Hello, friends!
On these blogs you will be able to see links to the posts from others who are participating in these blog hops, and if you're a blogger, you can join too.
I have to say, these Sunday Posts really motivate me to do more than I normally would. August gave me a real-life plot twist, which caused me to fall way behind with the books I wanted to read. I admit that what happened wasn't nearly as bad as my attitude towards it. I lost my motivation for a couple of weeks. I'm feeling better about things, but I'm so behind with reading now that it's left me feeling a little frustrated. I need to be okay with the fact that I can't read everything I want to read in the period of time I want to. In any normal month, I tend to overestimate how much I can do, and when real-life plot twists happen, I do even less. I've got to go easier on myself.
I thought about taking a month off from blog hops to give myself time to get back on track with reading. Except I realized that blogging can help me get back on track. I want to be able to share with you what I'm reading, and in order to do that, I have to read. Lol.
So, with that being said, here's the update.
IN THE BOOKS
To see how I'm doing with my 2023 bookish challenges, click on 2023 Bookish Challenges on the right sidebar.
RECENTLY FINISHED
I can't believe it took me this long to read (or in this case, listen to) Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, but I'm so glad I finally did. It is told from a variety of perspectives, all by middle school characters. The narration is top notch. The narrators are Kaya McLean, Lila Sage Bromley, Dariana Alvarez, Santino Barnard, Ry Chase, and Madeleine Curry. I love that there are different narrators for each perspective. To read some lines from this book, click here.
IN PROGRESS
UP NEXT
ON TELEVISON
- Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance - Yet another National Park Romance that had stunning scenery, but just an okay plot. I might watch it again at some point, but only for the scenery.
- Friends - I continued re-watching season 2. Ross and Rachel are in a pretty solid relationship. Monica has a new job as a waitress at a diner (cue YMCA...) and a new older boyfriend who in real life is Tom Selleck, Phoebe finds out she has and meets her half brother (this actor played a completely different role earlier in the series), Joey moves out on his own, Eddie moves in with Chandler, Joey loses his job, Eddie moves out, and Joey moves back in with Chandler. Looking back on this season, I don't think they handled the topic of mental health well. In fact, they seemed to poke fun at it with Eddie. Not so sure those episodes would be received well nowadays.
- What if..Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark - This episode was okay. Not my favorite, but not my least favorite.
- I Am Groot Season 2 - This was another cute season of Groot shorts. My favorites were the one with the nose and the final episode.
- The Little Mermaid (2023) - This started streaming on Disney+ on September 6th and I watched it that same day for the first time. I loved this live action adaptation!! I'm a huge fan of the original, so for me, it had a lot to live up to. This adaption exceeded my expectations. I've enjoyed all of the live action adaptions for Disney movies that I've seen, but this is definitely one of my absolute favorites. They stayed true to the original story, while elevating it in the best way. The cinematography was stunning and the acting was outstanding.
WEEKLY BLOG RECAP
- Sunday Post 09/03 - Week in review
- Audiobook Review 09/04 - You Can't Candle the Truth (Glenmyre Whim Mystery 1), by Sarah E. Burr
- Top Ten Tuesday (On a Thursday) 09/07 - August Caboodle of Movies and Books
- Five for Friday 09/08 - Banned Books, A Family Skeleton, and Sister Cats
- Puzzle 09/09 - Mountain Creek Cabin
That's all for now! Have a great week!
I learn about good books, good movies, good things to do...all here from my fellow bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry life hit you full in the face. It can be so difficult to get back into an upright position.
Wonder is an amazing story, and I imagine that it would be a wonderful audiobook, too.
Deb, I'm very picky about audiobooks, but Wonder is one of the best I've heard. :)
DeleteYes, you do have to go a little easier on yourself! We all have things that "happen" and knock us out of our groove, but we need to show ourselves grace...you know the same grace that it is easier to show everyone else, LOL! I hope things are settling down and you are able to get back in your groove. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy. :-)
DeleteSorry you had a difficult month. Hope September is better!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barb! :-)
DeleteI loved Against the Currant. I, also, love the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Yvonne. :-)
DeleteI hate real life plot twists! :) But seriously I'm the same way. I had t ocome to terms with the fact that I could NOT keep up with everything I wanted to get lol.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the Groot shorts!
Thanks, Greg. The Groot shorts did kind of sneak in quietly on Disney+. Both seasons are short (obviously lol) and sweet. You could watch both seasons in less than in hour. :-)
DeleteI just hopped over to GR to make sure Wonder is on my list, and it is.
ReplyDeleteI hate when I over-react to real-life plot twists!!! Happens to me all the time and I don't know how to stop myself from doing that. lol
Blogging definitely pushes me to read because about mid-week I'm like "OMG I have to finish this book before I post on Sunday!!!!
Lol. Yeah, I want to have something to write about, so I gotta get the reading done. :-)
DeleteIt's a catch 22. Take a month off, and you are further behind. But you need the time off to recover. If you figure out how to do it let me know because I feel like I'm on a treadmill and it just doesn't stop.
ReplyDeleteLol Mark. Sometimes I feel like everyone but me has this figured out. That is apparently not the case. :-)
DeleteI loved Friends and so did my kids. I also love their books!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Groot and have Groot things for my car etc. How did I now know about this show? Now I have to play catch up!
I'm glad you're feeling better about things! And yes, you need to go easier on yourself, life gets in the way sometimes. My reading has been very slow for the last few years but I'm hoping it gets better.
I've loved every Hallmark movie I've watched and now I have have to watch all the ational Park Romance movies!
I have the audio of Wonder on my Audible app, it has been on my list to read for a while now. I'll try to get to it soon.
Thank you, Vicki. I have not yet read the Friends books. I have one and I do plan to read it. The Groot shorts are exactly that...short. Lol. You could watch both seasons in less than an hour. They're very cute. :-)
DeleteI hope things balance out more for you. I am good about overestimating what I hope to read at any given time. I am trying to be okay without whatever I can manage these days. I am glad you loved Wonder. I read it with my daughter a few years ago and we both loved it. A Skeleton in the Family does sound fun and I hope you continue to enjoy it! I enjoy Allison Brook's series too, although I haven't yet read the 5th book. Hopefully soonish. I agree with everything you said about the new Little Mermaid movie. I loved it too. I hope you have a great week and happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThank you! You too! :)
DeleteIt's not always easy to go easier on ourselves, I hope you can find a way to do it. Stuff happens, you'll get there when you get there (that's what I have to tell myself when plot twists hit).
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! :)
DeletePlot twists in life can throw you for a loop. Good luck in staying on track. Try not to be too hard on yourself.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you read some great books. Wonder and #Tag Me for Murder caught my eye. Hope you have a nice week.
https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2023/09/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-and_10.html
Thank you, Cheryl! :)
DeleteIt can be difficult to read everything we want. Nice pick up though and yes even though blogging can be annoying at times like you it does keep me on track. Glad you loved Wonder. Have you watched the movie as well?
ReplyDeleteKathryn, yes, I watched the movie twice before I listened to the book. I love both the movie and the book! :)
DeleteIt can be really frustrating to have your plans subverted, it’s happened to me more than once due to illness this year. Like you I find this meme helpful to keep me accountable.
ReplyDeleteYour cozies all look like fun.
Wishing you a happy reading week
Thank you! And I hope you are feeling better. :)
DeleteA Skeleton in the Family looks like it would be a fun read. I think I would really enjoy it. Have a wonderful week, Meezan. ☕📚🍁🌞💛
ReplyDeleteIt is good, Jody! Thank you. :-)
DeleteOoo what is this National Park romance movie thing you speak of? I need to go find them!
ReplyDeleteThe scenery is great in those movies, even if the plot doesn't measure up to it. :)
DeleteI'm sorry you've been hit with real-life plot twists. I hope September is better for you. You do have to be easier on yourself. No matter how hard we try, we can't read everything! Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy! :)
DeleteSorry about the plot twists! I used to get upset when I missed my Goodreads goal at the end of the year, but I've calmed down about it. Life happens. I'm doing the best I can!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aj. The best is all we can do! :-)
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