Yeah ... that's supposed to be how it works. Sigh 😒

Speaking of #GutsyWomen ... 💙🙂

Anyone else interested in the tagged book? I've seen them in interviews to promote it, and it really sounds like something I'd want to have in my library for my kids, especially my daughter, to reference.

Well, that's an awkward contraction. 😜

So, I'm seriously rethinking the two Simmons books on my TBR, the last two books in the Hyperion series, after reading his tweet completely bashing a 16 yr old girl. The thought of a 72 year old "man" cyber bullying a child just boils my blood. #Magathugs #Magabullies #jerk

Greta is a role model.
#Greta #climatechange #gutsywomen #standup #beheard #rolemodel #nasty #persist

http://file770.com/dan-simmons-criticized-for-remarks-about-thunberg/

So not a huge total for #24B4Monday, but I did finish a book. 🙂 And I could probably add an hour a day if I counted all the books I read to the kids this weekend. 😉

⭐⭐⭐ (3)
Interesting, though a bit dry, academic treatment of the history of change in Church doctrine, positions on key issues, and official Church teaching. Probably more a read for Catholics, this sheds some light on internal debates between progressives and traditionalists.

Did you do anything special this past week in honor of banned books?

Other than reading online articles and posts on the subject, I didn't really do much. I'm not reading any challenged books right now. But today at the library, I was helping my oldest find some more books to check out before the library closed for a reno, and I saw the Amulet series. I mentioned that I saw somewhere that someone had tried to ban it. His response? ⬇️

Sitting in a half empty library, with enough to keep me busy for an hour or so. This is our last visit before they close for reno, so I'm letting my oldest use the computer for the full hour alloted, instead of cutting him off to head home. Hoping to catch up on some #journaling, book reviews, tracking, and, of course, reading. It's going to be a long 2 - 5 months, but probably will be harder for the homeless guy behind me eating lunch. ☹

Just noticed this when I posted the last blurb. It's the closest I think I've been to seeing the number turn to an even thousand. Lol I probably won't get to see it turn to 6k, but this is almost as cool. 😎

I might get some reading time this weekend, so I'm going to play along with #24B4Monday.

Friday time: 1 hr, 26 min

I like the time read option more than the pages read option. It gives the illusion that I accomplished more than I did. 😉 (Chart from Bookly app, though not all that accurate because I delete books. I don't think it's worth paying a subscription, but I like the infographics. So I delete to stay under 10 books.)

⭐⭐⭐ (3)

I only really liked a few of these short stories, but they were well written, so I bumped it up to a pick rather than so-so. Read for #RtC (Rediscovering the Classics) book club a friend of mine runs. The author seems to have a negative view of humanity, and all but about three of the stories are severely depressing. Interesting glimpse into Indian culture.

I feel like I need a quick, happy read now. 🙃

#Overdrive

NOOOOO !!!!!

I mean YAY to a remodel, but that's a long time to be closed. Though, my oldest is super stoked to be able to keep the books he wants to check out till December.

Thank goodness for #Overdrive.

Well, I might be the only one not reading Atwood or King today, but here I am starting this book instead. I'm reading it for my friend's book club that I follow along with online, called Rediscovering the Classics (#RtC). So far, I have only read the first story. It was sad, but touching. #Overdrive

I haven't a single negative thing to say about this book. It was perfectly executed.

Read this one along with my 7th grader, who is about halfway through himself. There is a local organized event centered around this novel, and the library was promoting it last time we were there. It just happened to be on my TBR anyway. We didn't get to attend the festival, but it was fun to read the book anyway.

#Overdrive #VirtualMountTBR2019

When your 4 yr old daughter sets up a tea party and includes a book at each place setting ... and puts the one titled "Play Nice" at her twin brother's seat.

#raisingreaders #teaparty #boygirltwins #siblings #bossysister

Moving this one up in the TBR queue to get the bad taste of that Barron book out of my mouth.

"To be faithful, to be creative, we need to be able to change." Pope Francis

This is my first book by Wills, but he is an award winning historian, so I have hope it will be good. Reviews complain the title is misleading, but I know to expect history based on the blurb, not prophecy.

4 yr old son: (pointing to magazine cover) It's me!

Lol I guess he does kind of look a little like Hank. He does definitely try to read over my shoulder often enough.

We've never read this series, but I hear it's quite good, and Winkler is a national treasure. This is the cover of Costco Connection, in case you were wondering.

Ugh. Where to start. First of all, he implies that homosexuality is to blame for the sex abuse. He also claims that the laity bear partial responsibility. Uh, no & no. He never once mentions Pope Francis by name, despite the steps he has taken to purge corruption from the Church, but talks in length about corrupt popes in history. This is pure alt right, conservative, anti Vatican II bs.

A renewal movement is coming, just not the one he wants.

My parish bought a bunch of these and offered them to the congregation to take if interested. So I did, because, well, free book. Glad my parish bought so many copies, since proceeds are donated to charities that help victims of sexual abuse. I'm interested, since Barron states he is not speaking on behalf of the Church, and a few reviews I saw were positive. Anyone else read it? My husband doesn't want to, so I've got no one to discuss it with.

"You can't make love to your fame. Even though some people try."

Reminds me of a certain current president ... hmmm ...????

When a hold on Overdrive comes in that you don't remember placing ... 🙃😀

I think I must have recommended it. A hold is automatically placed if they decide to buy it. Though I don't remember doing that, either. I think the summer heat has fried my brain.

Yay!

So it looks like my little guy might not lose his finger tip after all. The tip was pink, so blood is getting there, and if it doesn't lose color, he gets to keep it forever. We have to keep his hand bandaged like this until the stiches come out next week. In the meantime, #SRP has officially started. He and sis were "reading" these Moonlight books earlier, and I read them to them later on. They were passed down from big brother and a hit!

Went to a library sale, but didn't take a pic, as later on my 3.5 yr old son got a door shut on his hand and it partially severed the tip of his pinky. Went to ER. He has a huge splint on his little hand. We go for the two day check up on Monday and find out if the tip is healing or dying, which also happens to be the same day my mom is having surgery. Life kinda sucks right now and I am not handling it well. Wasn't much of a book haul, either.

(Tagged the library in the town where I wish I was spending the summer.)

The kids and I are all registered to participate in the summer reading program! #SRP #library

My oldest will be tracking his reading on his own using Beanstack. We'll see how it goes. Lol I'm using Beanstack to track my own reading and the 3 yr old twins' story time. Fun times ahead!

Our library is using a new tracking app for patrons to register for the #SRP, and it looks kind of cool. It gives basic stats, much like Bookly, but no cute info graphic generator. Also you can track multiple readers, which could be useful with my emerging readers. Anyone else use Beanstack? I'm trying it out this summer and see if it would be worthwhile to use year round. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.beanstack (also for 🍎)

Started this yesterday because my hold came in from the library. I was bummed because they didn't have it on Overdrive, and I'm always nervous bringing library books into the danger zone that is in close vicinity to my young children, but this hardcover book with the built in ribbon bookmark is gorgeous. It is a joy to hold.

Life has been overwhelming lately, and I'm behind in my reading tracking. Will get to May stats eventually.

My new favorite mug and my current read ... 🚀🤩

Yesterday, I chaperoned on my oldest's 6th grade field trip to the California Science Center, which is home to the Endeavor. Some day I will go back in less stressful circumstances so I can enjoy the exhibits more. But this mug was my reward for not losing or killing five pre-teens.

I thought I would get to read this book on the bus, but the environment was not conducive. Lol

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5)

Well that was disturbing.

Haven't been having a great couple of days, so not much reading happening for me. Oldest has been cleaning out his room (not voluntarily) and gave the twins some books he no longer wanted. I think he must have either bought this one himself or was given it. I don't really like it. It's a take on “The Old Woman Who Swallows a Fly.“ First problem is he swallows himself. 😕 Second he says “I wish I was dead,“ which I'm not comfortable with. 🔽

Love the new feature I just discovered on #Overdrive that let's me know how long a wait for a hold to come in. I see this being useful for planning ahead and avoiding all my holds coming in simultaneously. Because I don't need that kind of stress! 😬😕😉

I have read all the above except for The Handmiad's Tale (I didn't make the meme, so please forgive the typo.), which is on my TBR short list for this summer. Still did not see all this shit coming. (If I had made the graphic, I would have also included Parable of the Sower.) Meme taken from a different friend on FB.

Taken from a friend on FB.

Started reading this classic. Not sure why I haven't gotten to it before now. Borrowed it from #PrimeReading, and I think it is funny how the icon in the library has the iconic pig cover, but the actual cover in the ebook file is just an odd yellow cover with no graphic. Enjoying it so far.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)

I read this for the part on Murphy Brown, and that was very satisfying. Other parts about her personal life got a little boring, but it's worth it for the name dropping. I did wish for a bit more dirt on Shatner, but I guess she's too classy for that. Bergen is quirky/eccentric, but this isn't the best autobio I've ever read.

#MountTBR2019 #MurphyBrown #autobiography

My review on GR: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2351573789

Challenge Update

I finished the Bergen autobiography, which was my 15th book this year. I use my GR Challenge as a minimum read goal. Meeting it now means I have a decent chance of doubling it!
I'm still plugging away on #MountTBR2019 (7/12) and #VirtualMountTBR2019 (6/12) , and reached my first summit in the former (6 bks).
My oldest kid completed the In&Out Challenge at the library. I love the artwork on the certificate!

Regarding when Quayle admonished Murphy and the show for “glamorizing“ single motherhood, Diane English said,
“If the vice president thinks it's disgraceful for an unmarried woman to bear a child, and he believes that a woman cannot adequately raise a child without a father, then he'd better make sure abortion remains safe and legal.“

"There was not an ounce of submission, not a drop of passivity, no suggestion of shrivel."

??? This. I never wanted to be a journalist or investigative reporter, but I did want to be Murphy, deeply passionate with as many convictions as flaws. At the end of the pilot, she sings along with Aretha's "Natural Woman", as passionate as she was off key. I loved that.

Original #NastyWoman

I'm finally at the section I am most anxious to read, and the real reason I bought the book! Yay!

[While at an elegant ball surrounded by sophisticated French Aristocracy]
I farted discreetly under my magnificent gown. It was my secret.

A friend told me, "May your daughter bring you all the joy you brought your mother." Was that a blessing or a curse?

I have little in common with Candice Bergen, but we both waited till our 30s to get married and start a family. Though I was under 35 when my first came along, I was "elderly primigravida" or of "advanced maternal age" (AMA) when the twins were conceived. I can really identify with this part of her story, even though she went through it decades earlier and in a different social (and economic) climate.

April Reading Stats
3 books total
0 ebooks, 3 print
3 #TBR
3 owned
1 male, 2 female, 0 POC
853 pages
YTD: 14 books, 3474 pages
Average reading speed for the month: 34.3 pgs per hour
3 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (😎)
Favorite read tagged.
Books in Progress/April TBR:
Beatles Anthology #BeatlesChallenge (Been neglecting this one, and am only on page 26.)
Started May 1st: A Fine Romance/Candice Bergen
GR goal: 14/15 (min # of books to read this year)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)
Read 4/30
After being bogged down for two months with seriously heavy reading, I picked this sweet novella out of my TBR box. I craved simple and light, and this hit the spot. Purchased at a #FOTL bag sale over a year or so ago, this stand alone McCaffrey is as beautifully illustrated as it is written. I only wish is there was more. It left me wanting.
#MountTBR2019
My GR review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2804837983

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)
Finished 4/29
This was a slow read for me, but I really enjoyed reading writing inspired by and about my local environs. I made note of a few writers that I want to explore more after reading the excerpts included in this anthology.
This book was purchased in 2000 when Nolan did a book signing and lecture in a now long gone bookshop here in town.
#MountTBR2019
My GR review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/218545065

Growing up, Murphy Brown, the original #NastyWoman, was one of my idols. I was so excited that they revised the show to comment on the trump presidency and the lunacy of the gop, and I watched and enjoyed every episode. This is her second memoir, a Dollar Tree find, and I started it yesterday instead of working on reviews and stats for April. I'll get to that, eventually.

Meet Tommy the Tomato Plant. My reading time was cut short by a family trip to Home Depot for a few fact finding missions for future projects, some items for small indoor improvements, and a couple plants. We also got some flowering iceplant, but I didn't take a pic. This is our 1st attempt at plants since everything died when I was last pregnant.
#24B4Monday results: 5 hrs 19 min (goal was 6 hrs, so close)
Thanks @TheReadingMermaid & @Andrew65

Learned about Dr. June in this book. Okay, so she may or may not have been the first to come up with the idea of centerlines,, but she did come up with it independently and was the one who worked to get a state government to adopt the idea, which lead to it being done around the world, and is much more than the other two men who may have painted a line in the middle of a road accomplished.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_McCarroll

#24B4Monday - end of Day 1. I was interrupted alot, so my page count isn't super high, and a few minutes of this were spent reading "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" twice and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" once, but I tried. Considering my day started with a funeral and I never got to drink the beer I wanted tonight, at least I got a decent start on this. @TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

It's really late here on the West Coast, so I'm going to sleep now. Bye.

#24B4Monday starts in a few minutes PST. I'm aiming for six hours. Tagged will be my focus, so I won't be playing along with the jar thing. Looks like fun, though! @TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

Finished 4/18
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)

This was an academic read of Twain's satirical writings about Eden, the Flood, and Heaven, as well as critical commentary of some Christian doctrine and beliefs. Includes some previously unpublished material. Twain was an excellent example of a Christian, Presbyterian, who approached the Bible and doctrine with logical discernment.

My review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2739953507

#MountTBR2019

Between my oldest being on Spring Break, my husband taking a couple days off, Saturday being super busy and Sunday being Easter ... I lost track of the days and forgot my oldest had library books due Saturday. Woke up early Monday morning with the dreaded realization of what I had forgotten all weekend. Oops. Luckily I think we can afford the fine. I guess it happens to the best of us every now and then, right?😳🤨😟🙃