Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds.  Head over there and check it out!

1.Hope you all had a happy holiday.  I did-until I got sick, then sicker.  Today is the first day I am feeling better and that I think it is due to no longer caring.  Not really complaining- we did have a very good time.  We took the kids into the city to once again experience what crazy is.  Nothing says insane like voluntarily heading into Midtown during the holidays.  We had a blast, then headed to the Village for some sanity and good food!

2.I had been on a reading tear and I am afraid I might have burnt out a bit.  Before the holidays, I picked up one of my old favorites- Gone With the Wind- and didn’t finish until Monday.  Then I decided to pick up another- The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  I might keep going with this trend for a while and put off reviewing new books for a wile.  Who knows- maybe a HP reread is next!  God knows I watched enough of them this holiday- my daughter’s go to for the holidays.

3. I found a new website that I added to my bookmarks called Off the Shelf.  Has anyone else seen this?  Thoughts?

4.  My husband and I are die hard Downton Abbey fans and were SO excited to see the new season!  When I got sick, we decided to buy all previous 5 seasons and do a full rematch so we can head into the final season all caught up- up to season 3 now.  Geek out is happening.

Hey- any good book suggestions for a Downton fan?

5. I am also committing to watching the last season of American Idol.  We used to LOVE watching it with the kids- fun for the whole family.  We have since back away but since this is it I am all in!

6 .  I have gotten in shape and have a brand new pair of skis, so……no snow.  Temps here over Christmas were almost 70 degrees.  The Mountain we go to is trying so hard to make snow and we are heading up this weekend for the first time.  So of course the forecast is for rain.

This is the most I have done in over a week.  Think I need a nap.

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds.  Head over there and check it out!

1.I was away for way too long this time!  My office had been taken over by a very nice French boy for the past 3 weeks, but I have it back now.  It was such a wonderful experience!  I was a little surprised to learn some of the stereotypes the French have about Americans though.  I hope we showed him a good time- there were big family dinners, a trips into the city to see Chicago, Rockefeller Center (and Top of the Rock), a NY Rangers hockey game, and a trip to a local farm for pumpkin and apple picking.  Whew, I am exhausted.

2.  I am glad to get my office back and get into a routine with my posts and my reading!  I am vowing (to myself) to get a little more serious about it.  That is until the holidays rear their ugly heads in a few weeks.

3.  I decided it was time to start walking my chocolate lab around a lovely pond we have close to home.  Jack decided it was time to remember he is a retriever, and jumped into the pond in a lame attempt to get his paws on one of the gaggle of geese that were relaxing in said pond.  Jack is a jerk.

4.  I love that my hubby is into Stephen King audiobooks!  We are both listening to It now.  The narrator is Stephen Weber, who played Jack Torrence in the TV miniseries of The Shining.  He is SO awesome!!

5.  I finally read Me Before You.  I think I purposely put this off since it was such a big heat and everyone was talking about it.  It has been sitting on my shelf for a long time, and I finally pulled it down.  I will probably write a mini review in a few days, but I will say I loved it.  Also- it was a hard book to put down in the middle of a chapter.  I got very snappish when I had to do that.

6.  My son is playing his LAST high school football game this Saturday afternoon.  While I know it will be bittersweet for him, and he will miss it very much- I CANNOT wait.  He hasn’t played all 4 years, but every game he did play made me die a little inside.  It’s bad enough he is driving and getting ready to go to college.  All the I can take.  But to watch him out there playing football is more than I can stand.  This Saturday, a little after 6, you might hear the biggest sigh of relief ever.

7.  Speaking of going off to college, the application process is awful, but nothing compared to the time between when you submit said application, and when you finally hear back from the college.  Imagine taking a pregnancy test, and having to wait 6-8 weeks for a result.

8.  I am reading an ARC, and it is light, easy, and quick.  I have been reading (and rereading) some tough stuff, so this is very welcome.

9.  I am going to sign up later today for The Harry Potter Read Along hosted at The Estella Society.  I love that it is a “Free Range” read along with flexible dates- 11/1- 1/31.  SO excited!!

10.  Not sure about where you are, but the weather by me has been amazing!  The last few days were in the upper 60s and mid 70s, and it looks like it will continue for a few days more!

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds.  Head over there and check it out!

1. My daughter is taking part in a French Immersion program, so we are getting set to host our french student- who it turns out is a boy.  He comes to stay with us on Sunday and will be here 2 weeks.  Now I have to figure out what to do with him.  Suggestions??

2.  I am rereading The Hot Zone by Richard Preston for our upcoming school bookclub hosted by a science teacher!  I am so excited!!

3.  I can’t get my husband to read, but he will listen to audio books.  I got him The Shining, because though I love the movie, the book is SO much better.  So that’s why Jack starts going crazy? Yessss!  Bonus- I am listening to it also!

4.  I had to give up my office for the french boy, so I have my computer jammed not a small writing desk, with the keyboard and mouse in a small snack table.  Like I needed another excuse to not work and just go watch The Office instead?

5.  I am backing up on reviews.  What’s your opinion of mini reviews?  Good or bad?

6.  I just finished The Swans of Fifth Avenue in 1 day.  I kept stopping to google all of theses fabulous people I had never heard of.

7.  The leaves are changing and the days are getting cooler and shorter.  I love winter, but it can seem so long.

Tell me- what have you beed reading lately?  I need some good suggestions!

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds.  Head over there and check it out!

1. I have been absent from this blog for over a month- and it was ok.  I needed a break, was busy with driving teenagers all over this great state, and wanted to try to relax a little.  I read a lot, started watching The Office- which I am surprised that I like- and did some fun family things.  This is my first post back, but I have been reading tons.  Now to actually write all of those posts!

2. I am sorry- I love this-

I can’t help it.  I am Italian and I cook.

3. I just finished rereading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series, in anticipation for the next one- The Girl in the Spider Web.  I want to read it, but am nervous since it is written by another author.

4. I still haven’t started Go Set A Watchman.  What is the consensus out there?  Is it good?

5. They say that summer is over, but when it is the first day of school, and you are sitting there watching a field hokey game in 98 degree heat, I have to disagree.  September is still summer, and there should not be school.

6. My son passed his road test and is now driving.  I let him drive his sister to school and sports, but am hesitant to get into the car with him myself.  Does that make me a bad mother?  Or just wickedly smart?  Honestly, I don’t think he wants me in the car- I have been told I am not a good passenger.  I just think its because I drive better than most people.

7. Love this-

8. I tried to be good.  I went through my bookcases and made a huge pile of the books I have not read.  I told myself that I had to read through at least 3 books before  could accept a book for review, go to the library, or buy a new book.  I read one book- and that was that.  I have done all 3 things I said I wouldn’t do.  I have no will power.

9. I am running in the Tunnel to Towers again in a few weeks.  It is an amazing experience and I am excited that my daughter will be joining me.  Now, if only I had actually started running again.

10.  I have set my DVR to tape all new showings of Late Night with Stephen Colbert and it took all of my will power to wait for my husband.  Now we will have Fallon and Colbert to watch!

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts

is a weekly meme hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds.  Head over there and check it out!

1.  I finished It by Stephen King (review coming soon).  I feel like I need something easy breezy next to shake it off.  Maybe a Dr. Seuss?

2.  I finally ran 4 miles.  Then I couldn’t move for two days.  But I am getting back out today to do it again.

3.  My daughter took this picture of my dog-

I laughed so hard I think I spit.

4.  I got an ARC though Net Galley that I was so excited to read-it takes place in the National Archives- then I realized it was the 3rd in a series.  So of course I had to download the first 2 to my Kindle, right?

5.  I am addicted to these chips- anyone else?

6. My son it taking some courses at Carnegie Mellon this summer.  I know I am really going to miss him, but he left a pen in his pocket, and it went though the dryer earlier this week.  I am sure you can all imagine the outcome.

7.  What should you get a wonderful husband for a 20th anniversary present?  I am dying- no ideas at all.

8.  Things I want to do this summer-

see Tomorrowland, Jurassic World, and Pitch Perfect 2, start watching Game of Thrones (only saw the 1st season), continue with House of Cards, and reread some favorites.

oh- and watch ALL of The Sopranos again.

9.  Do you reread books often?  I used to a lot more than I do now and I don’t know why!  I feel the need to revisit- Harry Potter, Middle Earth, Lizbeth Salander, some Jane Austen and Margaret Mitchell, and Shadow of the Wind trilogy.  But every time I go to the bookcase, all the unread books give me a dirty look if I reach for a pre read one.  I am not even mentioning the guilt from all the ARCs on the Kindle.