Hauls & Unhauls

February 2023 | A Random Book Haul

Hello and welcome to a post where I am sharing the books I am adding to my owned TBR. I have actually been reading a bit this past few months so of course I wanted to reward myself with some new books to add to my stacks. Most of the books I have been reading have been through my library digitally, but I recently went on a little adventure and came across a really lovely local bookstore and I wanted to support them. So, I ended up getting these lovely book. Also, I am adding a bonus of a preorder at the end of this post.

Hauled books laying on the floor.

Local Bookstore Haul

Love at Six Thousand Degrees by Maki Kashimada, Haydn Trowell (Translator)

I have to say, the cover of this book really pulled me in. The cover is a really lovely dark red berry color, with an illustrated girl on the cover in the same color dress. Oddly, you don’t see her face at all as the title is on top of it located on a doodled cloud. Then I ended up picking up the book and looking at the description. It follows a house wife (name is unknown at this time) who has visions and leaves her life behind. It sounded interested and spontaneous. Bonus, the book is under 150 pages. When I got home I added the book to my goodreads and I ended up noticing that this books ratings are not the highest and had only one written review, but I am still intrigued.

The Icepick Surgeon by Sam Kean

When I walked into the store I really wanted to get a nonfiction read or a horror book. Sadly, their horror was VERY limited. Only about 20 books and I will be honest I read them all. So, I ended up picking up the above talked about book and then walking over to the nonfiction and this title grabbed me right away. In recent years I have realized I really enjoy learning about the history of medicine. I have read and loved The Facemaker by Lindsey Fitzharris. While The Icepick Surgeon is medical related, it explore the lengths people will go in to try to prove something. Some of the things in this book are medical, but it seems to focus on science in general.

Pre-Order

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

Now, I wont go too much into this book due to the fact it is the second book in a series. The first book followed Jade Daniels a high school student who LOVES horror. She watches and consumes it to not focus on her not so great home life. But, this knowledge ends up coming in handy since she is about to be in a horror story herself. She deals with quite a lot and can be difficult to read for some. I will say, reading this I can see that Stephen Graham Jones loves horror himself with constant nods to other works. I highly suggest checking it out because I have not been this excited for a horror series in a long time.

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Current Reads and WIPs

Current WIPs and Reads | January 2023

Hello and welcome to a midmonth check-in where I am sharing the things I am currently reading and my works in progress and share how I am feeling about each of them. I am happy to report I am finally reading a bit. Not nearly as much as I have in the past, but I am making some progress in that regard. Due to this, I am reading a few books that I am going to be talking about. On top of that I have two projects I am working on as well. Without more rambling, here are my current reads and WIPs

In progress knitting projects and my eReader on my bed.

My Current Reads

I am currently about half way through Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. I am buddy reading this with Misty’s Book Space and it has been really fun reading this book in small chunks and talking about it weekly. So far I am enjoying the book, the author has done a really good job with setting the mood and establishing the characters and setting. There have been a few things I could have done without, but over all I am enjoying it. I am very much in the phase of I need to keep reading to see what happens next, which has not happened in a really long time. I am very happy that it seems like my reading mojo might be returning.

The second book I am currently reading is Sundial by Catriona Ward, this was also a buddy read, but I did not keep up with it sadly. I am still reading it though and I will finish it! I will be a good buddy reading partner lol. I am enjoying this story, it is a horror thriller, but I am enjoying Ninth House a bit more at this point. But, I have a ton to read still so I am curious to see if I feel the same by the time I finish them. I think the main reason is this is more a thriller\horror where as Ninth House is more fantasy/mystery dark academia. Both are written well and, like I said, I am liking them both.

My Current WIPs

The first project I am really focusing on is the Sophie Shawl by PetiteKnit (Ravelry|Website), I started this project in December of 2022 and I would really love to finish it and use it. I am over halfway done at this point and the width of the shawl is getting smaller from here on out. I think I should be finishing it within the week. It is going to be more of a scarf than a shawl in my option. I am also enjoying making one half black and one half white, The second project I am working on, which is more of a background project is the Big Cozy Cardi by Andrea Mowry (Ravelry|Website). This is more of a long term project that I am working on a little each day. I am loving the pattern and process for sure. It is going to be a big oversized cardi with a mohair collar, so it is going to be super comfortable.

What are you currently reading or working on?

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Monthly Intent & TBR · To Be Read

Monthly Intent & TBR | January 2023

Hello and welcome to my monthly intent post where I share my monthly TBR and other goals I have for the month ahead. I am really excited about a few things this month and am looking forward to. I am planning on trying to address my goals for this year early since my motivation is high currently.

Various skeins of yarn in different bases surrounding an eReader displaying the cover of Ninth House.

Reading Plans

This month I am going to be focusing on two weeks, both are buddy reads. The first is one I am very behind on that I was reading with my friends Reg and Jenna. For the Halloween season we decided to read Sundial by Catriona Ward. I have yet to finish it, they both have…oops! The second book I am planning to read is Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo and I am reading this one with Misty from Misty’s Book Space. I am really excited about reading these.

Crochet & Knitting Plans

This month I would really love to make the By the Fire Socks by Danielle Jorge. They are an ankle sock where the cuff is a few little trees. I have never made ankle socks or socks where the cuff isn’t a standard cuff, so I think it will be a lot of fun to give a go. Other than that I would like to start a Big Cozy Cardi by Andrea Mowry. It is a very oversized comfortable looking sweater, which I think would be perfect to wear around the house during these colder months as well as transition months. I don’t think I will get to finish it, but I know I want to at least start it.

Random Goals

This month I would really love to do two things, I would love to go for a walk in the snow as well as read in front of the fireplace. The first being totally dependent on the weather and is totally out of my control, is more like a dream than a goal. The latter I can certainly do this month without much hassle. I just really want to enjoy the fireplace while it actually makes sense to use it. Once it gets warmer, it is not something I can do without melting.

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Let's Talk · Life Style · Lists & Recommendations

Just a Few of My Favorite Things 2022

Hello and welcome to a really random post today. I wanted to take a moment to share some of my favorite things that I have discovered this past year. All of which I bought myself! I am going to go threw a few categories of items, so be prepared for a hodgepodge of things!

Reading

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle – I bought this bundle this year because I had to downsize and move away from physical books. So far this ereader, cover, and charging dock have worked wonderfully. It is a lot more responsive than my previous kindle and kobo as well as the screen is more sharp, at least to my eyes. I found myself reading more before bed as well.

Post-it Transparent Sticky Notes – when I did read a physical book I loved using these see-through sticky notes. I could annotate away easily without having to change my sitting position very much. Just doodled or jot down something then stuck it on the page.

Crochet/Knitting

Furls Streamline Resin Swirl Crochet Hooks – These are for sure an investment, but I found that this year using these work perfectly with how I naturally want to hold my crochet hook and the hand motion I use. Even when I am knitting I keep one of these on hand for when I drop a stitch.

CYPRA Interchangeable Needle Set 3.5 Inch Size – I started off knitting with larger tipped needles and I found that I knit faster and easier with shorter ones. I picked these up and I feel in love with them for a few reasons. The first being they are made of metal, I am a tight knitter so with this material I had a lot less drag on my work. The second being I was able to maneuver the needles a lot easier because they were smaller and I was not fighting them as much for smaller circumference knitting.

Tape Measure, I know this one is not glamorous and honestly any one will do. I never used a measuring tape more than when I am crocheting or knitting. I have them all over the house so I always have one on hand. If I had to pick one I really love and has held up really well it would be Clover Shiro Spring Tape, plus you can easily find it at a big box store if need be.

Daily Life

Tea/Coffee Handwarmer Ceramic Mug – You can get these amazing mugs left or right handed, but these mugs are amazing. I ended up having a bit of a collection of them. I love these because they are on the larger size, more coffee for me, but also because they keep my hands nice and toasty during a chilly morning or day. Plus, they are dishwasher and microwave safe.

My Bullet Journal, I am not really going to link something specific for this one, but I use it for EVERYTHING. I love that I can make it anything I want or need and is relaxable, especially in comparison to commercial planners. Which, please don;’t get me wrong those are amazing too if you find a layout that works for you. If you want to take a look at my bullet journal you can look at my category called, Bullet Journal Jottings, Writing & More. It is just really nice that you can take a notebook from the dollar store or a nicer one and turn it into something all your own.

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Monthly Digest & Wrap Up · Reviews

My Most Recent Read

Hello and welcome to a little recap of books I have recently read and my quick thoughts on them. I have been inconsistent on my little slice of the internet and I wanted to get to a point I could do my monthly digest posts once again. The last one I wrote was Monthly Digest April 2022, so I have a few months to cover before getting in to July’s later this month.

I will admit my reading was very inconsistent as well, most likely the main reason I was not posting a ton. I wasn’t in a reading mood because I had so much going on, which left me with very little relaxation time. So, without much more rambling, here is the single book I managed to read between May and June.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

I actually buddy read this in a way with Reg and Jenna. We each took a turn reading the book, annotating it, and then sending it to the next reader. This very cute love story was just the perfect amount of cute and twists I needed and didn’t know it yet. It was really great to read on its own, I loved the story. It was imaginative, much more so than I thought going into it. The writing was inviting, I ended up actually reading this in a day or two. If that alone isn’t saying how much I enjoyed it, I don’t know what else will. I told you my reading was pretty much nonexistent, but since reading this book I have read a few more, I give this book credit for kick starting me reading. I really enjoyed the characters as well, in fact I enjoyed them so much I mentioned them and this book in my recent post. The Mid-Year Freakout Book Tag. I know I am not saying too much about the plot, but I really think I liked it so much because I knew so little about the books itself. I really only knew it was about a girl who takes the train, other than that I really knew nothing. But, like I said this book was enjoyable on its own, it was really great fun reading my friends reactions and their thoughts on everything.

I am happy to report my next wrap of reading will have much more to share. I have been bitten by the reading bug and I am really thrilled. I hope it continues in the coming months so I can share more great books with you.

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Let's Talk · Tags

The Mid-Year Freakout Book Tag

Hello and welcome to my Mid-Year Freakout! It is hard to believe that we are already half way, or a little more than half way through 2022 already. I feel like time is flying all of a sudden, not sure about you? Anyway, let’s get into the questions and books!

Best Book You Have Read So Far

The Facemaker by Lindsey Fitzharris: This fascinating nonfiction read jumps into the early medical field surrounding reconstructive surgery, with a main focus of world war 1. It was written in a way where it was highly informative, but reading this felt like you were listening to a friend talk about their favorite topic and it makes you really excited about it as well.

The Facemaker by Lindsey Fitzharris

Best Sequel You Have Read This Year

I have not read a single sequel this year, I am so bad with series these days. I just tend to avoid them anymore.

A New Release That You Wanna Read, But Have Not Yet

The It Girl by Ruth Ware: Ruth Ware is one of my auto buy authors so I have this already on my digital shelf, I just have not been up to reading. As soon as the reading bug bites me I am diving into this book. Ware has a way of writing thrillers that always leaves you surprised and with each release her writing gets better and better.

Most Anticipated Release For The Second Half of the Year

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Taylor Jenkins Reid is another auto buy author for me. I have read nearly all of their backlog and have really enjoyed them. To be honesty, I always hate the description of their books. They never sound interesting to me, but somehow this author takes something I normally would be meh about and makes me love it.

The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings: When an authors writing is compared to one of my favorite authors I always need to take a closer look at the book. When I read the description on Megan Giddings book I knew I needed to read it. It said the word witches and I was in, on top of that the main characters story and the utopian world the author has placed them in is very scary, but also intriguing.

Biggest Disappointment So Far

Gwendy’s Final Task by by Stephen King  and Richard Chizmar: Now you might be saying this is a sequel you said you didn’t read any this year. I didn’t, I couldn’t finish this book. Now, I LOVED the first two books in this series and I will say I really loved the writing on this third one as well. Even with this talent of both authors I had to DNF one of my most anticipated reads of 2022. The reason being, I kept getting pulled out of the story so often it felt like every 5 pages or so. This book is so much in our time and our world that I could not suspend belief enough to get back into the story of our main character. I kept getting side tracked and going off on mental tangents about the state of the world. These writers are really talented, but I feel like this is a book I need to read a few years from now to really get what I want out of it if that makes sense.

Biggest Surprise So Far

The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories by Mariana Enríquez: The reason this is such a surprise for me is because I only picked this up because it was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize last year. Every year I make it a goal to read all of the books on the shortlist to find new authors around the world. There are misses for sure, but every once in a while I find a new author I just love. This is the case with Mariana Enríquez, even before finishing this book I ordered another one by them. Their writing is magical and their stories are so unique, dark at times and captivating.

Favorite New Author (Debut or New to You)

Well, to be honest with you, Mariana Enríquez. The author of the book mentioned above, I really hope more of their works are translated into English because I just want to read more of their works than the two I already had my hands on.

Newest Fictional Crush

Honestly, I have not found a new fictional crush of 2022, but I shall keep searching!

Newest Favorite Character

August from One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston: August is a really interesting character, really pulled away from the world looking for their place. It was really fun to see their journey and how caring they truly are once they start making connection with others.

A Book That Made You Cry

No book has managed to make me cry yet, but to be fair books in general don’t make me cry very often.

Book That Made You Happy

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston: I really loved this book so much, mainly for the fact of the found family and the growth of the main character. I smiled so much while reading this book and even did a few happy squeaks.

Most Beautiful Book You Have Bough or Received This Year

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami: Can we just take a moment to look at how colorful and magical this books looks. It is so simple, but for me it really invokes a feeling of this book is going to magical. Bonus points, I just read this two days ago and I loved it so much. I love when a beautiful cover holds a really great story.

What Books Do You Have to Read Before the Year Ends

My owned TBR is currently only 16 books so to be honest I really want to read those 16 books. If you want to see which ones are on this list please feel free to visit by goodreads shelf: Owned TBR.

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Monthly Digest & Wrap Up · Reading Challenges

Impromptu Personal 24 Hour Readathon Wrap-Up

Hello and here is a bit of a Journal of sorts for the 24 hour readathon I decided to do this week! I am actually thrilled with how this went, I read a ton more than I thought I would. In the past few months I have not really been reading, not quite sure why, but that is how my reading has been going. But, this week I feel like something is actually changing and I am hoping my reading mood has actually returned.

Holding knitting project and an open book.

10:00 PM: Started reading The Employees by Olga Ravn

11:12 PM: Competed The Employees by Olga Ravn, 136 pages ,4 stars!

11:14 PM: Started reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

11:57 PM: Read a total of 68 pages of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

Time for some sleep!

9:16 AM: Continued reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

12:32 PM: Stopped on page 262 of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, 194 pages read.

Lunch Break and Responsibilities

4:38 PM: Continued reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

5:21 PM: Stopped on page 326, of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, 64 pages read.

Dinner Break

6:13 PM: Continued reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

9:46 PM: Finished The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, 281 pages, 4 stars!

Stats

Total Number of Books Started: 2

Total Number of Books Completed: 2

Total Number of Pages Read: 743 pages

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Reading Challenges · To Be Read

Impromptu Personal 24 hour Readathon TBR

Hello and welcome to a very spontaneous post from me. I finally have some free time this week and I decided that I want to tackle some reading with my free time to get back on track with my reading goals for this year. Hence, a 24 hour readathon where I dedicate my spare time to reading!

My plan is to start at 10:00 PM tonight and go until 10:00 PM tomorrow. Let’s see what happens!

Stack of TBR books

I don’t plan on reading all of the books here on my TBR, but I really wanted to give myself some options.

  • You Should Have Left by Daniel Kehlmann
  • The Employees by Olga Ravn
  • All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami
  • The Baby is Mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite
  • The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

I am planning to write a little journal post to share at the end of this little readathon, I can’t wait to see how I end up doing and seeing how much I actually read.

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Current Reads and WIPs

Current WIPs and Reads | May 2022

Hello and welcome to a midmonth check-in! I just wanted to take a moment to share what I am currently reading and what I am currently working on craft wise as well. This month has already flown by, I have already finished a few books and projects that you will see in my Monthly Digest post for the month, but I am still reading and working away on other projects and books currently.

My Current Reads

Berserk Deluxe Edition Volume 1 by Kentaro Miura, Jason DeAngelis (Translator), I just started reading this so I am not too far into it , but the illustration style is great! It can be graphic though, so be warned! There is a lot going on so you just keep wanting to turn the pages and get sucked in for sure.

Other than this, I am planning on picking up The Baby is Mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite, who wrote My Sister, the Serial Killer, which I LOVED! So I am really looking forward to reading this because her thriller style is unique. Even if you know what you are picking up, she still manages to surprise you. For me, this is a HUGE plus. Even thrillers that don’t give away huge plot points I feel like I can easily predict since I read so many of them. Braithwaite on the other hand can tell you a ton about what is going to happen, but still takes me on a ride!

My Current WIPs

Body Language Cardigan by Knits N Knots, I am finally working on anther crochet project! I have not done crochet for a while, but I have missed it. I decided on this pattern because it looks nice and cozy, but also lets me practice some seaming since it is made in pieces. I am hoping to finish it before it gets too hot and I wont want to touch it and it will be ready for next fall. I am currently working on the back panel and the largest for this sweater. I feel like once I finish this panel the rest will fly!

Crochet project, showing the start of the back panel

My on the go project has been my Rainbow Vanilla Socks, no pattern followed for this. I am just knitting based off memory of knitting other socks. I am at the heel on both of the socks currently, I like to work both socks and keep them at the same sections so I finish them close together instead of getting with burn out when I have one totally complete sock an one not even started.

Rainbow knitted socks, in progress.

What are you currently reading or working on?

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Let's Talk · Reading Challenges

First Goal Check in for 2022!

Hello and welcome to my first check in with my 2022 goals! I was planning on doing this check in a bit earlier, but time got away from me. I must also admit I have not looked at any of these goals since writing this post back in December, so this should be interesting!

Reading Goals

Read 6 non-fiction books, I have read a total of 4 non-fiction books! I am well on my way to achieve this goal

Read the International Booker Prize Shortlist, I have read 2 of the 6, so I feel like I am doing well with this goal as well.

Get owned TBR under 15 books, I am currently at about 20 books, so I am getting close!

Life Goals

See a new place, I ended up visiting about 4 new yarn shops this year. Not quite what I had in mind for this goal, but technically I did do it.

Teach myself something new, this year I have learned how to do color work, cables, and bobbles! I also took a class relating to researching genealogy and learned a lot in regards to that as well!

Maker Goals

Knit a sweater, achieved! I ended up knitting a Ranunculus which you can see a picture of in my post entitled, Monthly Digest | April 2022. I am really happy with how it came out!

Knit 6 pairs of socks, so far I have created 2 pairs of socks. I am in the middle of my third so I feel like I am making good time with this goal.

Crochet a sweater, I have yet to do this one, but I have plans to crochet one in May 2022. I am crossing my fingers that I actually get the time to do this.

Create 10 things with my hands, as of writing this I have created 6 items. These include; shawls, socks, cowls, and a sweater.

Goal Count

Completed: 3

Not Completed: 6

I have successfully achieved 3 of my 9 goals for this year. This is actually great in my eyes due to the fact we are 1/3 of the way through the year and I completed 1/3 of my goals. As for the goals I have not achieved I seemed to be making good progress to where I don’t feel like I am behind on any of them just yet.

I really hope your 2022 is going well and you are working towards all of your goals!

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