Started: 5/24/19
Gave up: 5/25/19
An Emily recommendation, and one that started out well, but then a baby died, very early on in the story, and I just couldn’t continue. I would like to read the book, but I think I might need a few years first.
Started: 5/19/19
Finished: 5/24/19
Book 2 of the Brunetti mysteries. Like the first one, the mystery gets solved, but the resolution isn’t entirely satisfying, for me or for our detective. I think I like that.
When Jack woke up this morning, I noticed some markings on the tip of his nose and on the back of one of his hands, near his thumb. They were definitely not there yesterday, and I’m pretty sure they weren’t there when we put him to bed. Was it a rash? Is he reacting to the scrambled eggs he hated the other day? Maybe freckles from the sun because maybe I missed a spot with the sunblock? It looked kind of like a henna tattoo, but I knew that was pretty unlikely (although who knows what kind of partying he does when we’re asleep). I rubbed my fingers over it to see if it was raised (it wasn’t) or if it would rub off (it didn’t). Next step: take a picture so I can email the doctor.
Before I emailed the doctor (THANK EVERYTHING THERE IS TO THANK), I went after it with a wet napkin. I did not just lick my finger and rub it on his nose. That’s full mom – I haven’t gone full mom.
And, ahem, the wet napkin took it right off. ::insert sheepish face:: I think it was prunes from last night’s dinner.
I feel like I had a crazy busy day today, like I rushed from thing to thing, but that is a completely ridiculous feeling to have, especially about today. I’m not knocking the stay at home mom life in any way. But really – today’s the day that felt crazy? See for yourself.
7am-ish to about 9: Jack woke up. John changed him, I fed him, we played a bit, and John took Jack so I could shower and eat breakfast.
9:10ish: I fed Jack off and on until he fell asleep.
9:45 to 11:15am: Jack napped in my lap. I napped a bit, too.
11:15 to noon: I played with Jack, changed him, got some cute videos while I gathered up a blanket and some toys.
Noon to 1pm-ish: Jack and I sat outside on a blanket in the shade. I fed him, he played, two of the neighbors came over to chat.
1pm-ish to 2pm-ish: I made lunch for me and John (scrambled eggs and toast), tried to feed Jack a tiny bite of scrambled eggs (he gagged), ate them myself, and fed him some baby food he actually likes.
2:30pm-ish to 4:30: We went for a long walk with Helen and Nora. Jack napped from about 3 to 3:45.
4:30 to 4:50: Fastest grocery trip ever.
5pm-ish to 6:30pm: I fed and changed Jack, we made and ate dinner, fed Jack some baby food, and played a little.
6:30pm to 7pm: Bathtime!
7pm to 7:35pm: Bedtime!
Highlights: I napped, played, went for a walk, and ate. No appointments, no major errands, no timelines or deadlines, no meetings, and yet it didn’t feel as relaxing as it looks on paper. I need a do-over. That’s a relaxing day, damn it.
Started: 5/10/19
Finished: 5/19/19
I LOVED the author’s novella, so I was really looking forward to his first novel. The premise was interesting, and it started out great, but it gradually lost me. It wasn’t bad, but there were parts that were viscerally disturbing, and the reveal at the end (that will drive the rest of the trilogy) feels like something the main character should already have known. I found myself distanced from it.
Started: 5/7/19
Finished: 5/10/19
A good novella, interesting magic. The story is the member-of-nobility-hides-with-the-common-people-and-learns-a-lesson type, but it’s done well.
Started: 5/8/19
Finished: 5/10/19
I’ve heard so much about this book while also learning absolutely nothing about it, so I really didn’t know what to expect. It’s an interesting story, but I think I was looking for more to come out of it. More…plot. So I’m left feeling unsatisfied. Sort of “that’s it?” I’m pretty sure that’s the fault of my expectations, though, and not of the book itself. I need more distance from it.
Started: 5/4/19
Finished: 5/7/19
The third Cecelia and Kate book was the 2nd best. Told in letters like the first one, although we get Thomas and James’ POVs, too, which is fun. Best, though, is what happened to the mislaid magician in the title. Fun, light, ridiculous, and fun. (Did I mention it was fun?)
Started: 4/30/19
Finished: 5/4/19
I went back and read the first of the Francis Pettigrew mysteries. If I had read this one first, I wouldn’t be interested in reading any more. First of all, Pettigrew is barely in it. Certainly not a main character. Second, the murder happens in the last 10% of the book. No exaggeration. And one of the suspects only got introduced a chapter ahead of it. I MIGHT try the third one before I decide about the series, but I’m not in a hurry.
Started: 4/30/19
Finished: 5/2/19
Books don’t scare me like movies do, but even so, I take precautions and only read horror stories during the day. Luckily (sadly?), this one didn’t scare me at all. I’m not going anywhere near any of the movie or TV adaptations, though.