What a weekend! I visited an animal shelter on Saturday and fell completely head over heels for two kittens. However, I did not seal the deal, even though a part of me wanted to. But I also felt a bit panicky about making a decision that fast. I only went to the shelter to look at the kittens and make sure this is what I really want. And I really, really do. I really, really want to adopt some kittens. So yay for that!
After my visit, I spent time perfecting my online shopping cart on Chewy.com so I would have everything I need to welcome kittens into my life and finally pushed the order button on Sunday evening. I’m $200 poorer, but I cannot wait to get all of my items and get my apartment ready for my new babies!
(Also yes, I am continuing to check the shelter website to see if the kittens are still available. I’m going to take it as a sign that the kittens are meant to be mine if they’re still there this weekend. Sooo… we’ll see!)
Books Finished
Title: Dr. Strange Beard
Author: Penny Reid
Published: 2018
Format: Library e-book
Rating: ★★★★☆
Plot Summary: Simone and Roscoe were best friends until something happened when they were in high school, and Roscoe essentially “ghosted” her. Now, she’s back in town, working undercover at her mom’s restaurant, and has to force her way back into Roscoe’s life for her case.
My Thoughts: This was a really fun read, one of Penny Reid’s better romances. I really loved the back-and-forth between Roscoe and Simone, even though it took them forever to go from enemies to friends to lovers. There was a really interesting side plot involving a racist cop and Simone (who is black) that I thought was dealt with sensitively. Since the author is white, this could have come across as contrived, but it really didn’t. (However, as a white person myself, I’d be curious to read reviews from black readers to figure out if their reactions are the same.) This book had just the right amount of silliness and fun, and it was a great light-hearted companion to a much heavier book.
Title: Fear: Trump in the White House
Author: Bob Woodward
Published: 2018
Format: Library audiobook
Rating: ★★★★★
Plot Summary: Drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews, meeting notes, and more, Bob Woodward offers readers an intimate look into what it’s really like being in the Trump White House.
My Thoughts: Well, it’s pretty obvious that I am no Donald Trump fan, and I was so excited to get my hands on this audiobook. I’ve been following what’s going on in the Trump presidency very closely, thanks to podcasts and a very informed Twitter feed, so this just felt like I was actually in the room when all of these decisions I heard about were happening. The book is written like a novel (and boy, do I wish it were one) and it gripped me from beginning to end. What I found the most interesting isn’t the way Trump acts as president, but the way everyone around him has to constantly assuage him and keep him from making stupid decisions. It’s a fascinating read and one I highly recommend.
What I’m Reading This Week
- Home Front by Kristin Hannah – I have just about 100 pages left in this novel, and while it’s been a heavy read, I’m already sad about being finished with it. It’s one of Hannah’s better novels, that’s for sure, and my heart aches for every person in this story. Unless something crazy happens at the end, pretty sure this one is getting 5 stars from me.
- On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins – I’m a little less than halfway through this novel, and ughhh, I just love it so much. It’s funny and I just love the way this author writes family dynamics. She’s the best at it.
- The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez – I suggested this novel for book club, and everyone was on board, so I’m excited to finally read this novel. It’s been on my TBR list forever and I know it’s a favorite of so many readers. I can’t wait to start it!
What are you reading?
I hope you and your club love The Book of Unknown Americans. I think it’s such a relevant read given what is going on with immigration these days. It’s definitely a sad book but so well-written. It made my best of list the year I read it.
I finished “The Widows of Malabar Hill” which was a Anne Bogel summer reading selection. It started off slow but picked up about 25% in and was a good book. But the slow start docked my rating to a 3. I’m reading 2 books right now. I Know How She Does It – it’s a non-fiction book about a bunch of time studies of working women who make over $100k/year. The author looks at the detail from their time logs to figure out how these women “have it all.” That’s an ebook I’m reading. My physical book is “The 5th Trimester” which I’m admittedly reading later than I should as it’s meant to be a how to book for moms when they go back to work. I’m 2 months into being back at work and I’m really struggling so I am hoping these 2 books give me some tools or perspectives…
I hope that book on the fifth trimester is helpful for you and gives you the tools you need to figure out being a working mom. I wish there were more books and resources for this time in a new mom’s life! It has to be so isolating at times. <3
I can’t wait to see your kittens and all the Chewy goodies you got! SO SO SO excited for you!
I really want to read that Fear book… but am fearful. LOL, bad joke. Did it make you feel sick reading it? Like, any sicker than normal? I read before I go to bed and don’t want to get all worked up.
I am almost done with The Ensemble!
It didn’t make me feel sicker than normal, haha. Maybe I’ve just had this base level of sickness since the election, and not much is shocking me nowadays. I will say that it made me look at the people who have to deal with Trump on a daily basis in a new light. They really have to monitor his moods and try to keep him stable, and they’ve been more helpful than we realize. Not saying they deserve any accolades, but it did make me feel slightly better knowing there have been some sane-ish people trying to keep things at an even keel.
Do you think I could read Dr. Strange Beard without having read the others in that series, or would I need to read the others first to know what’s happening?
You can definitely read Dr. Strange Beard as a standalone! I think you get a better grasp on all the characters and their quirks by reading the series in order, but you won’t be completely lost if you don’t. Go for it!
I’m intrigued by FEAR, but I also don’t know how much time I want to spend reading about Trump… OH the dilemma 😉