Sunday, May 22, 2022

May 22nd's Sunday/Monday Post

Happy Weekend, everyone!  Time for another Sunday/Monday post, which I will be linking up to the following:

Sunday Post
Sunday Salon
Stacking the Shelves
Mailbox Monday
It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It was another fairly quiet week.  Thursday, I had my church small group.  That was about it outside of work.  As I said, a thrilling week.

Saturday, I fixed that.  I went to Vasquez Canyon park here in Los Angeles County.  Considering how close I live, it's rather embarrassing that I haven't been there before.  You might recognize these rocks since they've been used in movies before, and featured in an episode of The Big Bang Theory were the guys stop to takes picture in front of them in their Star Trek costumes since these rocks were used as a background in Star Trek.  It was nice to wander around up there for a while.  It's desert, but it's beautiful in its own way.

The reason I decided to do that today is because it cooled off here this week.  Oh, not nearly as much as in the parts of the country that got snow.  Remember last weekend when I was talking about it being in the mid-90's?  Yesterday, it didn't quite hit 70 and today is in the mid-70's.  It was a nice day for getting out and enjoying the park, but I'm looking forward to it warming up again in the near future.

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:

Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post (that's right, just this post today)
Monday - Book Review: Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry
Tuesday - Ornament Review: Stocking Stuffers #1 Repaint
Wednesday - Book Review: Smile Beach Murder by Alicia Bessette
Thursday - Movie Review: Uncharted
Friday - Book Review: A Sprinkle in Time by Dana Mentink
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I got a lot of books this week.  But in my defense, they are all ARCs, so I didn't spend any money.  We won't talk about the books I've ordered that should be coming in over the next few weeks.  At least this week.  Those books will be popping up in this section in coming weeks.

From Kensington, I got Muddled Through by Barbara Ross and Murder Through the English Post by Jessica Ellicott.  They send me physical ARCs still, so these are paperbacks even though one of the books will be hardcover when it comes out.

I also got three eARCs through Net Galley.  From St. Martin's/Minotaur, I got The Drowning Sea by Sarah Stewart Taylor and Mint Chocolate Murder by Meri Allen.  Then, from Severn House, I got The Fragrance of Death by Leslie Karst.

These books comes out over the course of the summer, and I'll read and review them near their release.  I've enjoyed previous books by all these authors, so I know I've got some great reading ahead of me.

It just dawned on me, I should be including Her Perfect Life in this section since I got it from the library this past week.  I'll talk more about it in what I'm Currently Reading.

What I'm Currently Reading:

I'm currently enjoying Clouds in My Coffee by Julie Mulhern.  It's a humorous mystery set in the 1970's.  I'm currently hoping to finish it up Sunday around the rest of my Sunday plans.

Either way, by Monday, I will be working on Murder on Union Square by Victoria Thompson.  This is the next in the Gaslight series, at least for me.  I'm still a few books behind, but I'm catching up fast, and I can't wait to see what Sarah and Frank get up to in 1899 New York City.

I'm also working on an audiobook.  I checked Her Perfect Life by Hank Phillippi Ryan out of the library via Overdrive.  I've been enjoying it.

All of these books I'm planning to review the week after Memorial Day.  Yes, I read ahead.  I like it that way so if I fall behind, I don't miss any release dates for ARCs and I have a little time to catch up on my reading schedule.

Have a wonderful week!

30 comments:

  1. You know, it's funny but I saw that pic and I thought to myself that looks like a Star Trek backdrop. the old episode Arena came to mind. :) Then I saw your mention of that.

    I love the Mulhern series.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm always at a loss of where else to go when I'm in LA. Good to know about Canyon Park!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I thought I recognized that spot from the episode of The Big Bang Theory (I confess I was binge-ing on it just this weekend). Now I know where that was shot.

    I hope you have a great week ahead.

    Gayathri @ Elgee Writes

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think the desert can be really stunning and I am embarrassed to say that I haven't done enough of the southern California hikes either.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That episode of Big Bang Theory is classic! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It is amazing how many interesting things there are around LA...and residents don't always get to them. Like my son, who has lived there since the 1990s. He hasn't even been to Venice, which is a beautiful little place that is featured in a lot of movies.

    Great photo.

    Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well yes I thought I recognised that picture too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I will have to go to Vasquez Canyon some day. I go to So. Cal a few times a year to visit my family, and I'll have to to that canyon. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  9. It says a lot about me that I instantly recognised those rocks from Star Trek. Hope you enjoy your new books.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm currently in Arkansas but still have my apartment in Toluca Lake (rent control) and I was always THINKING about going to Vasquez Rocks. I have pictures of me climbing around on the rocks when I was around 6 or 7, but I've never been as an adult. It just always seemed like such a TREK to get there from Toluca Lake. I mean, I would have to pack water and snacks just for the drive. Ha ha. I'm glad YOU went as it looks like an amazing site to behold in person.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Of course the Big Bang Theory is where I recognize those rocks from, lol. How cool! Hope you enjoy your new books and have a great week!
    https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2022/05/22/weekly-wrap-up-68-may-22nd-2022/

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've enjoyed several books in that Julie Mulhern series... the 70s setting is so much fun! Have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I read the first couple of Julie Mulhern books and loved them. I really have to get back to them. I especially love the setting. Hope you have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks like you a productive week even if you didn't venture out of the house but to visit the desert. We must have swapped our weather I'm outside San Francisco and it's been super hot this weekend but we started out cool 70s. I hope you enjoy your books this week. Most of then are new to me but I'm curious to check them out. Have a great week!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I recognized those rocks immediately. They made me think of the picture recently taken by the Mars Curiosity Rover with what people are saying is a door in the rocks. Someone photoshopped Marvin the Martian in the "doorway" and it gave me a good laugh.

    My Sunday Post

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great haul Mark! It sounds like you’ve had a busy week. I love Hank Phillipi Ryan’s books and hope you enjoy this one! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great picture. Isn't it funny that we have beautiful places so close to home and for whatever reason the locals stay away and strangers come from far and wide to enjoy? Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Free books really are the best books. I love that you are able to read ahead. I need to do that but haven't quite managed it yet. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  19. That's awesome you had cooler weather and were able to get out and enjoy it. I also have the Drowning Sea and look forward to it!

    Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

    ReplyDelete
  20. The desert is definitely beautiful in its own way. Glad you were able to visit somewhere new. Looks like you have lots of great reads coming up. I especially love the Victoria Thompson series. But I have quite a few books before I am caught up! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the header photo on your blog! Awesome! What a great idea to review ARCs near their release date. I’ve just gotten approved for my first book on Net Galley, so appreciated that tip!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I remember that episode of Big Bang Theory! Beautiful picture. Glad you decided to go 😍. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Some great looking books arriving your way. Sounds like a great desert trip on Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love visiting the desert. My parents lived in AZ for several years and I made a few trips every year to see them. Sounds like you had a nice hike!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I bet Vasquez Canyon Park is a fabulous place to visit. A desert is such a lovely and quiet spot.

    And you received so many ARCs! Those definitely do not count against you! lol

    ReplyDelete
  26. I read ahead too - usually. Sometimes I'll get a review copy with a short turn-around which will require reorganizing both my reading plans and my calendar. That park looks great. I'm glad the weather cooperated. It's still quite cool here. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  27. That photo of the park looks gorgeous. I'm glad you had a good time. And such lovely new books. Enjoy and happy reading.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Clouds in My Coffee looks like a cute one. Happy reading.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Nice photo -- and it did look familiar. Glad you enjoyed the visit.
    I like the looks of all of your ARCs. I might check NetGalley in another month or so after I feel more caught up.
    Enjoy your week and reading!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I knew that picture looked familiar! I love that episode! So many great books. I need to get caught up with the Julie Mulhern series. I'm so behind on that series. I hope you are having a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. In order to combat spam, I moderate most comments. I'll get to your comment as soon as I can.