Week 2: (Nov. 4 to 8) – Book Pairing (Sarah of Sarah’s Book Shelves): This week, pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title. It can be a “If you loved this book, read this!” or just two titles that you think would go well together. Maybe it’s a historical novel and you’d like to get the real history by reading a nonfiction version of the story.

 

First, a pair I’d like to read. I have been fascinated at the concept behind The Janissary Tree (a mystery novel set in 1830’s Istanbul) for a while, and it would be fun to pair that with an historical book on the Ottoman Empire. This empire has been haunting the imagination of historical fiction writers for quite a while – I wish there were as many fantastic history books on the subject as there are fiction, but most have a poor rating. I’m trying to find one that appeals. Any suggestions other than the book above?

 

Since the third book in the Wolf Hall trilogy is finally coming out in March, I may listen to the first two, along with a biography of Thomas Cromwell this coming year. This one looks well-written.

 

 

This has been a pretty uneventful week. In fact, yesterday I took these pictures of the family specifically because I had nothing new for the blog. 🤪 Of course, the first is of M and me. He actually sat by me of his own accord. I don’t recall him ever doing that in the past. (I met him when he was 5, and he was a little skeptical of the stepmom thing.) The second picture is Aaron and D, followed by a picture of IL.

I did get a lot of audiobook listening in last week, as well as more than usual reading. (I decided it’s not “cheating” to use some of the baby’s nap-time for reading. He takes two naps, so I can always do some cleaning during the other nap.)

Currently Reading

Completed last week

Acquired

Just The Dark Fantastic (shown above) from the library.

 

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Well, I decided a little late to jump on the Nonfiction November bandwagon. I’ll just do a little catch-up.

Week 1: (Oct. 28 to Nov. 1) – Your Year in Nonfiction (Julz of Julz Reads): Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions – What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year? Do you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year? What nonfiction book have you recommended the most? What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?

These are the nonfiction books I read this year. Few, I know. But I’ll do better next year, I hope.

What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year?

My favorite of the year was American Overdose. So tragic and eye-opening.

Do you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year?

I guess all of these books have a theme: they are about prejudice. Whether it be racial, gender, or occupation prejudice – it all sucks.

What nonfiction book have you recommended the most?

Of these, I’d say Radium Girls was the most readable.

What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?

Since moving to WordPress, I haven’t had opportunity to connect with people with similar reading interests. This is my attempt to do so.

Summary: Aisha, an American-Muslim woman, moves into an old apartment building with her fiance, future step-daughter, and future mother-in-law. As she notices an undercurrent of xenophobia in bother her MIL and the other apartment dwellers, she also starts seeing ghosts. The “nightmares” and “hallucinations” get worse and worse, until they are impossible to ignore.

My thoughts: Brilliant. I loved the artwork. I loved the concept. This is an intelligent graphic novel for “woke” people. Highly recommended.

 

 

Summary: Virginia feels isolated from her family. They are thin, beautiful over-achievers; she feels like a chubby under-achiever. When her rugby star brother is found guilty of something terrible, she needs to rearrange her views of who her family is, and ultimately who she is.

My Thoughts: This was an excellent stotry, I see why it’s an award-winner. Although I’m not from an over-acheiving family, nor was I chubby, I could still relate to a lot of her experiences and feelings. This was a touching story.

 

I was going to write a review today, but I am so sad. A boy was struck and killed in front of D & M’s school today and on his 13th birthday, too! 😭😭😭 My prayers go out to his family.

However, I will still update you on some happier stuff, as it is the season. We carved pumpkins, of course.

Mine

D’s

M’s

Aaron’s

Note, I carved mine without drawing on it first. That’s some skillful free-hand carving, if I do say so myself.

And we trick-or-treated, of course.

That’s a crocheted Loki’s helm. Not my work. 😁

And I fed IL his first Reeses Peanut Buttr Cup (naughty me).

Well, it’s fall, and time to rake up the leaves! Our whole family got out there today to make a gigantic pile, which the kids then played in. This is IL’s first fall! He’s taken 4 steps in succession, now, so I guess he’s really going to walk soon. Someday. Lol.

M is doing well. He’s been cheerful lately, and he enjoyed jumping in the leaves. D is also doing well. Unfortunately, we are unable to check for dysgraphia since they decided it’s “all anxiety.” So we’ll just have to work on a tutor for her writing.

And, of course, Aaron and I are doing well. Except that I had an awful cold and didn’t get to take advantage of my “recharge weekend,” which means no readathon this month. 😦 There’s always next month!

Tonight, we’re all going to carve pumpkins. I’ll post pictures next week.

Still slowly reading: 

Completed

Summary: When teenaged Kristina visits her estranged father, she is introduced to crank. Everything goes downhill from there.

My thoughts: I’m generally a fan of Ellen Hopkins books, and this one was good, but not as good as I expected. Maybe it’s just that I was younger when I read earlier Hopkins books? But this one didn’t seem as heart-wrenching and there were not surprises about what happened to Kristina when she started her downward spiral. Still a good book if you’re interested in teen realism, but nothing to write home about.

 

Hi everyone! This was a good week. IL learned to climb, as you can see above. He’ll push a toy up to a gate and try to get over. If they toy isn’t big enough, he’ll try another.

M went to OT for potential sensory issues with his eating problems, and they think they may be able to help.

D and I had a girl’s weekend because M and Aaron were at Cub Scout camp. We watched severbal movies and got her a mani-pedi.

D also had her first choir event Saturday: a sing-a-thon at Urban Growler Brewery. It went really well, and we’re really proud of her.

Summary: Crowley is a demon sent to earth to seed discord and demonic horror. Aziraphale is an angel meant to watch over earth and keep it’s occupants on the right track. Their bosses didn’t expect them to become the best of friends. But now, the Apocalypse is nigh, and they must work together to do their part in both eencouraging it as per their assignments, and secretly to stop it.

My Thoughts: I’ve read this book before, but after watching the miniseries I really wanted to read it again. It did not disappoint. This book is so funny – a perfect combination of Gaiman’s dark humor and Pratchett’s silly humor. The reading by Martin Jarvis was quite enjoyable.