The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

 I wish I had never read this book so I could read it again for the first time. This is such a lovely book. I hope they make it into a movie or a limited TV series so I could see the kids on the Island and that Cerulean Sea. Ideally, I'd love to see this book made into a Kdrama, I know it would be wonderful because Kdramas are slow and languid in their storytelling and so visually pleasing. 

There is conflict and strife in this book but there is also so much kindness and beautiful scenes of people becoming better than they have been. And the soundtrack of the book. I will always think of Lucy in the kitchen doing dishes when I hear Bobby Darrin sing Somewhere Beyond The Sea.  

I was so happy that this book was a cozy and warm as people said. If you haven't read it yet, maybe save it for a time when you need a little pick me up.  This story is all sorts of delightful and I'm so glad T.J. Klune wrote it. 

5 stars obviously! 

If you are having a rough week and are looking for a sign to treat yourself.  Here is your sign. Go read book, or jump in a lake, or have a double scoop ice cream cone!

The In-Between, A Memoir by a Famous Tik-Tok person

 

I was scrolling through what books had audio versions available to borrow on my library app and I came across this book. I was hesitant, did I want to listen to a book about death, but I decided to give it a go.

The audio version is read by the author Hadley Vlahas who is a hospice nurse. Later I learned she is Tik-tok famous for her hospice-related Tik-toks.   She is young and after I was done with the book, I noticed that many of the less-than-positive reviews seemed to be bothered by her youth.  

I was a little put off when I started the book because I wasn't very interested in a religious-based book on life's final moments.  However, I listened a little bit longer and I found that Hadley Vlahos was pretty balanced. This book is a memoir of Hadley becoming a nurse and then a hospice nurse. She grows into full adulthood over the course of the book.  As the subtitle suggests she shares stories of the last moments of some of her patients over the years.  

Now I wonder, are these amalgamations of patients, or did she have the approval to share the actual details of her patients. I'm going to assume she had approval to share actual details because the stories are all lovely, so I assume these people (or their families) were OK with being included in her book. 

I walked away from this story with a book hangover, the book is hopeful, but sad too. I would actually like to read another book from a hospice nurse or doctor just to compare it to this one, so if anyone has a recommendation, please let me know. 

4 stars!

The Sunday Post- July is Winding Down

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme 

This week was very busy, my parents came to visit, the hubs had a work event overnight downtown, we went to a concert at a new concert venue, and Saturday we had a graduation party. Busy in a good way. This upcoming week is looking busy as well, so I am really embracing audiobooks. How are things by you?  It has not been very, very hot here --but if the forecast is correct this week is going to be in the 90-100 (mid to high 30s for those of you that use Celcius) I will have to be mindful about whether or not it is safe to walk our dog.  How about you?  How is your weather? 

Books I'll be talking about:

Have You Been Getting Your Steps In?

 I've been working on meeting or exceeding 10,000 steps per day.  A while back I lost my Fitbit so I've been using my phone to track my steps, and since I put my phone down often during the day, I have to make a concerted effort to get all the steps in before going to bed. Of course, if I'm out running or walking I do love to listen to audiobooks to keep me going.  

I came across Red Queen because I was looking for a fantasy book that was available as an audiobook from my public library.  I enjoyed it, it's very similar, plotwise to more than a couple other fantasy YA books.  I did enjoy it enough that I want to know what happens next and am continuing the series. If you like fantasy told from a female lead POV, give this series a try and see what you think!

3.5 stars 

Also, I didn't feel like turning on the oven the other day so, I did some internet research and found out that you can make pork chops in the Air Fryer.  Preheat your air fryer on 400 degrees for 5 mins then add the seasoned pork chops and cook for 12 minutes! Easy and Fast!

The Eden Test- A Thriller and a Few Botanical Garden Pics

This is the second book I picked up so I would have a physical book to read while we traveled. It's an easy to read and I finished it faster than I thought I would and then I was really bummed I didn't have another physical book I could read and save my phone battery life. Lesson learned, if possible take one extra book when traveling. 

 The Eden Test is  a decent thriller, I guessed some of the plot points, but not everything. There are scenes of graphic domestic violence, so if that is something you'd like to avoid, now you know. This was my first book by Adam Sternbergh, I would read more of his books if I happen across them. 

My family was visiting and one activity we went on was to a local nature preserve and botanical garden. We had gorgeous weather and were well served by visiting early in the day before the temps and humidity rose too much!

 

PIcked This Up From My Local Library- and a little garden video

I picked up this book from my local public library and when I turned it over and saw the words PTA moms and murder; I said to myself. I'm in! 

We were heading out of town for a wedding, so it was the perfect time to have a physical book and one that was full of marital strife and family dramas, as well as rich people mess.

I've got to say, I do enjoy rich people mess in a vacation read. The story is pretty formulaic, and you may very well guess some of what happens and why. Overall it's like popcorn, it's easy way to fufill your craving for something crunchy but not to heavy.

4 Stars for Regrets Only,  a good read to take with you on vacation or to the beach, or to read when waiting at doctor or dentist appointments. 

 Over the weekend I went on a Garden Walk in my area. It was sunny and pretty humid but it was a lovely day and all the gardens were very peaceful.  Here are a couple pictures:

The Sunday Post -- Christmas In July is Coming!

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme 

What do you think about Christmas in July? Do you partake via reading a holiday themed book or by turning on the Hallmark channel?  I am more of a start buying Halloween/Autumn stuff by July 25th, but I am not opposed to reading a Christmas book in the summer. At the moment I have a few books I'm in the midst of reading soI don't think I'm going to be fitting in a Christmas book. 

Before I share the books I'll be talking about this week. Here is a recipe I recently made that was delicious--this recipe is gluten free if you use tamari sauce. If you want to add protein you could add chicken, pork, seafood, or tofu. 

1. Soak 7 oz of rice noodles in cold water for 10 min. 2. You put 2 tbsp of Toasted Sesame Oil in a pan and add a chopped shallot, a couple of chopped scallions, 2 zucchini that have been sliced with a vegetable peeler, 2 carrots that have also been sliced with a vegetable peeler, add a couple of tbsp of soy or tarmari sauce,  pinch of salt and pepper, and 1 cup of water cook until water is gone and noodles are tender--about 10 minutes. I added Onion Onion seasoning. 

YUM!!!

And now to the books: 

This Book is a Top 10 for the Year Read

 

I picked up this book from my local library and I am so happy that I gave it a shot. It's not my normal genre, but is always good to branch out.  This story grabbed me and didn't let go. Joe Milan Jr. puts our main character through the wringer!  

In the most broad sense, this is a coming-of-age story.  A story where our main character thinks he knows who he is and his place in the world only to have his preconceived notions of himself turn out to be very, very wrong.  The book takes place in the Pacific Northwest and South Korea. Don't let the title throw you off, this isn't really a book about a football star.  I just finished a fantasy YA book that had similar themes, and for me what makes The All-American stand out is that this isn't a story where our MC has any unique skills or abilities. He is just an average Joe.   He gets beat down and loses the little he has and at times he has no one and only maybe five bucks to his name --and he doesn't even know how to properly pronounce his name!  

Five Stars, please give this book a read!

Rogue Justice by Stacey Abrams

 

On June 1st, I went with a friend to see Stacey Abrams in conversation with Jake Tapper.  Not only is  Jake Tapper on CNN, but he actually has written a few fiction books...mystery fiction books. This event was all about two writers talking about the craft and their upcoming books. As part of the event, I got a copy of Rogue Justice that has a signed bookplate.  

Rogue Justice is the second book in Stacey Abrams' Avery Keene series. Avery Keene is a super smart Supreme Court clerk who finds herself in the crosshairs of some super bad people. Together with her smarts and her Scooby Doo band of eclectic friends she basically has to save the world from fascism.  Stacey Abrams writes intricate and interesting thrillers. Both books in this series are can't put down books so plan your time well before opening this book, and know as soon as this book ends you'll be ready for the next book.  If I recall correctly Stacey Abrams is working on that book now. Can't wait! 

5 stars!  

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

This is the follow-up book to Leigh Bardugo's Ninth House.  I didn't refresh myself prior to starting this book which I listened to versus read with my eyes. I enjoy the narrator for this series and I was able to pick back up in the world fairly easily.  I liked that this book tied up some storylines that I really needed to be tied up, but left off just as our heroes go to another realm.  I'll be reading book three the moment it is available. 

One of the reasons I really enjoy this series is how magic is centered at Yale University. It makes sense that if there were magic that it would flourish at universities, a place teaming with new adults having experiences for the first time and discovering what they want to become. 

If you like fantasy, or if you liked Leigh Bardugo's other series, definitely give this one a try, I think you'll be quite pleased. 

Now apropos of nothing, I saw this online recently and I beg to differ. I like my chili over spaghetti and topped with cheese and onions. I've never had it with cinnamon rolls. How about you? 

 

Where Does The Time Go?

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme 

I swear the last few weeks have gone by in the blink of an eye and I really slacked off on posting here!  I have been reading, as always I'd like to read more, and since there are only so many hours in the day and I swear I spend at least three hours a day minimum on just laundry, dishes, and cooking--I'm working on getting back to listening to more books. Audiobooks are amazing and it helps me to keep up with what I want to read. 

I have decided this is our Midwestern Summer.  In May I traveled with friends to Wisconsin. In June Tom and I went to a wedding in Kohler, WI.  At the end of June we went  and stayed in Downtown, Chicago and during the 4th of July weekend we went on a day trip to Crown Point, IN.  In August we are going to Minnesota and then I think in September we are going to St. Louis.

The Midwest is awesome.  I highly recommend you make a plan to visit us here in the Midwest.  I am partial to Chicago since we live in the suburbs. Chicago has amazing food--so many restaurants. And loads of free activities. While w were downtown I went to a free concert in Millenium Park for example. 

Bookwise I have several books to blog about including: