Sunday Post 54

Hello, friends!

Through Monday I am linking with the following: 

Reading Reality, who hosts Stacking the Shelves

Caffeinated Reviewer, who hosts Sunday Post

Readerbuzz, who hosts Sunday Salon

The Book Date, who hosts It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

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. 

Greetings on this final weekend of October 2023! It has felt more like late spring here in Maryland the past few days. In fact, last night was more like a summer evening with temps in the 70s at 11p.m. It's almost Halloween and the air conditioning has been running. We are gradually starting to cool down, though. By Halloween we'll have highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s. That's more like it!

On a somber note, like so many others, I am so sad to hear the news of Matthew Perry's passing. I'm well aware of the fact that he had a rough life, but I was still very shocked to hear of his passing. I read his memoir earlier this year. I'm not a fan of the frequent use of the "F" word, but otherwise, I thought it was very well-written. There are a couple of other books about the show in general that I want to read, but I don't know if I can right now. It will just be so sad that one of the Friends is now gone. As I've been sharing each week on my blog, I watch an episode of Friends almost everyday. I watched one just yesterday evening. It won't be the same now that Chandler is no longer with us. I'll keep watching the show, but it will take some getting used to.

What's everyone doing for Halloween? I'm hoping to watch A Haunting in Venice, read a Halloween-themed novella, and participate in The Cozy Mystery Book Club, which meets on YouTube that night. I live in a condo and trick-or-treating is not allowed, so I won't be giving out candy. But don't worry. There are plenty of townhouses and single-family homes in the neighborhood where the trick-or-treaters can visit.

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

Nothing finished this past week.

IN PROGRESS

I continued reading Over My Dead Blog (Book Blogger Mystery 1), by Sarah E. Burr. This is an ARC that will be released on Halloween. I'm about 70% done and I'm really excited to see how it ends. I will post my review next week. In the meantime, you can read some brief excerpts here. It is set in the days leading up to Halloween, so it's a good one for this time of year if you're a seasonal reader like me.

I'm about halfway through the audiobook for Lord of the Wings (Meg Langslow Mystery 19) by Donna Andrews. It is masterfully narrated by Bernadette Dunne. This book has very strong Halloween vibes, so I'm glad I'm listening to it this last week of October. The whole vibe of the book reminds me of Murder, She Wrote, but with a more humor.

UP NEXT

Purrs and Poison (Chatty Cat Mysteries 1), by Elle Wren Burke, is the first in a spinoff series. I have not yet read the previous series, but I received an ARC of this one. It also releases on Halloween. I'll post my review soon after that.

Squeaks and Spooks (Bewitcher's Beach Mystery 1.5), by Emily Fluke is also on my list for this week. It comes after Magic, Movies, and Murder, which I have already reviewed here. I loved the first one, so I'm excited to read this short novella. I'm hoping to read it on Halloween.

I was able to pick up from the library another copy of Double Booked for Death (Black Cat Bookshop Mystery 1), by Ali Brandon. I don't have a lot more to read in this book, but I'm not sure if I'll have time to finish it this week. If not, I will finish it next week. To read some excerpts from this book, click here.

ON TELEVISON

• Hallmark movies - I watched Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Altar. It wasn't perfect, but I did really enjoy this one. One more to go in the series, unless they make more of them.
• Anne of Green Gables (2016) - I've been wanting to watch at least one adaptation and read this book. I found this one streaming, so I finally watched it. I thought it was really good, although the pacing was too fast, I think. It was less than 90 minutes long. I rarely say this, but I think adding another 30-60 would have made it better. From what I've heard, this adaptation is pretty true to the book.
• Friends - I'll continue watching this show, but with a heavy heart. I'm in the middle of Season 4. Chandler is now with Joey's ex-girlfriend and Monica has a new job as head chef. I really love how Joey shows how much he cares about his friends. Did you notice the look on his face when he realized how much Monica was being harassed by her co-workers? That's when he really stepped up and rescued her. I love that scene.

I didn't watch the latest episode of Loki yet. I'm planning to watch it this week. I'm also looking forward to finally watching A Haunting in Venice on Halloween since that's the day it starts streaming on Hulu. You may be surprised to see I didn't watch any Hallmark rom-coms last week. That should change later in the week. Hallmark is now is Christmas mode already, but I'm going to continue watching older fall movies until after Thanksgiving. I love Hallmark Christmas movies, but I want to fully enjoy the fall feels first.

WEEKLY BLOG RECAP 

• Sunday Post 10/22 - Week in review
• Book Review 10/23 - Magic, Movies, and Murder (Bewitcher's Beach Mystery 1), by Emily Fluke
• Four for Friday 10/27 - Bookish Phobia, Dangerous Territory, and Fiona-in-a-box
• Puzzle 10/28 - Spooky Halloween Night

Have a great week, and Happy Halloween to all who celebrate!