Saturday, September 9, 2023

Sunday Post 47

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
I started listening to is A Skeleton in the Family (Family Skeleton Mystery 1), by Leigh Perry. I'm a little more than halfway done and should finish in a few days. I was right in that this is a really fun one to listen to. The narrator is Katina Kalin and she does a fantastic job! To read some excerpts from this book, click here.
I continued reading Death on the Shelf  (Haunted Library Mystery 5), by Allison Brook and I'm making good progress with it. I'm hoping to finish it in a few days. I am enjoying it. I really like the way these books flow. Even though there are three storylines going on in this one, it doesn't feel disjointed. This is an easy, relaxing read. To read some excerpts, click here.
I read all of the summer poems in The Complete Book of Flower Fairies, by Cicely Mary Barker. With fall being my favorite season, I'm really looking forward to the next set of poems in this book. The drawings are also beyond amazing. I find myself looking at them in detail.
I am going to have to temporarily DNF #TagMe for Murder (Trending Topic Mystery 2), by Sarah E. Burr. It breaks my heart because I really wanted to read it last month. I enjoyed the first one and was looking forward to this second one. However, if I continue with it now, I won't have time for my September lineup. I definitely will eventually get back to it and I'm going to read another book by this same author that I'm very much looking forward to in October.
UP NEXT
I borrowed Double Booked for Death (Black Cat Bookshop Mystery 1), by Ali Brandon, from the library. This is the September pick for The Cozy Mystery Book Club and I will read it next. I read every book in this book club because I like discussing it with others.
Against the Currant (Spice Isle Bakery Mystery 1), by Olivia Matthews, will be my next audiobook listen. I think this will be an enjoyable audiobook. The setting makes me think of Little Guyana in New York, where I've been to many times. My parents are from Guyana, South America.

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 
That's all for now! Have a great week!
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33 comments:

  1. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzSeptember 9, 2023 at 11:57 PM

    I learn about good books, good movies, good things to do...all here from my fellow bloggers.

    I'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.

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    1. MeezanSeptember 10, 2023 at 12:56 PM

      Deb, I'm very picky about audiobooks, but Wonder is one of the best I've heard. :)

      Delete
  2. CindySeptember 10, 2023 at 1:23 PM

    Yes, 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!

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  3. BarbSeptember 10, 2023 at 2:19 PM

    Sorry you had a difficult month. Hope September is better!

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  4. YvonneSeptember 10, 2023 at 3:30 PM

    I loved Against the Currant. I, also, love the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series. I hope you have a great week!

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  5. GregSeptember 10, 2023 at 4:09 PM

    I 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.

    I didn't know about the Groot shorts!

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    1. MeezanSeptember 10, 2023 at 7:55 PM

      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. :-)

      Delete
  6. Jinjer-The Intrepid AngelenoSeptember 10, 2023 at 4:41 PM

    I just hopped over to GR to make sure Wonder is on my list, and it is.

    I 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!!!!

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    Replies
    1. MeezanSeptember 10, 2023 at 7:59 PM

      Lol. Yeah, I want to have something to write about, so I gotta get the reading done. :-)

      Delete
  7. Mark BakerSeptember 10, 2023 at 4:52 PM

    It'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.

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    1. MeezanSeptember 10, 2023 at 7:56 PM

      Lol Mark. Sometimes I feel like everyone but me has this figured out. That is apparently not the case. :-)

      Delete
  8. MeezanSeptember 10, 2023 at 7:58 PM

    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. :-)

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  9. Literary FelineSeptember 10, 2023 at 8:50 PM

    I 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!

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  10. messymimiSeptember 10, 2023 at 9:11 PM

    It'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).

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  11. Cheryl MalandrinosSeptember 10, 2023 at 11:17 PM

    Plot twists in life can throw you for a loop. Good luck in staying on track. Try not to be too hard on yourself.

    Looks 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

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  12. Kathryn TSeptember 11, 2023 at 12:51 AM

    It 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?

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    1. MeezanSeptember 11, 2023 at 7:37 PM

      Kathryn, yes, I watched the movie twice before I listened to the book. I love both the movie and the book! :)

      Delete
  13. shelleyrae @ book'd outSeptember 11, 2023 at 9:04 AM

    It 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.
    Your cozies all look like fun.

    Wishing you a happy reading week

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    Replies
    1. MeezanSeptember 11, 2023 at 7:38 PM

      Thank you! And I hope you are feeling better. :)

      Delete
  14. JK Joy (Jody)September 11, 2023 at 9:27 AM

    A Skeleton in the Family looks like it would be a fun read. I think I would really enjoy it. Have a wonderful week, Meezan. ☕📚🍁🌞💛

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  15. crackercrumblifeSeptember 11, 2023 at 9:49 AM

    Ooo what is this National Park romance movie thing you speak of? I need to go find them!

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    Replies
    1. MeezanSeptember 11, 2023 at 7:45 PM

      The scenery is great in those movies, even if the plot doesn't measure up to it. :)

      Delete
  16. Kathy MartinSeptember 11, 2023 at 11:19 AM

    I'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!

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  17. Aj @ Read All The Things!September 12, 2023 at 8:21 AM

    Sorry 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!

    ReplyDelete

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