The Sunday Post #9

I’m joinin’ in with Kimberly of Caffeinated Reviewer on Sundays to talk about anything new, to share what books have been read &/or have come in, and a heads up on what’s coming up next.

And of course I will also link up with It’s Monday! What are you reading? hosted by Kathryn of The Book Date later on today. Kathryn took over this weekly, Monday meme from Shelia of Book Journey who had taken it over from J Kayne Book Blog. This meme is not just about adult books either. If you read picture and chapter books, juvenile fiction, or even YA, they count as well. Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee of Unleashing Readers give this Monday, book post link up a kid-focus.

The Dillio

Well two things happened earlier this week:

1. Jellybean turned 11 Monday; you can read about that here. I can’t believe she is a tween now.
2. We are finally out for summer *insert cheers and a confetti cannon*. This week was a half week with three, early dismissals. The fifth grader finished off with straight A’s while her eighth grade, teen-aged sister had all A’s and one, high B. We’re proud of both of course. My oldest had no graduation as that was done away with at her junior high and instead, they had an on-school-grounds picnic of free food and games.

A Happy Papa’s Day to American fathers out there. If you observe this holiday, how’re you celebrating? “No drama,” is what my husband wanted. Saturday I made breakfast of breakfast sausages, turkey bacon, and overeasy eggs. Then we went to a local bike store where we checked out new bikes. Bikes were ordered for the teen and me. For the 11-year-old, her dad and I thought to have her use her sister’s until she grows a bit more but now the husband wants to relook at the bike she had tried out when our bikes come in. Later on in the day I joined the Tri-City Knitting group at a Starbucks; I haven’t met up with them since last year’s fall due to schedule conflicts. Today I’m making crunchy waffles and leaving my man to relax in peace in his office.

“When she was reading she wasn’t the quiet Sullivan twin, she wasn’t the one no one ever noticed. She became a princess in a castle. Or a clown juggling under the circus big top. She explored jungles on elephants’ backs and took trips to Mars on spaceships. Reading took her anywhere she wanted to go. And Sophie found that she wanted to go absolutely everywhere.”
― Bella Andre, I Only Have Eyes for You

I finished one, Kindle book this week. It actually is a Goodreads giveaway I had won. I had started the story in March and stopped, but then got back to it when I started working out on the elliptical.

I was a bit speculative about Map of Shadows when I first started it because the beginning premise reminded me of Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code where a grandfather is murdered (not a spoiler) and his granddaughter learns about the secret and magical legacy of this side of her family. However, once I got into the book I was immersed into a secret society that’s set up of Blood Cartographers who draw the maps of the world and keep the yin, society as we know it, and the yang, the Borderlands of decay, destruction, and death balanced.

I found the idea of maps in a fantasy world appealing because exploring other cities and knowing where we are and how to get there are important today. There was such a stark contrast in worlds that I have mixed feelings about it. I liked the animals that were wildly about but it also felt stereotypical for the Borderlands to be dark and a mess. The main character, Sienna, was immediately immersed into the mission which felt rushed as there was little character development. However, the quest was a good adventure full of action and danger, giving me a solid glimpse into how abilities and powers worked. I would definitely give the second installment a try and see from there. Three stars.

On Deck

1. Death Threads (A Southern Sewing Circle #2) by Elizabeth Lynn Casey
2. The Graveyard’s a Fine and Private Place (Flavia de Luce #3) by Alan Bradley
3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4) by J.K. Rowling
4. The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #2) by Rin Chupeco
5. Traitor to the Throne (Rebel of the Sands #2) by Alwyn Hamilton
6. Wild Magic (Immortals #1) by Tamora Pierce

In the Dugout

1. Guaranteed to Bleed (The Country Club Murders #2) by Julie Mulhern

What’s your favorite breakfast to eat? What book right now are you enjoying the most out of your stack? Have a good Sunday. Happy reading to you and TTYS.