Chelle Reads in 2021: Thread #2

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For those that don't know me I am Chelle from Ontario, Canada. Late 30's, wife, mother of two busy girls and a police dispatcher. Hubby is an officer and between our two shift work schedules we share in all duties of house and children. I read at work when it is slow and after our daughters are in bed or playing quietly.
My reading ebbs and flows pretty badly at times. Some years I have read as low as 36 books and in 2020 I hit 150 for the first time. I tend to read heavily in the first half of the year and Autumn usually brings a pretty big reading funk.

Books read in 2020: 155

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Currently Reading:


Print 📗:


Audio 🎧:


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✨Finished Reading✨

February
19) Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
20) A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn
🎧21) The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
22) Sunshine by Robin McKinley
23) A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong
24) Horrorstor by Gracy hendrix
🎧25) Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
26) A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn
27) Girl A by Abigail Dean
28) Ravensong by TJ Klune
29) The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
30) Humans: A Brief History of How We F*cked It All Up by Tom Phillips

March
31) A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn
32) Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
🎧33) Ashfall Legacy by Pitticus Lore
34) Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
35) The Darkness by Ragnar Jónasson
36) Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood
37) Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
38) A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn

March
39) Heartsong by TJ Klune

Finished in 2021
January
1) Elsewhere by Dean Koontz
2) Who Is Vera Kelly by Rosalie Knecht
3) Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
4) Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
5) Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay
6) The Secret Place by Tana French
7) The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly
8) Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince by Nancy Atherton
🎧9) The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
10) The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
11) The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
12) The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths
13) Wolfsong by TJ Klune
14) The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
🎧15) Girl in Landscape by Jonathan Lethem
16) The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
17) Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield
18) The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith


Book Bullets that I've been hit with in 2021!
Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart (Berly)
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield (Calm)
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (Katie)
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala (Book riot - May 2021)
Lore by Alexandra Bracken (Book riot)
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston (Book Riot - June 2021)
Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi (Book Riot)
Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls (Karen & Richard, via Katie's thread)
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (Insta: @meesh_made)
One Blood Ruby by Melissa Marr (Insta: @bookishdreamer61)
See Her Die by Melinda Leigh (Book Riot)
Siracusa by Delia Ephron (Katie)
The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewel (Katie)
The Thursday Murder Club (John)
Lady Julia Gray series - Micky
Citizen Vince by Jess Walter (Elizabeth (Raidergirl))
Binit by Nnedi Okoraforor (Joe)
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter (Mark)

Audio Books Read in 2021: (Goal is 2 per month=24 )
🎧1) The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
🎧2) Girl in Landscape by Jonathan Lethem
🎧3) The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
🎧4) Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
🎧5) Ashfall Legacy by Pitticus Lore

2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge



1) A book that's published in 2021 - The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
2) An Afrofuturist book
3) A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover - The No.1 Ladies Decetive Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (spade)
4) A book by an author who shares your zodiac sign - The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (Taurus)
5) A dark academia book
6) A book with a gem, mineral, or rock in the title - Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
7) A book where the main character works at your current or dream job
8) A book that has won the Women's Prize For Fiction - Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie (2018)
9) A book with a family tree
10) A bestseller from the 1990s
11) A book about forgetting
12) A book you have seen on someone's bookshelf (in real life, on a Zoom call, in a TV show, etc.) - Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix (instagram abookishbutterfly)
13) A locked-room mystery - The Secret Place by Tana French
14) A book set in a restaurant - Sunshine by Robin McKinley
15) A book with a black-and-white cover
16) A book by an Indigenous author
17) A book that has the same title as a song - Ravensong by TJ Klune
18) A book about a subject you are passionate about
19) A book that discusses body positivity
20) A book found on a Black Lives Matter reading list
21) A genre hybrid - Wolfsong by TJ Klune (paranormal romance)
22) A book set mostly or entirely outdoors - The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
23) A book with something broken on the cover - Heartsong by TJ Klune
24) A book by a Muslim American author
25) A book that was published anonymously - Ashfall Legacy by Pitticus Lore (pseudonym)
26) A book with an oxymoron in the title - Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
27) A book about do-overs or fresh starts - Girl in Landscape by Jonathan Lethem
28) A magical realism book - Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield
29) A book set in multiple countries - Who Is Vera Kelly by Rosalie Knecht(American & Argentina)
30) A book set somewhere you'd like to visit in 2021
31) A book by a blogger, vlogger, YouTube video creator, or other online personality
32) A book whose title starts with "Q," "X," or "Z"
33) A book featuring three generations (grandparent, parent, child) - The Darkness by Ragnar Jonasson
34) A book about a social justice issue
35) A book in a different format than what you normally read - The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths (ebook ARC)
36) A book that has fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon or Goodreads - Elsewhere by Dean Koontz
37) A book you think your best friend would like - The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
38) A book about art or an artist
39) A book everyone seems to have read but you
40) Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

Advanced
41) The longest book (by pages) on your TBR list
42) The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list
43) The book on your TBR list with the prettiest cover
44) The book on your TBR list with the ugliest cover
45) The book that's been on your TBR list for the longest amount of time
46) A book from your TBR list you meant to read last year but didn't
47) A book from your TBR list you associate with a favorite person, place, or thing
48) A book from your TBR list chosen at random - Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood
49) A DNF book from your TBR list - Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
50) A free book from your TBR list (gifted, borrowed, library)

*Finished in January*
29) A book set in multiple countries - Who Is Vera Kelly by Rosalie Knecht(American & Argentina)
36) A book that has fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon or Goodreads - Elsewhere by Dean Koontz
49) A DNF book from your TBR list - Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
13) A locked-room mystery - The Secret Place by Tana French
4) A book by an author who shares your zodiac sign - The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (Taurus)
35) A book in a different format than what you normally read - The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths (ebook ARC)
21) A genre hybrid - Wolfsong by TJ Klune (paranormal romance)
22) A book set mostly or entirely outdoors - The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
27) A book about do-overs or fresh starts - Girl in Landscape by Jonathan Lethem
28) A magical realism book- Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield
3) A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover - The No.1 Ladies Decetive Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

*Finished in February*
1) A book that's published in 2021 - The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
14) A book set in a restaurant - Sunshine by Robin McKinley
12) A book you have seen on someone's bookshelf (in real life, on a Zoom call, in a TV show, etc.) - Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix (instagram abookishbutterfly)
17) A book that has the same title as a song - Ravensong by TJ Klune
37) A book you think your best friend would like - The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

*Finished in March*
26) A book with an oxymoron in the title - Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
25) A book that was published anonymously - Ashfall Legacy by Pitticus Lore
8) A book that has won the Women's Prize For Fiction- Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie (2018)
33) A book featuring three generations (grandparent, parent, child) - The Darkness by Ragnar Jonasson
48) A book from your TBR list chosen at random - Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood
6) A book with a gem, mineral, or rock in the title - Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel

*Finished in April*
23) A book with something broken on the cover - Heartsong by TJ Klune

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ideas for prompts

2) An Afrofuturist book
My Soul to Keep by Tanarive Due
Dawn by Octavia E Butler

5) A dark academia book
If We Were Villans by ML Rio
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Viscious by VE Schwab
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

7) A book where the main character works at your current or dream job
(Librarian) The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai

9) A book with a family tree

Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree by Nancy Atherton
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell
The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel

10) A bestseller from the 1990s
Paradise by Toni Morrison
reread of Scarpetta or Bosch first book

11) A book about forgetting
Recursion by Blake Crouch
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Restart by Gordon Korman

15) A book with a black-and-white cover
Miss Peregrine series

16) A book by an Indigenous author
Louise Erdich?

18) A book about a subject you are passionate about

19) A book that discusses body positivity

20) A book found on a Black Lives Matter reading list
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

23) A book with something broken on the cover
Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
The Big Over Easy (Nursery Crime #1) by Jasper Fforde
The Invention of Sound by Chuck Palahniuk
Restart by Gordon Korman

24) A book by a Muslim American author

30) A book set somewhere you'd like to visit in 2021
Nowhere Is a Place by Bernice L. McFadden

31) A book by a blogger, vlogger, YouTube video creator, or other online personality
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

32) A book whose title starts with "Q," "X," or "Z"
Zone One by Colson Whitehead
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
The Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice
The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin
X-It by Jane George

34) A book about a social justice issue
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

38) A book about art or an artist
Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood (own)
Still Life reread

39) A book everyone seems to have read but you
All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries, #1) by Martha Wells
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1) by Leigh Bardugo

40) Your favourite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

Advanced
41) The longest book (by pages) on your TBR list
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice (1056)

42) The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

43) The book on your TBR list with the prettiest cover

44) The book on your TBR list with the ugliest cover

45) The book that's been on your TBR list for the longest amount of time
No Time for Goodbye by Harlen Coben

46) A book from your TBR list you meant to read last year but didn't
Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass
Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

47) A book from your TBR list you associate with a favorite person, place, or thing
My Famous Evening: Nova Scotia Sojourns, Diaries, and Preoccupations (Living in NS, gifted by CEE)

50) A free book from your TBR list (gifted, borrowed, library)

The 52 Book Club 2021 Challenge



✔️Jan 4-10 ~ 1. Set in a school ~ The Secret Place by Tana French
✔️Jan 11-17 ~2. Featuring the legal profession ~ The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly
✔️Jan 18-24 ~3. A dual timeline ~ The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
✔️Jan 25-31 ~4. An author that is deceased ~ The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
✔️Feb 1-7 ~5. Published by Penguin ~ A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourne
✔️Feb 8-14 ~6. A character with the same name as a male family member ~ A Stanger in Town by Kelley Armstrong
✔️Feb 15-21 ~7. An author with only 1 published book ~ Girl A by Abigail Dean
✔️Feb 22-28 ~ 8. A book in the 900’s of the Dewey Decimal System ~ Humans: A Brief History of how we F*cked it all up by Tom Phillips
✔️Mar 1-7 ~ 9. Set in a Mediterranean country ~ Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
✔️Mar 8-14 ~ 10. Related to the word “fire” ~ Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
✔️Mar 15-21 ~ 11. Book with discussion questions inside ~ Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood
✔️Mar 22-28 ~ 12. Title starting with the letter “D” ~ Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
✔️Mar 29-Apr 4 ~ 13. Includes an exotic animal ~ Heartsong by TJ Klune (werewolf)


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April 5-11 14. Written by an author over 65 (when published)

Apr 12-18 15. A book mentioned in another book

Apr 19-25 16. Set before the 17th Century

Apr 26-May2 17. A character “on the run”

May 3-9 18. Author with a 9-letter last name

May 10-16 19. Book with a deckled edge

May 17-23 20. Made into a TV series

May 24-30 21. Book by Kristin Hannah

May 31-June 6 22. A family saga

June 7-13 23. An ending that surprises you

June 14-20 24. A book you think they should read in schools

June 21-27 25. A book with multiple character POV

June 28-July 4 26. An author of color

July 5-11 27. First chapter ends on an odd page number

July 12-18 28. Includes an historical event you know little about

July 19-25 29. Featuring the environment

July 26-Aug 1 30. Watch out for dragons!

Aug 2-8 31. Book that shares a similar title to another book

Aug 9-15 32. A character who is selfish

Aug 16-22 33. Featuring adoption

Aug 23-29 34. A book you’d rate 5 stars

Aug 30-Sept5 35. Set in a country that starts with the letter “S”

Sept 6-12 36. A nameless narrator

Sept 13-19 37. An educational read

Sept 20-26 38. Recommended on BookBub

Sept 27-Oct 3 39. An alternate history novel

Oct 4-10 40. Found via #bookstagram

Oct 11-17 41. An endorsement by a famous author on the cover

Oct 18-24 42. An epistolary

Oct 25-31 43. A character with a pet cat

Nov 1-7 44. Includes a garden

Nov 8-14 45. A coming of age novel

Nov 15-21 46. Winner of the National Book Award – any year

Nov 22-28 47. A character with a disability

Nov 29-Dec5 48. A cover with a woman who is facing away

Dec 6-12 49. A book with a flavour in the title

Dec 13-19 50. A book with a shoe on the cover

Dec 20-26 51. Published in 2021

Dec 27-31 52. Re-do one of the previous 51 categories from this 2021 challenge

Hi Chelle my dear, happy new thread dear friend.

Happy new one, Chelle!

Happy new thread, Chelle!

Happy newness, Chelle! Chloe is looking so mature in the topper photo, and I am thrilled that you brought Ellie and lipstick over.

Happy new one, Chelle.
Great topper photos.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Chelle! Wow, your girls are getting so big. I'm sure they make their mom and dad proud!

Happy new thread, Chelle. Love those toppers.

Happy new thread, Chelle. Wow! You have a lot of challenges going.

Goodness what a challenging reader you are! Heh.

...I'll see myself out....

You are really zipping along with our reading! Congratulations on reading so many books in January!

Happy new thread!

>1 ChelleBearss: Such cuties! Children are wonderful except when they're not. But even then, they're usually adorable.

Morning, folks!
Today is a lay around and do nothing day. I have somehow pulled a muscle in my arm and it hurts to move it. Ellie and I will be vegging out on the couch again. Yesterday I had a massive headache which is lightly lingering today and I'm wondering if the head and neck pain is connected in some way. Ugh. Either way if you need me you can find me under a blanket cuddling with Ellie. And maybe reading. Or sucked into a Tiktok hole.

>6 johnsimpson: >7 katiekrug: >8 FAMeulstee: Thanks, John, Katie, Anita!!

>9 Crazymamie: Yes, Chloe has hit matured way too much lately! She has turned a bit stinky which makes me think she is hitting puberty way too early!! eeeeeeek
Ellie and her lipstick are way to cute to leave on the last thread :)

>10 PaulCranswick: >11 drneutron: Thanks, Paul & Jim!

>12 Carmenere: They do make us proud, they also make us tired and a little insane :)

>13 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley!

>14 BLBera: Yes, apparently this is the year I challenge myself to death. I may have gone a bit overboard but I won't be too sad if I end up not being able to maintain both.

>15 richardderus: Ha! You can see yourself out, Sir, but come back soon

>16 Whisper1: Thanks! Winter is usually our slow time at work so I tend to read a lot in the first 3-4 months of the year and then slow down as we progress into summer.

>17 thornton37814: Thanks!

>18 justchris: You summed that up perfectly! Ellie woke me up at 5am crying but then went back to sleep until I woke her after 8am. But she woke so happy with such big smiles that I can't even be upset for the lack of sleep

Happy new one!

I also tend to read more in the winter months.

Morning, Chelle! I'm sorry you have a hurt arm and a lingering headache - I hope they're both better soon!

>23 figsfromthistle: It just feels nice to be cozy in the winter and curl up with a blankie and a book :)

>24 scaifea: Thanks! I was hoping it would be gone today, but nope. And I have a lot to get done today before going back to work tomorrow so I'm a tad cranky about it

52 Book Club 2021 Challenge:5. Published by Penguin
20) A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

This was the perfect book to curl up with in my white cloud-like comforter and try and forget that it’s winter outside! This is the first novel in the Veronica Speedwell mysteries and I’ve already placed a library hold for the next two!

>26 ChelleBearss: I'm keeping up nicely with the challenge too, Chelle and have 5/52 also to date.

Have a lovely weekend.

>27 PaulCranswick: I am going to struggle with next weeks. I can not think of a book with a family member's name in it. I'll have to look through my TBR and see if I can find one

>26 ChelleBearss: Yay! I really love this series also so I'm happy to see it finding another fan.

Happy Sunday, Chelle! Happy Belated New Thread! Your lovely daughters always put a smile on my face. Stay warm up there, my friend.

2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:1) A book that's published in 2021
21) The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

When I saw this on Netgalley with the description stating Named Most Anticipated of 2021 by Newsweek, Good Housekeeping, Hello! magazine, Oprah.com, Bustle, Popsugar, Betches, Sweet July, and GoodReads! I felt I should give it a shot. I love a good historical fiction and this had just a touch of magic to it. I loved the characters and the multiple narrators really helped make the audio that much more wonderful to listen to. I had a really hard time believing that this was a debut novel! Recommended to anyone who enjoys mystery, historical fiction, or a strong female character.

(Thanks to NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.)

Hi Chelle, and happy new thread.

2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:14) A book set in a restaurant
22) Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Overall I really loved this book and the main character, Sunshine, however I found McKinley to be long winded in the internal dialogue department at times, and I kept losing focus on what I was reading. The story line itself was wonderful and anyone who enjoyed Anne Rice's vampire novels would probably love this!

Happy Thursday, folks!
I'm off for today and tomorrow and then for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to take an overtime shift on Saturday. What was I thinking?!

>27 PaulCranswick: That's great! Do you have books figured out in advance for the coming weeks? I need to figure out the next three weeks and put holds on books.

>29 MickyFine: Does it continue to be great as it goes on? I have the second book on hold at the library

>30 msf59: Glad they can make you smile! It's actually quite chilly here this week between -10c and -15c some days. Gross!

>32 karenmarie: Thanks!!

Hi Chelle! Enjoy your days off.

>34 ChelleBearss: I've enjoyed all of the books in the series that I've read so far (although I'm a book or two behind at this point). I'd also recommend Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series, which begins with Silent in the Grave.

>33 ChelleBearss:
That sounds a bit like The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

>35 katiekrug: Thanks! Last one today and then overtime tomorrow. I think we will have pizza tonight

>36 MickyFine: Is that series mysteries as well? I'll have to add them to my growing list! I need to pop over to the library today to pick up my holds as the next two in the Veronica Speedwell series is waiting for me.

>37 Deedledee: I've only read one book by Holly Black and if felt a little too young for me. Is The Coldest Girl in Coldtown middle grade or more young adult?

Hiya Chelle!! *smooch*

>38 ChelleBearss: It's a mystery series with a healthy romance subplot (more in the later books). I'm always sad that Raybourn switched publishers and, due to how contracts work, isn't able to write more Lady Julia Grey books.

And I'll just pipe up and say The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is definitely YA.

>39 richardderus: Smoochers right back atcha!

>40 MickyFine: Ok, once I've gobbled up the Veronica books I'll have to check that series out!

I don't mind a good YA, but they need to not feel like they were made for kids. If that makes sense.

Happy Friday, Chelle. I have only read one by Holly Black- The Darkest Part of the Forest which I remember enjoying. She seems prolific.

>38 ChelleBearss:
She writes for middle grades and teens but Coldest is definitely YA.

>42 msf59: That's the only one I've read as well, and it felt very young to me.

>43 Deedledee: perhaps I'll give that one a shot. I don't love YA if it feels very young, but I'm usually willing to try :)

>33 ChelleBearss: I like this story too. And agree on way too much internal blathering.

As you noted I have done my sixth 52 Book Club Challenge. Interested to see which one you pick!

>33 ChelleBearss: Ah, glad you loved this one! It was a DNF for me as I couldn't get into it because of the extensive internal tangents. Odd since I've enjoyed McKinley's other works. It's nice to hear that the storyline, in the end, was satisfying!

52 Book Club 2021 Challenge:6. A character with the same name as a male family member (BIL - Will)
23) A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong has been one of my favourite authors for many years. I’ve read almost all of her books and totally recommended the Rockton series to anyone who enjoys a good mystery (also her paranormal books in the Otherworld series are 💣

>45 justchris: I don't do well with blathering. Thankfully the overall story was interesting enough to get me over the blathering spots.

>46 PaulCranswick: I ended up picking up one of my newest purchases as I wanted to read it soon anyway and thankfully my brother in law's name was in it!
Do you have this week's book picked out already? I am thinking about either Shuggie Bain or Girl A.

>47 dk_phoenix: I haven't read any of his other stuff. Does he blather this much in other books? I will have to check out some of his as I did enjoy the story overall

2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:12) A book you have seen on someone's bookshelf (in real life, on a Zoom call, in a TV show, etc.) (instagram abookishbutterfly)
24) Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

Well. This was different. It started a bit light and comedic and got weird and scary pretty fast. I don't know if this is horror or paranormal, or both, but it was freaky and entertaining and I'm glad I was reading it during daylight!

Morning, Chelle! Catching up with you I see that you liked the first Veronica Speedwell book - I have that in the stacks but haven't gotten to it yet. Like Micky, I am a fan of her Lady Julia Gray series, and she described them perfectly. They are great fun, and I didn't realize that she couldn't write any more of them. *sadness*

>33 ChelleBearss: I also really enjoyed this one when I read it a few years ago - it is a favorite of Roni's.

>51 Crazymamie: I did enjoy it and in fact I'm reading book two right now. I'm about halfway through and it sucked me right in!

25) Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

This was great to listen to! Kickass female lead with a yummy male second and some serious adventure! I will for sure be picking up book two next time I need a good audio fix!

26) A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn

I was not sure what to expect with this second instalment as I had seen some less than positive reviews but I found I really loved it, clearly a lot more than some people. Veronica is still sassy and I love the way her and Stoker interact with each other. I have the third book ready to go!

52 Book Club 2021 Challenge:7. An author with only 1 published book
27) Girl A by Abigail Dean

This blindsided me. Dean had me all focused on one thing and then BAM! Pretty decent for a debut novel!

Happy Saturday, folks!
Today is a lazy day with a little bit of cleaning thrown in. I have a week's worth of laundry to put away over the weekend and more to wash. Laundry kind of got away from me this week. Also I am in a house organization stage and trying to slowly organize each room. Today I am working on our freezers. They are too full and we have a chest freezer that has become a deep hell hole of frozen food. I need to take inventory and see if I can find a way to organize it some how. I tried bins recently but it's too full to get bins in it. I have banned myself from buying any frozen foods on grocery day until the freezers are at least half empty!

This morning is lazy, though! I'm spending some time with coffee and LT and the kids are watching Garfield in their PJs.

Everyone looks so cozy!

I hear you about the freezers. At the start of the lockdown, The Wayne went a little crazy ordering from restaurant suppliers. I keep threatening to do a freezer inventory and clean out, hoping he'll take it on. So far, no luck :-P

>57 katiekrug: Lockdown is what got me too! I get free grocery with our PC Points and I wiped out my account and bought a TON of frozen and pantry foods. We've mostly gone through the pantry stuff because, well, it's been a year, but we haven't eaten as much of the frozen food as I would have thought. I think I counted 6 bags of frozen raspberries down there. I'm afraid of the freezer and need to work up my nerve to go down there lol

Hi Chelle! Enjoy your Saturday. Putting up clean laundry is the bane of my existence, so I can relate to your week’s worth of laundry to put away.

>56 ChelleBearss: Sweet pic of the girls and the fur kids.

>58 ChelleBearss: I need to inventory/clean out/reorganize the freezer in the kitchen (half of the side-by-side refrigerator that I truly hate) and the full-size freezer in the garage. Sigh.

Love the pictures of you all looking warm and at the same time, chilled.

>58 ChelleBearss: Time for some raspberry smoothies? (I like them in overnight oats too). I read an article about potential tinned tomato shortages, so added them to the shopping list every week. Now we have more than we have space for, so think there will be a lot of Italian food in my future!

I'm way behind on your thread, adding >31 ChelleBearss: to the wishlist, sounds good.

>55 ChelleBearss: Were you a bit underwhelmed by that one?

Good to see we are staying neck and neck with the challenge.

>56 ChelleBearss: The girls are cute and look pretty snug.

>56 ChelleBearss: Hooray for a lazy Saturday! Love the photos of the girls & furry friends. Enjoy the weekend, Chelle.

Good luck with the freezer organizing. Mr. Fine did an inventory of our small chest freezer in the basement, which was pretty helpful for meal planning. Of course I'm not sure it's been updated since we went grocery shopping and added more things to it.

2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:17) A book that has the same title as a song
28) Ravensong by TJ Klune

Well, this has quickly become a favourite series. I'm always a sucker for a good paranormal book and werewolves happen to be my faves. I have already purchased the next two books and may bump them closer to the top of the TBR!

Morning, folks. I'm at work today for my last dayshift of this block. I agreed to start early today which meant a 4am wakeup for a 6am start. Needless to say I am a bit tired and already on my second cup of tea. Hoping the day flies by, but the last hour has felt like three so probably not.

>59 karenmarie: I have a bad habit of washing and drying the clothes but then letting them sit in baskets. We are trying to make more of an effort in actually putting the clothes away right after washing them. It's not going well, honestly.

>60 charl08: We did that last March and had a pantry stocked full of tomatoes and various bean varieties. Thankfully we have used them up over the year, but for some reason didn't use much of the frozen fruits and veg.

>61 PaulCranswick: Actually I found I quite enjoyed it. I wasn't sure what to expect as I had found it via Instragram but I ended up being very glad that I read it.

I'm struggling with this week's challenge as I don't enjoy non fiction very much. I am working on Humans: A Brief History of How We F*cked It All Up and while it's interesting, it's just not keeping my attention right now. I'm going to switch to the Midnight Library for this morning and try to go back to the NF this afternoon.

>62 msf59: Thanks, Mark! Hope you had a great weekend and week so far

>63 MickyFine: Thanks! We don't have as much meat as I though, but we have WAY too much fruit and veggies down there. I think I might stop buying fresh broccoli for a while to use up some of what's in the freezer.

Hopefully the day picks up although not in a death and mayhem way. More like woman calling 911 because of a seal on the sidewalk way (see news article from PEI on my thread).

As for your 900s challenge for this week, most biographies should end up there - time for a fluffy, and short, celeb memoir on audio maybe? As a non-fiction specialist, I can point you at some good ones. ;)

>67 MickyFine: oh my that seal article was cute eh! Nothing fun like that at work lately, unfortunately.

I am going to try alternating between my NF and F and see if that helps. When I get bored of the NF I'll switch out. I have to finish by Sunday for the challenge so I think it's too late to switch now :(

Morning, folks!
Welp, I am home sick for a month :( My IBS symptoms have reared their ugly head again, despite being on a super restricted diet. My doc has me scheduled in for a whole barrage of tests this afternoon and hoping the referal to the gastroenterologist comes in soon!
My goal for the month is super healthy meals with my restrictions, start adding in more light exercise and more LT and reading time to try and destress (apparently stress is a large factor in IBS sufferers, which makes sense since my job is not low stress some days)

I'm also hoping on winning the lottery tonight so I can just stay home and read. I'd appreciate if you could all cross your fingers for me :)

In happy smiley news it was PJ day at Chloe's school so here is their picture. Next week is Dr Suess week and we have a theme day every day, but mostly colour related so low pressure.

I'm sorry about the IBS flare-up, Chelle. How awful. I will keep my fingers crossed for your lottery win :)

Oh dang. Sorry to hear about the IBS flare up, Chelle. Hope the altered diet provides some relief.

PJ days was always one of my favourites and even when I got older, I'd cheat and turn Halloween into a PJ day. ;) My oldest niece (who is in kindergarten) has a reading challenge at school in March and there's a lot of dress up days tied in, including a Dr. Seuss one on the day they're supposed to read one of his books. My SiL sent me a picture of the calendar and it looks like a lot of fun.

Good luck on the lottery! Sorry about the IBS.

Oh dang, Chelle. I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I hope the referral comes through soon and that the lifestyle changes help!

Morning, Chelle. I am so sorry to hear about your health issues. Good luck with it all, my friend. Love the photo of the girls.

Morning, folks!
I slept in until a whopping 8am today. WTF! With no one home I had planned to sleep all damn day. Whelp - getting old sucks.
In other news, I did not win the lottery. I did win $40 on a casino game however, so that's just as good I guess lol

I'm spending my alone day in my jammies, alternating between reading, tidying and researching foods/meals.

>70 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! It's frustrating as I don't know which food is causing it. I've made guesses and have been wrong. Back to basics now

>71 MickyFine: I hope you niece enjoys it!
I am going to have to find all our Dr. Seuss books for Chloe to read next week. She has a theme day Monday to Thursday next week (Friday is a PD Day)

>72 The_Hibernator: Thanks!!

>73 scaifea: Thanks! My doc said she is going to try and call the specialist and light a fire for me. But doctors are so behind because of covid restrictions that it could still be a while

>74 msf59: Thanks! I am hoping the restrictions and time off will help

So sorry to read this Chelle. I hope you find something that works to help things for you.

I love the Seuss theme days - hope it proves to be as fun as it looks.

>75 ChelleBearss: I feel your pain on the sleeping in thing... 8 am is a really good day for me. I guess too many years of being up at 6 to get to work. 😀

Hi Chelle, I'm sorry to read that you have some health issues. IBS is such a destabilizing condition.

2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:37) A book you think your best friend would like
29) The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

I have yet to find a book by Matt Haig that I didn't love! While this ended up being a little too happily ever after for me, I did find the premise and the characters wonderful and very interesting. Definitely kept me reading past my bedtime.



52 Book Club 2021 Challenge:8. A book in the 900’s of the Dewey Decimal System
30) Humans: A Brief History of How We F*cked it all up by Tom Phillips

I'm not the best one to ever review non fiction as it's the last genre I would usually pick to read. I did think the author had a good sense of humour to go with his facts, but I struggled to get past some rather dry spots.

>77 charl08: Thanks! At least the theme days are easy enough. Chloe just wants to wear a hat Monday, which is good because I don't think she owns stripes

>78 drneutron: Yes, the kids have ruined me! They get up anywhere from 630-8, most often Chloe is very punctual waking right at 7. It's rather annoying and I have yet to break her of that by telling her to go back to sleep. She just laughs.

>79 Trifolia: Thank you. I imagine it could be worse, but some days it's rather down heartening for sure

Happy Sunday, folks!
It's a miserable day here, grey and raining hard, but I don't mind as I have no where to go.
I actually got my body to sleep in past 8 today until a whopping 10am! It was glorious. Now I'm enjoying a coffee and some LT time before I either do some cleaning or jump back into my IBS research. I spent a good portion of yesterday trying to find foods and recipes that will fit into my restricted plan. I am still in search of a not boring quinoa recipe that doesn't include garlic and onions. I'm tired of greek quinoa salad.

Books finished in February
19) Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
20) A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn
🎧21) The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
22) Sunshine by Robin McKinley
23) A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong
24) Horrorstor by Gracy hendrix
🎧25) Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
26) A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn
27) Girl A by Abigail Dean
28) Ravensong by TJ Klune
29) The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
30) Humans: A Brief History of How We F*cked It All Up by Tom Phillips

Hi Chelle!

I'm sorry about the IBS symptoms. Good luck with the recipes, and I hope the time off helps with the stress.

Happy Wednesday, Chelle. I hope you are feeling better. Hooray for The Midnight Library! My SIL recently finished and loved it. Hopefully, I will get his copy soon.

Ew on the IBS woes, Wow! on the February completions, and *smooch* just cuz

Hi Chelle, you have been doing an excellent job with all your challenges! I am sorry to read that you are having some health difficulties - fingers crossed that you find some relief soon.

31) A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn
I really should slow down reading this series as I am rapidly going to run out~

Good morning, folks!

Today is Nate's 35th birthday! We are having a little pizza party with Nate's parents tonight and that's the extent of the celebrations during these Covidy times. He is happy there will be pizza and cake!

Today I have some cleaning to do, a cake to finish decorating, a quick library pickup and a visit with my gorgeous chiropractor (who Nate has teasingly called Dr Hottie for years) then hopefully start this week's challenge book. This week's challenge book is a book set in a Mediterranean country and is going to be either Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon or Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, haven't decided yet.

>84 karenmarie: Thanks! I am hoping to have a sleep in and pamper myself day this weekend while Nate is home.

>85 msf59: I think you will enjoy The Midnight Library, Mark! I really did :)

>86 richardderus: Ha, Thanks RD!

>87 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy! The challenges were a bit harder this week as I'm in a little book funk and have been playing phone games more.

Happiest of birthdays to Nate!!

Happy birthday to Nate! Good luck with your Mediterranean set novel this week. Maybe toss in a viewing of Mamma Mia! to put you in the mood? ;)

>69 ChelleBearss: When this popped up on fb I immediately though- hang on a minute, your eldest is not *that* grown up! Lol.

>80 ChelleBearss: I am drawn to Humans: A Brief History of How We F*cked it all up by Tom Phillips...is it a social history? or snippets/anecdotes woven into context, or...some other format?

Hi Chelle my dear, please wish Nate a happy 35th birthday from both of us and i hope that your IBS has eased my dear friend, sending love and hugs to you all from both of us.

>90 scaifea: Thanks, Amber! He seemed to enjoy the day :)

>91 MickyFine: Ha! I do remember enjoying that when it first came out but I don't think I've seen it since.
Nate and I have been binge watching Schitt's Creek in the evenings.

>92 LovingLit: Right! She is going to be seven soon and Ellie is starting school this year. I can't believe it some days!~

>93 johnsimpson: Thanks! It hasn't, but I'm working on it :)

Happy weekend, friends!

Today Nate is heading to our friend's house to help him install some baseboards and then the girls and I will join him there later in the afternoon for a playdate and some dinner.
Hoping to get some laundry and reading time in today

>83 ChelleBearss: We finished February in a dead heat, Chelle, 30 books apiece.

>96 ChelleBearss: The reading and dinner appeal; the laundry less so. xx

>97 PaulCranswick: we are doing pretty good this year so far! My reading is slowing a little bit as I read less at home. I ended up picking up Beautiful Ruins for this week’s challenge and I love it so far.

>95 ChelleBearss: - I can't believe it either, Chelle. It seems like yesterday you were pregnant with your first daughter. They are so cute. You must be very proud of them and rightly so.

2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:26) A book with an oxymoron in the title
52 Book Club 2021 Challenge:9. Set in a Mediterranean country
32) Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

This. Books like this are the reason I do these challenges every year. Reading out of my comfort zone, and being forced to look up new books that match these prompts, force me to find books that I would have overlooked. I adored this book and stayed up well past my bedtime last night to finish it off, which is something I don't do often since kids wake up early no matter what time I go to bed.

>99 Trifolia: Thanks, I am proud of them and can't believe they are growing up so fast. Ellie's lipstick obsession is still going strong and I found her "getting ready" this morning. She had been asked to get changed instead I found her applying lipstick that she had snuck out of my bathroom last night and squirrelled away in her bedroom!

2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:25) A book that was published anonymously (pseudonym)
33) Ashfall Legacy by Pitticus Lore

Years ago I really got into the Lorien Legacy series (I Am Number Four) and really enjoyed them, so when I saw this available on Netgalley I thought I would give it a shot. Welp. Should have known this would end up being a series and now I will have to wait for the next book! Ugh. Really enjoyed the action and the characters in this book and while it is YA it didn't feel super young to me, which I appreciate! Recommended to anyone who likes YA, fantasy or sci fi.

(Thanks to NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.)

>100 ChelleBearss: The cover is gorgeous too! I read his book Citizen Vince after I read Beautiful Ruin, and I liked it even more.

>103 raidergirl3: Ohh, I'll add that one to the list. This was my first by him

Happy Tuesday, friends!

After a full day of errands yesterday (truck service, costco, kid shuttle) I have the day to myself today! Kids are at school and daycare and I have a massage booked for this afternoon.
Nate got his Covid vaccine on the weekend and thankfully had no side affects. I doubt I will get mine until fall but at least with Nate being at high risk he is taken care off now and I can worry less about him bringing cooties home from work :)

I am spending my morning with a coffee, LT and some book organizing on my mac. Apple switched from iTunes to Apple books, Apple Music, etc and I didn't realize that until I tried to sync my phone. So I will spend some time setting those up. I also have a Jacuzzi tub and book time planned for later too :)

Have a great day!

Sounds like a great day, Chelle! Enjoy!

Happy Tuesday, Chelle, and Happy Kinda New Thread!

Great photos of the girls up top. I have a suggestion for your Afrofuturist category: Binti by Nnedi Okorafor. Short and very good. If you like it, there are two more.

Sorry to hear about your month of feeling lousy. I hope things have improved a bit. Your plan for the day sure sounds good!

>106 katiekrug: Thanks! Making my second cup of coffee and I'm ridiculously excited to drink it hot!

>107 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! I read the Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor and really liked them. I will add Binti to the list!

>105 ChelleBearss: Hope your solo day was as wonderful as you hoped. :)

2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:8) A book that has won the Women's Prize For Fiction (2018)
52 Book Club 2021 Challenge:Mar 8-14 ~ 10. Related to the word “fire”
Women's Prize for Fiction (winner)
Booker Prize (long list)
34) Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

Every once in a while I delay picking up a book because it intimidates me or because I'm being a book snob. If it's too popular that must mean that it's fluffy and I won't enjoy it. If it has won too many awards therefore it must be too difficult or too deep and I won't enjoy it. Usually I end up reading it years later and end up kicking myself for not reading it sooner. This is one that I should have picked up when I saw how many friends raved about it. I couldn't put it down and my heart was pounding when I read the last page.

>109 MickyFine: Thanks! It was pretty good :)

Hi Chelle, I am getting caught up here. I am so sorry you have IBS issues. I hope it's not too long before you can get some relief, or at least some answers.

I cannot BELIEVE how big the girls are - wow!! They are so beautiful.

Re: quinoa recipes - I have a kind of hash-like recipe I styled after a dish I liked in a restaurant. I don't cook these together, but I mix them all up and serve over mixed greens and my family and I love it. I mix together caramelized onions, roasted diced sweet potatoes (usually tossed with something smoky like smoked paprika or chipotle powder and some brown sugar), quinoa, slices of chicken-apple sausage, then top with toasted nuts and goat cheese. I did write the recipe down for the girls to have if you want it. Not sure if you can eat everything I mentioned.

Hi Chelle!

I'm glad Nate's gotten his first dose of vaccine and hope you had a wonderful day to yourself yesterday.

>110 ChelleBearss: If it's too popular that must mean that it's fluffy and I won't enjoy it. If it has won too many awards therefore it must be too difficult or too deep and I won't enjoy it. Usually I end up reading it years later and end up kicking myself for not reading it sooner. I was that way with Stephen King, with the popular aspect. Silly me.

>110 ChelleBearss: - I often feel the same way about hyped books. But I loved this one too. I'm glad you enjoyed it too.

>110 ChelleBearss: - I'm glad Home Fire was a winner for you, Chelle. I really liked it, too.

>100 ChelleBearss: I have almost started this book twice now! It even made it to the tbr holding zone: the bedside table :)
I think I will have to get serious about it soon.

Happy Thursday, folks!
Today is super warm already (15c) but there is rain coming. It's windy and dark grey here. Spring is showing it's pretty head and I couldn't be happier!
Today is a bonus day home with Nate as he stayed home from work last night with sinus issues. He normally gets sinus issues in the Spring and would normally suffer through at work, but in these Covid times I made him stay home because he is congested and people won't want him coming into their houses with any sort of symptoms. He is still a bit off today and a little mad at me that I said he probably can't go in again tonight.

>112 AMQS: That sounds yummy! I'll have to leave out the onions and swap for a non apple sausage, but I doubt that would change the taste too much. Thanks!

>113 karenmarie: Yes, people think King is "fluffy" or easy, but I love his stuff!

>114 Trifolia: I need to be less of a book snob sometimes!

>115 katiekrug: Thanks, Glad you enjoyed it too! Wow, that ending eh

>116 LovingLit: Oh yes, do give it a shot soon! I think you'd love it!

Happy Thursday to you, Chelle. I also loved Home Fire. Like you, I often wait too long to pick up popular books.

Morning, Chelle! Stopping in to thank you for your enthusiasm about the Veronica Speedwell books - I just finished the first book in the series, and it was a lot of fun. I have recommended it to Abby. I actually liked Veronica even more than Lady Julia Grey, which I was not expecting.

Happy Friday, everyone!
It's a beautiful day here! Sun is shining and it's 11c! There is some wind and clouds but I'll overlook that since it's warm and the snow has melted!
I'm feeling better today and started day one of the 21 Day Fix workout program. I had done this last winter (pre Covid) and lost some weight and felt good so I thought I should maybe see if exercise helps improve my tummy troubles. Can't make it much worse at this point lol

Might take the kids for a walk or clean the backyard after school and making Big Mac salads for dinner tonight :)
Hope everyone has a great weekend!

>118 BLBera: I don't know why I haven't learned by now! If I hear on LT that it's great then I really should read it sooner!

>119 Crazymamie: Oh yay, glad you loved it!! I have the fourth on my TBR shelf waiting it's turn, hopefully next week!

Happy Sunday, folks!
We are relaxing and puttering around today. Changed all the bed sheets, which were well overdue, and have them all in the wash. Will attempt to wash and fold a few loads of laundry today as well as fit in a workout. I've started 21 day fix again because I did so well on it last time and I have the time right now. I'm very sore today and sitting is a challenge!
Homemade Shepherd's Pie and salad for dinner tonight, me thinks.

Slowly reading The Darkness by Ragnar Jónasson and hoping to finish it later tonight or tomorrow morning. My reading has slowed since I've been off work, as when I'm home I have kids and their million demands and things to do around the house.

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday!

2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:33) A book featuring three generations (grandparent, parent, child)
35) The Darkness by Ragnar Jonasson

On the cover is a quote from Greg Hurwitz that says "I dare you not to be shocked" and damn if he wasn't right! I was shocked, and a little mad, at the ending! Dark, but quick, read that kept me wondering from beginning to end.

Hi Chelle! Sending good wishes for the week ahead...

Hi, Chelle. It sounds like you had a nice weekend, despite the laundry duties. Hooray for Beautiful Ruins. I also loved that one and I am a big fan of Walter. He delivered on his latest too, The Cold Millions.

Happy Monday, folks!
Today is a good day. The time change made the kids sleep in until 8am and the accountant cancelled our tax appointment because he is able to do it online and email us, so we don't have to drive 40 mins to see him! yay! Cross your fingers that he will email me to tell me we have a refund coming :)

Today will be a continuation of laundry (it never ends!), workout and relaxing. I started Cat's Eye last night and I'm not loving it yet. It's quite long so I'm hoping it gets more interesting soon!

>123 katiekrug: Thanks! Hopefully it warms up a bit as it was quite chilly this morning!

>124 msf59: Thanks, Mark! I will add The Cold Millions to my book bullet list! That list is getting long!!

Hi Chelle! You are doing some fun challenges! I can see the attraction, the fun of finding a book that will fit, and that you are reading books that you would shy away from. I haven't read Home Fire either, and I think for similar reasons as you. But I will be looking for it now.

I like to read lighter fare in between the more serious books, as I feel I need some fun, and more serious books feel too heavy sometimes.

Sorry about the IBS, hope you can find a way to deal with it!

>125 ChelleBearss: Glad to hear the girls slept in with time change and wishing you luck with your taxes. Just got my return today (I do mine super early every year).

Ah, tax season! The time of year when I start hounding The Wayne to do ours months in advance, and he waits until the last minute. SUCH fun :-P

>126 EllaTim: I also like a lighter book after a more serious book. I actually read a lot more of the lighter books then I do heavier or harder to read literary fiction. I like my vampire fluff :)

>127 MickyFine: Thanks! We ended up getting a return, so yay! :) Glad you got yours back already. I doubt I'll see ours for a few weeks

>128 katiekrug: Ugh, what is with husbands?! Nate is a putter-offer and it drives me bonkers!

Happy St Patrick's day, folks!
Hope everyone has a sunny day!
Today is my do nothing day! Nate is working and the girls are at school and daycare. I'm taking a ME day and going to read, have a bubble bath, do some online shopping because I won $20 off Skull Candy on the Tim Horton's Roll up the Rim so I need to figure out what in the world Skull Candy is lol.
Then green pancakes for dinner, of course! ☘️🌈

Happy St. Patty's Day!

What a cute photo of the girls. Chloe is getting tall!

>130 ChelleBearss: Skull Candy are headphones. I've been using them for years and really like them. :)

>130 ChelleBearss: That is *the*cutest*St. Pat's picture ever. EVER.

Happy Humpday!

>131 jnwelch: Yes, Chloe has had a huge growth spurt! I had to buy her all new pants

>132 MickyFine: Ahh ok, thanks! I didn't end up checking them out yesterday. Perhaps Nate could use a new pair

>133 richardderus: Thanks! They are pretty adorable when they aren't trying to street fight in my living room

>130 ChelleBearss: This made me smile. Gorgeous photo.

Another fan of skull candy headphones here.

>130 ChelleBearss: Absolutely adorable. They certainly know know to celebrate St Patrick's day in style :)

Great picture of the girls! When my girls were little, the leprechauns came and made mischief all over the house. I miss those days.

Hi Chelle.

>130 ChelleBearss: Such a sweet pic of your girls. Is that a mask leash? I must be living under a rock, because I haven’t seen those before. Perfect for kidlets.

I hope you enjoyed your ‘me’ day.

Morning, Chelle. Happy Friday. How have you been feeling? How are those books treating you?

>130 ChelleBearss: OMG! How cute! Chloe is growing up fast.

2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:48) A book from your TBR list chosen at random
52 Book Club 2021 Challenge:Mar 15-21 ~ 11. Book with discussion questions inside
1001 Books to read before you die
Booker Prize (short list)
75 Books Challenge for 2021
36) Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood is one of my favourite authors and I have made an effort to buy many of her works over the years. I have had this book on my shelves since 2013 and for some reason have never picked it up. It was quite long and very rich and it took me almost a week to finish it, which is very long for me! While I did find the beginning to be long winded and slightly harder to get into, about half way it got very interesting and much easier to read in longer stretches.
I have added to quite a few challenges with this book and it was well overdue for a read!

Happy Saturday, friends and Happy first day of Spring! It's supposed to be a beautiful day here and the girls have requested to get their bikes out of the garage. Chloe has a new big bike coming next week so we are going to try and master her small bike without the training wheels this weekend. She is still a bit afraid and tips over because she keeps trying to put her feet down. Hoping this is the summer that she masters it as Ellie wants her small bike lol

We have Chloe's class pets here for the weekend. Two guppies named Skeleton (?!?) and Peanut, and two tiny unnamed Guppy babies. We are really hoping they are all alive by Monday and not cat food by then.

>135 charl08: Awesome! Nate has informed me that he thinks he lost his wireless headphones so I guess I will be ordering him a pair with my winnings.

>136 figsfromthistle: Thanks! Chloe was very excited for this dress up day and went through her clothes and found every green item that she owned!

>137 AMQS: My little leprechauns make mischief everyday! I will miss it when they are older but I wouldn't mind one day where we all just sleep the whole day away lol

>138 karenmarie: Yes, actually we made a bunch at the start of the school year for her that way her mask doesn't get dropped on the floor or in the mud. My last mask order from Ardene a bunch of the masks came with chains so we have lots now.

>139 msf59: Books were slow this week as the Atwood started out a bit of a slog, but I'm finished now and switching to lighter fare for the weekend

>141 ChelleBearss: I've been meaning to pick up this one as well, Chelle. This year.

I love your little leprechauns. :)

Hi Chelle my dear, hope that you and the family are all well and wishing you a great weekend especially with a bike ride in the offing. Sending love and hugs to you all from both of us dear friend.

2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:6) A book with a gem, mineral, or rock in the title
52 Book Club 2021 Challenge:Mar 22-28 ~ 12. Title starting with the letter “D”
75 Books Challenge for 2021
37) Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel

This was twisted and totally awesome! It's hard to love a book when both main characters are terrible people but someone Wrobel pulled this off!

>144 BLBera: Thanks! Hope you love it when you pick it up!

>145 johnsimpson: Thanks, John! Chloe had some trouble with her new bike as it's a lot bigger and she has to use her toes instead of her flat feet. She is getting used to it now though and doing well. We are loving the 15-20c weather this week!

Just catching up here. Your girls are getting so big! And I see they are still keeping you busy. LOL. Love al the books you are reading out of your comfort zone because of your reading challenges. Nice job!

Sorry to hear about your IBS issues. I can totally related having ulcerative colitis and allergies--hope you find a way to calm the beast. If you are still looking for a quinoa recipe, this is a favorite and you could leave out the onion for sure. Be well!!

Ingredients
2 eggs
2/3 cup flour (for gluten free version, use multi-purpose gluten-free King Arthur flour)
2 cups spaghetti squash , cooked and wrung out (see below)
2 cups quinoa , cooked
1/2 cup red onion chopped (OPTIONAL)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
1⁄4 cup spinach fresh, finely chopped (OPTIONAL)
1/2 teaspoon salt
dollop of sour cream or Greek Yogurt

Instructions
1. How to cook spaghetti squash:
The recipe requires 2 CUPS COOKED spaghetti squash. First 5 steps describe how to cook spaghetti squash (this can be done 1 or more days in advance):
Preheat oven to 425 Fahrenheit.
Cut the squash in 2 halves, scrape out the seeds and the fiber out of each half. Spray oil over the cut sides of the squash.
Spray the baking sheet with oil and place the squash on the baking sheet cut side down.
Bake for about 30-40 minutes. Remove it from the oven when it's cooked through and soft, and let it cool. Flip the squash so that cut side faces up – that will speed up the cooling.
After squash cools, scrape squash with a fork to remove flesh in long strands and transfer to a bowl.
Important: Wring out the spaghetti squash by wrapping small portions of it in paper towels and squeezing hard with your hands over the sink. Be careful not to drop the spaghetti squash into the sink.
Cooked spaghetti squash can be refrigerated for 5 days. I prefer to cook spaghetti squash, refrigerate it and make fritters the next day or 2 days later - that allows spaghetti squash to drain the liquid out and get dryer, which is preferable for fritters.

2. Now, on to how to make fritters:
In a large bowl, using electric mixer, beat 2 eggs on high speed for 1-2 minutes. Add flour and continue beating for about 30 seconds to combine. To the same bowl, add spaghetti squash, quinoa, Parmesan cheese, finely chopped spinach, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix very well until all the mixture has uniform consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary, even though it should be just perfect.
Heat a large skillet on high-medium heat until VERY hot. Only then add olive oil. It should sizzle and smoke right away. Using a tablespoon, spoon the tablespoon-ful of the batter for each fritter and drop on the skillet. Using the spoon, correct the shape of each fritter, making it flatter and rounder. Cook until the bottom side of each fritter is golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Using spatula, flip fritters to the opposite side, and cook 1-2 more minutes. When flipping the fritters, you can use a spoon on the opposite side of spatula to help push each fritter onto the spatula and then flipping. Do 4 fritters at a time.
Serve as is, or top with another dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.

>148 Berly: Thanks! That looks pretty great! :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. Sorry I've been MIA again. Dealing with my health issues and trying to keep up with these kids and Ontario went into a "lockdown" type status this week, which is pretty much garbage and useless since pretty much everything is still open. *deep breaths*

38) A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn


2021 Pop Sugar Challenge:23) A book with something broken on the cove
52 Book Club 2021 Challenge:Mar 29-Apr 4 13. Includes an exotic animal
75 Books Challenge for 2021
39) Heartsong by TJ Klune

>80 ChelleBearss: I've got Midnight Library on my Nook from the library--itching to get at it. Sounds like a winner from your description!

Karen O.