Sunday Post 113

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

Reading Reality, who hosts Stacking the Shelves

Readerbuzz, who hosts Sunday Salon

Caffeinated Reviewer, who hosts Sunday Post

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

On the above blogs you will be able to see links to the posts from others who are participating in those blog hops, and if you're a blogger, you can join too. 

Hello everyone! I did not intend on staying away from my Sunday Posts for three weeks, but that's how it goes sometimes. Anyway, here I am today!

It seems the worst of the summer heat and humidity is behind us. I was finally able to get out for some walks this past week, and next week is supposed to be even cooler. Fall is around the corner and I couldn't be happier.

I started doing physical therapy a few weeks ago to address some shoulder issues I've been having. Due  to scheduling conflicts, I've only had three sessions so far, but soon I will consistently have two sessions a week. So far, I have seen two therapists at the same facility since the first one I saw is only there part-time (she was recommended to me), but I love both of them. In fact, I love the whole facility.

A couple years ago, I went to physical therapy at a different facility to address other issues. I liked the therapists, and the exercises helped, but I did not enjoy going there. They had a television on all the time and it was tuned in to the news most of the time. I have not watched the news at home in about ten years and I did not enjoy this kind of atmosphere. They were all into it, though. They would talk about whatever story was on and I would just sit there doing my exercises and watching the clock. Those one hour sessions could not go by fast enough for me.

Also, I did not get one-on-one attention at that facility. One therapist often saw at least two patients at a time and we were left to do the exercises on our own. This aspect of it didn't bother me much back then, but now that I've had a different experience, I realize how much one-on-one attention matters.

I'm so glad this new-to-me facility gives every patient one-on-one attention for the full hour. They do not have a television, so I don't have to listen to the news and their commentary about it. It's much more of a healing environment than the other place was. Plus, it only takes me about a minute to drive there. Literally! It's a tad too far for me to walk, but at least the drive is super short. 

So far, it's helping and I'm hoping when I go more consistently it will be even better. I'm also doing some of the exercises at home. I don't have an end date right now. I'll just see how it goes for the next couple of months. I'm feeling optimistic about it.

In other news, I attended a book club at a local indie bookstore. They have a mystery book club that meets once a month. Most of the time, they do not read books I'm interested in, but this month they discussed Detective Aunty, by Uzma Jalaluddin. This was already on my TBR, so I didn't hesitate to register. Last August, they discussed another book I was interested in, but I was not feeling well so I missed it. So this time, I was determined to go.

I took Uber, which was an adventure in itself. My app said he had arrived. He had not. I watched him go straight on my street instead of turning left to get to my condo. Then he came out of the townhouse community (a result of going straight instead of turning left). Instead of then coming to my condo, I watched him go back onto the main road and leave! A few minutes later he came back and found my condo. Finally. I was ten minutes late for the book club, but at least I didn't get there early and have to stand outside for them to open the store. (The book club started at the time the store opened.) Anyway, the ride home went much smoother.

Clearly, the book club participants do not like cozy mysteries. There were 15 of us, which I think is a lot for a book club, and I would say maybe three of us enjoyed the book. I realized I was one of only two people who were not regulars at this book club. I didn't mind that. I felt welcomed and I did contribute my thoughts. It was fine, but I won't be going back, at least not for the rest of this year. They'll be reading darker mysteries, which is not my thing.

After this experience, I decided to try and start a book club in my condo community. There are four buildings and each building has either 28 or 26 units. Only one person expressed interest, so I don't think it's going to happen. It was a nice thought while it lasted. I really wish I could find an in-person book club that reads books that I enjoy. They don't have to be cozy mysteries. I just want them to be clean and light-hearted. I'm open to romance, rom-coms, women's fiction, and more. I haven't found anything like this close to where I live. It would have been ideal to have this in my condo community because then I wouldn't have to worry about driving or getting a ride. Oh, well.

Anyway, here's what I've been up to in the books and on the screen.

IN THE BOOKS

RECENTLY FINISHED

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As I mentioned, I finished Detective Aunty (Kausar Khan Investigates 1), by Uzma Jalaluddin. While it took some time for the mystery to get going (which often happens in a first in series), I really enjoyed it overall. The characters have depth and the mystery is strong. This is definitely a series I want to continue when the next one is released and I also want to read the romcoms Uzma Jalaluddin has written.

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I listened to Vice and Virtue (Layla Virtue Mystery 1), written by Libby Klein and narrated by Stefanie Kay. I would say this is women's fiction with a dash of mystery. Keeping that in mind, I really enjoyed it. I'm interested in seeing how these characters grow and what Layla's next mystery to solve will be.

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I listened to Killer Jam (Dewberry Farm Mystery 1), written by Karen MacInerney and narrated by Teri Clark Linden. This is the August pick for The Cozy Mystery Book Club. I think it's my least favorite that the club has chosen this year. The tone is more somber than what I prefer. I don't think this is a series I will continue.

IN PROGRESS

I started the chapter titled "Visual Puzzles" in The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaw to the Meaning of Life, by A. J. Jacobs. He breaks these kinds of puzzles into two types - Hide-and-seek and Optical Illusions. I like these types of puzzles, even if they do hurt my brain.

I'm about 65% through Edam and Weep (Grilled Cheese Mystery 6), by Linda Reilly. I'm hoping to finish it in a few days and publish my review next week. In the meantime, you can check out some excerpts here.

I started listening to Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust (Deep Dish Mystery 2), written by Mindy Quigley and narrated by Holly Adams. I've been wanting to continue this series for a while and it turns out this installment is set at this time of year. Perfect timing! Between the Grilled Cheese Mystery and the Deep Dish Mystery, I'm craving a lot of cheese. I did not plan to read/listen to these two at the same time, but here we are.

UP NEXT

My next read will be Fatal Sign-off (Book Blogger Mystery 3), by Sarah E. Burr. I've enjoyed this series from the beginning and I'm excited to read this latest installment that releases in less than one week. I've already been reading great reviews for it.

ON THE SCREEN

• The Food that Built America - I finished season 6, so now I wait for season 7. I heard that the show has been renewed, but I don't know when the new season will premiere. I'm pretty sure it will be sometime early next year, though.
• The Machines that Built America - There is only one season for this series (at least so far) and I've watched all of the episodes. I liked the food series more, but this one was interesting too. It really makes me appreciate everything we have today and who invented them. I highly recommend this show. You might be surprised at what you learn. The one on Alexander Graham Bell and the telephone was especially surprising to me. I've been recording these shows from the History Channel, but I think they are streaming on Hulu as well.
• Providence Falls - This is a three part movie series. I still need to watch the third movie, but I loved the first two. They are my favorite new movies of the year so far. These movies are based on a book series which I have not read and don't plan to. I've heard Hallmark toned it down a lot, for which I'm thankful.
• Beach Blanket Bingo - I had never seen any of these movies starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello until now. I was curious, so I gave it a go. It was okay, but I won't be watching anymore of them.
• Mystery Island: Play for Keeps - I usually enjoy Hallmark mysteries, but this series is a bit underwhelming to me. I'm just not engaged in the mysteries as much as I'd like to be. Also, I don't feel a sense of community like I do with most of the other Hallmark mysteries. Plus, how many murders can happen on one specific resort and still attract tourists?
• Hallmark summer-themed movies  - I've also been watching Hallmark movies I've never seen from summers past. One more week, then I'll be ready to move on to the fall movies.

ON THE BLOG

• Sunday Post - 08/02 - Weekly Recap
• Friday Features - 08/15 - Bookish response and excerpts, Feline Friday, Nature pic
• Puzzle - 08/16 - Gardening Gnomes
• Friday Features - 08/22 - Bookish response and excerpts, Feline Friday, Nature pic
• Puzzle - 08/23 - Beachside Bookstore on Wheels

Have a great week!