.

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 

It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life  and me) 

Join in by answering this weeks question in the comments or on your own blog.

If you would like to join TMST and receive periodic emails of upcoming topics, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. TMST is a laid back meme – join in or opt out depending on your interest in topics or schedule.

Question: Have you kept any hobbies that you started during the pandemic?

Answer: I made two bigger hobby related purchases during the pandemic. A Zojirushi bread machine & a sewing machine. We had to make our own masks after all lol

Out of the two - the bread machine is the clear winner. I didn't use it much during the pandemic but it did lead me to start baking (of all kinds) and make sourdough starter. I mostly use it to knead the bread and I finish baking in the oven. I also use it a lot in the summer to make jams. I absolutely don't regret that purchase. I've gotten more than my moneys worth out of it and it started a hobby that I really enjoy and find relaxing. 

The sewing machine...that's another matter. That just sat there for years lol I'm not great at sewing and I don't have a whole lot of patience for measuring, pinning and all that.

I do have it though, so I decided to try to make use of it and fixed a few of Kevin's shirts, made several dish towels (used a bar towel on one side & a soft flannel type fabric with a fun print on the other side). It's a simple square - yet mistakes were made - needles were broken lol, but I'm learning and getting a bit more comfortable. I doubt this will ever be a "hobby" but I no longer regret buying it. 

What about you? Did you start any new hobbies during (or after) the pandemic? 

And I just want to add that I understand that the pandemic wasn't a "let's start a new hobby" time for many, many people for many reasons - I don't want to make light of that and the measures vulnerable people still need to make now.

Please let me know what you've all been up to and reading!!!!

Tell Me Something Tuesday: I'll be watching you...(lame, I know lol)

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 

It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life  and me) 

Join in by answering this weeks question in the comments or on your own blog.

If you would like to join TMST and receive periodic emails of upcoming topics, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. TMST is a laid back meme – join in or opt out depending on your interest in topics or schedule.

Question: What have you been watching? Share your TV show or movie picks

Answer: I've been sharing this in my weekly posts lately so I don't have a ton of rec's but we did watch a few fun things last week.

Renegade Nell ~ Disney: This show was so much fun! Renegade Nell is a historical, fantasy/magical realism mash-up about Nell jackson - a Highway woman, framed for her fathers murder during 16th century England.

She takes to the road, with her two younger sisters and a Tinkerbell like sprite named Billy Blind - who infuses her, when in danger, with the strength to defeat anyone who dares to fight her - to clear her name and get her sisters to safety. 

There's a bit of non comformity, gender bending roles, and exploration of class issues - lots of (Disney-esqe) fighting. It can get a little silly at times but the show moves at a really brisque pace so you just roll with it. Nell is flawed but snarky as hell and despite her protests - has a soft heart. All of the characters are great - from her sisters, the rag tag team she picks up on the way to the villains.

The Night Agent ~ Netflix: "While monitoring an emergency line, an FBI agent answers a call that plunges him into a deadly conspiracy involving a mole at the White House"

I don't usually watch thrillers/suspense or crime shows but Netflix kept pushing this one and we figured we'd give one episode a try and ended up enjoying. It has scathinng reviews but is one of Netflix's most popular shows. 

There's nothing groundbreaking here but I liked the whole cast, the suspense was pretty good with enough intrigue and twists to keep us hooked.

Both shows have been renewed for a second season so no worries there.

What have you all been watching?

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Don't leave me hanging this way...

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 

It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life  and me) 

Join in by answering this weeks question in the comments or on your own blog.

If you would like to join TMST and receive periodic emails of upcoming topics, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. TMST is a laid back meme – join in or opt out depending on your interest in topics or schedule.

Question: Will you start a series if you know it probably won't be finished?

Answer: No. And I'll go a step further and say that I've pretty much stopped reading series all together.

Several years ago, mostly with YA (& mostly trilogies) were getting out of control. Between the overhype, the filler second books and bad endings, I backed far away from series. 

I was is the midst of about 45 series and I  just quit. It takes a lot to hook me now. I've read a few duologies but mostly stand alones. 

I don't really count romance series, with different couples, in that though. Or any series that may be the same world but different characters/story. I feel like you can jump in and out of series like that - skipping books. 

I'm so far removed from bookish social media though so I may just dabble again. I know I'm weird, but I do not like getting super hyped about the next installment and what might happen, shipping couples etc. That sets up too many expectations, anxiety and disappointments for me as a reader. I never felt that way before blogging - so maybe there's a way to get back to that care free reading experience. 

How about you? Will you start a series if you might not ever know how it ends?

 *cough* George R.R. Martin *cough*

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Vacation...all I ever wanted. Vacation, had to get away...

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 

It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life  and me) 

Join in by answering this weeks question in the comments or on your own blog.

If you would like to join TMST and receive periodic emails of upcoming topics, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. TMST is a laid back meme – join in or opt out depending on your interest in topics or schedule.

Question: Where would you like to travel?

Answer: Boring answer but right were I am. We moved to the PNW so we would be able to take long weekends and travel more frequently but, for several reasons, we haven't been able to yet. 

We haven't been on a vacation since we lived in FL almost 5 years ago. We used to combine book events like BEA & ALA as vacations and it was great. My MIL stayed at our house to watch the dogs. We don't have anyone like that here so wherever we go has to be dog friendly. 

The whole region is filled with outdoor activities that are dog friendly all along the coast and mountains so it's possible but, like I said, there have been things going on that have prohibited us from doing more than the occasional day trip. 

So here's hoping that 2024 is the year that we can start taking those trips!

Do you have any dream vacations or one you have scheduled?

Tell Me Something Tuesday

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 

It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life  and me) 

Join in by answering this weeks question in the comments or on your own blog.

If you would like to join TMST and receive periodic emails of upcoming topics, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. TMST is a laid back meme – join in or opt out depending on your interest in topics or schedule.

Question: What genres do you tend to avoid?

Answer: My reading has changed so drastically over the years that is tough for me to answer. 

I guess, the few genres that I still struggle with overall are:

Fantasy - I just don't care what color the sky or blades of grass are, or some new language. The world building tends to overshadow the characters & I glaze over the laborious descriptions.

Thrillers - I know this is a hot genre right now and I've tried, but it's another genre that features plot devices over character and it ends up being difficult for me to care what happens to anyone. And I almost always figure it out by the second or third chapter, so I'm left waiting for the supposedly brilliant investigator or whoever to figure things out. 

Sci-fi - another one with details that escape me and I glaze over. 

The two above genres (thrillers and sci-fi) have a somewhat procedural/bland tone to me when I'm reading and I get bored. 

Multiverse - I hate it in movies and books. There are so many possibilities that anything can happen - then unhappen - then happen again. For me, nothing means anything after a certain point because it can all be reversed. (I'm so, SO sorry Roberta lol)

I say this with the caveat that I have found books I've loved in all of the above genres. But who knows! I used to be a hardcore - 5 book a week - romance genre junkie and now I can barely get through one. I used to HATE angsty YA, now it's what I prefer (in audio). 

So, maybe next year I'll be an avid sci-fi reader lol Who knows!

What genres do you tend to stay away from?

Tell Me Something Tuesday

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 

It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life  and me) 

Join in by answering this weeks question in the comments or on your own blog.

If you would like to join TMST and receive periodic emails of upcoming topics, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. TMST is a laid back meme – join in or opt out depending on your interest in topics or schedule.

Question: Describe yourself in three words.

Answer: Hoo-boy this is a tough one!

1. Phobic

2. Loyal

3. Rebellious

To expand a little... I'm afraid of heights, closed/small spaces, flying, talking in front of, or with a large group of, people, and other various irrational things and I have panic attacks. I'm getting better about it and have been doing things that make me uncomfortable and using techniques (I saw a therapist) to get through it. I'm also happy to say that while I've had a sped up heart rate a few times, I haven't had an actual panic attack in several years. 

Loyal. I like to think I stand by the people I love and fight for what I believe is right. 

I will mostly likely do the opposite of whatever someone tells me to do - including myself. Once I am ordered to do something, or commit to do something, I don't want to do it anymore. lol

Roberta always sends this gif to me...accurate 😂

via GIPHY

What about you? Describe yourself in three words.

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Spring reading

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 

It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life  and me) 

Join in by answering this weeks question in the comments or on your own blog.

If you would like to join TMST and receive periodic emails of upcoming topics, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. TMST is a laid back meme – join in or opt out depending on your interest in topics or schedule.

I'm going to attempt a thing...maybe do a TMST and a weekly recap about whatever is going on for that week on Fridays. That way, I'm at least posting lol Waiting for me to pick reading back up is just not going to work. 

I'm starting back up on a bad (for me) question though lol

Question: Which books are you looking forward to this spring?

Answer: I don't even know what's coming out in spring. Or even what came out LAST spring. I am so out of the bookish loop. I have quite a few audiobooks that I downloaded as part of the review program over at Libro.fm, so I would like to get to a few more of those. And maybe a few of my physical books that have been judgmentally staring at me for the past 4 years in my living room 😂

*Ooooh update! I thought of one!!!!

The Library of Borrowed Hearts by Lucy Gilmore 

I adored The Lonely Hearts Book Club and look forward to listening to this next installment. 

How about you? Any spring reading plans or book releases you are most looking forward to?