This was a fun read, although a bit old for my daughter (subject, not ability).

Friday is an unusual child in an unusual family. She takes up solving crime, which earns her reward money, which finances boarding school, which turns out to be full of mystery. Looking forward to the next one (darn cliffhanger).

An interesting analysis of art history focusing on the role of the viewer more than that of the artist, incorporating the purpose of the objects as well. Beautifully illustrated with clear photographs (more books like this need this kind of photos), and concise description.

I enjoyed this so much I bought my own copy and then dived into it again, about six weeks after reading it in the first place. I love how Emily starts to treat herself better, the way she treats everyone else. And Ian Blackthorne - swoon!

In the end, images of power are only as powerful as those who view them allow them to be.

Overall this is a good look at introducing and continuing reading from birth to teenage years. Good tips, some food recommendations - but I cussed out loud when I found this. Um, Stellaluna, that classic children‘s book character, is not male, and you‘d expect these authors, with all their experience in the genre, to know that. Again, it makes me question the details of the other book synopses.

Today‘s library #bookhaul - and all #nfnovember too. Hopefully they‘re quick reads, because they all look good.

#litsyhumor

Stolen from Facebook

#litsyhumor

Stolen from Facebook

This is a cute story about kittens struggling to be taken seriously in the building trades. Marmalade is an architect, Sampson an electrical engineer, and Bubbles a plumber. Together they form Kitten Construction Company and build a new mayor‘s mansion.

My only complaint is they never do get taken seriously by most, but they do get some notice and a new project.

Well, I finally managed to read these to the kiddo. We enjoyed them, despite my struggles. I offer my sincerest apologies to all Scots for my mangling of your language!

Here‘s a PSA and a laugh for all you Littens - the local NWS chapter shared this graphic today. Our overnight low was 22F, forecasted high today 40F. Cold for Louisiana, but nothing compared to what some of you are getting! Stay warm out there, and remember someone always has it worse! 😆

At times derivative (as in stealing devices from Tangled), at times clever, this one is tough to rate. It‘s long for MG, has parts that might be scary for younger readers (devouring children, kidnapping babies), definitely for older MG.

Rapunzel leaves her tower with Jack Beanstalker and travels through the land of Tyme. During their adventures she learns that Witch is not the loving mother she thought she was.

Yesterday I had a little time to myself. My rehearsal ended early and I needed to get lunch before heading home. I may have tripped and fallen into BN on the way to lunch and ended up with this #bookhaul. Well Met was so fun I needed my own copy, and Jeaniene Frost comes recommended by Ilona Andrews, who have never led me astray before. Not sure when I‘ll get to them...

Stolen from a friend‘s Facebook page.

Well, I finished this one yesterday. I‘m not sure what I read, exactly. I am definitely out of practice in scholarly reading, but even so I think this one is challenging.

Kerenyi delves into the opposing roles of Athena, that of the maiden and that of the mother, and proposes the notion that both roles serve to enforce the patriarchy. There‘s more to it, of course, but I‘ll have to read it again. And probably again.

38 down for #nancydrewchallenge - unlikely we‘ll finish the whole series this year but we‘re plugging along.

A life-size dancing puppet is plaguing an amateur theater troupe, and Nancy steps in to unravel this tangled mystery. As usual, several seemingly-unrelated threads come together and Nancy sorts everything out.

Y‘all.

Hubby told me he set up the kettle and my mug, so all I had to do was reheat the water and pour. So I did, also trying to get the kid out of her warm bed.

Several minutes later (still no sign of the kid) I tried to pull out the tea bag but couldn‘t find it. Sniffed my tea, smells like nothing. Turn on the brighter kitchen light. I‘ve been steeping hot water. Nothing in it.

Gonna be a long day.

I tried to start this today while waiting for kiddo‘s STEM class, but it was crazy loud with other moms, little siblings running amok, and various other library din.

I chatted with a few other homeschool moms (new for me - socializing!), and it was mostly fun, but I have now experienced my first moment of “what church do you go to?” and “what do you use for Bible study?” and then the scandalized silence when I respond “we‘re not Christian.”

Another peeve of mine. I particularly like the last bit in this explanation of the difference.

Thank you, Messers Strunk and White! One of my greatest peeves is the misuse of “I could care less” when one means “I could NOT care less.”

I was inspired by @TK-421 to pick this up and read it. The glossary helps with the grammatical terms, the rules and reminders are clear and useful, the the examples are interesting (if sometimes dated).

A friend asked me to read her novel (I read her first draft two years ago), and I‘ll keep these tips in mind as I compile my feedback.

#NFNovember

I always thought I had read this as a kid, but it was all new.

A girl is stranded on her home island off the CA coast when her tribe evacuates. She spends years fending for herself. Themes of isolation and survival, as well as hints of colonialism and environmental responsibility.

We depart from Dina and her Inn to follow Maud on her adventures amongst House Krahr. Political intrigue, family drama, romantic tension, and tidbits that point to many more stories in the Innkeeper Chronicles. May the mighty Ilona Andrews team write forever!

Another knockout from Ilona Andrews. I hope there will be many more Innkeeper stories, especially featuring Dina. I‘m looking forward to Maud‘s story, too.

Dina receives an SOS from her sister and drops everything to rescue her. Back at the Inn, a hunted alien species begs Dina for help to save their race, which triggers a war with another vicious alien race. Meanwhile, something is attacking Innkeepers.

October, despite what felt like the start of a slump, was a fantastic reading month for me! 29 books finished, 1 DNF, for 6199 pages!

That brings my year up to 193 books read and 47,775 pages.

Now I know where I am in the Innkeeper Chronicles!

Dina reluctantly agrees to host an impossible peace summit, but nothing is as it seems. Loving this series from the great Ilona Andrews, and eager to dive into number three, now that I am back on track.

An interesting look at the debt the West owes to the Arab thinkers from the eighth through thirteenth centuries. The “rediscovery” of Greek science and philosophy in the Middle Ages came courtesy of the Islamic world, and this book details how that happened.

It skips around a bit chronologically, and can be a bit confusing (luckily it dovetails some with A History of God by Armstrong, which I read recently, so that helped)

Cont in comments

This feels like a lesson we‘re still learning, the danger in fighting “true believers.”

It seems I wasn‘t exactly paying attention at the library yesterday, because I had no idea these weren‘t the original books. I pulled one out for bedtime story last night and did a double take, then put it back and grabbed something easier. I just don‘t think I could pull it off at the end of the day, ya know?

The question is, why does my library have these? Lots of Cajun stories here, sure, but Scottish is new...

Emergency run to the library today for the tagged book. Returned all the books I finished during the readathon plus everything the kiddo has finished since Thursday (31 books! And she didn‘t even read anything this weekend). Then of course we checked out half the kids‘ department...between her card and mine we‘re making good use of our library!

Calling it a night and the end of #24B4Monday

I think that‘s 80 points for #teamstoker if I calculate correctly. I feel like I did really well, completing 8 books and starting a ninth. Good night all!
@jb72 @Andrew65 @TheReadingMermaid

Well, dammit! I was all set to move on to book 2 of the Innkeeper Chronicles, but it wasn‘t making any sense. Because I don‘t have book 2, I have book 3. On to something else for now, I guess, and hope the library has book 2.

Plugging away at #24B4Monday though.
@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65 @jb72

Eighth finish of #24B4Monday puts me at 14:20 so far!

I loved this book! Really, the only Ilona Andrews I haven‘t liked was the Edge, and I only read the first one of that series. Now I‘m dying to dive into the rest of the series, but the kiddo wants to play dolls and so reading will have to wait.

@Andrew65 @TheReadingMermaid @jb72

Finally finished the series! Or the series as it is, anyway, who knows if there will be more.

I have always loved The Odyssey, and this is a fun retelling. What a great series.

Seventh finish of #24B4Monday and I‘m closing in on 10 hours.

@jb72 @TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

And therein lies the crux of The Odyssey.

Book 9 of Myth-O-Mania tells Hades‘ perspective on the Trojan War, which is pretty awesome. Unlike most of the Olympians Hades wants to avert/end the war regardless of who wins.

Sixth completion for #24B4Monday puts me at 8:23, which is lower than I‘d hoped but better than I expected given how busy today was.
@TheReadingMermaid @jb72 @Andrew65

I feel you, Hades. Social obligations are not my thing either.

#37 down for #nancydrewchallenge and #5 finished for #24B4Monday - not bad!

An interesting romp for Nancy and Co. in New York City and Hong Kong, matching wits with an international smuggling ring who have added kidnapping and assault to their crimes! Minus points for a ridiculous plane kidnapping that Nancy gets out of by writing an SOS in lipstick on a plane window, backwards, while tied up.

@Andrew65 @jb72 @TheReadingMermaid

A centaur named Giddiopeus! Awesome.

Still loving this series! There are some laugh-out-loud bits in here.

Unfortunately, life got in the way of reading this morning, so I‘m only at 1.5 hours today for #24B4Monday but still going!

@Andrew65 @jb72 @TheReadingMermaid

Thanks to #24B4Monday I‘ve met my pages goal here! I wanted to get to 100,000 by the end of the year, and I hit it last night!

@TheReadingMermaid @jb72 @Andrew65

I think I‘m out for the night. Almost 5 hours today, not bad. Finished my NF in progress, read two Myth-O-Mania books, and read three chapters of Nancy Drew with the kiddo (hoping to finish that one tomorrow, along with some history reading with her).
#24B4Monday

@jb72 @Andrew65 @TheReadingMermaid

Third book done for #24B4Monday

Hades sets the record straight about Hercules and all those labors. The big hero needed some help from good old Uncle Hades, plus a motley crew of monsters.

@TheReadingMermaid @jb72 @Andrew65

Nope. If you‘re vegetarian you don‘t eat animals of any kind. No fish.

1. Done, though I know it‘s love-it-or-hate-it
2. Yes, every day (but it‘s a habit I developed in my late 20s)
3. If it‘s cheese or veggie then absolutely!
4. 9 US
5. @hermyknee

Thanks @Sace for the tag! My first #friyayintro @howjessreads

Humus and Pita 😂😂😂

“Real guys not ask directions.”

These are Prometheus‘ clay-made mortals, the first guys.

These stories are such fun! Pet peeve, though - cover picture doesn‘t follow description in the story.

Second book down for #24B4Monday and just over three hours in (plus some Nancy Drew with the kiddo).

@Andrew65 @TheReadingMermaid @jb72 (sorry I forgot to tag you earlier)

A pick- for this one. Some great ideas about bringing more joy, inspiration, and love to homeschooling, although I disagree with the fundamental idea that to have a vibrant educational environment at home that you have to abandon the desire for cleanliness. Lots to think about here.

First completion for #24B4Monday and I‘m at 1:43 on my time so far!
@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

TBR stack that is currently threatening to crush me in my sleep, and my backup for #24B4Monday (and, of course, there‘s my entire library too if need be). I think I‘m set!